Four Tigers Brought to Kazakhstan for Reintroduction Program Get Names
ASTANA — Four Amur tigers recently transferred to Kazakhstan as part of a landmark effort to restore the tiger population in the country have received official names, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources reported. According to the ministry, the names were jointly selected by the Kazakh and Russian sides and are intended to symbolize…
Kazakhstan’s Telecom Sector Set for Potential US-Backed Investment
ASTANA – The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) announced its interest in partnering with Power International Holding, the owner of Tele2, one of Kazakhstan’s largest telecommunications companies, to upgrade and transition major telecom infrastructure in the country, opening the market to trusted vendors. The signing of the letter of interest (LOI) and financing proposal…
Archaeologists Unearth Rare Kangly-Era Artifacts and Burial Practices in Turkistan Region
ASTANA — Archaeologists conducting excavations in Kazakhstan’s Turkistan Region have uncovered rare artifacts and unusual burial practices dating back to the Kangly period, offering new insights into one of ancient Central Asia’s major political formations. The discoveries were made in the Ordabasy district, where researchers are investigating five burial mounds associated with the Kangly era. …
Dimash Releases Trailer for Documentary on Historic Madison Square Garden Concert
ASTANA — Kazakh singer and global music star Dimash Qudaibergen has released the official trailer for his upcoming documentary film “Before the Applause: The Dream of Dimash Qudaibergen,” offering audiences a behind-the-scenes look at the preparation for his landmark solo concert at Madison Square Garden in New York. The documentary centers on Dimash’s “Stranger” concert,…
International Year of Volunteers Engages 200,000 Kazakh Citizens in First Half of 2026
ASTANA — More than 200,000 people have participated in volunteer activities across Kazakhstan since the beginning of 2026, a year designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development at the initiative of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The year-long campaign officially launched on Jan. 30 during a national volunteer forum attended…
How Much Will It Cost Kazakh Fans to Attend 2026 World Cup?
ASTANA – Kazakh football fans planning a trip to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America should expect to spend between $1,700 and $4,000 per person for a single match, with flights, accommodation, visas, and match tickets driving costs higher as the tournament approaches. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across the United States,…
Container Traffic on Middle Corridor More Than Doubles in May
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s national maritime shipping company Kazmortransflot reported a record monthly volume of container transportation along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor, in May. The company transported 7,451 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) on the Aktau-Alyat (Baku) route during the month, more than double the 3,359 TEUs carried in…
Tokayev Links Patriotism and Reform Agenda at State Symbols Day Ceremony
ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev used Kazakhstan’s State Symbols Day ceremony on June 4 to highlight the country’s development path ahead of the 35th anniversary of independence, emphasizing patriotism, constitutional governance and the need to prepare for a rapidly changing world, according to Akorda. Speaking at a flag-raising ceremony in Astana, Tokayev described respect for…
Kazakhstan’s E-Commerce Market Reaches Nearly $8 Billion, Latest Statistics Show
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s retail e-commerce market reached nearly 3.8 trillion tenge (US$8 billion) in 2025, according to newly released data from the Bureau of National Statistics of Kazakhstan. The figures reflect the continuing growth of online shopping and the increasing role of digital marketplaces in the country’s economy. Of 3.8 trillion tenge (US$8 billion), 3.2…
Astana AI Film Festival Opens Submissions, Offers $1 Million Prize Fund
ASTANA — The Astana AI Film Festival has opened applications for its inaugural international competition, inviting creators worldwide to showcase films produced using artificial intelligence. Submissions will remain open until Aug. 15, with screenings and the awards ceremony scheduled for Sept. 28–Oct. 1 in Astana as part of the Astana AI Week. The prize fund…
Officials Detail Special Legal Regime for Alatau, Kazakhstan’s Charter City
ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to transform Alatau into a regional technology and investment hub under a newly adopted special legal regime that will give the city broader economic powers, AI-focused regulation and special conditions for foreign investors. The constitutional law, presented during a government briefing on May 21, is part of the country’s broader effort…
KASE Becomes Kazakhstan’s First Registered Digital Asset Platform Operator
ASTANA – The Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) has received the status of the country’s first digital asset platform operator, according to its May 20 press statement. The status was granted by the National Bank of Kazakhstan. KASE was registered as both an operator of a digital financial assets platform and an operator of a digital…
IFC: Damu Guarantee Funds Expand Access to Finance for Enterprises
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, notes the key role of guarantee instruments in expanding access to finance for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). IFC Head in Kazakhstan Zafar Khashimov reported that the organization has been operating in the country since 1993 and, over this time, has invested and…
Kazakhstan Moves to Ratify Trade Deal to Boost Access to UAE Market
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s lower house of Parliament, the Mazhilis, has begun drafting a bill to ratify an agreement to expand access for Kazakh goods to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) market. The agreement is the economic partnership agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the UAE, signed in Minsk on June 27 last year.…
Tencent Invests in Kaspi.kz with Mikheil Lomtadze and U.S. Investors
ASTANA – Kaspi.kz (Nasdaq: KSPI) announced that Tencent, Kaspi.kz Co-Founder and CEO Mikheil Lomtadze, key members of the senior management team, and long-term institutional investors have completed the purchase of 6.0 million American Depositary Shares (ADSs) from Baring Fintech Venture Funds (the “Funds”), reported Kaspi on April 20. “Tencent pioneered the super app ecosystem business…
Kazakhstan Among World’s Agricultural Land Giants
ASTANA — Kazakhstan ranks among the world’s largest holders of agricultural land, underscoring its significant role in global food systems. Kazakhstan is among the world’s top six countries by total agricultural land area, according to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization compiled by the World Bank. With roughly 827,000 square miles of agricultural land,…
Visiting Astana? Six Things to Know About Kazakhstan’s Capital
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s capital Astana is shaped by rapid development, open steppe geography and extreme seasonal changes. For first-time visitors, understanding how the city functions, especially in winter, can help set realistic expectations. Arrival and getting around Astana International Airport is located approximately 17 kilometres from the city center. Ride-hailing apps such as Yandex Go…
Nauryz Traditions Evolve in Kazakhstan While Preserving Core Meaning
ASTANA — Nauryz, a traditional spring holiday marking renewal and the start of a new year, has undergone significant changes in Kazakhstan over the past decades while preserving its core cultural meaning. Celebrated annually on March 21–23 and recognized internationally by the United Nations, Nauryz today combines ancient traditions with modern urban festivities, reflecting both…
Almaty to Host Asian Stage of World Schools Team Chess Championship in April
ASTANA — Almaty will host the Asian continental stage of the World Schools Team Chess Championship on April 6-11, bringing together school teams from across the region, according to Kazakhstan’s Chess Federation. The tournament will take place at the Hotel Kazakhstan in Almaty and will feature teams that qualified through national selection tournaments in their…
Petromidia Refinery Launches Production of Premium Polymer Grade
ASTANA – The petrochemical complex of the Petromidia Refinery, part of the KMG International Group, has begun producing polypropylene copolymer following the modernization of its polypropylene unit. The upgrade enabled the facility to introduce new polymer grades and expand its portfolio of higher-value-added petrochemical products. During production trials conducted in February, the unit produced around…
Rare Animal Population Increases by One-Third in Zhambyl Region
ASTANA — Populations of several rare and protected wildlife species in the Zhambyl Region in southern Kazakhstan rose markedly in 2025, according to data from the regional environmental inspection agency cited by Kazinform news agency. More than 20 species listed in Kazakhstan’s Red Book inhabit there. Separate annual population monitoring is conducted for two ungulate…
Women in Kazakhstan’s Emergency Services Take on Key Roles in Public Safety
ASTANA — Women working in Kazakhstan’s civil protection system are playing an increasingly important role in ensuring public safety, taking on roles as firefighters, rescuers, psychologists and dispatchers across the country. Ahead of International Women’s Day, their growing contribution highlights the expanding presence of women in a field traditionally dominated by men. One such specialist…
Visa and Halyk Launch Fifth Wave of She’s Next in Kazakhstan
ASTANA — Global digital payments company Visa and Halyk Bank will launch the fifth wave of the She’s Next global initiative in Kazakhstan, aimed at supporting and developing women’s entrepreneurship, Visa’s press service reported on March 5. According to the Ministry of National Economy, as of December 2025, more than one million women headed small…
Central Asian Leaders, Global Officials to Gather at RES 2026 for Climate Action
ASTANA – Regional Ecological Summit 2026 (RES 2026), scheduled for April 22-24 under the theme A Shared Vision for a Sustainable Future, announced the list of high-level participants. The summit will convene decision-makers, experts, and leaders over three days, featuring high-level plenaries and more than 20 thematic and country sessions. Prominent speakers include Kazakh President…
SCO Expresses Concern Over Strikes on Iran, Calls for Restraint
ASTANA – The member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) expressed serious concern over the developments in the Middle East and the military strikes on the territory of Iran in a March 2 statement. “The SCO Member States consider the use of force as unacceptable and advocate for the resolution of existing differences exclusively…
