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...


Trump Administration, UNSC Membership Spell New Opportunities for Kazakhstan, Int’l Scholars Say

ASTANA – Internationally recognised speakers, scholars and politicians presented reports and spoke about Kazakhstan’s achievements and future during the Nov. 28 international conference, 25 Years of Independence of the...


Kazakhstan’s Achievements Since Independence Discussed at Int’l Conference in Astana

ASTANA – Parliamentarians and experts from almost two dozen countries participated in a Nov. 28 conference in Astana reviewing Kazakhstan’s accomplishments over 25 years of independence and looking into...


A Successful Future Kazakhstan Must Protect Secularity, Stamp out Corruption, Improve Economic Productivity, Experts Say

ASTANA – For Kazakhstan to be successful as it reaches its 50th birthday in 2041, the country will have to protect its secularity, stamp out corruption, improve economic productivity,...


Shares of Major National Companies to Be Listed at AIFC

ASTANA – Minister of National Economy Kuandyk Bishimbayev stated recently that shares of major national companies will be listed at the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). He said there...


Nation’s Leading Souvenir Company Celebrates 10th Anniversary

ASTANA – Empire, Kazakhstan’s first and leading gift and souvenir company, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. It has become the country’s business card throughout the decade and one of...


Kazakh FM Briefs OECD on 100 Concrete Steps, EXPO 2017

ASTANA­ – Kazakhstan participated in the Nov. 22-24 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Eurasia Week in Paris. The event sought to strengthen relations between countries of the...


Kazakhstan Presents New Model to Train Prosecutors, Anti-Corruption Staff

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has presented a new model for prosecutors and anti-corruption services staff training, reported Tengrinews.kz. The nation is set to introduce a judicial training system for law...


Parliament Adopts Declaration on 25 years of Kazakhstan’s Independence, Wants Astana Renamed after President Nazarbayev

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Parliament adopted Nov. 23 the Declaration on the 25 years since the Independence of Kazakhstan during a joint meeting of the two chambers of Parliament under...


Kazakh Auto Industry in Difficult Situation, Says Nation’s Largest Online Sales Platform

ASTANA – Kolesa.kz, Kazakhstan’s largest online vehicle marketplace, recently completed a survey to determine why cars assembled in the country are not popular among citizens. Responders indicated price, concerns...


Italian Company to Create Meat Cluster in Almaty Region

ASTANA – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture Askar Myrzakhmetov recently met with delegates of the Italian company Inalca Eurasia, reported kazinform.kz. Inalca Eurasia represented Cremonini Group, which...


UN Offers to Introduce Air Pollution Measurement System in Almaty

ASTANA – To tackle air pollution in Almaty, the United Nations (UN) has offered to introduce eco-labelling on vehicles to track cars entering the metropolis. The organisation noted the...


Kazakhstan’s Air Ambulance – More than 8,000 Departures in Five Years

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s air ambulance service has made 8,643 departures beginning with its first flight on July 12, 2011. Since its inception, 323 calls were made in 2011, 1,005...


Alageum Electric Company to Boost Non-Commodity Exports

ASTANA – Cooperation between the Alageum Electric Holding and the Export Credit Insurance Corporation KazExportGarant will allow Alageum to increase its exports. Alageum Electric is Kazakhstan’s largest electric company...


Kazakhstan Joins Movement to Empower, Celebrate and Support Women in Business

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has joined the global women’s entrepreneurship support initiative, holding its first Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED) on Nov. 19. The nation joined 144 countries and 110 universities...


Serbian PM Visits Astana, Brings Along 90 Companies

ASTANA – Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić and Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev discussed in Astana Nov. 15 bilateral agreements reached during Nazarbayev’s visit to Serbia in August. Nazarbayev noted...


FC Astana Wins Kazakhstan Cup 2016

ASTANA – The Kazakh capital club defeated Kairat Almaty 1:0 Nov. 20 in Almaty in the final match of the Kazakhstan Cup 2016. Many had expected Almaty to win...


Bolashak Association Leader Urges Youth to Test Themselves in Business

In 1993, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev launched Bolashak (Future), an international scholarship programme which has become one of the most important breakthrough projects aimed at increasing Kazakhstan’s competitiveness as...


Roman Krech Wins Speed Skating World Cup Stage in China

ASTANA – Kazakh racer Roman Krech won a 500-metre stage race at the Nov. 11-13 International Skating Union’s (ISU) Speed ​​Skating World Cup in Harbin, China. Krech covered 500...


Kazakhs Crushed 1:4 by Danes in FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualification’s Match

ASTANA – Ahead of the Nov.  11 match in Copenhagen, the Kazakh national team’s managers knew they couldn’t count on help from a number of their key players. Tanat...


Ahead of 25th Anniversary of Independence, International Stance Reflects Kazakhstan’s Achievements Well

When Kazakhstan took its first steps in the world as an independent country 25 years ago, it had many challenges to overcome. At home, the economy was in a...


Czech FM Visits Kazakhstan, Promotes Business, Political Ties

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Czech Republic Foreign Minister Lubomir Zaoralek discussed Nov. 21 at the Akorda Presidential Residence bilateral cooperation and agreements. Nazarbayev noted the friendly...


Global Agenda Requires New Approaches

In this article I would like to reflect on some of the major international trends in the context of the 25th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s Independence. This milestone is not...


Elementary School Teacher: School’s Core Values Remain Unchanged

ASTANA – The skills needed to be a role-model teacher include effective learning strategies, educational coaching and the benefits of loving what you do. The Astana Times interviewed elementary...


Emerging Economies STEM Entrepreneurship Programme Tells Women “We Are Stronger Together”

SAN FRANCISCO – TechWomen brings emerging women leaders together to help them excel in technology and build solutions to challenges facing their communities. Entrepreneurship was once considered a man’s...


Astana Street Named After Nikola Tesla

ASTANA – One of the capital’s streets now carries the name of famous Serbian scientist Nikola Tesla. Akim (Mayor) of Astana Asset Issekeshev and Prime Minister of Serbia Aleksandar...


Pay Attention to Herbal Therapy rather than Chemical, says Zerde-Phyto Marketing and PR Director

ASTANA – Documents discussing the enjoyment and uses of herbal teas have been recovered dating back to Ancient Egypt and China. Zerde-Phyto produces herbal tea and supplements and Marketing...


Nine-Year-Old Kazakh Boxing Talent Shows Amazing Skills

ASTANA – Nine-year-old Kazakh boxing prodigy Evnika Saadvakass keeps astonishing world audiences. “Iron” Mike Tyson, women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, UFC president Dana White and many others are amazed...


Kazakhstan’s Top Winter Destinations

ASTANA – The cold weather is not an obstacle for those who want to spend time outside the city and have a great holiday. Whether it is a just...


Marriott Wins World Travel Award as Country’s Leading Business Hotel

ASTANA – The capital’s Marriott Hotel won the World Travel Award as Kazakhstan’s 2016 Leading Business Hotel. Marriott topped such brands as InterContinental Almaty, Radisson Hotel Astana, Renaissance Aktau...


Soviet Cakes were Hard to Get but Worth the Try

ASTANA – These days there are plenty of cakes that are beautiful on the outside, but pretentiously sweet and unappetising on the inside. It is no surprise then that...