Articles by Dana Omirgazy

French President Meets with Kazakh Students, Shares His Life Values

ASTANA – French President Emmanuel Macron, who arrived in Kazakhstan for an official visit on Nov. 1, visited the Maqsut Narikbayev University to meet students.  In his opening remarks, Macron shared why he visited Kazakhstan and why it was important for France and the Central Asian region. According to him, amid the crises worldwide, the…

Kazakhstan Takes Part in First SCO Transport Forum in Tashkent

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Minister of Transport Talgat Lastayev underlined the excellent transport and logistics potential of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states in the construction and use of Eurasian transit corridors during a Nov. 1 first SCO Transport Forum in Tashkent, reported the ministry’s press service. Addressing the meeting participants, Lastayev mentioned Kazakhstan’s…

Citizens of 80 Foreign Countries Сan Travel Visa-Free to Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Citizens of 80 foreign countries can stay in Kazakhstan without a visa, and nationals from 109 more countries have the opportunity to obtain an electronic visa. This was announced at an Oct. 31 meeting chaired by Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov, reported the office’s press service. According to the Minister of Tourism and…

Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan Affirm Commitment to Strengthen Strategic Partnership

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu and Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov emphasized mutual commitment to deepen strategic partnership in the spirit of friendship, brotherhood, mutual respect, and good-neighborliness during an Oct. 30 meeting in Ashgabat, reported the ministry’s press service. During the talks, the sides…

Air Astana Resumes Seasonal Routes, Increases Flights to International Destinations

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national carrier, Air Astana, has resumed seasonal routes and increased flights to popular international destinations from Almaty and Astana starting on Oct. 29, reported the company’s press service. During the winter period, the air carrier will operate five flights per week on the Almaty-Maldives route, as well as four charter flights per…

Travel Video About Kazakhstan Wins Two Awards at Portugal International Festival

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s travel video “Kazakhstan – Like Never Before” received two main prizes on Oct. 27 at the ART&TUR International Tourism Film Festival in Caldas da Rainha, Portugal, reported the Kazakh Tourism National Company. The video, produced by Kazakh Tourism, became the winner in two main categories – Advertising Campaign and Destination – Countries.…

Baiterek Invests $1.1 Billion in Projects, Supports 47,000 Families

ASTANA – Chair of Baiterek National Management Holding Nurlan Baibazarov reported on the company’s activities for the nine months during an Oct. 30 meeting with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, reported the Akorda press service. Baibazarov spoke about work to support entrepreneurship and the agricultural sector, as well as providing housing to the population. Baiterek invested…

Kazakhstan’s Population Surges 20% Since 2009 Census  

ASTANA – The population of Kazakhstan has grown by 20% since the 2009 census, reaching 19,186,015 people as of Sept. 1, 2021, reported the Bureau of National Statistics on Oct. 30. In three regions, the population exceeded two million people – Almaty Region (2,146,576), Turkistan Region (2,054,021), and the city of Almaty (2,030,285). The population…

News Digest: Foreign Media on Republic Day, Kazakh-EU Ties and More 

ASTANA – The Astana Times has picked a selection of articles on Kazakhstan published in international media across the world. This week’s foreign media digest includes articles on the Republic Day celebration, WHO Global Conference on Primary Health Care, and more. Kazakhstan’s Republic Day The U.S. Department of State released a press statement of Secretary…

Kazakhstan, Thailand Increase Number of Flights

ASTANA – Aviation authorities of Kazakhstan and Thailand agreed to increase the number of flights from 402 to 544 flights per week, reported the Civil Aviation Committee’s press service on Oct. 27. The increase includes 84 flights per week between the cities of Astana, Almaty, Karagandy, Shymkent and Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Utapao, and on other…

Kazakh Prime Minister Outlines CIS Cooperation Priorities at Bishkek Meeting

ASTANA – Despite global challenges, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) member states manage to maintain positive dynamics in mutual trade owing to the free trade agreement, said Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov at an Oct. 26 meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government in Bishkek, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. “At…

New Sarzha Multifunctional Marine Terminal Launches at Kuryk Seaport  

ASTANA – The first batch of cargo was delivered at the general cargo terminal of the Sarzha multifunctional marine terminal (MMT) at the Kuryk seaport in the Mangystau Region in late September. This was announced at an Oct. 26 meeting of the operational working group on developing cross-border hubs, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Serik…

Kazakh Prime Minister Advocates to Enhance EAEU Trade, Economic Ties in Bishkek

ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov called on the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states to develop trade and economic cooperation during an Oct. 26 meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Bishkek, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. Smailov outlined that the EAEU has become a trustworthy regional integration association in over a…

President Tokayev Visits Zhetisu Region, Assesses Progress in Development  

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited several cultural, tourist, and industrial sites during an Oct. 26 working trip to the Zhetisu Region, reported the Akorda press service. The President’s working trip to the region began with a visit to the Shokan Ualikhanov (1835 – 1853) Altynemel Memorial Museum, where Tokayev paid tribute to the…

Kazakhstan Outlines Security Priorities at Minsk International Conference

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko spoke about the country’s priorities at an Oct. 26 international high-level conference on Eurasian security in Minsk, reported the ministry’s press service. Vassilenko stated that given the global instability and geopolitical tensions, Kazakhstan stands for strict and full compliance with the United Nations (UN) Charter.  He underscored…

Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan Create Joint Venture to Develop Middle Corridor’s Multimodal Service

ASTANA – Kazakhstan Temir Zholy national railway company, Georgian Railway and Azerbaijan Railways inked an agreement to create a joint venture to develop multimodal service on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as Middle Corridor, on Oct. 26 in Tbilisi, reported the company’s press service. A new company named Middle Corridor Multimodal has…

Kazakh Citizens Reflect on Country’s Development Ahead of Republic Day

ASTANA – The Declaration on the State Sovereignty of the Kazakh SSR (Soviet Socialist Republic), which was adopted on Oct. 25, 1990, marked a significant turning point in the lives of its people. This pivotal document ensured key safeguards for the nation, encompassing defense mechanisms, the resurgence of national culture, traditions, language, and the reinforcement…

Almaty, Astana Residents to Enjoy Theater Premieres, Festive Concerts, Sports Events to Mark Republic Day

ASTANA –  This year, the Kazakh capital will hold more than 200 cultural, educational, sports, and social events to celebrate the Republic Day on Oct. 25, reported the Kazinform. The program includes festive concerts, car rallies, exhibitions, excursions for children to iconic sites, round tables, tournaments on national sports, and many other events. On Oct.…

Kazakh Athletes Win Four Medals as Asian Para Games Kicks Off in Hangzhou

ASTANA – The fourth Asian Para Games kicked off in Hangzhou on Oct. 22 with 131 Kazakh athletes participating in 14 sports, reported the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. The opening ceremony took place at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium, commonly known as Big Lotus. The national team’s athletes will compete in athletics, powerlifting,…

Kazakhstan Plans to Launch 170 Investment Projects Worth $2 Billion Until Year End

ASTANA – This year, Kazakhstan plans to launch 170 more projects worth 1 trillion tenge (US$2 billion) in investments, reported the Prime Minister’s press office on Oct. 23. This was announced at the investment headquarters meeting chaired by Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov. Enterprises for producing household appliances, special coke, and an enrichment plant for sludge…

Kazakhstan to Become Central Asia’s Pioneer in Proton Therapy for Cancer Treatment

ASTANA – The Kazakh capital will open a new National Research Oncology Center (NROC) equipped with state-of-the-art technology next year, reported the Prime Minister’s press service on Oct. 18. The facility will feature Central Asia’s first proton center to treat 800-1,000 patients annually. Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov toured the center, which includes a diagnostic and…

News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakh President’s Official Visit to China

ASTANA – The Astana Times has picked a selection of articles on Kazakhstan published in international media across the world. This week’s foreign media digest includes articles on Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s official visit to China. From coal power to clean energy The Paper, China’s news agency, released an article on Oct. 18 about Kazakhstan’s…

Mazhilis Approves Amendments to Draft Law on Children’s Payments from Kazakh National Fund

ASTANA – Deputies of the Mazhilis, the lower chamber of the Kazakh Parliament, approved the Senate’s amendments to the draft law on payments to children from the National Fund on Oct. 18, reported the Mazhilis’ press service. The document has been forwarded to the President for approval. Starting from Jan. 1 next year, the National…

Kazakhstan, Germany Agree to Implement Water Resources Management Program in Central Asia

ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) signed an agreement to implement the regional program on water resources management in Central Asia considering climate impacts, reported the ministry’s press service on Oct. 18. The deal is valid until February 2027. The program, encompassing Afghanistan,…

Kazakh, Chinese Companies to Implement Joint Gas Projects

ASTANA – Kazakh and Chinese large national companies signed agreements to implement and develop joint gas projects during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s official visit to China. KazMunayGas (KMG) national oil and gas company and China National Chemical Engineering Group Corporation (CNCEC) agreed to construct a gas turbine power plant (GTPP) at the Atyrau oil refinery, reported…