Articles by Yerbolat Uatkhanov

Kazakh Restaurateurs Trending with “Made In Kazakhstan” Foodstuffs

ASTANA – Kazakhstan restaurateurs have joined the farm-to-table movement, using “Made in Kazakhstan” foodstuffs in their menus. Those in the dining and hotel business have developed long-term relationships with domestic producers due to the high quality, safety and freshness of their products. Igor Kopailov, president of the HoReCa Kazakhstan national dining-hotel business association, is among…

Astana Opera Hires Prominent Ballerina, Well-Known Conductor as Creative Heads

ASTANA – In an effort to raise its profile at home and abroad, the Astana Opera Theatre management announced changes March 14 in its staff composition. The People’s Artist of Russia Altynai Assylmuratova was appointed as the ballet company’s artistic director, while Kazakh honoured art worker Alan Buribayev was named the theatre’s principal musician. Theatre…

Japan Spring Arts Festival Offers Astana, Almaty a Glimpse of Japanese Culture

ASTANA – The Degdar Humanitarian Fund supported by the Japanese embassy in Kazakhstan made a musical gift to Astana within the bounds of the Japan Spring International Arts Festival in the form of presentations of Japanese musical traditions. Unique Japanese music as well as the creations of Kazakh composers, masterpieces of European classics and Eastern…

Lack of Funds Causes Delay in Kazakh Oil Refineries Modernisation

ASTANA – KazMunayGas recently announced that the modernisation of its oil refineries will be prolonged due to lack of funds. In spite of the ban on Russian fuel, fuel prices will not be affected and there are sufficient reserves from all sources in the state, according to Tengrinews. “We plan to finish the modernisation in…

Kazakh Armed Forces Hold Training Alert

ASTANA – As a way of reinforcing coordination among services, military unit No. 50185 in Karaganda, the air assault brigade in the Almaty region and aircraft pilots from military unit No. 21751 in Taldykorgan had a training alert in the early morning hours of March 4. Minister of Defence Imangali Tasmagambetov conducted the alert, according…

Classic Rock Rocks Kazakh Fans

ASTANA – Although Kazakh rock groups aren’t extremely successful in the country and virtually unknown abroad, American and Russian rock music is popular in some regions of the nation. Its fans are true because they think the music makes sense and is immortal. Rock fan Aidar Kontorbayev, general director of a transport company, lived 16…

Kazakhstan Beats Italy, Advances to Davis Cup Quarter Finals

ASTANA – The Kazakhstan Davis Cup team beat Italy 3:2 in team competition on March 6-8 at Astana’s National Tennis Centre to advance to the Davis Cup quarterfinals. Kazakhstan’s number one player Mikhail Kukushkin beat Italy’s Andreas Seppi in three sets, 7:6(8), 6:0, 6:4, of the fourth match on the hardcourts of the tennis centre to tie…

New Law and More Filling Stations Planned for Liquid Petroleum Gas Cars

ASTANA – In response to government plans to enact a law abolishing taxes and fees for liquid petroleum gas (LPG) users, KazTransGas is planning to construct 105 new methane filling stations in addition to the 508 LPG filling stations currently available. While the law will create an option for drivers, LPG usage in vehicles will…

Government Favours Bolstering Tenge over De-Dollarisation, Says National Bank Chief

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Government and National Bank announced plans in February to support the increased role of the tenge in the economy through efforts to decrease inflation, protect tenge investments, support the expansion of non-cash payment methods and other steps. The National Bank plans to decrease annual inflation step by step, following a plan that…

Secretary of State Opens Hospital, Visits Key Constituencies in South Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Kazakh Secretary of State Gulshara Abdykalykova visited South Kazakhstan Feb. 20, where she opened a new hospital, visited several cultural and educational sites and met with representatives of ethnic and cultural associations and the women’s community, reported the Akorda presidential residence press service. “I wish the personnel of the new hospital good luck…

IOC Evaluation Commission Head Says Almaty Is “Able to Host Olympics”

ASTANA – The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Evaluation Commission conducted its review of Almaty’s bid to host the 2022 winter games on Feb. 14-18, following which its leader stated the city is “able to host the Olympics”. The head of the National Olympic Committee and Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Alexander Zhukov, who led the…

Kazakh Shooter Struchayev Wins Qatar Open Shotgun Championships

ASTANA – Vasiliy Struchayev of Kazakhstan won the Qatar Open Shotgun championship skeet event in Doha on Feb. 13. The rookie Kazakh sportsman overcame tough weather conditions and pulled off a major surprise, beating Swedish World Cup and World Championship medallist Henrik Jansson in the gold medal shoot-off 7:6 to take home the $7,000 prize.…

Contemporary Kazakhstan Art Exhibition in Strasbourg Opens New Facets of Culture

ASTANA – The Life is a Legend exhibition at the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MAMCS) in Strasbourg is bringing the work of contemporary Kazakh artists to an international audience. The exhibition, which opened on Dec. 5, is presented by the Eurasian Cultural Alliance and the Apollonia Association and will showcase artists largely unknown…

Astana Tennis Centre to See Davis Cup Action in March

ASTANA – The 2015 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group first round matchup between Kazakhstan and Italy will be held March 6-8 in Astana at the National Tennis Centre, according to the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation. Kazakhstan has been participating in the Davis Cup for 19 years and has hosted each of its last seven…

Uralsk Students Create Alternative Energy Projects for EXPO 2017

Eight innovative projects created by school students in Uralsk were presented at the EXPO 2017 – Great Victory of State exhibition held in this city on Feb. 8. One of the largest international expos of the decade, EXPO 2017 will be held in Astanaand never in its 84-year history has the host city been chosen…

Kazakhstan Automobile Market Sees Big Changes with EAEU in Place, Cheaper Ruble

ASTANA – The Kazakh automobile market was traditionally distinguished by high prices for used cars. At the same time, official car dealers in Russia provided a wide range of brands and models at lower prices. Moreover, the dealers negotiated large discounts and presents, especially for cars produced in 2013. Everything changed Jan. 1, when the…

Celebrations Kick off Nationwide for the Year of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has dedicated this year to the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan and events have begun around the country to note the special designation. The assembly’s flags were raised around the country on Feb. 6 at 11.00 am, including in Astana where a flag was raised in front of the Palace of…

Kazakh Athletes Claim Good Number of Medals at Universiade 2015

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national youth and student team have won seven medals in various events and at press time were second in the overall standings at the international Universiade 2015 competition being held Jan. 24-Feb. 14 in Štrbské Pleso and Osrblie, Slovakia and Granada, Spain.   Kazakh athletes have earned three gold and four silver…

Tenge Devaluation Not Expected in 2015, Financial Expert Says

ASTANA – In a joint statement, the Government and National Bank of Kazakhstan indicated that tenge devaluation is not expected in 2015, said Chief Executive Officer of Kazakhstan’s Economists Association Olzhas Khudaibergenov in an exclusive interview with IA Strategy 2050.kz. All state companies will be supporting this position and conducting a coordinated policy regarding management…