Kazakh President Calls for Deeper Turkic Cooperation at Budapest Summit
ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called for stronger unity and strategic cooperation among member states of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) during a May 21 informal summit held in Budapest, hosted by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Opening his remarks, Tokayev highlighted the symbolic importance of the summit being held in Europe,…
Uzbekistan Introduces Visa-Free Regime for Three Gulf States Starting June 1
ASTANA – Uzbekistan is introducing a 30-day visa-free regime for citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman from June 1. The corresponding decree was signed by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. According to the document, it is planned to increase the number of foreign tourists to 15.8 million by the end of the year, and…
Kazakhstan, Germany Advance $54.4 Billion in Joint Investment Projects
ASTANA – The portfolio of bilateral projects between Kazakhstan and Germany now includes 63 initiatives valued at $54.4 billion, with 32 projects worth $1.1 billion already completed and 12 actively underway, said Rustam Karagoishin, deputy co-chair of the Kazakhstan-German Business Council (KGBC) and chair of Baiterek Holding during the 16th meeting of the KGBC on…
Kazakhstan Highlights Cooperation Priorities at OTS Foreign Ministers Meeting
ASTANA – Ahead of the Informal Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu participated in the Council of Foreign Ministers meeting, where officials addressed key international topics, emphasizing the importance of further enhancing cooperation in transport, logistics, communications, and combating climate change. Nurtleu, in his…
National Economy Ministry Reports on Kazakhstan’s Public Debt
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s public debt stands at nearly 23% of its gross domestic product (GDP), while external debt amounts to around $20 billion. At the same time, the country’s international reserves exceed $100 billion, said Deputy Minister of National Economy Arman Kassenov on May 20. He stated that, in reality, Kazakhstan is not so much…
President Tokayev, Hungary’s PM Orbán Discuss Strategic Cooperation in Budapest
ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called trade, economic, and investment cooperation between Kazakhstan and Hungary a priority area of the bilateral agenda during a May 20 meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Budapest. He arrived in the Hungarian capital to participate in the informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).…
PepsiCo to More Than Double Investment, Build Central Asia’s Largest Snack Plant
ASTANA – PepsiCo plans to more than double its investment in constructing a snacks production plant in the Almaty Region, which is set to become the largest facility of its kind in Central Asia. The project will significantly boost production capacity, create around 900 jobs, and expand the use of local raw materials. The investment…
How Kazakhstan’s Youth Are Blending Tradition with Modernity
ASTANA — While youth around the world live in an era increasingly dominated by global trends and digital influences, the youth of Kazakhstan are redefining what it means to be Kazakh. This growing wave of cultural expression among young Kazakhs is not just about nostalgia — it is about identity. From fashion to music, today’s…
News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Strategic Rise in Energy, Diplomacy and Innovation
ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected key international media coverage on Kazakhstan this week. Today’s foreign media digest covers Kazakhstan’s pivotal role in the global AI and nuclear energy landscape, deepening diplomatic ties with Europe, expanding regional trade infrastructure, celebrating international achievements and reclaiming historic space heritage. Will Kazakhstan’s uranium fuel an AI boom…
Kazakhstan, OSCE Set to Boost Cooperation in Economic and Environmental Fields
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the OSCE have expressed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in the economic and environmental sectors, with a particular focus on sustainable development, climate action, and cross-border connectivity. Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko and OSCE Coordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) Bakyt Dzhusupov discussed expanding joint efforts during the meeting…
Uzbekistan, China to Launch Mutual Visa-Free Travel from June 1
ASTANA – Uzbekistan and China will introduce a mutual visa-free regime effective June 1, enabling citizens of both countries to travel without a visa for up to 30 days per visit, reported the Uzbek Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 13. A similar arrangement entered into force between China and Kazakhstan in 2024. In accordance…
Kazakhstan to Host Over 40 Major International Sport Events This Year
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is set to host up to 40 major international sporting events across Olympic, Paralympic, non-Olympic, national, and inclusive sports disciplines by the end of this year. The upcoming events will take place countrywide. Among the highlights are high-profile tournaments in basketball, boxing, weightlifting, table tennis, figure skating, and climbing, as well as…
Kazakhstan Attracts $1 Billion in Geological Investment, Uncovers Major Rare Earth Deposit
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has attracted approximately $1 billion in private investment into its geological sector over the past five years, and recently discovered a major rare earth deposit estimated at 800,000 tons, said Margulan Baibatyrov, deputy chairman of the geology committee of the Ministry of Industry and Construction. The announcement was made at the Mining…
Kazakhstan Ranks 70th in Global Human Progress Index
ASTANA – Kazakhstan ranked 70th out of 196 countries in the annual Human Progress Index (HPI) quality of life ranking, published by CEOWORLD magazine on May 11. Kazakhstan received a score of 79.32, placing it in the “very high quality of life” category and making it the leader in the Central Asian region. HPI rankings…
Kazakhstan’s Int’l Reserves Hit $104.7 Billion as National Bank Reports 2024 Gains
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s international reserves have reached $104.7 billion, a figure that represents a solid buffer of stability amid ongoing global economic challenges. Timur Suleimenov, chairman of the National Bank of Kazakhstan, shared these figures during his recent presentation of the 2024 performance report and 2025 plans to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. One of the key…
Kazakhstan and China to Launch Joint Vocational College
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and China have agreed to establish a joint vocational and technical college, which is set to become a leading center for training specialists with internationally recognized qualifications. The Chinese side also expressed its readiness to support the professional development of management personnel in Kazakh educational institutions, notably, in the areas of artificial…
President Tokayev Reviews National Bank’s 2024 Performance
ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chaired a meeting on May 13 to review the 2024 performance report of the National Bank of Kazakhstan. The meeting covered the macroeconomic situation, outcomes of monetary policy, the condition of the financial system, and the status of international reserves, along with updates on the Unified Accumulative Pension Fund…
Kazakhstan Participates in Six-Party Talks to Boost China–Europe Rail Corridor
ASTANA – Tehran hosted a high-level six-party meeting on May 12 with the participation of railway representatives from China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye and Uzbekistan. The talks marked a significant step toward advancing the China–Kazakhstan–Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan–Iran–Türkiye/Europe transport corridor, which has seen container traffic on the China–Iran route via Kazakhstan increase by 2.6 times in January-April compared…
Kazakhstan’s GDP Grows 6% in January-April
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s economy grew by 6% in January-April, according to preliminary data from the Kazakh Bureau of National Statistics. The figures indicate an acceleration in development across key sectors, including transport, trade, industry, and agriculture. The transport sector emerged as the fastest growing sector with 22.4%, driven by increased freight volumes in rail (20.5%)…
Air Astana to Resume Delhi and Mumbai Flights After Temporary Suspension
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s largest airline, Air Astana, will resume KC 907/908 and KC 963/964 regular flights on the Almaty-Delhi-Almaty route starting May 19, with the route and schedule remaining unchanged, according to the airline’s press service on May 12. The decision comes amid improving regional stability, following the recent ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan.…
President Tokayev Holds Talks with Serbian, Myanmar, and Venezuelan Leaders
ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held several bilateral talks on May 8 in Moscow, reported Akorda. During the meeting with President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, Tokayev recalled his official visit to Belgrade in November last year, noting its importance for strengthening mutual understanding and developing multifaceted cooperation between the two countries. Vučić expressed his…
Tokayev Honors Veterans, Highlights Kazakhstan’s Role at Victory Parade
ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated the nation on the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory in WWII during a May 7 military parade. Greeting the military parade’s participants, President Tokayev underlined that the holiday has become a symbol of the unwavering fighting spirit demonstrated by the country’s soldiers. He noted the importance of…
South Korean Model Inspires Kazakhstan’s New Tech University
ASTANA — Qazaqstan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (QAIST), a new research university, is set to open in Almaty next year, marking a significant milestone. The university is modeled after the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), one of the world’s top 100 universities and South Korea’s leading institution for technology and…
Kazakhstan Eyes Fertilizer Independence with Expanding Chemical Output
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is intensifying efforts to develop its chemical industry, aiming to diversify its economy and enhance self-sufficiency in agricultural and industrial sectors, said Minister of Industry and Construction Yersaiyn Nagaspayev during a May 5 government meeting. As of today, Kazakhstan’s chemical sector contributes 4.6% to the manufacturing industry and has a positive impact…
Survey Shows More Than 60% Confident in Kazakhstan’s Future Over Five Years
ASTANA – A new nationwide public opinion survey, commissioned by the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS) on May 5, reveals high optimism among citizens regarding the country’s current trajectory and leadership. According to the findings, more than half of the respondents – 60.8% – assess the country’s development prospects in the next five years…
