Articles by Dana Omirgazy

Kazakh President Visits Production Facilities in Akmola Region

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev paid a working visit to the Akmola Region on Aug. 16, touring production facilities in Koshy town and Rodina village. In Rodina village, Tokayev visited a local supermarket, Dostyk (Friendship) park, the local secondary school and the production facilities of the Rodina agro firm. “I have heard a…

Italy Leads in Kazakhstan’s Exports in January-June

ASTANA – In January-June, Italy took the lead in the structure of Kazakhstan’s exports. Kazakhstan exported goods worth $9 billion to Italy, accounting for 23.6% of total exports. Kazinform reported on Aug. 15, referring to the Bureau of National Statistics, that this is $2 billion higher than at the same time last year. China ranks…

Air Astana Plans to Launch Almaty – Phu Quoc Flights in October

ASTANA — Kazakh national air carrier Air Astana will open a new Almaty—Phu Quoc (popular tourist destination in Vietnam)  route on Oct. 28. Direct flights to Phu Quoc will be operated on A321LR aircraft twice a week – on Mondays and Wednesdays, with a subsequent increase in frequency to four times a week from December.…

News Digest: Foreign Media on Сonsultative Meeting of Central Asia’s Presidents in Astana, Moon Base and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has picked a selection of  articles on Kazakhstan featured in international media across the world this week. Today’s foreign media digest includes topics such as the sixth consultative meeting of Central Asia’s Presidents in Astana, Kazakh-Chinese incentive to build a moon base and more. Continuity and change in the new…

President Tokayev Tours Industrial, Social Facilities in Karagandy Region

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev toured the industrial and social facilities in the Karagandy Region and emphasized the importance of improving the region’s environmental situation during an Aug. 14 working visit. Industrial facilities Tokayev visited the Qarmet metallurgical plant in Temirtau. Qarmet Chairman of the Board of Directors Andrey Lavrentyev and the company’s CEO…

Kazakhstan’s Strongman Sergey Tsyrulnikov Shocks America’s Got Talent Audience

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s strongman Sergey Tsyrulnikov took part in the United States’ TV show America’s Got Talent and stunned the jury and the audience with his amazing strength. The video was released on the show’s YouTube channel on Aug. 7. “My big dream is to inspire people, to have my own show and especially to…

Kazakhstan’s Legendary Cyclist Urges Abuse Victims to Speak Out, Defend Their Rights

ASTANA – General Manager of Astana Qazaqstan Team and Olympic cycling medalist Alexandr Vinokurov urged Kazakhstan’s women to defend their rights and not keep silent on domestic violence. Vinokurov, named Kazakhstan’s Goodwill Ambassador, participates in public activities to prevent domestic abuse and support women’s rights, 24.kz reported on Aug. 6. “They must stay men as…

Majority of Kazakh Youth Consider Family as Main Life Value

ASTANA — Nearly 80% of Kazakhstan’s youth consider family to be the main value, according to the results of a sociological study conducted by the ElJastary (Youth) Research Center. The ministry’s press service reported that the survey results were presented to the Ministry of Culture and Information at an Aug. 13 meeting attended by representatives…

Charity Run Highlights Importance of Organ Transplantation

ASTANA – The annual charity run – festival titled Zhuregimnin zhenimpazy (You are the champion of my heart) took place in the Kazakh capital on Aug. 11, bringing together 4,200 participants. The annual run is held in honor of a significant date — the first successful heart transplant in Kazakhstan, which took place on Aug.…

Kazakhstan’s International Reserves Surge to $19 Billion in July

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s assets in international reserves increased by 7.3% in July to $18.86 billion, according to the National Bank’s report, published on Aug. 9. Gross international reserves increased by 4.68% to $41.8 billion, monetary gold in international reserves grew by 2.6% to $22.9 billion. Net international reserves increased by 4.68% in July to $39.7…

Kazakhstan-Türkiye Talks Boost Agricultural Investments in Grain Processing and Ice Cream

ASTANA — Kazakh Agriculture Minister Aidarbek Saparov on Aug. 11 held talks with leaders of eight Turkish businesses interested in developing projects in Kazakhstan to process grain and legumes, produce cattle hides, produce ice cream, and localize the production of agricultural equipment. Companies for the deep processing of grain legumes noted Kazakhstan’s great potential in…

Paris Olympics Final Medal Count: Kazakh Athletes Win Seven Medals

ASTANA – The 2024 Paris Olympics concluded on Aug. 11 with the traditional closing ceremony, during which Paris handed over the Olympic flag to Los Angeles, the 2028 host city. Kazakhstan’s olympic team took 43rd place in the medal standings, winning one gold, three silver and three bronze medals, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Tourism…

Inaugural C5+Japan Business Forum Results in Signing Joint Projects Agreements

ASTANA — The inaugural C5+Japan business forum, which took place on Aug. 9 in the Kazakh capital, brought together over 450 representatives of five Central Asian states and more than 100 major Japanese companies, including Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries EMEA, Ltd., and Mitsui & Co., Ltd. Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, Chairman…

Kazakh, Uzbek Presidents Chart Strategic Path for Bilateral Cooperation at Media Briefing

ASTANA – Presidents of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev made a joint statement for the media following the bilateral talks and the meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council on Aug. 8 in the Kazakh capital. Tokayev said that Mirziyoyev’s state visit is a significant step towards developing bilateral relations. He noted that…

Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Enhance Cooperation With New Initiatives

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in ceremonies marking the opening of a number of facilities as part of Mirziyoyev’s state visit to Kazakhstan on Aug. 8. Akorda press service reported that the presidents participated in the official opening ceremonies of the Mukhtar Auezov South Kazakhstan…

Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Forge Stronger Ties During Mirziyoyev’s Historic Visit

ASTANA — Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan inked milestone documents, officially opened branches of universities in Chirchik and Almaty and marked the arrival of a container train from Xian to Tashkent during President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s state visit to Kazakhstan on Aug. 8. Welcoming his Uzbek counterpart at the presidential residence, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart  Tokayev noted…

Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Agree on $7 Billion in Investment Projects and Trade Contracts

ASTANA – Deputy Prime Ministers of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Serik Zhumangarin and Jamshid Khodjaev agreed to implement 34 investment projects worth $4.4 billion and seven trade contracts worth $2.6 billion during the bilateral talks held on the sidelines of the Kazakh-Uzbek business forum on Aug. 7. According to the Prime Minister’s press service, the sides…

Kazakhstan Secures Silver Medals in Boxing and Greco-Roman Wrestling at 2024 Paris Olympics

ASTANA – Kazakh boxer Nurbek Oralbay won the silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the weight category up to 80 kilograms, losing to Ukraine’s Oleksandr Khyzhniak. “Silver is a worthy award, but I will do everything possible to win a gold medal at the next Olympic Games,” said Oralbay, reported the National Olympic…

Powering Up: Central Asian States Commit to Energy Cooperation and Innovation

ASTANA — In a joint statement, the Energy Ministers of the Central Asian countries emphasized the importance of their first meeting on Aug. 6 in establishing political mutual trust, contacts, and collaboration and in developing cooperation and implementing the region’s energy potential. The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan Almasadam Satkaliyev,…

World Nomad Games to Welcome 268 Athletes From Kyrgyz Republic

ASTANA – The Fifth World Nomad Games, scheduled for Sept. 8 to 13 in the Kazakh capital, is set to welcome 268 athletes in 29 sports from the Kyrgyz Republic. The Kyrgyz team will take part in the national games of kok-boru and kokpar, reported Kazinform on Aug. 5. “I believe that the Kyrgyz Republic…

Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Expand Cultural, Humanitarian Cooperation

ASTANA – State Counselor of Kazakhstan Erlan Karin and Assistant to the President of Uzbekistan Saida Mirziyoyeva attended an event organized by the Zakovat Intellectual Club on Aug. 5. The intellectual teams of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan met at the Presidential Center of Culture. Karin welcomed the event participants and noted that the Zakovat initiative has…

Karagandy Zoo Welcomes New Animals From Africa

ASTANA — The Karagandy Zoo welcomed a small herd of zebras and a pair of crowned cranes from Africa on July 31. According to the Karagandy Region’s akimat (administration), the zebras were quarantined for several weeks and got used to their new living conditions.  “A new family of zebras, consisting of a male and four…

Kazakhstan, Congo Commit to Promoting Trade, Economic Cooperation

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso expressed their mutual intention to develop cooperation, outlining key areas in a joint statement for the media following their bilateral talks on Aug. 2. Tokayev noted that the role of African states in international politics and the global…

News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Olympic Judo Gold, Cooperation with EU and More

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest includes articles on Kazakhstan’s first-ever Olympic judo gold, the visit of Josep Borrell, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, to Kazakhstan, and more. Judo: Kazakhstan’s Yeldos Smetov wins men’s 60kg Olympic…

President Tokayev Welcomes Congolese President for Milestone Diplomatic Visit

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso, who arrived in Kazakhstan on an official visit on Aug. 2. Welcoming Sassou Nguesso, Tokayev emphasized the historical significance of his visit, noting that the President of the Congo’s first visit to Astana is taking…