Articles by Galiya Khassenkhanova

ASTANA – Kazakhstan ranked 62nd out of 140 countries in the Criminal Justice section of the World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index 2022. Compared to 2021, the country has risen six positions and improved its score from 0.45 to 0.47. Kazakhstan has the highest ranking in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) represented in…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is considering introducing an Ombudsperson for the Rights of Socially Vulnerable Categories of the Population position, according to a draft decree published on Jan. 16 on the Open Legal Acts website for public consideration. The ombudsperson for the rights of socially vulnerable categories of the population, an initiative voiced by President Kassym-Jomart…

ASTANA – Young Kazakh singer Yerzhan Maksim won a Grand Prix at the WAF Contest in Skopje,  Macedonia, on Jan. 11, while Altynai Tolegen took the second place, reported the press service of the Kazakh National University of Arts (KazNUA). “The victory of the KazNUA vocal school student, Yerzhan Maksim, a young talent with international…

ASTANA – The passport of Kazakhstan allows its citizens to visit 76 countries visa-free, reported Henley & Partners in its Global Passport Ranking for the first quarter of 2023. Kazakhstan ranks 70 out of 109, sharing the place with Suriname. Last year, Kazakhstan ranked 73rd, although the number of visa-free countries did not change. The…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has determined its quota for employing foreign workers, reported the press service of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population on Jan. 10. Local employees are allowed to hire up to 22,200 foreign nationals, which is 0.24 percent of the total workforce in the country. The quota is aimed at…

ASTANA – The first-ever freight rail route between Kazakhstan and Vietnam was launched on Dec. 31, reported the Chinese Xinhua News Agency.  A train containing electronic parts made in Vietnam departed from Pingxiang Railway Station in southern China. It reached Kazakhstan through the China-Europe Express. This was not the first time Vietnam used the China-Europe…

ASTANA – Several law enforcement officers treated their detainees with cruelty during the riots, which cannot be justified, said Prosecutor General Berik Asylov at a Jan. 5 Mazhilis meeting.  “As instructed by the President, persons who used torture, regardless of rank and position, will suffer a well-deserved punishment,” Asylov stated. Overall, 329 criminal cases involving…

ASTANA – The operation to remove the country’s leaders was carefully planned, said Prosecutor General Berik Asylov during a Jan. 5 Mazhilis meeting on the results of an ongoing investigation into the January events. “It was an attempted coup. The investigation of the criminal case against the former heads of the National Security Committee (NSC)…

ASTANA – The Kazakh government allocated 31 billion tenge (US$66.7 million) for restoring administrative and commercial facilities destroyed during the January riots, said First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar during a Jan. 5 Mazhilis meeting. “Overall, 37 objects have been restored. This month, the building of the Zhetysu region akimat (governor’s office) will be restored.…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Prosecutor General Berik Asylov presented a detailed timeline of the January events, summarized the investigation’s findings and provided evidence at a Jan. 5 Mazhilis meeting.  “The January tragedy became an important lesson for all of us. The investigation established a complete timeline of the events and identified key organizers. All the dead…

ASTANA – Kazakh singer Dimash Kudaibergen has become a recipient of the Bolashak (future) scholarship to study directing at the New York Film Academy branch in Los Angeles. The Bolashak program posted a list of scholarship recipients on its website on Dec. 27, featuring the name of the famous performer. This year, 178 people received…

ASTANA – Kazakh chess player Dinara Saduakassova became the Women’s Rapid section runner-up at the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships 2022, taking place in Almaty on Dec. 25-30, reported the FIDE press service. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated Saduakassova, noting that the country is proud of the achievements of its chess players, which are…

ASTANA – DAZN international sports streaming service listed Gennady Golovkin’s fight with Japanese boxer Ryota Murata among the top five fights of 2022, releasing a YouTube video with highlights. Golovkin, the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and International Boxing Organization (IBO) middleweight champion, beat Murata, the World Boxing Association (WBA) Super middleweight champion, in the ninth…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan ranked 32nd among 113 countries in the Global Food Security Index (GFSI) 2022 report that was released on Dec. 19 by the Economist Impact, a think tank of The Economist magazine. The country has risen from the 41st position that it occupied last year. Kazakhstan’s overall score is 72.1 for this year,…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has increased its coal production to cover European demand, says the Coal 2022 report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) released on Dec. 16. “Kazakhstan’s coal production will rise to 108 million tons (+4.5 percent) in 2022 due to higher demand from Europe, especially Poland, to replace Russian coal. We expect Kazakh…

ASTANA – The United Nations (UN) recognized Kazakhstan’s vast grassland restoration initiative as one of the top 10 World Restoration Flagship programs during the 2022 Montreal Biodiversity Conference (COP 15) on Dec. 13, reported the UN Environment Program (UNEP) press service. The Altyn Dala (golden steppe) Conservation Initiative aims to conserve and restore steppe, semi-desert,…

ASTANA – Law enforcement officers did not use deadly weapons during the January Riots in Almaty, reported Yeldos Kilymzhanov, the Deputy Head of the Criminal Prosecution Service, during a Dec. 14 press briefing at the Central Communication Service. “At the height of the riots, the police did not use lethal weapons but special equipment against…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s GDP grew 2.7 percent over the January-November period in 2022, according to the Macroeconomic Review by the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) released on Dec.13. “The baseline forecast for Kazakhstan is a 4.2 percent increase in GDP in 2023. Government measures to support the economy and expand oil production capacities will outweigh the…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) signed three agreements worth 2.3 billion euros (US$2.5 billion) with Swiss Stadler Rail for the supply of 537 sleeping and couchette coaches on Dec. 14, reported International Railway Journal. The deal also includes a contract for 20-year service maintenance. Stadler will manufacture 234 forty-seat passenger sleeping cars, 233 couchette…

ASTANA – The Kazakh government will focus on implementing the election program of recently reelected President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, said Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov at the Government meeting on Dec. 14, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. “The government will focus on building a new state policy based on three interrelated principles of Just State –…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is a leader in gender equality progress among the Central Asian states, United Nations (UN) Women National Consultant Madina Jarbussynova told The Astana Times. She shared the progress Kazakhstan has made to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment. “All Central Asian countries face similar problems in the field of gender equality and…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev paid an official visit to Paris on Nov. 29-30, where he met with heads of several French companies to discuss investment and cooperation opportunities, the Akorda press service reported. The President committed to deepening relations with France to advance common economic and political interests.  “The GDP grew 2.5 percent…

ASTANA – The Central Election Commission (CEC) approved the calendar plan for the Senate elections scheduled for Jan. 14 during its Nov. 28 meeting. The candidates’ registration begins on Nov. 29 and ends on Dec. 24.  Following registration, the election campaign will run until midnight on Jan. 12. The following day, Jan. 13, is a…

ASTANA – The Kazakh capital, for the first time, entered the list of the most investment-attractive cities, taking 64th place, ahead of Rome, Warsaw, and Moscow,  according to a Nov. 22 sixth edition of the Smart Centres Index (SCI 6) published by London-based commercial think-tank Z/Yen. “The SCI 6 rates the innovation and technology offerings…

ASTANA – The representatives of Iran, Russia, and Türkiye, as guarantors of the Astana Format, reaffirmed their commitment to Syria’s sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity during the 19th international meeting on Syria in Astana on Nov. 22-23. The participants highlighted the role of the Astana Process in resolving issues within the Syrian crisis and…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan uses the most environmentally friendly method of uranium mining, said Kazatomprom national atomic company Chief Commercial Officer Askar Batyrbayev on Nov. 21 during the international Atomexpo-2022 forum in Sochi, Russia, the Kazinform agency reported. “Given that there is expected to be a large demand, a very large number of reactors are expected…

ASTANA – The Kazakh film “Poet” directed by Darezhan Omirbayev, won Best Picture at the Lisbon & Sintra Film Festival 2022 (LEFFEST) held on Nov. 10-20 in Portugal, reported the press service of the Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Sports. The annual film festival showcases the best films from Europe, Asia, and South and North…

ASTANA – The citizens of Kazakhstan are heading to polling stations on Nov. 20 to cast their vote for the new President. They can vote in more than 10,000 polling stations in Kazakhstan, including 68 stations abroad.  Astana city residents shared their expectations from the recent election experience.  Akmaral Tokbergenova, a 27-year-old resident of Astana,…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s National Security Committee (NSC), with the assistance of the Prosecutor General’s Office, detained a criminal group in Almaty on Nov. 17 that attempted to orchestrate violent mass riots on Nov. 20 election day, reported the NSC press service. “Seven people were detained as a result of a special operation. An investigation has…

ASTANA – The city of Almaty embodies Kazakhstan’s independence, said Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during his meeting with the public of Almaty on Nov. 16, reported the Akorda press service. He emphasized that many significant events in the country’s history took place in Almaty, including the signing of the Sovereignty Declaration and the proclamation of…

ASTANA – A children’s artwork exhibition titled We Are The World, held at the Astana Opera theater on Nov. 13, aims to promote children’s creative potential and provide them with opportunities to grow. “Cultural diplomacy aims to bring up children committed to culture, to preserve and amplify the cultural values. With the help of this…

Editor’s note: As Kazakhstan approaches the presidential elections on Nov. 20, The Astana Times will contribute a series of articles in the format of reviews and interviews, providing an outlook into the electoral programs of each of the candidates. ASTANA – Nurlan Auesbayev, a candidate nominated to run in the upcoming presidential elections on Nov.…

ASTANA – The inflation rate in Kazakhstan is expected to slow down in 2023, said Chairman of Kazakhstan’s National Bank Galymzhan Pirmatov at a session of the Senate on Nov. 10, reported the Senate’s press service. “According to our forecasts, inflation will continue to rise, reflecting the sustained pass-through of external inflation into domestic prices,…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Türkiye announced plans to work on replacing the KazSat 3 satellite with KazSat 3R, said the Minister of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry Bagdat Mussin on his Facebook page on Nov.4. “Before decommissioning KazSat 3, we need to build a more modern satellite to replace it and ensure the uninterrupted…

ASTANA – The Alem Saz International Music Festival, which takes place from Nov. 7 to Nov. 16 in Astana, opened at the Qazaqstan Central Concert Hall. The festival brings together musicians from seven countries, including India, Italy, Germany, and Spain.  Musicians from India and Germany, as well as Kazakh government officials, took part in a…

ASTANA – Astana, represented by the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), ranked first in the tenth edition of the Global Green Finance Index (GGFI) among Eastern European and Central Asian countries, reported the AIFC press service on Oct. 31.  Astana’s global ranking is 54th. “Astana is the region’s obvious leader in green finance, standing 21…

ASTANA – Representatives of 218 startups in Kazakhstan will receive training at TikTok StartUp Academy, an educational platform launched by TikTok and Astana Hub, reported the Astana Hub’s press service on Oct. 28. The training for representatives of Fintech, E-com, Games&Apps, Foodtech, Edtech, Entertainment, Health&Wellness, and other spheres started on Oct. 31. The first 20…

ASTANA – The National Bank of Kazakhstan intends to integrate its digital currency into Binance’s BNB blockchain, announced Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao on his Twitter on Oct. 26. “Our team met with the First Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Kazakhstan Berik Sholpankulov and Head of Payment and Technological Center Binur Zhalenov. We introduced…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s GDP grew by 2.8 percent between January and September, said Chairperson of Kazakhstan’s National Bank Galymzhan Pirmatov at an Oct. 26 press conference. According to him, this figure corresponds with the forecasts. “The slowdown in business activity is caused by slow growth dynamics in the mining industry. The repairs at the mining…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is a crucial partner for the European Union (EU) in Central Asia, said European Council President Charles Michel at an Oct. 27 meeting in Astana with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, reported the Akorda press service. “Strong cooperation between Central Asian countries is key to the security and development of the region. Today’s…

ASTANA – The economy of Just and Fair Kazakhstan will have no place for favoritism, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlining plans to reboot key institutions of the country’s political system, reload the entire system of values and establish a long-term trajectory for state-building during a solemn Oct. 22 ceremony dedicated to the Day of the…

ASTANA – The Day of the Republic marks our ancestors’ dream for freedom, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at an Oct. 22 solemn ceremony dedicated to the re-established Day of the Republic, which celebrates the adoption of the country’s sovereignty declaration on Oct. 25, 1990, reported Akorda press service. The President said this holiday commemorates the…

ASTANA – The Mazhilis, the lower house of the Kazakh Parliament, endorsed a bill providing amnesty to some participants in the January unrest at an Oct. 19 session, reported the Mazhilis press service. According to member of the Mazhilis committee on legislation, judicial and legal reform Gulnara Bizhanova, who presented the bill, the amnesty will…

ASTANA – The Kazakh Insitute of Strategic Studies (KazISS) and the Russian Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO) agreed to boost cooperation at an Oct. 18 expert forum titled, Central Asia – Russia: Agenda of Modern Development in Astana, reported the KazISS press service. The event was held as the two countries mark…

ASTANA – Kazakh Minister of Internal Affairs Marat Akhmetzhanov proposed to amend the legislation to allow law enforcement officers to act without a victim’s statement to the police in domestic violence cases during the government meeting on Oct. 18, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. The minister also proposed to limit the number of times…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan handed over the chairpersonship at the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) to Tunisia during the fifth General Assembly on Oct. 10-11 in Tunis.  Opening the ministerial session on Oct. 11, Kazakh Minister of Agriculture Yerbol Karashukeyev, the chair of the fourth General Assembly held in September 2021, handed over the chairmanship…

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev discussed the expansion of trade and economic relations with delegations that participated in the sixth summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) on Oct. 12-13, reported the Akorda press service. Tokayev expressed gratitude to China for supporting Kazakhstan’s idea to transform the…

ASTANA – Human rights activist Saltanat Tursynbekova was nominated to run for the presidency by Qazaq analary – dasturge zhol (Kazakh mothers are a path to traditions) public association on Oct. 11, reported the association’s press services. Saltanat Tursynbekova is a member of the Public Council of Astana and founder of the Kazakhstan without domestic…

ASTANA – Citizens of Kazakhstan have been experiencing problems with internet access starting Sep. 24 following several DDoS attacks on the Kazakh internet, with the State Technical Service, an agency responsible for maintaining the country’s information infrastructure, confirming the cyber attacks on Sept. 28 on its website.  According to the State Technical Service, nearly 20…

ASTANA – The National Volunteer Network, Kazakhstan’s Civil Alliance, Qazaqstan Team Youth Association, Organization of Veterans, and Kazakhstan’s Union of Athletes  nominated President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Oct. 5 to run in the upcoming presidential elections, reported the press services of the associations. “The country will see the implementation of new reforms initiated by President Tokayev,…

ASTANA – Three candidates were nominated to run for president in the upcoming elections on Nov. 20, which brings the total number of candidates to four, including incumbent Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.  On Sept. 30, the Auyl Party (village in Kazakh) was the first to announce Zhiguli Dairabayev as their candidate. Dairabayev is the chair of the…

ASTANA –  The Kazakhtelecom and AzerTelecom companies signed a memorandum of a strategic partnership to install fiber optic communication lines (FOCL) along the bottom of the Capsian Sea on Sept. 28, reported Kazakhtelecom’s press service. “The cooperation between our companies as part of the Trans Caspian Fiber Optic (TCFO) project, a part of the Digital…

ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Sports proposes to introduce a visa-free regime for 26 countries to increase tourism inflow, bringing the total number of visa-free countries to 100, said Dastan Ryspekov, Tourism Industry Committee Chair, at a Sept. 28 Central Communication Service (CCS) press briefing. Ryspekov said that Kazakhstan had resumed a…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will issue a special permit dubbed the Card of Kazakh to encourage ethnic Kazakhs to start businesses in the country while maintaining their foreign citizenship, announced Kazakh Minister of Labor and Social Protection of Population Tamara  Duisenova at a Sept. 26 press briefing, reported the ministry’s press service. Nearly 100 ethnic Kazakhs…

ASTANA – The incoming and outgoing flow of migrants in Kazakhstan is under control, reported Acting Chair of the Migration Service Committee of the Kazakh Interior Ministry Aslan Atalykov at a Sept. 26 press briefing, reported the ministry’s press service. “Internal affairs agencies register immigrants, receiving the information from hosts and based on the data…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan chooses to stay neutral in the current geopolitical situation, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said during his meeting with the public on Sept. 27 as part of his working visit to the Turkistan Region, reported Akorda press service. “In this difficult situation, Kazakhstan takes a neutral position when voting in international organizations, primarily…

NUR-SULTAN – The Super Bol social project gives an opportunity for talented young people to start their professional football career. The project, televised in a reality show format on QazSport TV Channel, started in early June and finished with a match against Kazakhstan’s Zhenis FC in August. It should be noted that the name “Super…

The Chair of the European Parliament Delegation to the countries of Central Asia and Mongolia and Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Fulvio Martusciello spoke highly of the measures Kazakhstan undertook to fight the spread of the COVID-19 infection, as Kazinform news agency reported.  The Italian politician said that the measures Kazakhstan took were timely…

NUR-SULTAN – The Korean Cultural Centre in the capital celebrated the Lunar New Year Jan. 24, offering visitors the opportunity to learn about and participate in traditional festivities. The Lunar New Year, known in Korea as Seollal, falls on the first day of the first month of the Lunar Calendar. Because the calendar has only…

NUR-SULTAN – The award-winning Kazakh film “Shyraqshy” premiered in the capital Jan. 20 followed by a press conference featuring lead actor Muratzhan Mukazhanov and scriptwriter and director Yermek Tursunov. “Shyraqshy” tells a story of a soldier who returned from World War II with an old movie projector, a gift from a German man he rescued.…

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s Shymbulak Mountain Resort ranked first on the list of the best ski resorts in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), according to Russian tourism and sport website turstat.com. The rating highlights the best CIS resorts for winter vacations, especially January and February. The website notes the best skiing and snowboarding spots are…

NUR-SULTAN – For the first time, three Kazakh tennis players reached the third round of Australian Open women’s singles, reported liter.kz. Yelena Rybakina, the country’s number one player and 26th in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) ranking, beat the United States’ Bernarda Pera (65th) in the first round, 6-3, 6-2. She then defeated Belgian Greet…

NUR-SULTAN – Russian television channel Match TV released the documentary “Denis Ten. Thirteen” Dec. 23, 2019 about the Kazakh figure skater, reported zakon.kz. The film was written and produced by sport journalists Sergei Railyan and Konstantin Stolbovski. The documentary gathered videos from the Ten family’s personal archives and interviewed Russian Olympic and world figure skating…

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have unique opportunities for cooperation, said UAE Ambassador to Kazakhstan Mohamed Ahmed bin Sultan Al Jaber in an exclusive interview with The Astana Times. Kazakh and UAE diplomatic relations have been growing at a dynamic pace since being established in 1992. The countries continue to build…

NUR-SULTAN – As part of the 50th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos (Switzerland), the Kazakh government, Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) and WEF signed a tripartite letter of intent to establish a Fourth Industrial Revolution affiliation centre this year based in the AIFC, reported inbusiness.kz Jan. 23. The centre will bring together…

UR-SULTAN – The Central Communications Service held a briefing Jan. 16 outlining preparations for poet Abai Kunanbayev’s 175th anniversary, reported the Ministry of Culture and Sport website. The 82-point plan was approved in 2019, noted Vice Minister Nurgisa Dauyeshov. More than 500 regional, national and international events are scheduled. “We plan to hold major events…

NUR-SULTAN – The Eurasian Designers Union held an open meeting Jan. 15-18 at the Kazakh National Museum, reported the museum press service. Participants were involved in seminars and lectures by renowned designers and architects, saw a fashion show by both professional and young designers and received a guided tour of the museum. “The tendencies we…

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev appointed Jan. 16 Asset Isekeshev Assistant to the President and Secretary of the Security Council, reported akorda.kz. Isekeshev, 48, replaced Kalmukhanbet Kassymov, who had previously served as Minister of Internal Affairs from 2011 to 2019. In the reshuffle, Kassymov was appointed head of the Kazakhstan State Guard Service that…

NUR-SULTAN – The capital akimat (city administration) is preparing for Epiphany bathing Jan. 18-19, reported its press service. It is insisting people follow safety measures and consider weather conditions. Special bathing ice holes for all to use will be equipped on the right bank of the Yessil River near Makhambet Otemisov Schoolchildren’s Palace and the…

NUR-SULTAN – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a law exempting micro and small businesses from taxes for three years Dec. 28. The law, “On introducing amendments and additions to some legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on improving the procedures for rehabilitation and bankruptcy, budget, tax legislation and legislation on railway transport,” frees certain taxpayers…

NUR-SULTAN – Henley & Partners, a global citizenship and residence advisory firm, has ranked Kazakhstan 67th on its 2020 Henley Passport Index. The report, released Jan. 7, rates 199 countries on their passports according to the number of destinations holders can access without a prior visa, reported inform.kz. The rating is based on a point…

NUR-SULTAN – The Aleph Jewish Ethno Cultural Centre organised a celebration of Hanukkah, the eight-day festival of renovation and light, Dec. 29 in Friendship House. The centre was kind enough to invite a reporter from The Astana Times to talk about the holiday and community. The main event was lighting the candles representing each day…

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev ratified his country’s agreement with the Council of Europe on immunities and privileges for Group of States Against Corruption (GRECO) representatives Jan. 4, according to the akorda.kz. The agreement was signed Oct. 15 in Strasbourg, France, by Kazakh Anti-Corruption Agency Chair Alik Shpekbayev and by Council of Europe Deputy…

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh tennis player Zarina Diyas won the International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournament held in Hong Kong Dec. 30 to Jan. 5, reported prosports.kz. This is her first victory of the 2020 season. In the final match, Diyas beat Chinese player Zhu Lin, who occupies the 72nd place in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA)…

NUR-SULTAN – The Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan (AAK), which began engaging in technical control and supervision Aug. 1, will modernise the country’s aviation regulations within two years. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Kazakhstan Director General Peter Griffiths spoke with The Astana Times about the details of its work. “The purpose of the AAK is to take…

NUR-SULTAN – Astana Pro Team rider Gorka Izagirre won the Basque Country Cyclocross Championship Dec. 29, reported prosports.kz. The top finish complimented his two previous wins in the last six weeks. Izagirre, a native of Spain, took first place Nov. 24 in the CX Garai Bizkaia Championships in Basque Country, overtaking his younger brother, Ion,…

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan has allocated 8.8 billion tenge (US$23 million) for its pavilion at EXPO 2020 in Dubai, reported zakon.kz. “First of all, the government has set the goal of increasing the investment volume in fixed assets, including foreign direct investments, from $24 billion this year to $34 billion by 2025. That is, we plan…

NUR-SULTAN – U.S. website Business Insider ranked Kazakhstan’s Gennady Golovkin ninth on its list of the 15 best boxers in the world right now. The list was released Dec. 25. “Before Golovkin turned professional, he was a wildly decorated amateur fighter with a 2003 World Amateur Championships gold medal and a silver at the 2004…

NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh government reviewed Dec. 30 the results and implementation of the legislation plan for 2019, including tightening several crime punishments and determined the plan for 2020. The legislation plan for 2019 initially envisaged 27 bills, but taking into account the developer bodies’ proposals and the amendments introduced during the year, the plan…

NUR-SULTAN – Astana Ballet premiered “Cinderella” Dec. 20-22, a two-act ballet based on the music of Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev. “Cinderella” is the second fairy tale in the theatre’s repertoire, following “The Nutcracker,” and tickets sold out a month before the programme. The ballet will perform the work again Jan. 7-8, then tour to Almaty…

NUR-SULTAN – NS Family WinterFest, a recreational ice town, has opened in the capital’s Botanical Garden, reported the city akimat (city administration). “The Botanical Garden is a special place for the city. We tried to make the design as comfortable as possible for people to spend time here with their families. We also tried to…

NUR-SULTAN – Le Shapalaque Comics is a growing project that seeks to influence its audience and attract attention to social and political problems. “Since the last interview [with The Astana Times], a lot has changed politically in Kazakhstan and on our team. Last time, we had around 10,000 followers; since then, it has grown almost…

NUR-SULTAN – Almaty Futsal Club (AFC) Kairat defeated Taldykorgan FC Jetisu 4-3, Dec. 18, to win the Kazakhstan Cup 2019, reported prosports.kz. “A tough match, very interesting for the fans. I believe finals should be like that. By now, all the teams are already equal in level. We prepared very hard emotionally. Though not with…

NUR-SULTAN – Maksut Narikbayev KAZGUU University has allocated 10 scholarships to secondary school graduates from Uzbekistan, KAZGUU CEO Talgat Narikbayev announced Dec. 6. “These scholarships show that higher education in Kazakhstan opens itself to the Uzbek education market. Considering that Uzbekistan has been closed up in this regard, this is another proof of warming up…

NUR-SULTAN – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev Dec. 18 signed several decrees relieving some politicians and senior officials from their posts and appointing others, reported akorda.kz. The President’s decree relieved Darkhan Kaletayev, 47, from the position of the First Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, which he occupied since March. Maulen Ashimbayev, 48, who occupied the…

NUR-SULTAN – SCAT Airlines has initiated its first regular flights connecting Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia. Trips from Almaty to Medina and Jeddah launched Nov. 30. “SCAT Airlines has operated flights to Jeddah and Medina for more than three years. Before this, flights were carried out on a charter programme and passengers could purchase a flight…

NUR-SULTAN – On Dec. 11, Nur-Sultan Specialised Inter-District Criminal Court convicted 14 Kazakh men returned from Syria of working for terrorist organisation, the Islamic State or DAESH, and sentenced them to eight to 14 years in prison. These 14 men were returned to Kazakhstan as part of the national Jusan (Butter Wormwood) Operation, conducted from…

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh Prime Minister Askar Mamin recently visited the United States and the United Kingdom to negotiate agreements on venture capital, digital technologies and healthcare, reports primeminister.kz. Mamin, as part of his visit to the United States, met Dec. 11 in San Francisco with the heads of global innovation, digital development, venture financing and…

NUR-SULTAN – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Kazakh Ministries of Healthcare and Labour and Social Protection of the Population opened a three-day training programme Dec. 9 which they developed to teach medical and social workers the proper interaction with children infected with HIV and other chronic diseases. “The programme helps children with chronic diseases.…

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev urged during a December 10 ceremony marking the end of the Year of Youth and the start of the Year of Volunteer the formation of a new national youth policy to more actively help steer the nation’s young people toward productive activities, reported Akorda.kz “Less than a quarter of…

NUR-SULTAN – Newly-appointed Hungarian Ambassador to Kazakhstan Antal Heizer is continuing the embassy’s work to strengthen political, economic and cultural cooperation between the nations. “The relations between our countries are really excellent. Kazakhstan at this moment is the only strategic partner of Hungary in Central Asia and Hungary is the only such partner in Central…

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s First President, Nursultan Nazarbayev, attended the second Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Nov. 29, where he was named Honorary Chair. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Zheenbekov, Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon and Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimukhamedov bestowed the title on Nazarbayev. “Nursultan Nazarbayev,…

NUR-SULTAN – The Center for Research and Consulting (CRC) is a relatively young and growing company with the vision of a better Kazakhstan. Its specialisation lies in strategic consulting for public sector. It strives to make the country more competitive and attractive for talented people.  “The key here is for Kazakhstan to determine what proposition…

NUR-SULTAN – Three programmes promoting regional integration in Central Asia were launched at the EU’s regional conference on Enhanced Integration for Prosperity in Central Asia Nov. 28. “We are very optimistic and looking forward to the implementation of these programmes, which relate to the rule of law, trade and investment. Very much of it is…

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a law making ministers and akims (governors) responsible for corruption among their direct subordinates Nov. 28. The law introduces amendments that will oblige ministers and governors to resign if the top officials in their institutions are found guilty of corruption. “If we seriously want to eradicate corruption, then,…

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh athlete Moldir Mekenbayeva won a gold medal at the World Professional Adult and Para Jiu-jitsu Championship Nov. 16-24 in Abu Dhabi.  “This year, the world championship’s organisation was in the hands of the Jiu-Jitsu Federation of the United Arab Emirates. Who else but Arabs knows how to conduct competitions at the highest…

NUR-SULTAN – Astana Ballet performed for the first time on the United States West Coast Nov. 19-22, reported its press service. Three California cities – Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco – were struck by the Kazakh national art and work of modern choreographers. “The national dance had a colossal impact on me. It…

NUR-SULTAN – Akbuzat Bashkir Ethno-Cultural Centre in the capital, though relatively new, is active and motivated to promote its culture and traditions, especially among the youth. In an exclusive interview with The Astana Times, Chairperson Ural Aznabayev talked about the centre’s events and activities and how they attract the younger generation. Although just three years…

NUR-SULTAN – Swiss President Ueli Maurer and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev discussed international and business cooperation opportunities Nov. 22 during the former’s visit to the Central Asian country.   “The two nations have maintained international relationships for a long time, both politically and economically. More than 40 Swiss companies work in Kazakhstan and they feel comfortable…

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh Prime Minister Askar Mamin reviewed the results of the pilot implementation of Mandatory Social Medical Insurance (MSMI) in Karaganda Region Nov. 18, according to his office. “[Kazakhstan’s First President] Nursultan Nazarbayev set the task of ensuring complete readiness for the introduction of the MSMI. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in his state-of-the-nation address noted…