Kazakhstan Seeks to Increase Hydrocarbon Production and Exports, Says Minister

Kazakhstan, which is ranked in the top 15 countries worldwide for proven oil reserves and top 20 for natural gas, would like to see increased development of...


Sidorkin Exhibition Held in Almaty

ALMATY – Gazeeff Art Hall hosted an exhibition of the works of People’s Artist of Kazakhstan Yevgeni Sidorkin on April 24. The exhibit spread awareness of Sidorkin’s...


Government Works to Reach Burabai’s Tourism Potential

A recent press tour of the Shchuchinsk-Borovoye resort organised to promote tourism in Astana provided an opportunity for media representatives to visit the natural oasis and see...


Kazakh Plant Produces Top-Quality Helicopters

ASTANA – Eurocopter Kazakhstan Engineering Company is the only Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) plant for the assembly of EC-145 helicopters. Since its establishment, the plant has...


26 Construction Projects Will Be Completed for EXPO 2017

ASTANA – Over the next 26 months, 26 construction projects for EXPO 2017 will be completed. Recently, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev laid a capsule at the construction...


Festival Attracts Guitar Poetry Lovers to Southern Kazakhstan

SOUTH KAZAKHSTAN REGION – Lovers of guitar poetry from Kazakhstan, Russia and Uzbekistan gathered recently in the south of Kazakhstan for the South Wind 2014 festival. The...


Rural Entrepreneurs to Utilise Development Grants

KYZYLORDA – Akim (Governor) of the Kyzylorda region Krymbek Kusherbayev held a meeting in late April to discuss the implementation of the Akniet programme by the Russian...


IT Hacks Compete in Night of Creative Insomnia

ALMATY – More than 1,000 young developers, programmers, designers, directors, video bloggers and media specialists from all regions of Kazakhstan participated in the Fourth International Competition Hack...


Company Plans to Launch Recreational Fishing Pond near Astana

AKMOLA REGION – Head of the company Sarkrama 2006 Kanat Adilbekov has decided to establish a pond fish farm near Astana. Kazakhstan is rich in fishable waters...


Arab, Central Asian Countries and Azerbaijan Agree to Bolster Economic Ties

RIYADH – The countries of the Arab League, Central Asia and Azerbaijan have made a major step towards bolstering their ties and recreating the commercial links characteristic...


Economic Impact of Ukraine Crisis Could Affect Neighbours, EBRD Says

The crisis in and around Ukraine involving Russia and the resulting economic downturn is predicted to hinder the growth of many of the countries’ neighbours in Central...


One company’s IT solutions generate positive change, prosperity and access to progress

Ranked as one of the ‘50 most influential women in Romania’ by Forbes Romania magazine, Irina Socol is the President and CEO of SIVECO Romania, the leader...


Fryday Astana Professional Community Celebrates Second Anniversary

ASTANA – Fryday Astana, the social networking group for young professionals in Astana, celebrated its second birthday at the capital’s RBG Restaurant with mingling and music on...


Kazakh Delegation Attends 77th AIPS Congress

The upcoming FIFA World Cup in Brazil and the future of “sport diplomacy” were among the main topics of the 77th Congress of the International Sports Press...


Soviet Soldiers’ Graffiti on Reichstag Open to Public

BERLIN – After seizing the Reichstag in May 1945 and raising their flag on its roof, Soviet soldiers left their marks in other ways, writing their names,...


InterNations Unites Astana Expats

ASTANA – Regulars and newcomers had a chance to test their salsa moves recently thanks to the expatriates organisation InterNations’ Salsa event at the RBG restaurant at...


Semey Festival Highlights Traditional, Modern Kazakh Crafts

SEMEY – The second “Festival of Kazakh Folk Crafts: Traditions and Modernity,” organised by the Nevzorovs Museum of Fine Arts in collaboration with the United Nations Development...


A Major and a Doctor Find Love on the Frontlines

KARAGANDA – War. Death. It would seem that it was impossible to fall in love in such circumstances. However, people of the war generation lived, loved and...


G-Global Development Continues As Platform Enhances Dialogue on International Issues

The programme of the upcoming Seventh Astana Economic Forum to be held under the overarching G-GLOBAL megaproject is comprehensive and addresses major challenges facing the world. Alongside...


Belgian Embassy Active in Cultural Events in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Belgium and Kazakhstan have been publicly matched a few times recently – at the Davis Cup world group match in February of this year, when...


A New Step Forward to Greater Regional and Global Security

Strengthening international security is one of the top priorities of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan pursues its primary mission – strengthening the...


In Astana, Top U.S. Diplomat Reaffirms America’s “Enduring” Commitment to Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Visiting U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns met with Kazakhstan’s top leadership on May 8 in Astana to discuss a range of bilateral and...


A Timely Call for Action: Re-shaping the World after the Financial Crisis

Six years after the outbreak of the global financial crisis, the economic, political and social consequences can still be felt in most parts of the world. It...


Defining The New State Borders in 1990-2005 As Key Foundation of Statehood

With the collapse of the Soviet Union, defining the borders of Central Asia’s newly independent nations became an urgent task across the region. For young Kazakhstan, establishing...


Triple Celebrations Start the Month of May in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The beginning of the month of May in Kazakhstan is, perhaps, some of the most anticipated period in the country as it brings together three...


Determination Leads Actress to Success in Her Dream Profession

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s film industry is still burgeoning on the steppe’s horizons. Almost every year Kazakh movie makers entertain the 17 million nation with new features. The...


Golden Woman Burial in West Kazakhstan Recognised Unique

Remains of the Golden Woman in the West Kazakhstan region were recently recognised by scientists as the most ancient burial found in Kazakhstan. “Based on the results...


Young Vocalists Bring Home Gold

Ten-year-old Mukhammedali Zhugunussov won the professional vocalist award at the 2014 Paradise Holiday international competition held in late April. The best vocalists from 10 countries participated. Zhugunussov...


Kazakhstan’s Women’s Football Team Advances in World Cup Qualifier

ASTANA – In the qualifying match for the 2015 Women’s World Cup, Kazakhstan defeated Bulgaria 4-1 here on May 7. From the very beginning of the match,...


Arlans Defeat Baku Fires in Almaty, Lose in Baku in Controversial Clash

ASTANA – Kazakh boxing club Astana Arlans beat the Baku Fires from Azerbaijan 3:2 in the first semifinal round match of the World Series of Boxing (WSB)...


St. Petersburg to Host Days of Astana Culture

ASTANA – Days of Astana Culture will be held in the Kazakh capital’s twin city, St. Petersburg, Russia, on May 17-18. The celebration is being organised as...


New Kabanbai Batyr Memorial Opened in East Kazakhstan

UST-KAMENOGORSK – The opening of a new memorial to noted 18th Century commander Kabanbai Batyr took place in this city in East Kazakhstan on May 7. The...


Business news in brief

At the seventh Astana Economic Forum (AEF) on May 21, the fifth international investment forum Astana Invest 2014 will be held. The Astana Invest Forum works to...


Railroad Connecting Minsk-Moscow-Astana-Almaty Could Become Reality

ASTANA – A new railroad connecting the capitals of the three Customs Union states and Almaty could be built soon, said Askar Mamin, head of Kazakhstan Temir...


Economic news in brief

Mazhilis (lower chamber of Parliament) hearings to be held on May 16 will focus on the quality and prospects of preparing technical, vocational and higher education specialists....


External news in brief

Deputy Prime Minster and Minister of Finance of Kazakhstan Bakhyt Sultanov held a meeting with Minister of Finance of China Lou Jiwei within the 47th Annual Meeting...


National news in brief

Military machines made in Kazakhstan were highlighted in the May 7 Defender of the Homeland Day parade in Astana. Commander in Chief of the Land Forces of...


Five Nuclear Weapon States Recognise Central Asia as Nuke-Free Zone, Guarantee Not to Use Most Powerful Weapons Against Region

ASTANA – Representatives of the five recognised nuclear weapon states signed the Protocol to the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zone (CANWFZ) Treaty in New York on May 6, signifying...


Role of Women in New Economy to be Discussed at Astana Economic Forum

ASTANA – The international women’s forum, “G-Global – the Role of Women in the New Economy,” will be held within the Astana Economic Forum (AEF) on May...


ADB, Kazakhstan Sign Agreement to Support Industry, Banking, Small Business

ASTANA – President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Takehiko Nakao signed a new framework agreement on co-financing with Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Massimov on May...


ADB President: Learn From Past Financial Crises to Strengthen Economic Fundamentals

ASTANA – High-level policymakers and market experts at the governor’s seminar, “Reducing Vulnerability: Learning From Past Crises,” during the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) 47th annual meeting in...


Nazarbayev Announces Plans for New Major Incentives for Foreign Investors

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will make a major move to attract more foreign investors this year when it passes a new law to create better conditions for them,...


New Book Looks at What It Will Take Kazakhstan to Reach 2050 Goals

ASTANA – “Kazakhstan 2050: Toward a Modern Society for All,” a seminal 400-page book about the projected trajectory of development of Kazakhstan’s economy and society, was presented...


Astana Urges “All Related Parties to Observe Geneva Accords” regarding Ukraine

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is deeply concerned by the escalating violence in Ukraine, including in connection with the recent events in Odessa, Slavyansk and Kramatorsk, the country’s foreign...


ADB President: Kazakhstan Has Central Role in ‘Connecting Asia with the Changing World’

ASTANA – Kazakhstan presents compelling investment opportunities because of its strategic role in opening trade between East and West, Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Takehiko Nakao told...


Customs Union Benefits Kazakh Producers and Trade, Official Says

ASTANA – Foreign trade has become not only a determining condition for the growth of national economies, but also the factor that characterises the production capacity of...


World Anti-Crisis Conference Points to Balanced Growth for Global Economy

ASTANA – After years of economic turmoil affecting both developing and developed countries, the global economy is on a new path of sustainable and balanced growth, according...


Kazteleradio Picks Hughes HX System for National Digital Network

ASTANA – Kazakhstan national broadcasting operator Kazteleradio Corporation has inked a contract with Hughes Network Systems from the U.S. for a comprehensive HX broadband satellite solution that...


Kazakh Wrestler Wins Gold at Asian Wrestling Championships

Kazakh wrestler Gyuzel Manyurova won gold at the Asian Wrestling Championships held in Astana from April 23-27. The victory is her fourth top finish in five years....


Kazakh Boxer Zhanat Zhakiyanov Takes European Bantamweight Title with KO

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Zhanat Zhakiyanov has become the European bantamweight champion after flooring France’s Karim Guerfi, the title holder, at Ponds Ford Arena, Sheffield, U.K. on April...


President Touts Benefits of Eurasian Integration During Moscow Visit

ASTANA –President Nursultan Nazarbayev delivered his hallmark speech devoted to Eurasian integration at Moscow State University on April 28. Symbolically, the idea of creating a Eurasian Union...


New Satellites Expand Kazakh Broadcasting Opportunities

A booster Proton-M with the upper stage Breeze–M, a clustre of KazSat-3 and the Russian relay satellite Luch-5B were launched on April 28 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome....


EAMF Tackles Iranian Nuclear Programme Issue, Middle East and Eurasian Integration

Panel Notes Chance for Settling Iranian Nuclear Programme Issue ASTANA– “The USA and Iran have reached a deal,” was the headline across the world’s media in November...


New Small Aircraft Produced in Kazakhstan Could be Boon for Farmers, Entrepreneurs

ALMATY – Foreign experts are calling Arai Agro, Kazakhstan’s first domestic light aircraft, a “flying SUV” for its size and agility. The plane was demonstrated for domestic...


Agreement Will Produce High-Quality Russian Bitumen for Kazakh Roads

SOUTH KAZAKHSTAN REGION – Gazprom Neft and the Committee of Roads of the Kazakhstan Ministry of Transport and Communications recently signed a memorandum of cooperation to facilitate...


Artist Yermolenko Jubilee Exhibiton Held in Almaty

ALMATY – A jubilee exhibition of Alexander Yermolenko was held recently at the State Abilkhan Kasteyev Museum, in which the artist presented about a hundred of his...


Astana Growing Sustainably, Sometimes Unevenly, President Says

ASTANA – At a recent meeting on Astana’s ongoing development, President Nursultan Nazarbayev said the capital was growing into an economic force, but still had some work...


EXPO 2017 Preparations Are Proceeding Well, Commissioner Says

EXPO-2017 Commissioner and First Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Rapil Zhoshybayev spoke to The Astana Times about the ongoing and wide-ranging process of preparations for biggest international...


Moroccan Delegation Discusses Cooperation in Tourism, Governance, Inter-religious Dialogue

ASTANA – A delegation of Moroccan parliamentarians headed by Speaker of Morocco’s  House of Councillors Mohamed Cheikh Biadillah visited Astana on April 23. The visit came at...


ADB Helps Kazakhstan Introduce Green Principles for Sustainable Development

ASTANA – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing assistance to Kazakhstan to implement resource-saving technologies and the principles of green economy through technical assistance for project...


Construction of EXPO Complex Launched with President’s Participation

ASTANA – The construction of Astana’s EXPO 2017 facilities was officially launched in a ceremony on April 24, when Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev laid a capsule on...


Kazakh Foreign Minister Meets with OSCE Secretary General, Both Highlight Need for United Security Community

ASTANA – The need for an undivided European and Eurasian security community and the role of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in building...


First Kazakh Earth Remote Sensing Satellite Launched

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s first Earth remote sensing satellite was launched from the Kuru Spaceport in Guiana on April 28 at 22:35 local time, the press service of...


Experts Say Nation Branding Efforts Should Reflect Country’s Fundamental Realities

ASTANA – Experts discussing nation branding at the 12th annual Eurasian Media Forum in Astana on April 24-25 agreed that the reality on the ground in a...


Kazakh Grain Exports Growing, New Markets Sought in China and Southeast Asia

ASTANA – Kazakh grain exports for the 2013-2014 marketing year will reach 9 million tonnes, the country’s Ministry of Agriculture has said. Kazakhstan’s grain exports are still...


Almaty Marathon Reaches International Standards, Attracts 7,000 Racers

ALMATY – The recent third international Almaty Marathon drew about 7,000 runners from 25 countries. Over the last year, the Almaty Marathon has been brought up to...


Economic Roadmap Focuses on Improving Business Environment

Kazakhstan’s government has developed a road map aimed at ensuring the stability of the domestic economy. Private companies and businesses are the main players in developed economies,...


Kazakh Meat Producers to Have Easy Access to EEU Markets

ASTANA – Under the terms of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) treaty, Kazakh meat will be exported to the countries of the EEU without unnecessary formalities and...


Caspian Foreign Ministers Discuss Summit Preparations

MOSCOW – The five Caspian states consolidated a number of their positions after the April 22 Conference of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Caspian States in...


Ukraine, Palestinian Accord and Iran’s Nuclear Capacity Among Topics at EAMF

ASTANA – Events in Ukraine and the landmark accord between Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah dominated debate in the first session of the 12th Eurasian Media Forum...


Eurasian Media Forum Stirs Debate on Ukraine, Global Affairs

ASTANA – With the world’s attention focused on events in Ukraine and changing dynamics in the Middle East, the April 23-25 Eurasian Media Forum in the Kazakh...


Kazakh Senate Leader Expresses Concern About Ukraine During St. Petersburg Forum

ST. PETERSBURG – A delegation of Kazakh parliamentarians recently participated in a series of events held by the inter-parliamentary assemblies of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS),...


Kazakh Youth Optimistic About Economic Future, Less Politically Engaged, Panel Suggests

Washington, DC – Kazakh youth are optimistic about their economic future and less interested in politics, despite their increasingly interconnected world, said speakers at a panel held...


EU Committee Lifts Restrictions on Air Astana Flights to Europe, Flights to Prague and Paris Expected Soon

Restrictions on Air Astana flights to Europe have been lifted, following the European Commission’s early April updating of its list of air carriers banned or subject to...


20th Anniversary of Freedom and Democracy in South Africa

On 27 April 1994, South Africa cast aside centuries of discrimination and oppression to form a new society built on the foundation of freedom and democracy. It...


‘We Try to Seek Win-Win Results,’ Chair of Sports Press Association Says

ASTANA – In autumn 2013, Ilyas Omarov, a diplomat with more than 20 years of experience became a chair of the Sports Press Association of Kazakhstan (SPAK)....


Ethnic Harmony and Multi-Vector Foreign Policy Key to Kazakhstan’s Stability, Development

On April 18, the 21st session of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan chaired by President Nursultan Nazarbayev took place in Astana. The theme of the...


President Stresses Importance of Maintaining Inter-Ethnic Unity in Country at 21st Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Stressing the importance of maintaining inter-ethnic unity in the country and Kazakhstan’s close ties with neighbours Russia and China, President Nursultan Nazarbayev told delegates at...


Astana to Host ADB 47th Annual Meeting, Gathering Seeks to ‘Connect Asia With Changing World’

ASTANA – More than 3,000 international finance ministers, central bank governors, business leaders, investors, journalists and civil society representatives are expected to gather in Astana May 2-5...


World Class Colleges to Focus on Six Strategic Sectors

ASTANA – A network of colleges featuring finely tuned specialisations, including tourism and hospitality, construction and housing, energy, engineering, design and information technology and communications is being...


Astana Hosts Seminar on Automating HR Management Systems

ASTANA – A seminar on automated human resource management systems in the public sector was held recently at the National Centre for Civil Service Personnel Management. The...


New Technology to be Used in Kumyss Production in Karaganda

ASTANA – A pilot project using German technology to produce a version of the traditional Kazakh mare’s milk drink kumyss will be launched next year in the...


Charity Uses Art to Improve Lives of Children with Disabilities

ASTANA – The Believe in Wonder charity fund and the Astana Department of Education, in cooperation with the Khan Shatyr Mall, held an event on April 19...


Tale of Batu Unlocks the Secrets of Kazakh Culture, History for Children

ALMATY– A fantasy story about the fascinating adventures of a young boy and his friends has just been published to inspire children to be curious about Kazakh...


National news in brief

On April 10, Kazakhstan’s Senate passed a bill ratifying amendments to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer adopted in Beijing on Dec. 3,...


External news in brief

Speaker of Kazakhstan’s Mazhilis (lower chamber of the Parliament) Kabibulla Dzhakupov held a number of bilateral meetings with his colleagues from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Russia on the...


Economic news in brief

At the Boao Forum for Asia 2014 (BFA) held from April 8-11, Kazakhstan’s G-Global information and communications platform and the Astana Economic Forum (AEF) were presented. The...


Business news in brief

Chinese website China Economic Net and newspaper Economic Daily will moderate a televised debate at the seventh Astana Economic Forum (AEF). The agreement was reached during the...


Kazakhstan to Chair CIS Council of Tourism in 2015

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will chair the Council of Tourism in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in 2015, according to the press service of the Committee for...


Issyk Saka Mounds to be Opened to Public

Archaeologist Bekmukhanbet Nurmukhanbetov, a member of the expedition that discovered the famous “Golden Man,” announced recently that the Saka mounds in Issyk will soon be open to...


Latest Kazakh WTO Accession Talks in Washington Focus on Plant and Animal Health

The most recent round of negotiations on Kazakhstan’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) with the United States, this time focused on harmonizing measures regarding plant...


Aktobe Farmers, Authorities Expanding Beef Cattle Production

AKTOBE REGION – Authorities in Aktobe are focusing on cattle farming in their regions, commissioning feedlots and providing funds for the purchase of breeding animals. To provide...


Young Shymkent Singer Honoured in Russian Music Competition

SHYMKENT – Young Kazakh singer Margarita Kin has won the Bach’s Spring International Festival Contest held in Magnitogorsk, Russia. In two rounds of competition, Kin performed the...


Pereversev Releases New Online Album

ALMATY – Famous Kazakh pianist, Oleg Pereversev, who is also a member of the musical group Chick Flick and instrumental duet Vivat, recently presented his new online...


Capital Job Fair for the Disabled Draws 100 Employers

ASTANA – Astana’s department of employment and social programmes and the city branch of the Nur Otan party recently held a job fair for people with disabilities....


Almaty to Host Open Asian Powerlifting Championship

From April 21-27, a major international powerlifting tournament, the Open Asian Powerlifting Championship, will be held for the first time in Almaty. Athletes from more than 10...


PM Massimov Visits Russia, Discusses Draft Treaty on Eurasian Economic Union

ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Massimov met with his counterparts from member states of the Customs Union (CU) and Common Economic Space (CES) on April 15...


Kazakh Trained Ophthalmologist Meets Domestic Need

KARAGANDA – In the past, people with eye problems had to apply for consultation or an operation with Russian specialists. Today, the situation has changed, and the...


Kazakhstan Explored During Academic Lecture Series at NY College

NEW YORK – St. John’s University in New York welcomed Kairat Abdrakhmanov, Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the United Nations, for an Academic Lecture Series event on...


Almaty Students to Work as Public Tour Guides

Almaty students of tourism will have the opportunity to work as guides on public transport telling passengers about the sights and history of the cultural centre of...