EBRD Projects Help Make People’s Lives Better in Kazakh Regions, says Director of Bank’s Operations in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The wide-ranging work of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in Kazakhstan’s regions includes everything from water and transport to small and medium-sized...


Kazakhstan Approves Car Recycling Programme

ASTANA – A programme to purchase old cars will be launched in Kazakhstan. A car must not exceed 3.5 tonnes or seven seats. Instead of cars, the...


Kazakhstan Holds Competition to Choose Country’s Brand Image

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is holding a competition to create the country’s national brand image. Minister of Information and Communications Dauren Abayev and Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko...


Malaysian Expedition Promotes Pahang as Tourist Destination during Astana Visit

ASTANA – A Malaysian road expedition team from the Malaysian state of Pahang visited the capital Oct. 17-19 as part of “Visit Pahang 2017” campaign that aims...


Building Low Enriched Uranium Bank at Ulba Metallurgical Plant to Cost $150 million

ASTANA – Building a low enriched uranium bank on the territory of Ulba Metallurgical Plant (UMP) will cost about $150 million, according to Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of...


Kazakhstan’s Future to Build on Its Links with the Past

A quarter of a century may seem like a short time for most nations. But for Kazakhstan, the last 25 years have undoubtedly been the most significant...


Astana Pyramid Celebrates 10 Years

ASTANA – The Palace of Peace and Harmony, a unique building symbolising the friendship, unity and accord of all the nationalities living in Kazakhstan, recently celebrated its...


Kazakh, Turkish Foreign Ministers Discuss Partnership in Almaty

ASTANA – Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu co-chaired the third session of the Joint Strategic Planning Group Oct. 20 in Almaty....


Russian Deputy Praises Kazakhstan’s Efforts for Nuclear Weapons Free Europe

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev recently received a letter from Deputy of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of VI convocation of the Russian Federation, Member of...


Seamless Steel Tubes Production Launched in Aktau

ASTANA – A seamless steel tubes production plant has launched in Aktau. Its management plans to sell products to subsoil users in Kazakhstan, according to the website...


Almaty Hosts Unique Horse Show

ASTANA – Chamberlain club hosted the first International Horse Exhibition KazEqui-2016 and a horse show Oct. 8-9 in Almaty. The show promotes the “soft method” of working...


Kazakh Mountaineering Legend Coaches New Generation of Alpinists

ASTANA – Sport climbing has been officially included in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The Kazakh Mountaineering and Climbing Federation has received Olympic status and will now begin...


Pop Legend Lucky Kesoglu Says Young Singers Lack Financial Support

In a recent interview with Kazakhstanskaya Pravda newspaper, legend of Kazakh pop music Lucky Kesoglu said that he has three motherlands, but only one love. Kesoglu was born...


Kazakhstan, Austria Strengthen Economic Ties

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko visited Vienna October 18-19 to co-chair a Kazakh-Austrian intergovernmental commission and take part in a conference dedicated to the...


TEDx Speakers Seek Understanding through Social Initiatives

ASTANA – TEDxAstana Women, an independently-organised event devoted to ideas in technology, entertainment and design, will be held Oct. 29 in the capital. This year’s conference, “It’s...


Experts Call for More Attention to Equine-Assisted Therapy

ASTANA – Hippotherapy, or equine-assisted therapy, involves activities with horses to promote physical, occupational and emotional growth in individuals with special needs. Training specialists is an expensive...


Kazakh FM Urges Education as Key to Peace at OIC Meeting

ASTANA – Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov told the 43rd Session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) in Tashkent Oct. 18-19...


Kazakhstan Ranks 30th among 144 Nations on Gender Equality

ASTANA – Kazakhstan was recently ranked 30th out of 144 countries in gender equality, according to a new report by the non-profit Save the Children. The ranking...


AIFC, Nasdaq to Cooperate on Trading Infrastructure

ASTANA – Chairman of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Kairat Kelimbetov and President and Chief Operating Officer of Nasdaq Adena Friedman recently met and signed a...


Kazpost Enters Universal Postal Union Council

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has been elected as a four-year member of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) Administrative Council, according to the voting results at the 26th UPU...


EuroChem Invests in Building Mineral Fertiliser Complex in Zhambyl Region

ASTANA – EuroChem-Karatau, the Kazakh subsidiary enterprise of EuroChem Group AG, signed a memorandum of understanding and partnership with the Kazakh Ministry of Investment and Development and...


South Kazakhstan Region Days Held in Capital in Honour of 25th Anniversary of Independence

ASTANA – The series of regional exhibitions continues in Astana: on Oct. 15 and 16, capital residents had a chance to see Days of the South Kazakhstan...


Guardian Places Almaty’s Shymbulak in Top 10 Ski Resorts in World

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Shymbulak Ski Resort has been added to the top 10 best places to ski this season by British media outlet theguardian.com. “Ten of the...


Abai Monuments Opened in Egypt and France

ASTANA – The opening ceremonies for Abai monuments were held Oct. 13-14, respectively, in Cairo, Egypt and Rennes, France. Memorials dedicated to the great Kazakh poet, philosopher...


‘Unknown Kazakhstan’ Photo Exhibition Opens in Paris

ASTANA – A photo exhibition featuring 41 photographic works dedicated to the 1,000th anniversary of Almaty was held at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation...


Kazpost International Delivery Options

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Postal Service launched in 2015 the Vpost.kz service for parcels from the United States to any population centre in the country and granted a...


Kashagan Ships First Oil, Finally

ASTANA – The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) has received its first oil from Kashagan offshore field, which is back on stream after a three year pause. By...


Future Energy Is As Much About Human Energy and Spirit

As I landed in Astana in the snowy early morning hours, I thought about how far I was from home in New York and wondered what I...


Ten-Year-Old ‘Human Calculator’ Impresses Audience with High Mental Arithmetic Skills

ASTANA – Ilyas Tokhtarkhan is referred to as the “human calculator.” The 10-year-old boy from the capital struck the jury and audience of a Russian television show...


Astana’s Finest Nightlife Venues

ASTANA – During the day, Kazakhstan’s capital is a bustling city of business people and civil workers. At night, however, it belongs to people who savour social...


Scottish FC Kairat Fan Promotes Kazakh Football in Social Media

ASTANA – Simon Hilditch, a 41-year-old buyer from Glasgow, Scotland, has been a fan of Kazakh football for nearly five years. His Twitter account @kazakh75, which promotes...


New Ministry to Oversee Domestic Faith Policies, Support NGO Development

ASTANA – The new Ministry of Religious Affairs and Civil Society will oversee the government’s policies on religion, including ensuring religious freedom and facilitating interaction between the government...


“Travel Book. Kazakhstan” to Become Country’s Business Card, Say Edutainment Book’s Authors

ASTANA – “Travel Book. Kazakhstan,” a unique art project containing 700 of the most interesting facts about the country, was presented as a joint project Sept. 8...


An Island of Stability in Central Asia: Kazakhstan’s Future is Bright under Nazarbayev’s Leadership

In 2006, I arrived in Kazakhstan as the ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Afghanistan. The years of my diplomatic service in Kazakhstan were one of the brightest...


Strong Potential for Non-Oil Economic Cooperation between Germany and Kazakhstan, Top Official Says

In an exclusive interview with this newspaper, Deputy Minister of German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, Co-Chairman of the Kazakh-German intergovernmental working group on trade...


Kazakh Freestyle Wrestler Fights for Success

ASTANA – The name of Akzhurek Tanatarov, the 29-year-old freestyle wrestler from Zhambyl region, is now known far beyond Kazakhstan’s borders. The athlete gained world fame when...


Capital’s Children’s Palace Helps Children Develop Outside the Classroom

ASTANA – The capital’s School Children’s Palace offers a variety of activities from scientific to artistic to sports to help schoolchildren develop skills outside classrooms. Kazakhstan’s State...


First Charity Shop Launched in Astana

ASTANA – Riza Charity Shop, the capital’s first thrift shop, opened in early September to collect used clothes, footwear and electronics from locals. Its owner ships up...


New Report: Kazakhstan’s Non-Resource Sector Recovers

ASTANA – Annual credit portfolio growth rates in the non-resource economy of Kazakhstan increased from 9 to 19 percent and amounted to 1.9 trillion tenge (US$5.73 billion)...


UN Resident Coordinator: UN System in Kazakhstan Has Strong Partnership with Government, People

ASTANA – The United Nations (UN) has spread threads of assistance in various directions and projects in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. Today, there are 21 UN agencies...


Kazakh PM Encourages Joint Actions at CSTO Meeting in Armenia

Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Bakytzhan Sagintayev discussed combating international terrorism and coordination of joint Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) Collective Security Council actions during the council’s Oct....


Jordan’s King Abdullah II a Worthy First Recipient of the Nazarbayev Prize

It’s an unfortunate reality that the Middle East is currently facing many challenges and crises. The Syrian conflict has led to unimaginable tragedy in cities like Aleppo,...


Kazakhstan Ties Romania in FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifications

ASTANA – Kazakhstan secured its second point in the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifiers Oct. 11 in Astana after playing to a goalless draw with Romania. Three...


Kazakhstan, UNICEF Sign 2016-2020 Plan to Help Nation’s Children

ASTANA – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Kazakh Foreign Ministry recently signed a cooperation plan for 2016-2020 to improve the welfare of children in Kazakhstan. The plan...


Air Astana Becomes Winter Universiade 2017 Sponsor and Partner

ASTANA – Air Astana became an official sponsor and general partner of Winter Universiade 2017 on Oct.12. “We are inspired with this opportunity to be helpful in...


Kazakh Airlines Overview Shows Four Major Airlines Dominating Market

ASTANA – Twenty-one airlines operate in Kazakhstan, only four of which are really big enough to be called national carriers and compete in the Kazakh market of...


Kostanai – City with Rich History and Culture

ASTANA – Standing on the Tobol River in northern Kazakhstan, the city of Kostanai is the administrative centre of the Kostanai oblast (region). The population is about...


Kazakhstan’s Labour Market Trends Shown in Latest Review by Country’s Biggest Recruiting Website

ASTANA – Head Hunter, Kazakhstan’s leading recruitment website, completed a labour market review to reveal the country’s highest paying jobs. The mining, engineering, IT and agriculture fields...


“We Have Accomplished a lot and Revived our Customs in 25 Years,” Says Uzbek Community Leader

ASTANA – Uzbeks have received quite a bit of interest lately, as they constitute half a million members of Kazakhstan’s population and, as President Nursultan Nazarbayev once...


Kazakh Designers’ Outlet Opens in Almaty

ASTANA – Designers’ City, the first fashion house of Kazakh designers, opened Oct. 6 in Almaty. “An area of ​​1,300 square metres will not be just the...


Koshpendiler Project Connects Kazakhstan-Born People Overseas

ASTANA – Young and old are actively travelling and exploring the world, thus rethinking the role of nomad in today’s international society. Four ambitious professionals who currently...


Kazakh Olympic and Paralympic Champions Plant Alley of Spruces in Astana Park

ASTANA – Kazakh Olympic and Paralympic champions and honoured figures of the Olympic movement planted 19 Tien-Shan spruces at Park Vlublyonnih (the Park of Lovers) on Oct....


FC Astana Earns One Point in First Two UEFA Europa League Group Stage Matches

ASTANA – Kazakh champions FC Astana in the second match of the group stage of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Europa League at home drew with...


New Study Highlights Global Trends in Civil Service

ASTANA – The Regional Hub of Civil Service in Astana and the United Nations Development Programme Global Centre for Public Service Excellence in Singapore recently presented a...


Kazakh Surgeons Complete Nation’s First Lung Transplantation

ASTANA – The team of the National Research Cardiac Surgery Centre performed Kazakhstan’s first successful lung transplantation on the night of Sept. 23-24, according to the centre’s...


Kazakhstan Creates Ministry of Defence and Aerospace Industry

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev signed a decree in Astana Oct.6 creating the Ministry of Defence and Aerospace Industry, reported the Akorda. The ministry  will implement...


Nazarbayev Offered ‘Home-Like Conditions’ to Russian Business

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev talked about the favourable conditions of doing business in Kazakhstan during the Kazakh-Russian business forum in the capital. He noted the...


Slovakia Confirms Participation in EXPO 2017

ASTANA – The Slovak Republic recently became the 104th country to confirm it will participate in EXPO 2017. National Commissioner Rapil Zhoshybayev received an official letter from...


Alcohol, Tobacco Excise Duties to be Increased until 2019

ASTANA – A phased increase of excise duties on alcoholic beverages and tobacco products to strengthen the fiscal functions of excise duties will be introduced. This was...


Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan to Boost Trade and Economic Cooperation

ASTANA – The protocol to extend the main directions in economic and trade cooperation between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan was signed by the Kazakh delegation headed by First...


Kazakhstan Maintains 5 Percent Unemployment Rate

ASTANA – Since the beginning of this year, the Kazakh government has taken measures to promote employment. A national programme called Employment Roadmap 2020 was used to...


Astana EXPO 2017 Invites Entrepreneurs to Provide Goods and Services

ASTANA – Astana EXPO 2017 organisers predict that the exhibition will receive approximately 5 million visits over three months. The organisers offer Kazakhstan’s entrepreneurs the opportunity to...


Kazakh President Establishes Prize for Nuclear Weapons Free World and Global Security, Chooses King Abdullah II of Jordan as First Laureate

ASTANA  – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev announced today the establishment of a new prize, the Nazarbayev Prize for a Nuclear Weapon Free World and Global Security, as well as his decision...


FM Idrissov Discusses Security, UNSC Memberships with Officials in London

LONDON – Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrisssov and British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Boris Johnson met Oct. 6 to discuss bilateral and multilateral...


Kazakh DJ Signs Record Deal with Famous Dutch Label

ASTANA – Sultan Karimov, better known as Farleon, has signed a record deal with Don Diablo’s label Hexagon. His track “Fever” will be officially released Oct. 21...


South Kazakhstan Tourism Forum Links Government, Business, Int’l Organisations to Highlight Industry’s Image

ASTANA – The organisers of the 2016 Ontustik Tourism Forum, held Oct. 6-7 in Shymkent, sought to create a single concept to promote the region’s tourism industry...


73-Year-Old Bicycles 1,200 Kilometres in Honour of Kazakh Independence

ASTANA – Veteran of the National Security Committee Abiltai Shaikhov recently completed a 1,200-kilometre bike trip from Almaty to Astana in honour of the 25th anniversary of...


Massive Tax Amendments Proposed to Stimulate Economic Activity

ASTANA – Proposals to introduce 234 amendments to the law “On amendments and additions to some legislative acts of Kazakhstan on issues of taxation and customs administration”...


Kazakhstan Competes with 189 Countries for Foreign Direct Investment

ASTANA – Kazakhstan competes with 189 countries for foreign direct investment, Vice Minister for Investments and Development Yerlan Khairov said recently, Kazinform news agency reports. Analysts say...


Towards Green Economy in Kazakhstan

In this interview, Saltanat Rakhimbekova, coalition chair and member of the Council on Transition to Green Economy under the Kazakh President, talks about the challenges the country...


Committee of State Revenues: Save Your Receipt and Win a Car

ASTANA – With the support of the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs (NCE), the Committee of State Revenues launched a campaign Oct. 1 called “Ask for a...


More than $3.9 Million Fines Paid in 2016 for Environmental Violations

Fines in the amount of 1.3 billion tenge (US$3.9 million) were paid for violations of environmental regulations in the first eight months of 2016. The fines were...


Eurasian National University Student Wins ‘Science Slam – Kazakhstan’

ASTANA – Master’s degree student in Architecture at Lev Gumilyov Eurasian National University Asel Pazylbekova won this year’s “Science Slam – Kazakhstan” science show in Almaty. Pazylbekova...


In Brussels, FM Idrissov Promotes Ties with EU, Pledges Continued Support for Afghanistan

BRUSSELS – Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov attended multiple conferences in Brussels Oct. 4-5 with European Union and international officials, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs...


How Kazakh Language Conquered Heart of South Korean Girl

ASTANA – The study of Kazakh inspired brainy and inquisitive South Korean student Eun-Joo Koo to learn more about the country, its language and importance to society....


Eurasia International Film Festival Brings Movies to the Masses

ASTANA – More than 120 films were shown at 20 different venues during this year’s Eurasia International Film Festival in Almaty, with viewings drawing more than 70...


Astana Regrets Breakdown in U.S.-Russia Cooperation on Syria

ASTANA – In an Oct. 5 statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan expressed its “deep regret” regarding the announced termination of cooperation between the United...


Nazarbayev, Putin Meet in Astana, Attend Kazakh-Russian Interregional Cooperation Forum

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed bilateral cooperation, regional and global issues on the sidelines of the Oct. 4 13th Forum...


Astana Opera Opens Season with Annual Silk Road Festival

ASTANA – Astana Opera is presenting an incredible programme encompassing a roster of national and international performances, instrumental music concert series and acclaimed ballet productions Sept. 22-Nov....


Kazakh Mineral Springs Possess Therapeutic Efficiency

ASTANA – One can rest and improve one’s health thanks to Kazakhstan’s unique natural resources, climate and healing mineral waters with diverse composition, chemical properties and therapeutic...


Medical Insurance Programmes Depend on Scope and Price, Says Chief Physician

ASTANA – Medical insurance is a must for expatriates and those who work in Kazakhstan on contract. Several medical insurance programmes are available depending on the scope...


Ocean Basket Seafood Restaurant Opens in Astana

ASTANA – World-known South African seafood restaurant chain Ocean Basket (OB) opened in Astana Sept. 23 and the management is claiming every seafood lover should pay a...


Rally Kazakhstan Included on FIA 2017 World Cup for Cross-Country Races

ASTANA – Rally Kazakhstan was officially added to the calendar for the 2017 FIA World Cup for cross-country Rallies after Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) held its...


JICA to Assist Kazakhstan Establish ODA Practices, says JICA’s Regional General Director

ASTANA – In October 2014, Kazakhstan and UNDP launched a project to develop the national institute of Official Development Assistance (ODA) in the country to systematise assistance...


Petrochemical Day Invest 2016 Kicks off in Atyrau

ASTANA – Atyrau, the oil capital of Kazakhstan, held its inaugural regional investment forum gathering experts of the petrochemical industry on Sept. 30. The event sought to...


Astana Pro Team Cyclist Lutsenko Wins Tour of Almaty

ASTANA – Astana Pro Team cyclist 24-year-old Alexei Lutsenko, from Petropavlovsk, Kazakhstan, beat Italian Mauro Finetto of Unieuro Wilier and Russian Roman Maikin (GazProm-RusVelo) Oct. 2 in...


National Emoji Stickers Express Feelings with Kazakh Characters

ASTANA – iPhone users can now express their emotions with Kazakh national characters, as a free set of national emoji stickers is available for download from the...


Kazakhstan Ranks 53rd in Global Competitiveness Rating, Loses 11 Positions

ASTANA – Kazakhstan lost 11 positions in the 2016-2017 Global Competiveness Report issued by the World Economic Forum (WEF). The country was ranked 53rd among 138 nations...


EXPO 2017 Chairman Seeks Cooperation of Diplomatic Corps

ASTANA – Chairman of Astana EXPO 2017 national company Akhmetzhan Yessimov briefed on Sept. 30 more than 50 heads of foreign diplomatic missions accredited to Kazakhstan on...


Kazakh President Visits Pavlodar Region, Launches Mining Plant

ASTANA – Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev visited agricultural and industrial complexes, launched the Bozshakol mining and processing plant and met with local farmers during a Sept. 29...


Death of Shimon Peres Highlights Challenges for Peace in Middle East, Resonates in Kazakhstan

This week, leaders from around the world came together to pay tribute to Shimon Peres. As the ninth President of Israel, he dedicated his life to building...


Shimon Peres in Our Memory

This week the whole world has come together to pay its last tribute to Shimon Peres, a patriarch of world politics, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, one...


Asyl Miras Foundation Opens Centre in Ust-Kamenogorsk for Children with Autism

ASTANA – Asyl Miras, the private foundation formed by Kazakh businessman and equity investor Bulat Utemuratov, opened the country’s fourth centre for children with autism Sept. 21...


One and a-Half Million Ethnic Kazakhs Live in China

ASTANA – China is home to nearly 1.5 million ethnic Kazakhs, reported the Chinese State Committee for Nationalities during a meeting of the Assembly of People of...


Evidence of Ancient Assyrian Church Discovered in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The ancient city of Ilyn Balik is well known from pilgrims’ travels. Recent excavations in Usharal village have uncovered an ancient city and cemetery with...


Light Rail Coming to Astana in 2018, Other Transit Upgrades in Process

ASTANA – A light rail tram will be introduced in Astana in 2018, Astana Akim (Mayor) Asset Issekeshev announced at the Trends in Transport Complex Development Conference...


CARICOM Countries to Participate in EXPO 2017

ASTANA – Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia and Suriname have decided...


Kazakhstan Ranks 52nd in Economic Freedom of World Index

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has been ranked 52nd among 159 countries in the Economic Freedom of the World report published Sept. 15 by Fraser Institute. The report is...


Kazakh FM, US Secretary of State Agree to Pursue New Avenues of Cooperation

Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov and United States Secretary of State John Kerry agreed during a Sept. 20 meeting in New York to pursue new avenues...


Kazakh Band Tops Turkish Music Chart

ASTANA – The Kazakh band Ninety One has topped the chart of Turkish Music Box, according to Tengrinews. Kazakh singer Ali Okapov is in 17th place and...