Astana reads: local book clubs get on same page

ASTANA – Amidst the hustle and bustle of the capital, some residents are setting aside time to read books and discuss them in small communities. Founded in...


Almaty hosts Central Asia on Great Silk Road Conference

ASTANA – Scholars from 20 countries discussed the role of Central Asia on the Global Silk Road, the dialogue of cultures and confessions from antiquity to modernity...


State programme encourages family farms, more subsidies, meat exports

ASTANA – Export refunds for processed agricultural products will be $2.2 billion in 2021, 2.3 times higher than the $945 million recorded in 2015, reported Minister of...


Shymkent declared city of national significance, South Kazakhstan region gains new name and administrative centre

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev on June 19 declared Shymkent city in Southern Kazakhstan a city of “national significance,” as it joined the other two cities...


Kazakh-owned bakery brings new flavour to sourdough bread in Newcastle

ASTANA – What are the benefits and challenges of running your own business? How do you find the way to your customers’ hearts? The Astana Times interviewed...


Minhwa Korean folk art exhibit opens in Astana

ASTANA – A display of Minhwa Korean folk art opened at the Library of the First President June 13 within its international project Dialogue through Culture. The...


Kazakh National Bank approves Qazkom voluntary reorganisation

ASTANA – Kazakh National Bank approved June 14 the voluntary reorganisation of Qazkom, formerly known as Kazkommertsbank, through its accession to Halyk Bank. The permit issued by the...


Kazakh artist exhibits work in Stockholm

ASTANA – Kazakh artist Hashim Kurbanov displayed his combination of painting and applied arts in a seven-day exhibition the last week of May at the Riddaren Gallery...


French photographer conducts workshops in Almaty for children with special needs

ASTANA – French photographer Erik Vazzoler visited Almaty May 28 to conduct a series of photography workshops for children with Down syndrome. The two-week event was organised...


Weightlifter Ilya Ilyin announces return after two-year doping ban

ASTANA – Kazakh weightlifter Ilya Ilyin recently announced his return after a two-year doping ban from the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) at a June 11 press conference...


Talented scientist, dedicated mayor, caring mother among nation’s 100 New Faces

ASTANA – Bella Gazdiyeva, the 35-year-old akim (mayor) of the rural Rodina district, candidate in philological sciences, associate professor, member of the Assembly of the People of...


Nazarbayev visits Tatarstan, meets with president

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and President Rustam Minnikhanov of Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan discussed bilateral ties during Nazarbayev’s June 14-15 visit to Kazan, Akorda reports....


Documentaries, historical films about Kazakhstan to debut on major TV networks

ASTANA – Documentary films on Kazakhstan’s history and culture will premiere on Discovery, National Geographic and Viasat History TV channels June-July, reported Kazakh Vice Minister of Culture...


Canelo vs Golovkin rematch set for September 15

ASTANA – After a year of negotiating, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Gennady “GGG” Golovkin recently agreed to a second fight in Las Vegas on September 15. “I’m...


Kazakhstan has ‘enormous opportunities’ to develop tourism, expert says

ASTANA – Tourism is undoubtedly one of the most important sectors of any economy, accounting for a significant share of income into the state budget of many...


Chinese company to invest $1.1 billion in Kostanai car assembly plant

ASTANA – China National Machinery Import and Export will invest $1.1 billion to develop an automotive cluster in cooperation with the Kostanai-based Allure Group Company. The agreement...


Kazakh Khanate second season shot in South Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Kazakhfilm is shooting the second season of its historical series about the Kazakh Khanate in the Tulkibas district of the South Kazakhstan region. “The second...


Investigation finds health violations among EAEU dairy providers

ASTANA – A recent investigation by the Kazakh Ministry of Healthcare found 17 dairy producers from Russia, Belarus and Kyrgyzstan had violated Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) standards....


“Giselle” to premiere at Astana Ballet Theatre

ASTANA – “Giselle,” directed by Brazilian choreographer Ricardo Amarante, will premiere June 23-24 at the Astana Ballet. The performance will open the Eurasian Dance Festival, the second...


New bike lanes to open in Astana

ASTANA – Fifty-six kilometres of bike lanes will be introduced for the capital’s 20th anniversary as part of its environmental protection and nature use management, reported the...


Kazakh FM updates EUROBAK on country’s efforts to improve business climate

ASTANA – Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov briefed members of the European Business Association of Kazakhstan (EUROBAK) and members of the diplomatic corps on Kazakhstan’s efforts to improve...


Kazakh Prosecutor General’s Office calls for respect for rule of law

ASTANA – The Prosecutor General’s Office issued a press release June 4 addressing provocative social media posts and videos by the so called Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan...


BTA Bank-related money laundering trial starts in Almaty

ASTANA – The trial involving Iskander Yerimbetov, who is accused of fraud and money laundering under Kazakhstan’s Criminal Code, started June 14 in the Medeu District Court...


AIFC has performed pioneering role, says LAC chair

ASTANA – The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) has performed a pioneering role, said its legal advisory council (LAC) chairperson Michael Blair. In an interview with The...


Mazhilis approves law ratifying Kazakh-UNFAO agreement

ASTANA – Opening United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) partnership and liaison offices in the capital and Almaty will attract at least $20 million a year,...


State education savings system provides broader access to education

ASTANA – Kazakh citizens planning for their children’s college educations can begin putting money away from the time the youngsters can crawl. The state education savings system...


Zhambyl region develops strategic plan to enhance tourism, Taraz urban reconstruction

ASTANA – The Zhambyl region tourism development map, which authorities expect will increase the flow of visitors up to 120,000 a year and promote job growth and...


Astana: futurism set against traditions, says artist

ASTANA – Built on the traditions of the old world, Astana has a sense of futurism, said British artist Alex Connor, one of the Nur Kelbetti Astana...


Kazakhstan’s oil producing Atyrau region seeks to step up agriculture development

ASTANA – The Atyrau region, one of Kazakhstan’s major oil producing regions, is seeking to boost agricultural development in an effort to diversify its economy. The changes...


Kazakh civil servants to receive raise in 2019

ASTANA – Kazakh civil servants will receive higher salaries starting 2019, Agency for Civil Service Affairs and Fighting Corruption Chair Alik Shpekbayev announced recently. “Currently, we are...