Articles by Dana Omirgazy

ASTANA – Investment in fixed capital in Kazakhstan reached 6.74 trillion tenge (US$13.8 billion) in January-May, up 7% year-on-year in real terms, driven by industrial and construction projects as well as strong private-sector activity. According to the Bureau of National Statistics, small businesses accounted for the largest share of investment at 3.74 trillion tenge (US$7.6…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s figure skaters Mikhail Shaidorov and Sofia Samodelkina have been assigned their events for the 2026/27 ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix series and will compete for a place in the Grand Prix Final in Chongqing, China. The International Skating Union (ISU) has released the schedule for the 2026/27 Grand Prix season on June…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to attract 154.7 billion Japanese yen (US$965.4 million) in concessional loans from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to support priority government measures and key areas of economic development, as the Mazhilis, a lower chamber of the Kazakh Parliament, approved relevant ratification…

ASTANA – The Jiangsu Provincial Center in Central Asia was opened in the Kazakh capital on June 16, marking a new stage in strengthening trade, investment, and economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and China. The center is expected to serve as a unified platform for supporting Chinese companies operating in the region, offering consulting services, facilitating…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Spain reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral ties and expanding economic cooperation during the eighth round of political consultations on June 16, led by Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Issetov and Spanish State Secretary for Foreign and Global Affairs Diego Martínez Belío. The officials reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations,…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s economy is projected to grow by around 4.6% this year, supported by high oil prices, strong domestic demand, and investment inflows, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said following a June 3-12 mission to the country. The IMF noted that growth moderated to 3.7% in January-May due to lower oil production following a…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is considering banning children under 16 from registering on social media platforms as authorities seek to address growing concerns about cyberbullying, harmful content and the impact of excessive screen time on adolescents’ mental health. The Ministry of Culture and Information has developed draft amendments to legislation concerning online platforms and mass media,…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan will receive senior officials from Germany, Spain, and Poland this month for high-level talks aimed at strengthening political dialogue, economic cooperation, and inter-parliamentary ties, said Yerlan Zhetybayev, spokesperson of Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry during a June 15 press briefing. On June 16, Kazakhstan will hold the eighth round of political consultations with Spain,…

ASTANA — Envoys from the European Union, Central Asian countries, and the United Nations met on June 15 in Almaty to coordinate approaches on Afghanistan, focusing on regional stability, connectivity, and long-term socio-economic development. The eighth meeting of the EU and Central Asian Special Representatives on Afghanistan brought together delegations from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic,…

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev welcomed the agreement reached between the United States and Iran, describing it as highly significant for both the region and the broader international community. According to Tokayev, the agreement comes at a particularly important time amid a complex global situation. “We highly appreciate the political will of the parties, which…

ASTANA — The Akmola Region expects to welcome around two million tourists this year, with Burabay remaining its main tourism destination. According to the regional akimat (administration), work is underway to improve ten existing tourist routes and create two new ones near Lake Zhukey and the village of Akylbay. Infrastructure upgrades in Burabay include eight…

ASTANA – Coal remains the dominant source of electricity in Kazakhstan, accounting for 62.1% of total generation, while gas-fired plants, hydropower facilities and renewable energy sources together provide nearly 38% of the country’s power output. According to the Energy Ministry, Kazakhstan continues to modernize its energy sector and diversify generation sources while maintaining reliable electricity…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s boxer Gennady Golovkin has been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) on June 14, becoming the country’s first representative to enter the sport’s most prestigious institution. Golovkin was officially inducted during a ceremony in Canastota, New York, joining the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026. He entered the IBHOF…

ASTANA – Delegates of the second congress of Kazakhstan’s Adilet Party approved the merger of the Amanat party into Adilet on June 14, in a move aimed at strengthening national unity and advancing the country’s reform agenda. During the meeting, Adilet delegates unanimously endorsed Amanat’s accession to the party and approved the establishment of regional…

ASTANA – Kazakh and French experts have presented interim findings for a master plan to safeguard the Lake Balkhash ecosystem, with the final strategy expected by the end of this year. The project will provide a scientific framework for managing water resources in one of Central Asia’s most important lake basins amid growing climate challenges.…

ASTANA – Rising oil prices driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East have not had a significant effect on Kazakhstan’s tenge, National Bank Chair Timur Suleimenov said on the sidelines of a Mazhilis on June 10. Suleimenov said changes in oil prices typically affect the economy and currency with a lag of one to…

ASTANA – Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev held talks with the U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs and the U.S. Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, on June 9, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the enhanced strategic partnership. During the meeting, the officials discussed a wide range of topics on the bilateral agenda,…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has introduced simplified entry and stay procedures for foreign visitors to support tourism development, Minister of Internal Affairs Yerzhan Sadenov announced at a June 9 government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov. Citizens of 105 countries can obtain electronic visas without visiting embassies. Kazakhstan has also introduced the Digital Nomad Visa…

ASTANA – The Kyrgyz Republic has been officially removed from the European Union’s list of air carriers banned from operating flights to EU member states. According to the press service of the presidential administration, the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport of the European Commission informed the Kyrgyz authorities that all air carriers certified in the…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan and South Korea discussed expanding cooperation in trade, investment, energy, critical minerals, and technology during the 11th meeting of the Kazakh-Korean Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation on June 8. The meeting highlighted the steady growth of bilateral economic ties. Mutual trade reached approximately $3.17 billion in 2025, while…

ASTANA – Cirque du Soleil’s acclaimed production OVO captivates audiences in the Kazakh capital from June 4-7 at Barys Arena, delighting both adults and children with its colorful, insect-inspired world. Blending acrobatics, music, and visual storytelling, the show transformed the everyday lives of tiny creatures into a spectacular theatrical experience. Behind-the-scenes preview for media One…

ASTANA – Kazakh chess player Bibisara Assaubayeva secured the Norway Chess Women 2026 title ahead of the final round after a strong showing at one of the world’s most prestigious chess tournaments, held in Oslo from May 25 to June 5. The 22-year-old entered the ninth and penultimate round as the tournament leader and needed…

ASTANA – The Monetary Policy Committee of Kazakhstan’s National Bank decided on June 5 to set the base rate at 17% per year, with a ±1 percentage-point corridor, citing updated macroeconomic forecasts and easing inflationary pressures. Annual inflation continued to slow, reaching 10.4% in May, down from a peak of 12.9% in September last year.…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s flagship airline, Air Astana, will gradually restore scheduled flights to Dubai from Almaty and Astana starting in June and July, following route adjustments caused by the closure of Iranian airspace. Almaty-Dubai-Almaty flights are set to resume on June 20, while Astana-Dubai-Astana services will restart on July 10. All flights will be rerouted…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has joined the group of countries with a high level of artificial intelligence adoption, according to analytical insights presented by OpenAI during a visit to the country. The findings highlight strong public readiness for the practical use of AI technologies.  Kazakhstan significantly outperforms other Central Asian states in per-capita consumer use of…