18-year-old Kazakh genius defends master’s thesis

ASTANA – Eighteen-year-old Rakhat-Bi Abdysagin recently defended his master’s thesis at Kazakh National University of Arts (KazNUA), reported tengrinews.kz. Abdysagin became a student at the Kurmangazy Kazakh...


Kazakhstan, Russia to cooperate in aviation searches and rescues

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s lower house of Parliament (Mazhilis) recently ratified an intergovernmental agreement with Russia to cooperate in aviation searches and rescues, according to Sputnik Kazakhstan.  ...


Roaming medical trains provide care to more than 6,500 residents of remote regions

ASTANA – Approximately 6,500 residents in the Karagandy and Mangystau regions have received medical treatment from medical trains at more than 30 stations since the first train...


Switching to Latin alphabet will facilitate Kazakhstan’s development

We are living in an increasingly globalised and interconnected world. Advancements in technology and transportation have made the planet smaller, making it easier for people from all...


Kazakhstan-born producer turns family ties into film

ASTANA – Family has emerged as a major theme in Kazakhstan-born Anatoliy Kim’s body of films. His “Siblings” was a hit at the Middle Coast Film Festival,...


Kazakh beekeepers to export honey to China

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and China signed the protocol on inspection, quarantine and sanitary requirements for honey exported from Kazakhstan to China during President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s official visit...


Doctoral student from Almaty gives practical classes at university in Zurich

ASTANA – Alexander Nigai, a 24-year-old doctoral student from Almaty, is teaching practical classes at ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich) reported Inform.kz. “I...


Four Kazakh singers to participate in Placido Domingo Operalia during EXPO 2017

ASTANA – The prestigious Operalia, the world opera competition founded by Plácido Domingo, will take place in the capital July 24-29 as part of EXPO 2017. A...


Kazakhstan’s spiritual renewal will be supported by all society, scholar believes

ALMATY – Culture and spirituality are the life of the people, their mind and heart, their past, present and future, says Kazakh National Academy of Science corresponding...


World-renowned musicians to perform at May 26-29 Astana Keshteri festival

ASTANA – Astana will host the Astana Keshteri music festival for the sixth time May 26-29 at three venues, reported Tengrinews.kz. According to the organisers, this is...


Second STEM and Art Festival takes place in Atyrau

It is unlikely that there will be a person who challenges the generally accepted truth that “the youth is our future.” Since each of us wants to...


Kazakh transport, logistics and financial opportunities discussed at European Economic Congress

ASTANA – Kazakhstan presented May 10-12 its transport and logistics opportunities and discussed its potential to become a financial hub at the IX European Economic Congress in...


Astana taxi companies form single association, large unified service

ASTANA – Astana’s taxi companies have formed into a single association called  Astana Taxi and will now have a uniform taxi design, tariff’s and point-of-sale for card...


Nazarbayev signs law defining borrower protections

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev signed May 6 a debt collection act and related amendments regulating how collection agencies can pursue borrowers and other elements related to...


Kazakh President attends One Belt, One Road forum, meets with leaders in China

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev attended the One Belt, One Road International Cooperation Forum and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other high leaders May 14-15...


COSCO Shipping to invest in Khorgos-Eastern Gate free economic zone

ASTANA – The world’s largest marine and logistics operator COSCO Shipping plans to invest in the development of Khorgos-Eastern Gate Special Economic Zone (SEZ) located on the...


Astana Arlans Beat Russia’s Patriot Boxing Team in First WSB Quarterfinal Match

ASTANA – The Astana Arlans boxing team defeated Russia’s Patriot Boxing Team in the first match of the World Series of Boxing (WSB) quarterfinals. The match took...


Priorities of transition of Kazakhstan’s economy to low carbon development

A new climate treaty for the countries participating in the process, including for the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a universal strategy in addressing issues in the field...


Almaty police to go live via Instagram to help search for missing persons

Almaty police has decided to conduct constant live broadcasts on Instagram to help search for missing persons. The Instagram account Rozysk_kz (“search” in Russian) has provided the...


San Mir Astana company grows organic apples under Agrobusiness – 2020 programme

ASTANA – Astana-based private company San Mir Astana grows organic apples as part of the Agrobusiness – 2020 programme to develop the agro-industrial complex in the country....


New York-based streaming platform Filmatique releases Nariman Turebayev’s “Adventure”

ASTANA – Filmatique.com, a New York-based online streaming platform, released Kazakh filmmaker Nariman Turebayev’s FIPRESCI (International Federation of Film Critics) prize-winning film “Adventure.” Ursula Grisham, who is...


Pianos for public use installed around Astana

ASTANA – A creative project under the name Street Piano was launched here for the first time by the Astana socio-entrepreneurial corporation, according to the press service...


Container train from London to Yiwu makes first trip through Kazakhstan

The first container train from London to Yiwu passed through the territory of Kazakhstan, according to the press service of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy National Company.   The...


Kazakh scientist creates unique catalyst for oil

ASTANA – PhD and Senior Lecturer of the Kazakh National Research Technical University (KazNITU) and the Kazakh-British Technical University (KBTU) Khadichakhan Rafikova has discovered a greener form...


Astana to begin light rail system construction in May

ASTANA – The city administration will start construction on a $1.8 billion light rail transport system (LRT) in Astana at the end of May. “A consortium of...


EBRD finances irrigation in Aktobe, Zhambyl and South Kazakhstan regions

ASTANA – Climate change is affecting rainfall and water availability in Kazakhstan. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is joining a strategic programme to significantly...


Kazakhstan’s transport, logistics opportunities presented at Turkmenistan conference

ASTANA – Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) national railway company presented May 4-5 Kazakhstan’s transit-transport development, multimodal logistics, freight traffic and infrastructure opportunities at the Turkmenistan International Transport...


Authorities in Karaganda region using all available tools to battle corruption

ASTANA – Last year, Kazakhstan was ranked 131st of 176 countries in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index. This, among many other factors, prompted government officials to develop...


Kazakh officials promote nation’s business opportunities in Latin America

ASTANA – Senior Kazakh officials last week toured Latin American countries to promote Kazakhstan’s business opportunities while Mexican business representatives visited Kazakhstan to explore investment opportunities. Kazakh...


Kazakh boxing team member wins gold at Asian Championships

ASTANA –Kazakh national boxing team member Vasily Levit recently won individual gold at the Asian Boxing Championships in Tashkent, becoming Kazakhstan’s first three-time winner of the event....


Radar station production plant starts operation in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The Granit-Thales Electronics plant, a joint Kazakh-French venture, has started production of the new generation Ground Master 400 radar equipment in Kazakhstan. The project is...


Kazakh businessperson creates clothing brand on French Riviera

ASTANA – Almaty businessperson Madi Sypatayev decided to change his life in 2011 by moving to France with his wife and three children. He later launched his...


Financial sector repair needed to spur growth in the Caucasus and Central Asia

While the Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA) is facing a somewhat better external environment, prospects for growth remain subdued relative to historical standards, and risks remain tilted...


Military parade commemorates Fatherland Defenders’ Day, Victory Day marked

ASTANA – Kazakhstan held the largest military parade in the nation’s history in Astana’s Independence Square May 7 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of...


Kazakhstan’s open investment policy, EXPO, attract foreign investors to do business

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s efforts to draw foreign investors have marked the country as the “foreign investors’ haven” in Central Asia. For U.K.-based Aggreko, a supplier of temporary...


Health insurance classes to be added to Kazakh medical school curriculums beginning in September

ASTANA – Kazakh medical schools and colleges will begin in the next academic year to teach courses on healthcare issues and policies, Kazakhstan Yelzhan Birtanov announced May...


Teatro alla Scala to perform in Astana during EXPO 2017

ASTANA – Soloists, the chorus and symphony orchestra of the legendary Milanese Teatro alla Scala will perform in September at the Astana Opera House, according to the...


Japan presents plans for container transit route through Kazakhstan to Europe

ASTANA – Representatives of Japanese economic organisations, companies and think tanks discussed Japan’s plans to develop container transit from Japan to Europe through Kazakhstan and China with...


Kazakhstan develops road safety plan, fatalities decline

ASTANA – The Ministry of Internal Affairs has developed a national concept for road safety until 2020 to reduce accidents and increase enforcement. “Your recommendations are important...


Latest Astana process talks establish de-escalation zones in war-torn Syria

ASTANA – The fourth round of the Astana Process talks on Syria on May 3-4 ended with the signing of a document envisaging the creation of four...


Fourth Astana Process Talks Achieve Gains Toward Peace in Syria

Ending the conflict in Syria has proved to be stubbornly difficult. The lack of trust between opposing sides has led to unbearable suffering for the people of...


Kazakh stunt men nominated for Taurus World Stunt Awards

ASTANA – Stunt coordinator Zhaidarbek Kunguzhinov and his team Nomad Stunts have been nominated for the Taurus World Stunt Awards for coordinating and performing stunts in the...


Kazakh military is strong, regionally integrated and dedicated to peace

Every year, Victory Day on May 9 marks the moment when we celebrate the end of the Second World War and commemorate those who gave their lives....


Entertainment, cultural events to be presented around Astana during EXPO 2017

ASTANA – The Astana akimat (city administration) will present free and paid cultural and entertainment events throughout the city during EXPO 2017. Events will include international festivals...


Kazakhstan, Japan and CTBTO seek discussions ahead of Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty review

Kazakhstan, Japan and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) issued a joint appeal to launch the first of a series of preparatory discussions ahead of the 2020...


Nazarbayev University to host conference on good governance, diversification in resource-dependent countries

ASTANA – The Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Public Policy (NU GSPP) has announced plans to hold “The Good Governance and Economic Diversification in Resource Rich Economies”...


Kazakh-French Business Council meeting examines non-traditional investment opportunities

ASTANA – There is great potential for France in non-traditional investment spheres in Kazakhstan, Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs Vice Chairman Nurzhan Altayev told the Kazakh-French Business...


Kazakh, Central Asian FMs reaffirm cooperation at Central Asia+Japan Dialogue

ASTANA – The foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Japan reaffirmed their cooperation across sectors at the May 1 Central Asia+Japan dialogue in Ashgabat....


Centre of Cultures and Religions strengthens interfaith harmony, patriotism

ASTANA – Twenty foreign and five Kazakh participants representing leaders of world and traditional religions and international organisations dealing with issues in the field will get together...


Fitch Ratings affirms Kazakhstan’s BBB rating

ASTANA – Fitch Ratings has confirmed Kazakhstan’s Long-Term Foreign- and Local-Currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDR), evaluating it at BBB with stable outlooks. The issue ratings on the...


Kazatomprom, KazNU establish centre for uranium industry professionals

ASTANA – Kazatomprom, the country’s national atomic company, and Kanysh Satpayev Kazakh National University (KazNU) have established a scientific and educational nuclear centre where high-skilled professionals will...


Astana launches tri-lingual electronic library at bus stop to spread reading culture

ASTANA – The first electronic library in the capital has been installed at the Khan Shatyr bus stop, said Akim (Mayor) Asset Issekeshev in a May 1...


Cooperation and peaceful resolution is the key for the future, says anti-nuclear activist

ASTANA – Tore Naerland, president of Bike for Peace Norway (BFP), has been nominated for the Kazakhstan Peace Prize for a Nuclear Weapons Free World and Global...


Kairat futsal club wins bronze at UEFA Cup for the third time

ASTANA – The Kairat futsal club placed third in the 2016-2017 UEFA Cup’s Final Four, the third time the Almaty club has won bronze medals in the...


Kazakhstan’s biggest automobile holding celebrates 25th anniversary

ASTANA – Bipek Avto-Azia Avto, Kazakhstan’s largest automobile holding, celebrated its 25th anniversary in April. During the quarter century, the company went from a modest AvtoVAZ dealer...


Kazakh FM discusses cooperation with US, British and UN officials in New York

ASTANA – The UN Security Council under the American chairmanship held ministerial level thematic debates on the theme of non-proliferation/DPRK in New Your April 28. The Kazakh...


Huawei Academy opens in Almaty to support local ICT education

ASTANA – Huawei recently opened the first in Kazakhstan Huawei Authorised Information and Network Academy (HAINA) in Almaty based on the Kazakh-British Technical University (KBTU), according to...


Kazakh-Uzbek ties strengthen amidst frequent presidential contacts

ASTANA – Relations between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan received another boost when the two countries’ leaders met April 29 in Saryagash, a small Kazakh town famous for its...


Kazakh law enforcement officials win world hand-to-hand combat championship division, team places second

ASTANA – The Kazakh hand-to-hand combat team, consisting of law enforcement officials, placed second in the April 21-24 World Hand-to-Hand Combat Championship in Moscow. Kazakhstan’s national team...


Government proceeds with privatising state property, says vice minister of finance

Let us accept as a given: no state will give up its role in a market economy. Even guided by the idea of encouraging entrepreneurship, even going...


Turkish Atlas Global launches Astana to Istanbul Flights

ASTANA – Turkish air carrier Atlas Global (former Atlasjet) launched April 28 direct Astana to Istanbul flights. The flights will be carried out twice a week on...


Kazakhstan to introduce online platform to facilitate job exchange functions

ASTANA – An electronic labour exchange, a free unified database providing labour market information, will be launched in September, said Vice Minister of Labour and Social Protection...


Kazakh FM visits Middle East, invites heads of states to OIC science and technology summit

ASTANA – Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov visited Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait April 23-26 to invite their heads of state to participate in the Sept. 10-11...


Family upbringing is key to preventing youth radicalisation, says top Kazakh official

ASTANA – State bodies and civil society institutions should strengthen efforts to modernise public awareness with an emphasis on zero tolerance for any activities related to radical...


EU Ambassador in Astana talks about Rome declaration, Brexit and Cooperation Agreement

ASTANA – Diplomatic ties between Kazakhstan and the European Union (EU) were established in 1993. Today, the EU is one of the country’s main political and economic...


Assembly of the People will assist in Kazakhstan’s modernisation, says President

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev told the 25nd session of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan (APK) that the assembly will be instrumental in achieving...


Kazakh dancer instructs salsa classes, finds her rhythm in Toronto

ASTANA – Aktobe-born and raised, Gulsaya Tuleu has been teaching, choreographing and performing lively and exciting salsa for years at Baila Society (BASo) in dynamic and multicultural...


Government explains new foreign investment strategy, creation of Kazakh Invest national company

ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Bakytzhan Sagintayev and other top officials presented April 27 the outlines of the draft National Investment Attraction and Retention Strategy and the...


Foreign experts address biodiversity needs at Almaty gathering

ASTANA – The current global financial needs for biodiversity management are $150-440 billion per year, while expenditures are estimated at $52 billion, said Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN)...


Kazakh cultural centre in Argentina unites Central Asia and Latin America

ASTANA – Irina Vagner, founder of Centro Kazajo, the Kazakh cultural centre in Rosario, Argentina, has announced plans to take part in next year’s Festival of Nations....


Garage Museum of Contemporary Art, Grand Palais Paris to display at EXPO 2017

ASTANA – The Garage Museum of Contemporary Art and Grand Palais Museum will present exhibitions and public programmes June 10 – Sept.10 at the Astana Contemporary Art...


Astana couple creates business to foster child development

ASTANA – Married Astana couple Amir and Zulfiya Zhantassov have created the “Smart Monkey” kit to foster child development for children up to 10 years old. “My...


Central Asian farmers trained in latest agro-technologies as part of Kazakhstan’s development assistance

ASTANA – Almaty is hosting April 24-28 a “Improving the productivity and profitability of agribusiness through teaching innovative technologies of water and energy saving to farmers and...


High water remains in regions across Kazakhstan as some residents return home

ASTANA – For the past several days, Kazakhstan has been struggling to control floods and high water in several regions. Some 2,000 homes have been flooded across...


Cooperation between Kazakhstan, Qatar to have international impact

There are plenty of differences between Qatar and Kazakhstan as even the briefest glance at a map of the world will show. But despite these big contrasts...


Astana Arlans win WSB group stage, reach playoffs

ASTANA – The Astana Arlans team of Kazakhstan earned a hard-fought 3-2 win over the China Dragons in the final match of the World Series of Boxing...


Kazakhstan calls for global reduction in military spending

ASTANA – Kazakhstan renewed its call for a cut in global military spending on the Global Day of Action on Military Spending (GDAMS) in an April 24...


Astana Piano Passion Festival Kicks Off

ASTANA – The fourth Astana Piano Passion Festival, an international festival of classical music and competition for young pianists, officially opened in Astana April 22. Young talents...


Kazakh, Chinese foreign ministries sign 2017-2019 cooperation agreement

ASTANA – Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov and Chinese Foreign Minister China Wang Yi signed a cooperation agreement between their ministries for 2017-2019 during their April 21...


EBRD updates Kazakh strategy to reflect green economy transition

ASTANA – The European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is updating its Kazakhstan strategy to highlight Kazakhstan’s Green Economy Transition as an example for other countries....


BI Marathon Set for May 28 in Astana’s Triathlon Park

ASTANA – The annual BI Marathon is planned for May 28 in the capital’s Triathlon Park, and 300 people have already registered for the event. “This year...


National Bank has clear vision of banking sector development, says deputy chairman

This year, the National Bank of Kazakhstan plans to perform an independent assessment of banks’ asset quality in the country. Verification of the real situation in this...


New Astana railway station set to open June 1

ASTANA – Astana is set to open a new railway station ahead of the EXPO 2017 international specialised exhibition, to be called Nurly Zhol. The facility will...


More than 13,000 run in Almaty international charity marathon

ASTANA – An international charity marathon took place April 23 in Almaty. During the last several years, the event has become a landmark not only of Almaty,...


South Korea inspects its EXPO 2017 pavilion, will showcase latest energy technology

ASTANA – President and Chief Executive Officer of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) Jaehong Kim and Astana EXPO 2017 national company Chairman Akhmetzhan Yessimov agreed to...


Singapore sees Kazakhstan as regional transport hub, says trade minister

ALMATY — Minister of State for Trade and Industry of Singapore Dr. Koh Poh Koon led a large business delegation to Almaty  April 19-22, as part of the Future China...


SCO foreign ministers lay groundwork for June summit in Astana

ASTANA – Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member state foreign ministers met April 21 in Astana to prepare for the June 8-9 meeting of the heads of member...


Race car enthusiast plans to construct Lotus Seven

ASTANA – Artyom Abishev, a young race car enthusiast from Almaty, has decided to bring his hobby to a new level. He plans to push his project...


Kazakh President praises EXPO 2017 preparations

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarvayev praised preparations for EXPO 2017 during an April 21 visit to the Expo site. “Official opening of the exhibition will take...


Kazakhfilm to complete filming of “Mir Mechty” in May

ASTANA – A feature film named “Mir Mechty” (“The World Of Dreams”) produced by the Aimanov Kazakhfilm studio by an order from Kazakh Ministry of Culture and...


Almaty, Astana children’s camps offer healthy activities

ASTANA – Summer is almost around the corner and it is time for the holidays all children anticipate. The Astana Times has compiled a list of the...


Saka stone houses in Central Kazakhstan shed light on Kazakh nomadic culture, archaeologist says

ASTANA – The study of the settlements of the Saka, also referred to as Scythians, ancient tribes that lived in what is now modern-day Kazakhstan, is one...


Kazakhstan improves four slots to 81st in WEF’s Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index

ASTANA – Kazakhstan improved its position by four spots to 81st in the latest World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index. The index is published...


Science, technology and math necessary for students to be globally competitive, says university director general

ASTANA – It seems economics and law have been eternally popular and cliché fields to study and work in former Soviet Union countries. The notion that one...


Kyzylorda volunteers cultivate concern for others, present inclusive theatre production

ASTANA – A Kyzylorda volunteer organisation held a charity concert April 21 as part of the social programme to help rehabilitate and socialise individuals with physical challenges....


Ab-Initio training programme’s first cadets become captains

ASTANA – The six co-pilots of Air Astana, who first graduated from Air Astana’s of Ab-Initio training programme, recently became captains, reported Kapital.kz. Having flown six years...


Kazakh trade with EAEU member states grows

Kazakhstan’s trade with its allies within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is growing, according to the press service of the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan, outlining mineral...


Kazakh TV productions to be broadcast in Kyrgyzstan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s leading producer of television miniseries, the National Tele-Radio Corporation Kazakhstan (Kazakhstan TV), has agreed to broadcast its work on the Kyrgyz tele-radio broadcasting corporation,...


Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan Sign Strategic Partnership Agreement, Border Accord

ASTANA – President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov and President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev discussed bilateral relations during Berdymukhamedov’s April 18-19 state visit to Kazakhstan. His visit corresponded with...


Chinese company to buy 51 percent of Kazakh automaker AllurGroup

ASTANA – China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC) held negotiations and signed an agreement on the intention to acquire 51 percent of common shares of...