WB Forecasts Stabilization of Central Asia’s Economy ‘Amid Sluggish Growth’
ASTANA – Economic growth in developing economies of Europe and Central Asia is stabilizing after a series of crises but at much slower rates than the early 2000s, according to the World Bank’s Economic Update released on Oct. 17. Regional growth is projected to moderate to 3.3% this year from 3.5% in 2023, and slow…
Astana Think Tank Forum Discusses Middle Powers’ Role in Global Order
ASTANA – The Astana Think Tank Forum 2024 opened on Oct. 16 in the capital, centered on the theme Middle Powers in a Changing Global Order: Strengthening Security, Stability, and Sustainable Development, and organized by the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies, reported the forum’s press service. Held under the auspices of the Astana International Forum,…
Kazakhstan Outlines Position on Joining BRICS
ASTANA – Kazakhstan will refrain from submitting an application to BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), at present and likely in the foreseeable future, considering the multi-stage membership process and other factors related to the association’s development, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s spokesperson, Berik Uali, said in an interview with Tengrinews on Oct. 16. “The President…
EU Confirms its Interest in Attracting Expertise and Investment for TITR Progress
ASTANA – The European delegation confirmed its interest in developing the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) by attracting expertise and investments within the Global Gateway strategy during the 21st meeting of the Kazakhstan-European Union Cooperation Council on Oct. 14 in Luxembourg. Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu and Hungary’s Minister of Foreign…
Kazakhstan Adopts Infrastructure Dev’t Plan Until 2029
ASTANA – The Kazakh government has adopted a National Infrastructure Plan until 2029, which includes 204 projects in energy, transport, digital, and water infrastructure sectors worth nearly 40 trillion tenge (US$81.8 billion), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Nurlan Baibazarov said during an Oct. 15 press conference. In a statement released by the…
Kazakhstan’s Honorary Consulate Opens in Greater Manchester
ASTANA – Kazakhstan opened its Honorary Consulate in Greater Manchester on Oct. 11, the Kazakh Ambassador to the United Kingdom (UK) Magzhan Ilyassov announced on his X account. He described the opening as a major step in developing Kazakh-British regional ties with a focus on trade, investments, cultural and educational relations. According to Kazinform, the…
Dollar Sales from National Fund to Top $1 Billion for October Budget Transfers
ASTANA – The National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) is expected to sell between $1.3 to $1.4 billion in currency from the National Fund this October, based on preliminary government requests for national budget transfers, reported The Tenge. Nearly three-quarters of this amount will be directed to the Unified Accumulative Pension Fund (UAPF) to mitigate its…
Open Skies Regime Operates in 15 Kazakh Airports
ASTANA – The open skies regime is now active at 15 airports of Kazakhstan in the cities of Astana, Almaty, Shymkent, Aktau, Aktobe, Karagandy, Oskemen, Pavlodar, Kokshetau, Taraz, Petropavl, Semei, Turkistan, Kostanai, and Oral. According to the press statement released by the Civil Aviation Committee on Oct. 12, Minister of Transport Marat Karabayev has recently…
Top 5 Favorite Kazakh Dishes: World Nomad Games Visitors Share Their Picks
ASTANA – International tourists attending the World Nomad Games in September were captivated not only by the sports events but also by Kazakh cuisine. A survey conducted by local tour operators revealed the top five dishes that left the strongest impression on visitors, the Tourism Industry Committee’s press service reported on Oct. 7. “Kazakh cuisine…
Natural Park in Mangystau Region Sees Increasing Number of Rare Animals
ASTANA – Since the beginning of 2024, camera traps in the Kyzylsay State Regional Natural Park in the Mangystau Region have captured nearly 20,000 animals, including those listed in the Red Book, Kazinform reported on Oct. 7. Among them are caracals, white wolves, and goitered gazelles. Recently, a camera trap recorded a leopard. In 2024,…
Kazakhstan Increases Trade Ties with Turkmenistan
ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to boost exports to Turkmenistan by nearly $120 million across 80 commodity items, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced during expanded-format talks with Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on Oct. 10, reported Akorda. Tokayev highlighted the importance of supporting business contacts and emphasized the high investment potential of small and medium-sized enterprises. He encouraged…
Kazakh Servicewomen of Airborne Assault Troops Conquer Himalayas
ASTANA – Corporals Balzhan Mussatayeva and Marzhan Sairanova of Kazakhstan’s Airborne Assault Troops performed complex parachute jumps from 3,200 meters above sea level in the foothills of Himalayas during the KazInd 2024 exercises on Oct. 9, reported the Defense Ministry’s press service. Both servicewomen showed the best results in performing parachute jumps for precision landing…
Kazakhstan Remains Reliable Ally of Turkmenistan, Says President Tokayev
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has been and remains a reliable ally of Turkmenistan across key sectors, including energy, transport, logistics, cultural and humanitarian cooperation, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said during a tet-a-tet meeting with President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov on Oct. 10, reported Akorda. “We have great respect for Turkmenistan’s neutral status in the international arena. We…
Kazakhstan Prioritizes Friendly Relations with Turkmenistan
ASTANA – Kazakhstan prioritizes friendly relations with Turkmenistan, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at an Oct. 10 meeting with Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council) of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov during his official visit to Ashgabat, reported Akorda. Tokayev emphasized that Kazakh-Turkmen relations are developing dynamically in the spirit of friendship, good neighborliness, and mutual support.…
Kazakhstan Expands Trade, Economic, and Investment Cooperation with US
ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Kuantyrov discussed expanding strategic cooperation with the United States, particularly in trade, economic, and investment sectors at an Oct. 9 meeting with the U.S. Trade Mission delegation led by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia David De Falco and U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan Daniel Rosenblum.…
Manufacturing Industry Production Grows in Kazakhstan
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s manufacturing industry recorded a production volume of 14.9 trillion tenge (US$30.3 billion) in the first eight months, which is 4.9% more compared to the same period last year, First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar said at an Oct. 8 press conference. According to the Prime Minister’s press service, the industry’s share in…
Kazakhstan to Auction Recovered Assets for Social Impact Projects
ASTANA – The Recovered Asset Management Company in Kazakhstan has announced auctions on Oct. 9 and 11, allowing each participant to contribute to supporting social projects, reported the company’s press service. The raised funds will go to the Special State Fund, which finances key initiatives aimed at benefiting society and improving the quality of life…
Forum in Milan Launches First Trade and Economic Mission of Kazakh Companies
ASTANA – The first trade and economic mission of Kazakh companies to Italy was launched during the Kazakh-Italian business and investment forum, which takes place on Oct. 7-9 in Milan, reported the Kazakh Trade and Integration Ministry’s press service. More than 50 Kazakh enterprises, representing sectors such as agriculture, oilfield services, textiles, tourism, and IT,…
Wildfires Contained in Northern Kazakhstan, Central Region Struggling
ASTANA—Kazakh firefighters have localized a wildfire in the Pavlodar Region that spread to the Bayanaul National Park from the Karkaraly district in the Karagandy Region on Oct. 6, Minister of Emergency Situations Chingis Arinov said at an Oct. 8 government meeting, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. As of 6 p.m. on Oct. 7, a…
Kazakh Citizens ‘Write History’ by Voting in National Referendum
ASTANA – Kazakh citizens “are writing history by expressing their opinions and positions on crucial strategic issues related to the country’s future,” said Daulet Urankhayev, an employee at UEFA headquarters, after casting his vote on Oct. 6 in Bern, Switzerland, according to the Kazakh Embassy in Switzerland. Kamilla Diasova, who moved to Bern four years…
Over 7,000 Kazakh Citizens Vote in Nuclear Power Plant Referendum Abroad
ASTANA – As of 7 p.m. Astana time, 7,358 Kazakh citizens abroad cast their votes in the national referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant, marking a 59.79% voter turnout, Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko announced during an Oct. 6 briefing at the Central Election Commission. Thirteen precincts in Seoul, Tokyo, Beijing, Singapore,…
Kazakh Citizens Vote in Referendum Abroad
ASTANA – Polling stations for Kazakhstan’s referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant were first opened in several Asian countries, including Japan and South Korea, on Oct. 6, reported the Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s press service. They were followed by China, Singapore, Mongolia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The process is also underway in…
Kazakh PM, Officials Cast Their Ballots in Referendum
ASTANA – Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov was among the first to vote in the nuclear power plant referendum, casting his ballot at the Palace of Schoolchildren in Astana on Oct. 6, reported Kazinform news agency State Counselor Erlan Karin also cast his vote, noting that the referendum’s matter determines the further vector of economic development…
President Tokayev Casts His Vote in Nuclear Power Plant Referendum
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev casts his vote in the national referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant on Oct. 6. “Undoubtedly, today will go down in history. Our citizens face a choice – whether or not to have a nuclear power plant. A referendum is a very effective tool of direct democracy.…
Kazakh Chess Superstar Assaubayeva Competes in Global Chess League in London
ASTANA – Kazakh chess player Bibisara Assaubayeva is participating in the Global Chess League, which takes place on Oct. 3-12 in London, reported Kazinform news agency. The Global Chess League is an innovative, team-based chess tournament that was launched to bring a fresh dynamic to the traditional chess format. In the tournament, men and women…
