Bakhyt Kairbekov Appointed as New Kazakhfilm President

ASTANA – The new head of the Kazakhfilm studio was presented at a Jan. 30 briefing of the Central Communication Services (CCS) dealing with the tasks of cultural policy...


Projects to Advance Kazakh Space Industry Near Completion

Kazkosmos projects aimed at creating a space industry in Kazakhstan are nearing completion, according to Chairman of the Aerospace Committee of the Kazakh Ministry of Investment and Development Talgat...


Improving the Quality Control System of the Lighting Market in Kazakhstan

Today, the lighting market has changed significantly. When we go to the store, it’s not only incandescent lamps we can buy; in fact, these kinds of lamps are becoming...


Awards Established to Increase Science and Literature Innovation

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev recently signed a decree introducing the new Al-Farabi State Science and Technology Award and the State Award in Literature and Art, according to...


UNDP’s 2014 Human Development Report Says Kazakhstan Improving

Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme Munkhtuya Altangerel presented findings from Human Development Report 2014 “Sustaining Human Progress: Reducing Vulnerabilities and Building Resilience” at Nazarbayev University...


UN Special Rapporteur on Freedoms of Peaceful Assembly Praises Cooperation of Kazakh Government, Provides Initial Recommendations on Improvements Needed

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has made “admirable progress” since independence, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedoms of Peaceful Assembly and Association Maina Kiai said in a Jan. 27 statement summing up...


EU-Funded Small Grants Programme in Mangystau Aims to Engage Citizens in Environmental Action

A new grant programme in Mangystau region will put money in the hands of the region’s citizens for projects to solve local environmental problems. The programme aims to encourage...


Air Astana Introduces Economy Sleeper Class

ASTANA – Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s flagship carrier, announced the launch of a new economy sleeper class beginning Feb. 3 on selected international flights, including between Astana and London Heathrow,...


TV Channel Featuring Only Kazakh Music Gains in Popularity

ALMATY – Gakku TV (gakku means “swan” in Kazakh), a new channel that exclusively broadcasts Kazakh singers, has gained great popularity since it was launched in September 2014. One...


Oil and Russia: Twin Shocks for the Caucasus and Central Asia

The Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA) will be challenged in 2015 by the double shock of lower oil prices and the economic recession in Russia. Oil prices have declined...


Senate Defines Kazakhstan’s Youth Policy, Seeks Youth Participation in Country’s Political Life

ASTANA – The Jan. 22 Senate plenary session established a new basis for youth policy in Kazakhstan, approving a draft law “On State Youth Policy of the Republic of...


Eurasian Economic Union Beneficial for both Region and China, Beijing’s Envoy Says

In an exclusive interview with The Astana Times, Zhang Hanhui, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of China to Kazakhstan, spoke about the current state of the bilateral cooperation and the...


Fighting the Causes of Corruption

In this interview first published in Liter newspaper, former Minister of Internal Affairs and former Secretary of the Security Council, current Mazhlis deputy, member of the ruling Nur Otan...


Kulanshi Art Gallery Prepares New Programmes for 2015

ASTANA – As of Jan. 24, the Kulanshi Modern Art Centre, located on the 6th floor of Astana’s Palace of Peace and Accord, is welcoming visitors to view art...


Almaty Needs to Tackle Environmental Issues if It Is to Host Olympic Games

The 2022 Winter Olympics in Almaty and the ecology of the candidate city were on the agenda of a recent press conference held at the Almaty City Akimat’s (Mayor’s)...


Around Astana, When the Winter Gets Tough, the Tough Put on Snowshoes

GAITHERSBURG, MD – In Astana’s six months of winter, a hardy few have decided to embrace their flat, cold, powdery environs and take up an activity that seems made...


Khorgos – East Gate Free Economic Zone Meets Expectations, Growth Expected

On July 2, 2014, during a national teleconference, President Nursultan Nazarbayev initiated the construction of Khorgos – East Gate Free Economic Zone (FEZ) on the Chinese border. A few...


Why Celebrate 550 Years of Kazakh Statehood?

Words, particularly names, can have a great power. As the title suggests, this newspaper is written, edited and printed in Astana. The name of this city, as most of...


Barys Players Do Well in Continental Hockey League All-Star Game

Hockey’s two premier leagues, the Continental Hockey League (KHL) and the National Hockey League, conducted All-Star Games on Jan. 25. Forward Nigel Dawes and defender Mike Lundin from the...


Astana Arlans Beat Polish Hussars at Home

Astana Arlans, the team representing Kazakhstan in the World Series of Boxing (WSB), continued its winning streak on Jan. 24 by beating Hussars of Poland. In the first match,...


Shymkent Seeks UNESCO Recognition As 2,200-Year-Old City

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s third largest city, Shymkent, will seek an official recognition from the relevant UN body that it is 2,200 years old, according to the city akimat’s (administration)...


Almaty Prepares to Host International Olympic Committee Evaluation Commission, Mayor Stands behind the Value of City’s Bid

Almaty submitted its candidature filesto the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to host the 2022 Olympic Winter Games on Jan 6.   “It is important for Almaty to win the...


Prime Minister Attends World Economic Forum in Davos, Signs Country Agreement with OECD

DAVOS – Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Massimov signed a memorandum of understanding between the Kazakh government and the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on the implementation...


British Journalist Retraces Journey of Pioneering English Explorers in Kazakhstan

GAITHERSBURG, MD – A British journalist is hoping to rekindle interest in two early European travellers to Kazakhstan, retracing some of their 19th century journeys in the country and...


Modernised Centres for Servicing the Population Make Services More Accessible

ASTANA – Among the most successful reforms the Kazakh government has implemented in the last decade, experts often name the establishment of an extensive network of Centres for Servicing...


Deaf Kazakh Gesture Singers Take First Place at International Competition

The House of Culture at the Kazakhstan Deaf Society made news at the recent international Singing Costa Brava competition in Spain. The small Spanish town of Lloret de Mar...


Bayanaul: Land of Legends

PAVLODAR –There is a wonderful place in the Pavlodar region where the name of each mountain or cliff, lake or pass is associated with olden times and legends based...


Kazakhstan Urges Peaceful Resolution to Ukraine Conflict, Reiterates Minsk Agreements

ASTANA – Kazakhstan expresses “grave concern with the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, especially with the facts of shelling that led to the deaths of civilians,” the country’s...


Mazhilis Ratifies UN Convention to Improve Lives of Disabled

ASTANA – The Mazhilis (lower house of Parliament) ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on Jan. 20 as part of the Kedergisiz Keleshek (Future...


Kazakhstan, Italy Sign Agreements on Extradition and Legal Cooperation

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Italy have established a legal framework for mutual legal assistance and the protection of the legitimate rights and interests of their citizens. On Jan. 22,...


Astana Opera Ballet Well Received in Italy

ASTANA – Astana Opera ballet dancers received high praise from audience members and Italian dance officials after performing “Spartacus” Jan. 21 in Genoa in front of 2,500 spectators. “Today,...


Chinese Company to Build a Wind Power Plant in Zhambyl Region

An official visit of a Kazakh delegation to Xi’an on Jan. 11-15 resulted in plans to build a wind power plant in the Zhambyl region and cooperation in agriculture....


Modernisation Brings Ust-Kamenogorsk Hydroelectric Plant to Int’l Standards

UST-KAMENOGORSK – The staff of the Ust-Kamenogorsk hydroelectric plant is conducting a large-scale modernisation of the plant’s main equipment and auxiliary systems, enabling it to significantly increase its annual...


More than 6 Billion Tenge Allocated for West Kazakhstan Road Repairs

Kazakh Minister for Investment and Development Asset Issekeshev presented plans for more than 6 billion tenge (US$32.1 million) of road reconstruction and industry development in the West Kazakhstan region,...


Week of Kazakh Culture Kicks off in Turkey

ASTANA – The Week of Kazakh Culture events kicked off Jan. 17 in Eskisehir Province, Turkey. Concert halls of Eskisehir, Ankara, Bolu and Istanbul hosted concerts of the Tattimbet...


Astana to Host Feb. 28-March 1 ISU World Sprint Skating Championship

ASTANA – The 46th International Skating Union’s (ISU) World Sprint Skating Championship will be held at Astana’s Alau Ice Palace from Feb. 28 to March 1. “Most likely, Yekaterina...


Almaty to Host Feb. 23-24 Kazakhstan Oil and Gas Summit

Almaty will be hosting the 2015 Kazakhstan Oil and Gas Summit on Feb.23-24 dedicated to developments and opportunities arising across all aspects of the country’s oil and gas sector....


Canadian and Longtime Kazakhstan Resident Seek Fitness Success in Astana

GAITHERSBURG, MD – Astana’s newest gym bucks the city’s spa and health centre trends to focus tightly on exercise – and on the city’s underserved middle class. Founder Kevin...


Mazhilis Delegation to Visit Germany, Seek Support for UN Security Council Non-Permanent Seat

ASTANA – Deputy Chairperson of the Mazhilis (lower house of Parliament) of Kazakhstan Dariga Nazarbayeva has announced plans to visit Germany in the near future, according to the Mazhilis...


Central Asia among EU Council’s Top Priorities, Says Delegate

ASTANA – With Latvia taking over the Presidency of the EU Council in first half of 2015, Central Asia will become a priority, said Chair of the European Parliament...


New Law Introduces Easing of Controls for Businesses

ASTANA – Deputy chairpersons of the Kazakh National Chamber of Entrepreneurs (NCE) Gulnar Kurbanbayeva and Nurzhan Altayev explained the key novelties of the law, amendments and additions to certain...


Free Online English-Kazakh Dictionary Now Available

An online English – Kazakh dictionary is now operating on the www.eng-kaz.kz platform and is free to use, according to a recent report provided by the Diplomatic Bulletin. This...


Kazakhstan May Act to Protect Domestic Producers; NCE Describes Proposals

GAITHERSBURG, MD – With the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) launching on the wave of a Russian recession and a tumbling rouble, some of Kazakhstan’s first actions within the union...


Nazarbayev, Obama Discuss Ways to Advance Peaceful Solution for Ukraine Crisis

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev held a late night telephone conversation with U.S. President Barack Obama on Jan. 21 at the initiative of the American side, the Akorda...


New EBRD Economic Forecast Slashes Predictions of Growth for Kazakhstan, Foresees Contraction on Average across ERBD Regions

GAITHERSBURG, MD – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) issued revised economic forecasts on Jan. 19, foreseeing a contraction in the Russian economy of 5 percent, rather...


KazPost Issues New Stamps Designed by Orphans

ASTANA – A new series of postage stamps designed by orphans to be used by Kazakhstan’s postal service were unveiled on Jan. 14 during a ceremony at the Children’s...


Government, UNDP Agree to Anti-Corruption, Moral Development Cooperation

ASTANA – At a Jan. 15 meeting of Secretary of State of Kazakhstan Gulshara Abdykalikova with United Nations Development Programmes (UNDP) Permanent Representative in Kazakhstan Stephen Tull at the...


President Directs Samruk Kazyna to Develop Economic Anti-Crisis Programme

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev directed Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund Board Chairman Umirzak Shukeyev to review the fund’s plans for 2015 and develop a special anti-crisis programme...


Multiple Traffic Laws Take Effect across Country

ASTANA – Drivers on Kazakhstan’s roadways began abiding by new regulations Jan. 7, with major differences from the previous laws adopted in 1997. The new laws, approved Nov.13, include...


Oldest Couple of Kazakhstan Celebrates 70th Anniversary

ALMATY – One of Kazakhstan’s oldest couples recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Sultan Zhienbayev and Nuraniya Adelshina registered their marriage on Jan. 17, 1945. Zhienbayev was 24 years...