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...


‘We Try to Seek Win-Win Results,’ Chair of Sports Press Association Says

ASTANA – In autumn 2013, Ilyas Omarov, a diplomat with more than 20 years of experience became a chair of the Sports Press Association of Kazakhstan (SPAK). For nearly...


Ethnic Harmony and Multi-Vector Foreign Policy Key to Kazakhstan’s Stability, Development

On April 18, the 21st session of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan chaired by President Nursultan Nazarbayev took place in Astana. The theme of the session was...


President Stresses Importance of Maintaining Inter-Ethnic Unity in Country at 21st Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Stressing the importance of maintaining inter-ethnic unity in the country and Kazakhstan’s close ties with neighbours Russia and China, President Nursultan Nazarbayev told delegates at the April...


Astana to Host ADB 47th Annual Meeting, Gathering Seeks to ‘Connect Asia With Changing World’

ASTANA – More than 3,000 international finance ministers, central bank governors, business leaders, investors, journalists and civil society representatives are expected to gather in Astana May 2-5 for the...


World Class Colleges to Focus on Six Strategic Sectors

ASTANA – A network of colleges featuring finely tuned specialisations, including tourism and hospitality, construction and housing, energy, engineering, design and information technology and communications is being developed with...


Astana Hosts Seminar on Automating HR Management Systems

ASTANA – A seminar on automated human resource management systems in the public sector was held recently at the National Centre for Civil Service Personnel Management. The seminar was...


New Technology to be Used in Kumyss Production in Karaganda

ASTANA – A pilot project using German technology to produce a version of the traditional Kazakh mare’s milk drink kumyss will be launched next year in the village of...


Charity Uses Art to Improve Lives of Children with Disabilities

ASTANA – The Believe in Wonder charity fund and the Astana Department of Education, in cooperation with the Khan Shatyr Mall, held an event on April 19 to raise...


Tale of Batu Unlocks the Secrets of Kazakh Culture, History for Children

ALMATY– A fantasy story about the fascinating adventures of a young boy and his friends has just been published to inspire children to be curious about Kazakh culture, the...


National news in brief

On April 10, Kazakhstan’s Senate passed a bill ratifying amendments to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer adopted in Beijing on Dec. 3, 1999. The...


External news in brief

Speaker of Kazakhstan’s Mazhilis (lower chamber of the Parliament) Kabibulla Dzhakupov held a number of bilateral meetings with his colleagues from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Russia on the sidelines of...


Economic news in brief

At the Boao Forum for Asia 2014 (BFA) held from April 8-11, Kazakhstan’s G-Global information and communications platform and the Astana Economic Forum (AEF) were presented. The BFA, which...


Business news in brief

Chinese website China Economic Net and newspaper Economic Daily will moderate a televised debate at the seventh Astana Economic Forum (AEF). The agreement was reached during the Boao Forum...


Kazakhstan to Chair CIS Council of Tourism in 2015

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will chair the Council of Tourism in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in 2015, according to the press service of the Committee for Tourism Industry...