Kazakh President Calls for Macroeconomic Policy Overhaul to Boost Investment
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev urged Kazakhstan to revamp its macroeconomic policy to stimulate investment in his Sept. 1 state-of-the-nation address. Delivered at a joint session of both chambers of the Kazakh Parliament, the speech highlighted economic reform priorities, according to the Akorda press service. Tokayev attributed the country’s slow economic growth to insufficient investment,…
OECD: Developing Diversified Private Sector is Key to Kazakhstan’s Economic Sustainability
ASTANA — The key to Kazakhstan’s economic development and sustainability lies in developing a strong and diversified private sector, according to a report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The report, which was dedicated to analyzing the business climate in the country, was released on Aug. 24. The report stated that to…
Eurasian Economic Union Should Ensure Integration Benefits, Says Kazakh PM
ASTANA — Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov emphasized that it is crucial that individuals and businesses within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) firsthand experience the benefits of integration. His comments were made during the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council meeting held in Armenia on Aug. 24, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. The meeting, attended by Kyrgyz…
Famous Travel Reporter Shares Road Trip Discoveries in Kazakhstan
ASTANA – On a visit to her native country to discover Kazakhstan’s endless steppes and rugged mountains, photographer Yulia Denisyuk dived into the country’s rich history and shared her journey in a BBC article. Denisyuk was born in Almaty, the former capital of Kazakhstan, and moved to Estonia when she was just three years old.…
International Canine Federation Recognizes Kazakhstan As Full Member
ASTANA — The world’s canine organization – Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) – recognized the Kazakh Union of Cynologists as a full member, with 72 out of 77 FCI member states voting for the approval of the country’s application on Aug. 22, announced the Head of the Office of Presidential Affairs Aibek Dadebayev on his telegram…
Kazakhstan to Upgrade Existing Venues for Upcoming Fifth World Nomad Games
ASTANA — Kazakhstan will use existing sports venues in the capital for the fifth World Nomad Games, scheduled for September next year, and does not plan to build additional facilities, according to Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population Tamara Duisenova. She made the remarks during the Aug. 23 meeting of the game’s…
Kazakh Economy Demonstrates Adaptability While Navigating Global Storm, Says Economy Minister
ASTANA — Minister of National Economy Alibek Kuantyrov outlined the challenges the Kazakh economy faces in light of tense geopolitical realities and how the government is addressing them in an interview with the country’s Kazakhstanskaya Pravda newspaper on Aug. 21. According to Kuantyrov, Kazakhstan has demonstrated adaptability while navigating through the global turbulence resulting from…
Resolving Water Issues Requires Cooperation Between Central Asian States, Experts Say
ASTANA — Over the past few years, the water supply issue for agricultural needs in Central Asia has become acute. In July, water scarcity hit Kazakhstan’s Zhambyl Region, which borders the Kyrgyz Republic, prompting farmers to seek help resolving the issue. Representatives of the countries met in Bishkek, the capital of the Kyrgyz Republic, the…
Kazakh – Kuwaiti Relations Reach New Heights, Says Kuwait’s Ambassador
ASTANA — Kazakhstan and the State of Kuwait celebrated the 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations this year. According to Omar Alkanderi, the Ambassador of Kuwait, who has been serving in Kazakhstan for over a year, Kuwait has supported Kazakhstan’s independence and sovereignty from the beginning. In an interview with The Astana Times, Alkanderi discussed…
Human Trafficking Expert Discusses Kazakhstan’s Progress and Regional Safe Migration
ASTANA — Astana hosted an international conference to strengthen national and international partnerships in the fight against human trafficking marking the World Day Against Human Trafficking on July 30. Rodney Ferguson, President and CEO of nonprofit organization Winrock International, discussed the conference’s key takeaways, Kazakhstan’s progress in combating human trafficking, and Central Asia’s challenges when…
Children’s Book on Kazakh Mythology Reaches Peak Popularity in United States
ASTANA – The children’s book series “The Adventures of Batu and His Friends” (2014, 2019, 2021) is a work of love for Zira Nauryzbai, a Kazakh mythology researcher, writer, and Ph.D. candidate in philosophical sciences, and for her co-author, Lilya Kalaus. This summer, the first book of the series entered the Amazon Crossing Kid’s bestseller…
UK-Kazakh Relations Expanding in All Directions
ASTANA – In a little more than three decades, diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom (U.K.) have emerged as one of the brightest examples of productive cooperation, expanding into a strategic partnership with a soon-to-be signed Agreement on Strategic Partnership and Cooperation. In its latest analytical piece, Kazinform presents an overview and prospect…
Kazakhstan’s AIFC Court, IAC Build Trust to Attract Foreign Investment
ASTANA — At its dawn in 2018, the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Court and International Arbitration Centre (IAC) aspired to become an exemplary one-stop shop for commercial dispute resolution in the AIFC and the Eurasia region. After five years, both concluded and enforced more than 2,201 cases, including 68 AIFC Court Judgments, 425 arbitration…
German President, Kazakh PM Launch Test Drilling at Huge Green Hydrogen Plant
ASTANA – German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov launched test drilling at a major green hydrogen production plant in the Karakiya district of the Mangystau Region on June 21, the Prime Minister’s press service announced. The project is being implemented by the German-Swedish company Svevind as part of the Investment…
AIFC Crypto Exchange Project Facilitates Investment, Says Project Participant
ASTANA – One year ago, a pilot project was launched to forge interaction between second-tier Kazakh banks and crypto exchanges registered with the Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). The Astana Times spoke to Talgat Dossanov, director general of Biteeu Eurasia, one of the project participants, about the interim…
French Expert Says Afghanistan-Related Challenges Loom Large for Central Asia as Geopolitical Competition Intensifies
ASTANA – Addressing the situation in Afghanistan remains on top of the agenda for Central Asia, said Michael Levystone, an associate research fellow at the Institut Français des Relations Internationale (IFRI) Russia/Eurasia Center, in an exclusive interview with The Astana Times. The expert, who participated in the Astana International Forum (AIF) on June 8-9, also…
Roubini Highlights Kazakhstan’s Maneuver Among Major Countries, Its Role as Middle Power
ASTANA — The Astana International Forum featured a June 9 presentation of a book titled “The New Kazakhstan: Steering The Steppe Amid A Global Storm,” with renowned American economist Nouriel Roubini, known as Dr. Doom for predicting the 2008 global financial crisis. Roubini spoke to The Astana Times about his vision for Kazakhstan’s future. The…
IMF’s Head Georgieva Discusses Cooperation with Central Asia, Assistance to Kazakhstan Toward Carbon Neutrality in Exclusive Interview
ASTANA — International Monetary Fund (IMF) cooperation with Central Asia, global economic outlook, and the prospects of assisting Kazakhstan achieve carbon neutrality were at the center of a conversation of IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva with The Astana Times ahead of her participation at the Astana International Forum (AIF). Georgieva noted that the IMF predicts global…
International Trading System Launches Under AIFC Jurisdiction
ASTANA — The launch of the International Trading System (ITS) will contribute to the growth of retail investing in Kazakhstan, said Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Governor Renat Bekturov during a press conference dedicated to the opening of the international trading platform as part of the Astana Finance Days (AFD) on June 7. According to…
Emir of State of Qatar to Attend Astana International Forum on June 8
ASTANA — Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani will participate in the plenary session of the Astana International Forum (AIF) on June 8, reported the forum’s press service. Qatar is an important economic partner of Kazakhstan in the Arab world. The trade volume between the countries surged almost 18-fold…
President Tokayev to Set Global Vision at Astana International Forum
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will outline the global vision of the Astana International Forum (AIF) at the plenary session on June 8, reported the Akorda press service. Tokayev will also hold several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the forum. Richard Quest, a news anchor at CNN who will moderate the plenary session, said…
Astana International Forum 2023 to Explore Opportunities of Central Asian Connectivity
ASTANA — With just a few weeks until the Astana International Forum (AIF) on June 8-9, the world is set for an engaging exchange of ideas and insights. The two-day forum will host dozens of international speakers and moderators at 40 panels and side events. The forum will also focus on Central Asia and its…
Kazakhstan Can Become Strategic Partner for EU, Says Kazakh Prime Minister
ALMATY — The partnership between Astana and Brussels is built on years of pragmatic and progressive cooperation, said Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov during the high-level session of the second European Union-Central Asia Economic Forum in Almaty on May 19, Prime Minister’s press service reported. Smailov said the previous year was a “breakthrough” in Central Asian-EU…
President Tokayev Opens Kazakhstan’s Consulate General in Xian
ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev took part in the opening ceremony of Kazakhstan’s Consulate General in Xian on May 19, concluding his three-day state visit to China, reported Akorda press service. According to Tokayev, this visit was “undoubtedly of particular importance,” kicking off a new “golden 30th anniversary” of Kazakh-Chinese cooperation following meaningful talks with…
ITC Presents Ready4Trade Central Asia Results, Facilitates Region’s SMEs Connection to European Markets
ASTANA — The International Trade Center (ITC), a joint agency of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations (UN), showcased the results of the European Union (EU)-funded Ready4Trade Central Asia project on May 17 in Almaty, highlighting ongoing efforts to develop intra-regional and international trade in Central Asia’s five countries, according to the…
