Astana Ties Atletico Madrid at Home

ASTANA – With a dramatic last minute save, FC Astana held Atletico Madrid to a 0-0 tie in a home match in Astana Nov. 3. With two games to...


Taiburil Scholarship Programme Supports Talented Students, Plans to Expand

The awards ceremony for the Taiburil monthly scholarship winners was held Oct. 31 in Almaty. The programme, supported by second-tier banks such as Kaspi Bank and Kazkommertzbank, as well...


Astana Residents to Choose Best Health Professionals

ASTANA – The heads of Astana’s Health Administration have called on city residents to actively participate in “The Best Doctor” and “The Best Nurse” campaigns. Citizens’ opinions will be...


Electrodes Production Launched in Zhambyl Region 

TARAZ – A 70 million tenge (US$250,000) plant to produce electrodes was launched in Kazakhstan’s Zhambyl region in October 2015. There is a great demand in Kazakhstan’s construction field...


Aidyn Aimbetov: Younger Generation Still Interested in Space Exploration

Aidyn Aimbetov, Kazakhstan’s third cosmonaut and a colonel in the country’s Air Force, travelled to the International Space Station Sept. 2 as part of an international crew. He remained...


In Astana, Kerry Promotes Stronger Ties in Economy, Security

ASTANA – It was a visit full of symbolism. It ranged from the presentation of the famous savoury and fragrant Almaty Aport apples to a foreign dignitary who was...


Milan Passes EXPO Flag to Astana at Closing Ceremony

Kazakhstan’s pavilion was ranked in the best three for opening theme and content, it was announced at the closing ceremony for EXPO 2015 in Milan Oct. 31, the press...


President Signs New Civil Procedure Code

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev publicly signed the new Civil Procedure Code (CPC) of Kazakhstan Oct. 31. The code introduces changes to procedures in investment, civil and other disputes...


Kazakh Blogosphere Presents New Type of Media for its Audience

ASTANA – As the number of Internet users rises, online publications are becoming more and more popular. In the age of new technologies, any kind of information is available...


Expats Say Enjoy Hospitality, Expanding Choices in Kazakhstan, List Language, Prices as Challenges

ASTANA – Kazakhstan was recently ranked 59th out of 64 countries for expat destinations this year, one place ahead of Russia and one behind Italy, according to the Expat...


Barys Crawls Upwards

ASTANA – While on tour in the European part of the Continental Hockey League (KHL), ex-coach of the Astana Barys Andrei Nazarov took the reins of the team again...


Nurly Zhol Economic Policy to Help Kazakhstan Weather Global Economic Storm

We have witnessed a tumultuous year for the global economy. The spectre of the 2008 global financial crash is a constant reminder to governments of the dangers of complacency....


Kazakhstan Hopes to Send 100 Athletes to 2016 Rio Summer Olympics

ASTANA – More than 100 Kazakh athletes will represent their country during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Vice Minister of Sports and Culture Saken Mussaibekov said during a briefing...


New National Bank Chairman Approved by Senate, Appointed by President

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Senate approved on Nov. 2 the proposed appointment of acting Presidential Aide and head of the Social and Economic Monitoring Department of the Presidential Administration Daniyar...


Security, Connectivity, Water Management Discussed at C5+1 Ministerial Meeting in Uzbekistan

SAMARKAND – The foreign ministers of the five Central Asian states held a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Nov.1, in the new C5+1...


Kazakhstan’s Contribution To COP 21

A proposal put forward by President Nursultan Nazarbayev at the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly to establish an international centre for the development of green technologies...


Kcell Fined for Abuse of Dominance

ASTANA – Kcell was recently fined 252.7 million tenge (US$903,000) for abuse of dominance by the Committee for Regulation of Natural Monopolies and Protection of Competition of the Ministry...


Kazakhs Harnessing Social Media to Demand Justice

ASTANA – The surge of popularity of social media in Kazakhstan, and the corresponding ability to post anonymously online is having an impact on both high and low-profile citizens...


Tricks of the Trade: How Astana Restaurateurs Try to Improve Service Sector

ASTANA – It is no secret that city restaurants have been slow to reach the level of five-star service. Many patrons have experienced poor service in the young capital,...


Live Music in Astana Finds its Audience

ASTANA – Live music should be “tasty,” says one the city’s most loved, versatile musicians. Numerous creative live bands and solo performers enjoy playing and singing both what they...


British-Kazakh Ties Strengthen Across the Board

From Oct. 7-9, I had the pleasure of visiting Kazakhstan. I am the sixth U.K. government minister to visit Kazakhstan since the historic visit by Prime Minister David Cameron...


More than $1.5 Billion in Deals Signed at Astana Invest Forum

ASTANA – Four agreements worth $580 million in new projects in Kazakhstan were signed following the Oct. 29 morning session of this year’s Astana Invest Forum, including projects on...


Almaty Businessman Creates Electric Sports Car

ASTANA – As environmental conditions worsen, people are becoming more and more interested in eco-friendly vehicles. A businessman from Almaty has surprised his compatriots with the electric cars he...


Kazakh Judoka Wins Gold at Junior World Championship

Judoka from Kyzylorda Magzhan Shamshadin became the second champion in the history of Kazakh judo to win the Judo World Championship for Juniors in the men’s 55 kilogrammes category....


Kazakh Student Community in Austria Releases Bilingual Journal

ASTANA – The Kazakh Student Community in Austria is keeping readers informed about its activities in more than one language, as the group released the second issue of the...


Nur Otan Refuses Kok-Zhailyau Project

ASTANA – The Nur Otan Party in Almaty has refused to invest in the Kok-Zhailyau project, with deputies explaining during a party meeting that the decision was made to...


Disasters Beyond Borders: Asia-Pacific Resilience Critical for Sustainable Development

Nothing erases development as suddenly and severely as natural disasters. When earthquakes, floods, droughts and cyclones strike, they wreak destruction not only across borders but across generations – reversing...


Kazakhstan Leaps 12 Places to 41st in World Bank Doing Business Report

ASTANA – Kazakhstan was among the top 10 economies showing the most improvement in the World Bank’s 2016 Doing Business report released Oct. 27. The country leaped 12 places...


Kazakhstan Joins International Community to Mark UN’s 70th Anniversary

ASTANA – A range of international activities and events were organised Oct. 24 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the United Nations. More than 200 landmarks in 60 countries,...


Kazakhstan Increases Social Benefits for Numerous Groups

ASTANA – Kazakhstan provides a number of allowances and social benefits to different groups within society. The State Centre for Pension Payment released information this year indicating the amount...


World Bank Decrease Oil Price Forecast

ASTANA– World Bank analysts expect prices for oil, nonferrous materials and agricultural goods to decrease in 2015-2016 more than previously forecast, with oil predicted to be sold at $51...


ZhasCamp 2015 Gathers Young Leaders in Shymkent

ZhasCamp 2015, the sixth annual conference dedicated to the development of social initiatives and business activities, was held Oct.10-11 in Salem Social Village in Shymkent. Organised by the Youth...


Kazakhstan, Japan Urge CTBT Entry into Force in Strongly-Worded Statement

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Japan have come out with a powerful joint statement calling on the world to make everything needed to ensure the entry into force of the...


Kazakhstan, Japan Focus on Economic Ties During Abe’s Visit to Astana

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during the latter’s official visit to the Central Asian nation on Oct. 27. Nazarbayev congratulated...


Kazakh-Mongolian Poet to Take Part in Second Int’l Literary Festival in Almaty

ASTANA – The second Polifonia International Literary Festival will take place Oct. 29 – Nov. 1 in Almaty. Kazakh authors and foreign guests will participate in lectures, roundtables and...


Astana Marriott Hosts ‘Day of Spiritual Harmony’ for Special Needs Children

ASTANA – A Day of Spiritual Harmony was held at the Astana Marriott hotel on Oct. 18 to highlight a moratorium on conflicts and clashes. This is the day...


New Exhibition in Almaty Metro Introduces World of Children’s Art

“The Kazakhstan I Love” young artists’ exhibition opened recently at the Auezov Theatre metro station in Almaty. The display is the first joint project of the metropolitan state enterprise...


Indian Team Visits Astana to Study Architecture, Investment

ASTANA – Amaravati, the new capital of Andhra Pradesh, India, is looking to Astana as a model for both architecture and attracting investment, according to its chief minister, Nara...


Kelimbetov: Tenge to Stabilise within 3-5 Months at 250-270 per Dollar

ASTANA – Chairman of the National Bank of Kazakhstan Kairat Kelimbetov believes the tenge will stabilise in the next three to five months, according to Interfax. “Once the tenge...


Atlético Madrid Beats Astana 4:0 to Claim Top Spot in Group C

ASTANA – Atlético Madrid thrashed Football Club (FC) Astana in front of a home crowd Oct. 21 to claim the top spot in Group C alongside Benfica, who lost...


Kazakhstan, Qatar Have Common Challenges, Common Goals, Kazakh President Says

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev visited Qatar Oct. 25 – 26 to work on strengthening economic ties between the two countries, the Akorda press service reported. During...


Astana, Almaty ‘Go Blue’ as Part of Global Effort to Mark UN’s 70th Anniversary

ASTANA – A range of international activities and events were organised Oct. 24 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the United Nations. More than 200 landmarks in 60 countries,...


World Social Advertising Exhibition Opens in Almaty

ASTANA – A World Social Advertising exhibition opened recently in Almaty’s Baikonur metro station, affording passengers the chance to admire works of international designers through Oct. 30. A social...


Former Secret Town Once More Attracting Scientists

ASTANA – For four decades, Kurchatov, a town in East Kazakhstan, was the secret centre of operations for the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site. Due to the surprisingly large number of...


Macroeconomic Research Centre Explains Move to Retail Tax

ASTANA – Director of the Macroeconomic Research Centre Olzhas Khudaybergenov recently explained the change of the value added tax and corporate income tax to a retail tax and made a...


IMF Advocates Accelerated Structural Reform, Sustainable Fiscal Policies to Weather Economic Crisis in Central Asia

ASTANA – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is advocating accelerated structural reforms in Central Asia to combat slow gross domestic product growth in the region. The IMF cited external...


Astana to Launch Single Contact Number for All City Services

ASTANA – Akim (Mayor) of Astana Adilbek Dzhaksybekov held a meeting Oct. 19 on a number of the city’s topical issues, including the preparation of all the utilities for...


Photographers of Kazakh Fauna Praised at National Museum Ceremony

ASTANA – The photographers of the “Fauna of Kazakhstan” exhibition were recently awarded during a special ceremony at the National Museum of Kazakhstan. The photo exhibition was dedicated to...


NGO Law to Ensure Liberty, Equality, Accountability and Transparency

In an exclusive interview with The Astana Times, Usen Suleimen, ambassador-at-large of the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spoke on amendments and additions to Kazakhstan’s law on nongovernmental organisation...


Domestic Adoption Remains Viable Option in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Americans adopted more than 6,000 Kazakh orphans from 1999-2011, according to a December 2013 article in Vox Populi. Kazakhstan recently imposed a moratorium on U.S. adoptions, however,...