External news in brief

Kazakhstan will bid to host the 2023 World Petroleum Congress, an important event in the global oil and gas industry organised every three years to provide an opportunity for...


National news in brief

More than 15,000 fires have been registered annually in the country in the past years, reported Kazinform. Since 2015, 3,319 people have been injured and 1,410 died. Material damage...


Business news in brief

Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), the Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) signed a cooperation agreement to boost FinTech ties between Kazakhstan and...


Travelling is natural freedom, says bicyclist and alpinist Magzhan Sagimbayev

ASTANA – Travelling is a life changing experience. For Almaty native and experienced alpinist Magzhan Sagimbayev, the first Kazakh to travel the world on a solo bicycle trip, it...


Kazakh abstract realist brings back nomadic romance

ASTANA – Painter Adilgali Bayandin, a member of the Union of Artists of Kazakhstan, classifies his works as abstract realism, a seemingly oxymoronic term that makes sense only after...


Karakalpaks’ unique culture worth celebrating and preserving in Kazakhstan, says community leader

ASTANA – The Karakalpak ethno-cultural centre Zhaikhun has consolidated the Karakalpak community’s cultural development in the capital since 2016, said the community’s leader Tazabike Saliyeva. The Karakalpaks, an ethnic...


Young people from low-income families study in-demand professions

ASTANA – We Art, a creative centre designed to help young people from socially vulnerable families train for modern, in-demand professions free of charge, recently opened at Narxoz University...


EBRD, EU and China commit to investment cooperation and connectivity in Central Asia

ASTANA – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) committed to closer cooperation with China and the European Union (EU) to attract greater investment in Central Asia at...


Slovak Prime Minister visits Kazakhstan, attends business forum

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini discussed bilateral trade and economic cooperation Nov. 15 in Astana during Pellegrini’s first official visit to Kazakhstan....


Astana’s Diplomatic Christmas Charity Bazaar helps local people, bringing cultures together

ASTANA – The 11th annual Diplomatic Christmas Charity Bazaar will take place Dec. 2 at the Astana Radisson Hotel. The event raises money for children and adults with physical...


Kazakh transport prosecutor’s office suspends two airlines and 17 aircraft

ASTANA – The Kazakh Chief Transport Prosecutor’s office suspended operation of two airlines and 17 aircraft Nov.12, according to its press service. This year, transport prosecutors have recorded more...


Aulie-Ata International launches direct flights connecting Taraz and Yekaterinburg

ASTANA – Aulie-Ata International Airport in Taraz launched direct flights Oct. 29 to Yekaterinburg, Russia. SCAT Airlines will be operating a Boeing 757-200 on the route every Monday, making...


Kazatomprom launches IPOs on London and Astana stock exchanges

ASTANA – The Kazatomprom national atomic company, one of the world’s largest uranium producers, placed 15 percent of its shares worth of $451 million Nov. 13 on the London...


Kazakhstan supports extending OPEC deal in 2019

ASTANA – Kazakh Vice Minister of Energy Magzum Mirzagaliyev recently affirmed Kazakhstan’s support for extending OPEC+ output cuts in 2019. OPEC and non-OPEC countries agreed in November 2016 in...


Three-year investment arbitration dispute ruled in Kazakhstan’s favour

ASTANA – The International Chamber of Commerce’s (ICC) arbitration tribunal in Paris issued Nov. 8 a decision rejecting an approximately $16 million claim by the Turkish company Mağdenli Yer...


Kazakh President opens AIX’s first trading session

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev launched the first trading session on the Astana International Exchange (AIX) Nov. 14, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of tenge, the national currency,...


New UN building will bring Almaty closer to achieving SDGs, says mayor

ASTANA – The United Nations regional branch in Almaty, a bigger building equipped with modern facilities, was unveiled during an Oct. 23 opening ceremony. The new headquarters, which will...


New one-way roads in Astana open Nov. 15

ASTANA – According to the Astana Akimat (city administration), a new one-way traffic will be operating from Nov. 15 on two streets in Astana’s right bank. The first section...


Nazarbayev, Putin discuss tourism at interregional forum

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Russian President Vladimir Putin met Nov. 9 in Petropavlovsk, Russia on the sidelines of the 15th Kazakhstan-Russia Interregional Cooperation Forum. The presidents...


Kazakh orchestra completes European tour

ASTANA – The Kazakh Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra named after Zhambyl gave concerts in Dublin, Manchester, London, Milan and Rome during their recent week-long tour across Europe. The tour started...


Almaty and Astana hold events dedicated to Denis Ten’s memory

ASTANA – Almaty and the capital recently honoured the memory of figure skater Denis Ten, the 2014 Olympic bronze medalist and first Kazakh to stand on the podium at...


Astana Club presents 2019 Global Risks rating

ASTANA – Astana Club International discussion platform held the first day of a Nov. 12-13 meeting presenting 2019 Global Risk rating for Eurasian region. The rating distinguishes ten major...


Astana photo exhibition commemorates St. John Paul II, Władysław Bukowiński

ASTANA – “Polish Advocates of Freedom – Saint John Paul II and Blessed Father Władysław Bukowiński,” a photo exhibition recently opened in the capital, pays tribute to two significant...


Latest IMF report highlights need for reform in Central Asia and Caucasus

ASTANA – The Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA) region demonstrated a dynamic and remarkable 4.1-percent economic growth in 2017 over the 2.5-percent increase in 2016 and the latest Regional...


Kazakhstan, Russia to develop bilateral tourism, make border-crossing procedures more comfortable

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s five-year tourism development programme will attract up to 13 million visitors and create more than 60,000 jobs, said Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev Nov. 9 at the...


Popularising contemporary Kazakh arts and literature is key to preserving cultural identity, say writers

ASTANA – Kazakhstan organised a forum titled “Modern Kazakh Culture in the Global World” in London Nov. 7, showcasing the works of contemporary Kazakh poets, writers, artists and cinematographers....


Astana Opera premieres “Abai” in Genoa

ASTANA – The Astana Opera presented “Abai” Nov. 8 and Symphony No. 9 by Ludwig van Beethoven Nov. 10 at the Carlo Felice Theatre in Genoa, reported the theatre’s...


Forbes Club launches series of business breakfasts in Kazakh capital

ASTANA – Changes in Russian rouble rate should not be directly projected on tenge and Kazakhs are better off paying attention to the level of inflation instead of currency...


Inspiring diary of climber Anatoli Boukreev released in Russian

ASTANA – “Above the Clouds,” a diary-based book about mountaineer Anatoli Boukreev edited and translated into Russian by Sergei Boiko, will be presented Nov. 17 in Moscow. Boukreev’s companion...


Investment into Kazakh geology and subsoil use industry to be heavily incentivised, says minister

ASTANA – The geology and subsoil use industry is a significant contributor to Kazakhstan’s economy, accounting for approximately 50 percent of investment inflow, and is undergoing major reform, said...


Kazakh literature to be translated into United Nations languages

ASTANA – As a part of the Contemporary Kazakh Culture in a Global World project, the Kazakh National Translation Bureau is facilitating the translation of Kazakh literature into the...


Astana plant produces innovative street light stanchions

ASTANA – Maxvidl, which manufactures industrial fibreglass items, has begun making street light stanchions. The company, which outfitted its capital plant with up-to-date equipment, will be investing more than...


Kazakh GDP grows 4.1 percent in 10 months of 2018, manufacturing sector shows positive trend

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew 4.1 percent in a ten-month period, reported Minister of National Economy Timur Suleimenov at the Nov. 13 government meeting. Overall, the...


Geopolitical rivalry, terrorism among threats facing Eurasia, Nazarbayev tells Astana Club

ASTANA – Astana Club, a platform to debate public issues based on Chatham House rules, kicked off its fourth annual meeting Nov. 12. The meeting focused on challenges facing...


BBC, National Geographic broadcast films about Kazakhstan’s sacred places

ASTANA – Thirty short videos and several documentaries produced by the Kazakh government to showcase the country’s sacred geography as tourist destinations have been shown on the British Broadcasting...


Kazakh government approves draft roadmap to ensure domestic food supply to Astana

ASTANA – Government officials approved Nov. 6 a 2018-2021 roadmap draft to ensure a domestic food supply for the nation’s capital. Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev directed the Ministry of...


Kazakhstan will support and incentivise IT innovation, says President

ASTANA – Kazakh innovators in information technology (IT) are to be incentivised and supported, said Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev Nov. 6 at the Astana Hub opening ceremony. The President...


Kazakh Majilis adopts health legislation amendments

ASTANA – The Kazakh Majilis, the lower house of the country’s Parliament, recently endorsed changes to 11 legislative documents, including the Health Code, Criminal Code, Criminal Procedure Code and...


Air Astana launches low-cost airline

ASTANA – Air Astana will be launching a low-cost airline in the first half of 2019. FlyArystan and its fleet will consist of Airbus A320 aircraft with 180 economy...


Transporting two Kazakh satellites aboard Falcon 9 will cost $1.3 million

ASTANA – The price tag for Kazakhstan to launch two of its satellites aboard the Falcon 9 launch vehicle will be $1.3 million, said Minister of Defence and Aerospace...


KASE will mark 25th anniversary by organising Kazakhstan Exchange Forum

ASTANA – As a part of the 7th Congress of Financiers, the National Bank of Kazakhstan and Kazakh Association of Financiers will organise the Kazakhstan Exchange Forum at the...


Finnish Business Hub brings vibrant technologies to Kazakhstan, encourages local companies to go global

ASTANA – The Astana-based Finnish Business Hub provides practical help and strengthens beneficial agreements between Finland and Kazakhstan business communities. The Astana Times spoke exclusively with head Mukhtar Mankeyev...


AIFC Academic Council develops broad pool of professionals

ASTANA – The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Academic Council is developing a broad pool of financial, legal and HR professionals to help to shape the centre’s success and...


Astana hosts CSTO Collective Security Council summit

ASTANA – The presidents and heads of government of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) Council member states met in Astana Nov. 8 to discuss regional security, organisational operations...


Agreements worth $1.7 billion signed at Turkestan business forum

ASTANA – Seventeen business agreements worth $1.7 billion were signed at the recent Ancient Turkestan – New Opportunities forum in Turkestan, said Regional Akim (Governor) Zhanseit Tuimebayev at an...


Gender-based violence does not have national borders, says Kyrgyz official

ASTANA – More than 60 government, parliamentary and civil society representatives and experts from Central Asia and beyond gathered in Bishkek Nov. 5 for the United Nations (UN) conference...


Astana Employment Centre to provide grants to create jobs for persons with physical challenges

ASTANA – The city of Astana plans to distribute state-funded grants to employers who create jobs for and employ persons with physical challenges, reports the city akimat (administration). These...


Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan plan joint oil and gas venture

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are studying the possibility of creating a joint oil and gas enterprise, said Kazakh Minister of Energy Kanat Bozumbayev and Azerbaijani Minister of Energy...


QS ranks 20 Kazakh universities among top 300 in Eastern Europe and Central Asia

ASTANA – Twenty Kazakh universities have been rated among the top 300 in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) rankings 2019, reported the Ministry of...


Weeding out fake news is important, say OSCE Central Asia Media Conference participants

ASTANA – Discussions among media professionals on how to collaborate in news production, improve content quality, fight fake news and increase media literacy, as well as the issue of...