Determination Leads Actress to Success in Her Dream Profession

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s film industry is still burgeoning on the steppe’s horizons. Almost every year Kazakh movie makers entertain the 17 million nation with new features. The award winning...


Golden Woman Burial in West Kazakhstan Recognised Unique

Remains of the Golden Woman in the West Kazakhstan region were recently recognised by scientists as the most ancient burial found in Kazakhstan. “Based on the results of laboratory...


Young Vocalists Bring Home Gold

Ten-year-old Mukhammedali Zhugunussov won the professional vocalist award at the 2014 Paradise Holiday international competition held in late April. The best vocalists from 10 countries participated. Zhugunussov grew up...


Kazakhstan’s Women’s Football Team Advances in World Cup Qualifier

ASTANA – In the qualifying match for the 2015 Women’s World Cup, Kazakhstan defeated Bulgaria 4-1 here on May 7. From the very beginning of the match, the visiting...


Arlans Defeat Baku Fires in Almaty, Lose in Baku in Controversial Clash

ASTANA – Kazakh boxing club Astana Arlans beat the Baku Fires from Azerbaijan 3:2 in the first semifinal round match of the World Series of Boxing (WSB) held on...


St. Petersburg to Host Days of Astana Culture

ASTANA – Days of Astana Culture will be held in the Kazakh capital’s twin city, St. Petersburg, Russia, on May 17-18. The celebration is being organised as part of...


New Kabanbai Batyr Memorial Opened in East Kazakhstan

UST-KAMENOGORSK – The opening of a new memorial to noted 18th Century commander Kabanbai Batyr took place in this city in East Kazakhstan on May 7. The ceremony was...


Business news in brief

At the seventh Astana Economic Forum (AEF) on May 21, the fifth international investment forum Astana Invest 2014 will be held. The Astana Invest Forum works to attract investment...


Railroad Connecting Minsk-Moscow-Astana-Almaty Could Become Reality

ASTANA – A new railroad connecting the capitals of the three Customs Union states and Almaty could be built soon, said Askar Mamin, head of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, Kazakhstan’s...


Economic news in brief

Mazhilis (lower chamber of Parliament) hearings to be held on May 16 will focus on the quality and prospects of preparing technical, vocational and higher education specialists. The hearings...


External news in brief

Deputy Prime Minster and Minister of Finance of Kazakhstan Bakhyt Sultanov held a meeting with Minister of Finance of China Lou Jiwei within the 47th Annual Meeting of the...


National news in brief

Military machines made in Kazakhstan were highlighted in the May 7 Defender of the Homeland Day parade in Astana. Commander in Chief of the Land Forces of Kazakhstan Murat...


Five Nuclear Weapon States Recognise Central Asia as Nuke-Free Zone, Guarantee Not to Use Most Powerful Weapons Against Region

ASTANA – Representatives of the five recognised nuclear weapon states signed the Protocol to the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zone (CANWFZ) Treaty in New York on May 6, signifying a major...


Role of Women in New Economy to be Discussed at Astana Economic Forum

ASTANA – The international women’s forum, “G-Global – the Role of Women in the New Economy,” will be held within the Astana Economic Forum (AEF) on May 21-22. The...


ADB, Kazakhstan Sign Agreement to Support Industry, Banking, Small Business

ASTANA – President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Takehiko Nakao signed a new framework agreement on co-financing with Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Massimov on May 4 at...


ADB President: Learn From Past Financial Crises to Strengthen Economic Fundamentals

ASTANA – High-level policymakers and market experts at the governor’s seminar, “Reducing Vulnerability: Learning From Past Crises,” during the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) 47th annual meeting in Astana’s Palace...


Nazarbayev Announces Plans for New Major Incentives for Foreign Investors

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will make a major move to attract more foreign investors this year when it passes a new law to create better conditions for them, President Nursultan...


New Book Looks at What It Will Take Kazakhstan to Reach 2050 Goals

ASTANA – “Kazakhstan 2050: Toward a Modern Society for All,” a seminal 400-page book about the projected trajectory of development of Kazakhstan’s economy and society, was presented at the...


Astana Urges “All Related Parties to Observe Geneva Accords” regarding Ukraine

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is deeply concerned by the escalating violence in Ukraine, including in connection with the recent events in Odessa, Slavyansk and Kramatorsk, the country’s foreign ministry said...


ADB President: Kazakhstan Has Central Role in ‘Connecting Asia with the Changing World’

ASTANA – Kazakhstan presents compelling investment opportunities because of its strategic role in opening trade between East and West, Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Takehiko Nakao told delegates at...


Customs Union Benefits Kazakh Producers and Trade, Official Says

ASTANA – Foreign trade has become not only a determining condition for the growth of national economies, but also the factor that characterises the production capacity of the state....


World Anti-Crisis Conference Points to Balanced Growth for Global Economy

ASTANA – After years of economic turmoil affecting both developing and developed countries, the global economy is on a new path of sustainable and balanced growth, according to panellists...


Kazteleradio Picks Hughes HX System for National Digital Network

ASTANA – Kazakhstan national broadcasting operator Kazteleradio Corporation has inked a contract with Hughes Network Systems from the U.S. for a comprehensive HX broadband satellite solution that will be...


Kazakh Wrestler Wins Gold at Asian Wrestling Championships

Kazakh wrestler Gyuzel Manyurova won gold at the Asian Wrestling Championships held in Astana from April 23-27. The victory is her fourth top finish in five years. Competing in...


Kazakh Boxer Zhanat Zhakiyanov Takes European Bantamweight Title with KO

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Zhanat Zhakiyanov has become the European bantamweight champion after flooring France’s Karim Guerfi, the title holder, at Ponds Ford Arena, Sheffield, U.K. on April 26. With...


President Touts Benefits of Eurasian Integration During Moscow Visit

ASTANA –President Nursultan Nazarbayev delivered his hallmark speech devoted to Eurasian integration at Moscow State University on April 28. Symbolically, the idea of creating a Eurasian Union was initially...


New Satellites Expand Kazakh Broadcasting Opportunities

A booster Proton-M with the upper stage Breeze–M, a clustre of KazSat-3 and the Russian relay satellite Luch-5B were launched on April 28 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. This telecommunication...


EAMF Tackles Iranian Nuclear Programme Issue, Middle East and Eurasian Integration

Panel Notes Chance for Settling Iranian Nuclear Programme Issue ASTANA– “The USA and Iran have reached a deal,” was the headline across the world’s media in November 2013 after...


New Small Aircraft Produced in Kazakhstan Could be Boon for Farmers, Entrepreneurs

ALMATY – Foreign experts are calling Arai Agro, Kazakhstan’s first domestic light aircraft, a “flying SUV” for its size and agility. The plane was demonstrated for domestic and international...


Agreement Will Produce High-Quality Russian Bitumen for Kazakh Roads

SOUTH KAZAKHSTAN REGION – Gazprom Neft and the Committee of Roads of the Kazakhstan Ministry of Transport and Communications recently signed a memorandum of cooperation to facilitate the production...


Artist Yermolenko Jubilee Exhibiton Held in Almaty

ALMATY – A jubilee exhibition of Alexander Yermolenko was held recently at the State Abilkhan Kasteyev Museum, in which the artist presented about a hundred of his works. His...


Astana Growing Sustainably, Sometimes Unevenly, President Says

ASTANA – At a recent meeting on Astana’s ongoing development, President Nursultan Nazarbayev said the capital was growing into an economic force, but still had some work to do...


EXPO 2017 Preparations Are Proceeding Well, Commissioner Says

EXPO-2017 Commissioner and First Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Rapil Zhoshybayev spoke to The Astana Times about the ongoing and wide-ranging process of preparations for biggest international events the...


Moroccan Delegation Discusses Cooperation in Tourism, Governance, Inter-religious Dialogue

ASTANA – A delegation of Moroccan parliamentarians headed by Speaker of Morocco’s  House of Councillors Mohamed Cheikh Biadillah visited Astana on April 23. The visit came at the invitation...


ADB Helps Kazakhstan Introduce Green Principles for Sustainable Development

ASTANA – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing assistance to Kazakhstan to implement resource-saving technologies and the principles of green economy through technical assistance for project preparation for...


Construction of EXPO Complex Launched with President’s Participation

ASTANA – The construction of Astana’s EXPO 2017 facilities was officially launched in a ceremony on April 24, when Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev laid a capsule on the site...


Kazakh Foreign Minister Meets with OSCE Secretary General, Both Highlight Need for United Security Community

ASTANA – The need for an undivided European and Eurasian security community and the role of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in building it were...


First Kazakh Earth Remote Sensing Satellite Launched

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s first Earth remote sensing satellite was launched from the Kuru Spaceport in Guiana on April 28 at 22:35 local time, the press service of Kazcosmos reported....


Experts Say Nation Branding Efforts Should Reflect Country’s Fundamental Realities

ASTANA – Experts discussing nation branding at the 12th annual Eurasian Media Forum in Astana on April 24-25 agreed that the reality on the ground in a country should...


Kazakh Grain Exports Growing, New Markets Sought in China and Southeast Asia

ASTANA – Kazakh grain exports for the 2013-2014 marketing year will reach 9 million tonnes, the country’s Ministry of Agriculture has said. Kazakhstan’s grain exports are still heading to...


Almaty Marathon Reaches International Standards, Attracts 7,000 Racers

ALMATY – The recent third international Almaty Marathon drew about 7,000 runners from 25 countries. Over the last year, the Almaty Marathon has been brought up to international standards,...


Economic Roadmap Focuses on Improving Business Environment

Kazakhstan’s government has developed a road map aimed at ensuring the stability of the domestic economy. Private companies and businesses are the main players in developed economies, and prosperity...


Kazakh Meat Producers to Have Easy Access to EEU Markets

ASTANA – Under the terms of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) treaty, Kazakh meat will be exported to the countries of the EEU without unnecessary formalities and complex veterinary...


Caspian Foreign Ministers Discuss Summit Preparations

MOSCOW – The five Caspian states consolidated a number of their positions after the April 22 Conference of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Caspian States in Moscow. They...


Ukraine, Palestinian Accord and Iran’s Nuclear Capacity Among Topics at EAMF

ASTANA – Events in Ukraine and the landmark accord between Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah dominated debate in the first session of the 12th Eurasian Media Forum being held...


Eurasian Media Forum Stirs Debate on Ukraine, Global Affairs

ASTANA – With the world’s attention focused on events in Ukraine and changing dynamics in the Middle East, the April 23-25 Eurasian Media Forum in the Kazakh capital became...


Kazakh Senate Leader Expresses Concern About Ukraine During St. Petersburg Forum

ST. PETERSBURG – A delegation of Kazakh parliamentarians recently participated in a series of events held by the inter-parliamentary assemblies of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Eurasian Economic...


Kazakh Youth Optimistic About Economic Future, Less Politically Engaged, Panel Suggests

Washington, DC – Kazakh youth are optimistic about their economic future and less interested in politics, despite their increasingly interconnected world, said speakers at a panel held at George...


EU Committee Lifts Restrictions on Air Astana Flights to Europe, Flights to Prague and Paris Expected Soon

Restrictions on Air Astana flights to Europe have been lifted, following the European Commission’s early April updating of its list of air carriers banned or subject to restrictions. Since...


20th Anniversary of Freedom and Democracy in South Africa

On 27 April 1994, South Africa cast aside centuries of discrimination and oppression to form a new society built on the foundation of freedom and democracy. It marked the...