Weightlifter Ilya Ilyin announces return after two-year doping ban

ASTANA – Kazakh weightlifter Ilya Ilyin recently announced his return after a two-year doping ban from the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) at a June 11 press conference at the...


Talented scientist, dedicated mayor, caring mother among nation’s 100 New Faces

ASTANA – Bella Gazdiyeva, the 35-year-old akim (mayor) of the rural Rodina district, candidate in philological sciences, associate professor, member of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan and...


Nazarbayev visits Tatarstan, meets with president

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and President Rustam Minnikhanov of Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan discussed bilateral ties during Nazarbayev’s June 14-15 visit to Kazan, Akorda reports. Nazarbayev praised...


Documentaries, historical films about Kazakhstan to debut on major TV networks

ASTANA – Documentary films on Kazakhstan’s history and culture will premiere on Discovery, National Geographic and Viasat History TV channels June-July, reported Kazakh Vice Minister of Culture and Sports...


Canelo vs Golovkin rematch set for September 15

ASTANA – After a year of negotiating, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Gennady “GGG” Golovkin recently agreed to a second fight in Las Vegas on September 15. “I’m happy to...


Kazakhstan has ‘enormous opportunities’ to develop tourism, expert says

ASTANA – Tourism is undoubtedly one of the most important sectors of any economy, accounting for a significant share of income into the state budget of many countries. In...


Chinese company to invest $1.1 billion in Kostanai car assembly plant

ASTANA – China National Machinery Import and Export will invest $1.1 billion to develop an automotive cluster in cooperation with the Kostanai-based Allure Group Company. The agreement was inked...


Kazakh Khanate second season shot in South Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Kazakhfilm is shooting the second season of its historical series about the Kazakh Khanate in the Tulkibas district of the South Kazakhstan region. “The second season covers...


Investigation finds health violations among EAEU dairy providers

ASTANA – A recent investigation by the Kazakh Ministry of Healthcare found 17 dairy producers from Russia, Belarus and Kyrgyzstan had violated Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) standards. Chairman of...


“Giselle” to premiere at Astana Ballet Theatre

ASTANA – “Giselle,” directed by Brazilian choreographer Ricardo Amarante, will premiere June 23-24 at the Astana Ballet. The performance will open the Eurasian Dance Festival, the second international festival...


New bike lanes to open in Astana

ASTANA – Fifty-six kilometres of bike lanes will be introduced for the capital’s 20th anniversary as part of its environmental protection and nature use management, reported the akimat (city...


Kazakh FM updates EUROBAK on country’s efforts to improve business climate

ASTANA – Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov briefed members of the European Business Association of Kazakhstan (EUROBAK) and members of the diplomatic corps on Kazakhstan’s efforts to improve the business...


Kazakh Prosecutor General’s Office calls for respect for rule of law

ASTANA – The Prosecutor General’s Office issued a press release June 4 addressing provocative social media posts and videos by the so called Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan (DCK). The...


BTA Bank-related money laundering trial starts in Almaty

ASTANA – The trial involving Iskander Yerimbetov, who is accused of fraud and money laundering under Kazakhstan’s Criminal Code, started June 14 in the Medeu District Court in Almaty....


AIFC has performed pioneering role, says LAC chair

ASTANA – The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) has performed a pioneering role, said its legal advisory council (LAC) chairperson Michael Blair. In an interview with The Astana Times,...


Mazhilis approves law ratifying Kazakh-UNFAO agreement

ASTANA – Opening United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) partnership and liaison offices in the capital and Almaty will attract at least $20 million a year, said Deputy...


State education savings system provides broader access to education

ASTANA – Kazakh citizens planning for their children’s college educations can begin putting money away from the time the youngsters can crawl. The state education savings system ensures higher...


Zhambyl region develops strategic plan to enhance tourism, Taraz urban reconstruction

ASTANA – The Zhambyl region tourism development map, which authorities expect will increase the flow of visitors up to 120,000 a year and promote job growth and tax revenue,...


Astana: futurism set against traditions, says artist

ASTANA – Built on the traditions of the old world, Astana has a sense of futurism, said British artist Alex Connor, one of the Nur Kelbetti Astana Festival participants...


Kazakhstan’s oil producing Atyrau region seeks to step up agriculture development

ASTANA – The Atyrau region, one of Kazakhstan’s major oil producing regions, is seeking to boost agricultural development in an effort to diversify its economy. The changes also include...


Kazakh civil servants to receive raise in 2019

ASTANA – Kazakh civil servants will receive higher salaries starting 2019, Agency for Civil Service Affairs and Fighting Corruption Chair Alik Shpekbayev announced recently. “Currently, we are testing a...


Nomad Way Festival in Astana showcases nomadic culture through music

ASTANA – The June 22-24 International Festival of Nomadic Culture, Nomad Way, in Astana will bring together the brightest artists of nomadic music culture. The festival will start at...


Foreign minister briefs CSTO ministers on Kazakhstan’s priority as CSTO chair

ALMATY – Kazakhstan Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov briefed the June 11 ministerial meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in Almaty on Kazakhstan’s priorities as CSTO chair. Abdrakhmanov...


Kazakh officials review digitisation progress

ASTANA – Creating a unified window, opening a digital platform and automating public services to digitise small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were reviewed during June 12 government meeting. “To...


Kazakh GDP grew 3.9 percent in January-May

ASTANA – Increasing investment activity and decelerating inflationary processes resulted in the Kazakh GDP growing by 3.9 percent in the first five months of 2018, said Minister of National...


National Bank of Kazakhstan cuts base rate to 9 percent

ASTANA – The National Bank of Kazakhstan has reduced the base rate to 9 percent with a corridor of +/-1 percent, according to its June 4 press release. The...


Exhibition showcases international artists’ depictions of Astana

ASTANA – The Nur Kelbetti Festival unveiled an exhibition June 12 at Kazakhstan’s National Museum featuring paintings of Astana’s landscapes and sights from different angles. The exhibition will run...


AIFC: local operations and international cooperation

The changing dynamic in current economic trends indicates major shifts in the level of emphasis put upon conventionally known development frameworks. Emerging markets are gaining greater dominance in shaping...


EBRD and Kazakhstan: trusted partners

In 1993, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) began actively working in Kazakhstan, investing more than $8 billion in the country’s economy to date. The current portfolio...


Astana at 20: the reality exceeds the vision

There is a great deal to celebrate as Astana marks its 20th anniversary this year. It has, by any measure, been an extraordinary journey. In just two decades, the...


Nazarbayev calls for greater multilateral economic cooperation within SCO

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev addressed the 18th Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) June 9 in Qingdao, China calling for greater multilateral economic cooperation among its...


Chinese company to build solar power plant in Karaganda region

ASTANA – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Chinese company Risen Energy recently signed an agreement to build a solar power plant in the Karaganda...


Second season of Men Qazaqpyn to premiere in September

ASTANA – “Men Qazaqpyn” (I am Kazakh), the nationwide singing contest, will return in September for its second season on Qazaqstan TV, reported the channel’s special projects department head...


Kazakh government to develop Internet of Things

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to develop the country’s Internet of Things and additive manufacturing technologies under the national Digital Kazakhstan programme, Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Askar Zhumagaliyev announced recently...


Astana Opera presents music of love

ASTANA – Astana Opera, one of the most important cultural entities in the Kazakh capital, will join the city’s 20th anniversary celebration June 10 with remarkable young artists performing...


Kazakhstan opens office to shield investors from corruption risks

ASTANA – The Protecting Business and Investments Project Office was launched in the Kazakh capital June 8 to facilitate investing in the Kazakh economy by shielding investors from corruption...


Senator Nazarbayeva proposes introduction of single Central Asian visa

ASTANA – Central Asian governments should consider introducing a single visa for the region, said Kazakh Senate Deputy and International Affairs, Defence and Security Committee Chair Dariga Nazarbayeva during...


Map of Kazakhstan sacred places to be completed by 2021

ASTANA – Nazarbayev University’s National Laboratory Astana will create and make available online a map of Kazakhstan’s sacred places by 2021. The project is part of Kazakhstan’s Ruhani Zhangyru...


Kazakhstan football team beats Azerbaijan in friendly match

ASTANA – The Kazakh football team recently beat the Azerbaijan team 3-0 in a friendly match. Kazakhstan scored twice in the first half. Roman Murtazayev scored the first goal...


North Kazakhstan region develops camping, caravan tourism

ASTANA – The North Kazakhstan regional government plans to develop camping and caravan tourism in the area, reports the regional akimat’s press service. Locations for caravannings have been found...


Archbishop of Astana: Kazakhstan supports peace and harmony at home and abroad

ASTANA – The Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions points the whole world toward Kazakhstan’s path of peace-building, archbishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Saint Mary in...


Astana hosts international forum on cooperation, technological innovation in higher education

ASTANA – Higher education leaders, scholars and representatives of government bodies gathered June 7 in Astana for the annual Eurasian Higher Education Leaders Forum to share their ideas, expertise...


Kazakh government to provide up to 14,000 business start up microloans in 2018

ASTANA – Approximately 14,000 start-up entrepreneurs will be eligible to receive microloans this year, Director of Employment and Labour Market Development Department of the Ministry of Labour and Social...


Government, financial institutions increase support for women entrepreneurs

ASTANA – Approximately 11,180 individuals, including 6,270 women, have applied to participate in the Nurly Zher housing construction programme since 2017, according to a report presented at the June...


Antimonopoly committee considers Kazakhtelecom’s effort to acquire Kcell

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Antimonopoly Committee is reviewing Kazakhtelecom’s application to buy 75 percent of shares of Kcell mobile network operator. “If the agency approves the purchase, then around 67...


Kazakhstan elected to UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage committee

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has been elected to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). The vote was...


Nazarbayev meets Chinese president, business circles, on state visit to Beijing

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev visited Beijing for a state visit to China on June 6-8. The relationship between Kazakhstan and China has grown increasingly close in...


International Boxing Federation strips one of Golovkin’s world champion title

ASTANA – The International Boxing Federation (IBF) recently stripped Kazakh boxer Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin of his world champion title after Golovkin refused to hold an obligatory title defence fight...


EU ambassadors, Kazakh youth talk cooperation, regional issues in cafe chat

ASTANA – The European Union delegation to Kazakhstan hosted another Ambassadors’ Cafe gathering June 5, drawing European ambassadors and Kazakh young people for an informal discussion at a local...


Astana supports international cooperation, peace, security, experts attest

ASTANA – “Astana is a symbol of modern, prosperous Kazakhstan and the flagship of the whole country, representing first of all a victory by the nation’s President, Nursultan Nazarbayev,”...