Nazarbaev’s Personal Foundation Hosts Social Justice Competition to Promote Civil Engagement
The Foundation of the First President of Kazakhstan – Elbasy announced the winners of the National Digital Fair of Social Ideas and Projects on May 14. Fifteen out of fifty projects received funding for the implementation of their unique projects geared at promoting civil society initiatives in Kazakhstan. A shortlist of winners: Nur-Sultan based Emoji…
World Bank to Support Central Asian Countries Struggling With Covid-19 Fallout
The World Bank is working on a project to support livestock and digital development in Kazakhstan. The first project will help small-scale livestock farmers and the government integrate the national livestock development program. The second project will contribute to the development of artificial intelligence to help oversea the industrys. So far, preliminary financing stands at…
Tokayev Toys With Income Tax Scale Plans During First Visit to Almaty After End of State of Emergency
A gradual introduction of a progressive scale for individual income taxes will be discussed by experts and the public, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during his working visit to Almaty. A change in the Individual Income Tax was announced on May 11 at the state commission meeting. “I set the task before the government to study…
UN Launches Coping with COVID Mental Health Support Sessions in Kazakhstan
The United Nations (UN) in Kazakhstan remains committed to supporting the most vulnerable groups affected by the coronavirus crisis in Kazakhstan. The latest UN report declared that “the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, together with measures to mitigate the spread of the new coronavirus, could potentially be catastrophic for millions of children worldwide.” The…
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Unitedly Deal With Flood Consequences After Major Dam Collapse In Region
On May 10, the Kazakh Prime Minister Askar Mamin and Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov visited the recently flooded areas in the Maktaaral district and the villages of Nurlyzhol, Orgebas and Firdousi in the Zhanazholsky district. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are working together to tackle the flood damage after the partial collapse of Uzbekistan’s Sardoba reservoir…
Special S. Кorean COVID-19 Mobile Testing Unit Launched By Government In Almaty
A new COVID-19 mobile testing unit was introduced on May 9 in Almaty, according to the Atameken Business Channel. The system will allow doctors to check people without leaving the car and only costs 15,500 tenge (US$37). Based on the Medical Partners Korea (MPK) clinic the SKL laboratory uses reagents and equipment from Seegene Inc,…
Kazakhstan Calls In Volunteers to Form Paramilitary COVID-19 Response Team
On May 7, Kazakhstan celebrates Defender of the Fatherland Day. It was exactly 28 years ago, that the nation’s First President Nursultan Nazarbayev signed a decree on the formation of the National Armed Forces to ensure the military security of the country, to prevent armed conflict and to develop the defence capabilities of the Armed…
Kazakh Government Makes Jobs Guarantee Top Priority For Workers
The Kazakh government announced plans to create more than one million jobs this year as part of the new Employment Roadmap state program. As the coronavirus pandemic has a negative impact on the economy and especially the labor market, the new program is definitely one of the major measures in the post-emergency period. Supporting local…
Kazakhstan Remains Committed to Worldwide Humanitarian Effort to Battle COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to grip the globe. To mark three months since the public health emergency was declared, the World Health Organization (WHO) called for unity at the national level and solidarity on the global level during an online briefing at the organization’s headquarters in late April. Executive Director of WHO emergencies program Mike…
President Tokayev Exclusive Interview: Kazakhstan Must Lead Effort To Improve Relations With Neighbors
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev opened up about growing up in a family of veterans as well as his view on foreign policy and relations with neighboring countries ahead of the 75th anniversary of Victory Day in an exclusive interview with Mir Interstate Television and Radio Company on Friday. World War II became a challenge for…
Kazakhstan Сelebrates Virtual People’s Unity Day, Religious Holidays To Prevent Mass Gatherings
As the COVID-19 pandemic virus has spread across the world, nations are getting used to a new lifestyle. People work from home. People study at home. Now people will have to learn how to enjoy spending their favorite holidays in lockdown as well! Citizens are usually thrilled to celebrate People’s Unity Day on May 1…
Eurasian Economic Council Approves Emergency Measure to Save Economies From Collapse!
The Eurasian Economic Council approved the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) macroeconomic policy draft guidelines for 2020 – 2021 on April 29 as reported by the organization’s press service. The heads of the EAEU member states including the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of…
Kazakhstan Leads World Community in Corona Containment Early Response!
Kazakhstan has a total of 3,402 confirmed coronavirus cases as of April 30 with 25 deaths and 866 recovered cases. Most cases have been detected in the Kazakhstan’s largest cities – Almaty (1,051), Nur-Sultan (645) and Shymkent (192). The government immediately took preventive measures against the spread of coronavirus from March 13 after the World…
International cooperation needed for secure, free digital world, says UN Special Advisor
NUR-SULTAN – International cooperation is required to realise the benefits of digital technology and new technologies, said Fabrizio Hochschild, special advisor on preparations for the United Nations (UN) 75th anniversary commemoration in a Feb. 1 interview with The Astana Times. Digital technology is transforming everything – the way people relate to one another, how they…
AIFC, OneWeb to bring next generation satellite technology to Kazakhstan
NUR-SULTAN – The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) has announced plans to cooperate with London-based global communications company OneWeb to accelerate broadband connectivity in Kazakhstan, reported the AIFC press service Jan. 27. The agreement, signed by AIFC Governor Kairat Kelimbetov and OneWeb CEO Adrian Steckel at the World Economic Forum in Davos, aims to enhance…
EBRD invests more than $761 million in 29 private, public sector projects in Kazakhstan in 2019
NUR-SULTAN – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) invested $761 million in 29 private and public sector projects in Kazakhstan in 2019, reported the bank’s press service Jan. 17. Support for small businesses is particularly important as the country moves to reform its economy and strengthen its private sector. “This was another strong…
Kazakh President calls for a new economic course
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called for a new economic course and instructed the government, his administration and the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs at a Jan. 24 expanded government meeting to develop an economic reform programme by May 15. The government and Kazakh Parliament have adopted programmes to achieve the macroeconomic goals…
Schengen visa fees to increase to $88 for Kazakhs starting February
NUR-SULTAN – Schengen visa fees will increase for Kazakh citizens from $66 to $88 for adults and from $38 to $44 for children from ages six to 12 as of February 2020, according to Schengenvisainfo.com. All representative missions of the Schengen countries located abroad are obliged to apply the new rules as part of the…
Tchibo Kazakhstan launches first coffee shops with convenience stores, promotes green business ideas
NUR-SULTAN – Tchibo Kazakhstan has opened its unique three-in-one model of coffee and coffee machines/home goods/coffee shops in the capital and Almaty. The company promotes family business values and is moving towards sustainable retailing. Co-founder Kamilya Serikova, who lived in Europe for 12 years, started the business with her mother Saniya Irsaliyeva and sisters Leila…
Ninety-seven percent of Kazakh population included in compulsory health insurance database
NUR-SULTAN – Ninety-seven percent of the Kazakh population is included in the compulsory health insurance database, reported PrimeMinister.kz. Since Jan. 1, hospitals nationwide have provided medical care according to the guaranteed volume of free medical care (GOBMP) and compulsory social health insurance (OSMS). “The work will continue with the remaining 3 percent, or about 550,000…
Tokayev encourages youth to take innovative approach to government
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said Jan. 15 at a meeting with representatives of the Presidential Youth Personnel Reserve that the country needs civil servants who are not afraid to take responsibility and make innovative and effective decisions. The initiative to create the presidential personnel reserve was one of the key issues of Tokayev’s…
MOST Business Incubator supports Central Asian, youth startups
NUR-SULTAN – Jastar Business, a youth entrepreneurship development programme, and the Central Asia ImpactTech Accelerator Programme were named among the best projects initiated by the MOST Business Incubator in 2019, the company recently announced. The MOST Business Incubator, Citi Foundation and the YBI international organisation implemented the Jastar Business project to draw more startup companies…
Astana Opera conductor Alan Buribayev presents Letters from Italy
NUR-SULTAN – Astana Opera principal conductor Alan Buribayev will present Letters from Italy opera and symphony concert Jan. 6 in the capital. The concert is based on the stories of famous composers through their correspondence while staying in the European country, reported the theatre’s press service. The programme will feature opera and symphonic works created…
Kazakhstan ranks 50th out of 189 countries in Human Development Index 2018
NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan was ranked 50th out of 189 countries and UN-recognised territories in the Human Development Index (HDI) according to the newly launched United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’s flagship Human Development Report (HDR) 2019. The nation has made great strides in terms of basic capabilities, said UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan Yakup Beris. Its…
Indy Guide promotes Central Asia as travel destination, website supports local hosts
NUR-SULTAN – An adventure honeymoon in his native country turned into a business idea for ethnic Kazakh Atahan Tosun and his wife, Alexandra. In 2015, the Swiss couple founded Indy Guide, a website that offers guidance for travellers and business opportunities for Central Asian tourism companies. Atahan started his fascinating narrative about the love of…
