US Department of State Lauds Kazakhstan’s Progress Towards Creating Market Economy

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has made significant progress towards creating a market economy and has attracted substantial foreign investment to develop its abundant mineral, petroleum, and natural gas...


Kazakhstan Signs Agreements Worth $75 Million on Meat Export to China

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Meat Processing and Service company, Agro Silk Way, and Agro Product Astana signed three contracts worth $75 million for meat export and the supply...


Kazakhstan Sends 40 Tons of Humanitarian Aid to Kyrgyz Republic After Mudflows

ASTANA – On July 19, the Biz Birgemiz Qazaqstan fund sent 40 tons of humanitarian aid to the Kyrgyz Republic, which had recently been struck by devastating...


How Much Trust Do Kazakh Citizens Place in Law Enforcement and Judiciary

ASTANA — The Bureau of National Statistics conducted a survey in April-May on the level of public confidence in law enforcement agencies and the judicial system in...


Astana Unveils Premier Creative Hub for Cultural Renaissance – ÓzgeEpic

ASTANA – Akim (Mayor) of Astana Zhenis Kassymbek announced the inauguration of Astana’s creative hub, ÓzgeEpic, on his Instagram page on July 17. Situated within the Mirny...


Kazakhstan’s Akmola Region Hosts Major Int’l Agricultural Exhibition

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Akmola Region hosts a large-scale international exhibition called Jana Dala/Green Day 2024 on July 18-19. Over 200 companies from Kazakhstan and 20 countries from...


50 Days Left Until Kazakhstan Hosts Fifth World Nomad Games

ASTANA — Just 50 days remain until the grand start of the Fifth World Nomad Games (WNG) in Astana from Sept. 8-13. This prestigious international event, renowned...


Almaty-Based Auyl Restaurant Listed Among World’s 16 Most Beautiful Restaurants

ASTANA – Almaty-based Auyl (village in the Kazakh) restaurant, offering neo-nomad cuisine of Central Asia, has been included in the list of the 16 Most Beautiful Restaurants...


Kazakh Athletes Leave for 2024 Paris Olympics (Video)

ASTANA – Kazakh athletes departed for the 2024 Paris Games on July 17. Kazakh Minister of Tourism and Sports Yermek Marzhikpayev, famous boxing champion Yermakhan Ibraimov, the...


Kazakhstan Emerges as EU’s Primary Supplier of Durum Wheat

ASTANA — Kazakhstan delivered 19,062 tons of durum wheat to European Union (EU) countries from July 1 to 14, accounting for 68.5% of the total shipment, according...


Asian Development Bank: Growth Prospects for Kazakhstan Remain Unchanged

ASTANA – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) maintained Kazakhstan’s economic growth forecast for 2024 at 3.8%, according to the latest edition of Asian Development Outlook 2024, released...


Kazakh PM Urges to Accelerate Restoration Work in Flood-Affected Regions

ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov instructed the acceleration of housing restoration efforts in the flood-affected regions at the July 17 government meeting. As a result...


Kazakhstan Generates Industrial Goods Worth $50 Billion in the First Half of 2024

ASTANA — Kazakhstan produced industrial products worth 23.5 trillion tenge (US$49.4 billion) in January-June. Of them, the mining industry made up 10.7 trillion tenge (US$22.5 billion), and...


Environmental Protection Expenditures Rise by 37.2% Last Year

ASTANA – In 2023, environmental protection expenses reached 610 billion tenge (US$1.3 billion), which is 37.2% more than in 2022. According to the Bureau of National Statistics...


We Must Accelerate Transformative Action against Climate Change, Poverty, and Hunger

The Asia-Pacific region is faltering on decades of progress in reducing poverty and hunger. Increasingly, severe climate-related hazards are threatening food security and triggering human displacement on...


Kazakh Citizens Can Stay in Thailand Up to 60 Days Visa-Free

ASTANA—The Tourism Authority of Thailand included Kazakhstan among countries now eligible for more extended visa-free stays in Thailand. Under the updated rules, Kazakh citizens and nationals of...


Kazakhstan Returns $2.2 Billion of Illegally Withdrawn Assets in 2.5 Years

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has returned 1.07 trillion tenge (US$2.2 billion) in illegally withdrawn assets over the past 2.5 years, including from oligopolies, said Chairman of the Anti-Corruption...


Zhambyl Region Launches Large Enterprise to Produce Copper Concentrate

ASTANA — The Zhambyl Region marked the technical launch of the Shatyrkol concentrating plant, which can produce 98,600 tons of copper concentrate annually. The plant is planned...


KazMunayGas and Italy’s Eni Start Hybrid Power Plant Construction in Zhanaozen

ASTANA — KazMunayGas (KMG), the national oil and gas company, and Italian energy company Eni have initiated the construction of a 247-megawatt hybrid power plant in Zhanaozen...


2024 Paris Games: Kazakh Olympic Committee Presents Badges in National Style

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s National Olympic Committee has prepared badges decorated with national ornaments for the Paris Games. Kazakh athletes have secured 92 licenses in 25 sports, including...


Twelve Kazakh Referees Selected for 2024 Paris Olympics

ASTANA—Twelve referees from Kazakhstan will work at the 2024 Paris Olympics, which are scheduled from July 26 to Aug. 11. The list of specialists who received an...


Mads Mikkelsen to Headline Comic Con Astana, Confirms Visit with Exclusive Video Message

ASTANA — Renowned actor Mads Mikkelsen has confirmed his participation at this year’s Comic Con Astana, which will take place between July 27 and 28. Known globally...


Kazakh Airlines Transport 5.5 Million Passengers Since Year-Start

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s airlines have transported nearly 5.5 million passengers since the beginning of the year. According to the Civil Aviation Committee’s press service, this figure is...


Euronews Sets to Open Regional Office in Kazakh Capital 

ASTANA — Euronews, Europe’s leading international news channel, will open a regional representative office in the Kazakh capital. Kazakh Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva met...


KazAID Presents Kazakhstan’s Efforts to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals at Beijing Conference  

ASTANA – The Kazakh delegation, led by Chairman of Kazakhstan Agency of International Development (KazAID) Arken Arystanov, presented country’s role in the Central Asian region in promoting...


Latest Report Highlights Structural Barriers in Developing Competition, Promising Changes with New Law

ASTANA—A high level of market concentration remains in Kazakhstan, and the substantial role of the state in the economy is a key barrier to the development of...


WPC Energy Congress in Kazakhstan to Define Next Era in Energy 

ASTANA—The Kazakh capital will host the 26th World Petroleum Council (WPC) Energy Congress in 2028. This event marks a significant milestone for the entire region, providing participants...


National Museum of Kazakhstan Presents Fine Art Catalog for 10th Anniversary

ASTANA – The National Museum of Kazakhstan has presented a catalog of its best masterpieces of fine art released as part of the exhibition Painting of the...


Five Years of Transformation: President Tokayev’s Impact on Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Five years ago, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev officially assumed the presidency of Kazakhstan after winning a competitive open election. This marked the beginning of significant changes and...


Kazakhstan Exports 2.6 Million Tons of Grain in Five Months of 2024

ASTANA – Kazakhstan exported 2.6 million tons of grain in January-May this year, Minister of Agriculture Aidarbek Saparov said at a meeting on July 15. According to...


Kazakhstan Enhances Investment Cooperation with Türkiye

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is keen on strengthening investment cooperation and jointly developing new markets with Turkish partners, Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Nazira Nurbayeva said during negotiations with...


Kazakhstan Focuses on Precision AI Development with New Law and Committee

ASTANA — Based on best world practices, the Kazakh Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry and the Mazhilis, the lower house of the Kazakh Parliament,...


National Bank Chairman Reports Inflation Slowdown to President Tokayev

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received a comprehensive briefing from the Chairman of the National Bank Timur Suleimenov on the current economic situation and the outcomes of...


Durov on Kazakhstan: Beauty Only Rivaled by Its Ambitions, Says Telegram Founder

ASTANA – Pavel Durov, founder of the largest social networking site VK and the Telegram messenger app, recently returned from Kazakhstan, “the economic powerhouse of Central Asia,”...


Kazakhstan Discusses Green Locomotives Production with Wabtec

ASTANA – Kazakh First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar and CEO of Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (Wabtec) Rafael Santana discussed the company’s plans to produce new...


Kazakhstan to Introduce Four Gas Processing Plants by 2030

ASTANA—Kazakhstan plans to commission four gas processing plants gradually from 2026 to 2030. These plants will process raw materials from the Kashagan field, which has capacities of...


Burabay Summer Camp Welcomes Ethnic Kazakh Children From Abroad 

ASTANA – The Otandastar (compatriots) Foundation and the IQanat Foundation welcomed ethnic Kazakh children living abroad for the Jas Qazaq summer camp, which operated from June 24...


Kazakh Researcher Discusses Water Scarcity, Regional Cooperation Mechanisms

ASTANA—The future of water in Central Asia may look grim – rapidly growing population, climate change, and add inefficient water use to that. But regional cooperation, though...


“The Legend”: Dimash Kudaibergen Performs Soundtrack for Jackie Chan’s New Film

ASTANA – The highly anticipated new film by Jackie Chan, “The Legend,” was released in cinemas on July 12. The film’s end features the soundtrack “This Love,”...


Top 10 Youngest Kazakh Athletes at Summer Olympics

ASTANA – A 17-year-old taekwondo fighter Batyrkhan Toleugali will be the youngest participant from Kazakhstan at the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, scheduled from July 26 to Aug....


Kazakhstan’s First-Half Year Economic Review Highlights $318.3 Million in New Investments

ASTANA — In January-June, 18 projects worth 151 billion tenge (US$318.3 million) were introduced in Kazakhstan. Of these, foreign investments reached 122.7 billion tenge (US$258.7 million). The...


Kazakh School Students Win Four Bronze Medals at International Biology Olympiad

ASTANA — Kazakh school students won four bronze medals at the 35th International Biology Olympiad (IBO), which took place in the capital from July 7 to 14....


Kazakh Government to Intensify Support for Agriculture Investment Projects

ASTANA – Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture and Kazakh Invest national company assist 55 projects with the participation of foreign investors worth $3.8 billion. At a meeting chaired...


Turkish School Children Visit Kazakhstan as Part of Initiative Devoted to Abai’s Legacy

ASTANA – Fourteen Turkish school children visited Kazakhstan last week as part of the initiative to promote the legacy of Kazakh great poet and philosopher Abai Kunanbaiuly....


Kazakh Confectionery Factory Produces Limited Batch of Chocolate Bars to Celebrate Paris Olympics

ASTANA — The National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Kazakhstan and the Bayan Sulu confectionery factory produced a limited batch of chocolate bars to support the national team...


Generative AI, Future of Work, Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills: Insights on Kazakhstan from Coursera’s Top Executive

ASTANA—Nikolaz Foucaud, managing director for Europe, Middle East, and Africa at Coursera, commended the partnership with Kazakhstan in an interview with The Astana Times. Foucaud discussed how...


Tenge Ilu: Traditional Kazakh Equestrian Sport

ASTANA — Born from the battlefield and steeped in tradition, tenge ilu, or ‘picking up coins,’ is a captivating Kazakh equestrian sport. What began as a training...


Recent Discoveries in Kazakh Archaeology: Ancient Cities, Artifacts and Burials

ASTANA — Kazakhstan has emerged as a significant site for remarkable archaeological discoveries, revealing the area’s rich history and culture of ancient civilizations. Several important findings have...


Kazakh, Italian Companies Launch Educational Project for Furniture Design 

ASTANA — As European companies seek more trade and economic cooperation in Central Asia, Kazakh and Italian business people are launching educational projects for furniture design, with Astana...


Italy’s Neos Airlines Launches Milan – Astana Route

ASTANA – The first direct flight from Milan landed in Astana on July 13 morning operated by Italy’s Neos, marking a significant boost to Kazakh-Italian relations. The...


Kazakh Athletes Saw Triumphs and Trials Through Olympic History

ASTANA – The qualification tournaments for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris have recently concluded. Eighty athletes will represent Kazakhstan in 25 sports, including boxing, judo, artistic...


New Law Amendments Give Kazakhstan’s Kostanai Horse Breed Chance to Survive

ASTANA – Horse breeders in Kazakhstan are celebrating new amendments to the law on the preservation and reproduction of domestic horse breeds, signed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev...


Kazakhstan’s Aluminum Exports Grow 4.7 Times in Four Months

ASTANA – The volume of aluminum exports in Kazakhstan increased 4.7 times from 16,000 tons to 75,400 tons from January to April, the Industry and Construction Ministry’s...


Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan to Double Mutual Trade to $10 Billion

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan aim to double their mutual trade to $10 billion, Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said during the 21st meeting of the Joint...


Kazakhstan Wins 21 Licenses for 2024 Paralympic Games

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has secured 21 licenses to participate in the 2024 Summer Paralympics, the Tourism and Sports Ministry’s press service reported on July 11. Kazakh para...


Kazakhstan’s Dining Scene Booms with 4.5% Surge in Eateries

ASTANA – Kazakhstan registered 15,826 public catering venues in 2023, a 4.5% increase from 15,146 recorded in 2022, the Bureau of National Statistics reported on July 11....


News Digest: Foreign Media on SCO Summit, Green Economy and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest includes articles on the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)...


Kazakhstan’s National Bank Reduces Base Rate to 14.25%

ASTANA – The Monetary Policy Committee of the National Bank of Kazakhstan has reduced the base rate by 25 basis points, setting it at 14.25% with a...


Dimash Kudaibergen Headlines Festival in Serbia Celebrating Nikola Tesla’s Anniversary 

ASTANA – Kazakh pop star Dimash Kudaibergen headlined the EXIT Festival, the largest festival in Southeastern Europe, celebrating the birthday of the famous inventor Nikola Tesla in...


Alageum Electric Becomes General Sponsor of Fifth World Nomad Games

ASTANA – Alageum Electric became the general sponsor of the fifth World Nomad Games, according to a bilateral memorandum signed on July 11 with the Directorate for...


Upcoming Events for Mid-July Cultural Weekend

ASTANA – Unwind this weekend after a busy workweek by visiting engaging exhibitions and sporting events. The Astana Times editorial team has curated a special list of...


Kazakh Film Included in Swiss Locarno Film Festival Competition Program

ASTANA – The film “Joqtau”(Mourning) directed by Kazakh filmmaker Aruan Anartai, has been included in the competition program of Switzerland’s Locarno Film Festival on July 10. The...


Kazakhstan Poised to Become Educational Hub: Monetizing Export Beyond Central Asia (Part 2)

ASTANA – This is the second part of The Astana Times exclusive interview with Hugh Hallman, Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan. In the first part, he elaborated on the...


Aqmola Invest Opens in Kazakh Capital to Streamline Investor Support

ASTANA – Aqmola Invest, the regional investment attraction center for the Akmola Region, launched in Astana on July 9. Operating under a single window principle, the center...


Kazakh Capital to Host President’s Cup Tennis Tournament This Month

ASTANA – International tournaments of the ATP Challenger Tour and International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Tennis Tour series, united under the general name President’s Cup, will be...


2024 Paris Games: Kazakhstan’s Team Uniform Reflects Cultural Heritage

ASTANA – Several types of uniforms were prepared for Kazakhstan’s national team for the 2024 Paris Olympics. These are a ceremonial suit, a ceremonial sports uniform, a...


SCO Summit Highlights Kazakhstan’s Growing Influence, Says State Councilor

ASTANA – The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, held on July 3-4 in the Kazakh capital, marked the rise of Kazakhstan’s international authority to a new, significant...


Fifth World Nomad Games: Caravan of Unity Kicks Off in Zhambyl Region

ASTANA — The Caravan of Unity, a kind of torch relay, has started in the Zhambyl Region two months ahead of the fifth World Nomad Games, scheduled...


Antalya Unveils Monument to Kazakh National Instrument Dombra

ASTANA – A monument dedicated to the Kazakh  national musical instrument, the dombra, was erected in Antalya’s Zhambyl Zhabayev Park on July 9 to mark National Dombra...


Kazakh Surgeons Perform Live-Stream Surgery at Indian International Conference

ASTANA—Kazakhstan’s University Medical Center (UMC) specialists performed the operation in live-case online mode as part of the National Interventional Conference (NIC), one of the largest in interventional...


Kazakhstan Strengthens Position in Global Mineral Markets

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is well-positioned to ensure a steady supply of critical minerals, meeting the rising global demand driven by the energy transition and the electric vehicle...


Kazakhstan, EU Discuss Plans to Develop Middle Corridor

ASTANA – Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Kazakhstan Kęstutis Jankauskas and heads of EU diplomatic missions expressed interest in unlocking the potential of the Middle...


Honorary Consul Hallman: Kazakhstan’s Human Capital, Agriculture, and Engineering Set for Thriving Growth (Part 1) 

ASTANA – While oil and gas have been the backbone of Kazakhstan’s economic growth, they are now moving to a secondary position. Instead, Hugh Hallman, an Honorary...


UN Secretary-General’s Visit Highlights Strong UN-Kazakhstan Partnership

ASTANA – UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ recent visit to Kazakhstan highlighted the strong partnership between the country and the UN, focusing on sustainable development, climate action, and...


Vietnamese Investor to Acquire Qazaq Air This Autumn

ASTANA – Kazakh Minister of Transport Marat Karabayev announced at a press conference following a July 9 government meeting that Qazaq Air’s sale to Vietnamese SOVICO Group...


Kazakhstan’s Chairmanship in SCO: Achievements and Future Directions

As the chair of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Kazakhstan  hosted the 24th summit of the Council of Heads of State, an important organization representing more than 40%...


Which Sports Will Kazakh Athletes Compete in at 2024 Paris Olympics

ASTANA – Eighty athletes will represent Kazakhstan at the 2024 Summer Olympics in 25 sports, including boxing, judo, artistic gymnastics, athletics, kayaking and canoeing, shooting, fencing, Greco-Roman...


President Tokayev Presents State Flag to Kazakhstan National Team for 2024 Summer Olympics

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev presented Kazakhstan’s national flag to Aslanbek Shymbergenov, the captain of the national team, in preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics, scheduled from...


Joint UNESCO-EU Effort Brings Central Asian Heritage Sites Closer to Tourists

ASTANA – Four historical and cultural sites in Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan went through restoration and rehabilitation efforts in a large-scale regional project implemented...


Life Expectancy in Kazakhstan Exceeds 75 Years

ASTANA – Life expectancy in Kazakhstan has surpassed 75 years, Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova said at a meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on July 9. In a...


Kazakhstan Puts 1,600 Kilometers of Main Roads into Operation with World Bank’s Support

ASTANA – As part of the ongoing South-West and East-West projects financed by the World Bank, over 1,600 kilometers of main roads have been put into operation...


Kazakh Comics Writers to Make Splash at Comic Con Astana 2024

ASTANA – Over 100 Kazakh authors of graphic novels will showcase their works at the Authors’ Alley during Comic Con Astana 2024 from July 25 to 28,...


Hungarian Ambassador Touts Strategic Partnership, Centuries-Old Bond with Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Hungarian Ambassador to Kazakhstan Otto Ivan Rona touted the strong bilateral ties and the 10th anniversary of a strategic partnership agreement with Kazakhstan in an...


Kazakhstan Pioneers Economic Liberalization with Structural Renewal Initiatives

Last year, Kazakhstan’s President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, outlined a new economic strategy for the country, targeting a 6–7% annual growth rate to double gross domestic product (GDP) by...


Which Countries Do Kazakh IT Specialists Provide Services To

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s IT services volume reached 1.4 trillion tenge (US$2.9 billion) in 2023, 46.4% higher in value than the previous year. According to the Energyprom analytical...


Kazakhstan Selects Permanent Representative to TRACECA Intergovernmental Commission

 ASTANA – The Kazakh Transport Ministry appointed Almaz Aisin on July 9 as the head of its permanent representation in the TRACECA (Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia) Intergovernmental Commission’s...


2024 Paris Games: Kazakh Athletes Secure 92 Licenses

ASTANA – Kazakh athletes have received 92 licenses in 25 sports for the upcoming Paris Olympics, said the Kazakh Minister of Tourism and Sports Yermek Marzhikpayev during...


Kazakh Capital Hosts International Street Theater Festival

ASTANA – The Kazakh capital hosted the international street theater festival for the first time as part of the Eurasia International Film Festival during the Astana Day...


Almaty State Puppet Theater Wins Grand Prix at Ottawa International Festival

ASTANA — The Almaty State Puppet Theater won the Grand Prix at the first International Puppet Festival in Ottawa, Canada, which took place July 3-6. The Kazakh...


EBRD Sets to Double Investments in Kazakhstan This Year

ASTANA – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) plans to double the volume of investments in the Kazakh economy this year, said Hüseyin Özhan, acting...


Kazakhstan Tightens Gambling Business Restrictions With Amended Law

ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed legislative amendments on July 8 to tighten the country’s gambling and lottery regulations. The law introduces restrictive and stimulating norms...


Kazakh Folk Dance Ensemble: Beacon of Cultural Diplomacy

ASTANA—The Kazakh folk dance ensemble Birlik (Unity), representing a unique combination of international folk dances and live music, aims to become a benchmark of excellence and professionalism...


Expert Explains Features of Central Asian Academic Curriculum

ASTANA – Educational opportunities in Central Asian states have been improving, but there is still room for significant enhancement in terms of creative and critical thinking skills...


Kazakh President Tightens Law Preventing Vandalism, Property Damage

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a law on July 5, increasing penalties for human trafficking, vandalism, and property damage.  State Counselor Erlan Karin commented that...


Astana Welcomes 305 Young Biologists for International Olympiad

ASTANA – The 35th International Biology Olympiad (IBO) for schoolchildren kicked off in Astana on July 7, with 305 young biologists from around the world participating. IBO...


Kazakhstan’s Social Campaign Earns Golden Lion for Shifting Attitudes on Domestic Violence

ASTANA—The Kazakh advertising agency GForce Grey achieved a significant milestone by winning a Golden Lion at the Cannes Lions International Festival held from June 17-21. This festival...


Nation Branding in Kazakhstan and Central Asia: From Post-Soviet Periphery to New Silk Road

For much of the past thirty years, the five post-Soviet countries of Central Asia have been regarded, if at all, by much of the rest of the...


Ancient Sakas: All You Need to Know 

Editor’s note: Discover Kazakhstan is a new column dedicated to exploring the rich cultural heritage and natural wonders of the country. Each article explores various aspects of...


Global Enthusiasm for Zhamby Atu, Kazakh Horseback Archery, is on Rise

ASTANA – A sport that combines marksmanship with exceptional equestrian skills, zhamby atu or Kazakh traditional horseback archery, captivates more and more fans in Kazakhstan and around...


National Dombra Day Embraces Rhythm of Kazakh Culture 

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has celebrated National Dombra Day on the first Sunday of July since 2018, fostering a deep appreciation of Kazakh traditions and native culture. The...