Kazakhstan to Approve Three-Year Budget and Economic Forecast
ALMATY – The Government has approved and submitted to Parliament Kazakhstan’s socio-economic development forecast and the republican budget for the next three years, announced Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov at an extended meeting of the AMANAT Party faction on Sept. 4. Under the baseline scenario, Kazakhstan’s economy is projected to achieve an average annual real GDP…
President Tokayev Honors Oil and Gas Industry Workers
ALMATY – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated Kazakhstan’s oil and gas industry workers and veterans on their professional holiday at a solemn ceremony in Akorda, highlighting the sector’s crucial role in the nation’s economic development, reported Akorda press service on Sept. 5. In his address, Tokayev emphasized the historical significance and continued importance of the industry.…
Kazakhstan, Thailand to Launch New Direct Flights in December
ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s Civil Aviation Committee (CAC) has announced the launch of new direct passenger flights connecting Bangkok and Almaty, as part of ongoing efforts to expand the country’s international flight network and strengthen air connectivity, reported the Ministry of Transport press service on Sept. 3. Starting Dec.1, Thai AirAsia X, a low-cost carrier from…
KTZ Launches New Innovative Format for Vegetable Oil Shipments to China
ALMATY – Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) has introduced a new format for transporting vegetable oil to China, carrying out its first shipment in 40-foot containers equipped with flexitanks, the company’s press service reported on Sept. 2. The pilot batch of sunflower oil was shipped from Predgornaya station in East Kazakhstan to Nantong City in China’s…
Kazakhstan Faces Persistent Inflation Pressures, Says National Bank Governor
ALMATY – Inflation remains one of the main challenges for Kazakhstan’s economic development and citizens’ well-being, said the Governor of the National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) Timur Suleimenov at a joint session of Parliament’s chambers, Kazinform reported on Sept. 2. Suleimenov noted that the country’s annual inflation rate currently stands at 12%, stressing that addressing…
Kazakh Tennis Player Reaches Third Round of US Open Juniors
ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s 17-year-old tennis player Zangar Nurlanuly advanced to the third round of the junior US Open in New York after defeating Alan Wazny from Poland, ranking 13th in the world, reported the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation (KTF) on Sept. 2. He secured the victory in straight sets – 6-4, 6-4 – and will next…
Building Bridges of Faith: How Pentecostalism Supports Kazakhstan’s Spiritual Unity
Editor’s Note: In the run-up to the eighth Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, scheduled for Sept. 17–18 in Astana, The Astana Times has launched a special series exploring the diversity of spiritual life in Kazakhstan. The first articles highlighted the Jewish, Orthodox, and Bahá’í communities. This edition turns to the Pentecostal Church…
Kazakhstan Strengthens Position in International Peace Ranking
ALMATY – The Global Peace Index report (GPI) published by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) has revealed that Kazakhstan has improved its position, rising five places compared to last year to secure 56th position among 163 countries and territories, Kazinform reported on Sept. 2. According to the 2025 index, Kazakhstan ranks third in…
Kazakhstan, China to Build Advanced Green Data Center
ALMATY — During President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s official visit to Beijing on Sept. 2, Kazakhtelecom and China Energy Overseas Investment signed a landmark agreement to launch the joint construction of a data center, wrote Bagdat Mussin, Chairman of the Board of Kazakhtelecom, on his Telegram channel on Sept. 3. Mussin emphasized the scale of the initiative,…
Kazakhstan Reports High Public Trust in Presidential Institution
ALMATY – A nationwide survey conducted by the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS) revealed on Sept. 2 a consistently high level of public trust in the presidential institution. According to the findings, 82.4% of citizens expressed trust in President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, reflecting his steady leadership and the positive public perception of ongoing governmental policies.…
Tokayev Calls for UN Security Council Reform at SCO Plus Meeting
ALMATY – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called for comprehensive reforms of the United Nations to strengthen multilateral diplomacy and ensure the organization’s effectiveness during Sept. 1 SCO Plus summit meeting in Tianjin, China, reported the Akorda press service. During his speech, Tokayev also noted the upcoming 80th anniversaries of the end of World War II and…
Experts See Economic Cooperation as Central Asia’s Best Path to Integration
ALMATY — A recent survey conducted by Astana Open Dialogue between June 9-16 has revealed growing optimism about the future of regional integration in Central Asia, while highlighting challenges that need to be addressed, reported the institution’s press service on Aug. 19. The study gathered insights from more than 50 experts in politics, economics, education,…
Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan Deepen Agricultural Cooperation as Grain Exports Surge
ALMATY – Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are strengthening agricultural ties, with high grain exports, expanded Caspian logistics and growing investment projects signaling the emergence of a broader agro-industrial partnership, reported Kazinform news agency on Aug. 27. In the first five months of 2025, Kazakhstan became Azerbaijan’s leading grain supplier, exporting over 450,000 tons worth $95 million…
Three Tourist Train Routes to Connect Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in September
ALMATY — Three new tourist train routes will connect major cities in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan this fall. The programs aim to promote cross-border tourism and strengthen cultural ties between the two countries, reported the Kazakh Tourism national company on Aug. 28. All three routes, lasting from five to seven days, will depart from Almaty. Tour…
Kazakhstan, Sierra Leone Forge Closer Diplomatic and Economic Ties
ALMATY — Kazakhstan and Sierra Leone reaffirmed their commitment to deepening political, economic and humanitarian ties as President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Timothy Musa Kabba in Astana on Aug. 28. During the talks, Tokayev underlined Kazakhstan’s commitment to expanding cooperation with African nations, while Kabba conveyed a…
Germany’s Logistics Provider Partners with Kyrgyz Railways to Boost Central Asian Freight Links
ALMATY — The Rhenus Group, a German leading global logistics service provider, has signed a memorandum of cooperation with Kyrgyz Temir Zholu, the National Railway Company of the Kyrgyz Republic on Aug. 27. to strengthen freight transport and logistics connectivity across Central Asia. The agreement was concluded during the German-Kyrgyz Economic Forum in Cholpon-Ata and…
Kazakhstan Plans Major Financial Legislation Reform
ALMATY – Kazakhstan is preparing a comprehensive reform of its financial legislation aimed at ensuring long-term economic growth and strengthening financial stability, Chairman of the National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) Timur Suleimenov announced during a government meeting on August 26. According to Suleimenov, the National Bank has already taken measures to utilize banking liquidity in…
Kazakhstan Records 5.5 Million Registered Vehicles in 2025
ALMATY– The number of vehicles registered in Kazakhstan has reached 5.5 million, marking a more than a double increase since the country gained independence 34 years ago. The figures were announced by Chairman of the Administrative Police Committee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Kaysar Sultanbayev, during a Central Communications Service press briefing on Aug.…
Kazakhstan Approves List of Water Bodies of National Significance
ALMATY – The Kazakh government has approved a list of water bodies classified as having special national significance and introduced new regulations governing economic activities in these areas on Aug. 23, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. The list includes both surface and underground water resources that play a critical role in the country’s ecology,…
Pope Leo XIV Welcomes Kazakh Pilgrims in Vatican Ahead of Congress of World and Traditional Religions
ALMATY – Pope Leo XIV greeted a group of thirty Kazakh pilgrims from the Karaganda diocese during the Sunday Angelus prayer on Aug. 24 at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican. The pilgrims, who traveled to Italy from Aug. 20–24 as part of the Jubilee Year celebrations, visited four Papal basilicas and prayed at sacred…
Life Expectancy in Kazakhstan Surpasses Global Average
ALMATY – Life expectancy in Kazakhstan reached 75.4 years in 2024, surpassing the global average for the first time, Minister of Healthcare Akmaral Alnazarova announced during an Aug. 25 meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Alnazarova briefed him on the current state of the healthcare system and outlined priority measures for the coming years. According to…
Foreign Workforce in Kazakhstan Reaches 14,000 as Quotas Expand
ALMATY – Kazakhstan has expanded the quota for attracting foreign specialists to 19,400 positions starting Aug. 2025, which represents 0.25% of the workforce, after the list of eligible seasonal professions was expanded. As of Aug. 1, 14,130 foreign citizens are officially employed in Kazakhstan under work permits issued by local executive authorities, the Ministry of…
Kazakhstan Projects 5% Growth, Lower Deficit and Rising Exports by 2028 Under New Strategy
ALMATY – According to the forecast, Kazakhstan’s GDP is expected to grow by 5.4% in 2026, with an average annual growth rate of 5.3% over the period. This was revealed during an Aug. 26 government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin presented the forecast,…
Kazakhstan to Invest Nearly $11.5 Billion in Power Sector Upgrade
ALMATY – Kazakhstan launches 29 energy generation projects with a combined capacity of 7.3 gigawatts (GW) by 2029 worth 6.2 trillion tenge (approximately US$11.48 billion) as part of the national project Modernization of the Energy and Utilities Sector. Asylzhan Musin, director of the department for electric power development, presented updates on developments in the energy…
Jordan’s King Abdullah II’s Visit to Kazakhstan Marks New Strategic Partnership
ALMATY – King of Jordan Abdullah II Bin Al Hussein pays an official visit to Kazakhstan on Aug. 26–27 at the invitation of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The visit is expected to mark a new stage in strengthening political dialogue and expanding strategic cooperation between the two nations. The visit follows President Tokayev’s trip to…
