Foreign Universities Welcome Opportunity to Participate in Upcoming Bolashak Conference and Fair

ASTANA – The upcoming Bolashak Alumni Reunion Conference and Education Fair 2014 is drawing the support from some of the very universities whose support is critical for the continued...


Astana Club Wins First Kazakh National Football Title

ASTANA – The capital’s football club Astana defeated Kaisar from Kyzylorda 3-0 on Nov. 1 to capture their first Kazakhstan national title early with one game left in the...


An Illustrated History of Kazakhstan: Asia’s Heartland in Context

The genesis of the book An Illustrated History of Kazakhstan: Asia’s Heartland in Context was an exhibition titled “Nomads and Networks: The Ancient Art and Culture of Kazakhstan”, organized...


Kazakhstan’s GDP Expected to Grow 5% in 2014

ASTANA – Chairman of the National Bank of Kazakhstan Kairat Kelimbetov predicted an increase in the country’s gross domestic product of up to 5 percent at the end of...


Barys North-Western KHL Swing Yields Three Points, Mixed Results

The Astana Barys hockey team recently wrapped up a tour of the North-Western countries of the Continental Hockey League (KHL), which included matches against Finland’s Jokerit, Latvia’s Dinamo Riga...


Greek Association President Calls Kazakhstan ‘Unique Place’ for Its Hospitality

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s multi-vector foreign policy has long roots in history, as Kazakhs throughout time have been hospitable and giving. Even today, the country maintains a balanced stance among...


The Astana Times at Global Tourism Economy Forum


Kazakhstan’s Official Development Assistance to Focus on Central Asia, Afghanistan, Says FM

ASTANA – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov reported on the draft law “On Official Development Assistance” at the plenary session of the Mazhilis (lower chamber of...


American Documentary Producers Tour Kazakhstan with Film Showcase

ASTANA – American filmmakers Andrea Meditch and Lisa Olken are travelling through Kazakhstan as part of the American Film Showcase programme, participating in the red carpet premiere of five...


Astana Ballet Wraps Up Well-Received World Tour

The Astana Ballet wrapped up its 2014 world tour recently with a performance of “Alem” in Seoul, South Korea. The tour included performances at the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint...


Conference in Washington Stressed Importance of Integration in Central Asia

WASHINGTON – The challenges and opportunities of regional integration in Central Asia were recently brought back to light at an international conference, which gathered U.S. government officials, Central Asian...


Government Announces Plans to Boost Light Industry Sector

ASTANA – The Kazakh government has developed a plan to increase the competitiveness of the country’s light industry while enhancing its social efficiency from 2015 to 2019, announced Amaniyaz...


Nazarbayev Receives Global Islamic Finance Award

DUBAI – President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s efforts to promote Islamic finance and banking were rewarded Oct. 28 when he received the Global Islamic Finance Award (GIFA) at the 10th World...


Astana 2017 Company, Chinese Chamber of Tourism Sign Agreement During Tourism Economy Forum

The third Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) took place in Macau on Oct. 27 and 28. Kazakhstan’s delegation, headed by First Deputy Foreign Minister Rapil Zhoshybayev, reported on the...


Stronger Board, More Effective Government Interaction to Mark Samruk Kazyna Transformation, Says Fund’s Board Chairman

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund will redistribute responsibilities within the fund and change its portfolio structure and approach to investment as part of its recently announced...


Jewish Children’s Band from Kazakhstan Performs in New England

BOSTON – Prahim, a youth dance and vocal group comprised of talented Jewish teenagers from Kazakhstan, has been performing in New England as part of a delegation representing Kazakhstan’s...


Debate Continues over Benefits of Hosting 2022 Winter Olympics

ASTANA – The question of whether or not hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics would be good for Kazakhstan has been much debated in social media as the July 31,...


Agreement Opens New Chapter in Japanese, Kazakh Economic Cooperation

Kazakhstan and Japan signed an agreement on the encouragement and mutual protection of investments at the fifth Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation in Astana on Oct. 23. The agreement...


Int’l Library Opens at Kazakh Humanities Law University

ASTANA – An international library, a concept sparked by a former cellmate of Nelson Mandela, was opened Oct. 21 at the Kazakh Humanities and Law University (KAZGUU). Kazakh Minister...


New Park Zone Planned for Astana’s Left Bank

A new park zone is planned for Astana between Zhaukazyn and Makatayev streets on the left bank of the Yessil River. The tender for park construction was announced by...


Aktobe Development Plans Updated to Reflect Population Growth

A new plan to develop the western Kazakhstan city of Aktobe was approved by the maslikhat (regional assembly) during its 27th session on Oct. 15. The plan was forwarded...


Award-Winning Kazakh Film Shown at London Festival

“Nagima,” a film by Kazakh director Zhanna Issabayeva, was presented during the recently completed BFI London Film Festival 2014. The heart-breaking story tells the tale of two girls who...


Kazakhstan Welcomes Parliamentary Election in Ukraine

ASTANA – Kazakhstan “welcomes the holding of elections to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Oct. 26 this year,” the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement...


Chinese, South Korean Companies Plan Investment in Kazakh Chemical Industry

Chinese and South Korean companies are said to plan to invest in a recently opened special economic zone, the Taraz Chemical Park, which was initiated by the United Chemical...


Culture of Kazakhstan

Kazakh Artist Shares Culture of Kazakhstan in Europe

Kazakh artist and winner of several international art awards Bolat Mekebayev, who now lives and works in Germany, bemused spectators with his honest and vivid paintings during an art...


Kа-226Т Helicopters to be Constructed in Almaty

Kа-226Т helicopters are expected to be constructed at Almaty-based aircraft repair plant No. 405, said Plant Director Konstantin Ushakov. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Investment and...


Kazakhstan, Brazil Hold Similar Positions on Int’l Issues, Says Kazakh Ambassador

The Astana Times recently interviewed Kazakh Ambassador to Brazil Bakytzhan Ordabayev who also represents the country in Argentina and Chile. How do you assess the current status of bilateral...


Indonesian Ambassador Praises Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy, Encourages B2B and G2G Cooperation

Since the most recent visit of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev to Indonesia in 2012, Kazakhstan and Indonesia have seen a trade surge that has tripled the two countries’ mutual...


Abai Opera Gets Warm Reception in Paris

As part of Kazakhstan Culture Weeks being held in France, the “Abai” opera was performed at the Theatre des Champs-Elysees by Abai Kazakh State Academic Theater of Opera and...


New Book Illuminates Kazakhstan’s History with Maps, Illustrations

ASTANA – A new book edited by Hong Kong-based writer Jeremy Tredinnick collects essays, photographs, maps, artefacts and other visual and textual information to illuminate the historical passage of...


Annual Economic Forum of National Business Expert-200-Kazakhstan to Discuss Public Administration Reform

ASTANA – The 6th Economic Forum of national business, Expert-200-Kazakhstan, will take place at the Radisson Hotel Astana on Nov. 14, 2014. The forum is the final event of...


Kazakhstan, UN Continue Building on Two-Decades of Cooperation

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is keen to strengthen the United Nations further and is willing to assist in expanding its presence in the country, including through the establishment of a...


Weightlifting World Championship Almaty to Attract Almost 700 Athletes

Almaty is preparing to host 683 weightlifters from 75 countries for the Weightlifting World Championship Nov. 8-16 which will determine the strongest men and women on earth and also...


World’s Best Wrestlers to Battle for First International Kazakh Kuresy Title in Pavlodar

Some of the best fighters from 35 countries will battle to win the first Kazakh kuresy (Kazakh wrestling) international title in Pavlodar on Oct. 25 in a tournament with...


Kazakhstan to Celebrate 550th Kazakh Statehood Anniversary in 2015

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev announced on Oct. 22 that next year Kazakhstan will celebrate the 550th anniversary of Kazakh statehood. “In 1465, Kerey and Janybek created...


Experts and Officials Discuss EXPO 2017, Future Energy in Astana

ASTANA – More than 200 participants discussed conceptual and logistical details related to EXPO 2017 at the first International Planning Meeting (IPM) and the Future Energy Forum (FEF) held...


In Kazakhstan, Bride-Kidnapping Video Found to be Fake, Practice Illegal but not Completely Eradicated

ASTANA – Following the release last week by the New York Post, among other media outlets, of a video claiming to show a bride-kidnapping in Kazakhstan’s Akmola region, the...


Kazakhstan’s Judicial System Earns More Popular Trust, Supreme Court Chair Says

ASTANA – Based on the annual increase of more than 100,000 claims filed with the courts during the last five years, Kazakhstan citizens appear to have a growing trust...


Patriotism Drives Surgeon to Pursue Cutting-Edge Medicine

In the first 20 years of independence, Kazakhstan has had many successes and, among its most recent, has been in the field of cardio vascular surgery. Heart transplants are...


Asia-Europe People’s Forum: An Eyewitness Account

As the proverb goes, “the first impressions are the most lasting.” For the first time this year, representatives of Kazakhstan’s civil society attended the Asia-Europe People’s Forum (AEPF). For...


Business News in Brief

“Within the privatisation programme, three companies of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy were sold for 2.6 billion tenge ,” the Samruk Kazyna National Welfare Fund press service noted on Oct....


National News in Brief

Young and talented people from other countries will be encouraged to move into Kazakhstan, Minister of Health and Social Development Tamara Duissenova said. “One of the directions for improving...


External News in Brief

“The Western Europe-Western China transport corridor plans to add a branch to the countries of the Persian Gulf. The branch will start from the territory of Kazakhstan. The main...


Economic News in Brief

According to Karim Kokrekbayev, Akim (Governor) of the Zhambyl region, meat production is expected increase to 82,000 tonnes – by 40 percent – in the region by 2020. “Thanks...


Transcontinental Connectivity as the Best Way to Make Benefit for All

A multi-vector foreign policy has always been a priority for Kazakhstan. Since independence, the government has signed a multitude of treaties establishing partnerships and working relations with neighbours far...


Major China TV Channel to Air Documentary Series on Kazakh Culture

ASTANA – China’s main broadcaster, China Central TV6, has completed a documentary about Kazakhstan, the China Movie Channel reported. The five twenty-minute episodes will unveil Kazakh cuisine, clothing and...


Ancient Kazakh History on Display at New Shymkent Exhibition

SHYMKENT – An exhibition centre housing artefacts from archaeological sites in the region, including important early written texts, has been opened at the South Kazakhstan State Pedagogical Institute. The...


Kazakhstan Paralympians Win Nine Medals So Far at Incheon 2014 Asian Para Games

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s paralympians won one gold, four silver and four bronze medals over two days at the Incheon 2014 Asian Para Games. On Oct. 20, Anuar Akhmetov of...


First European Laser Eye Surgery Centre Opens in Astana

ASTANA – The first European Laser Eye Surgery Centre has opened in Astana at the Republican Diagnostic Center (RDC), in collaboration with the Slovakian Oftum Clinic, with the focus...


Golovkin Knocks Out Rubio in Round 2, Wins WBC Interim Championship Belt

Gennady G. Golovkin of Karaganda, Kazakhstan, knocked out Marco Antonio Rubio of Mexico in round two of an Oct. 19 bout in Carson, California to win the World Boxing...