South Kazakhstan region launches asphalt concrete plant for high-quality concrete
ASTANA – An aerated concrete production plant, which plans to manufacture 12,000 cubic metres or 336,000 units of aerated concrete block annually, has opened in the Kazygurt district, South Kazakhstan region. The project was implemented as part of the industrial-innovative development programme, according to the akimat (regional administration) press service. “The launch of a gas-concrete…
Karaganda plant produces organic mare’s milk powder, plans exports
ASTANA – Raw mare’s milk, the traditional drink of nomads, is gaining popularity with consumers in powdered form. To take advantage of the organic trend, a Karaganda region-based plant is using advanced technologies to revive the saumal (raw mare’s milk) obtained through the sublimation process and produce products with the Saumal registered trademark. The facility…
Karaganda region shows growth potential, brings forward modernisation projects
ASTANA – The economic development of the Karaganda region is showing growth in all indicators as the region launches the modernisation programmes, said Akim (Governor) Yerlan Koshanov at a Nov. 23 briefing in the capital. “The region achieved economic growth in the first 10 months of 2017 with an industry growth of 4.1 percent. A…
Kuwaiti envoy: Kazakhstan provides good opportunities for foreign investors
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Kuwait will celebrate 25 years of diplomatic relations Jan. 11 and in advance of the anniversary, The Astana Times interviewed Kuwaiti Ambassador to Kazakhstan Tareq Abdullah Al-Faraj to learn about the connection and potential for cooperation between the countries. Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s official visit to Kuwait in 1997 was one…
Astana-Schuchinsk toll road earns more than 1 billion tenge in 10 months
ASTANA – The Astana-Schuchinsk toll road earned more than 1 billion tenge (US$3 million) in the first 10 months of 2017, 4 percent more than 2016’s 964 billion tenge (US$2.9 billion), according to the KazAvtoZhol Company’s press service. Overall, fees amounted to 1.14 billion tenge (US$3.4 million) in 2016, and reached 1.1 billion tenge (US$3.3…
Accademia Teatro alla Scala initiates performing arts trainings for Kazakh artistic groups
ASTANA –The Accademia Teatro alla Scala has announced the launch of a project of technical, artistic and managerial training for Astana Opera soloists, ballet dancers, choir, technical specialists and managers, according to the theatre’s Nov. 20 press release. “The Accademia Teatro alla Scala is one of the world’s major educational institutions. Our creative troupes and…
Kazakh innovation park supports digital industrial transformation, cooperates with multinational companies
ASTANA – The Special Economic Zone “Park of Innovative Technologies” (SEZ PIT) was the Asia-Pacific category winner in fDi’s Global Free Zones of the Year 2017. Experts noted the investors enjoy preferential tax rates, including zero-percent property, corporate income, social and land taxes. The international programmes for domestic and foreign start-ups based on venture financing…
Cultural centre brings Kazakhstan and Japan closer, promotes Japanese traditions, language learning
ASTANA – This year Kazakhstan and Japan are celebrating the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the countries. The Astana Times interviewed Nazerke Dautbayeva, manager of the Kazakh-Japanese Centre for Human Resource Development, to learn about its activities and events. The centre was opened in 2000 as part of the agreement between Ryskulov Economic University…
Shymkent hosts AgriTek 2017
ASTANA – More than 50 companies from Kazakhstan, Russia, South Korea, Turkey and Uzbekistan exhibited products including agricultural machinery and equipment, irrigation technologies, fertilisers, protective equipment for greenhouses, plants, seeds and seedlings, livestock and veterinary technologies at AgriTek 2017, held Nov. 8 in Shymkent. The event attracted about 1,500 visitors, according to Kazinform. At the…
Astana Club’s third meeting focuses on viability of cooperation in Eurasia
ASTANA – More than 60 participants from 28 countries, including prominent politicians, scholars and leading experts, spoke about global policy issues requiring resolution, sanctions confrontations and prospects of cooperation in the great Eurasian landmass Nov. 13-14 at the third annual meeting of the Astana Club. Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s participation became a major highlight of…
Experts say Kazakhstan’s European aspirations merit support, recognition
ASTANA – The issues of Kazakhstan’s identity relating to how it sees itself, its future and its place in the world are drawing increased interest among scholars both within the country and worldwide. Is Kazakhstan part of Asia? Or is it part of Europe? Or, perhaps, is it the embodiment of Eurasia, whatever that may…
Digital Kazakhstan initiative presented at Web Summit 2017
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s digital economy development programme and opportunities for IT activities were presented Nov.6-7 at the Web Summit 2017 in Lisbon. Deputy Prime Minister Askar Zhumagaliyev met with the representatives of international Internet companies, leading IT and Silicon Valley-based experts and shared the plans for the digital transformation of the country’s economy. “We spoke…
EU-Central Asia: A new generation of partnership and cooperation
ASTANA – On a recent visit to Astana, Peter Burian, European Union Special Representative for Central Asia, spoke with The Astana Times Oct. 30 about the key priorities of the EU’s Central Asia strategy, its “balancing power” and security transformation processes. This year there were positive changes in relations between Central Asian countries. What…
Yandex.Lyceum launches in Kazakhstan
ASTANA – Yandex, Russia’s largest technology company, launched its Yandex.Lyceum computer programming educational programme in early October in physics and mathematics schools in the capital and Almaty. Eighth and ninth grade students will study programming basics and write an app with graphic user interface. “We want to share the practical knowledge and skills we have…
Transforma cultural space opens in Almaty, invites young creative theatre groups to collaborate
ASTANA – The Transforma cultural space opened in Almaty Oct. 21 with the premiere of “B.O.Q.” staged by Laboratory No.316, an independent theatrical company. The multidisciplinary site offers room for theatre productions, dance and music events, film screenings, exhibitions, lectures and other creative projects. The venue is located at SmArt Point, the largest Central Asian…
East Kazakhstan region promotes domestic tourism, educational tours
ASTANA – In an effort to attract travellers from China and Russia, the East Kazakhstan region is completing large-scale road repair and reconstruction this year to the most visited tourist sites. The region ranks second after Astana in terms of domestic tourism, as approximately 400,000 vacationers visited the region in nine months of 2016, reported…
Kazakhstan’s economy expected to grow at least 3.4 percent by year’s end, says minister
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s economy retained a 4.3-percent growth rate from January-September and is expected to grow 3.4 percent by the end of the year, said Minister of National Economy Timur Suleimenov at an Oct. 17 government meeting. Macroeconomic stability, investment activity and favourable conditions in foreign markets influenced the trend, in addition to initiatives taken…
We celebrate life, learning and success every day, says QSI Astana director
ASTANA – With the new school year in full swing, The Astana Times interviewed Quality Schools International (QSI) Astana director Jay Loftin about mastery learning, teaching in multicultural classrooms and why accreditation matters. Founded in 2005, QSI International School of Astana offers a mastery-learning programme with a curriculum similar to that of U.S. pre-kindergarten-grade 12…
Green Climate Fund to allocate up to $110 million for green energy investments
ASTANA – The Green Climate Fund (GCF) board approved funding of up to $110 million for the GCF-European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Kazakhstan Renewables Framework progamme to promote renewable energy sources. “The GCF’s contribution includes concessional financing in the amount of $106 million and $4 million in technical assistance subsidies. The projects are…
Improving guest services should entice more travellers from China
ASTANA – The Eurasian Tourism Association recently announced plans to launch Salem China, a unique international project to entice tourists from the nation and promote the friendliness and hospitality of locals, reported Kapital.kz. Kazakhstan has defined that country, India, Iran, and Russia as focal markets to attract visitors. “The project aims not only to adapt…
Digital trends in education transform approaches to teaching and management
ASTANA – The electronic journal system is being widely used in more than 4,000 schools nationwide, said Minister of Education and Science Yerlan Sagadiyev at an Oct. 3 government meeting. “There are plans to ban the printable teacher grade books in those institutions that introduced electronic journals. Our goal is to prevent duplication and significantly…
Central Asia’s largest solar power plant to launch in Karaganda region
ASTANA – A solar power plant with a 100-megawatt capacity will open next year in Saran in the Karaganda region. The facility, with 370,000 next-generation solar panels situated on 160 hectares, will be the largest station in Central Asia. “Seven projects in the green energy sector have been introduced in the region. All the innovative…
Almaty author creates stories with incredible pictures, encourages children to love reading
ASTANA – Almaty-based writer and illustrator Antonina Shipulina’s journey to becoming a children’s author started with motherhood. The fascinating stories immediately captured youngsters’ attention when her first story, “Volshebnye Zheludi” (“The Magic Acorns”), that was published in 2011. She has subsequently produced four additional volumes with a total circulation of 17,000 copies. “I wrote the…
Insurance coverage options to be simplified, travel insurance to become compulsory, says official
ASTANA – Online insurance will be introduced to increase accessibility not only in large cities, but also in regions, said National Bank Chairman Daniyar Akishev at a Sept. 26 government meeting. The draft law “On Amendments and Additions to Some Legislative Acts on Insurance and Insurance Activities” was presented to the government. The level of…
Young entrepreneur combines guided hiking tours with culinary experience
ASTANA – Quality service and customer satisfaction are essential in all fields, especially tourism management. In starting her own business, Ainaline.me, Zhansaya Menlibayeva is devoted to following these principles. “The main idea of developing our project is to meet the needs of visitors and local residents with a pleasant holiday and a pleasant time,” she…
