Air Astana Expands Flight Network for Autumn 2025
ALMATY – Air Astana has announced a major expansion of its route network for autumn with a mix of resumed services and increased frequencies to popular destinations in the Middle East and Asia. From September, the airline has restarted flights from Almaty to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with a twice-weekly service and from Shymkent to Jeddah…
Kazakhstan Showcases Investment and Energy Partnerships at Energy Week 2025
ALMATY – Astana hosts Kazakhstan Energy Week (KEW 2025) and the 16th Eurasian Forum KAZENERGY at the Palace of Independence on Oct. 2-4, establishing an international dialogue platform for the Central Asian and Caspian regions. The event attracted more than 2,500 delegates from over 300 companies and 50 countries, reported the Ministry of Energy press…
ADB Upgrades Kazakhstan’s Growth Forecast to 5.3% in 2025 Amid Strong Infrastructure Push
ALMATY – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has published its forecast for Kazakhstan’s economic growth on Sept. 30, projecting GDP to expand by 5.3% this year and 4.3% in 2026, compared to earlier estimates of 4.9% and 4.1%. According to the ADB’s updated outlook, the improved forecast reflects continued state investment in infrastructure and increased…
Almaty Region Chosen for Kazakhstan’s Second Nuclear Power Plant
ALMATY – Kazakhstan is preparing to build two nuclear power plants (NPPs) in the Almaty Region, Atomic Energy Agency Chair Almasadam Satkaliev announced on Oct. 1 during a briefing at the Mazhilis, the lower chamber of Parliament. According to Satkaliev, the State Commission on the Atomic Industry has identified a second prospective site for construction.…
President Tokayev Advocates Ethical AI and Workforce Renewal
ALMATY – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chaired the first meeting of the Council on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Development on Oct. 1 in Astana, underscoring the transformative role of digital systems and AI in ensuring Kazakhstan’s sovereignty and driving economic growth. Opening the meeting, Tokayev highlighted Kazakhstan’s progress in digitalization, reported the Akorda press service. “Today, more…
Kazakhstan Maintains Steady Position in Moody’s Rating as Reforms Strengthen Investor Confidence
ALMATY – Moody’s Investors Service international rating agency has affirmed Kazakhstan’s sovereign credit rating at Baa1 with a stable outlook, citing the country’s strong fiscal position and resilience to external shocks. According to the agency, the rating is underpinned by Kazakhstan’s low level of government debt, its high debt-servicing capacity, and substantial fiscal reserves, which…
Kazakhstan to Expand Ties with Council of Europe as PACE Commends Reforms
ALMATY – Kazakhstan and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation and advancing democratic reforms in a joint statement issued on Sept. 30 in Strasbourg. The statement, signed by Kazakh Senate Chairperson Maulen Ashimbayev and PACE President Theodoros Roussopoulos, emphasized that democracy, the rule of law,…
Flags and Songs: Almaty Celebrates Despite Kairat’s 0:5 Defeat to Real Madrid
ALMATY – The spirit of football filled the streets of Almaty after the UEFA Champions League clash between Kairat and Real Madrid. Despite a heavy 0:5 defeat, thousands of fans turned the night into a festival of chants, songs and flags on Sept. 30. After the final whistle, supporters left the Central Stadium, waving club…
KazAID Project in Türkiye: New School Set to Open by 2026
ALMATY – The Kazakhstan Agency of International Development (KazAID) announced steady progress in the construction of a school in Nurdağı, Gaziantep province, launched on the initiative of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev as part of Kazakhstan’s humanitarian support to Türkiye after the devastating 2023 earthquakes. The facility, designed to accommodate 960 students, will feature 32 primary classrooms…
TransLogistica Kazakhstan 2025 Unites Global Logistics Leaders in Almaty
ALMATY – TransLogistica Kazakhstan 2025 is hosting more than 270 companies from 20 countries as the largest transport and logistics exhibition in Central Asia kicked off on Sept. 30 in Almaty. The exhibition expands to three pavilions and an open-air site, showcasing solutions for the transport and logistics sector, reported the TransLogistica press service. Participants…
Over 1,500 Kazakh Students Choose South Korea as New Rankings Highlight Internationalization
Editor’s note: This article is published as part of a partnership agreement between The Astana Times and The Korea Times. A special series seeks to provide readers with in-depth insights into the opportunities, challenges, and trends linking our two countries. ALMATY – South Korea is becoming one of the study destinations for Kazakh students, a…
Kazakhstan Welcomes 7.5 Million Foreign Tourists in January-June
ALMATY – Kazakhstan welcomed 7.5 million foreign tourists in the first half of this year, with overall revenues from tourist accommodation rising by 25%, said Nurtas Karipbayev, chair of the Tourism Industry Committee of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, during a Sept. 29 press briefing at the Central Communications Service. According to him, 5…
Tokayev and Mattarella Commit to Expanding Bilateral and Regional Cooperation
ALMATY – Kazakh and Italian Presidents Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Sergio Mattarella reaffirmed the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and Italy during a joint press statement following official talks in Astana on Sept. 29. Tokayev emphasized that Italy remains one of Kazakhstan’s most important and reliable partners in the European Union, noting steady growth across political, economic,…
Kazakhstan Launches Pilot Operations of Astana LRT
ALMATY – Test operations of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system officially began in Astana on Sept. 29, marking a key stage in preparing the capital’s long-anticipated transport project for full operation. The pilot phase will allow specialists to assess the technical readiness of infrastructure, movement safety, and passenger convenience. The LRT will operate in…
Higgsfield AI Becomes Kazakhstan’s First Unicorn Startup, Valued at Over $1 Billion
ALMATY – Higgsfield AI has officially become Kazakhstan’s first unicorn startup, surpassing a $1 billion valuation, announced co-founder and former Head of Generative AI at Snap Inc. Alex Mashrabov on Sept. 28. According to Mashrabov, the company recently crossed a $50 million run-rate revenue threshold, marking a historic milestone for Kazakhstan’s tech ecosystem. “For…
Astana Think Tank Forum 2025 to Address Global Polarization and Trust Deficit
ALMATY – The second edition of the Astana Think Tank Forum will bring together leading policymakers, opinion leaders, and heads of major companies from Kazakhstan and abroad on Oct. 15-16 to discuss new strategies for cross-border cooperation and ways to restore trust in the international system. Launched last year under the aegis of the Astana…
Government Reshuffle Brings New Deputy PM and Education Minister in Kazakhstan
ALMATY – Kazakhstan appointed Zhaslan Madiyev as Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development by presidential decree on Sept. 29, as part of a broader set of government reshuffles announced by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Madiyev is tasked with overseeing the country’s transition into a fully digital state. Previously, Madiyev held senior…
Kazakhstan, Myanmar to Strengthen Partnership in Trade, Transport and Technology
ALMATY – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with Myanmar’s Acting President Min Aung Hlaing on Sept. 27 during his working visit to Kazakhstan, focusing on ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors. Welcoming Min Aung Hlaing, Tokayev underlined that Kazakhstan is a key Eurasian transit hub and plays an active role in major transport…
INMerge Investment Forum Launches in Baku as Regional Investment Gateway
ALMATY – The inaugural INMerge Investment Forum, organized by PASHA Holding and co-hosted by the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), gathered leading private capital leaders in Baku on Sept. 28, creating a new platform for investment dialogue across Central Eurasia and the Middle East. The forum brought together more than 160 participants from over…
Real Madrid Greets Kazakh Fans Ahead of Champions League Match in Almaty
ALMATY – Spanish football club Real Madrid arrived in Almaty on Sept. 29 ahead of their UEFA Champions League clash against FC Kairat. The team was greeted with a warm display of Kazakh hospitality at Almaty International Airport. Right at the exit of the VIP terminal, where even the media were not allowed access, the…
Tokayev Outlines Vision for Scientific and Nuclear Advancement at National Council Meeting
ALMATY – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the critical role of science, technology, and nuclear energy in Kazakhstan’s long-term development during the Sept. 26 meeting of the National Council on Science and Technology. Opening the session, Tokayev noted that in the face of global instability and geopolitical challenges, a country’s development level in the world is…
Kazakhstan Strengthens Role in ICAO, Advances Gender Equality Agenda in Montreal
ALMATY – Chair of Civil Aviation Committee of Kazakh Ministry of Transport Saltanat Tompiyeva was elected Vice-Chair of the Administrative Commission on Sept. 25, during the 42nd Session of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly in Montreal, Canada. The Commission elected Mauricio Ramirez Koppel, Colombia’s permanent representative to ICAO, as chair, while India’s Angshumali…
Backstreet Boys Share Warm Impressions of Kazakhstan After Sold-Out Concerts
ALMATY – The American band Backstreet Boys has left Kazakhstan after their Sept. 21 concert in Astana, following the performance in Almaty on Sept. 19, but their impressions of the country continue to appear on their official Instagram page. The group’s members are actively sharing memories of their trip and engaging with Kazakh fans online. …
Kazakhstan Approves Updated Plan for Almaty Superski Tourism Project
ALMATY – Kazakhstan has approved the updated master plan for the Almaty Superski tourism project, aimed at strengthening the city’s position as a leading winter and ecological tourism destination in the region. The decision was adopted on Sept. 25 by the Board of Directors of Kazakh Tourism Development, chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov. Kazakh…
Astana Strengthens Position as Regional Financial Hub in Latest Global Ranking
ALMATY – The thirty-eighth edition of the Global Financial Centers Index (GFCI 38), released on Sept. 25, confirmed Astana’s continued leadership in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. According to the report, the city has maintained its top regional position for two and a half years, ahead of Almaty, Cyprus, Moscow, Prague and Riga. In the…
