Philanthropist Taps Kazakhs’ Friendly Spirit, Desire to Help

ASTANA – Gulmira Abdrasheva has made her commitment to helping people from all across the country a reality by creating the Club Dobryakov Astana (Astana Club of Kind Souls)....


Kid’s Clothing Entrepreneur Launches First Collection

ASTANA – The children’s clothing company Arman will present its first limited collection at the Junior Fashion Week show organised by the KZ Fashion School Agency Dec. 16-17. Their...


Winter Universiade 2017 Ticket Office Opens in Almaty

ASTANA – Almaty opened Dec. 2 the ticket office of the 28th World Winter Universiade 2017 at Mega Alma-Ata shopping mall,reported almaty2017.com. Universiade 2017 ambassadors, including famous Kazakh sportsmen,...


Kazakh Team Wins Prestigious Award at International Robotics Competition in Delhi

ASTANA – Young inventors from Kazakhstan recently won the LEGO Education Creativity Award at the International World Robot Olympiad in Delhi, India. The International World Robot Olympiad (WRO) finale was...


Serik Sapiyev: Without Losses There Won’t Be Victories

In an interview with Kazakhstanskaya Pravda, boxer Serik Sapiyev told the story of the early defeats that later forged him into a champion. “He was middle height, maybe less....


Kairat Wins UEFA Futsal Cup’s Elite Round

ASTANA – Kairat won every match it played in the end of November in Group A of the UEFA Futsal Elite Round and has secured a place in the...


Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan: Infinite Opportunities for Cooperation

As is well-known, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are the most notable Central Asian states in terms of their geographic location, territory and population sizes. This concept provides the necessary dynamics...


The Ritz-Carlton Brings Contemporary Luxury to Astana

ASTANA – The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC will open its first hotel in the Kazakh capital in spring 2017. The Guidance Team of the hotel and its unique service culture with luxurious accommodations...


Israel-Kazakhstan: From Mutual Interests to Strategic Partnership

Prime Minister Netanyahu’s upcoming visit to Kazakhstan is expected to foster bilateral ties just before Kazakhstan enters the Security Council as a non-permanent member. In a few days, Prime...


Top Kazakh Companies to Be Privatised through IPO in 2017, 2018

ASTANA – A Kazakh government commission has approved the Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund’s plan to privatise major Kazakh national companies through initial public offerings (IPOs) beginning this year,...


On Climate Change Policy, Reality and Perspectives

A play in several acts, and we are only at the beginning.   Act 1: COP21 culminated with the Paris Agreement on Dec. 12, 2015. A milestone: The first...


FC Astana Records First Historic Win in European Cup Group Stage

ASTANA – In a dramatic comeback November 24, FC Astana secured a 2:1 win over APOEL from Cyprus. This was the team’s first-ever win in two seasons playing in...


Pacific Alliance Countries to Present Joint Pavilion at EXPO 2017

ASTANA – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile recently confirmed that the Pacific Alliance will participate in EXPO 2017. Chile, Peru, Colombia and Mexico will open a joint...


Kazakhstan at 25: A Milestone Worth Celebrating

Whether we are talking about individuals or nations, it is important to pause and celebrate milestones. There are, of course, always more challenges to overcome and new ambitions to...


Spacecraft Assembly and Test Complex to Be Completed in 2017

ASTANA – Construction of a new spacecraft assembly and test complex is expected to be completed in 2017, according to Kazakhstan Gharysh Sapary national company president Marat Nurgozhin. “The...


Membership in UNSC: Responding to Threats to International Peace and Security

ASTANA – Kazakh professors and legal researchers talked about challenges and opportunities for Kazakhstan’s participation in international organisations at a Dec. 3 roundtable devoted to the 25th anniversary of...


Astana to Host First Major Drone Racing Event

ASTANA – Drone Racing Kazakhstan dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Independence will be held for the first time in Kazakhstan Dec.16. The championship will include racers from all...


Youth Entrepreneurship, Education Are Important for Sustainable Growth, President Tells Forum

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev told the Dec. 1 National Youth Forum that education and entrepreneurship are important in a modern world and noted the opportunities the Kazakh government...


Independent Kazakhstan Following Similar Path as Singapore toward Successful Development

It was in 1993 when Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev first met Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore to seek his advice for the newly-independent republic. Nazarbayev admired Lee for his...


More Than 100 Domestic Companies Sell Products at Local Shopping Centre

ASTANA – The capital’s Halyk Markasy (People’s Mark) shopping centre sells products from about 100 Kazakh companies. One of the reasons for the dynamic development of the centre is...


Astana Adopts Tourism Concept Focusing on Events, Business, Health

ASTANA – The Astana akimat (city administration) has adopted a new concept for tourism development that will focus on events and business and health travel, according to the press...


Taldykorgan Cabbie Entertains Passengers with Karaoke on Wheels

ASTANA – Talgat Bartayev’s childhood dream has come to life, as the Taldykorgan cab driver entertains passengers with his karaoke taxi. “I had this idea since I was a...


Kazakh Scientists Acknowledged with Science Leader 2016 Award

ASTANA – Several Kazakh universities and scientists received the Science Leader 2016 award during the Science and Innovation – the Basis of Economic Development forum in Almaty, reported Forbes.kz...


New Kazpost Services Let Villagers Buy Airline Tickets, Car Parts Online and Pickup at Post Offices

ASTANA – Kazpost is offering new services to residents of rural settlements that will allow them to purchase electronic tickets for domestic flights and spare parts for cars made...


Gazprom Neft Launches Sales of Euro-5 Standard Gasoline in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The first batch of gasoline corresponding to the higher Euro-5 standard has arrived in Kazakhstan and went on sale Nov. 19. “In the near future, this type...


New Heart Valve Surgery Technique Brings Hope to Kazakh Patients

ASTANA – Some of the world’s leading surgeons recently held a master class for their Astana counterparts, which involved advanced techniques and reconstructive surgery to restore natural heart valves...


Hot Argentine Tango Finds New Home in Cold Astana

ASTANA – The captivating Argentine tango is stealing the hearts of social dancers, offering an excellent alternative to traditional ways of socialising during the capital’s long, freezing winters. The...


More Than 350,000 Tonnes of Kashagan Oil Shipped For Export

ASTANA – More than 350,000 tonnes of oil from the Kashagan field has been transported through the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) pipeline system this year. More than 450,000 tonnes...


Foreign Television Offices Operating in Kazakhstan Must Be Led by Kazakhs Beginning 2017

ASTANA – All foreign television channels broadcasting in Kazakhstan will be required starting in 2017 for their in-country staff led by Kazakh citizens. “Throughout the entire autumn, I have...


UAE Committed to Expanding Relations with Kazakhstan, Says Chargé d’Affaires

ASTANA – United Arab Emirates (UAE) Chargé d’Affaires Hamad Rashed Alhebsi stressed that his country will stay committed to expanding relations with Kazakhstan in an interview with The Astana...


New Silk Road Explorer Plans to Travel Seven Countries

ASTANA – Italo-Polish reporter, traveller and explorer Jacek Pałkiewicz recently visited the Kazakh capital to prepare for the upcoming New Silk Road 2017 expedition. He sat for an exclusive...


“Turandot” to Be Staged in Unusual Format at Astana Opera

ASTANA – “Turandot” will be performed for the first time in the new “opera quest” format at Astana Opera Dec. 1. The masterpiece by Giacomo Puccini will be presented...


Mangystau Resident Finds Buried Treasure, Intends to Donate to Museum

ASTANA – Mangystau resident Mukagali Yerbozov found buried treasure this fall in the territory of the Mangystau region. The gold and silver objects included earrings, silver rings, about 20...


Ice Fishing: Wonderful Way to Enjoy Winter in Astana

ASTANA – Fishing is one of the most relaxing ways to spend the day, but for professional anglers it is more than just a leisure activity. It is sport,...


Swans Rescued from Freezing Lakes in Almaty Region, Kyzylorda

ASTANA – Groups of swans stuck in frozen lakes in the Almaty Region and Kyzylorda city were recently rescued by governmental rescue services and local residents. Kyzylorda resident Zhasulan...


Arba Wine Nuovo Guests and Distribution Director Discuss Kazakh Wine

ASTANA – Many wine producing areas in the world conduct traditional wine festivals. Kazakhstan has such traditions too, thanks to Arba Wine, which established Arba Wine Nuovo, a young...


Kazakh Auteur Filmmaking Focuses on Social Issues

ASTANA – In recent years, the Kazakh film industry has released a plethora of historical dramas, crime films, comedies and romantic pictures designed for a mass audience. Yet there...


Agricultural and Chemical Investment Day Kicks off in Taraz

ASTANA – Taraz Invest – AgroChemical Day, an international forum held Nov. 25 in its namesake city, was successful in its goal of attracting foreign investment to develop the...


Israeli Paint Manufacturer Enters Kazakh Market

ASTANA – Israeli paint manufacturer Tambour recently entered the Kazakhstan’s market and opened its first office in Central Asia, reported Kapital.kz. “Stable growth of the country’s economy and well-being...


Integrating Kazakhstan’s Nurly Zhol, China’s Silk Road Economic Belt Will Benefit All, Officials Say

ASTANA – Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov and Minister of Investment and Development Zhenis Kassymbek briefed the country’s diplomatic corps Nov. 30 on common points of Kazakhstan’s Nurly Zhol...


Prospects for Regional Cooperation in Central Asia Have Not Been Stronger in Long Time, Scholar Says

ASTANA – Dr. Frederick Starr, founder and chairman of the Central Asia-Caucusus Institute and research professor at John Hopkins University, came to the capital to participate in the conference...


Life Sentences Given to Seven Aktobe Terrorist Attackers, Long Terms to 22 Others

ASTANA – The Specialised Inter-district Criminal Court of the Aktobe region has convicted 29 men in connection with Aktobe shootings that left eight civilians dead on June 5. Seven...


New Research Provides Important Insight into Independent Kazakhstan’s Past and Future 25 Years

It is invariably instructive, if often uncomfortable, to see how you are viewed from outside – particularly if the analysis is carried out by those with real expertise. So...


41 Million Tenge Allocated to Develop Tourism Cluster in Zhambyl Region

ASTANA – Forty-one million tenge (US$121,155) has been allocated for the initial stage of tourism development in the Zhambyl region as part of cooperation between local akimat (administration) and...


147 Years after Premiere, Don Quixote Rides into Astana

ASTANA – Astana Opera has enriched its repertoire with yet another classical production. The ballet troupe premiered “Don Quixote” filled with Spanish charm, fervour and humour Nov. 25, attracting...


More Kazakh Citizens See Progress in Fight against Corruption, According to Global Corruption Barometer

ASTANA – Only 24 percent of Kazakh citizens believe people can stop corruption by refusing to pay a bribe whenever asked or wherever possible, according to the Transparency International...


Geopolitics Researcher Discusses Kazakh Research Mission

ASTANA – Morena Skalamera, geopolitics researcher and director of the Applied Research Institute at Almaty-based Narxoz University, visited Kazakhstan to conduct research on the geopolitics of energy. She spoke...


FM Idrissov Visits Kabul, Dushanbe, Gathers Concerns to Present on UNSC

ASTANA – The Kazakh Foreign Affairs Ministry continues to prepare a programme of its work as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2017-2018. Along with issues of...


President Rejects Proposal to Rename Capital City

ASTANA ­– President Nursultan Nazarbayev rejected during the Nov. 25 meeting of the National Commission for Modernisation a proposal voiced one day earlier in the Parliament to rename the...


National Railway Carrier KTZ to Build Eurasian Transcontinental Bridge

ASTANA – A Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) delegation recently took part in the international forum Creation of the New Economic Corridor Eurasian Continental Bridge in Lianyungang, China, the KTZ...