Articles by Meruyert Abugaliyeva

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is home to more than 130 ethnic groups and the nation’s prosperity is only possible when there is peace and harmony, said Serikbay kazhy Oraz, Chairperson of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan (SAMK) and the Kazakh Supreme Mufti, in a recent interview with The Astana Times. “Surely, Islam is a…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan creates conditions for representatives of various religious communities, including adherents of Buddhism, to coexist peacefully and prosper. Larisa Palagina, leader of Almaty Temple of Won Buddhism, spoke about the practice in Kazakhstan, its values, activities and interfaith relations, in an interview with The Astana Times. Won Buddhism is a modernised form of…

ASTANA – Lives’ Talk, a Korean start-up, has developed two gadgets and a mobile application to help Kazakh farmers quickly determine the location of their cattle. The idea behind the device belongs to team leader Yung Yang Cheng, who identified the problem during his trip to Kazakhstan two years ago. “I noticed that farmers sometimes…

ASTANA – Kazakh biotechnologist Bauyrzhan Aituov produces Innodent, an innovative product for treating tooth decay without painful drilling and fillings. The product can stop early tooth decay and stimulate natural regeneration of tooth enamel, he told The Astana Times in a recent interview. Innodent Repair consists of a synthesised human protein called amelogenin, which plays…

ASTANA – The 2015-2019 State Programme of Industrial and Innovative Development (SPIID) has positively affected the growth dynamics of the manufacturing sector, resulting in the industry contribution to the GDP growing to 11.8 percent, according to the preliminary evaluation by Kazakh Ministry of Investments and Development. The key contributors were metallurgy (9.3 percent of the…

ASTANA – Sary-Arka, the fourth expedition of the Kazakh National Geographic Society (Qazaq Geography), set off from Astana Aug. 20. The journey, dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Kazakh capital, will continue through Sept. 4. Participants, including TV journalists, tour operators and local and foreign travel bloggers, will travel 4,595 kilometres across the Akmola,…

ASTANA – School opens Sept. 1 and the Kazakh education system is ready for the academic year, said Minister of Education and Science Yerlan Sagadiyev, reporting on kindergarten and school preparation during an Aug. 22 government meeting. The country has 10,311 kindergartens for nearly 900,000 pre-school-age children, including 6,727 public and 3,584 private institutions. Extensive…

ASTANA – Vladimir Akulov, businessperson and agrarian from the East Kazakhstan region is among 102 winners of the nation’s 100 New Faces project for his attention to corporate social responsibility and charity. The project was established to recognise exemplary individuals and promote their success stories to inspire others. In times of post-war hardships in Belarus,…

ASTANA – Qurban Ait (Eid al-Adha), one of two main Islamic holidays, is being celebrated Aug. 21 – 23 this year. The holiday, mostly associated with sacrificing an animal, symbolises kindness and generosity, friendship and mutual understanding for many Kazakh citizens. According to Islamic tradition, Muslims throughout the world slaughter an animal, such as a…

ASTANA – The number of transport card users has almost doubled since the July 21 introduction of differentiated fares and the new enter-and-exit rules for city bus passengers. The initial 221,000 transport cardholders reached 405,000 by the end of the month. As of Aug. 7, the figure had risen to 415,000, including 61,900 passengers eligible…

ASTANA – Local designers are helping Kazakh citizens look stylish and feel comfortable while wearing clothes with traditional elements. Kazakhs have typically paid a great deal of attention to the garments they wear. Clothes, often made from fur, silk and wool, were used to show well-being and social status and ethnic ornaments were the main…

ASTANA – Moskva Business Centre, a multifunctional complex containing offices, conference halls, a shopping area, restaurants and sports clubs, is a landmark project symbolising friendship between Moscow and the Kazakh capital. Its construction, combining the innovations and traditions of European and Asian capitals, was completed by the company owned by international entrepreneur and philanthropist Elena…

ASTANA – Yuri Novgorodov, Archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kazakhstan and representative of the World Lutheran Association, discussed church activities, the role of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions and relations with the other confessions in Kazakhstan with The Astana Times. “The mission of the church is the proclamation of…

ASTANA – Nurlan Yermekbayev, until recently the Assistant to the President – Secretary of the Security Council, was appointed Kazakhstan’s Minister of Defence Aug. 7. “In the light of changing geopolitical situations and formation of new challenges, one of the main tasks placed ahead of the Ministry of Defence is technological improvement and weapons modernisation.…

ASTANA – The nation’s childhood cancer rate increased 9.3 percent in 2016-2017, as the number of detected cases rose from 558 to 610 per year. “Every year, on average 600 new cases of malignant tumours are detected and approximately 40 percent of them are cases of leukaemia. We believe that the increase in childhood cancer…

ASTANA – Kazakh Ministry for Investments and Development and Damu Entrepreneurship Development Fund have launched a programme to support entrepreneurs running investment projects related to energy saving technologies. The mechanism was designed to execute the sustainable low-carbon city development project initiated by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Global Ecological Fund (GEF) and the Kazakh government.…

ASTANA – The Astana city government collected in 2017 the highest amount of revenue in 10 years, reported finprom.kz. The past year also witnessed greater investment into Astana’s fixed assets. “Astana’s budget revenue reached a record high of 469.4 billion tenge (US$1.37 billion) in the last ten years. Tax revenue contribution increased from 30.2 percent…

ASTANA – Recent changes to Kazakhstan’s legislation have resulted in higher pensions, more social assistance payments and more expensive cigarettes, while procedures for issuing visas and electronic passports for vehicles have been altered. Higher basic pension payment Some changes involved the calculation of basic pensions, which previously comprised 15,274 tenge (US$44.75) or 54 percent of…

ASTANA – The capital celebrated the 20th Astana Day with several days of festivals, concerts and sporting events across the city starting July 4. A flag-raising ceremony at 11 a.m. July 4 marked the official start of the Astana Day celebrations. More than 60 artists performed during the Echo Asia International Festival of circus art…

ASTANA – Lyazzat Aitkozhina, one of Kazakhstan’s 100 New Faces, is a devoted gynaecologist and fertility specialist who helps women experience the joy of motherhood through in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). “I love my job and I believe being a doctor is not simply a professional choice; it is a gift from God. It is not enough…

ASTANA – Estonia, which is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its independence this year, has established friendly relations with Kazakhstan during 26 years of diplomatic relations. Bilateral cooperation, which has great potential, has not yet been fully explored, said Estonian Ambassador to Kazakhstan Heiti Maemees in an interview with The Astana Times. “Overall, our bilateral…

ASTANA – The pristine nature and breathtaking scenery of Katon-Karagai, the nation’s largest national park high in the Altai Mountains in East Kazakhstan, attracts many tourists. Although difficult to access, the region boasts multiple active tourist and recreational sites. During one trip, guests can enjoy all kinds of landscapes, including snowy mountains, dense forests, green…

ASTANA – The Kazakh Senate recently ratified an agreement between the Kazakh and Chinese governments to construct the Chukurbulak (Almaly) dam on the Khorgos River. “The dam is necessary to ensure the safety of Khorgos international cross-border cooperation centre since it is situated in a dangerous location. The project cost is estimated at 11.7 billion…

ASTANA – Yelena Dmitrienko, one of Kazakhstan’s 100 New Faces, is the president of Zhuldyz Association, which unites children’s public organisations across the country. She has devoted more than 40 years to education, devising a pre-school development programme for children’s organisations. “The programme’s mission is to nurture free and creative individuals living up to high…

ASTANA – The Kazakh National Bank recently denied rumours being spread on social media of a pending currency devaluation. “At the moment there are no obvious risks of devaluation. Minor fluctuations in the exchange rate of the tenge observed recently are a consequence of an increase in seasonal demand for foreign currency due to summer…

ASTANA – Declaring income and property, currently mandatory for Kazakh Parliament deputies, judges and several categories of individuals, including civil servants and those obliged by the constitutional law on elections, criminal executive code and law “On Combating Corruption,” will become obligatory for all citizens starting Jan. 1, 2020. The practice will expand the tax base…

ASTANA – April 10 marked the 26th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Kazakhstan and Israel. Bilateral relations have been friendly and fruitful; however, economic cooperation can be expanded, said Deputy Director General and Head of the Euro-Asian Division of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs Alexander Ben-Zvi during his recent visit to Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is…

ASTANA – Amidst the hustle and bustle of the capital, some residents are setting aside time to read books and discuss them in small communities. Founded in 2011, Astana Book Club allows book lovers to gather, read and talk about the same work. Club members have an opportunity to express their views and share their…

ASTANA – Kazakhfilm is shooting the second season of its historical series about the Kazakh Khanate in the Tulkibas district of the South Kazakhstan region. “The second season covers one of the most challenging time periods for the Kazakh Khanate and will display the violent battle between the Kerei and Zhanibek khans, the descendants of…

ASTANA – Kazakh citizens planning for their children’s college educations can begin putting money away from the time the youngsters can crawl. The state education savings system ensures higher education accessibility by allowing residents to save under favourable terms. Established in 2005, the centre provides a financial instrument to expand access to education. The nation…

ASTANA – Built on the traditions of the old world, Astana has a sense of futurism, said British artist Alex Connor, one of the Nur Kelbetti Astana Festival participants who are demonstrating their impressions of the Kazakh capital with works of art. A painter and art historian, Connor has written ten historical novels and conspiracy…

ASTANA – Increasing investment activity and decelerating inflationary processes resulted in the Kazakh GDP growing by 3.9 percent in the first five months of 2018, said Minister of National Economy Timur Suleimenov during the June 12 government meeting. “Economic processes continue developing within the balanced growth path, as improvements are registered in all sectors of…

ASTANA – The National Bank of Kazakhstan has reduced the base rate to 9 percent with a corridor of +/-1 percent, according to its June 4 press release. The base rate is the monetary policy instrument used by the bank to regulate nominal interbank money market interest rates. “The current base rate level will contribute…

ASTANA – The Protecting Business and Investments Project Office was launched in the Kazakh capital June 8 to facilitate investing in the Kazakh economy by shielding investors from corruption risks and alleviating bureaucratic procedures. The office was established under a memorandum of cooperation among the Agency for Civil Service Affairs and Fighting Corruption, Ministry of…

ASTANA – The capital’s potential to become an innovative hub for finance, trade and transportation was discussed by Kazakh and foreign experts during the June 5 Astana: The City of Peace international conference, with particular emphasis on the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) and International Centre for Green Technologies and Investment Projects. “The idea of…

ASTANA – Kazakh and foreign politicians and experts gathered June 5 for Astana: The City of Peace international conference dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Kazakh capital. The focus of the discussion was past achievements, the role of the city in global diplomacy and opportunities for Astana as a growing centre in the heart…

ASTANA – The Bukhtarma water reservoir in East Kazakhstan region is more than just one of the five largest artificial reservoirs in the world. Surrounded by the Altai Mountains and forests, its beauty has also made it a popular recreation spot. The reservoir was created during the construction of Bukhtarma hydroelectric power plant on the…

ASTANA – The Court of First Instance in Brussels, Belgium recently lifted the preliminary block on access to Kazakhstan’s National Fund assets of $21.5 billion and held that there is a possibility of unfreezing an additional $530 million in British courts, the Kazakh Ministry of Justice press service reports. The block was placed in connection…

ASTANA – The city akimat (administration) is responding to resident requests for increased landscaping, public infrastructure and recreational facilities with plans to build additional thematic parks and squares. “It is of particular importance for us to build parks and squares on the right bank of the city. We did not give the land lots to…

ASTANA – Galym Arystanbayev, a 40-year-old senior sergeant in the Zhambyl region police department, is the father of 11 children who believes in the importance of unity within a family. He and his wife, Aliya, have adopted eight children from local orphanages. Arystanbayev is one of 102 finalists in Kazakhstan’s 100 New Faces project, which…

ASTANA – The last bell sounded May 25 in Kazakhstan secondary schools, marking the end of required education and the start of adult life for more than 147,000 students across the country. The ceremonies, which have become a tradition in post-Soviet countries, included words of gratitude to teachers, good luck wishes and farewell speeches. Students…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Astana Arlans defeated the British Lionhearts May 26 in the World Series of Boxing (WSB) semi-final. It will be the Arlans’ fifth appearance in the final. The match in Atyrau was the second meeting of the Kazakh team and British Lionhearts after the first leg of the semi-final in Sheffield, when the…

ASTANA – KTZ Express, a subsidiary of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), Kazakhstan’s state-owned railway operator and logistics company, will manage the container fleet of Chinese COSCO Shipping in Kazakhstan, Central Asia and along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. The agreement between KTZ and COSCO, a leading international container fleet operator, was signed during KTZ president…

ASTANA – Accelerated modernisation will be the topic of the 31st plenary session of the Foreign Investors Council (FIC) under Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev in June 2018. The council, which marks its 20th anniversary this year, serves as a platform for dialogue between the Kazakh government and foreign investors, aiming to address challenges faced by…

ASTANA – The Visit Burabay community group offers Astana residents the opportunity to visit Kazakhstan’s tourism attractions and natural beauty. “Our project was initiated by my friend, Ulan Alimbek. For the first time, we set out on a journey October 31, 2015 and at that time, there were 15 people not acquainted with each other.…

ASTANA – Challenges and prospects for women’s leadership were discussed by female leaders at a May 18 round table during the 11th Astana Economic Forum in the Kazakh capital. “To date, most developed countries have recognised the importance of an inclusive economy in terms of female capital development. However, according to a UN report, legal…

ASTANA – Tatyana Kucher, one of Kazakhstan’s 100 New Faces, has devoted more than 45 years to teaching mathematics, nurturing future teachers and developing methodology. She believes a good teacher should be a friend, helping students discover knowledge on their own in order to succeed. “I believe a teacher must be a second mother for…

ASTANA – The autumn-winter heating season ran smoothly and preparation for the next season is underway in accordance with the approved schedule, noted Kazakh Minister of Energy Kanat Bozumbayev during the May 15 government meeting. “No major technical breakdowns in the energy system were registered throughout the past season. In total, there were 26 occasions…

ASTANA – Microchipping domestic pets will soon be mandatory in the capital. Medical records as well as information about the owners will be combined into a database linked to similar catalogues globally. “As instructed by city Akim (Mayor) Asset Issekeshev, digitisation should embrace all the aspects of life in the capital. The akimat (city administration)…

ASTANA – Nazarbayev University (NU) is committed to becoming a leading research university recognised internationally. One of its main priorities is promoting international diversity and academic mobility. With admissions underway, NU is calling for international applicants to diversify its student body and promote cultural exchange. “Internationalisation is a global trend in higher education and NU…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s ruling Nur Otan political party has developed more than 20 projects to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), improve the educational system and execute the Digital Kazakhstan and Rukhani Janghyru (Modernisation of Kazakhstan’s Identity) national programmes. The key priority, however, is to update the party and increase public trust. “Nur Otan must…

ASTANA – Second wind, the physiological phenomenon when an out-of-breath marathoner suddenly finds the strength to push harder, will be the topic of the June 10 TEDxAstana. “Second wind is a gift and second chance allowing an athlete to complete the marathon with even higher performance indicators and finish running, swimming or riding a bicycle.…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will start issuing electronic visas July 1 as part of the Digital Kazakhstan programme. Visitors will be able to apply online through an electronic portal. “We have identified several countries and this year plan to implement pilot projects for them. This will require the modernisation of Berkut, the unified system of monitoring…

ASTANA – Indian citizens flying thorough Kazakhstan with local airlines can enjoy a 72-hour visa-free stopover in Astana and Almaty from April 23 until Dec. 31, according to a government decree signed April 10. Air Astana offers daily flights from Almaty – Delhi and flights three times per week from Astana – Delhi on Airbus…

ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry for Investment and Development will organise the 25th World Mining Congress, a large-scale event dedicated to mining and metal sector, June 19-21 in Astana. More than 2,000 delegates from 50 countries and 220 companies will participate. First held in 1958 in Poland, the World Mining Congress takes place every two-three…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan, which has always promoted peace and dialogue between different nations and religions, is preparing for the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in October. The Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan (SAMK) plays an important role in interfaith dialogue, promotes unity and addresses the challenge of extremism, says SAMK Deputy…

ASTANA – The Ministry of Information and Communication has developed a plan to increase Kazakhstan’s digital literacy rate to 83 percent by 2022. The goal to better equip the Kazakh public to use information technologies in daily life and work is a central aspect of the national Digital Kazakhstan programme. “We have identified two approaches:…

ASTANA – Garik Bernetsyan, one of the nation’s 100 New Faces, is the director of a construction company in the North Kazakhstan region. Apart from business projects, he builds kindergartens in Petropavlovsk under private-public partnerships (PPP) and helps the elderly, orphans and people with disabilities. Born in Armenia, Bernetsyan studied in university in Russia and…

ASTANA – The national privatisation programme for 2016-2020 involving 877 entities is 76 percent complete, as 397 organisations worth 199 billion tenge (US$619 million) have been sold and 274 are set for reorganisation and liquidation, reported Kazakh Minister of Finance Bakhyt Sultanov during the April 10 government meeting. “This year, the plans are to sell…

ASTANA – A team of nine undergraduate students from Nazarbayev University (NU) designed, constructed and drove a car on electric battery at Shell Eco-marathon Asia, held March 8-11 in Singapore. The team placed 13th of 26 in the electric car prototype category. Shell Eco-marathon is a student competition of energy-efficient cars held annually in Asia,…

ASTANA – Electronic health passports and medical information systems have been implemented in Kazakhstan this year to make medical service provisions more efficient for both patients and doctors. Kazakh Minister of Healthcare Yelzhan Birtanov briefed the government on the roadmap developed to digitise healthcare. “Healthcare digitisation, which entails unification of information systems, mobile application use,…

ASTANA – Tamilya Anchutkina, a mother of two children, entrepreneur and founder of UrbanMama Space, has launched Digital Mama, a programme designed to provide women on maternity leave with training and employment in social media marketing (SMM), graphic design and website construction. Participants will learn professional skills such as creating mobile applications, marketing and programming,…

ASTANA – Twenty-five projects in the Zhambyl region in sports, agriculture, education, social protection, logistics, public order and security will be financed in 2018 through private-public partnerships (PPP). A three-year project to provide training for 350 children in boxing, taekwondo, heavy athletics, wrestling and judo is underway in the Tarlan sports complex in Shu. The…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s National Bank has launched Invest Online, a system allowing Kazakhs to borrow funds by buying and selling short-term notes and securities recently issued by the bank. The safe and riskless investments can be completed at any time using the mobile app. “The system operates round-the-clock and all the transactions are free of…

ASTANA – Many of Astana’s restaurants and cafés now offer home delivery. Here is a sampling of the restaurants that let you eat out while eating in. Damdes Given the number of nationalities residing in Astana, Damdes does not focus on a particular cuisine but seeks to provide “local taste” of the food because local…

ASTANA – British Council congratulated three winners of the Study UK Alumni Awards 2018 during a March 14 ceremony in Astana for their extraordinary achievements in professional career, entrepreneurship and social impact. The award, organised by the British Council since 2014, reflects the value of the UK higher education system and celebrates the success of…

ASTANA – Capital residents should get ready to have some fun. Meruyert Theme Park, planned for 180 hectares near Korgalzhyn Highway, will be constructed by 2025. Financed by local and European private investors, the project will include numerous entertainment facilities, hotels, restaurants and a ski resort. “We understand that a single local company will be…

ASTANA – The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Steel Committee approved March 16 Kazakhstan’s committee membership, allowing the country to interact with other major industry participants. “After the presentation of Kazakhstan’s steel industry policy preliminary review Sep. 28-29, 2017, the Steel Committee Secretariat decided to recommend the OECD Council invite Kazakhstan as an…

ASTANA – Author Helene Satushkina established the Life Is Here project in the capital in 2015, including a diary and community for active and ambitious people, to remind individuals of the importance of living a conscious life. The diary is not an ordinary notebook – it is a Book of Life. “I chose ‘Life Is…

ASTANA – World famous Kazakh violinist Erzhan Kulibaev was featured March 21 in the Astana Opera Chamber Orchestra’s “Masterpieces of violin music” concert under the direction of Abzal Mukhitdinov. The programme included works by eminent German composers Max Bruch and Ludwig van Beethoven. “Almost 20 years have passed since I first performed a concert by…

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 burden, accessibility of higher education, business loans and gas provisions, are meant to enhance the well-being of the Kazakh people. The roadmap, developed by the National Bank and…

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 diseases like cancer and HIV, Kazakh biotechnologist Galymzhan Tleboldinov says. The new method for such gene editing, CRISPR, helped Tleboldinov win the national stage of Famelab 2018, a…

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 take place next week ending with large-scale outdoor celebrations on March 21-22. The holiday, commonly referred to as “Ulystyn uly kuni” (“Great day of the nation” in Kazakh,)…

ASTANA – The Development Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK), a subsidiary of Baiterek National Holding, plans to invest 405 billion tenge (US$1.3 billion) into projects in 2018 related to the manufacturing industry and industry infrastructure, according to a March 5 press conference dedicated to the bank’s past year performance. “This year, we expect that 11 projects…

ASTANA – The March 4 Zhaina International Women’s Forum in Astana attracted more than 600 participants from Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Malaysia and the U.S. to discuss female entrepreneurship and empowerment. “There is a global trend of women leadership and development, such as [the one noted in hashtags] #timeisnow, #timesup and #womenempowerment. In Kazakhstan, we…

ASTANA – Young Kazakh designers Zhanar Kainarbayeva and Aizhan Salimbayeva presented their works in London at last month’s Silk Road Fashion Show. The event introduced modern Central Asian elegance to the British audience. “Kazakh designers make their special contribution to fashion, as they have unique style and bring something quite unfamiliar to the local audience.…

ASTANA – The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Expat Centre provides English-language services, including visa and work permits, tax payments, consultations on healthcare, education, transport and accommodations to expats and their families. “The centre’s activities are intended to contribute to the overall development of the AIFC.  We believe that access to state and social services for…

ASTANA – A delegation of business people from Brazil, including top management from the Optimal Capital Partners company, met with Kazakh officials and entrepreneurs to promote increased trade between the countries and find investment opportunities in mining, refinery building, blockchain technology and digital cities. “I believe we are the first Brazilian company to visit and…

ASTANA – Haileybury Astana introduced the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme March 1 designed to incorporate a more holistic approach to students’ academic and personal development and prepare them to study at the world’s top universities. “Top universities in the U.K., for example, prefer IB qualification to others since it focuses not only on the…

ASTANA – Seven milk farms capable of producing 10,000 tonnes of product will be constructed in different districts of the North Kazakhstan region to provide job opportunities, satisfy local demand and boost exports. “Milk production in the region in 2017 reached 546,100 tonnes, increasing by 3.9 percent compared to 2016. The plan for 2018 is…

ASTANA – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Kazakh government provided subsidies for management consulting services last year to 177 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Special efforts were also made to promote female entrepreneurs, as 62 entities obtained consulting and financial aid within the EBRD’s “Women in Business” programme. Additional support will…

ASTANA – Bayan Sulu, a Kazakh confectionery based in Kostanai, produces 31 percent of local sweets and is launching new products to replace imports and boost exports. Since its establishment in 1974, Bayan Suly has prioritised stability and taken a systemic approach to business development. This principle allowed it to survive the harsh 1990s and…

ASTANA – Pavlodar Tram Management recently put into operation in Pavlodar the first two of 23 eco-friendly, climate-equipped trams as part of Pavlodar’s ongoing Public Transport Development Strategy. Trams have been an indispensable part of Pavlodar, which was often referred to as the tram capital of Kazakhstan, since 1965. Such an eco-friendly way of transport…

ASTANA – The Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS), the state institution providing research and analysis to President Nursultan Nazarbayev and the Kazakh government, climbed from 147th place to 140th in the 2017 Global To Go Think Tank Index Rankings. KazISS was ranked second among think tanks in Central Asia. “The ranking is undoubtedly important…

ASTANA – Imantau natural zone, in the North Kazakhstan region, is popular with tourists keen on fishing and camping. Its low mountains, beautiful lake and dense forests are within Kokshetau (Kazakh for Blue Mountain) National Park. The natural zone occupies a large portion of Aiyrtau region, stretching 70 kilometres north to south and 65 kilometres…

ASTANA – More than 3,400 people, or 767 families of migrants and “oralmen” (ethnic Kazakhs who have immigrated back to Kazakhstan since its independence), will move to the North Kazakhstan region this year in a government attempt to tackle the labour shortage problem. “In order to relocate people from excess labour supply areas to those…

ASTANA – Decreasing Kazakh public debt to 23.7 percent by 2022 using eurobonds and Islamic Sukuk securities and other priorities for economic development, including privatisation, industrial development, an automated customs procedure and new information systems for tax collection, were reviewed Feb. 12 by Minister of National Economy Timur Suleimenov and Minister of Finance Bakhyt Sultanov.…

ASTANA – TSE Art Destination, which combines a modern art gallery, educational centre and experimental art lab, seeks to make art an indispensable part of capital life. The first exhibit featured the work of Kazakh artist Almagul Menlibayeva, who works and lives in Almaty and Berlin. It will run through March 18. Gallery owner Dina…

ASTANA – Aset Durmagambetov, eminent mathematician and scientist, recently proposed his version of a solution to Riemann hypothesis, one of Millennium Prize Problems. The solution is particularly useful for crypto currency mining. “From time to time scientists define the strategic goals by highlighting key fundamental problems for the current and future periods. This illustrates that…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan received 53 points in 2017, compared to 51 the previous year, in the Open Budget Index (OBI) ranking. The rating uses a 100-point scale to measure central government budget transparency. The assessment was conducted by the International Budget Partnership (IBP). Scores are assigned to 115 countries based on 109 indicators that assess…

ASTANA – The responsibilities for product quality control should be divided among government ministries, as only 77 percent of goods produced in 2017 complied with quality regulations, said Minister for Investment and Development Zhenis Kassymbek during a Feb. 6 government meeting. He stressed the need of distributing accountability to ensure all goods and services are…

ASTANA – By 2020, 70 percent of Kazakh schools will provide inclusive education. In an interview with The Astana Times, Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Education (NU GSE) Associate Professor Tsediso Michael Makoelle spoke about progress in this area. “First, it is important to understand what inclusive education means. Inclusive education is a system of…

ASTANA – The Development Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK) is financing CATEC Green Energy’s construction of a wind power plant near the capital. The initial section, with a capacity of 50 megawatts, will be completed by mid-2019. “The wind farm construction will contribute to the fulfilment of Kazakhstan’s international commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The…

ASTANA – Latvian air carrier airBaltic will launch April 28 direct Almaty-Riga flights. The flights will be carried out three times a week by a new Bombardier CS300 aircraft. “At present we are the first airline in Northern Europe to offer direct flights to Almaty, a vibrant city in the heart of Kazakhstan. The Riga-Almaty…

ASTANA – Green Tal successfully trains and employs people from vulnerable social groups, a model which founder and executive Emin Askerov seeks to replicate in Kazakh regions where employment opportunities for them are considerably fewer. “I believe it is important to teach people how to fish instead of giving them fish. The ultimate goal of…

ASTANA – Zarina Sautbayeva, one of Kazakhstan’s 100 New Faces, believes curiosity and diligence are essential virtues of a successful scientist. She teaches biology at Nazarbayev University (NU) and researches micro particles in an effort to identify a method for early cancer diagnosis. “I think students need to be taught how to think and analyse…

ASTANA – Kazakh journalist and entrepreneur Bolat Yerezhepov recently returned from a trip to Afghanistan, becoming the first from Kazakhstan to have visited 193 UN member states. He plans to explore more countries and territories, and develop the tourist attractiveness of Kazakhstan. “The first time I travelled abroad was during my business trip to Japan…

ASTANA – The Israeli embassy in Kazakhstan recently launched the Alghys (Gratitude) project, dedicated to the 70th anniversary of Independence of Israel and the Day of Gratitude in Kazakhstan.  The aim of the initiative is to collect the stories of Kazakh citizens whose families helped the Jews fleeing to Kazakhstan in 1930s-1940s. “The local residents…

ASTANA – Virtuoso Kazakh violinist not only performs solo concerts but leads the Young Eurasian Soloists (YES) chamber orchestra in Switzerland. “Two distinct types of experience do not interfere; on the contrary, they perfectly complement each other. As an art director, I can communicate with the audience we perform music in front of,” noted Sherniyaz…

ASTANA – Solar installations, wind generators and a hydroelectric power station will be launched this year in the East Kazakhstan region. “These projects are implemented to develop the green economy, one of the main aspects of EXPO 2017.  The idea of constructing such power stations is particularly relevant in East Kazakhstan since the region has…