Astana to Host 2027 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships
ASTANA — The International Skating Union (ISU) has officially selected Astana as the host city for the 2027 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, according to Kazakhstan’s National Olympic Committee. The competition is scheduled to take place from Feb. 9 to 14, 2027. The event will bring together figure skaters from Asia, the Americas, Africa and…
EDB Gains Direct Access to China’s Interbank Bond Market
ASTANA — The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has received a license to operate in China’s interbank bond market (China Interbank Bond Market, CIBM), according to information published by the People’s Bank of China on June 22. The CIBM is one of the world’s largest bond markets. According to data from the Bank for International Settlements…
Fitch Affirms Kazakhstan’s BBB Sovereign Credit Rating With Stable Outlook
ASTANA — International credit rating agency Fitch Ratings has affirmed Kazakhstan’s sovereign credit rating at BBB with a Stable Outlook, Kazakh National Economy Ministry reported on June 19. According to Fitch, the rating is supported by Kazakhstan’s strong external position, substantial net foreign assets and low level of government debt. The agency said that higher…
Kazakhstan Expands Air Links With Azerbaijan With Three Baku Routes
ASTANA — Kazakhstan has launched a new air route connecting Shymkent and Baku and is preparing to open additional flights from Aktobe and Atyrau to the Azerbaijani capital, according to Kazakhstan’s Transport Ministry’s press service. On June 16, Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) launched flights between Shymkent and Baku. The route operates three times a week. With…
Kazakhstan Delivers 319 Tons of Aid, Medical Mission to Afghanistan
ASTANA — A Kazakh delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin arrived in Kabul with a humanitarian and business mission on June 20, delivering 318.8 tons of humanitarian aid and deploying a team of Kazakh medical specialists to provide healthcare services in Afghanistan. According to the Prime Minister’s press…
Kazakhstan’s Trade Remains Commodity-Led, While Investment Tells Different Story
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s latest trade and investment data from the Bureau of National Statistics reveal a notable contrast. While crude oil and other commodity products continue to dominate exports and drive external earnings, investment is increasingly flowing into manufacturing, energy infrastructure, transport, and agriculture. Trade still speaks the language of commodities According to data released…
Balkhash Tour Fest Welcomes 35,000 Guests, Spotlights Volunteer Action
ASTANA — Approximately 35,000 visitors from 11 countries attended the opening day of Balkhash Tour Fest 2026 on the shores of Lake Balkhash on June 19, the event’s press service reported. The festival brought together visitors from Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, India and other countries for a program of sports competitions, cultural events and outdoor…
Central Asia Emerges as World’s Fastest-Growing Startup Region
ASTANA — Central Asia has emerged as the fastest-growing startup subregion in the world, according to the Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) 2026 by Startup Genome, with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan driving much of the region’s momentum. The report, released on June 17, found that Central Asia recorded 81% growth over the past two and a…
Saudi Arabia’s Mining Lesson: Real Mining Race is About Value, Not Resources
ASTANA — For decades, Saudi Arabia’s place in the global economy was defined by one commodity: oil. Today, the Kingdom is betting that its future will be shaped by another set of resources entirely. As demand for critical minerals surges amid the expansion of artificial intelligence, clean energy technologies, electric vehicles and advanced manufacturing, countries…
Kazakhstan to Build Unified Digital Transport Platform by Year’s End
ASTANA — Kazakhstan plans to create a unified digital database to manage the country’s transport and logistics chain in real time by the end of 2026, as was revealed during a government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov on June 16. According to Bektenov, countries including China, Japan and members of the European Union…
Jackie Chan Film Shoots Begin in Mangystau Region
ASTANA — Filming for “Armor of God 4: Ultimatum,” starring Jackie Chan, has begun in Kazakhstan’s Mangystau Region, according to Kazinform. The first scenes of the international film project have already been shot against the region’s distinctive natural landscapes. One of the movie’s main filming locations is the Bozzhyra tract, a globally recognized natural landmark…
Kazakhstan’s Rail Network Undergoes Historic Modernization
ASTANA — Kazakhstan is undertaking one of the most ambitious railway modernization programs in its history, combining infrastructure upgrades, digital transformation, industrial development and expanding transit ambitions as the country seeks to strengthen its role as a key Eurasian transport hub. Updates presented during a June 16 government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov…
Kazakhstan Explains US Visa Refusals, Signals Progress on Schengen Talks
ASTANA — Nearly half of visa applications submitted by Kazakhstan citizens to the United States (US) are denied due primarily to documentation issues rather than nationality-based restrictions, official Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yerlan Zhetybayev said on June 15 during a press briefing. Zhetybayev addressed concerns over a previously reported 45% U.S. visa refusal rate for Kazakhstan…
Kazakhstan Secures $10 Billion AI Investment With NVIDIA, Firebird
ASTANA — Kazakhstan signed $10 billion worth of agreements with the United States AI infrastructure company Firebird and technology leader NVIDIA to develop large-scale artificial intelligence infrastructure, marking one of the country’s most ambitious technology investments to date. The agreements, signed following a June 16 meeting chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, lay the groundwork…
Kazakhstan-EU Relations Deepen Beyond Trade as Cooperation Expands Across Strategic Sectors
ASTANA — The relationship between Kazakhstan and the European Union (EU) is entering a new phase, marked by growing trade volumes, closer political dialogue and expanding cooperation in digital governance, critical raw materials and transport connectivity. A series of high-level meetings held this month in Astana, Brussels and Strasbourg highlighted the breadth of the partnership,…
New Flights to Armenia and Uzbekistan Expand Kazakhstan’s Air Connectivity
ASTANA — Kazakhstan is expanding its international air links with the launch of new routes to Armenia and Uzbekistan, as authorities continue efforts to increase flight connectivity and strengthen regional travel and business ties. According to the Transport Ministry, Armenian carrier FlyOne Armenia entered the Kazakh market on June 12, launching direct scheduled passenger flights…
Kazakhstan Showcases Investment Potential at US-Kazakhstan Roundtable
ASTANA — Kazakhstan has attracted more than $480 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) since independence, Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Kuantyrov said during a United States (US)-Kazakhstan roundtable at Astana Mining and Metallurgy (AMM) 2026 on June 11, highlighting opportunities in critical minerals, renewable energy, logistics and technology. The roundtable brought together government officials and…
Kazakhstan’s Oilseed Industry Quadruples Export Revenue Up To $1 Billion in Four Years
ASTANA — Export revenue from Kazakhstan’s oilseed-processing industry has quadrupled over the past four years, reaching $963 million, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin said at the Fifth International Fats and Oils Conference (FOC 2026) in Astana on June 5, according to the Prime Minister’s press service. Opening the event, Zhumangarin…
Kazakh Tazy Places Fourth at World Dog Show 2026
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s national dog breed, the tazy, drew international attention at the World Dog Show 2026 in Bologna, Italy, where a young Kazakh tazy named Chelsea placed fourth among junior sighthounds in one of the world’s most prestigious canine competitions, according to Kazinform. The annual World Dog Show, held between June 3-7, organized under…
Cyprus and Kazakhstan Seek to Turn Strategic Location Into Economic Gains
ASTANA — Cyprus is seeking to become a gateway to European markets for Kazakh companies, while Kazakhstan aims to leverage its role as a key Eurasian transit hub to deepen economic ties with the Mediterranean nation. The message emerged during the Kazakhstan-Cyprus Business Forum in Astana on June 3, which brought together more than 70…
Cyprus Opens First Embassy in Central Asia in Astana
ASTANA — Cyprus officially opened its embassy in Astana on June 3, establishing its first diplomatic mission in Central Asia and signaling a new stage in relations with Kazakhstan, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s press service reported. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev described Cyprus as an important partner of Kazakhstan within…
Why June 4 Matters: The Story Behind Kazakhstan’s State Symbols
ASTANA — Every year on June 4, Kazakhstan celebrates the Day of State Symbols, honoring the flag, emblem and anthem that have come to embody the country’s independence, identity and aspirations. While they are familiar elements of daily life, appearing in schools, government institutions and at international sporting events, their significance extends far beyond official…
Experts Outline Three Scenarios for Kazakhstan’s Livestock Industry by 2031
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s livestock sector could follow one of three distinct development paths over the next five years, according to a new industry report presented on May 29 in Astana following the Dala.Camp National Livestock Expedition. The report, unveiled during a roundtable discussion organized by the NU Impact Foundation and the Kazakhstan Livestock Breeders Association…
Experts Say Kazakhstan’s Economy is Growing, But Few Can Feel It
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s economy is experiencing a slowdown in growth across its key sectors, according to a new report released on April 27 by the Halyk Finance analytical center, based on data for the first quarter of 2026. Analyst Timur Dilmukhametov noted that Kazakhstan’s economy grew by 3% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026,…
As Hormuz Tensions Rise, Central Asia’s Role as Transit Hedge Grows
ASTANA – As risks around key maritime chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz intensify, Central Asia is increasingly being repositioned from a transit option into what Jihad Azour, director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s Middle East and Central Asia Department, described in an interview with The Astana Times as a “transit hedge,” offering…
