Documentary about Botai Culture to Start Shooting in North Kazakhstan Region

ASTANA – Clearwater Documentary of Canada, managed by renowned producer, director and anthropologist Niobe Thompson, is going to shoot a documentary about the Botai culture in Kazakhstan....


Nazarbayev, Putin Discuss Mutual Ties in Sochi

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev met with Russian President Vladimir Putin Aug. 16 in Sochi, Russia. The sides talked about a wide range of bilateral cooperation issues and...


Moratorium on Latest Land Code Changes May be Extended to Dec. 31, 2021

ASTANA – The land reform commission has proposed extending the moratorium on amendments to the land code for five years. The proposal has been sent to Parliament...


New Public Display Being Prepared at East Kazakhstan’s Valley of Kings

ASTANA – Archaeologists have been working on excavations of the so-called Valley of the Kings in Katonkaragai district of East Kazakhstan region for many years. Yet only...


Movie about Abai’s Father to Be Shown at Kazan International Festival

ASTANA – A movie about Abai’s father shot by Kazakhfilm will be included in the Sept. 5-11 11th Kazan International Muslim Film Festival. “The movie tells the...


Yellow Level of Terrorist Alert Prolonged in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – On Aug. 14, the Anti-Terrorist Centre of Kazakhstan announced the extension of a moderate yellow level of terrorist alert across the country until Jan.15, 2017,...


Expensive Houses in Southern Capital Worth Price, Says Real Estate Expert

ASTANA – Some expensive houses in Almaty are worth the purchase price. Mansions in the big city with designer décor and measuring thousands of square metres have...


Kazakh, Other EAEU Government Heads Seek Stronger EAEU Legal Framework

ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Massimov met Aug. 12 in Sochi, Russia with the heads of the governments of Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan to...


Sri Lanka and Singapore to Participate in EXPO 2017

ASTANA – Sri Lanka and Singapore signed on to participate in EXPO 2017 in Astana during EXPO Commissioner Rapil Zhoshybayev’s Aug. 12 – 15 visit to South...


Kazakhstan, South Korea and Belarus Create Eurasian Spatial Data Infrastructure

A memorandum of understanding and cooperation to create Eurasian spatial data infrastructure was recently signed between Belarus, Kazakhstan and South Korea. The text of the memorandum will...


Green Technologies Distribution Centre Opens in Astana

The green technologies distribution centre was opened Aug. 12 as part of the Karaganda Agro-Technical College, reported the press service of the G-Global Coalition for Green Economy...


Kazakhstan Takes Steps Toward Paper Production Using Hemp

ASTANA – Hemp can be used in paper production, which will lead to a significant decline in its price, said Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Dariga Nazarbayeva at...


Kazakh Student Wins Multilingual Essay Contest, Takes Part in UN General Assembly

ASTANA – Kazakh student Moldir Arapova is among the winners of an essay contest organised by the United Nations. A jury selected sixty finalists out of the...


Kazakh FM Outlines Proposals to Improve Attracting Investments

ASTANA – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov announced Aug. 10 proposals to improve work with foreign investors. Speaking at a government meeting on the...


FM Idrissov: Kazakhstan Welcomes Improved Russian-Turkish Relations

ASTANA – Kazakhstan welcomes the recently improved relations between its two close strategic partners Russia and Turkey, Kazakh Minister of Foreign Affairs Erlan Idrissov said Aug. 10....


International Ballet Competition Opens New Horizons for Performers

ASTANA – The third International Ballet Competition will be held Sept. 10-17 in the capital. The audition initiated by the fund to develop and support the national...


Gifted Soloists from Three Countries Perform Bach Concert

ASTANA – Famous French, Russian and Swiss musicians presented “The Tone of Bach,” a vivid and exciting concert highlighting the work of one of the most brilliant...


The Spirit of Tengri Project to be Presented in Hungary Seeks to Unite Turkic World

ASTANA – Creators of the largest international festival of modern ethnic music in Central Asia, The Spirit of Tengri, will soon present their project at a kurultai...


25th Anniversary of the Semipalatinsk Closure To Be Marked in Environment of Nuclear Danger, Progress

As we have underlined on many occasions, we are living in deeply uncertain times. Our world faces complex challenges and threats that put at risk all we...


Two Gold, One Silver for Team Kazakhstan on Rio Olympics Day Five

RIO DE JANEIRO – Kazakhstan won the country’s first ever Olympic gold medal in swimming as well as a second gold and a silver in weightlifting on...


Kazakhstan’s Role in Restoring Turkish-Russian Ties Demonstrates Int’l Community’s Trust

Our world moves at an ever-faster pace.  Such is the speed of change that what would once have been a year’s history – both good and bad...


Examination of Aktobe Burial Mound Reveals New Foundings of Sarmatian Period

The Halyk Kazynasy Research Studies Institute of the Kazakh National Museum is now executing archaeological research on more than a dozen sites across the country which belong...


Canadian Ambassador in Astana Seeks to Broaden Bilateral Relationship

ASTANA – Ambassador of Canada to Kazakhstan Shawn Steil shared in an Aug. 5 interview with The Astana Times thoughts on cooperation, bilateral trade and cultural similarities...


ATOM Project Calls for Moment of Silence on August 29, 25th Anniversary of Closure of Nuclear Test Site

ASTANA – The ATOM Project (Abolish Testing: Our Mission) is calling for a moment of silence on August 29, the UN International Day against Nuclear Tests, to...


Astana Eliminated from UEFA Champions League Qualification in Late Drama with Celtic

ASTANA – FC Astana was eliminated from the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round following a 1:2 defeat in the dying minutes of their return leg match...


Team Kazakhstan Begins Participation in Olympic Games in Rio

RIO DE JANEIRO – On Aug. 5, a delegation of athletes and officials of Kazakhstan took part in the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympic Games at...


Kazakh Judokas, Weightlifter Win Nation’s First Medals at Rio Olympics

RIO DE JANEIRO – On Aug. 6, the first day of competitions at the Summer Olympics in Rio, Team Kazakhstan won its first medals, namely two of...


Independence of Regions Key to Kazakh Economic Stability, Future

In July and August 2016, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Massimov has been checking on facilities throughout the country related to the Nurly Zhol infrastructure development programme....


Actor Explains Challenge of Playing the President, His Love of Movies

ASTANA – Actor Nurlan Alimzhanov, who played Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev in the epic about the President’s life and has won Kazakhstan’s Zhas Tulpar award, discussed his...


Turkey to Take Part in EXPO 2017

ASTANA – Turkey will present the country’s best developments in the field of alternative energy sources at EXPO 2017 in Astana, announced the official web site of...


Capital Circus Manager Explains Process Behind Performances

ASTANA – Last December, the Capital Circus marked its 10th anniversary. In its short life, it has become the leading circus in the country. This comes as...


Homemade Preserves Keep Their Place on Pantry Shelves

ASTANA – As the winter gets closer, many housewives in Kazakhstan start making preserves with vegetables and berries. Pickled vegetables and homemade jams became part of traditional...


Moscow Hosts Street Photo Exhibition Dedicated to Kazakhstan

The Kazakh Embassy to Russia and the National Geographic Russia magazine organised a Kazakhstan – Land of the Great Steppe street photo exhibition, reported the press service...


Kazakh National Bank Issues Commemorative Coins

On July 29, the Kazakh National Bank issued new special 500 tenge (US$1.43) coins made of gold and silver, as well as 100 tenge (US$0.29) coins made...


Kazakh Government Launches Satellite Navigation Software

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s state bodies are now using satellite navigation software to better manage logistics, according to the press service of the National Agency for Technological Development....


Consistent Efforts Needed to Tackle Terrorism

It is a sign of how dangerous our world seems to have become that every time we look at the daily news, we are relieved if we...


10-Year-Old Amir Makhmet Sets New Record for Non-Stop Push-Ups

World record holder among children and four times champion of Kazakhstan’s Record Book for push-ups and the longest time in an abdominal position Amir Makhmet recently set...


Air Company Awards Plane to Children’s Centre

In early June, the Kazakh airline company Air Control announced the winner of the competition for the best use of the decommissioned aircraft was the Children’s Scientific...


Capital’s Hotel Scene Develops, Awaits for EXPO Tourists

ASTANA – EXPO 2017 organisers announced recently that 24 hotels and four hostels will be constructed to accommodate visitors for next year’s three months long event. “We...


Nazarbayev Visits Turkey, Meets with Erdogan

ASTANA ­– President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed bilateral cooperation and international issues Aug. 6 in Ankara, the Akorda press service reported. “Turkey...


Annoyed by Borat Questions, Kazakh Student Creates Award-Winning Film

ASTANA – “Welcome to Almaty,” a three-minute, 27-second short film by Almaty-born Anton Alfimenko, 20, received a Best Travel Film nomination in April at the Global Short...


Online Service Benefits From Being First on the Market

ASTANA – In a recent interview with The Astana Times, Aviata.kz co-founder and development director Alexey Li talked about the evolution of the Almaty-based online service for...


Kazakhstan Temir Zholy Starts Final Stage of Transformation Programme

ASTANA – Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the national railway company, announced the start of projects within the business transformation programme for 2016-2019 and its plans to finish...


Manhattan’s Lexington Avenue W Hotel Unveils De Luxe Suite with Yurt

ASTANA – Glamping or ‘glamour camping’ (the movement of camping for people who really don’t like to camp) has come to the middle of Manhattan with the...


Korgalzhyn Reserve Getaway: Breathtaking Scenery, Birdwatching and Wildlife

ASTANA – If weekend trips to the Burabai resort have become routine and you’re seeking new thrills and adventures, perhaps going to the Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve...


Pavlodar Plant Signs 300 Million Euro Deal for Aluminium Supply

ASTANA – The Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), a leading diversified natural resources company, and VTB Group have entered into a strategically important deal in the amount of...


Kazakh Filmmakers to Produce Movie Dedicated to WWII Soldiers’ Courage

ASTANA – The creators of the British – Kazakh feature film with the working title “Flags over Berlin” announced a teaser will be released in September. The...


Washington C5+1 Ministerial Meeting Launches Five Projects Worth $15 Million

ASTANA – Kazakh Minister of Foreign Affairs Erlan Idrissov took part in the second meeting of foreign ministers of Central Asia and the United States in the...


Nine Tourism Projects to be Constructed in Mangystau Region

ASTANA – The Mangystau Region coordination council has approved nine projects in the tourism industry for 658 million tenge (US$1.85 million), reported lada.kz. In total, 900 million...


Online Resource for Farmers Launches in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The National Chamber of Entrepreneurs Atameken held a presentation of the Fermers.kz website with options available for the convenience of farmers July 29-31 in the...


Discover Astana with Panoramic Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Tours

ASTANA – Astana Sightseeing Tours Co. has introduced double-decker buses equipped with sound systems in four languages – Kazakh, Russian, English and Chinese. A special closed route...


Filming of Comedy About Men in a World of Women Begins in Astana

ASTANA – Filming of the feature-length comedy “Vse iz-za Muzhikov” (“All Because of Men”), a story about a world of women and the three guys who are...


Shymkent Couple Wins 2016 Super Sprint Triathlon Astana

ASTANA – Around 200 people took part in the Super Sprint Triathlon Astana 2016 in the capital’s Central Park on July 31, according to the akimat’s (city...


African Band Spreading Beats and Vibe throughout Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The African band Kilimanjaro is becoming popular in Kazakhstan for its originality, dedication and, as one of its members said, “consistency, stability, hard work and...


Kazakhstan Signs Paris Climate Change Agreement

NEW YORK – Kazakhstan has signed the Paris Climate Change Agreement. Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov signed the document which was adopted at the December COP21...


New Astana’s Mayor Becomes Closer to Capital’s Residents

ASTANA – Asset Issekeshev, named mayor of the Kazakh capital June 21, has been well accepted by its residents due to his work and decisions that show...


Why Buying Housing with Samruk Kazyna’s Real Estate Fund Makes More Sense

ASTANA – For the 25-year-old nation, the idea of renting is so alien that residents easily get dragged – as it first might look from the foreigner’s...


Jaxaliyeva: Never Too Late to Find Your Passion

ASTANA – Twenty-six-year-old Kazakh golfer Jamila Jaxaliyeva was quickly named “truly one a kind” after her successful tournament performance at the 2015 Ladies European Tour. Yet she...


Astana Draws Celtic at Home in UEFA Champions League

ASTANA – In the third qualifying round of the Champions League, FC Astana drew 1:1 at home against Celtic FC. This was their first match in a...


Couple in Poland Wear Kazakh National Costumes for Wedding

ASTANA – Agnieszka Słomian and Tomasz Mazurek wore Kazakh national costumes for their wedding in Poland out of respect for the country that has become native to...


New GPS Security System Made in Kazakhstan Draws International Attention

The Mongoose GPS-security system, invented by Kazakh citizen Evgeny Shcherbatov has recevied attention in the U.S.,  and an order from the Autism Society San Francisco, reported the...


EAEU Members States Work on Creation of Common Drugs Market

In order to establish a common market in drugs of the Eurasian Economic Union planned for 2016-2018, it was decided to develop 67 new regulations. The corresponding...


Two More Policemen Dead Following Attacks in Almaty

ASTANA – The press service of Almaty’s Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has announced that two policemen who were injured in the July 18 shooting spree in...


Spacecraft Assembly and Testing Complex to be Built in Astana

ASTANA – Kazakh First Deputy Prime Minister Bakhytzhan Sagintayev paid a visit July 26 to the capital’s National Space Centre. Minister for Investment and Development Zhenis Kassymbek...


Gammy Adventure Rope Park Opens in Astana’s Central Park

ASTANA – Gammy Adventure Rope Park is the spot for thrill seekers – a new type of entertainment with various routes and levels of complexity for adults...


Polish Village in Kazakhstan – Unique Place of Ethnic Friendship

ASTANA – Yasnaya Polyana is a unique centre of strengthening friendship between Kazakhstan peoples, as the village is distinguished by the fact that 80 percent of its...


Kazakhstan Becomes First Central Asian Country on OECD Competition Committee

The antimonopoly body of Kazakhstan has been accepted as a new member of the Competition Committee of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), reported the...


Kazakhstan Fights Online Terrorist Propaganda

Kazakhstan recently blocked 94 suspicious websites for spreading extremism and terrorism propaganda messages, reported the press service of the Astana Prosecutor General’s Office. Since the beginning of...


National Bank and Experts Explain Tenge Weakening by Falling Ruble, Internal Reasons

ASTANA – Trades on the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) showed a weakening of the tenge, as the U.S. dollar exchange rate reached 350.2 tenge per $1 earlier...


Young Entrepreneurs Make Online Platform that Creates Events with Few Clicks

ASTANA – Young entrepreneurs from Semei have devised perhaps one of the most essential online services for Kazakhs who celebrate weddings, baby births and other traditional events...


Astana Celebrates Mandela Day

Mandela Day, the annual international day of July 18 honouring anti-apartheid leader, philanthropist and former South African President Nelson Mandela, has been observed in Kazakhstan since 2012....


Famous ‘We Will Rock You’ Musical to Be Performed during EXPO 2017

ASTANA – EXPO 2017 guests have a chance to become one of the first audiences of the Kazakh version of the popular “We Will Rock on You”...


Astana Motorsports Team Performs Well at Silk Way Rally 2016, Wins T2 Class

ASTANA – The four crews of the Astana Presidential Professional Sports Club successfully completed the Silk Way Rally 2016. The rally, which took place July 8-24 after...


Players of Ancient Togyzkumalak Meet in Germany for European Championships

ASTANA – Players from more than 10 countries of the ancient Kazakh boardgame Togyzkumalak converged on Schweinfurt, Germany July 23 and 24 for the European Togyzkumalak championships....


Zhansaya Abdumalik Wins Miguel Najdorf Chess Tournament in Warsaw

ASTANA – Sixteen-year-old Zhansaya Abdumalik of Kazakhstan won the women’s tournament at the MetLife Warsaw Najdorf Chess Festival in the capital city of Poland and placed fifth...


Four Kazakh Citizens Killed in Nice Terrorist Attack

ASTANA – Four Kazakh citizens were reported killed when a man drove a lorry into crowds attending Bastille Day celebrations on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice...


SCO Transformation – Are There Any Prospects?

A month ago Tashkent hosted the SCO anniversary summit, which, on one hand, marked the 15th anniversary of the organisation and, on the other hand, officially confirmed...


Deer Velvet Antlers Treat Wide Array of Health Conditions

ASTANA – Velvet antlers are deer antlers during their early growth with a tubular and cartilage structure, filled with blood and covered by thin, velvet skin and...


Free Trade Zone between EAEU and China Can Boost Regional Economic Cooperation

Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Prime Minister Bakhytzhan Sagintayev said in March that “the EAEU intends to create a free trade zone with China,” explaining that at this stage...


Kazakh Senate Chair Discusses Upcoming Nuclear Disarmament Conference, Trade and Development in Geneva

Kazakh Senate Chairman Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with the heads of international organisations July 13-15 during a working visit to Geneva, Switzerland. During a meeting with Michael Møller,...


Italy, South Korea Join List of EXPO 2017 Participating States

ASTANA – Italy and South Korea recently became the latest countries to sign agreements to participate in EXPO 2017 in Astana. EXPO 2017 national company Board Chairman...


National Bank Explains Base Rate Reduction by Improving Economic Conditions

The Chairman of the National Bank of Kazakhstan Daniyar Akishev commented on the recent decision made by the bank management concerning the base rate. It was decided...


Kazakhstan Will Take Part in ‘Keys to the Sky’ Competition

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s aerospace defense forces for the first time are going to join “Keys to the Sky” anti-aircraft missile troops’ operational grouping field training contest at...


Astana Launches New Project on Separate Waste Collection

Starting in late July, a new project on separate collection of waste launches in Astana under the Astana Tazartu company’s supervision, reported the press service of the...


Kazakhstan Offers Affordable High Education Prices, Says Akare Agency

The international Akare agency recently announced its survey on higher education. According to the analysed data, Kazakhstan was recognised as a country to offer education opportunities for...


Ulba Metallurgical Plant Leads in World Uranium Production

ASTANA – Since 2009, Kazakhstan has been the world leader in uranium production. Today, Ulba Metallurgical Plant (UMP) is known as a major supplier of high-tech uranium,...


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...