Kazakh PM Inspects Advances in Oncology and Biomedical Research
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov reviewed major developments in national oncology and biomedical research during visits to the National Research Oncology Center (NROC) and the Nazarbayev University Biomedical Research Center. The inspections focused on accelerating the adoption of advanced medical technologies and strengthening the national healthcare system. Bektenov examined the new NROC facility,…
Tokayev’s Trip to Uzbekistan, Estonian President’s Visit to Kazakhstan Set for November
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will pay a state visit to Uzbekistan on Nov. 14-15 at the invitation of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The program of the visit includes bilateral talks between the presidents and participation in a meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, reported Akorda on Nov. 13. On Nov. 16,…
Kazakhstan’s Economy Expands 6.4% in Ten Months
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s gross domestic product surged by 6.4% from January to October compared to the same period last year, fueled by growth in industry, trade, and transportation, according to preliminary data from the Bureau of National Statistics. The industrial sector alone expanded by 7.3%, contributing more than 30% of the total GDP increase, while…
News Digest: Foreign Media on C5+1 Summit, Kazakhstan’s Accession to Abraham Accords, EU Cooperation and More
ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest includes the C5+1 Summit, Kazakhstan’s decision to join the Abraham Accords, the European Union’s growing partnership with Kazakhstan and more. Kazakhstan will join the Abraham Accords with Israel in symbolic move to boost the Trump initiative…
Coca-Cola İçecek to Build Fourth Plant in Kazakhstan
ASTANA — Coca-Cola İçecek Kazakhstan and the Agriculture Ministry have signed a framework agreement to construct the company’s fourth bottling plant in Aktobe. The agreement was concluded during the Kazakhstan Global Investment Roundtable (KGIR) with the support of Kazakh Invest national company. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, creating more than 120 new jobs…
Kazakhstan’s Investment Growth Slows Amid Fading Base Effect, Weaker Private Sector
ASTANA — Investment activity in Kazakhstan slowed notably in January-September, with fixed capital investment growth easing to 13.5% year-on-year, compared to 19.3% at the end of June. The deceleration reflects the fading impact of last year’s low base and a reduction in transfers from the National Fund, which supports the economy. The main contributors to…
Kazakhstan Boosts Oil Exports to Germany via Druzhba Pipeline
ASTANA — Kazakhstan increased oil exports to Germany through the Druzhba pipeline to 225,000 tons in October, up from 180,000 tons in September. The country plans to deliver a total of 2 million tons via Druzhba this year, below the initial target of 2.5 million tons. In addition to the Druzhba route, Kazakhstan exported 27,000…
Kazakhstan’s Inflation Slows to 12.6% in October
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s annual inflation rate slowed for the first time this year, reaching 12.6% in October compared to 12.9% in September. Monthly inflation also declined sharply, to 0.5% from 1.1% a month earlier, the lowest rate since early this year. The slowdown was mainly driven by a sharp decline in housing and utility service…
Kazakhstan Cuts Customs Clearance Time Sixfold Through Rail Transit Automation
ASTANA — Kazakhstan has reduced customs clearance time for rail transit cargo from three hours to just 30 minutes under a pilot automation project launched along the China-Central Asia and China-Europe routes. The initiative has already streamlined the processing of 2.5 million tons of cargo in January-October, reinforcing Kazakhstan’s position as a key transport and…
OPEC+ to Adjust Output by 137,000 Barrels per Day in December
ASTANA — The eight OPEC+ countries, namely Algeria, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, agreed to increase output by 137,000 barrels per day from the 1.65 million barrels per day in additional voluntary cuts announced in April 2023, following a virtual meeting on Nov. 2. The adjustment will take…
AWE Central Asia Summit Strengthens Support for Women Entrepreneurs in Almaty
ASTANA — The Academy of Women’s Entrepreneurship (AWE) Central Asia International Summit took place in Almaty on Oct. 31, gathering women entrepreneurs, AWE alumni, and representatives from international organizations, businesses, and government institutions from Central Asia and the United States. The event aimed to expand cooperation and promote women’s leadership and business development across the…
SCAT Airlines Launches Direct Flights Between Astana and Belgrade
ASTANA — SCAT Airlines launched a direct passenger route between Kazakhstan and Serbia. According to Kazakh Deputy Transport Minister Talgat Lastayev, the opening of direct flights between Astana and Belgrade is an important step in strengthening ties between Kazakhstan and Serbia. “The new route will open up more opportunities for business, tourism, and cultural cooperation…
Voice Beyond Horizon: Dimash Unites Silk Road Voices in Grand 2026 Premiere
ASTANA – Dimash Qudaibergen and Hunan TV present a grand premiere for 2026 – the joint project Voice Beyond Horizon. “Eight years ago, Qudaibergen appeared on China’s music scene and immediately realized that music knows no boundaries. From the start, he dreamed of sharing the music of the Great Silk Road with the world. The…
Success is Measured in Meaning, not Power: Finnish President Stubb Tells Kazakh Students
ASTANA — President of Finland Alexander Stubb met with students of Astana-based Maqsut Narikbayev University on Oct. 29, where politics met philosophy. Addressing young Kazakh students, he urged them to follow their hearts and seek meaning beyond titles or status, a message that gave his political speech a human touch. President Stubb, who arrived on…
Kazakhstan to Launch Unified Fuel and Energy Management System by Year-End
ASTANA – Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov instructed the Kazakh Energy Ministry to ensure the launch of the Unified State System for Managing the Fuel and Energy Complex by the end of this year. The decision was announced at an Oct. 28 government meeting on the development and digitalization of the energy sector. The new system…
Kazakhstan Marks International Snow Leopard Day as Population Shows Remarkable Recovery
ASTANA – Kazakhstan celebrated International Snow Leopard Day on Oct. 23, marking a significant recovery of the species, with the population doubling in recent years and reaching up to 189 individuals across protected areas. Established in 2013 at the initiative of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the day highlights the need to protect…
Karagandy Jewelry Brand Showcases Coal-Inspired Collection at Milan Fashion Week
ASTANA — A jewelry brand from Karagandy has made its debut at Milan Fashion Week with a unique collection made from stabilized coal. The brand’s founder Olga Tseller presented her latest creations under the label TuLOla. Tseller began designing accessories in 2016, initially working with natural stones, leather, and resin. Her journey with coal started…
News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Middle Power Diplomacy, Strategic Partnerships and More
ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest highlights the country’s growing international profile, from its role as a middle power and a bridge between East and West, showcased at the Astana Think Tank Forum 2025, to rising U.S. engagement in Central Asia and…
Tokayev Highlights Progress and Unity Ahead of Republic Day
ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated citizens on the upcoming Republic Day, marking 35 years since the Declaration of State Sovereignty. He expressed gratitude to the country’s founders and reformers, noting that Kazakhstan is confidently advancing on its path of reform and progress “This year, our nation reaches a significant milestone, 35 years since the…
Tokyo Win: Rybakina Nears WTA Finals Qualification
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina advanced to the quarterfinals of the WTA 500 tournament in Tokyo. World No. 7 defeated Canada’s Leylah Fernandez (No. 22) in straight sets 6:4, 6:3. In the quarterfinals, Rybakina will face another Canadian, 19-year-old Victoria Mboko (23 WTA), reported Kazakhstan Tennis Federation on Oct. 23. With this victory, Rybakina moved…
Kazakhstan’s First AI School Builds Global Peer-to-Peer Learning Community
ASTANA — One year after its launch by Astana Hub, Tomorrow School, Kazakhstan’s first peer-to-peer artificial intelligence school, has evolved into a dynamic international community of 303 students from Kazakhstan, the United States, Russia, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan, redefining how IT and AI professionals are trained through collaboration instead of traditional teaching. Tomorrow School offers a…
AIFC Recognized Among Global Leaders in Digital Asset Regulation by IOSCO
ASTANA – The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) has been recognized as one of the world’s leading jurisdictions in implementing international standards for crypto and digital asset regulation, according to the thematic review published by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) this month. The AIFC demonstrated the highest level of progress, fully implementing all…
Kazakhstan Boosts Grain Exports by 14%, Driven by Strong Demand in Central Asia, Caucasus
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has exported 1.6 million tons of new-harvest grain between Sept. 1 and Oct. 19, showing a 14% increase compared to the same period last year. According to Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, the growth reflects rising demand for Kazakh grain across Central Asia and the Caucasus, supported by stable logistics routes and expanding regional…
Kazakh Grain Becomes First Transit Cargo from Azerbaijan to Armenia
ASTANA – Kazakh grain has become the first cargo to transit from Azerbaijan to Armenia, marking a symbolic step in regional relations, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev during an Oct. 21 press briefing. “Azerbaijan has lifted all restrictions on cargo transit to Armenia that have existed since the occupation. The first such transit cargo…
News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Global Role – From Digital Innovation to Cultural Diplomacy and More
ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest covers the nation’s leadership in digital transformation, its role as a hub for knowledge diplomacy, deepening strategic ties with Italy, cultural influence through Dimash Qudaibergen’s concerts in Mexico, and sporting success at Almaty Open. Kazakhstan as…
