Kazakhstan Plans to Boost Exports to Thailand Worth Over $900 Million

ASTANA – Kazakhstan sees significant potential to increase exports to Thailand, targeting over 100 product categories valued at more than $900 million, Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev...


Dimash Kudaibergen Visits Tourist Capital of Turkic World

ASTANA – Turkistan Region Governor Darkhan Satybaldy welcomed Kazakh famous singer Dimash Kudaibergen, who arrived in Turkistan city, the 2024 tourist capital of the Turkic world, on Aug. 15,...


Nariman Kurbanov Ignites Kazakhstan’s Olympic Dreams in Gymnastics

ASTANA – For many years, the Olympic podium in artistic gymnastics seemed a distant dream for Kazakh athletes. But fast forward to the 2024 Paris Olympics, Nariman Kurbanov took...


Promising New Treatment: Kazakhstan’s Cancer Drug Passes Initial Clinical Trials

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s cancer drug developed by a team of scientists led by Dos Sarbassov, a Kazakh-American biologist and Nazarbayev University (NU) professor, passed the first stage of clinical...


President Tokayev Tours Industrial, Social Facilities in Karagandy Region

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev toured the industrial and social facilities in the Karagandy Region and emphasized the importance of improving the region’s environmental situation during an Aug....


Kazakhstan’s Strongman Sergey Tsyrulnikov Shocks America’s Got Talent Audience

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s strongman Sergey Tsyrulnikov took part in the United States’ TV show America’s Got Talent and stunned the jury and the audience with his amazing strength. The...


Kazakhstan’s Legendary Cyclist Urges Abuse Victims to Speak Out, Defend Their Rights

ASTANA – General Manager of Astana Qazaqstan Team and Olympic cycling medalist Alexandr Vinokurov urged Kazakhstan’s women to defend their rights and not keep silent on domestic violence. Vinokurov,...


Majority of Kazakh Youth Consider Family as Main Life Value

ASTANA — Nearly 80% of Kazakhstan’s youth consider family to be the main value, according to the results of a sociological study conducted by the ElJastary (Youth) Research Center....


Kazakhstan to Double Volume of Agricultural Exports by 2029

ASTANA — Kazakhstan intends to increase its exports of agricultural products to enhance its position in the international market and expand the supply chain. The country exports a wide...


USAID Enhances Kazakhstan’s Customs Processing with New Computer Servers

ASTANA — The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and U.S. Ambassador Daniel Rosenblum delivered advanced computer servers to the State Revenue Committee (SRC) of Kazakhstan on Aug....


Kazakhstan Reports Increase in Personal Data Violations 

ASTANA – Kazakhstan registered 65 administrative violations of personal data laws in January-July, a 75.7% rise compared to the same period in 2023, Finprom.kz reported on Aug. 12. During...


Astana Hub, Draper University Announce Third Cohort of Hero Training Program in Silicon Valley

ASTANA – Astana Hub international technology park has announced the opening of applications for the third cohort of the Hero Training acceleration program. The program, conducted in partnership with...


Kazakhstan, Pakistan Launch Trans-Afghan Multimodal Transport Corridor

Enhanced bilateral relations between Kazakhstan and Pakistan have reached new horizons. Through the collaboration of KZT Express, a subsidiary of Kazakhstan Railway and QazTrade Center for Trade Policy Development...


National Bank Reports $800 Million Current Account Surplus as Economy Recovers

ASTANA – The National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) reported a significant improvement in the current account balance, with a surplus of $0.8 billion in the first half of 2024,...


Kazakhstan Sees 15% Rise in Creative Industries Post Tax Relief

ASTANA – Following tax breaks, the number of creative industry entities increased by 15%, or 6,033 units, to 45,597 entities, Kazinform reported on Aug. 12, citing the Ministry of...


Kazakhstan Reduces Dependence on External Supplies, Boosts Domestic Production

ASTANA – Several industries in Kazakhstan demonstrate stable import reductions and production growth. The manufacturing industry’s reliance on imported products has decreased by 7%, while production volumes have increased...


Acclaimed Kazakh Noir Film “Steppenwolf” Debuts in Astana Ahead of Nationwide Release

ASTANA – With numerous festival awards gathering international attention, noir thriller “Dala Kaskyry” (Steppenwolf) was unveiled to the Kazakh audience in Astana on Aug. 12, ahead of its nationwide...


Kazakhstan Proposes Joint Guardianship with Egypt Over Ancient Mamluk Heritage

ASTANA – Kazakh Ambassador to Egypt Kairat Lama Sharif discussed joint guardianship over more than 150 ancient monuments built by the Kipchak-Mamluks on the land of Ancient Egypt with...


Kazakhstan, Türkiye Sign $2 Billion Investment Agreements in Agriculture

ASTANA – During a working visit to Türkiye on Aug. 12, Kazakh Minister of Agriculture Aidarbek Saparov signed documents worth $2 billion in the field of investment in the...


Kazakhstan to Localize Three New Production Facilities in Oil and Gas Industry

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to localize three new production facilities in collaboration with leading global manufacturers, including Germany’s Leser, South Africa’s Beruseal, and the United States’ (US) John Crane,...


Aktau Prepares to Become Cultural Capital of Turkic World in 2025

ASTANA—Aktau will be designated the cultural capital of the Turkic world in 2025, marking a significant milestone for the city and its residents. This new status is expected to...


Tracing Apple’s Journey from Ancient Kazakhstan to Modern Cultivation

The apple’s history dates back to the ancient Tian Shan Mountains in Kazakhstan, where it was initially grown. The region is home to Malus sieversii, the wild ancestor of...


World Nomad Games Await: The Gathering of the Great Steppe in Astana

ASTANA – As the curtain falls on the Paris 2024 Olympics, where Kazakhstan proudly secured seven medals, a new chapter in global sports is set to unfold. While the...


Charity Run Highlights Importance of Organ Transplantation

ASTANA – The annual charity run – festival titled Zhuregimnin zhenimpazy (You are the champion of my heart) took place in the Kazakh capital on Aug. 11, bringing together...


Kazakhstan’s International Reserves Surge to $19 Billion in July

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s assets in international reserves increased by 7.3% in July to $18.86 billion, according to the National Bank’s report, published on Aug. 9. Gross international reserves increased...


Kazakhstan-Türkiye Talks Boost Agricultural Investments in Grain Processing and Ice Cream

ASTANA — Kazakh Agriculture Minister Aidarbek Saparov on Aug. 11 held talks with leaders of eight Turkish businesses interested in developing projects in Kazakhstan to process grain and legumes,...


Central Asia Consultative Meeting Advances Cooperation in Key Sectors, Expert Says

ASTANA – The outcomes of the sixth consultative meeting of Central Asian heads of state on Aug. 9 highlight significant progress in cooperation among the countries, which are now...


Kazakhstan’s Three Horse Riders Secure Licenses for Fifth World Nomad Games

ASTANA – Three horse riders secured licenses for the upcoming fifth World Nomad Games at the qualifying round in baige traditional horse racing at the Almaty Hippodrome on Aug....


Kazakh Capital to Host Astana Finance Days in September

ASTANA – Astana Finance Days, an annual financial conference covering the entire Eurasian region, is set to attract nearly 3,000 participants from over 70 countries on Sept. 5-6 in...


Paris Olympics Final Medal Count: Kazakh Athletes Win Seven Medals

ASTANA – The 2024 Paris Olympics concluded on Aug. 11 with the traditional closing ceremony, during which Paris handed over the Olympic flag to Los Angeles, the 2028 host...


Inaugural C5+Japan Business Forum Results in Signing Joint Projects Agreements

ASTANA — The inaugural C5+Japan business forum, which took place on Aug. 9 in the Kazakh capital, brought together over 450 representatives of five Central Asian states and more...


Kazakhstan’s Uranium Industry: Sites and Production

ASTANA—Kazakhstan, one of the world’s largest exporters of uranium, maintains active and decommissioned reserves. According to the Kazakh Ministry of Energy, Kazatomprom National Atomic Company produces uranium at 26...


Qazaq Kuresi: Kazakh Traditional Wrestling Draws Nation’s Strongest

ASTANA – Qazaq Kuresi, a type of traditional wrestling, has been a major feature of Kazakh sporting life for centuries, continuing to attract men and women eager to flex...


Semei: Cultural and Historical Gem of Kazakhstan

ASTANA — Located in the eastern expanse of Kazakhstan, Semei, also known as Semipalatinsk, was founded more than three centuries ago and best represents Kazakhstan’s historical, cultural and natural...


Lost World of Kazakhstan’s Aksu River Canyon 

ASTANA — The Aksu River Canyon is the deepest canyon in Central Asia and the hallmark of Aksu-Zhabagly, the very first nature reserve of Kazakhstan and the pearl of...


Kazakhstan Honors Abai Day, Tribute to Timeless Legacy of Literary Legend

ASTANA – Kazakhstan celebrates Abai Day on Aug. 10, honoring the 179th birthday of Abai Kunanbaiuly, a Kazakh literary titan, poet, philosopher and composer. Almost 200 years on, Abai’s...


Kazakh Scientist Advocates for Creation of National Brain Biobank to Propel Neurodegenerative Disease Research  

LONDON – Brain biobanks have been instrumental in uncovering the causes and consequences of neurodegenerative diseases. In an interview with The Astana Times, Kazakh clinician-scientist Rauan Kaiyrzhanov spoke about...


Bibisara Assaubayeva Wins Silver and Bronze at FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships 2024

ASTANA – Kazakh chess champion Bibisara Assaubayeva won a silver medal in Rapid and a bronze medal in Blitz at the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships 2024,...


Tokayev Proposes Strengthening UN-Central Asia Cooperation at Consultative Meeting

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed initiating the adoption of a UN General Assembly resolution on achieving sustainable development goals in Central Asia at the sixth consultative meeting of...


Tokayev Outlines Central Asia’s Vision for Regional Cooperation and Growth

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted Kazakhstan’s strategic course for the comprehensive strengthening of regional partnership and increasing the role of Central Asia on the world stage аt the...


Central Asian Foreign Ministers Meet to Strengthen Regional Cooperation and Unity

ASTANA – Foreign Ministers of Central Asian states convened ahead of the sixth consultative meeting of the heads of state of Central Asia on Aug. 9 to review prospects...


Kazakh PM Discusses Investment Opportunities with JBIC Chairman

ASTANA—Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov met with Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) Chairman Hayashi Nobumitsu to discuss expanding financial cooperation and advancing joint investment projects on Aug.9. According...


EBRD Invests Close to $3.3 Million in Kazakhstan’s Sarytogan Graphite Deposit

ASTANA – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is venturing into Central Asia’s critical raw materials sector with its inaugural direct equity investment, taking a 17.36% stake...


News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan-UN Cooperation, Uzbek President’s Visit to Kazakhstan and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has curated a selection of articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest includes topics such as Kazakhstan’s cooperation with...


Japanese PM Cancels Visit to Kazakhstan Due to Earthquake

ASTANA – Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who was expected to attend the Central Asia + Japan Dialogue Summit in Astana on Aug. 9, canceled his visit following a...


Kazakhstan’s Green Energy Generation Rises by 31.1% in 2023

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s production of green energy reached 6.6 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 2023, marking a 31.1% increase compared to the previous year, the Bureau of National Statistics reported...


Kazakhstan Reviews Progress in Digitization and Innovation Development in Six Months

ASTANA — The Kazakh Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry reported an increase in the number of electronic government services, the introduction of new digital solutions and...


Exciting Lineup of Events for This Weekend 

ASTANA – Spend your summer weekend exploring a variety of events. Take part in a charity run to contribute to a meaningful cause, or immerse yourself in cultural events...


New Chapter in Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Strategic Cooperation: Beyond Oil and Gas 

Even though the cornerstone of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan bilateral relations lies in energy collaboration, recent geopolitical regional developments have motivated both countries to extend their relationship and set new...


The Renaissance of Central Asia: Towards Sustainable Development and Prosperity

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan For centuries, the Central Asian region has acted as a single geopolitical and spiritual arena, endowed with significant natural resources, substantial...