Kazakh Rising Star Elizabet Tursynbayeva Ready to Continue Country’s Figure Skating Legacy

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s winter sports popularity continues despite recently losing the chance to host the Winter Olympics in Almaty in 2022 by only a few votes. After...


Kazakh Students Provide Eight Senegalese Villages with Water

ASTANA, Oct. 2 – Graduates of the Kazakh-Turkish Lyceum in Astana have financially supported the drilling of water wells in Senegal to help the inhabitants of eight...


Chinese Entrepreneur’s Success Shows What is Possible in Kazakhstan

ALMATY – There are few successful foreign businessmen heading domestic companies in Kazakhstan, but Qigang Chen – the founder and president of TsinKaz – is one of...


Kazakhstan, UNDP to Assist African Countries with Sustainable Development Goals

ASTANA – During the recent 70th session of the UN General Assembly, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the government of Kazakhstan launched a new programme...


Bankruptcy of Physical Bodies Law to Be Passed in Kazakhstan by 2017

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to reform its personal bankruptcy laws by 2017 to better help citizens recover from unpayable debts. “As of today we are working in...


FC Astana Brings Football Frenzy to Capital, Draws with Galatasaray in Champions League Encounter

ASTANA – Football Club (FC) Astana inspired the entire nation Sept. 30 in a home game against Turkish Galatasaray, when the team unexpectedly drew 2:2 in the...


Historical Buildings of the New Capital

ASTANA – The history of the capital city of Kazakhstan is revealed through some of the old buildings quietly standing on the busiest streets and avenues of...


The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty, Hosts Art Exhibition for Children

ASTANA – An art exhibition featuring paintings created for the third annual charity auction “I Want to Live!” was opened Sept. 28 at The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty, the...


Representatives of Syrian Opposition Meet in Astana

ASTANA – Representatives of the Syrian opposition held a fresh round of consultations in Astana Oct. 2–4. Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Askar Mussinov and Director of the...


Ust-Kamenogorsk Air Quality Improvement Project Completes First Phase

ASTANA – The first of four projects financed by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Kazakh government to improve air quality in Ust-Kamenogorsk has...


Asia as Possible Home for UN: Far-Fetched, but Worth Considering

At the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev proposed the idea of moving the UN headquarters to Asia....


Kazakhstan Seeks to Create Highly Qualified Professionals

Our country points out qualitative education as one of its main priorities, and lately Kazakhstan has been very active at the national level improving the quality of...


Bolashak Alumni Reunion Conference and Education Fair 2015 – Comments from Foreign Partners and Participants

Gintarė Diliūnienė, International Programme Coordinator, the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences: First of all, let me express my sincere gratitude for the honour to be here with...


Kazakh B-Boy Wins Red Bull Breakdancing Eastern European Final

ASTANA – Nikolai Chernikov, also known as Killa Kolya, won the Eastern Europe final of the Red Bull BC One breakdancing competition held in Tbilisi, Georgia on...


EAEU Bank Chiefs Discuss Currency Policy in the Region

ASTANA – An advisory board on the monetary policy of the central banks of Customs Union and Single Economic Space member states recently reviewed the economic situations...


Government to Discontinue Support for Non-competitive Agricultural Enterprises

ASTANA – Minister of Agriculture Assylzhan Mamytbekov recently announced that the government will continue subsidies for healthy agricultural businesses, but will no longer support non-competitive agricultural enterprises....


Kazakh Railway Delegation Visits China, Meets with Local Officials

A delegation of Kazakhstan’s national railway company, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), headed by company President Askar Mamin participated in the Second International Logistics Forum China – the...


Kazenergy Forum Explores Energy’s Role in Sustainable Development, Sees Forecasts of Rising Oil Prices

ASTANA – The theme of this year’s Sept. 29 – Oct. 1 Kazenergy Eurasia Forum was “New Horizons of Energy: Prospects of Cooperation and Investments,” but it...


ZIBROO, Sportswear Made in Kazakhstan

After creating the Kazakhstan national team uniform for the 2011 Asian Winter Games, the 2014 Sochi Olympics and the upcoming Almaty Winter Universiade to take place in...


Kazakhstan Increases Meat Export to EAEU States

ASTANA – The government of Kazakhstan plans to become a leading meat exporter to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the world market. In Soviet times, Kazakhstan...


Private Investment in National Housing Savings Bank Won’t Hurt Existing Depositors, Says Bank

ASTANA – New private investment in the Housing Construction Savings Bank of Kazakhstan will not negatively impact the existing deposits of Kazakh citizens, the bank announced in...


Kazakhstan’s Children’s Philharmonic Opens Season with ‘Kambak Shal’

ASTANA – The first season of Kazakhstan’s Children’s Philharmonic opened with the children’s opera “Kambak Shal” at Astana Congress Hall Oct. 1. Kazakh composer Zholan Dastenov wrote...


Kazakhstan Intends to Export Oil Production Equipment

ASTANA – In spite of the current condition of oil production in the world, Kazakhstan continues to develop its oil production engineering industry and intends to export...


Nazarbayev, Obama Reaffirm Strategic Partnership During New York Meeting

NEW YORK – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and U.S. President Barack Obama had a bilateral meeting in New York on Sept. 29 to discuss international issues and bilateral...


Kazakh-Led Effort on Regional Migration Offers Example for Europe, Say Experts

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s chairmanship of the Almaty Process, a two-year-old effort to enhance cooperation on legal and illegal migration in Central Asia, is bearing fruit and the...


FM Idrissov Shares Kazakh Approach to Int’l Issues During UN Security Council Open Debate

NEW YORK – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov took part in the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on the Maintenance of International Peace...


CrossFit Takes Off in Astana

ASTANA – The fitness industry in Kazakhstan is constantly growing, offering an ever-increasing range of activities. Residents and tourists can now find almost any type of sport...


The Aral Sea Experiences Second Birth

The Aral Sea can regain its lost status of the country’s harbour thanks to the successful implementation of the regional project on managing the Syr Darya’s riverbed...


Finnish Trade Minister, Major Business Leaders Visit Kazakhstan to Build Relationships

ASTANA – Minister for Foreign Trade of Finland Lenita Toivakka will lead a major business delegation on a trip to Kazakhstan from Oct. 4–7 to deepen economic...


Kazakhstan Achieves its Highest Ranking on Global Competitive Index

ASTANA – According to the results of the Global Competitiveness Report for 2015-2016, Kazakhstan holds 42nd place among 140 countries in competitiveness, the best result in the history...


Turkmen Fine Arts Exhibition Opens in Astana

ASTANA – The “World of Turkmen Painters” exhibition of works of fine art opened in the National Museum of Kazakhstan on the occasion of the 20th anniversary...


Kazakhstan, Japan Call for Early Entry into Force of CTBT

NEW YORK – Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov and Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida as well as UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and numerous other top officials...


Notary, Banking and Tax System Among Doing Business Challenges in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Running a private business can be a challenge itself, while running a business in a foreign country doubles or even triples the pressure. The Astana...


Statistics Show Increase in Kazakh Airlines’ Safety

ASTANA – According to international statistics, flying in Kazakhstan has become safer. The percentage of activity compliance of Kazakhstan’s civil aviation has grown by 18 points, said Beken...


Kazakh President Outlines MDG Successes, Calls for Portions of Defence Budgets to be Diverted to Development

NEW YORK – President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan took the floor at the UN Summit for the Adoption of the Post-2015 Development Agenda on Sept. 27, describing...


In Multilateral Meetings in New York, Kazakh FM Promotes Regional Approach to Regional Challenges

NEW YORK – In numerous multilateral meetings that Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov attended in New York as part of the 70th United Nations General Assembly he...


Astana Street Names Provide Historical Guide for Residents

ASTANA – Small and big, central and distant, old and new, Astana’s streets hold lessons in history and geography for those who recognise their names. According to...


Kazakh Medical System Serves Citizens, Medical Tourists

ASTANA – Around 5,000 citizens from more than 30 countries received medical treatment in Astana clinics over the last three years. The Chairman of the Board of...


At UN, Nazarbayev Proposes Developing Global Strategic Initiative to Be Implemented by 2045

NEW YORK – President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev took part in the General Debate of the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UN GA) in...


Insurance Fund Created to Ensure Kazakh Travelers are Able to Return from Abroad

Vice Minister of Investment and Development Albert Rau recently announced the creation of a new insurance fund for Kazakh tourists travelling abroad at the beginning of next...


Almaty City Instagram Account Seeks to Improve Public Services

The Almaty city akimat (city administration) recently created an Instagram account to respond to citizens’ complaints about issues including trash collection, fallen trees, open sewers and clogged...


The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty Announces Club for Newlyweds

ALMATY – The Ritz-Carlton Almaty launched its new Wedding Club on Sept. 1. Club members – couples who have held a wedding in the hotel – are...


Kitschy Soviet-Era Restaurant Popular in Astana

ASTANA – Capitalism has been moving quickly around Astana since the city became the capital 17 years ago. Many things have changed as a result, including the...


Foreign Tourism Partners Optimistic about Kazakh Tourism Market

ASTANA – Despite the unstable economic situation that resulted from the devaluation of the tenge, Kazakhstan’s tourism sector is supported by optimism and hope from foreign tourism...


Annual National Cuisine and Culture Festival Kicks Off in Almaty

ASTANA – The third annual Festival of Kazakh National Cuisine and Traditions and Cultures of the Peoples of Kazakhstan called Toi Kazan was held recently at Almaty’s...


Almaty Hosts 2015 Capital of Islamic Culture Int’l Artistic Festival

ALMATY –  Prior to the city day celebrations, the Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Sports treated citizens to a festival of artistic groups and individual performers from...


Government, NGOs, Universities Unite to Help Trafficking Victims in Astana

ASTANA – Makhabat Sadykova, a 20-year-old student in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Nazarbayev University, was introduced to the disturbing criminal activity of human...


Mare’s Milk Producers Confident about Drink’s Domestic, Int’l Future

ASTANA – Businessmen and scholars of the Zhambyl region promote Kazakh nano kumis and are confident that the traditional beverage of nomads will conquer the entire world....


‘One Belt, One Road’ Initiative Will Extend Regional Prosperity

Even a generation ago, the Silk Road would have seemed to most people little more than a fascinating, if long-lasting, episode in history. It may have been...


EBRD Launches Women in Business Programme, Offers Credit to Female Entrepreneurs

ASTANA – The European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has launched a 3.7 billion tenge (US$14.1 million) credit line for women entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan, the bank...


Brazil, Argentina, Chile Say Ready to Participate in EXPO 2017

SANTIAGO – Some of South America’s largest nations, including Brazil, Argentina and Chile, announced this month that they will participate in EXPO 2017 in Astana. The announcements...


Turning Grey into Gold

Just a few decades ago, the population of the Asia-Pacific region was dominated by the young. Now, as birth rates have dropped and life expectancies improved, the...


Kazakh Diaspora Chooses Unique Ways to Maintain Identity

ASTANA – Kazakh diaspora in diverse parts of the world chose different ways of maintaining their identity and traditions. Associations and student communities organise various events to...


Silicon Valley Companies Demonstrate Strong Interest in EXPO 2017, UNDP Confirms Participation

SAN FRANCISCO –EXPO 2017 Commissioner and Kazakh First Deputy Foreign Minister Rapil Zhoshybayev completed his ten-day trip to the U.S. with visits to New York and San...


Kazakhstan Addresses Security Challenges through Collective Efforts, Top Official Says

How would you describe the level and the focus of cooperation within the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) for that matter,...


Kazakhstan’s Nurly Zhol and China’s Economic Belt of the Silk Road: Confluence of Goals

Modern Kazakhstan, located in the central part of Eurasia, is a transit link in the system of multilevel interconnections of Asia and Europe. It is known that...


Energy Ministry Decreases Five-Year Oil Production Forecast

The Kazakh Ministry of Energy has decreased its oil production forecast through 2020 by 11.5 percent. The new forecast has production reaching 92 million tonnes in 2020....


Kazakh Businessmen Wary of Changes in Tax Laws

ASTANA – The head of Kazakhstan’s Lawyers and Entrepreneurs Association Munavara Paltasheva proposed to suspend changes in the tax regime for Kazakhstan’s small and medium businesses for...


Barys Starts 8th KHL Similar to Previous Early Season Efforts

Twelve games into the Continental Hockey League’s (KHL) eighth season and with 60 games to play, the Astana Barys hockey club’s early performance has been similar to...


Successful Italian Restaurateur Sees “Enormous Potential” for Business in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The mentality of the people and the enormous potential were the two big reasons that compelled Enrico Nappini to do something he has not regretted:...


Country Advances Green Energy Movement with Solar, Battery Projects

ASTANA – Two major renewables projects have been announced recently in Kazakhstan: the provision of solar panels to a 50 megawatt solar power plant and a project...


General Director of KING: Race for Efficiency has Started

In this exclusive interview, General Director of the Astana-based Kazakh Institute of Oil and Gas (known by its Russian acronym KING) Dastan Kozhabekov discusses the challenges the...


Astana Improves Transport System, Introduces Innovations

ASTANA – As Astana expands, traffic jams are becoming routine and trips through the small but growing capital are taking longer and longer. With the city’s population increasing, a...


Astana, Almaty Among Top 10 Most Visited Cities by Russian Tourists

ASTANA – Almaty and Astana have been among the top 10 most visited cities by Russian tourists this year, according to a survey by Russian website Travel.ru....


Astana Pro Team Rider Wins Vuelta a España

ASTANA – Astana Pro Team’s Fabio Aru recently won the 70th Vuelta a España. It was the first grand tour win for the 25-year-old, who finished second...


Kazakh Weightlifters Win Six Medals at Senior Asian Weightlifting Championship

ASTANA – Kazakh weightlifters earned three gold and three bronze medals at the recent 26th Senior Women’s and 45th Senior Men’s Asian Weightlifting Championships in Phuket, Thailand. Kazakh...


Vietnam Considers Visa-free Regime for Citizens of Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Vietnam’s Tourism Association President Nguen Huu Tho announced during a recent meeting with Kazakhstan’s Ambassador in Vietnam Beketzhan Zhumakhanov that Vietnam is considering introducing a...


Qatar to Build Rehabilitation Centre for the Victims of Nuclear Testing in Semey

ASTANA – Director of the Nursultan Nazarbayev Fund for Education, Culture and Social Programmes and Mazhilis (lower house of Parliament) Deputy Kanat Saudabayev and Qatar Minister of...


Kazakh Military Demonstrates Remote Firing System at Russian Arms Expo

Representatives of the Kazakh military-industrial complex took part in the Sept. 9-12 10th Russia Arms Expo 2015, an international arms, military equipment and ammunition exhibition in Nizhny Tagil,...


EBRD Urges Region-Specific Diversification of Kazakhstan’s Economy

ASTANA – Whiteshield Partners, under a programme of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Kazakhstan government, presented a report Sept. 17 with consultancy...


FM Takes to Twitter to Tempt Kerry with Kazakhstan’s Apples

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the U.S. engaged in a bit of “treatplomacy” on Sept. 18, with Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov and U.S. Secretary of State...


Tenge Rallies Against Dollar Following National Bank Intervention

ASTANA – After sliding to nearly 300 tenge to the dollar on Sept. 16, the National Bank of Kazakhstan intervened and the tenge has rallied to trade...


Nazarbayev Visits Sochi, Attends Russia-Kazakhstan Interregional Cooperation Forum

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev visited Sochi, Russia, on Sept. 15–16 to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and attend the 12th Forum of Interregional...


Top UN Officials: Global Nuclear-Test Ban Urgently Needed

NEW YORK – An informal meeting of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly marked the 2015 observance of the International Day against Nuclear Tests on Sept. 10...


Kazakhstan Brings Message of Dialogue, Pragmatic Solutions to Int’l Issues, Says Deputy FM

ASTANA – Kazakhstan brings to the international stage – and soon, it hopes, to the UN Security Council – an ethos that eschews conflict, that is always...


Kazakh Cardiac Surgeons Share Experience with European Colleagues

ASTANA – The unique surgical methodology to implant Heart Mate 3, a left ventricular assist device, was shown Sept. 2-3 during master classes at the National Research...


Start-up Initiative Brings Kazakh Apps to Market

Young and talented programmers Arman Suleimenov, Almas Tuyakbayev and Zhanserik Kenes are enlarging their business after the team received a $20,000 grant in February as the winners...


Astana Opera to Premiere ‘Abai’ This Month

ASTANA – A grand début of “Abai,” the story of Kazakh poet and philosopher Abai Kunanbayev, will be held Sept. 25-26 at the Astana Opera. The modern...


CSTO Member State Presidents Discuss Regional Security in Dushanbe

DUSHANBE­ – The presidents of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) Council member states met in Dushanbe Sept.15 to discuss regional security, organisational operations and the results...


Kazakh Energy Minister Praises IAEA, Notes Kazakhstan’s Global Noproliferation Work at IAEA 59th General Conference

ASTANA – Kazakh Minister of Energy Vladimir Shkolnik told the Sept. 14-18 59th session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference in Vienna that Kazakhstan...


Invataxi Marks Progress, Introduces Future Plans

Invataxi, a special free taxi service for passengers with disabilities, was established in Almaty in 2009 after the Sabi charity fund purchased 14 specially-equipped Volkswagen Caddys and...


Instagram – Astana’s Online ‘Yellow Pages’

ASTANA – The addiction of social media is not lost on Kazakhstan. Among all popular social platforms in the country, the highest growth rate is among Instagram...


Kazakhstan, Tajikistan Sign Agreement on Strategic Partnership

DUSHANBE – President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev paid an official visit to Dushanbe, Tajikistan on Sept. 14, during which several cooperation agreements between the two countries were...


Kazakhstan Increases Crime Fighting Cooperation with the Nations of the Americas

ASTANA – The Kazakh Senate recently passed the law “On ratification of the Inter-American Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters.” This law is meant to improve...


Astana’s Ark of Taste Conference Seeks to Preserve National Dishes

ASTANA – In today’s fast-paced world, having a quick bite has become a regular thing. Food courts are overpopulated with fast-food outlets and people often pay little...


Nine-Year-Old Kazakh Boy Does 550 Push-Ups, Breaks Record

ASTANA –Nine-year-old Amir Makhmet celebrated the 550th anniversary of the Kazakh Khanate by doing an equal number of push-ups and breaking his previous record in the process....


Ski Federation Eager to Start Season under New Management

ASTANA – The winter season is right around the corner and unfortunate as it may seem for some, winter sports lovers are surely excited. For Ski Federation...


Rail Company Seeks State Support to Establish ‘Hotel on Wheels’

ASTANA – The Turan Express passenger rail company recently sought state support from the Kazakh Ministry of Investment and Development to launch a “hotel on wheels.” “We...


Two Kazakh Wrestlers Win Bronze, Gain Olympic Bids at Las Vegas World Wrestling Championships

ASTANA – Two Greco-Roman wrestlers from Kazakhstan brought medals home from the recent World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas and earned the right to compete in the...


British-Kazakh Society, Air Astana Marathon Brings Together More Than 500 Runners

ASTANA – The streets of Astana served as the course Sept. 13 for a charity marathon organised by the British-Kazakh Society (BKS) and Air Astana. Kazakh Prime...


Kazakh Eli Square Transformed into Historic Village for Anniversary of Kazakh Khanate

ASTANA – Astana’s Kazakh Eli Square was the site of most of the Sept. 11–13 celebrations of the 550th anniversary of the Kazakh Khanate. More than 1,500...


IAEA Reviews its Work at General Conference; Kazakh Delegation Presents Its Efforts on Nuclear Energy, and Security

ASTANA – The 59th session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference opened in Vienna on Sept. 14 and will continue until Sept. 18, the...


70th Anniversary of the UN and Kazakhstan’s Bid for UN Security Council: Time for Younger Nations to Have Louder Voice

On Sept. 15, the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly kicks off in New York. A record number of heads of state are expected to...


Let Our Ancestors Inspire Us, Nazarbayev Says on 550th Anniversary of Kazakh Khanate

ASTANA – Giving due credit to our ancestors’ deeds inspires our responsibility to the future, President Nursultan Nazarbayev said at a special grand meeting dedicated to the...


Draft Budget Reveals Lower Growth Expectations

ASTANA – The government of Kazakhstan expects gross domestic product growth of 2.1 percent in 2016, 3.6 percent in 2017 and 2.9 percent in 2018, according to...


President Makes New Government Appointments

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev made new appointments to government positions on Sept. 11, reported the press service of the Akorda presidential residence. Former Deputy Chairperson...


Astana Celebrates 550th Anniversary of Kazakh Khanate, Holds CCTS Summit

ASTANA – Kazakhstan celebrated the 550th anniversary of the formation of the Kazakh Khanate on Sept. 11 with a number of events throughout the capital. President Nursultan...


President Welcomes Crew from International Space Station

ASTANA ­– On Sept. 12, President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan personally met Soyuz TMA-16M crew Gennady Padalka of Russia, Aidyn Aimbetov of Kazakhstan, and Andreas Mogensen of...


New State Corporation to Deliver More Documentation Services in One Place

ASTANA – During a presentation before the Kazakh Parliament of the draft law “On amendments and additions to some legislative acts concerning the provision of public services,”...


US Focus on Central Asia Waning as Nation’s Security Interests Dissipate, Warn Experts

ASTANA – United States security interests in the region are dissipating along with the country’s focus on Central Asian and Kazakhstan policy, said U.S. scholars at the...