Articles by Aiman Nakispekova

ASTANA – A redesigned 5,000 tenge banknote has entered circulation in Kazakhstan, reported National Bank’s press service on Jan.29. Part of the fifth series of national currency banknotes, it draws inspiration from the Saka style, an ancestral influence on Kazakh ornamentation, reflecting the nation’s heritage from nomadic culture to modern-day Kazakhstan. Experts highlight the security…

ASTANA – Last year, security agencies prevented two terrorist acts within the country at the early stages and conducted three collaborative operations with foreign intelligence agencies abroad, said National Security Committee (NSC) Chairman Yermek Sagimbayev at a Jan. 31 meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, reported the Akorda press service. Sagimbayev informed Tokayev about the convictions…

ASTANA – Chevron is rerouting Kazakh CPC Blend oil shipments to Asia via the Cape of Good Hope instead of the Red Sea to avoid attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, reported Reuters news agency on Jan.30, citing three sources and LSEG ship-tracking data. The move comes in response to escalating attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels,…

ASTANA – Cargo transportation volumes between Kazakhstan and China railways surged by 22%, reaching 28 million tons, reported Kazakhstan Railways’ (KTZ) press service on Jan.25. The operational freight turnover saw a 7% increase compared to the previous year, reaching 269 billion ton-kilometers. Transit container shipments surpassed one million twenty-foot equivalent units, marking a 13.5% rise…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s analytical centers presented their research results on the current value orientations of the country’s residents at the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS) expert platform on Jan.26, reported the institute’s press service.   According to KazISS Director Yerkin Tukumov, Kazakhstan has witnessed consistent gross domestic product growth over the past decades, leading to…

ASTANA – The United Nations declared 2024 the International Year of Camelids (IYC 2024), aiming to spotlight the crucial role of camelids in the livelihoods of millions of households in over 90 countries. Ranging from alpacas to Bactrian camels, dromedaries, guanacos, llamas, and vicuñas, these animals significantly contribute to food security, nutrition, and economic growth,…

ASTANA – The winter season in the Burabay resort area provides an enchanting experience. The region is characterized by snowy and frosty weather, with occasional January days experiencing air temperatures dropping to 40 degrees below Celsius. Located in the Burabay State National Natural Park near Kokshetau, it is included in the UNESCO World Network of…

ASTANA – Astana Hub technology park announced its annual results, reporting an IT export growth of $282.4 million.  The hub attracted investments totaling 57.6 billion tenge ($127.8 million), leading to a cumulative revenue of 400.3 billion tenge ($888.7 million) and the creation of over 25,000 jobs, as reported by the hub’s press service on Jan.…

ASTANA – In recent years, Kazakhstan has showcased significant investment potential attributed to its strategic location, favorable business environment, effective investor rights protection, diverse incentives, political stability, and abundant resource base, reported Kazpravda.kz.  According to Vice Minister of National Economy Bauyrzhan Kudaibergenov, the gradual adoption of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) standards…

ASTANA – Some 80 Kazakh artists took part in the Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival in India, highlighting the rich culture of the two countries, reported Kazinform news agency on Jan. 23. The festival spanned two weeks in four Indian cities: Delhi, Bangalore, Mysore, and Mumbai. It has held prestige since its establishment in 1992 by…

ASTANA – Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have signed a roadmap for cooperation in pilgrimage tourism, reported the Uzbek Committee on Tourism under the Ministry of Ecology and Environmental Protection on Jan.19. The strategy outlines the development of tourist programs to boost the visitor flow between the two countries, facilitates information exchange among tourism companies, and aims…

ASTANA –  The Shymbulak Mountain Resort’s tourist potential gained recognition in Condé Nast Italia, the Italian edition of the renowned magazine. It was ranked among the top five places in the world that winter sports enthusiasts should visit, reported the Ministry of Culture and Sports’ press service on Jan. 16. The list includes the Troll…

ASTANA – Richard Martin, a French engineer, shifted from a full-time job in the United States during the pandemic in 2020 to become a traveler. He has recently arrived in Kazakhstan, where his vlog documenting Astana has been gaining popularity. In an interview with the Astana Times, Martin shared insights into the country, Kazakh culture,…

ASTANA – Major Italian tour operator Alpitour has added Kazakhstan to its catalog, marking a significant move to spotlight the country’s cultural and natural diversity on the global stage, reported the Kazakh Tourism national company on its Instagram page on Jan. 18. According to Kazakh Tourism, this inclusion reflects the country’s increasing popularity as a…

ASTANA – Kazakh famous singer Dimash Kudaibergen announced the upcoming premiere of the duet performance with the world-renowned Spanish opera singer Maestro Placido Domingo in his Instagram post on Jan. 18. “Tomorrow will be the premiere of our joint performance with the greatest voice of the 20th century, maestro Placido Domingo, where we sang a…

ASTANA – Coursera CEO Jeff Maggioncalda spoke about Kazakhstan as a successful example of institutional collaboration between government and businesses at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting that took place in Switzerland from Jan. 15-19. Maggioncalda participated in The Race to Reskill panel session, where experts deliberated on innovative business and policy approaches to support…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will chair several international organizations in 2024, and it increases the nation’s contribution to fostering regional and global peace and prosperity, said Aidar Kurmashev, the head of the Asian Studies Department at the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS). Kazakhstan is chairing the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Organization of Turkic States, the…

ASTANA – The Sazalem startup,  whose name translates to ‘world of music’ in Kazakh), is on a mission to build an online platform that unites all genres of Kazakh music. With an extensive database of over 20,000 compositions, the app has crossed the one-million download mark. Sazalem CEO Numi Musalieva shared insights into their vision…

ASTANA – The art exhibition featuring paintings by Arzhan Yuteev, a young artist from the Altai Republic, focused on ancient legends and the rich culture of the Altai Region, has achieved significant success. The exhibition opened on Nov. 11 at the Kulanshi Art Gallery and will run through Jan.19. According to Leila Makhat, the curator…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan aims to double its national economy to $450 billion by 2029, with international financial institutions projecting economic growth between 3% and 4% this year, reported Kazinform. The Ministry of National Economy’s forecast for socio-economic development between 2024 and 2028 predicts real economic growth at 5.3% in 2024, rising to 6% by 2028.…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan welcomed 834,900 foreign tourists from January to September 2023, a 37% increase compared to the same period last year, according to the Kazakh Bureau of National Statistics.  In 2022, 609,800 tourists visited the country, reported the Ministry of Tourism and Sports on Jan. 9. “We observe a growing interest in Kazakhstan among…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan takes over the chairmanship of the International Fund for Saving of the Aral Sea as of Jan. 1. The country is committed to deepening partnerships with Central Asian states, along with other international organizations and financial institutions, to address issues related to the relict water reservoir, according to Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, the Minister…

ASTANA – Victoriya Sazonova, the General Manager of the women’s national teams, has become a member of the international committee for the development of women’s hockey of the International Ice Hockey Federation, reported the federation’s press service on Dec.29.  Sazonova will represent Kazakhstan globally, marking the first time an Asian representative has joined this committee.…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has emerged as a regional entrepreneurial hub, credited to a dynamic startup ecosystem bolstered by government policies and an increasing number of talented and ambitious individuals. The country’s entrepreneurial drive plays a pivotal role in fostering innovation, generating employment, and propelling economic growth. Startup ecosystem  Kazakhstan boasts a thriving startup environment, providing…

ASTANA – Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) has reinforced its leading position in the Central Asia and Eastern Europe region, as per the Global Financial Centers Index rating. The center confirmed the presence of a favorable legal and regulatory environment, coupled with a well-established infrastructure for business operations, investment attraction, and human capital development, reported…