Kazakhstan, Cyprus to Deepen Political and Economic Ties
ASTANA—Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu arrived in the Republic of Cyprus on March 5 for his first official visit, which was intended to explore new cooperation opportunities. Nurtleu held talks with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides to discuss bilateral cooperation and confirm mutual desire to strengthen ties, reported the Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s…
Kazakhstan Invests Recovered Assets to Transform Rural Water Access
ASTANA — The Kazakh government has allocated 4.2 billion tenge (US$8.5 million) from recovered illegally acquired assets to construct and modernize water supply systems in the Aralsk district of the Kyzylorda Region. The Prime Minister’s press service reported on March 6 that a connection branch is being built to provide centralized water access to the…
KazMunayGas Explores Potential for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production
ASTANA — KazMunayGas, a national oil and gas company, is exploring the potential of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production. The ICF, a global advisory and technology services firm, has previously recommended constructing a plant to convert bioethanol into SAF and has proposed expanding bioethanol production at the Bio Operations plant. During a meeting on March…
Kazakhstan Targets 7% Economic Growth, Focuses on Oil and Gas Sector
ASTANA – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin chaired a March 3 meeting focused on boosting economic growth, focusing on the oil and gas industry and the investment-driven development of the Mangystau Region. With real gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2024 at 4.8%, the target for 2025 is 7%. This…
Kazakhstan Plans Major Investments for SMEs and Entrepreneurship
ASTANA – Kazakhstan will support 30,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) projects in 2025, with a total financial allocation of 1.7 trillion tenge (US$3.4 billion), said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin during a government meeting on March 4. New guarantee funds The government will establish two new guarantee funds to…
Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan Sign Agreement for Underwater Fiber-Optic Communication Line
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan signed an agreement to design and construct an underwater fiber-optic communication line during an official visit of Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov to Azerbaijan on March 3, the Prime Minister’s press service reported. The project aims to significantly enhance communication quality and data transmission between Asia and Europe. Bektenov met…
Kazakh PM, EU Delegation Discuss Enhancing Trade and Economic Relations
ASTANA – The Kazakh capital hosted the 16th meeting of the Kazakhstan–European Union Dialogue Platform on Critical Raw Materials with the participation of heads of diplomatic missions from EU member states, along with executives from leading industrial companies on Feb. 28. The meeting was co-chaired Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and the EU Delegation’s Chargé d’Affaires…
Kazakhstan Military Personnel Enhance Skills Through International Training Programs
ASTANA – Over 600 Kazakhstan’s military personnel are currently studying in more than 50 foreign institutions across 12 countries, said Murat Olzhabayev, head of Military Education and Science Department of the Defense Ministry during a Feb. 27 briefing at the Central Communications Service. These countries include Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, India, Italy, China, Pakistan, Russia, the…
Kazakhstan, China Advance Construction of Steel Plant in Zhambyl Region
ASTANA – Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov agreed on the construction of a metallurgical plant with chairman of the Board of Fujian Hengwang Investment Zeng Zhaoqiang on Feb. 27. It is expected to build a metallurgical plant with a capacity of 3 million tons of steel in the Jibek Joly Special Economic Zone, located in the…
News Digest: Foreign Media on Middle Corridor, Kazakhstan’s Ballet Stars and More
ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest highlights Kazakhstan’s judicial system, the growth of the Middle Corridor and more. Kazakhstan, France weigh roping in French companies for growth of Middle Corridor French companies may participate in the development of logistics infrastructure under the…
Kazakhstan Sets $52 Billion Investment Goal, Launches Investor Protection Measures
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is targeting an investment goal of 26.2 trillion tenge (US$52 billion), which requires at least a 35.2% increase in investments compared to last year’s performance. Baglan Bakbergenov, deputy director of the Investment Policy and Financial Sector Development Department at the National Economy Ministry, stated this during a Feb. 27 Central Communications Service…
Kazakh Mazhilis Discusses Tax Code Reforms to Combat Unfair Competition, Improve Budget Revenue
ASTANA – New government initiatives to the draft Tax Code, including VAT adjustments, were discussed in the Mazhilis (the lower house of the Kazakh Parliament) Committee on Finance and Budget on Feb. 27. The draft Tax Code has been under development in the Mazhilis since last year. To date, 27 working group meetings have already…
Kazakhstan’s Energy Shift: Renewables Rise, Oil Production Expands
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is advancing its commitment to green energy while boosting its oil and gas production capabilities. The country has made notable strides in renewable energy, energy infrastructure, and petrochemical production, focusing on sustainability and local development. In 2024, Kazakhstan reached a renewable energy milestone, with renewable energy sources contributing 6.4% to the nation’s…
Kazakhstan Reviews Proposals from Global Reactor Suppliers for First Nuclear Plant
ASTANA — The Interdepartmental Commission for the Development of the Nuclear Industry of Kazakhstan convened on Feb. 25 to review proposals from potential suppliers for the country’s first nuclear power plant (NPP). The commission, consisting of representatives from state bodies and organizations within the nuclear and energy sectors, is evaluating reactor technologies to meet Kazakhstan’s…
Kazakhstan’s Ile-Balkhash Reserve May Soon See Birth of Turan Tiger Cubs (Video)
ASTANA – Turan tigers Bogdan and Kuma, who arrived from the Netherlands in September 2024, have started mating at the Ile-Balkhash Reserve in Kazakhstan. This marks a significant milestone in their adaptation process, proving they have comfortably adjusted to their new environment. The conditions provided by Kazakh specialists have allowed the tigers to thrive and…
Kazakhstan’s Initiative Offers Business Opportunities for Ethnic Kazakhs Oversees
ASTANA — Since July 2023, Kazakhstan has introduced the Ata Zholy (the path of the ancestors in Kazakh) card for ethnic Kazakhs living abroad, providing simplified entry and exit to the country. A total of 65 Ata Zholy cards have been issued, granting holders the right to live and work in Kazakhstan for 10 years.…
News Digest: Foreign Media on Dimash Qudaibergen, Kazakhstan-Jordan Ties, Middle Corridor and More
ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest highlights Kazakhstan-Jordan cooperation, the Middle Corridor, Dimash Qudaibergen’s award, and more. Kazakhstan to supply Swiss nuclear power plants with uranium Kazakhstan, the world’s leading producer of uranium, is for the first time to supply Swiss energy…
Kazakhstan Strengthens Transit Network with Strategic Cargo Terminals
ASTANA — Kazakhstan is expanding its global transport and transit network by developing new terminals at key international cargo hubs. Projects are underway in countries like Azerbaijan, Russia, Belarus, and Uzbekistan and terminals are planned for Romania, Hungary, and China. The country plans to significantly increase its transit capacity and strengthen its role as a…
Kazakhstan Ramps Up Investment Push
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov convened a meeting on Feb. 20 to assess the progress on boosting investments in the country’s economy. The meeting’s main objective was to speed up the execution of large investment projects, tackle systemic problems hindering the investment climate, and explore measures to improve investment policies and create favorable…
Kazakhstan Plans to Expand Air Transport Network
ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to increase its aircraft fleet from 104 to 221 by 2030 and expand its international routes from 119 to 200, according to Kazakh Deputy Minister of Transport Talgat Lastayev. Kazakh airlines acquire 10-15 new aircraft each year, with two new Airbus A320 NEO airliners added in early 2025 and another 14…
Kazakhstan’s Aviation Sector Gears Up for Major 2030 Expansion
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s civil aviation sector saw notable growth in 2024, with airlines carrying 14.7 million passengers, an 11% increase from the previous year, said Kazakh Deputy Minister of Transport Talgat Lastayev during a Feb. 19 government meeting. According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Kazakhstan’s flight safety rating of 82% exceeds the global…
Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Acknowledges Kazakhstan’s Role in Strengthening Global Interreligious Dialogue
ASTANA – Grand Imam of Al-Azhar University Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb emphasized Kazakhstan’s significant role in advancing global interreligious dialogue and expressed willingness to continue collaboration, notably in theological education and scientific research. He made these remarks during a Feb. 19 meeting with Maulen Ashimbayev, head of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World…
Seven Dead in Mine Collapse in Central Kazakhstan
ASTANA – A rock mass collapsed in the Zhomart mine in the Zhanaarka district of Kazakhstan’s Ulytau Region on Feb. 17, killing seven workers, the Emergency Situations Ministry reported. A government commission, led by Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev, is in the region to oversee the emergency response and assess the situation. “Authorities have recovered…
New Air Routes Between Almaty and Beijing, Chengdu Set for 2025
ASTANA – Almaty is set to introduce new air routes in June to China, including flights to Beijing and Chengdu, following an agreement signed with Air China airline during Akim (Mayor) Yerbolat Dossayev’s recent working visit to China. Dossayev highlighted that 2024 was designated as the Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China, and 2025 marks…
Kazakhstan, Morocco Grant Visa-Free Travel for Citizens
ASTANA – The Kazakh government has approved a visa exemption agreement with the Kingdom of Morocco, allowing citizens of both countries to travel freely without a visa for stays of up to 30 days within a 180-day period. The resolution, adopted on Feb. 13, applies to holders of national and general civil passports, with the…
