Kazakhstan’s Economy Grows 4.5% in First Five Months of 2023
ASTANA – The economy of Kazakhstan has grown 4.5% over the first five months of this year, Minister of National Economy Alibek Kuantyrov said at the government’s meeting on June 13, reviewing the results of the country’s development and budget outturn, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. The real sector grew by 3.6%, while the…
Asian Development Bank and Almaty Electric Stations Ink Loan Agreement to Facilitate Green Energy
ASTANA – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Almaty Electric Stations, an energy-producing organization owned by the Samruk Energy power holding, signed a loan agreement worth 98 billion tenge ($219.2 million) to finance the modernization of the Almaty Combined Heat and Power Plant-2 (CHP-2), the holding’s press service announced on June 9. According to…
President Declares June 12 as Day of Mourning for Forest Fires Victims in Abai Region
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared June 12 as the day of national mourning to honor forest workers who lost their lives while trying to extinguish wildfires in the Abai Region in eastern Kazakhstan, reported the Akorda press service. According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, 14 people died in the fire that broke out…
WTO Director-General Outlines Challenges Facing Global Trading System and Identifies Solutions at Astana International Forum
ASTANA – Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, spoke about the challenges facing the global trading system and proposed solutions during a high-level special session on the second day of the Astana International Forum (AIF) on June 9. The session was moderated by Timur Suleimenov, First Deputy Chief of Staff of…
Elena Rybakina Climbs to Third Place in WTA’s Singles Ranking
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s top seed Elena Rybakina rose from fourth to third place in an updated Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) singles ranking following the 2023 French Open championship (Roland Garros) in Paris, Sports.kz reported on June 12. Although Rybakina withdrew from Roland Garros ahead of her third-round match, the champion vaulted into the top three,…
Kazakh Dog Breeds Seek Recognition from International Canine Federation
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has applied to the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), or the International Canine Federation, for the recognition of Kazakh dog breeds, president of the Kazakhstan Union of Cynologists Bauyrzhan Serikkali said at a June 8 briefing at the Central Communications Service. “The key requirement is the full membership of the country’s cynological public…
Kazakh Pop Star Dimash Kudaibergen’s Songs Get Recognition in Chile
ASTANA – Cuban opera singer Zoylin Ybarra performed a song by Kazakh popstar Dimash Kudaibergen “SOS d’un Terrien en Détresse” at The Voice Chile signing contest on June 6, reported Dimashnews.com. Ybarra made it to the quarterfinals with the song she performed in Spanish. “Dimash is one of the world’s outstanding singers with an impressive…
Kazakhstan Aims to Become One of Eurasia’s Largest Digital Hubs, Says President Tokayev
ASTANA – Kazakhstan aims to become one of the largest digital hubs in Eurasia, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev as he chaired the 35th plenary session of the Foreign Investors Council (FIC), which coincided with the Astana International Forum (AIF) on June 8. Foreign investors gathered at a round table to discuss global challenges related to…
Kazakhstan Ready to Increase Exports to Qatar in 60 Commodity Items Worth $250 Million
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is ready to increase exports to Qatar in about 60 types of products worth $250 million, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at a meeting with Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani on June 7, reported the Akorda press service. The parties discussed the prospects for implementing joint…
Highlight of Second Day of Astana International Forum: Conversation with WTO Director-General
ASTANA – One of the special sessions at the Astana International Forum (AIF) will include a dialogue with Dr.Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The session will provide a unique platform for an in-depth conversation on cooperation between the WTO and Kazakhstan. According to Okonjo-Iweala, the constructive dialogue will emphasize trade…
Nobel Laureate to Propose Strategy for Kazakhstan’s Transition to Net-Zero Carbon Emissions at Astana International Forum
ASTANA – Rae Kwon Chung, Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2007 and member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), is expected to propose a new strategy for Kazakhstan’s transition to net-zero carbon emissions at the Astana International Forum (AIF), the Khabar 24 TV channel reported on June 6. Chung, who previously served as…
President Tokayev Outlines Priorities for Central Asia and EU Cooperation
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined strategically important priority areas of cooperation between the European Union and Central Asia during the second EU-Central Asia Summit held on June 2 in Cholpon-Ata, the Kyrgyz Republic, reported the Akorda press service. Considering dynamic intra-regional economic relations, Tokayev set the goal to bring the trade turnover between Kazakhstan…
News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Measures to Return Illegally Withdrawn Assets, Cooperation with Switzerland, Diversification of Oil Export Routes, and More
ASTANA – The Astana Times has picked a selection of articles on Kazakhstan featured in international media across the world this week. Today’s foreign media digest covers Kazakhstan’s steps to return illegally withdrawn assets, the country’s approval of cryptocurrency exchange, cooperation with Switzerland, efforts to diversify oil export routes, the growth of the Astana International…
Kazakhstan to Strengthen Cooperation with EU in Critical Raw Materials
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the European Union have agreed to strengthen cooperation in critical raw materials on the sidelines of the 13th international congress Astana Mining & Metallurgy held on June 1-2, reported the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development. Minister of Industry and Infrastructure Development Marat Karabayev and Vice President of the European Commission…
President Tokayev Emphasizes Importance of Children’s Rights Protection
ASTANA – It is crucial to strengthen the protection of children’s rights and health, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said during a meeting with Commissioner for Children’s Rights, Aruzhan Sain, on June 1, which marked International Children’s Day. The meeting took place as part of Tokayev’s visit to Almaty, reported the Akorda press service. Tokayev stressed the…
Kazakhstan Delivers Second Batch of Nuclear Fuel to China
ASTANA – The joint Kazakh-Chinese Ulba fuel assembly plant delivered the second batch containing more than 30 tons of low-enriched uranium to China, the press service of Kazatomprom national atomic company reported on May 31. A solemn ceremony of receiving nuclear fuel manufactured at the joint enterprise in Ust-Kamenogorsk in eastern Kazakhstan took place at…
President Visits Center for Study of Materials of Political Repressions During Trip to Almaty
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited the Center for the Study of Materials of Political Repressions of the 20th century during his working trip to the city of Almaty, the Akorda press service reported on May 31. Tokayev reviewed the conditions for storing documents and the work of the offices to restore and microfilm archival…
Astana to Host Boccia Championship This Week
ASTANA – Kazakhstan will host the boccia national championship on June 1-4 in the capital, Vice President of the Kazakhstan Boccia Federation Nazym Zhangazinova said at a May 30 briefing at the Central Communications Service. Boccia is a ball sport for people with severe musculoskeletal disorders. The game helps children with disabilities to improve their…
QazaqGaz Launches Second Line of Makat-North Caucasus Gas Pipeline
ASTANA – QazaqGaz national company and the Akimat (administration) of the Atyrau Region launched a looping section of the Makat-North Caucasus gas pipeline in the region’s Makat District, the company reported on May 30. The construction of the looping (or second) line, which runs in parallel to the first one, is valued at approximately 86…
Kazakhstan Marks Day of Remembrance of Victims of Political Repression and Famine
ASTANA – On May 31, Kazakhstan is remembering the victims of political repressions and famine during the Soviet period in 1920s-1950s. The crimes of totalitarianism have left deep marks on the self-consciousness of the Kazakh people, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev wrote on his Twitter account on the day which is commemorated in the nation as the…
Kazatomprom Launches Educational Grants Program to Support Young People
ASTANA – Kazatomprom National Atomic Company launched the Murager social program of educational grants to support school, college graduates, and university students, the company’s press service reported on May 30. With a mission to contribute to the development of the regions, high-quality education and promotion of technical majors, Kazatomprom encourages school leavers, first- to third-year…
In North Kazakhstan, President Notes Importance of Agricultural Productivity
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited the North Kazakhstan Region on May 29 to assess the progress of the spring sowing campaign, reported the Akorda press service. During his visit to one of the largest farming companies of the region, Tokayev noted the importance of improving agricultural productivity and implementing new technology and production methods. …
Kazakhstan Plans to Launch Over 280 Investment Projects Worth $4.2 Billion
ASTANA – Kazakhstan intends to implement more than 280 investment projects worth 1.9 trillion tenge ($4.2 billion) this year. This was announced at the Investment Headquarters meeting chaired by Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov on May 27. Minister of National Economy Alibek Kuantyrov said the total volume of investment in fixed assets reached 3.8 trillion tenge…
President Tokayev Discusses Prospects for Bilateral Cooperation With UAE
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev discussed prospects for strengthening bilateral cooperation between Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at a meeting with Sheikh Suroor bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, a senior member of the Ruling Family of Abu Dhabi, the Akorda press service reported on May 26. Tokayev noted that Kazakhstan regards the UAE’s contribution…
Tokayev Congratulates Türkiye’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Election Win
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on his victory in the Türkiye’s presidential election in a run-off vote on May 28. “Ties of historical friendship and solidarity unite our countries. This strategy of comprehensive cooperation will be further developed,” wrote Tokayev on his Twitter Türkiye’s Supreme Election Council announced Erdoğan winning with…
