Kazakhstans IT Exports Surge: On Track for $600 Million in 2024

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s IT services exports grew to $306 million in the first half of 2024. This volume is expected to exceed $600 million by year-end. Over...


Railway Upgrades to Bolster Kazakhstan’s Role in Global Logistics

ASTANA — Kazakhstan is implementing measures to enhance its transport connectivity through five main international railway corridors connecting Chinese markets with Europe and Central Asia, said Kazakh...


Kazakhstan Sets Strategic Course for Reviving and Preserving National Horse Breeds

ASTANA — Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin held a Nov. 25 meeting to outline the strategic objectives and development plans for the Institute of Horse Breeding and...


Kazakhstan Expands Network of Terminals Along TITR

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is expanding a network of terminals along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor. Kazakh Transport Minister Marat Karabayev...


Turkistan Region Hosts Competition to Crown Fastest Tazy Dog

ASTANA — A competition showcasing the finest Tazy dogs, Kazakhstan’s iconic hunting greyhounds, concluded in the Turkistan Region on Nov. 25 with the crowning of Taimas as...


‘Energy in Transition’ Exhibition Concludes Central Asia Tour in Astana

ASTANA – The “Energy in Transition – Powering Tomorrow” traveling exhibition opened on Nov. 25 at Nazarbayev University in Astana – its final stop in Central Asia...


Dimash Qudaibergen Brings Stranger Show to Düsseldorf

ASTANA – Just two days after a sold-out performance in Prague, Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen and his team held a solo concert in Düsseldorf on Nov. 24....


Project Sapphire: 30th Anniversary of US-Kazakh Mission to Promote Safer & More Secure World

ASTANA – This year marks the 30th anniversary of Project Sapphire. This landmark operation took place in 1994 and involved removing 600 kilograms of highly enriched uranium...


Almaty Hosts 17th Eurasia International Film Festival

ASTANA – The 17th Eurasia International Film Festival kicked off on Nov. 24 in Almaty, bringing together international actors, directors and producers. The opening ceremony featured a...


Trans-Caspian International Transport Route: First Container Train Leaves Baku for Xian on Return Trip

ASTANA – The first container train on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route’s (TITR) return trip from Baku (Azerbaijan) to Xian (China) via Kazakhstan was officially launched on...


Kazakh Students Tackle Gender-Based Violence at UN Case Championship

ASTANA — A citywide case championship organized by United Nations (UN) agencies and local partners at the Maqsut Narikbayev University on Nov. 25 marked the start of...


Sustainable Transport Key to Achieving Asia-Pacific Region’s Development Ambitions

Across the Asia-Pacific region, especially in urban centers, electric cars and buses are increasingly replacing gasoline-powered ones as a means of transportation. Aided by the ubiquity of...


Kazakh Composer Wins Silver Medal of London’s Company of Musicians

ASTANA – Rakhat-Bi Abdyssagin, a Kazakh composer, pianist, and Bolashak scholarship recipient, became the first from Kazakhstan to receive the prestigious 2024 Silver Medal of the Worshipful...


Kazakh Foreign Policy Advances with Successful Visits to Serbia and Hungary

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev marked significant milestones last week with an official visit to Serbia and a state visit to Hungary. The agreements and discussions...


Kazakh Film Wins Best Cinematography Nomination at Asia World Film Festival

ASTANA – Zhanarbek Yeleubek received the Best Cinematography nomination for his work on the film “Bauyryna salu” (Adoption) at the Asia World Film Festival (AWFF), held on...


Kazakhstan Plans to Export 68.8 Million Tons of Oil This Year

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to export nearly 68.8 million tons of oil in 2024, based on production forecasts of 88.4 million tons, Kazakh Energy Minister Almassadam Satkaliyev...


Kazakh PM: Digital Solutions to Combat Shadow Economy, Improve Budget Efficiency

ASTANA – Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov highlighted in a Nov. 25 meeting focused on digital solutions that these innovations are crucial in combating the shadow economy, improving...


Kazakhstan to Compensate Oil Overproduction Under OPEC+ Deal Until 2025

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will address its accumulated overproduction of oil under the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) agreement by September 2025 as part of a...


Kazakhstan Set to Expand Business Partnership with Croatia

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu met with Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenković on Nov. 22 to discuss enhancing political dialogue...


Kazakhstan Marks 30 Years of UN Child Rights Convention

ASTANA – The Kazakh Foreign Ministry hosted a ceremony to unveil a commemorative postage stamp block, marking the 30th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s ratification of the UN Convention...


Kazakh Citizens Assess Changes in Lifestyle Over Past 33 Years

ASTANA – Nearly three-quarters of Kazakhstan citizens surveyed recently by the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS) positively assess the changes in their families over the past...


Magic of Social Dancing in Kazakhstan: Making Connections Through Movement

ASTANA – Imagine moving to a new city where you do not know anyone. Who can you talk to? Where can you find friends? The answer might...


Discover Aktau: Kazakhstan’s Key Port, Oil Hub and Future Capital of Turkic World

Editor’s Note: The Astana Times continues its series of articles, Exploring Kazakhstan, City by City, with a focus on the marvelous city of Aktau. We aim to...


Jibek Joly Tourist Train Sets Off on First Journey via Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan

ASTANA – A tourist train, dubbed Jibek Joly (Silk Road), departed from Almaty on Nov. 16 on a five-day journey via Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, reported the press...


What COP29 in Baku Taught Me About Climate Action (and Inaction)

There is something surreal about attending a global climate event like COP29. One day, you are reporting on the massive floods that hit your home country, Kazakhstan,...


Bayanaul’s Balbals: Stone Guardians of Ancient History

ASTANA — The majestic mountains of Bayanaul have long attracted travelers with their beauty and mystery. However, not everyone knows that these lands conceal a rich legacy...


Naz State Dance Theater Celebrates 25 Years with Premiere of Aldar Kose

ASTANA — The Naz State Dance Theater celebrated its 25th anniversary with the premiere of “Aldar Kose,” a choreographic performance that beautifully combines traditional Kazakh dance with...


Kazakh Documentary Film Wins Awards at California Best Shorts Competition

ASTANA – The Kazakh documentary film “Shekteusiz Umit” (Endless Hope) directed by Marat Teleuov received the award of merit at California-based Best Shorts Competition in the Documentary...


Nobel Fest, Teacher’s Summit Illuminate Astana with Global Innovations

ASTANA — The Nobel Fest and Teacher’s Summit: World Knowledge Week commenced in Astana on Nov. 21, bringing together global experts and thought leaders to discuss pressing...


Kazakh President Announces Measures to Ensure Nation’s Security  

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev instructed the Prime Minister, the Head of the Executive Office of the President, the heads of all law enforcement agencies...