Kazakh Passport Power Soars in 2023: 82 Visa-Free Countries, New Deals with China and EU
ASTANA — This year, the list of visa-free countries for holders of Kazakhstan’s passports has been expanded to 82 states for various categories of passports, including 29 states for civil passports, said Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson Aibek Smadiyarov at a Dec. 25 press briefing. The briefing wrapped up the results of the ministry’s work in…
China Southern Airlines Expands Connectivity with New Flights to Kazakhstan
ASTANA — China Southern Airlines will launch regular passenger flights from the new Beijing Daxing International Airport to Almaty starting Jan. 25 next year, the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan press service reported. The initiative came after the visa-free regime was established between Kazakhstan and China on Nov. 10. Flights between Almaty and Beijing will be…
Astana Prepares for Winter Season with Festive Installations
ASTANA – Nearly 60 ice skating rinks and slides will be built in the five districts of the Kazakh capital, alongside the installation of street furniture and photo zones, the Astana akimat (administration) reported on Dec. 20. These New Year’s decorations are being prepared and the work is expected to be completed by Dec. 23-25.…
Kyrgyz Parliament Adopts Bill to Redesign State Flag
ASTANA – The parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic adopted a bill to change the state flag in the second and third readings without discussion, Kazinform reported on Dec. 20. The draft law is aimed at improving the state flag of the Kyrgyz Republic, with proposals to change the shape of the rays from wavy to…
President Tokayev Holds Strategic Talks with Business Leaders on Kazakhstan’s Economic Growth
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev convened a meeting on Dec. 20 with representatives of Kazakhstan’s business community to discuss topical issues of the high-quality and sustainable development of the national economy, reported the Akorda press service. Participants shared their views on macroeconomic policy issues, including the formulation of a new Tax Code and affordable lending…
Women Entrepreneurship Development Center Empowers Kazakh Citizens to Make Positive Change in Life
ASTANA – Almaty-based Women Entrepreneurship Development Center, financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is providing tailored support programs for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) owned by women – which make up around 43% of all SMEs in Kazakhstan, according to the bank’s press service. How it works Opened in October 2021, the project offers…
Constitutional Court Chair Presents Kazakhstan’s Global Peace Vision at UN High-Level Roundtable
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Chairperson of the Constitutional Court Elvira Azimova presented Kazakhstan’s vision for strengthening international peace and security in the Leaders’ Segment at the United Nations (UN) High-Level Roundtable on The Future of Human Rights, Peace and Security in Geneva, Switzerland on Dec. 13, reported the Constitutional Court’s press service. As the sole representative…
Spanish Company to Build Ammonia and Urea Complex in Aktau
ASTANA – Spanish Técnicas Reunidas company specializing in the design and implementation of industrial projects is to build an ammonia and urea complex in Aktau, announced the Prime Minister’s office on Dec 14. “We welcome the cooperation of Técnicas Reunidas with KazAzot and KazMunaiGas in the development of project documentation for a new ammonia and…
European Companies’ Expansion Signals Kazakhstan’s Attractiveness as Top Investment Destination, Says PM
ASTANA – The expanding presence of European companies in Kazakhstan is the evidence of the country’s growing appeal as an investment destination, said Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov during the 13th meeting of the Kazakhstan-European Union (EU) dialogue platform on Dec. 13 in Astana, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. With total investments exceeding $175 billion,…
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi Launches Flight to Turkistan Starting January Next Year
ASTANA — Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, a prominent player in the aviation industry, is gearing up to connect Turkistan and Abu Dhabi through a strategic air route to commence on Jan. 16, 2024, the Civil Aviation Committee (CAC) of Kazakhstan reported on Dec. 13. Operating Airbus A321 aircraft, the airline plans to conduct three weekly…
Kazakh Service Members Complete Training at Peace Operations Center
ASTANA – Over 150 Kazakh military personnel from the country’s various regions completed training at the Kazakhstan Peace Operations Center (KAZCENT) of the Ministry of Defense to demonstrate their level of skills and knowledge to the United Nations (UN) experts, reported Inbusiness.kz news agency. During the six-month training, the officers practiced the tasks necessary to…
Kazakh Professor Included in World’s Top 2% Scientists Ranking Twice
ASTANA – Kazakh Professor of the Eurasian National University (ENU) and theoretical physicist Ratbay Myrzakulov has been listed in the top 2% of the world’s most cited scientists for the second year in a row, reported the university’s press service on Dec. 5. Stanford University publishes a yearly list of the top 2% most widely…
President Tokayev Signs Action Plan on Human Rights Ahead of World Human Rights Day
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed Dec. 8 a new presidential decree setting out the country’s action plan on human rights and the rule of law, he announced on his page in X (former Twitter). “This action plan aims to promote gender equality, combat any forms of domestic violence, enhance the performance of the criminal…
ADB Approves $350 Million Loan to Bolster Kazakhstan’s Financial Sector Resilience
ASTANA — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has greenlit a $350 million policy-based loan to fortify Kazakhstan’s fiscal governance and financial sector resilience, marking the first policy-based loan for Kazakhstan aimed at steering the nation’s economic trajectory amidst global uncertainties, the ADB’s press service reported. ADB Director General for Central and West Asia Yevgeniy Zhukov…
North-South Corridor to Boost Cargo Capacity to 20 Million Tons Annually
ASTANA — The ninth meeting of the operational working group on the development of cross-border hubs, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin, on Dec. 5, shed light on the progress made in expanding the international North-South transport corridor and plans to increase the cargo volume along the corridor from six to an impressive 20…
Kazakhstan, US Forge Alliance, Pledge Swift Action to Cut Methane Emissions at COP28
ASTANA — Kazakhstan joined the Global Methane Pledge on Dec. 2 on the sidelines of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Akorda press service reported. In a joint United States (U.S.) and Kazakhstan statement on accelerating methane mitigation…
Kazakhstan to Voluntary Cut Oil Output in First Quarter of 2024
ASTANA – Kazakhstan accepted an additional voluntary reduction of 82,000 barrels per day from Jan. 1 to the end of March 2024 at the 51st meeting of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee and the 36th Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries+ (OPEC+) Ministerial Meeting on Nov. 30, reported the Kazakh Energy Ministry. The decision will…
Defense Ministry Reports on Kazakhstan’s Preparedness for Hybrid Threats
ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry of Defense discussed the nation’s readiness for hybrid wars, following President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s directive, Kazinform reported on Nov. 28. The ministry noted ongoing efforts to enhance the potential and capabilities of units established in Kazakhstan’s Armed Forces to counter information-psychological and cyber threats. “In response to hybrid warfare, state bodies…
UN, Businesses Take Action to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals in Kazakhstan
ASTANA – The UN Resident Coordinator Office in Kazakhstan hosted the meeting to discuss the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Kazakhstan’s activities in reaching them with the business community in Astana on Nov. 28, reported the press service of the office. It is reported that the insufficient role of business in achieving the SDGs is…
President Tokayev Explores Aktau, Kuryk Port Expansion with Abu Dhabi Ports CEO
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev discussed opportunities for cooperation in expanding Aktau and Kuryk ports with Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and CEO of Abu Dhabi (AD) Ports Group, on Nov. 27 in Astana, reported Akorda press service. With a portfolio of 10 ports and terminals in the United Arab Emirates, AD Ports Group…
Chinese Airlines to Increase Flights to Kazakhstan to 30 Weekly Next Year
ASTANA – The number of flights operated by Chinese airlines to Kazakhstan will increase to 30 per week on existing and new air routes during the spring-summer navigation period next year, the Civil Aviation Committee reported on Nov. 24. As was announced at a meeting between the committee’s Acting Chairman Timur Tlegenov and Chinese air…
Kazakh Musicians Enchant Brazilian Audience at National Theater in Brasilia
ASTANA — Kazakh classical musicians Amir Tebenikhin (piano) and Aiken Aitbay (violin) performed a concert titled Sounds of the Great Steppe in South America at the National Theater Plínio Marcos in Brasilia, marking the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Brazil on Nov. 21. The musical extravaganza was organized with the collaborative efforts…
Silkway Accelerator’s Fourth Stream Generates $8.1 Million in Investments
ASTANA — In collaboration with Google for Startups, Astana Hub has successfully concluded the fourth stream of the Silkway Accelerator program, with $8.1 million of investments raised during acceleration on Nov. 22, the Astana Hub’s press service reported. Over the 12-week intensive program, participants from seven countries witnessed a 4.7-fold increase in Monthly Recurring Revenue…
Kazakhstan’s Gulnar Gabdulova Becomes Honorary Member of Order of British Empire
ASTANA – Gulnar Gabdulova has become the first Kazakh citizen to receive the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) award, the British Embassy in Kazakhstan reported on Nov. 22. Gabdulova devoted 17 years of her career to the British Trade Office in Atyrau. Her exceptional leadership and dedication in the role as…
SCO Commends Kazakhstan’s Chairmanship within Organization
ASTANA – The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Secretary-General Zhang Ming commended Kazakhstan’s efforts within its SCO chairmanship at the meeting with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Alibek Bakayev during his working visit to Beijing, China, on Nov. 21, reported the Foreign Ministry press service. During the meeting, Bakayev discussed multilateral cooperation and addressed…
