Ski Federation Eager to Start Season under New Management

ASTANA – The winter season is right around the corner and unfortunate as it may seem for some, winter sports lovers are surely excited. For Ski Federation of Kazakhstan...


Rail Company Seeks State Support to Establish ‘Hotel on Wheels’

ASTANA – The Turan Express passenger rail company recently sought state support from the Kazakh Ministry of Investment and Development to launch a “hotel on wheels.” “We can form...


Two Kazakh Wrestlers Win Bronze, Gain Olympic Bids at Las Vegas World Wrestling Championships

ASTANA – Two Greco-Roman wrestlers from Kazakhstan brought medals home from the recent World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas and earned the right to compete in the Rio 2016...


British-Kazakh Society, Air Astana Marathon Brings Together More Than 500 Runners

ASTANA – The streets of Astana served as the course Sept. 13 for a charity marathon organised by the British-Kazakh Society (BKS) and Air Astana. Kazakh Prime Minister Karim...


Kazakh Eli Square Transformed into Historic Village for Anniversary of Kazakh Khanate

ASTANA – Astana’s Kazakh Eli Square was the site of most of the Sept. 11–13 celebrations of the 550th anniversary of the Kazakh Khanate. More than 1,500 representatives from...


IAEA Reviews its Work at General Conference; Kazakh Delegation Presents Its Efforts on Nuclear Energy, and Security

ASTANA – The 59th session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference opened in Vienna on Sept. 14 and will continue until Sept. 18, the press service...


70th Anniversary of the UN and Kazakhstan’s Bid for UN Security Council: Time for Younger Nations to Have Louder Voice

On Sept. 15, the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly kicks off in New York. A record number of heads of state are expected to attend the...


Let Our Ancestors Inspire Us, Nazarbayev Says on 550th Anniversary of Kazakh Khanate

ASTANA – Giving due credit to our ancestors’ deeds inspires our responsibility to the future, President Nursultan Nazarbayev said at a special grand meeting dedicated to the 550th anniversary...


Draft Budget Reveals Lower Growth Expectations

ASTANA – The government of Kazakhstan expects gross domestic product growth of 2.1 percent in 2016, 3.6 percent in 2017 and 2.9 percent in 2018, according to a draft...


President Makes New Government Appointments

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev made new appointments to government positions on Sept. 11, reported the press service of the Akorda presidential residence. Former Deputy Chairperson of the...


Astana Celebrates 550th Anniversary of Kazakh Khanate, Holds CCTS Summit

ASTANA – Kazakhstan celebrated the 550th anniversary of the formation of the Kazakh Khanate on Sept. 11 with a number of events throughout the capital. President Nursultan Nazarbayev congratulated...


President Welcomes Crew from International Space Station

ASTANA ­– On Sept. 12, President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan personally met Soyuz TMA-16M crew Gennady Padalka of Russia, Aidyn Aimbetov of Kazakhstan, and Andreas Mogensen of Denmark, who...


New State Corporation to Deliver More Documentation Services in One Place

ASTANA – During a presentation before the Kazakh Parliament of the draft law “On amendments and additions to some legislative acts concerning the provision of public services,” Vice-Minister of...


US Focus on Central Asia Waning as Nation’s Security Interests Dissipate, Warn Experts

ASTANA – United States security interests in the region are dissipating along with the country’s focus on Central Asian and Kazakhstan policy, said U.S. scholars at the Sept. 9...


Kazakh FM Opens 2015-2016 KAZGUU Academic-Diplomatic Club Session

ASTANA – Kazakh Minister of Foreign Affairs Erlan Idrissov launched the Aug. 8 opening of the 2015-2016 session of the KAZGUU University Academic-Diplomatic Club. He shared his thoughts in...


Men’s Grooming Intends to Occupy Niche in Country’s Beauty Industry

ASTANA – Although men’s grooming is usually considered to be a modern fashion wave, its origins trace to ancient Egypt where it became an inherent part of hygiene and...


Deputy PM Sagintayev Outlines Kazakh Proposals to Address Water Challenges in Central Asia

Kazakh First Deputy Prime Minister Bakytzhan Sagintayev took part in the Sept. 7 conference in Berlin on water and good neighbourly relations in Central Asia. The event, convened and...


Government Proposes Introducing Mandatory Health Insurance

ASTANA – Implementing mandatory social health insurance will improve the quality and availability of medical services in Kazakhstan, reported the press service of the nation’s Ministry of Health and...


FM Idrissov Briefs Diplomatic Corps on 550th Anniversary of Kazakh Khanate

ASTANA – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov held a briefing Sept.8 dedicated to the celebration of the 550th anniversary of the foundation of the Kazakh Khanate...


Eurasian Intergovernmental Council Discusses Financial Stability in Belarus Meeting

ASTANA – First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Bakytzhan Sagintayev took part in the recent meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Grodno in Belarus, reported primeminister.kz. The meeting...


Military Forces Readiness Testing Begins in Five Regions of the Country

ASTANA – At the instruction of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, on Sept. 8, sudden military readiness testing started in five regions of...


Tourism Industry Hurt by Transition to Free-Floating Tenge Exchange Rate

ASTANA – In late August, Kazakhstan transitioned to a free-floating exchange rate and the government announced a shift to inflation targeting. As a result, the National Bank no longer...


Children from Orphanages Participate in Almaty Ping Pong Competition

Children from orphanages No. 1 and No. 2 demonstrated their ping pong skills Sept. 5 during a competition coordinated by the Almaty international sports organizing committee, reported the committee’s...


Caspian Basin Ready for Further Development, Energy Official Says

ASTANA – “The most powerful sedimentary cover (platform) is in the Caspian Basin and presumably reaches a depth of 20–25 kilometres. The Eurasia project has an ambitious goal –...


Int’l Ethnic Cultures Festival Has Spectacular Opening in Astana

ASTANA – The capital city’s Tlep Qobiz Sarayi concert hall opened the history and culture international festival of ethnic cultures contest Sept. 2. The three-day jubilee was devoted to...


Astana Street Musicians Perform for People, Fun and Money

ASTANA – Despite pressure from local law enforcement bodies, guitar and saxophone performers play and sing in an underground crossing and near the Yessil River. They are not always...


Kazakhstan Dominates ASBC Asian Confederation Boxing Championships

ASTANA – Kazakhstan topped the team rankings at the Asian Boxing Confederation (ASBC) Championships with five gold medals, as fighters, who also fight for Astana Arlans, won five of...


Akmola Car Repair Plant an Example of Kazakh Industrial Success

ASTANA – Akmola Car Repair Plant is the only one of its kind in Kazakhstan. Despite the fact that the plant successfully operated during the Soviet Union decades, it...


First Kazakh Armed Forces Military Observer Returns from Western Sahara

ASTANA – Captain Temirlan Musapirov, the first Kazakh Armed Forces officer to travel to Western Sahara as part of the United Nations (UN) mission in Western Sahara, has returned...


No Need to Sacrifice Your Health for Cheap Products

Over time, an economy may experience changes in imports and exports, and this can lead to a balance of payments disequilibrium (deficit or surplus). Under a floating regime, the deficits and...


Bolat Zhamishev: Deficit of Tenge Liquidity in Kazakhstan’s Market

Bolat Zhamishev, chairman of the board of the Development Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK), recently spoke with “Liter” national daily newspaper about the results of the bank’s activities, its new...


Kazakh Officials Step Up Measures to Combat New Synthetic Drugs

ASTANA – To help identify and stem the flow of new illegal synthetic drugs, Kazakhstan plans to intensify international work on seizure, timely notification and the creation of a...


Kazakhstan Draws with Iceland 0:0, Loses to Czech Republic 1:2 in Group A UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier

ASTANA – Iceland recently drew with Kazakhstan and advanced to the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) EURO 2016 with two games still remaining in Group A. Kazakhstan withstood...


On ISS, Cosmonauts Launch Research Programmes

ASTANA – With the Sept. 4 arrival of the Soyuz TMA-18M spacecraft at the International Space Station (ISS), Expedition 45 Soyuz Commander Sergei Volkov of the Russian Federal Space...


Celebrating Kazakh Khanate’s Anniversary, We Honour Our History and Identity

It was the English writer, Charles Dickens, who once wrote, “Home is a name, a word, it is a strong one; stronger than magician ever spoke, or spirit ever...


Government Eliminates Some Fuel Price Controls, Price Increases Expected

ASTANA – Fuel prices are expected to rise in Kazakhstan following First Deputy Prime Minister Bakhytzhan Sagintayev’s announcement that the government would stop regulating the prices of AI-92 gasoline...


Kazakh Biotechnologist Helps Create At-Home STD Test, Mass Production May Begin in 2016

ASTANA – The Hoope, a home detection kit to diagnose sexually transmitted diseases that was the brainchild of a team including Kazakh biotechnologist Damel Mektepbayeva, is expected to go...


Allowing National Currency to Float Is Economically Sensible Decision

After the turmoil of the last few years since 2007, it would be comforting to believe that the global economy is due a period of stability. But we continue...


U.S. Participation in Astana EXPO 2017 Discussed during Commissioner’s Visit; World Bank Confirms Its Participation

WASHINGTON – Government agencies and private companies discussed opportunities for U.S. participation in EXPO 2017, which will be held in Astana, as Expo National Commissioner and First Deputy Foreign...


Kazakh Factory Produces School Uniforms that Protect from Cell Phone Radiation

ASTANA – One domestic factory is sewing clothing for school pupils that manufacturers believe protects wearers from the electromagnetic radiation of mobile phones, Khabar.kz reported Aug. 17. The approximate...


National Bank Says Dedollarisation Is Inevitable

ASTANA – Kazakhstan transitioned to a free-floating exchange rate and Aug. 20 the tenge dropped 26 percent against the dollar. National Bank Chairman Kairat Kelimbetov noted he considers dedollarisation...


Kazakh Schools Welcome Nearly 336,000 First Graders

ASTANA – Students throughout the country gathered for a traditional ceremony Sept. 1 to celebrate the beginning of the new school year. Approximately 336,000 children went to their schools...


Photographer’s Controversial Work Acknowledged with International Award

ASTANA – Young Kazakh photographer Veronica Lerner snapped a shot of her grandmother sitting on the stool in her kitchen almost uncovered. The artist’s work was shown at the...


EAEU Nations, China to Share Customs Information

ASTANA – Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) nations and China will share customs information on transit goods, reported Belta. The agreement was reached according to the results of the third...


Belarus Prepares to Take Part in EXPO 2017

ASTANA – The organising committee on the preparation of the Belarusian national pavilion for EXPO 2017 has been set up, Kazinform reported recently. The relevant resolution was signed by...


Chevron Provides State-of-the-Art Equipment to Astana Medical Institutions

Chevron provided ten children’s medical hospitals and educational institutions in Astana with state-of-the-art equipment at a ceremony held at the city Children’s Hospital No. 2 on July 10. This...


Theatre Director Ersain Tapenov Says Kazakh Theatre Scene Changes Dramatically

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s classic theatre scene has changed quite a bit since the Soviet Union times, but the classical masterpieces of William Shakespeare, Anton Chekhov, Evgenii Brusilovskii, Murat Auezov,...


Kyrgyz Community Centre Draws Brotherly Ties with Kazakhstan Closer Through History

ASTANA – The two brotherly ethnic groups of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan share many common grounds and a long-time history. The cuisine, culture, musical instruments and even the languages are...


Astana Locomotive Plant Unveils Passenger Electric Locomotive at Moscow Railway Expo

ASTANA – The Electric Locomotive Manufacturing Plant of Astana presented their KZ4AT passenger electric locomotive at the fifth International Railway Equipment and Technologies Fair (EXPO 1520) in Moscow from...


EBRD Loans $1.8 Million to West Kazakhstan Fuel Distributor

ASTANA – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will loan $1.8 million to the privately owned West Kazakhstan motor fuel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) distributor Niet,...