Articles by Assel Satubaldina

Kazakhstan’s Foreign and Domestic Trade Shows Positive Dynamics

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s foreign and domestic trade has demonstrated a positive trend, said Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Trade and Integration Bakhyt Sultanov during the ministry’s board meeting on July 29, the press service of the ministry reported. Summing up the results of the ministry’s work in the first half of 2022, Vice Minister…

Seven Months Since January Riots Investigation Continues

NUR-SULTAN – Seven months since the January riots shocked the country, the investigation is still ongoing. The press briefing on Monday convened representatives of the Prosecutor General’s office and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to disclose some details of the month-long investigation. What happened in January? Peaceful protests broke out on Jan. 2 in the…

Our Economies Are Complementary, Says Israeli Ambassador to Kazakhstan

NUR-SULTAN – The economies of Kazakhstan and Israel do not compete, but complement each other, Israeli Ambassador to Kazakhstan Edwin Nathan Yabo Glusman told The Astana Times. As the two countries mark 30 years of diplomatic relations this year, the Ambassador of Israel spoke about the dynamics in the bilateral ties and how Israel sees…

President Tokayev’s Visit to Saudi Arabia Opens New Chapter in 28 Years of Bilateral Relations

NUR-SULTAN – This past weekend, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev paid an official visit to Saudi Arabia, one of Kazakhstan’s strategic partners. Just a month after Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud visited Nur-Sultan, the high-level visit ushered in a new chapter in 30 years of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia.  From the…

Cholpon-Ata Meeting Opens Up Opportunities For Central Asia Amidst Increasing Geopolitical Tension

NUR-SULTAN – The fourth consultative meeting of Central Asian leaders in Cholpon-Ata on July 21 was indeed a milestone for regional cooperation as current geopolitical developments open up new opportunities for Central Asia, a huge region of nearly 80 million people with potential that is yet to be discovered. Addressing the meeting on Thursday, President…

Kazakh Foreign Minister Commends Central Asian Cooperation During Ministerial Meeting in Cholpon-Ata

NUR-SULTAN – Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tileuberdi addressed the meeting of the foreign ministers of the Central Asian states commending the current five-sided cooperation, reports the ministry’s press service. The ministers discussed the preparation for the upcoming fourth consultative meeting of the heads of Central Asian states scheduled…

January Riots in Kazakhstan: 429 Criminal Cases Sent to Court, 545 Suspects Convicted

NUR-SULTAN – As the General Prosecutor’s Office of Kazakhstan continues its investigation into the tragic January events, 429 criminal cases have been sent to court and 545 suspects have been convicted, said Yeldos Kilymzhanov, deputy head of the Criminal Prosecution Service of the General Prosecutor’s Office at a July 18 press briefing at the Central…

Central Asian Leaders to Meet in Cholpon-Ata This Week Amid Increasing Geopolitical Uncertainty

NUR-SULTAN – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is expected to participate in the fourth consultative meeting of the heads of states of Central Asia on July 20-21 in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, the presidential press service announced on Monday. All Central Asian leaders confirmed their attendance. The leaders are expected to sign the agreement on friendship, good neighborliness and…

Expanded Government Meeting: Addressing Rising Inflation, Food Security and Investments

NUR-SULTAN – The expanded government meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on July 14 put in the spotlight the many challenges and problems the country is facing after it committed to large-scale reforms. Rising inflation, food security and competition for foreign investments are just a few of the problems. Inflation While the economy grew steadily by…

Kazakhstan Ready to Supply 70 Goods Worth $360 Million to Israel

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh companies are ready to deliver 70 processed goods worth $360.7 million to Israel, said Kazakh Minister of Trade and Integration Bakhyt Sultanov at the ninth meeting of the Kazakh-Israeli Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation in Nur-Sultan on July 12, reports the government’s press service. The products are sourced from the…

Kazakhstan’s KazMunayGas to Undertake IPO This Year

NUR-SULTAN – KazMunayGas (KMG), a national oil and gas company, will go public in 2022, said Samruk Kazyna Board Chair Almasadam Satkaliyev. KMG is a key asset of Samruk Kazyna National Wealth Fund, a state-owned sovereign wealth fund that controls most of Kazakhstan’s valuable assets – all worth nearly US$67.4 billion. KMG alone produces 25…

Qualitative Development of Partnership with Kazakhstan is Important, Says EU Special Representative for Central Asia

NUR-SULTAN – The European Union delegation led by EU Special Representative for Central Asia Terhi Hakala met with Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko on July 13 to discuss strengthening regional cooperation, connectivity, digitalization and the country’s political reforms, reports the Kazakh Foreign Ministry press service. Before visiting Kazakhstan, the delegation spent one week in…

Homecoming: Wimbledon Champion Elena Rybakina Returns to Kazakhstan, Receives Huge Support (Video)

NUR-SULTAN – A late July 11 evening at the Nursultan Nazarbayev international airport was filled with joy and excitement, where fans gathered to meet Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina after her triumphant win last Saturday.  One of them was Deputy Prime Minister Yeraly Tugzhanov who personally conveyed the congratulations from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The President signed…

New Turgensai Visitor Center in Ile Alatau National Park to Foster Ecotourism in Almaty Region

NUR-SULTAN – The Turgensai visitor center unveiled its doors on July 9 in the Ile-Alatau National Park in the Almaty Region, reports the government’s press service. The new center, the second in the national park after the Ayusai visitor center, is expected to boost eco-tourism development in the region.  Located 80 kilometers from Almaty, the…

Kazakhstan’s Rybakina Wins Wimbledon Women’s Singles Title, First Grand Slam for Nation

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina won Wimbledon women’s singles final, first grand slam for her and for Kazakhstan.  She beat World No. 3 Ons Jabeur of Tunisia in three sets 2-6, 6-3, 6-3. Though Jabeur took the first set, Rybakina started slowly but gradually rose to overcome Jabeur.  Not only did she become the first…

Elena Rybakina Makes History by Becoming First Singles Player from Kazakhstan to Reach Grand Slam Final

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina made it to the final of Wimbledon with a straight-sets win against former world No 1 Simona Halep, becoming the first singles player ever from Kazakhstan to reach a Grand Slam final. Kazakhstan’s top seed Rybakina, 23, overpowered 2019 champion and world’s No.18 seed Simona Halep from Romania 6-3, 6-3…

Kazakh and German Economies Complement Each Other, Says German Ambassador to Kazakhstan

NUR-SULTAN – In February, Kazakhstan and Germany marked 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, an important milestone in their bilateral ties. The Astana Times spoke to Ambassador of Germany to Kazakhstan Monika Iwersen to learn about the key milestones achieved over these years and prospects for moving forward. Before being appointed to Kazakhstan…

Kazakh Government Discusses Measures to Address CPC Terminal Month-Long Shutdown

NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh government convened for an urgent meeting on Wednesday to discuss the response to the shut down of a Novorossiysk oil terminal on the Caspian Pipeline, critical for Kazakh oil exports, for 30 days, reports the government’s press service. The meeting discussed steps to “minimize the negative consequences and losses to the…

Kazakh Company Unveils Plant in Nur-Sultan to Manufacture Commercial Vehicles

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s Orbis Heavy Machinery unveiled its multi-brand plant for the production of commercial and specialized vehicles on July 6, reports the company’s press service. The investments in the project are estimated at 11 billion tenge (US$23.6 million). Orbis Heavy Machinery is part of the Orbis Kazakhstan Group, a multi-profile Kazakh company operating in…

Kazakhstan, Russia Consider Increased Industrial Cooperation

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan seeks to boost industrial cooperation with Russia, said Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov attending the INNOPROM international industrial exhibition taking place July 4-7 in Ekaterinburg, Russia, reports his press office.  INNOPROM is one of the largest industrial exhibitions in Russia. Kazakhstan is the partner country of the event this year, unveiling its…

Kazakh Delegation Focuses on Aral Sea Problem at OSCE Summer Session in Birmingham

NUR-SULTAN – As the summer session of the Parliamentary Assembly (PA) of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) began in Birmingham, UK, the delegation from the Kazakh Parliament focused on the Aral Sea problem, reports the press service of the Senate. Hosted by the UK Parliament, it is the first in-person annual…

Kazakh Parliament Approves Sending Military Personnel to Further UN Peacekeeping Missions

NUR-SULTAN – The joint session of the chambers of the Kazakh Parliament approved the proposal from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to send a peacekeeping contingent from Kazakhstan to the United Nations missions in Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Mali, reports the Kazakh Defense Ministry. The text of the address by President…

President Tokayev Chairs Supreme Council For Reforms, Addresses Financial Sector Development, Atomic Energy

NUR-SULTAN – The Supreme Council for Reforms, a supreme body for finalizing and adopting the nation’s reform plan, convened their meeting on June 30 to discuss reforms in the financial sector, atomic energy and migration policies, reports the presidential press service. The council is chaired by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The meeting began with a discussion…

EBRD Approves Strategy for Kazakhstan, Focuses on Fostering Private Sector, Economic Inclusivity, and Green Agenda

NUR-SULTAN – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) approved the new strategy for Kazakhstan for the next five years with a focus on private sector competitiveness, economic inclusivity, and carbon neutrality, the bank’s press service announced on Tuesday. The bank has invested more than US$10.3 billion in the country to date, the largest…

Kazakhstan Has a Vital Interest in Developing Vibrant Partnership with BRICS, Says President Tokayev

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan has a vital interest in developing a vibrant partnership with BRICS countries, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev told the High-Level Dialogue on Global Development on June 24 on the margins of the 14th BRICS Summit, reports the presidential press service. The 14th summit of BRICS, which owes its name to the initials of its…