EBRD loans $37.6 million to Mangistau region utility company

ASTANA – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will provide a $37.6 million post-privatisation loan to the Mangistau Regional Distribution Company (MRDC) to help the...


Switzerland conducts investigation against former Almaty mayor and family

ASTANA – The Geneva Prosecutor’s Office is conducting its own investigation against Viktor Khrapunov, his wife Leila Khrapunova and stepson Ilyas Khrapunov, Zakon.kz reports. The criminal case...


Ancient Saraishyk to be revived in Atyrau region

ASTANA – A historical and cultural museum of Saraishyk, displaying artefacts from this ancient city of the Great Silk Road, will be constructed near Atyrau city, said...


Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to boost economic cooperation, trade

ASTANA – The Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Bilateral Cooperation between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, co-chaired by Kazakh First Deputy Prime Minister Askar Mamin and Uzbek First Deputy Prime...


Central Asia: one region with many faces and common prosperity

The recent Central Asian regional summit (or a working meeting?) did not bring any breakthrough announcements but the whole idea of a regular platform for only five...


Central Asian leaders meeting represents unity, understanding

The first working meeting of the leaders of the Central Asian states has taken place. Negotiations to arrange this meeting lasted until the very moment of the...


AIFC to host World Islamic Economic Forum in Astana in July

ASTANA – The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) and World Islamic Economic Forum Foundation recently signed an agreement to hold World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) in Astana...


Kazakh government approves five social initiatives roadmap

ASTANA – The Kazakh government approved the Five Social Initiatives roadmap March 13 previously announced by President Nursultan Nazarbayev. The measures, cutting across affordable housing, lower tax...


Khorgos to introduce new luggage terminal to fully automate cargo transportation

ASTANA – The Khorgos cross-border trade centre will offer improved services, enhanced safety and automated baggage handling to provide better conditions for tourists and avoid transporting cargo...


Kazakh government passes draft national anti-corruption report

ASTANA – The Kazakh government adopted a draft National Report on Combating Corruption presented March 13 by public service affairs and anti-corruption agency deputy chairman Sayan Akhmetzhanov....


Korean Cultural Centre hosts Olympics exhibit

ASTANA – The city’s Korean Cultural Centre (KKC) is presenting an exhibit related to the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea. “The Winter Olympic...


Kazakh stunt people take part in internationally acclaimed films, launch training courses

ASTANA – Kazakh stunt performers are known for their top-level skills and spectacular horse scenes. They are experts in fight choreography using swords and weapons, waterfall jumps,...


Kazakhstan Engineering celebrates 15th anniversary of domestic innovation in armaments

ASTANA – The Kazakhstan Engineering company celebrated its 15th anniversary March 13. Since its creation, the company has ensured a unified financial, production and technological policy for...


Gene editing will cure cancer, HIV, young Kazakh biotechnologist and Famelab winner says

ASTANA – Genetically modified living organisms might sound like fiction today, but in the not-too-distant future, genome modification will be used to edit DNA and treat human...


International contemporary music festival to be held in Almaty

ASTANA – The Kurmangazy Kazakh National Conservatory is arranging an international festival of contemporary classic music dedicated to the Nauryz holiday April 2 to 5 in Almaty. Outstanding...


BI Group hosting start-up competition to mark Astana’s 20th anniversary

ASTANA – BI Group, one of Kazakhstan’s leading construction and real estate companies, is hosting the Happy Start-Up competition to mark the capital’s 20th anniversary. The best...


Health Technology Assessment is key element in decision making, says Polish expert

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s healthcare system is being reformed based on introducing compulsory health insurance and no modern country can offer a basic benefit package without a Health...


Tengizchevroil chooses national cadres and local suppliers

ASTANA – Tengizchevroil (TCO), the company responsible for developing the Tengiz oil field in the Atyrau region, has expanded production through Future Growth and Wellhead Pressure Management...


Kostanai region to advance agriculture, car assembly with Italian, Chinese investments

ASTANA – The Kostanai region has announced plans to launch eight projects this year worth 28.3 billion tenge (US$88 million), according to a March 13 regional press...


Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture to provide farmers with free seeds

ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture has prepared a new seed production programme in which farmers will be offered free high-quality seeds and required to return...


Yakutia’s National Library promotes Kazakh literature

ASTANA – The Kazakh Literature and Culture Centre opened March 15 in the National Library of Russia’s Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) under the international project initiated by...


Samarkand, South Kazakhstan entrepreneurs agree to establish joint ventures

ASTANA – Representatives of the Umar Company from Samarkand city in Uzbekistan recently visited the South Kazakhstan region and agreed to establish joint enterprises with businesses from...


Astana to celebrate Nauryz in grand style

ASTANA – Nauryz, an ancient holiday symbolising spring revival, is always celebrated by Kazakh people with grandeur. The festivities in the capital, including concerts and exhibitions, will...


Skier wins Kazakhstan’s first gold medal at Paralympic Games

The Kazakh National Paralympic team recently won its first gold medal in the history of the Paralympic games with Alexander Kolyadin’s winning gold in the men’s 1.5km...


Smart technologies transform education, healthcare in Pavlodar region

ASTANA – The Pavlodar region is building its smart cities by introducing 74 education, healthcare, culture and social projects as part of the Digital Kazakhstan initiative, reported...


Kazakh National Bank presents consumer-friendly home loan programme

ASTANA – The Kazakh National Bank recently presented the 7-20-25 mortgage programme, which will provide soft conditions for every citizen with official income to purchase housing. The...


Kazakh Senate Chairman, Indonesian President discuss Islamic finances and congress of world religions

A meeting with the President of Indonesia Joko Widodo was a central event of Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s official visit...


New York real estate baron to return assets to Kazakh BTA Bank

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s BTA Bank will receive assets and money worth $38.3 million after reaching an amicable agreement with Joseph Chetrit, an American developer and former partner...


Tokmadi sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison for murdering former BTA Bank chair

ASTANA – Muratkhan Tokmadi was sentenced March 16 to 10 1/2 years in a maximum-security prison for murdering the chair of the BTA Bank Yerzhan Tatishev during...


Central Asian heads of state discuss regional challenges in Astana

ASTANA – Leaders of five Central Asian states met March 15 in Astana in such a format for the first time in 10 years to address regional...