OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission Head Pledges Objective Monitoring, Stresses Focus on Process

ASTANA – Observers from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) will monitor Kazakhstan’s March 20 early parliamentary elections in...


France Supports, Seeks Inspiration from Astana EXPO 2017

France stands by Kazakhstan in the perspective of the upcoming international exhibition in Astana in 2017, whose candidacy has always been supported by my country to the Office of...


Kazakhstan Committed to Competitive, Transparent and Fair Elections, Foreign Minister Says

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is committed to holding competitive, transparent and fair elections, Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov said at a Feb. 17 meeting with the head of the observation mission...


Election Commission Releases Early Mazhilis and Maslikhat Nomination Information

ASTANA – The Central Election Commission (CEC) held a briefing Feb. 12 devoted to the election campaign of deputies of the Mazhilis (lower house of Parliament) and maslikhats of Kazakhstan....


More than 6,000 Kazakh Citizens Received Microcredits in 2015

ASTANA – The Employment Road Map programme functioning since 2011 is already bearing fruit, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection Bauyrzhan Nurymbetov said recently at a Central Communications...


Short Film by Kazakh Director to be Shown at Cannes

ASTANA – “Tragiometry,” a short film by Kazakh director Tatyana Kim, will participate in Short Movie Corner (The Court Metrage) within the 69th annual Cannes Film Festival. The event...


Kazakh Khanate Series Shows World Historic Period before Independent Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Inspired by popular television series like “Game of Thrones,” “Genghis Khan” and “Magnificent Century” with thought-provoking screenplays, battle scenes and palace intrigue, the makers of “Kazakh Khanate”...


A Touching Documentary on Children Who Defeated Cancer Filmed in Almaty

ASTANA – A film created with the assistance of the Amila public fund, which assists cancer patients, has been produced within the framework of a project for the psychosocial...


Iran Introduces Protective Duties for Kazakh Grain Imports

ASTANA – The Iranian government recently introduced protective duties for the import of Kazakhstan grain to protect its domestic market, according to President of Aktau International Seaport Mikhail Yalbachev. This...


Kazakhstan, Russia Fight Together Against Agricultural Pests

Kazakh and Russian experts held a meeting on plant protection and locust control in cross-border regions on Feb. 9 in Aktobe, reported the press service of the Kazakh Ministry...


New Trajectories of Civil Service Reform in Kazakhstan

In December 2012, President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev presented his vision of Kazakhstan in 2050, which aims to enter the country in the top 30 most-developed countries. One of...


India Willing to Demonstrate its Innovation-Led Growth at EXPO 2017

Indian officials told EXPO 2017 Commissioner and Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Foreign Minister Rapil Zhoshybayev during his Feb. 12 visit that India, one of the top 10 states generating alternative...


Astana Pro Team Cyclist Andriy Grivko Wins La Méditerranéenne

ASTANA – Astana Pro Team rider Andriy Grivko won the overall standings of the stage race La Méditerranéenne, which recently took place on the roads of Spain, France and...


‘Khorgos-Eastern Gate’ Intends to Create Favourable Business Environment for Investors

The Khorgos Dry Port on the border with China plans to update its operations to better attract investment to the region, reported the press office of the Kazakhstan Temir...


Independent Athlete’s Anti-Doping Commission Set Up in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – An independent anti-doping commission (AIC) has been created in Astana, according to the Kazakh National Olympic Committee’s (NOK) press office. The main purpose of this independent entity...


Nature, Health Therapy Combine at Country’s Top Therapeutic Wellness Resorts

ASTANA – Health and wellness resorts are an excellent getaway from a dusty, noisy and stress-driven urban life. Many residents living in the capital and other big cities pack...


Country Secures 20 Lillehammer Youth Olympic Games Slots

ASTANA – Twenty bids have been won by Kazakhstan for the Youth Olympic Games in Norway in nine events. The former Winter Olympics city of Lillehammer hosts 70 nations...


Samsung Becomes Official EXPO 2017 Partner

ASTANA – The Astana EXPO 2017 National Company and Samsung Electronics Central Eurasia have signed a memorandum of cooperation making the South Korean multinational electronics company an official partner of EXPO 2017....


Kazakhstan Changes Army’s Style of Marching

ASTANA – Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev has ordered a new way the country’s soldiers should march. Nazarbayev issued a decree on Feb. 3 saying that from now on, Kazakhstan’s...


Iran to Buy Kazakh-Made Commodities, Ready to Establish Joint Investment Fund

ASTANA – As a result of the large-scale Kazakh-Iranian business forum held Feb. 6-8 in Tehran, the two nations have agreed on a supply of Kazakh-made train cars to...


New Kazakh Education and Science Minister Brings Private Sector Experience

ASTANA ­– Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev appointed Erlan Sagadiyev new Minister of Education and Science, the Akorda press service reported Feb. 10. Sagadiyev believes it is necessary to share...


Astana to Host AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championship

ASTANA – More than 300 professional female boxers will have a chance to take part in the 2016 AIBA Women’s World championship in the Kazakh capital May 19-27. The...


Spain Too Strong for Kazakhstan in Futsal Euro 2016 Semi-Final

Team Kazakhstan gave way to Spain, losing 5-3 in the semi-final of Futsal EURO 2016 underway in Belgrade, Serbia. Who would have thought before the tournament that the Kazakhs,...


Perfetto, Kazakhstan!

Team Kazakhstan became the main sensation of Futsal EURO 2016 continuing in Belgrade, Serbia. In the quarterfinal, the debutants crushed reigning champion Italy, 5-2. “We want to go down...


Kazakh President Orders New Massive Investments in Economy

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev ordered the government to make way for huge investments into Kazakhstan’s economy as it continues to deal with twin negative effects of low commodity...


EXPO 2017 to Select Best Achievements in Energy

ASTANA – Selection of best practices in the field of energy for a pavilion “Energy Best Practices Area” (eBPa) has started on the website http://www.ebpa2017.org/ebpa. The idea of such a...


Team Kazakhstan Reaches Quarter Final in Futsal Euro Debut

ASTANA – The Kazakh national futsal team reached the quarterfinals in its first-ever appearance at the UEFA Futsal Championship (Futsal Euro), which is taking place this year Feb. 2–13...


Photosafari Photographers Document Wild Kazakhstan, Hope to Help Visitors do the Same

ASTANA – Undiscovered Kazakhstan, an exhibition created by Photosafari Group photographers, was presented in South Korea in December with the support of the Foundation of the First President of...


More Work Ahead, Says Central Election Commission Chairman

Since President Nursultan Nazarbayev signed the decree Jan. 20 to hold early election for the Mazhilis, Kazakhstan’s Central Election Commission (CEC) has been actively preparing for the electoral process....


Kazakhstan Takes Fourth Place in World Bandy Championship

ASTANA – The Kazakhstan national bandy team lost to Sweden 0:4 in the bronze medal game at the 36th World Bandy Championship in Ulyanovsk, Russia on Feb. 7, and...


Barys Ninth in East Conference with Two Games Left

ASTANA – The risk that the Barys hockey club will miss its first Continental Hockey League’s (KHL) Gagarin Cup playoffs is near materialising. Since Feb. 26, the Astana team...


Where and How to Holiday in Kazakhstan

How do economic difficulties impact the choices of Kazakhs regarding travel destinations? What are the prospects for stronger domestic tourism development? What are attractive elements of visiting Kazakhstan for...


Astana Debate Community Face Off Against World’s Best, Hope for More Support

ASTANA – The Astana Debate Community has earned respect in Central Asia for its achievements in argument, with speakers defending the honour of Kazakhstan in many global competitions over...


Russian, Kazakh Leaders Discuss Crisis in Turkish-Russian Relations

President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and President of Russia Vladimir Putin discussed bilateral ties, the situation in Ukraine and the deterioration of Russian-Turkish relations in a Feb. 8 phone...


Kazakh Economy Improves Ranking on Index of Economic Freedom

Kazakhstan climbed one place from last year’s position in the annual ranking of the Index of Economic Freedom, reported the Washington-based Heritage Foundation. In the global ranking, the Central...


Destination – Kazakhstan. What Should I Know?

Experienced travellers looking for something new and different may find themselves exploring the opportunities Kazakhstan can offer. Visitors can take a train and watch the endless Kazakh steppe roll...


First Test Train Passes the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route

The first test container train following the route Ukraine-Georgia-Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan-China reached the Aktau port in Kazakhstan on Jan. 24, reported the press service of the Kazakhstan Temir Zholy National Company....


Kazakh-Turkish Bilateral Relations Discussed in Astana

ASTANA – The main directions of bilateral cooperation, such as strengthening political dialogue and a cultural exchange, development of relations in the field of transport, energy, tourism and infrastructure...


Kazakhstan-Iran Business Forum Showcases Kazakh Interest in Iran

Kazakhstan is interested in expanding bilateral trade and economic relations with Iran. The issue was raised during the Kazakhstan-Iran business forum on Feb. 6-8 in Tehran. Some 270 Kazakh...


‘I Found My Soul in Photography,’ Says High-Flying Wedding Photographer

ASTANA – A wedding day is one of the most important days in lives of most of people. Memories connected to that day depend on the hidden professional –...


National Bank to Remain in Almaty, Plans for Relocation to Astana Cancelled

The Kazakh President recently halted plans to relocate the country’s National Bank from Almaty to Astana. The government had planned to move the bank in 2017. “In two years,...


Theatrical Festival Showcases Seven Plays from 2015

ASTANA – International Performing Arts Festival Otkrovenie (Revelation) showed seven vivid plays of the past year Feb. 1-7 in Almaty, according to a Jan. 27 news report by the...


Carrefour to Enter Kazakh Market during First Quarter of 2016

ASTANA – Carrefour, the French chain of supermarkets, plans to enter the Kazakh market early this year, Kazpravda.kz reported Jan. 22 with reference to the Almaty akimat (city administration)...


Road Accidents Decrease 10 Fold on Kazakh Highway

ASTANA – The General Procurator’s Office announced recently that modernisation of state road Astana – Shchuchinsk and the Western Europe – Western China highway has decreased road accidents and...


Emerging Kazakh, Silk Road Musical Talents Being Discovered Internationally

ASTANA – CNN.com, an American news network, published a list Jan. 27 of the emerging music artists of the modern Silk Road countries. It featured Azerbaijani jazz singer from...


Astana Key Maker Discusses Keys for Survival in Turbulent Times

ASTANA – Small businesses can be hard to maintain during unstable economic periods, and Astana’s key makers are feeling the same pinch as the rest. The Astana Times continues...


Birlik (Unity) Party Announces Participation in Early Mazhilis Election

ASTANA – On Feb. 5, the second extraordinary congress of Birlik (Unity) announced the party’s intention to run in the upcoming election for the Mazhilis (lower house of Parliament)...


Story of 13-Year-Old Kazakh Eagle Huntress Girl Shown at Sundance Film Festival

ASTANA – A documentary film “Berkutchi” (Eagle Huntress) was produced about a famous Kazakh girl eagle huntress from Mongolia, Tengrinews.kz reported Jan. 26. The producer of the picture is...


Experts Comment on Sports and Show Business Star Nominations for Mazhilis

ASTANA – Experts commented on the promotion of sports and show business stars to the Nur Otan party list for the upcoming election during a Jan. 29 Central Communications...


KazISS Is among Top Three Think Tanks in Central Asia

ASTANA – The Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (KazISS) has been nominated in four categories of the Global Go To Think...