Kazakhstan’s Economy Needs Innovation Push to Drive Growth, Expert Says
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has to boost innovation to ensure technological transformation and long-term economic growth, according to Saltanat Igenbekova, an analyst at Halyk Finance. She noted that the country’s growth sustainability largely depends on its ability to develop sectors capable of exporting medium- and high-tech goods and services. This is especially critical for oil-exporting nations…
Global Film School Helps Kazakh Industry Find its Groove
ASTANA – The New York Film Academy (NYFA) has opened its first campus in Asia and second outside the United States, launching operations in Kaskelen, near Almaty. The campus marks a major milestone in Kazakhstan’s creative education landscape and joins NYFA’s global network that includes campuses in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Florence, Italy.…
Harvard Showcases Kazakh Mom’s House Project as Global Model for Social Change
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s ANA UYI (Mom’s House) initiative has been included in the research base of Harvard Business School, marking the first time in history that a social project from Central Asia has become the subject of an educational case at the global level. The case, prepared by Harvard professors Boris Groysberg and Annalena Lobb,…
Kazakhstan Shows World Peaceful Coexistence Is Possible, Says Rabbi Karnauh
ASTANA – Kazakhstan will host the eighth Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions on Sept. 17-18. Over the years, the event has become a platform for fostering interreligious dialogue and uniting spiritual leaders in addressing challenges. Ahead of the congress, The Astana Times launches a series of articles on the diversity of spiritual…
Kazakhstan Becomes Regional Fintech Leader as Startups Quadruple
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has emerged as a regional leader in digitizing financial services, ranking first in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) for e-government development. Cashless payments now account for 86% of all transactions, and mobile banking is used by more than 81% of the population – 11 percentage points higher than in Russia. Rapid…
Kazakh Dance Theater Gives Voice to Movement in Silence
ASTANA – In a modest studio in northern Kazakhstan, silence is not an obstacle — it is the stage. The Sensitive Dance Theater, based in Petropavlovsk, is the only professional dance company in Kazakhstan for children with hearing impairments. Through movement, vibration, and emotion, its performers speak a language that transcends sound. Founded in 2006,…
Kazakhstan Targets 3.5-Fold Boost in Agricultural Exports by 2030
ASTANA – Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has outlined plans to increase Kazakhstan’s agricultural exports 3.5 times by 2030, according to his response to a parliamentary inquiry. “To strengthen the agricultural sector’s potential, the government is implementing a comprehensive strategy aimed at expanding agro-industrial exports, increasing the share of processed products to 70%, shielding the domestic…
Kazakhstan Opens First University in Russia, Showcases Its Work
ASTANA – Kazakhstan became the first Central Asian country to open a university branch in Russia, launching a campus of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU) at Omsk State University in 2024. A delegation led by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Kazakh Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek visited the branch to review…
Kazakhstan, Türkiye Advance Strategic Partnership at High-Level Talks in Ankara
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met in Ankara on July 29 to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation and co-chaired the fifth meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, reported the Akorda press service. During the narrow-format talks, the two leaders discussed ways to deepen the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan…
Kazakh Opera Singer Wins Top Prize at International Competition in Italy
ASTANA – Kazakh soprano Aigerim Altynbek became the first representative from Central Asia to win the International Opera Competition CLIP 2025 in Italy, reported the Ministry of Culture and Information on July 28. Altynbek received multiple honors, including first prize, the Audience Award, Best Female Voice, and the Critics’ Award. “In the entire history of…
AIFC Reports Mid-Year Results With $ 2.6 Billion Investment Growth
ASTANA – The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) attracted $2.6 billion in investments in the first half of 2025, bringing its total investment volume to more than $16.9 billion, reported the AIFC’s press service on July 28. During the same period, 567 new companies joined the AIFC ecosystem, including four fintech firms, five Ancillary Service…
ADB Raises Growth Outlook for Central Asia, Warns of Rising Inflation
ASTANA – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) revised its growth forecast for economies in the Caucasus and Central Asia upward to 5.5% for 2025 and 5.1% for 2026, up from earlier projections of 5.4% and 5.0%, respectively, according to its latest Asian Development Outlook report. The improved outlook reflects stronger-than-expected government spending on capital investments…
Kazakh National Currency Weakens as Market Forces Drive Decline
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is experiencing a sharp depreciation of its national currency, as the exchange rate for the U.S. dollar surpassed 540 tenge at currency exchange offices on July 23 and continued to rise through July 25. The National Bank of Kazakhstan set the official exchange rate at 544.87 tenge per dollar and 639.2 tenge…
Kazakhstan, Türkiye to Deepen Strategic Ties at High-Level Council Meeting in Ankara
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will pay an official visit to Türkiye on July 29, during which he is scheduled to hold high-level talks with President Recep Erdoğan aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries. The two leaders are expected to co-chair the fifth meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council. The…
After Health Scare, She Turned Her Camera Toward Women Fighting for Their Lives
ASTANA – Kazakh photographer Anel Bazylova sheds light on women living with cancer and rare genetic conditions in her powerful portrait series titled “Be.” Her work earned international recognition by being selected from more than 419,000 entries in the Sony World Photography Awards and was exhibited at London’s Somerset House. The award-winning photo series highlights…
Kazakhstan Premieres Documentary to Mark 100th Heart Transplant
ASTANA – A life-saving operation and a milestone moment in Kazakhstan’s medical history were brought to the screens on July 24, as the Heart Center Foundation and University Medical Center (UMC) premiered the documentary “100 Heart Transplantations in Kazakhstan.” The short movie highlights the country’s 100th heart transplant and aims to raise public awareness about…
Kazakhstan, Canada Explore Opportunities for Stronger Bilateral Ties
ASTANA – Canada and Kazakhstan share common views on global challenges and see strong potential to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, energy, education, and diplomacy. These opportunities were discussed during a July 21 meeting between the Kazakh and Canadian officials, organized by the Canadian Institute for Peace and Diplomacy. Opening the discussion, Kazakh Ambassador to…
ICAO Chief Praises Kazakhstan’s Aviation Progress, Eyes Greater Regional Role
ASTANA – International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) President Salvatore Sciacchitano recognized Kazakhstan’s swift progress in aviation safety, liberalization, and infrastructure, emphasizing its potential to become a major regional air transport hub connecting Europe and Asia in an interview with The Astana Times. The ICAO’s recently adopted 2025-2050 strategic plan sets ambitious global goals, and Kazakhstan…
Kazakhstan’s Push for Species Recovery Faces Ecosystem Trade-Offs
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s vast landscapes, spanning from the steppe to the mountains, harbor a wealth of biodiversity. Located at the crossroads of Eurasia, the country is home to rare species found nowhere else. Like much of the world, Kazakhstan faces mounting pressures from climate change, habitat loss, and human activity. As global attention turns toward…
Australian Musician Honors Kazakhstan with Dombra Melody
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has celebrated National Dombra Day on the first Sunday of July since 2018. Dombra, the national musical instrument, embodies the country’s rich history, culture, and spirit of freedom. Its distinctive sound, by turns soothing, joyful, and sorrowful, has captivated audiences worldwide, fueling a revival both at home and abroad. On social platforms,…
Anti-Violence Campaign Makes Impact Nationwide
ASTANA – The final stage of the Kazakhstan Without Domestic Violence national campaign took place in Astana on June 28, as part of the Year of Crime Prevention, announced by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and supported by the National Commission on Women and Family and Demographic Policy. The campaign aimed to promote zero tolerance…
Kazakh Tech Firm Introduces First Large Language Model for Eastern Armenian
ASTANA – Kazakh technology company Gen2B has launched HyGPT, the first large language model (LLM) designed for the Eastern Armenian language, reported the company’s press service on July 1. Developed in collaboration with the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Technologies of Armenia (NCCAIT), the model is based on the Gemma 2 architecture and trained…
Kazakhstan to Host Travel Blog Exchange Asia 2026
ASTANA – Almaty will host the Travel Blog Exchange (TBEX) Asia on Aug. 20-23, 2026, drawing more than 300 renowned travel experts, journalists, and bloggers worldwide. The event is expected to reach a global audience of approximately 300 million people, reported the Kazakh Tourism company’s press service. During a press conference in Almaty, TBEX President Rick…
Kazakh Dance Speaks Language of Tradition and Identity
ASTANA – Kazakh national dance has long stood out for its grace, fluidity and charisma, characterized by expressive gestures and rich symbolism. For centuries, Kazakhs used dance to express their way of life, traditions and emotions, often drawing inspiration from nature and the rhythms of nomadic life. Traditionally passed down through generations, Kazakh dance, like…
Exhibition Showcases City’s History Through Lens of Kazakh Photojournalist
ASTANA – The capital hosted the “My Astana: From the Past to the Future” exhibition featuring more than 300 rare pictures captured by photojournalist and local historian Nurmukhamat Imamov. Opened on June 26 at the Presidential Center, the display traces the city’s evolution over four decades, highlighting its cultural heritage, architectural growth, and the everyday…
