EEU

KazTransOil Director Discusses Company’s Future, EEU

The state-owned operator of Kazakhstan’s main oil pipeline and the largest oil transportation company in the country, KazTransOil, is gaining a reputation for its financial stability. Moreover, by the...


New Railway Lines Will Connect North-South, East-West

President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev launched two new rail lines, Zhezkazgan-Beyneu and Arkalyk-Shubarkol, at an Aug. 22 event held on the central square of Zhezkazgan. A teleconference with the...


Astana Map

Burabay Golf Resort to Put Kazakhstan on World Golfing Map

ASTANA – The Burabay Golf Resort near Astana, due to be completed in late 2015, will be managed by Troon, one of the most prestigious golf management companies internationally....


Physically Challenged Entrepreneur Turns Tragedy into Triumph, Helps Others

ALMATY REGION – Yeldos Baialyshbayev from Taldykorgan is a real example of optimism and spiritual strength. He helps the disabled reclaim their health. Twenty-two-year-old Baialyshbayev didn’t just stumble upon...


Economic News in Brief

Chairman of the Board of the Development Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK) Bolat Zhamishev and Chairman of China Development Bank (CDB) Zheng Zhijie discussed the most promising areas of cooperation...


‘Abai’ and ‘Shakarim’ Suites to Premier at New York’s Carnegie Hall

Abai and Shakarim suites, rich in Kazakh history and heritage, will premier at Carnegie Hall in New York on Nov. 12. They will demonstrate a small part of Kazakhstan’s history and culture...


Progress Continues on Plans to Build Kenderli Resort in Mangystau

A cooperation agreement on the construction of Kenderli in the Mangystau region was signed between the Samruk Kazyna National Welfare Fund and the Rixos Group on Aug. 20 during...


Kazakhstan Solar Panel Factory Ready to Export

ASTANA –The Astana Solar plant, which produces solar panels, has been certified to meet world standards and is ready to enter the international market, according to the website of...


Organisations Compete to Help Society

In total 14, social projects were submitted for consideration in a national contest titled, “The best social projects in Kazakhstan,” according to Deputy Head of the Astana Department of...


Foreign Minister Visits Singapore, Seeks More Economic Cooperation

SINGAPORE – Beginning his tour of Southeast Asia, Kazakhstan Minister of Foreign Affairs Erlan Idrissov paid a visit to Singapore on Aug. 28 to improve bilateral relations and discuss...


In Indonesia, FM Idrissov Promotes Dialogue of Civilisations, Bilateral Ties

BALI, INDONESIA – Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov travelled to Indonesia from Aug. 29-30 to promote bilateral ties through high-level talks and to take part in the United Nations...


Kazakhstan Opens Exhibit for International Day Against Nuclear Tests in Kuala- Lumpur

KUALA-LUMPUR – Two days before the Aug. 29 International Day Against Nuclear Tests, the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Malaysia with the support of the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs...


Astana Marriott General Manager Has Big Plans for New Hotel

ASTANA – Philippe Mahuas is at the helm of operations of the newest luxury hotel in Astana. The long-awaited opening of the Marriott is welcome news for residents and...


I Have a Dream: A World Free of Nuclear Weapons

This opinion was first published by Al Jazeera on Aug. 28. The UN International Day against Nuclear Tests on August 29 is an opportunity to remind the world about...


Kazakh President Calls for Truce in Ukraine During Meeting in Minsk

MINSK – The presidents of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia and Ukraine, as well as high representatives of the European Union met in the capital of Belarus for multilateral and bilateral...


Nuclear Disarmament a Top Priority of Kazakh Foreign Policy, Official Says

On the eve of the Aug. 29 International Day against Nuclear Tests, The Astana Times talked with the Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Barlybai Sadykov...


Bicycle Race Commemorates Constitution Day, 100th Anniversary of Local Cycling

ASTANA – Local cyclists participated in a bicycle race organised Aug. 24 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Kazakh cycling and celebrate the Aug. 30 Constitution Day. The starting...


Officials Clarify Questions about New Property Rights Legalisation

New legalisation regarding property in Kazakhstan will take effect on Sept. 1 and expire on Dec. 31, 2015. A law titled “On Amnesty for Citizens of the Republic of...


Doctors on Bicycles Offer Healing Message against Nuclear Weapons

ASTANA – A group of medical professionals and students from Germany, Austria, El Salvador, Estonia, India, Kenya, Nepal, the United States and Kazakhstan travelled here by bicycle from Semey....


‘Tosca’ to Open Silk Road Festival

On Sept. 17, the Astana Opera will open the International Silk Road Festival with the timeless opera Tosca, by Giacomo Puccini. This is a big event for the Astana...


Street Workout Site Opens in Almaty Central Park

ALMATY – A new street workout site sponsored by the World Class Fitness Clubs chain opened Aug. 22 in Central Parkhere. The first visitors have already tried the exercise...


Kazakh Movie to be Aired at Toronto Film Festival

ASTANA – Adilkhan Yerzhanov’s “The Owners” will be shown as part of the Contemporary World Cinema lineup at the Toronto Film Festival which will be held from Sept. 4...


‘Van Gogh Alive’ Showcased in Almaty

ALMATY – The interactive exhibition “Van Gogh Alive” opened in early August in the Dostyk Plaza Shopping and Entertainment Centre in the Grande Exhibitions Hall. Paintings by the famous...


Family Adopts, and Raises, 46 Children

PETROPAVLOVSK – Tamara and Anatoly Korolkovs are the founders of the Krokha children’s home that has existed for 25 years. The couple has three children of their own and...


Helping Others Grow Along With Us

On August 19, the United Nations marks World Humanitarian Day, an opportunity to pay tribute to humanitarian workers the world over. The day has been celebrated since 2008 to...


Streamlining Bureaucracy: An Eternal Challenge

Making the long-anticipated move public, President Nursultan Nazarbayev announced the country’s new government structure on Aug. 6, aimed at consolidating the work and efforts of the Kazakh government. While...


Senate Elections to be Held October 1

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan has set Oct.1, 2014, as the date of Kazakhstan’s next Senate election, the country’s eighth since achieving independence in 1991. Eighty candidates,...


Eight Schools will be Opened by Year’s End

ASTANA – For the new school year, four new schools will open in Astana,” Kassymkhan Sengaziyev, deputy head of the Department of Education told Kazinform news agency. “All four...


East Kazakhstan Children’s Bike Race Honors History of Domestic Cycling

Schoolchild of Kazakhstan 2014, the 45th international multi-day bicycle race that started Aug. 4 in the East Kazakhstan region, was dedicated to the 100th anniversary of domestic cycling and...


Astana Opera Searches for Young Talent

The Astana Opera recently announced it will accept applications from Aug. 1 to Aug. 30 for enrollment in its children’s studio. Some applicants will then perform for judges on...


National Geographic Silk Road Exhibition Returns to Kazakhstan

Along Shokan Ualikhanov’s Caravan Track, an educational expedition organised by the National Geographic Society and dedicated to the 180th anniversary of the scholar’s birth,  came back to Kazakhstan on...


Karaganda Region to Increase Coal Production

Akim (Governor) of Karaganda region Nurmukhambet Abdibekov recently held a meeting on progress in the coal industry. He talked about the industry’s future as well as goals officials are...


Folk Ensemble Blends Kazakh, World Music

The Kazakh band Beles blends Kazakh traditional music with other melodies and instruments. Manager Madiyar Maldybayev discussed the team and their music.  How was your group established and why...


Joint CSTO Military Exercises to be Held in Karaganda Region

ASTANA – In the multi-day exercises beginning on August 18th, the armed forces of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan will work on possible contingencies in the Central...


Public-Private Partnership in Astana in Action

At an expanded government meeting on Aug. 6, the President stressed that the development of domestic businesses was a key priority. The capital of our country, Astana, is the...


Youth Debate Societal Challenges, Civic Engagement on International Youth Day

ASTANA – The United Nations in Kazakhstan marked International Youth Day on Aug. 12 with a conference open to all interested young people and youth organisations. It was addressed...


Reforms Needed in State Asset Management

The steady growth of Kazakhstan’s economy underlines the need for reform of how the state manages public assets. It’s been proven that the quasi-public sector is a key economic...


Aksu Ferroalloy Plant Modernisation Wins National Award

AKSU – The boiler house modernisation project implemented at the city’s ferroalloy plant was a winner in the fifth national industry contest Golden Hephaestus at the recent international congress...


Government Reports on Development Progress, Defines Plans to Promote Sustainable Growth

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s social and economic development in the first half of 2014 was the focus of an enlarged government session on Aug. 6, during which the country’s most...


Almaty Prepares to Celebrate City Day

Almaty City Day is a day in name only. Though it is technically celebrated on the third Sunday of September, city residents and visitors will be celebrating their city...


Economic News in Brief

Kazakh First Deputy Prime Minister Bakytzhan Sagintayev held a teleconference meeting of the government Aug. 11 on the current economic situation in the country. The meeting was attended by...


National News in Brief

President Nursultan Nazarbayev held a meeting with Defence Minister Serik Akhmetov on Aug. 13 where Akhmetov reported on systematic work in maintaining the combat readiness of Kazakhstan’s Armed Forces....


Kazakhstan’s Junior Para-Athletes Win 29 Medals at IWAS Games

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s para-athletes won 10 gold, nine silver and 10 bronze medals at the 10th International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) World Junior Games, which took place...


Kostanai Designer Gains Attention during Paris Fashion Week

Designer Svetlana Kushnerova presented her new collection during the recent Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week 2014.  “I still cannot believe I was invited by the Federation Francaise de la...


Boxer Golovkin Nominated for Best Boxer 2014, Could Face Marco Rubio Next

World middleweight World Boxing Association (WBA Super) and International Boxing Organisation (IBO) champion Gennady Golovkin of Kazakhstan has joined the list of contenders for the title of best boxer...


Dauletova Wins Bronze Medal at World Chess Olympiad

The Kazakh Women’s Chess Team achieved great success at the recent 41st World Chess Olympiad held in the Norwegian city of Tromsø. International Master and Kazakhstan resident Gulmira Dauletova...


Business News in Brief

The export potential of Kazakhstan in the 2014-2015 marketing years is estimated at nine million tonnes of grain, Chairman of the Committee of the State Inspection in the Agricultural...


External News in Brief

• A telegramme of congratulations to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the occasion of his victory in his country’s presidential election was sent Aug. 11 by Kazakh...


Expedition Uncovers Secrets about Ancient Kangyui

SHYMKENT – The expedition of the Kazakhstan Central State Museum, led for two months on the Kultobe site by Professor Alexander Podushkin, Doctor of Historical Sciences, collected rich material...


Expanding Ties with Africa a Priority, Ambassador Says

In an interview with The Astana Times, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Egypt and Morocco Berik Aryn, who also serves as the country’s representative to the African Union, spoke about...