First Chemical Reactors Shipped to Kazakhstan from South Korea

The first shipment of petrochemical production reactors produced in South Korea was recently fulfilled in the port city of Ulsan. The freight was transported along the Northern...


Kazakhstan Improves Performance in Global Information Technology Report

The World Economic Forum recently issued its annual Global Information Technology Report 2016, featuring the latest data on Networked Readiness Index, which assesses the factors, policies and...


EAEU Exempts Kazakhstan from Customs Duties on Titanium Oxide Import

Kazakhstan will be exempted from customs duties on titanium oxide import starting Sept.  1 until Aug. 31, 2021. The decision was taken at a meeting of the...


Falcon Hunting: Ancient Skills are Alive

ASTANA – Serikbek Kuntugan is a professional falcon hunter. He lives and works 15 kilometres from Astana and is happy to show this national type of hunting...


Policeman Wounded in Almaty Attack Discharged from Hospital

ASTANA – Young policeman Murat Baltabek became a victim of the unlawful actions by Ruslan Kulekbaev and was shot through the shoulder in the July 18 Almaty...


British Writer Presents Book about 19th Century Travellers’ Journey to Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Nick Fielding, renowned British writer, journalist and author of “South to the Great Steppe: The Travels of Thomas and Lucy Atkinson in Eastern Kazakhstan, 1847-1852,”...


Brazil Establishes Visa-Free Regime for Citizens of Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Brazil and Kazakhstan finalised July 25 a new bilateral visa-free regime for the citizens of each country. First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Mukhtar...


Meloman Adapts to New Realities, Promotes Customer-Focused Culture

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s home-grown Meloman company is succeeding despite today’s economic woes because of its core policy of constantly improving its services and treating clients well. Meloman,...


Western Tien Shan added to UNESCO World Heritage List

ASTANA – The Western Tien Shan, the trans-boundary serial nomination located across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan has been included on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural...


Team Kazakhstan to Play Russia in Davis Cup World Group Play-offs

ASTANA – The Davis Cup World Group play-off draw took place in London. The Kazakh men’s national team learned it will play its Russian counterparts Sept. 16-18...


Kazakhstan, World Look Forward to Successful 2016 Rio Olympics

If you want to know how sport brings people together, look no further than the recent Euro 2016 football tournament and the surprise success of Iceland’s national...


FC Astana Meets Celtic in Next Round of UEFA Champions League Qualification

ASTANA – FC Astana, the capital’s main football team, beat its Lithuanian opponent FC Zalgiris Vilnius 2-1 at home and on aggregate in the second qualifying round...


Kazakh Singer Places Second at Slavic Bazaar 2016 Contest

ASTANA – Kazakh singer Dauren Orazbekov, known as Adam, took second place at the International Slavic Bazaar 2016 music contest in Vitebsk, Russia. Adam was satisfied with...


Customers Prefer to Buy Cars Made in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – One third of Kazakh buyers in June chose cars made in Kazakhstan, and official sales of new cars in the country increased by 9 percent...


APK Links Local Korean Community with South Korean Businessmen, Tackles Business-Related Issues

ASTANA – The first Kazakh-Korean cooperation forum tackled business-related issues and ways to improve business processes in anticipation of EXPO 2017. “Our experience shows that currently there...


Second Stage of Steppe Eagle Int’l Peacekeeping Exercise Takes Place in UK

ASTANA – The second stage of the Steppe Eagle 2016 International Peacekeeping Exercise recently took place at Stanford Training Area in the United Kingdom. The event brought...


Environment Friendly Buses and Bike Rental Service Improve Shymkent Public Transport

ASTANA – A new automated bike system and a fleet of environmentally friendly buses will be changing the nature of transport in Shymkent soon. Shymkent Bus, a...


Shymkent Activists Bring Healing Power of Art to Children’s Hospitals

ASTANA – The KazAlliance community in Shymkent recently painted the walls of the children’s neurosurgery and oncology departments of its regional children’s hospital with bright colours and...


Kazakhstan’s GDP Grows Slightly in First Half of 2016

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s economy is still growing due to timely anti-crisis measures taken by the government and the National Bank, according to Minister of National Economy Kuandyk...


Kazakhstan to Continue Successful Economic Course in Globally-Linked Economy

The decision by the IMF to reduce global growth forecasts was a reminder, if one were needed, of how global economies are now inextricably linked. It was...


Almaty Police Shut Down Entire Block for Search Operations

ASTANA, July 20 – Early morning at about 9 a.m. the Almaty police have shut down an entire block along the Gogol-Zenkov-Makatayev-Abdullinykh streets for search operations, which...


Kazakhstan and Chain Reaction 2016 – From Nuclear Tests to a Nuclear Weapon Free World

On 29 August 1949, the Soviet Union detonated their first nuclear weapon, code-named First Lightning, a nuclear chain reaction that caused radioactive contamination over a large area of...


Berlin Eurasian Club Conference Seeks Ways to Bring EAEU, EU Together

ASTANA – Kazakh officials asked for German support in bringing the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the EU together at the July 15 meeting of the Berlin...


Astana Opera Closes Out Third Season

A grand gala concert marked the end of Astana Opera’s third opera season July 16 with a staging of the famous grand pas from the ballet “Paquita”...


Philanthropists in Pavlodar Region Present House to Large Family

ASTANA – Philanthropists who don’t wish their names disclosed recently presented a house to Elmira Zhasybayeva, the mother of five who lost her home in Pavlodar region...


Outdoor Public Pool Opens in Downtown Astana

ASTANA – A swimming area featuring three separate pools of various lengths and depths for family enjoyment opened in early July in the capital’s central park. Serik...


KazGeo Devotees Support Responsible Tourism, Urge Citizens to Discover New Routes

ASTANA – Expedition 25, a unique project initiated by the Kazakh Geographic Society (KazGeo) and dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s Independence Day, started July 6...


Almaty Attack Suspect Detained, Terror Alert Lowered to Yellow

ASTANA, July 19 – The sole suspect in the July 18 attacks on police and government buildings in Almaty has been captured and the city’s red-level terror...


Security Service Announces Red Terror Alert in Almaty as Three Police and One Civilian Killed in Attacks

ASTANA – Authorities said three police officers and one civilian were killed July 18 when suspects attacked local police precinct and the department of National Security Committee...


East Kazakhstan Region’s Deputy Governor Becomes a National Powerlifting Champion

ASTANA – Deputy Akim (Governor) of the East Kazakhstan region Dimitry Garikov recently became Kazakhstan’s powerlifting champion, reported Tengrinews July 8. Soon he will participate in the...


H&M to Enter Kazakh Market in 2017

ASTANA – H&M, or Hennes&Mauritz AB, Swedish retail clothing company, plans to open its first store in Kazakhstan, along with Iceland, in 2017, according to Reuters. Presumably...


Kazakh Prime Minister Attends ASEM Summit in Mongolia

ASTANA ­– Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Massimov travelled to Ulan Bator, Mongolia July 14-15 to attend the eleventh Asia–Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit and hold a series of...


Aliya Yussupova Made Rhythmic Gymnastics Fashionable in Kazakhstan

Aliya Yussupova fell in love with rhythmic gymnastics when she was in firstgrade. Today, the famous Kazakh gymnast and two-time Olympian chairs the specialised gymnastics centre opened...


Dry Cargo Vessel Launched in Russia

ASTANA – The Zhibek Zholy, a dry cargo vessel with a capacity of 7,500 dead weight tonnage (DWT), was launched July 12 in Shlisselburg, Russia, reported the...


Kazakh Food Products to be Sold at American Walmart Stores

ASTANA – Kazakh food products will soon be added to the shelves of American Walmart stores. Samples of certain products have already been transferred to corporate headquarters...


Kostanai Region to Boost Car Industry

ASTANA – The Allur Group of automotive companies recently announced plans to increase vehicle production and collaborate with the Chinese CMC Corporation to organise co-production to export...


Karkaraly – Town of History and Nature

ASTANA – One of Kazakhstan’s oldest towns surrounded by rich nature and small wooden houses on narrow streets, Karkaraly reminds visitors of villages in Switzerland. The relaxing...


Canoeing and Kayaking Attract Astana’s Children

ASTANA – Less than a month remains until the Summer Olympics in Rio. While not many know that rowing sports are developing in the Kazakh capital, the...


‘Caspian Five’ FMs Discuss Upcoming Summit in Astana

ASTANA – Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov chaired the meeting of the foreign ministers of Caspian littoral states held in Astana July 13. Foreign ministers of Azerbaijan,...


Five Caspian Foreign Ministers Meet in Astana

ASTANA – The foreign ministers of five Caspian Sea states are set to meet in Astana July 13 to discuss the draft Convention on the Legal Status...


Seven Stars of Kanat Saudabayev

Recently, Kazakhstan celebrated quite a significant event – the election to the United Nations Security Council, one of the most important statutory bodies responsible for global peace...


Kazakh Clubs Start Campaigns in UEFA Europa League Qualifications

ASTANA – For Kazakh football clubs, the time has come again to test themselves in the qualifying rounds of the European club tournaments. Unfortunately, the beginning of...


Kazakhstan’s Olympic Team Seeks New Successes in Rio

ASTANA – More than 100 athletes will represent Kazakhstan at the Summer Olympics in Rio, and will participate in 26 of the 38 Olympic sports. At a...


Winners of Third Contest Among Int’l Journalists Reporting on Kazakhstan Announced

ASTANA – The Kazakh Foreign Ministry and Kazakhstan’s Chief Editors Club announced the winners of their third international journalism contest, “Kazakhstan through the Eyes of Foreign Media.”...


Golovkin to Fight Briton Kell Brook September 10

The world middleweight champion in the WBA (Super), IBO, WBC and IBF, Kazakh boxer Gennady Golovkin have agreed to fight Kell Brook September 10 at London’s O2...


Kazzinc: Human Capital as Key Competitive Advantage

ASTANA – Kazzinc is a major fully integrated zinc producer with considerable copper, precious metals and lead credits and a manufacturer of 23 types of finished products....


Director of Astana’s Gorky Russian Drama Theatre Talks Past Achievements and Demand for Theatres

ASTANA – Honoured Art Worker of Kazakhstan and director of Astana’s Gorky State Academic Russian Drama Theatre Erkin Kassenov discussed the Central Asian nation’s theatre audience; past...


Ardana Botay – Kazakhstan’s Female Military Pilot

ASTANA – Ardana Botay, a senior pilot and flight navigator at Kazakhstan National Guard’s 3656 military base, is one of few women in the country who decided...


Dutch Ambassador Sees Long Term Cooperation in Energy, Agriculture, Space Observation

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s real natural resource to depend on in the future is its atmosphere of tolerance, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Kazakhstan Hans Driesser told The...


Kazakh Street Artist Draws Attention to Social and Environmental Issues

ASTANA – Kazakh social networks exploded in June from the reposts, comments and likes for a video posted by Kazakh street artist Pasha Cas. The video presents...


Beibit Ystybayev Wins Kazakhstan Barysy Tournament

ASTANA – Beibit Ystybayev won the National Tournament of the “Kazakh Kures” or Kazakh wrestling called “Kazakhstan Barysy” for the third time on July 3 at the...


Astana Is Flagship of Kazakhstan’s Green Future

Today we live in the age of modernity characterised by the triumph of a carbon economy. Like German green politician and publicist Ralph Fuecks predicted, the era...


Kazakhstan Jumps Seven Positions on Social Progress Index

ASTANA – Kazakhstan placed 76th in the 2016 Social Progress Index, improving its position from last year’s 83rd position. The country remains in the lower middle tier,...


Photographer Karla Nur: Theatre Positively Changing Way We Think

ASTANA – An appearance at the Astana Opera House has both national and international significance. Its productions amaze theatre goers of all ages and its marvellous building...


“Broadway Bound” Leaves Audience Fascinated

ASTANA – Audiences were dazzled by two shows presented in conjunction with Capital Day. The Dance Summit, featuring more than 50 Kazakh dancers and choreographers under the...


Holiday Inn Express to Open in Astana

ASTANA – A Holiday Inn Express will open in Astana in 2018, the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announced. The hotel will be the sixth object under the...


Kazakhstan’s Caspian Coastline Offers Various Vacation Options

ASTANA – The Caspian Sea may not be filled with beach resorts or be entirely suitable for recreational use, but entertainment, recreation and health facilities are available...


Roadside Businesses Succeeding in Akmola Region

ASTANA – As national highways pass through the Akmola region, as well as dozens of regional and district roads, Kazakhstan business people have begun to develop roadside...


Kazakhstan’s Inflation Rate for First Half of 2016 was 4.6 Percent

ASTANA – The inflation rate in Kazakhstan for the first six months of 2016 was 4.6 percent, according to the press service of the Kazakh Ministry of...


Kazakhtelecom Announces New Major Shareholder Ahead of Possible IPO

ASTANA – Sobrio Limited has bought a 24.47 percent stake in national telecom operator Kazakhtelecom, the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) reported. “Sobrio Limited became a new major...


Almaty Ice Palace Completed

ASTANA – Construction of the 12,000-seat Ice Palace, the main venue of the 2017 Winter Universiade to be held in Almaty, has been completed. Despite trimming the...


Chevron, Partners Decision to Expand Tengiz Is Sign of Hope for Oil Industry

By any measure, the global economy is in a fragile state. Growth and confidence were already weak before the decision by the UK to withdraw from the...


Astana Celebrates 18th Birthday with a Week of Arts, Sport, Craft Shows

ASTANA – This year, the capital of Kazakhstan celebrated its 18th birthday. The official holiday is July 6, but the city celebrated for more than a week....


Parliament Addresses Financial Sector, Citizens’ Issues

ASTANA – A joint meeting of the two chambers of Parliament took place June 30 under the chairmanship of Mazhilis speaker Nurlan Nigmatulin. Summing up the outcomes...


Air Astana Introduces New Flight to Tehran

The Air Astana national carrier introduced a new direct flight from Almaty to Tehran on June 30, reported the press service of the company. The flights will...


Newborn Figures in Astana History

ASTANA – A capital couple recently welcomed more than just a daughter into their lives. Saida Mukhamedyarova, born 1 am, July 4 in the city’s perinatal centre...


Almaty Dombra Player Speaks About Historic Ties with Kazakhs, Interest in Instrument

ASTANA – Creative dombra player Andrey Fendrikov’s ties with Kazakh culture and people have been emerging for generations, as he traces his interest in the instrument to...


Kazakhstan Continues Multi-Vector Foreign Policy in Conflict Resolution around the World

We have all experienced how uncomfortable it can be when mutual friends are in conflict.  No matter how trivial the dispute, life becomes more difficult as you...


Kazakhstan to Begin Exporting Cars to Russia, Central Asia

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to begin exporting cars to Russia and Central Asian countries over the next several years. Car production in the country will be localised...


Chevron Approves $36.8 billion Tengiz Field Expansion Project in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – A group of oil companies led by Chevron have approved a $36.8 billion plan to boost production at Kazakhstan’s Tengiz oil field, the largest oil...


Barys Hockey Club Shifts Emphasis Towards Recruiting Younger Players

Manager General of the Barys hockey club Alexander Koreshkov spoke recently on the new policy of the club and the team’s objectives for the KHL coming season...


New Local Plant Produces Pipes to Last Forever

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has established a large-scale production of plastic pipes used for water supply, as pressure pipes for hydroelectric power plants, and in pumping stations, aqueducts...


CSTO Foreign Ministers Discuss International Security

ASTANA – Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov participated July 4 in the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) Foreign Ministers Council held in Yerevan, Armenia. The main objective...


Fitch Ratings Affirms KazMunayGas at ‘BBB’ with Stable Outlook

ASTANA – International rating agency Fitch Ratings has affirmed National Company KazMunayGas’s (NC KMG) Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘BBB’ with a Stable Outlook, according...


Peaceful Foreign, Domestic Policy Led to Kazakhstan’s Election to UN Security Council, Minister Says

ASTANA – Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov answered questions at the Central Communication Service (CCS) briefing July 5 devoted to Kazakhstan’s non-permanent membership in the UN Security...


Kazakhstan Celebrates Historic Moment as UNSC Seat Secured

It is no understatement to say that the news that Kazakhstan had been successful in its bid to attain a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security...


Nazarbayev Visits Numerous Astana Facilities, Launched New Projects

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev visited June 30 and was introduced to the work at the capital’s transport and logistics hub, GLB home construction factory, Tulpar  Talgo...


Horseback Riding in Astana Expands

ASTANA – Summer weekends are perfect for spending time with family and savouring great outdoor activities like horseback riding. Contact with the horse has a calming effect...


FM Idrissov Says Attracting Investment, Promoting Nuclear Disarmament Key Priorities

ASTANA – Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov talked about foreign policy economisation, the country’s role in nuclear non-proliferation, election to the UN Security Council and the new...


President Visits Major Enterprises in Astana

President Nursultan Nazarbayev visited socially and economically important enterprises in Astana on June 30. The head of state inspected Astana Transport and Logistics Centre, where he toured...


Kazakh Director’s Film to Be Shown at International Film Festival in Peru

ASTANA – “The Plague at the Karatas Village,” a Kazakh film directed by Adilkhan Yerzhanov, will be shown at the Lima Independiente International Film Festival in Peru....


Almaty Bike System to be Launched in September

ASTANA – The Almaty Bike automated system is scheduled to launch Sept.12, said Velocity.kz Public Fund President Almagul Kassymova. The rental price is expected to be the...


Kazakh Radio Host Receives Prestigious Award

ASTANA – Kazakh radio host Mukhamedali Bukharbayev was awarded the “Oscar for the Radio Hosts” at the international competition in Moscow. The event, known as “We Speak...


Kazakh FM Outlines Priorities Following Historic Election to UN Security Council for 2017-2018

ASTANA – Following Kazakhstan’s election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for a two-year term starting Jan. 1, 2017, Kazakh Foreign Minister...


President Nazarbayev Congratulates Nation as Kazakhstan Secures Seat on UN Security Council

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev called Kazakhstan’s election as non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2017-2018 a “historic achievement.” “Kazakhstan’s election as a non-permanent member...


Kazakh and Foreign Experts Say Industrial Digitalisation Key for Continued Diversified Growth

ASTANA – The challenges and implementation of the industrial Internet were the main topics of discussion June 28 during a conference at the Nazarbayev Centre. The conference,...


Kazakh Teachers Begin Language Training in Move Toward Trilingual Education

ASTANA – More teachers in Kazakhstan will be getting second degrees in English as part of the country’s effort announced in the spring by Minister of Education...


FC Astana Starts UEFA Champions League Qualification in Vilnius

ASTANA – Four Kazakh clubs have entered another qualification campaign to reach the Union of European Football Associations Champions League and the Europa League. Last week, the...


In Historic Win, Kazakhstan Elected to UN Security Council for 2017-2018

NEW YORK – After a gruelling six-year campaign which took Kazakh leaders and diplomats and introduced Kazakhstan to far flung corners of the world, from Europe to...


Kazakh Boxer Ivan Dychko Trains with Wladimir Klitschko’s Team

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s boxer, bronze medalist of the 2012 London Olympics Ivan Dychko has returned from Austria, where he spent two weeks training at the invitation of...


Kazakhstan Narrowly Misses Promotion in Women’s Volleyball World Grand Prix

ASTANA – Kazakhstan just missed in its effort to move up to Group 2 of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Grand Prix, losing the crucial match to...


Kazakh Language Classes Launched in Maryland

ASTANA – Weekend courses on the Kazakh language have begun in a primary school in Maryland with the support of the Kazakh-American Association and the Kazakh diaspora...


EXPO 2017 to Host Tourism Ministerial Forum

ASTANA – The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and EXPO 2017 plan to hold a joint conference on “Tourism and the Energy of the Future” in...


Slovakia and Kazakhstan Defended Own Development Models, Says Ambassador Juza

ASTANA – Divided by almost 4,000 kilometres, Kazakhstan and Slovakia are each located in the heart of their regions. Both young, former members of big unions, the...


North Kazakhstan Encourages More Diverse Investment, Seeks to Boost Tourism

ASTANA – North Kazakhstan region is seeking to maximise its unique potential to develop the areas of agriculture and tourism, the region’s deputy akim (governor) Mukhtar Mankeyev...


Has Sanat Gallery Showcases Work, Nurtures Talent

ASTANA – The Has Sanat art gallery in Astana displays an eclectic mix of foreign and local artists to capital residents – but beyond being just a...


Preparations Underway for Astana Day

ASTANA – Capital Day will be more like capital two and a-half weeks, as an array of concerts, festivals, sporting events and shows are scheduled June 20-July...


Welcome Tourism Industry Signs on Rise in Kazakhstan

Winter in Astana has its own special attractions. But there are very few of us who live here who don’t look forward to the chance to feel...


Astana Hosts Concert Featuring Argentine Pianist Luis Ascot

ASTANA – Argentine pianist and Geneva Conservatory of Music honourary professor Luis Ascot presented a concert at the Astana Opera Chamber Hall June 16 featuring works by...


Zero to One to Bring 1,000 Mobile Apps to Market

Zero to One, a Kazakh mobile app company, has announced plans to train no fewer than 1,000 professional developers and create at least 1,000 iOS and Android...