Kazakh Boxer Secures Rio Olympic Bid

Berik Abdrakhmanov can pack his bags for Brazil, as the Kazakh lightweight boxer defeated Uzbekistan’s Hurshid Tojibaev Jan. 30 in the AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) Inaugural Title...


New Historical Attractions to be Opened in Taraz in 2015

An historical and archaeological museum, as well as a centre for visitors built on the site of the ancient city, will be opened in Taraz this year....


Kazakh Academician Donates 7,000 Books to National Library

ASTANA – Academician and Doctor of Philological Science Myrzatai Zholdasbekov has recently donated his personal library to the National Academic Library. Deputy Prime Minister Berdybek Saparbayev, Minister...


Astana Hosts Marathon Dedicated to 550th Anniversary of Kazakh Khanate

ASTANA – A flash-mob marathon celebrating the 550th anniversary of the Kazakh Khanate was organised Jan. 31 by the Astana Akimat (city administration) and the Kazakhstan Amateur...


Issues with Mongolia, Ukraine Hinder Kazakhstan’s WTO Accession Efforts

Kazakhstan’s efforts to become a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), an action the country has been attempting for 19 years, appears to be hindered by...


Kazakh Airports to Get $900 Million Makeover

ASTANA – One hundred sixty-seven billion tenge ($902 million) has been slated for investment into Kazakhstan’s airports, Director General of the Airport Management Group LLP Claude Badan announced on...


Germans in Kazakhstan Engaged in Business, Political, Social Development

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is home to many ethnic groups that once were either forced to move to the great steppes or migrated of their own accord from...


Tax Partnerships among Reforms to Boost Investment Attractiveness, Expert Says

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is open and keen for tax reform, said Wayne Barford, senior advisor to the International Tax and Investment Centre (ITIC), who visited in early...


Historical Sites Recall When Kazakhstan Was Buddhist

ASTANA – Kazakhstan today is a mostly Muslim country, but the Silk Road that crossed it was an important conduit for religions, including Buddhism, and some of...


2015 Astana Cycling Team Lineup Presented in Dubai

The Astana Pro Team presented its new cycling team Feb. 1 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. In the off-season, the management of the Kazakh project did a...


Television Series Will Chronicle Exploits of Kazakh Heroes

On Jan. 29, 100 days before the celebration of World War II Victory Day, the Astana TV channel started broadcasting videos dedicated to the heroes of the...


Kazakhstan to Build National Pantheon to Country’s Heroes

ASTANA – Minister of Culture and Sport of Kazakhstan Arystanbek Mukhamediuly announced at a Jan. 30 media briefing that Kazakhstan is ready to build a national pantheon...


More than 7,000 Km of Roads to Become Toll Roads by 2022

ASTANA – Approximately one third of Kazakhstan’s roadways will be subject to toll charges by 2020, Vice Minister of Investment and Development Zhenis Kassymbek announced Feb. 2....


Kazakh Athletes Claim Good Number of Medals at Universiade 2015

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national youth and student team have won seven medals in various events and at press time were second in the overall standings at the...


Tenge Devaluation Not Expected in 2015, Financial Expert Says

ASTANA – In a joint statement, the Government and National Bank of Kazakhstan indicated that tenge devaluation is not expected in 2015, said Chief Executive Officer of...


Lebanon, Kazakhstan Enjoy Strong Mutual Bonds, Ambassador Says

ASTANA – Lebanon is one of the first Arab countries to establish diplomatic relations with Kazakhstan. The two countries forged ties back in April 20, 1993. According...


Steppe Eagle – 2015 Multinational Peacekeeping Exercises to be Held in April and June

ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry of Defence announced Jan. 31 that the multinational military peacekeeping exercises Steppe Eagle – 2015 will be held in April and June...


Russian, Japanese Companies Expected to Participate in Construction of Two Nuclear Power Plants in Kazakhstan

Russian and Japanese companies will be involved in plans to construct two nuclear power plants in Kazakhstan, according to Energy Minister Vladimir Shkolnik. It is planned that...


NGOs Suggest 12 Projects to Solve Ecology Problems in Mangistau Region

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have submitted 12 applications for grants to solve environmental issues in the Mangistau region, said Director of Eco Mangistau Kirill Osin on Jan. 29....


Eurasian Integration Key to Sustainable Development, EEC Economic Minister Says

On Jan. 1, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) became a reality, uniting Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus and Armenia (which joined on Jan. 2) in a single economic bloc....


Samruk Kazyna’s Campaign to Celebrate 70th Anniversary of World War II Victory

ASTANA – The national Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund has allocated about 600 million tenge (US$3.3 million) to implement an action plan and campaign to celebrate the...


Holocaust Remembrance Day Observed in Astana

ASTANA – An evening event to honour the victims of the Holocaust was hosted in Astana on Jan. 27 at the National University of Arts. The event...


Chinese Embassy in Astana Hosts Spring Festival Gala

ASTANA – The Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan held a theatrical gala concert titled, “The Happy Spring Festival” on Jan. 30 at the Palace of Peace and Harmony....


Bakhyt Kairbekov Appointed as New Kazakhfilm President

ASTANA – The new head of the Kazakhfilm studio was presented at a Jan. 30 briefing of the Central Communication Services (CCS) dealing with the tasks of...


Projects to Advance Kazakh Space Industry Near Completion

Kazkosmos projects aimed at creating a space industry in Kazakhstan are nearing completion, according to Chairman of the Aerospace Committee of the Kazakh Ministry of Investment and...


Improving the Quality Control System of the Lighting Market in Kazakhstan

Today, the lighting market has changed significantly. When we go to the store, it’s not only incandescent lamps we can buy; in fact, these kinds of lamps...


Awards Established to Increase Science and Literature Innovation

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev recently signed a decree introducing the new Al-Farabi State Science and Technology Award and the State Award in Literature and Art,...


UNDP’s 2014 Human Development Report Says Kazakhstan Improving

Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme Munkhtuya Altangerel presented findings from Human Development Report 2014 “Sustaining Human Progress: Reducing Vulnerabilities and Building Resilience” at...


UN Special Rapporteur on Freedoms of Peaceful Assembly Praises Cooperation of Kazakh Government, Provides Initial Recommendations on Improvements Needed

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has made “admirable progress” since independence, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedoms of Peaceful Assembly and Association Maina Kiai said in a Jan. 27 statement...


EU-Funded Small Grants Programme in Mangystau Aims to Engage Citizens in Environmental Action

A new grant programme in Mangystau region will put money in the hands of the region’s citizens for projects to solve local environmental problems. The programme aims...