China’s Latest Five-Year Plan to Create More Opportunities for Cooperation, Says Expert
ASTANA – A seminar to discuss China’s 13th five-year development plan for the period 2016-2020 was held Jan. 28 in the city’s Beijing Palace Hotel. The event was conducted with the support of the Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan and participation of Kazakh political party representatives, as well as research and educational institutes. “We are interested…
Kazakhstan’s Gambling Regions Add a Touch of Vegas to the Steppe
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has its own Las Vegas and Atlantic City for people who want to try their luck, spend an unusual weekend or just observe the dynamic world of casinos. The country’s two main gaming areas, Borovoe (in the Akmola region) and Kapchagai (in the Almaty region), may be far from their American counterparts…
Arslanbek Sultanbekov: Unique Musician with a Unique History
ASTANA – Arslanbek Sultanbekov is a renowned dombra player, performer and composer in the Turkic world. His song “Dombra” became so popular it was even used as the main music of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s election campaign. The amazingly talented artist, who now lives in Kazakhstan, enthusiastically promotes his Nogai culture to the world.…
Air Astana Increases 2015 Net Profits by 144 Percent
ASTANA – Air Astana increased net, unaudited profits by 144 percent in 2015 over 2014 and posted its 13th profitable year in a row. Total net, unaudited profits were $47.4 million. The company’s passenger traffic increased by 2 percent and amounted to 3.8 million passengers and the capacity increased by 6 percent. The airline’s revenue…
Almaty Approves 51-Point Action Plan to Reduce Pollution
ASTANA – The Almaty akimat (city administration) approved comprehensive action plan to improve the state of the air basin on Jan. 18, reported city’s official website. The plan shows actions that will be taken in the next two years to solve a series of multi-purpose environmental problems and improve the situation. The action plan consists…
Silk Road Renewed With Launch of New Commercial Transit Route
ASTANA – The first trial run of a container train following the Ukraine – Georgia – Azerbaijan – Kazakhstan – China route left the Odessa region in Ukraine on Jan. 15, reported Tengrinews, citing the Ukrainian Ministry of Infrastructure. According to the source, “that route is a new direction of the Silk Road and at…
Almaty, East Kazakhstan Ski Resorts among Best in Region
ASTANA – Even though it is already January, the snow in Kazakhstan does not usually disappear until late March. During the long winter, many people think about spending time at the country’s beautiful ski resorts, which offer a great opportunity to breathe fresh air, master sporting skills and have joyful vacations away from the cities.…
Once Again, An Idea for Former Semipalatinsk Test Site to Become Tourist Attraction
ASTANA – Kurchatov, a formerly secret town in the East Kazakhstan region that was the administrative centre for the adjoining Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site, is seeking new ways to earn money and revive the city. A new concept to organise tourist tours has been developed by city authorities and Kazakh National Nuclear Centre, located in…
Kazakh Team Wins Category at Africa Eco Race 2016
ASTANA – Kazakh Kanat Shagirov and co-driver Vitaliy Yevtyekhov won the cars category at the annual Africa Eco Race 2016 on Jan. 10. They drove a Toyota Hilux Overdrive and represented the Mobilex Racing team, reported Vesti.kz. It is the first time a Kazakh team has won an African rally. Even though Shagirov and Yevtyekhov…
President Nazarbayev Approves Ethics Code for Civil Servants
ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev signed a decree Dec. 29 approving a code of ethics for public employees. The code became effective Jan. 1 and an ethics commissioner will be introduced as an additional duty in almost all state bodies. Previously known as the code of honour, the new document aims to strengthen society’s…
Healthcare Budgeting in Kazakhstan Seeks Ways to Improve
ASTANA – Healthcare and its performance on the proper level are one of the prerogatives of a developed state. In today’s world, facing crisis times, effectiveness of budgeting becomes one of the important measures of austerity. Healthcare is one of the biggest parts of a country’s budget, so it directly reflects on the whole system.…
Nearly 2,000 People Take Part in Santa Claus Parade in Almaty
ASTANA – A large parade of people dressed as Ded Moroz or Ayaz Ata in Kazakh (character similar to Father Christmas or Santa Claus) was held in Almaty on Dec. 27. Nearly 2,000 participants in costumes walked the central streets of the city and congratulated residents and visitors on the upcoming New Year, reported Kazinform.…
Kazakh Art Studio Releases Comics about Zombie Apocalypse
ASTANA – Astana Triumph, a comic book about the zombie apocalypse, is the newest creation of Orazkhan Zhakup. The Almaty resident is the co-founder and editor of Khan Comics, the nation’s first comics art studio. Commissioned by an American whose daughters love the zombie theme, the book tells the story of two teenage sisters who…
Skriptonite Dominates Rap Scene
ASTANA – Adil Zhalelov, also known as Skriptonite, has quickly won the hearts of listeners with his fresh sound, great beat and true, sometimes explicit lyrics. The young and promising rapper has definitely brought a new wave to Kazakh music culture. His debut album, released in November, is number two on Russian iTunes behind Adele…
Kazakh Band Orda Wins Second Place in Türkvizyon Song Contest
ASTANA – The Kazakh band Orda took second place in the annual Türkvizyon Song Contest held Dec. 19 in Istanbul. The group performed “Olai Emes,” receiving 185 points. The contestants included 21 representatives from Turkic countries. Kyrgyz artist Jiidesh İdirisova earned 194 points and first place with her song “Kim Bilet,” while Görkem Durmaz from…
Tennis Popularity Grows in Kazakhstan
ASTANA – Almost all regional centres in Kazakhstan currently have their own tennis complexes built to international standards. In the first half of December, Aktau and Kostanai launched recently-built centres; now, only Petropavlovsk is among the large metropolitan areas waiting for a new sports facility. According to Kazakhstan Tennis Federation Executive Director Dias Doskarayev, tennis…
Kazakh Pole Acrobatics Break Stereotypes
ASTANA – Pole dancing has long been associated with strip and night clubs, but now it is considered to be a new form of performance art as well as sport, combining elements of dance and acrobatics. Representatives of the pole acrobatics federation shared their thoughts and hopes with The Astana Times. Yelena Matvienko, who is…
President Nazarbayev Notes Timeliness of EXPO 2017’s Future Energy Theme
ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev had an informal interview with national TV journalists Yerlan Iginisov of 24KZ and Beisen Kuranbek of Kazakhstan that was shown on Dec. 13. As part of the conversation, Nazarbayev shared his thoughts on the upcoming EXPO 2017, which has a theme of Future Energy. Nazarbayev noted the timeliness of hosting…
City’s Biggest Ice Town Attracts Attention
ASTANA – Ice towns and rinks have become traditional entertainment places for city residents and guests. This year, the capital is presenting four areas with different sculptures and slides, according to the city Akimat (administration). At the same time, the city is actively preparing for the upcoming New Year by decorating roads and installing New…
Curling: A Sport for Everyone and for Life, Says National Association Head
ASTANA – Curling is considered to be an unusual sport for Kazakhstan. It first appeared in the country in 2003, yet the national team has already shown good results. National Curling Association Secretary General and national team head coach Viktor Kim makes every effort to develop the new sport and sees great prospects for the…
Kazakhstan Jumps 14 Positions in UNDP Human Development Index
ASTANA – Kazakhstan jumped 14 places compared to last year to be ranked 56th out of 188 in the 2015 UNDP Human Development Report released Dec. 14. Kazakhstan was also placed this year in a group with a high Human Development Index (HDI). According to the report, Kazakhstan’s life expectancy at birth is 69.4 years…
Kazakh Organ Donation Faces Perception Challenges
ASTANA – Although most Kazakhs are still hesitant about organ donation, transplants are conducted to help those in need of a match. Yet the procedure faces problems, such as the absence of an adequate legal base, the country’s own pool of donor organs and the low level of explanation and promotion. “This type of treatment…
Quality, Reputation, Hospitality Draws Indian Students to Karaganda
ASTANA – With many Kazakh students going abroad for university or post-graduate studies, it may come as a surprise that Karaganda State Medical University (KSMU) is the alma mater of a growing number of South Asian students. Currently around 700 foreign students, mostly from India, study at KSMU. “Well, the university has a quite nice…
President Signs Law on Astana International Financial Centre
ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev signed the constitutional law “On the Astana International Financial Centre” on Dec. 7, the Akorda reported. The law supports the establishment of the new financial centre, which aims to turn Astana into a regional financial hub by creating favourable and attractive conditions for investment and finance. “The bill is…
New ‘Green’ Railway Station Under Construction in Astana
ASTANA – A new railway station using green technologies is being built in Astana, reported the press service of Kazakhstan’s national railway company, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) on Dec. 3. Its launch is planned for March 2017. “Construction workers are working 24 hours a day. Currently, the base of the station has been set, the…
