ICAO to Develop Master Plan for Kazakhstan’s Civil Aviation Industry Until 2050
ASTANA — The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will develop a comprehensive master plan for the growth and modernization of Kazakhstan’s civil aviation sector by 2050. Kazakh Ministry of Transport and ICAO signed an agreement for the creation of the strategic master plan at the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium 2025, taking place in Abu…
Kazakhstan Experiences Record Low Emigration and Positive Migration Balance in 2024
ASTANA — In 2024, the number of people leaving Kazakhstan for permanent residence in another country reached its lowest level since the country’s independence, with approximately 12,800 individuals departing, a 20% decrease from the previous year. According to the country’s first credit bureau, the number of individuals arriving for permanent residence in Kazakhstan exceeded 29,900,…
Kazakh Government Reviews Key Details of Upcoming Tax Reform
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov chaired a meeting on Feb. 11 to discuss the details of upcoming tax reforms, which include changes to the value-added tax (VAT), exemptions for agricultural producers, and measures to boost competitiveness and raise annual tax revenues by four to five trillion tenge (US$7.9 billion-US$9.9 billion). Bektenov instructed to…
Kazakh Invest Announces Key Achievements for 2024
ASTANA – Kazakh Invest national company released a comprehensive report on Feb. 11 detailing its significant achievements in 2024 with a total of $15.7 billion in investments, which accounts for 63% of all investments in North and Central Asia. Among the most notable accomplishments in 2024 was completing 45 major projects, with a total value…
Kazakhstan’s Winter Games Success Continues with Biathlon Gold and Cross-Country Silver
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national team had an impressive showing at the 2025 Asian Winter Games in Harbin, winning two gold, one silver, and one bronze medal on Feb. 11. According to the National Olympic Committee, the men’s freestyle acrobatics team made history with a gold medal in synchronized jumps, thanks to Sherzod Khashirbayev and Roman…
Kazakhstan, Int’l Carriers Add New Routes for Spring Season
ASTANA – IndiGo, India’s largest low-cost airline, plans to launch a new Astana-Delhi route starting May 14, with flights operating three times a week on Airbus aircraft. According to the Kazakh Transport Ministry, the flight is expected to enhance cooperation between the countries and boost the development of the nation’s transit potential. Kazakhstan’s flagship airline,…
Samruk Kazyna Meeting Focuses on Investment, Infrastructure, and Digital Growth
ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov highlighted the crucial role of private investment in speeding up major infrastructure, industrial projects, and digitalization while emphasizing the need for effective monitoring to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget during a Feb. 10 meeting with Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund board of directors. The…
Aral Sea: Record Water Inflows and Greening Initiatives Fuel Environmental, Economic Recovery
ASTANA — Efforts to restore the Northern Aral Sea have shown significant progress. From October 2024 to January, one billion cubic meters of water were added, exceeding expectations. Ongoing projects, including dam reconstruction and water-saving technologies, boost the sea’s water volume, support fisheries, and revitalize the surrounding environment. By the end of March, the total…
Kazakhstan’s First Independent Peacekeeping Contingent Recognized for Exceptional Service in UN Mission
ASTANA – Major General Anita Asmah, head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), presented medals to Kazakhstan’s peacekeepers for their outstanding contribution to the UN mission. Serving at the Faouar base on the Golan Heights, 139 Kazakh service members and four staff officers were recognized for their dedication…
Kazakhstan Secures Historic Gold in Men’s Relay, Multiple Medals at 2025 Asian Winter Games in Harbin
ASTANA – Kazakhstan men’s short track team made history by winning the gold medal in the men’s 5,000-meter relay at the 2025 Asian Winter Games in Harbin on Feb. 9. The team included Denis Nikisha, Abzal Azhgaliyev, Adil Galiakhmetov, Gleb Ivchenko, Mersaid Zhaksybayev and Aibek Nasen, reported the National Olympic Committee’s press service. On Feb.…
News Digest: Foreign Media on Central Asia’s Global Partnerships, Cooperation on Middle Corridor and More
ASTANA – The Astana Times has curated a selection of articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest includes topics such as the Central Asian partnership with the European Union and the United States, Kazakhstan’s growth opportunities and more. Trump has an opportunity in Asia Central Asia – which includes Kazakhstan,…
Kazakhstan, Georgia Focus on Expanding Trade and Transport Collaboration
ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu met with Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Feb. 6 to discuss strengthening bilateral relations in political, economic, and cultural sectors, with a focus on enhancing cooperation in trade, transport, and agriculture. Nurtleu and Botchorishvili expressed their shared commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation, notably,…
Kazakhstan and Georgia Strengthen Political and Economic Ties
ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Feb. 6 to discuss strengthening political, economic and regional cooperation, with a focus on boosting trade, infrastructure and collaboration on multilateral platforms. During the talks, the two leaders discussed ways to deepen bilateral ties across various sectors, including trade, energy, investment,…
Kazakhstan’s Special Forces Units Win Silver at SWAT Challenge in Dubai
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s Sunkar special forces unit earned silver at the prestigious SWAT Challenge in Dubai, where over 100 teams from 80 countries tested their skills in a series of challenging tactical operations on Feb. 1-5. Kazakhstan’s all-female Tomiris team also made waves, securing second place in their category. Participants underwent intense tests including tactical…
Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan Industrial Cooperation Center Set for 2027 Launch, Boosting Regional Trade
ASTANA — Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are taking steps to boost their economic ties. Deputies of Mazhilis, a lower house of the Kazakh Parliament, ratified an agreement to establish the Central Asia International Industrial Cooperation Center on their shared border. According to Kazakh Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev, the center on the border of…
SCAT Airlines to Launch New Shymkent-Budapest Route in May
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s SCAT Airlines will introduce a new route connecting Shymkent to Budapest starting from May 27. The flights will operate twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, using Boeing 737 aircraft. According to the Kazakh Transport Ministry’s press service, this new air service is expected to enhance trade, economic, business, and tourism relations…
Kazakhstan’s Alimkhanuly to Defend IBF, WBO Titles Against Unbeaten Ngamissengue in Historic Fight
ASTANA – Undefeated Unified Middleweight World Champion, Kazakhstan’s boxer Janibek Alimkhanuly is set to make history as the first Kazakh Unified World Champion to defend his titles in his homeland against Congolese-French boxer Anauel Ngamissengue on April 5 at Astana-based Barys Arena. “April 5 will be a memorable night as I defend my WBO and…
Kazakh, Georgian PMs Discuss Key Initiatives to Boost Bilateral Relations
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Georgia are set to boost their bilateral cooperation, as Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov met with his Georgian counterpart Irakli Kobakhidze on Feb. 5 to discuss a range of initiatives aimed at expanding trade, transport, agriculture, and digital collaboration. According to the Prime Minister’s press service, the officials addressed measures to…
Kazakh President, Turkmen Foreign Minister Enhance Ties, Focus on Regional Cooperation
ASTANA — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Turkmen Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov on Feb. 4 to discuss cooperation in energy, transit and transport, cultural and humanitarian spheres. During the talks, Tokayev congratulated Turkmenistan on the beginning of the International Year of Peace and Trust, initiated by…
KazAID Hosts Int’l Workshop to Boost Customs Innovation, Risk Management in Central Asia
ASTANA – Young customs professionals from across Central Asia and the Caucasus are strengthening their skills and exploring the latest methods in risk management and efficient trade monitoring at an international workshop, which is taking place in the Kazakh capital on Feb. 3-7. The second meeting of the Master Trainer Program (MTP) on risk management…
Kazakhstan Reaffirms OPEC+ Pledge, Plans to Meet Production Goals in 2025-2026
ASTANA – Kazakhstan reaffirmed its commitment to the OPEC+ agreement during the 58th meeting of the OPEC+ Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee, which took place via video conference on Feb. 3. Kazakhstan will take the necessary measures in 2025 and 2026 to fulfill its obligations and compensate for the volumes overproduced in 2024. “Despite the increase…
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic Strengthen Ties With Promising New Ventures
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic are deepening their trade and economic ties, with bilateral trade reaching $1.6 billion in January-November 2024. This milestone was discussed during a meeting between Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and Kyrgyz Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Head of the Presidential Administration Adylbek Kasymaliev on Jan. 30…
Astana International Forum Returns in 2025 After One-Year Break
ASTANA – After a one-year pause, the Astana International Forum is set to return this year. The forum, which was postponed in 2024 due to financial constraints caused by unprecedented flooding, will be held in May with high-ranking officials leading the preparations. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has signed the official order for its organization, reported…
Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan Set to Double Trade and Strengthen Ties
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan are strengthening their ties with a renewed commitment to boosting trade, energy, and regional cooperation. Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu and Turkmen Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov discussed the prospects of their countries’ relationship, focusing on key areas such…
Kazakhstan, Japan Discuss Economic and Strategic Ties During High-Level Talks
ASTANA— President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Special Advisor to Japanese Prime Minister Akihisa Nagashima on Jan. 31 to explore opportunities to deepen trade, investment, and scientific collaboration. The meeting underscored Japan’s key role in Kazakhstan’s economic development. During the talks, Tokayev highlighted the significant potential for expanding trade, economic, investment, and scientific-technical cooperation between the…
