Articles by Yerbolat Uatkhanov

ASTANA – Ust-Kamenogorsk was founded in 1720 as a military fort at the confluence of the Irtysh and Ulba rivers under the order of the Russian Emperor Peter the Great. The city developed into a major mining and metallurgical centre during the Soviet period and was very closely connected with the Soviet nuclear bomb project.…

ASTANA – Kaskad Business Centre head Huseyin Sahin is a prominent representative of the city’s medium-sized businesses. The high level of corporate activity in the Kazakh capital attracts businesspeople throughout the world and renting commercial space is considered quite profitable. “I studied in Turkey. My specialty is economy, but my background is hotel business. Also,…

ASTANA – Presidents Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan, Vladimir Putin of Russia, Serzh Sargsyan of Armenia, Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus and Almazbek Atambayev of Kyrgyzstan met in the Kazakh capital May 31 as the council of heads of member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). They discussed issues of deepening contacts with such integration partners…

ASTANA – The Foreign Investors Council devoted to the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) took place in Astana on May 27. President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan along with European Bank for Reconstruction and Development President Sir Suma Chakrabarti, who co-chair the council, and numerous CEOs from some of the world’s largest companies discussed the future…

ASTANA – Kazakh Minister of Energy Kanat Bozumbayev said the Ministry plans to use special auctions to purchase renewable energy from energy-producing companies. The auctions will make the selection process for projects and investors transparent and clear, increasing the effectiveness of technologies and minimising influence on tariffs. “First of all, the government will make a…

ASTANA – Senior Sergeant of the Zhambyl Region Police Department Galym Arystanbayev always dreamt of having a big family. And after adopting five children, in addition to three of his own, he is one proud papa. “I have a big family and Aliya, my wife, greatly supports me. We understand and complement each other. All…

ASTANA – Famous Kazakh 70 year-old marathon runner Saltanat Tuitebayev has daily trainings in spite of his age. The athlete participates in marathons and often wins medals. Recently, he ran 42 kilometres and 195 metres in the BI Marathon in Almaty and took the third place in the 70+ years old category. As of today,…

ASTANA – Tree Energy, a small company from Almaty has launched a challenge to world leaders in the production of wind generators and water-power stations using 90 percent of Kazakhstan components. “Our form of blades makes our wind generators easier to produce, protects the generators against extreme Kazakhstan storms and makes them much cheaper. Cheaper…

ASTANA – The Ontustik Tourism Centre opened in Shymkent April 29. The centre provides information for tourists and gathers representatives of tour operators, guides and interpreters, migration services and coach companies. In such a manner, tourists can use the services at a single location. Akim (Governor) of South Kazakhstan Beibut Atamkulov said the region has…

ASTANA – The April 28-29 Ontustik Invest 2016 forum and exhibition highlighted business opportunities in South Kazakhstan. “South Kazakhstan is an important trade centre with 11 industrial zones. Developing tourism and agricultural fields are interesting for investors. We consider that the number of foreign guests at the event shows the significance of the region and…

ASTANA – April 10 marked the 24th year of bilateral relations between Israel and Kazakhstan. Israel was among the first nations to recognise Central Asia’s newly-emerged independent countries, including Kazakhstan. “It is truly remarkable what has been achieved during this short period of time,” said new Israeli Ambassador in Kazakhstan Michael Brodsky. “Relations between Kazakhstan and…

ASTANA – The Ontustik Invest 2016 forum is expected to attract 500 people, including representatives of foreign companies, diplomatic missions, international organisations, local businesses, central government and local authorities, national companies and development institutes in an effort to attract foreign investment to South Kazakhstan, said Governor of South Kazakhstan Beibut Atamkulov. “Creating a favourable business…

ASTANA – During the last 24 years, Poland and Kazakhstan have signed a number of bilateral agreements and set up an effective institutional framework, creating favourable conditions to develop economic, cultural and scientific cooperation. The topics were among those discussed by Polish Ambassador in Kazakhstan Maciej Lang in an exclusive interview with The Astana Times.…

ASTANA – The largest bridge in Central Asian, which is in the Pavlodar region and spans the Irtysh River, is expected to be a major link in the eastern part of the Western Europe – Western China route and save 65 kilometres for transportation companies. The bridge, completed in April, is essential for the transportation…

ASTANA – For alcoholics, addicts and disadvantaged persons, Betel KZ offers a chance to return to a normal life. The organisation provides opportunities through a kind, home-like environment and cooperates with state and private companies. Services are free and treatment is based on workshop activity and interaction with those who were once in the same…

ASTANA – Thore Vestby, co-founder of Bike for Peace and mayor of Frogn, Norway, gave Kazakhstan high marks for its activities aimed at nuclear disarmament during his recent visit to the capital. He also highlighted the importance of the decision Britons have to make in the near future. “Kazakhstan inherited nuclear-tipped missiles when the Soviet…

ASTANA – A deal worth $5.5 million was struck March 9 between Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund and KMG Kashagan B.V. The action followed a corresponding decision made in December by the wealth fund’s board of directors, according to the fund’s letter published March 11 on the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) website. KMG Kashagan B.V.…

ASTANA – Knights wearing ancient armour and holding heavy swords and shields walk in the centre of the city. Is it a dream? No, it is the Blade of Steppe, an event organised by Temir Tumen club where gathered knights from various nations to fight and learn who is the strongest and bravest in the…

ASTANA – The military cooperation project for 2016-2017 has been developed between the Kazakh and American armed forces, according to the President of the Kazakh Ministry of Defence Centre for Military and Strategic Studies Kozykorpesh Karbuzov. “We have developed a common approach to defence planning and military cooperation between Kazakhstan and the U.S. for 2016-2017,”…

ASTANA – The first international observers who shared their opinions on the voting day in Kazakhstan reported that they had not detected any significant violations. According to them, parliamentary and local elections process follows all corresponding procedures and the Central Asian country’s electoral administration works properly. Today around 1,000 international observers and media monitor the…

ASTANA – Big city streets are full of beautiful brand new and luxury cars. The growing wealth of many Kazakh citizens is not hidden and can be easily seen on the road. But like every other country, Kazakhstan has models that are widely used and have become so popular they can be named the “people’s…

ASTANA – New global challenges were discussed by foreign experts March 2 at the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KAZISS). Growing strains in relations between world powers and strengthening terrorist organisations were debated by leading experts from the United States, Russia and Turkey. Representatives from the Ministry of Defence and the Academy of National Security…

ASTANA – Shymkent Police have launched a pilot project to use quadcopter air drones to monitor and improve road safety, according to the press service of the Shymkent city administration. “Technical progress dictates new terms. The cameras we have now have limited technical capabilities. The mobility and compact size of quadcopters give great opportunities to…

ASTANA – Kazakh poet Tamara Salimova and 40A Studio, supported by Marriot Hotel, held a presentation of a new book of poems in Astana on Feb. 11. The book called “Candle won’t burn down in the night” is nicely illustrated with black and white photos by talented Astana photographer Yelena Sorokina. “I wanted to create…

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev ordered the government to make way for huge investments into Kazakhstan’s economy as it continues to deal with twin negative effects of low commodity prices and tit-for-tat sanctions between Russia and the West. The President, chairing an enlarged session of the government on Feb. 10, instructed the ministers to both…