- Friday, 13 February, 2026
- Almaty 21 °F / -6 °C
- Astana 7 °F / -14 °C
AKMOLA REGION – They say a forest needs care and skillful management. If this is the case, Aslan Zakirin, a ranger at the Gustoroschino Forestry, is just...
ALMATY – Svetlana Sharipova is one of the few mountaineers from Kazakhstan to conquer peaks of more than 8,000 metres without supplemental oxygen. Sharipova, a Central Sports...
SHYMKENT – The secret to success in business is dedication and optimism, believes Shymkent businesswoman Ardakzhan Zhakenova. Zhakenova was the head of the department of English Philology...
The first international tour of the Astana Opera opened at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia on March 8 with a performance of “Atilla” by Giuseppe...
ASTANA – The capital of Kazakhstan hosted a seminar March 11-12 on the contribution of Resolution 1540 (2004) in regional and global disarmament and non-proliferation dedicated to...
Kazakhstan recently announced plans to create a new airline to serve domestic routes that is expected to increase the country’s population mobility and boost intra-regional commerce. The...
Kazakhstan’s firm commitment to nuclear security was reiterated in the country’s new Foreign Policy Concept adopted earlier this year. The strategic document states that Kazakhstan “puts all...
Almaty-born rising professional tennis star Zarina Diyas (World Tennis Association ranking 118) won a tournament in Quanzhou, China, on March 8. Diyas beat 22-year-old Thai player Noppawan...
ASTANA – The Netherlands is Kazakhstan’s largest foreign investor and the third largest trading partner in Europe. Yet, the country’s new ambassador in Astana thinks there’s much...
WASHINGTON, D.C – U.S. legislators from both sides of the aisle, the Kazakhstan Ambassador to the United States, representatives of Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament (PNND),...
ASTANA – The Kazakh national football team faced Lithuania in an exhibition game in Turkey on March 5 and tied the game after letting the Lithuanians score...
Kazakhstan introduced its pavilion on March 5 at ITB Berlin 2014, the world’s largest international tourism fair and the pavilion went on to win the third place...
To mark International Women’s Day on March 8, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) highlighted its work with Kazakhstan’s women entrepreneurs. On March 4, the...
ASTANA – The Nazarbayev Centre held an exhibition titled “Picturesque Spring” on March 5 showcasing the works of well-known female artists from Astana. The exhibition honoured International...
Kazakhstan’s government plans to issue a sovereign Eurobond this year, after putting off a plan to raise $1 billion last year. The bond would be Astana’s first...
A moratorium on inspections of small and medium-sized businesses will not affect every organisation in Kazakhstan, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Kazakhstan National Chamber of...
Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko met March 5 in Moscow to discuss Customs Union and Common Economic Space integration,...
AKTAU – Thanks to a 60 million tenge (about US$329,000) loan, young entrepreneur Yevgenia Tamozhnikova has the opportunity to develop her business, create additional jobs in her...
ASTANA – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan held a briefing on March 6 concerning religious freedom in Kazakhstan for the diplomatic corps and representatives of...
ASTANA – After commissioning its fourth refinery, Kazakhstan will stop importing high-octane fuel and will be able to export oil to its southern neighbours, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan...
ASTANA – Construction of the architectural complex for EXPO 2017 in Astana will begin this May, Deputy Chairman of the Astana EXPO 2017 Company Bekzhan Kulbayev announced...
Almaty sixth-grade music student and violinist Malika Bekturova recently won the eighth Alexander Glazunov International Competition of Violinists and Cellists in Paris. The competition was held in...
ASTANA – Talks over a so-called host country agreement between Kazakhstan and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the country to host an international bank of...
ASTANA – In 2014, the Kazakh government will continue to work on improving its World Bank Doing Business ranking, following a comprehensive plan. The country’s biggest stumbling...
ASTANA – The Samruk Kazyna National Welfare Fund announced at a meeting of fund companies on Feb. 26 that it will focus in 2014 on implementing the...
The recent announcement by Kazakh Oil and Gas Minister Uzakbai Karabalin that Kazakhstan’s oil and gas resources will adequately supply the country’s energy resources through the next...
UST-KAMENOGORSK – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and New Technologies Asset Issekeshev viewed State Programme of Accelerated Industrial-Innovative Development (SPAIID) projects on a working trip...
ASTANA – The Academy of Public Administration under the President of Kazakhstan and the European Union project on modernising and reforming Kazakhstan’s civil service have collaborated to...
In his state-of-the-nation address “Kazakhstan’s Path to 2050: Common Goals, Common Interests, Common Future,” President Nursultan Nazarbayev set specific tasks, among them is increasing the efficiency of...
WASHINGTON, DC – Gradual and incremental changes will ensure greater popular participation in political processes, leading to evolutionary democratic changes in the countries of Central Asia as...
ALMATY REGION – The Sonar 2014 national falconry tournament dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the Nur Otan party was held recently in the Yenbekshikazakh district of...
PAVLODAR – Melzhan Sydykov is a senior teacher in the department of vocational training of the Pavlodar Pedagogical Institute who says his vocation is to teach young...
The National Bank of Kazakhstan’s recent decision to devalue the tenge by 19 percent was an unwelcome surprise for institutional investors and the local market. “Most investors...
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is “deeply concerned with the current developments in Ukraine”, the country’s foreign ministry said in a March 3 statement adding that “further escalation of...
Only 100 days. It’s hard to believe it’s so close. It seems like only yesterday that Brazil was confirmed as the 2014 FIFA World Cup host nation....
ASTANA – The National Chamber of Entrepreneurs has received about 1,625 complaints from businesses this year. Despite a wide range of government programmes focused on reducing administrative...
SHYMKENT – A first-of-its-kind carpet factory recently opened in Shymkent. “I like working here; it feels as if you are in a carpet gallery. At lunchtime, I...
ASTANA – The government is working hard and methodically to efficiently use funds and respect transparency in procuring medicine and medical equipment. This issue was discussed at...
Sir Suma Chakrabarti, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), in an exclusive interview with The Astana Times, spoke about the diverse portfolio of...
ASTANA – The Feb. 7 to Feb. 23 Olympic Games in Sochi once again were watched by people from every corner of the Earth and demonstrated the...
The global market for rare earth elements used in the production of cell phones, flat screens, electric cars and other technology is valued at $3-5 billion and...
Having inherited moribund economy and outdated production capacities from the Soviet Union and being generously endowed with natural resources, Kazakhstan faced a developmental conundrum: how to exploit...
ASTANA – A benefit evening for young Astana poet Aliya Demeisenova was held in the capital’s Black Duck restaurant on Feb. 22. Poetry readings have been held...
French IVECO BUS company and Kazakhstan Astana LRT signed an agreement in February on the delivery of 350 natural gas powered IVECO buses to Kazakhstan’s capital Astana....
ASTANA – Akim (Mayor) of Astana Imangali Tasmagambetov reviewed the city’s progress and discussed economic goals at a public meeting in Astana on Feb. 19. Major achievements...
ASTANA – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is working with the national government on a joint programme to improve the competitiveness of the East Kazakhstan region...
ASTANA – Kazakhstan calls on all countries to work to strengthen the global nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament regime and to reaffirm their commitments to key treaties in...
The government of Kazakhstan has set fixed prices on bread wheat, the country’s Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov said on Feb.17 in Astana at a meeting addressing recent...
Chairman of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of Kazakhstan Nurlan Nigmatulin visited Azerbaijan on Feb. 19-21 to promote parliamentary ties and the cooperation between the two countries...
ASTANA – Life expectancy in Kazakhstan has increased to more than 70 years on average as the government continues efforts to improve the healthcare system, the country’s...
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national boxing team won the Four Countries-2014 boxing tournament, which ended here Feb. 20. In the tournament’s final round, Kazakh boxers defeated the Russian...
ASTANA – Travel companies in Kazakhstan are developing tour packages for foreign visitors wishing to attend the Astana Piano Passion festival of classical music this May. The...
ASTANA – A 100-volume series of Kazakh folklore called “Babalar Sozi” (Kazakh for The Words of Ancestors) was presented at the National Academic Library of the Ministry...
ASTANA – The work of painter Zhanetta Nauruzova, an artist from Aksu, in the Pavlodar region, is being showcased in the Has Sanat Gallery in an exhibition...
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s National Bank held a briefing on Feb. 18 to deny rumours of the alleged imminent bankruptcy of three second-tier banks. Bank Chairman Kairat Kelimbetov...
“The Ministry of Justice was selected as a developer to formulate a draft entrepreneurial code,” Minister of Justice Berik Imashev announced on Feb. 20 at an expanded...
SOCHI – Kazakh figure skater Denis Ten won bronze in the men’s individual competition at the Sochi Winter Olympics, Kazakhstan’s best Olympic figure skating result ever and...
To become a major regional exporter of agricultural products, Kazakhstan must provide domestic farmers with direct access to long-term financing and markets. This should be supported by...
The agro-industrial complex is one of the most promising sectors of Kazakhstan’s economy. Few states have comparable potential for agricultural development, and it is already clear that...
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has been working vigorously to promote gender equality and the country’s efforts have ranked it 32nd out of 136, according to the 2013 Global...
The government of Kazakhstan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are working together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by creating a model for modernising inefficient district...
ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev reviewed what still needs to be done to implement the Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy at the Feb. 14 government meeting as ministers reviewed...
ASTANA – The Tourism Industry Committee of the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of Kazakhstan has identified five regional clusters for tourism in Kazakhstan. They will...
ALMATY – A filter for purifying drinking water using nanostructured minerals developed at the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University Science and Technology Park may be presented at EXPO...
ASTANA – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a signing ceremony Feb. 18 to celebrate the first loan agreements between the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the...
ASTANA – Astana’s Shezhire Gallery and the Women of the Steppe Public Foundation brought together Kazakhs and foreigners in Astana at the Ramada Plaza Hotel on Feb....
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Erlan Idrissov met with Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and Head of the Ashgabat-based United Nations Regional Centre...
In 2013, about 38,000 cars and 2,290 trucks were assembled in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan made cars now constitute 21 percent of all new car sales in the country,...
ATYRAU REGION – State support for agriculture is showing results in the AtyrauAgroOnіmderi farming partnership, which is developing successfully in many directions, from viticulture and horticulture to...
UST-KAMENOGORSK – Vostok-Boilers in Ust-Kamenogorsk has been active in the development of the town and the region. Now, with the Customs Union (CU) and further Eurasian economic...
PAVLODAR – Kazakh businesses will make significant contributions to the modernisation of the Pavlodar Petrochemical Plant, said Gavit Kurkimov, deputy general director of Rominserv SRL, the project’s...
The closer the date of signing of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) treaty determined by the three presidents of EEU member countries, the higher the degree of...
ASTANA – Thousands of kilometers, eight time zones and tens of degrees Celsius on a thermometer separate Brazil and Kazakhstan, but the newly appointed ambassador of Brazil...
ASTANA – At a meeting at a school in Atyrau on Feb. 6, President Nursultan Nazarbayev suggested what has been in the air in Kazakhstan for years...
NAYARIT, MEXICO – Kazakhstan’s delegation at a major international conference in Mexico on Feb. 13-14 urged that the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) enter into force as...
ASTANA – Last year, the newly established, state-owned Baiterek National Holding, through its 10 constituent companies, accumulated four times more in profits than was expected. It is...
ASTANA – The official rate of the Kazakh tenge (KZT) fell to 185 per U.S. dollar with a range of three tenge on either side on Feb....
ASTANA – The new French ambassador in Kazakhstan says he has a clear vision for improving bilateral ties during his tenure in Astana: “Densify, intensify, diversify and...
More than five million tonnes of grain have been exported by Kazakhstan since July 1, 2013, the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan reported on Feb. 6. “Around...
The share of domestically manufactured construction materials increased to 72 percent in the domestic market of the country, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and New...
AKTAU – Senate Chairman Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited the Mangystau oblast on Feb. 4 to discuss President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s state-of-the-nation address, “The Kazakhstan Way 2050: Common Goal, Common...
ASTANA – Another Fryday networking event was put on by Connecting Professionals on Feb. 7 at Sadaf, a new restaurant at King Hotel. More and more Astana...
ASTANA – At the 18th Annual East Mediterranean International Tourism and Travel Exhibition (EMITT) on Jan. 30 to Feb. 2, Kazakhstan’s display, “Kazakhstan: The Land of Wonders,”...
Acclaimed Kazakh films Shal (released in 2012) and Harmony Lessons (2013) received awards at the 32nd annual Fajr Film Festival in Tehran, which was held from Feb....
SOUTH KAZAKHSTAN – A dance theatre, Turkestan Concert Hall and a new drama theatre building will be opened in the South Kazakhstan Oblast this year in response...
ASTANA – Young entrepreneur Anastassiya Kalinina fulfilled a childhood dream on Dec. 15, 2013 to help women look slim and beautiful when she opened Kazakhstan’s first Slimclub...
In a recent address to the heads of foreign diplomatic missions in Kazakhstan, President Nursultan Nazarbayev reflected on Kazakhstan’s consistent move forward towards the establishment of the...
Kazakhstan will establish a centre tasked with studying and utilising the best global approaches in finding and creating the energy of the future, Environment and Water Resources...
Kairat Abdrakhmanov, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Nations, and Enrique Garcia Gonzalez, Permanent Representative of the Republic of El Salvador to the...
ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev discussed bilateral military and military-technical cooperation between Kazakhstan and Russia during a meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on...
ASTANA – At its Feb. 5 plenary session, the Mazhilis (lower house of Parliament) approved the first reading of the draft Penal Code. Mazhilis Speaker Nurlan Nigmatulin...
AKTOBE REGION – In Khromtau, what began as a hobby has turned into a major enterprise and an example of socially responsible commerce. Sewing has been Antonina...
SHYMKENT – Residents and visitors to southern Kazakhstan now have the opportunity to soar over the region in a hot air balloon. Local businessman Akhmet Daulenbaev is...
ASTANA – To effectively implement the Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy, the country seeks stronger dialogue and wider mutually beneficial cooperation with all foreign partners, President Nursultan Nazarbayev told...
The President’s state-of-the-nation address, “Kazakhstan’s Way – 2050: Common Goals, Common Interests, Common Future” laid out clear steps for building a more competitive state ranked as one...
ASTANA – With lighting expected to grow from 13 percent of Kazakhstan’s energy consumption today to 36 percent by 2015, the country is looking for energy efficient...
ASTANA – Kazakh professional boxer Gennady Golovkin retained his WBA and IBO middleweight titles and extended his winning streak to 29-0 with 26 knockouts by defeating Ghana’s...
The withdrawal of coalition forces from Afghanistan scheduled for 2014 is one of the key issues in discussions of security challenges in Central Asia. There are fears,...
ASTANA – In the first round of the Davis Cup, Kazakhstan upset Belgium 3-2 at Astana’s National Tennis Centre on Feb. 2 to advance to the quarterfinals...
WEST KAZAKHSTAN REGION – The huge Karachaganak oil and gas field is one of the West Kazakhstan region’s most significant sources of wealth, and the Karachaganak Petroleum...
