Articles by Dana Omirgazy

ASTANA – Several foreign countries expressed support for Kazakhstan amid the massive floods that hit the country’s regions and forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes. The Kyrgyz Republic sent 300 tons of humanitarian aid to Kazakhstan’s regions on April 6. “The cargo includes oil, sunflower, sugar, rice, pasta and confectionery, as…

ASTANA—The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest covers the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), the Caspian Sea, Kazakhstan’s commitment to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and more. Caspian Sea possesses huge natural resources – Kazakh deputy prosecutor general Trend reported on…

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chaired an emergency headquarters meeting on April 4 in the West Kazakhstan Region, one of the regions most affected by the massive floods, reported the Akorda press service. Tokayev highlighted that several areas were heavily damaged by flooding and urged the meeting participants to collaborate in addressing the natural disaster.…

ASTANA – BeNeLux Chamber of Commerce, uniting the trade circles of the Kingdoms of Belgium and the Netherlands and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and the Kazakh Chamber of International Commerce signed an agreement on April 4 to establish the Netherlands-Kazakhstan Business Council, reported the BeNeLux press service. The establishment of the council is expected…

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev flew over flooded areas and met with evacuated residents on April 4 in the West Kazakhstan Region, one of the regions adversely affected by floods, reported the Akorda press service. Tokayev assessed the situation in the Terekti, Syrym and Karatobe districts. According to Akim (local mayor) of the West Kazakhstan…

ASTANA – Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Zhang Ming expressed support for Kazakhstan’s initiatives aimed at strengthening the SCO potential during an April 3 meeting with Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu,  reported the ministry’s press service on April 3. Kazakhstan is chairing the organization in 2024. During the…

ASTANA—The Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) welcomed Kazakhstan’s pledge to achieve full conformity and compensate for overproduction during the committee’s 53rd meeting held via teleconference on April 3, reported the OPEC press service. The committee also welcomed the announcement by Russia that its voluntary adjustments in…

ASTANA – The Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan JSC signed an agreement with the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct a preliminary International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) as part of the plans to launch direct flights between the countries, reported the Civil Aviation Committee of the Kazakh Transport Ministry on April 4. The agreement…

ASTANA—Some 126,000 Chinese citizens have visited Kazakhstan, and 173,000 Kazakh citizens have visited China since November last year when both countries waived visa requirements for mutual travel of citizens, said Kazakh Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Aibek Smadiyarov on April 1. Smadiyarov noted that the ministry intends to expand the list of visa-free countries for Kazakh passport…

ASTANA — Mineral resources worth 1.1 trillion tenge (US$2.46 billion) were discovered in the vicinity of single-industry towns, Kazakh Minister of Industry and Construction Kanat Sharlapayev said during an April 2 government meeting, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. “Private investments worth 28.7 billion tenge ($64.2 million) were attracted to explore the territory. This year,…

ASTANA — FTL Airlines, a French cargo carrier, made its first technical landing at Shymkent airport on March 29 to pick up goods on the route from Paris toward Hainan, reported Shymkent Akimat (administration). “According to the previously reached agreements, air cargo transportation to Shymkent is planned to be organized on a regular basis. This…

ASTANA – Some 15,786 people, including 6,187 children, have been rescued and evacuated as massive floods hit 12 regions of the country, said Kazakh Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations Baurzhan Syzdykov at an April 2 government meeting, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. “The flood situation is complicated. … The ministry deployed forces to the…

ASTANA – Kazakh Defense Minister Ruslan Zhaksylykov briefed President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the combat readiness of the nation’s army during an April 1 meeting, reported the Akorda press service. Zhaksylykov reported on the operational and combat training of army units and efforts to train command and control bodies and personnel. The sides underlined the importance…

ASTANA – The Astana Times has picked a selection of articles from global media outlets on news about Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest covers the United States-Kazakhstan partnership, European Union’s (EU) investment prospects, creative economy, Nauryz celebration, and more. Kazakhstan opens door to European investments in rare mineral extraction Kazakhstan, a country immensely rich…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan is poised to become a key player in shaping the future of Eurasian trade and transport by prioritizing infrastructure development and strengthening cooperation with regional partners, reported Kazinform on March 13 in an article about the development of cargo transportation logistics in Central Asian countries. New transport routes Central Asian countries are…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s current oil reserves amounted to 4.4 billion tons as of the beginning of the year, said the Energy Ministry in an official response to Tengrinews on March 19. Nearly 80% of all recoverable oil reserves come from 10 large fields: Kashagan, Tengiz, Karachaganak, Uzen, Korolevskoye, Zhanazhol, Kalamkas, Karazhanbas, Buzachi Severnyy and North…

ASTANA – Military personnel of the national peacekeeping contingent began their daily activities in the Golan Heights, reported the Kazakh Defense Ministry on March 18. Kazakh peacekeepers take over base, affairs and responsibilities from the Irish peacekeeping contingent, touring the Camp Faouar, where the operation headquarters are located. “Our unit is the reserve of the…

ASTANA – As part of the Nauryznama Decade, Kazakhstan citizens marked the National Clothing Day on March 18 by launching challenges, holding exhibitions and shows. Capital’s Youth Policy Department and more than 10 youth organizations launched a video challenge promoting national clothes and encouraging the country’s citizens to continue the initiative. The Ground Forces soldiers…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan needs to create its own communication satellites, said Kazakh Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Bagdat Mussin during a March 18 solemn meeting to mark the 20th anniversary of the Kazakh National Center for Space Communication at the National Space Center, reported Kazinform. The center is recognized as the nation’s…

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan expressed mutual commitment to deepening interstate cooperation based on friendship, mutual respect and partnership during their meeting in Yerevan, reported the ministry’s press service on March 16.   During the talks, the parties addressed cooperation in political, trade, economic,…

ASTANA – Mazhilis Committee on International Affairs, Defense and Security hosted the expanded meeting on attracting foreign investment in Kazakhstan’s economy on March 14, reported the Mazhilis’ press service. In opening the meeting, the Committee’s Chairwoman Aigul Kuspan emphasized that Kazakhstan presents new opportunities and considerable prospects for profitable investment today. According to Deputy Foreign…

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev urged to look for new points of economic growth and instructed the government to implement four large-scale infrastructure initiatives this year during the March 15 National Kurultai (Congress), reported the Akorda press service. Utility networks and construction of housing Tokayev emphasized the need to repair 55 existing heat sources and…

ASTANA – The Astana Times has picked a selection of articles from global media outlets on news about Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest covers the B5+1 forum in Almaty, Kazakh-Azerbaijani ties, foreign employees working in Kazakhstan, the Middle Corridor, and more. United States launches initiative to foster Central Asian connectivity The inaugural B5+1 forum,…

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the importance of eliminating destructive behavioral patterns during the third gathering of the National Kurultai (Congress) on March 15 in Atyrau, reported the Akorda press service. Opening the meeting, Tokayev stated that this year, the Nauryz holiday coincides with the first days of the Holy Month of Ramadan. The…

ASTANA – Atyrau hosted the working sessions of the third meeting of the National Kurultai (congress in Kazakh) on March 14, reported Khabar TV channel. Experts, human rights activists and political scientists held four sections to discuss the development of civil society, including human rights protection, domestic violence, youth problems, culture, socio-economic and regional development,…