Kazakh Foreign Ministry Informs Travelers as Visa Rules Change in Georgia, Thailand and Indonesia
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry has urged citizens traveling abroad to check visa, migration, transit and customs requirements before departure. Kazakh citizens can continue to enter Georgia visa-free for up to 365 days. However, visa-free status does not permit employment. Since Sept. 1, working without the required legal authorization may constitute grounds for expulsion, with…
Experts Highlight Investment and Coordination Priorities for Middle Corridor
ASTANA – The Middle Corridor is gaining strategic importance as countries across Central Asia and the South Caucasus seek to strengthen trade connectivity and diversify transport routes between Asia and Europe, experts said during a Sept. 15 British-Kazakh Society (BKS) Trade Group webinar on Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan-Middle Corridor Investments, Operations & Trade. The webinar brought…
Experts: Geopolitical Volatility Reshapes Kazakhstan’s Energy Strategy
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s energy security is increasingly tied to diversified supply routes, modern electricity infrastructure and deeper regional connectivity, while green hydrogen could open a new industrial opportunity if the country can turn its resource potential into commercially viable projects, experts said at the third Regional Central Asian and European Decarbonization Forum on Sept. 16.…
Kazakhstan Highlights New Stage of Nuclear Development at IAEA Conference
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is entering a new stage of nuclear sector development, focusing on nuclear energy, science, medicine and high-tech industry, Deputy Chairman of the Agency for Atomic Energy Gumar Sergazin said at the 70th session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference on Sept. 15. “Atom, placed at the service of peace,…
Tokayev Honors South Korean Figures as Kazakhstan-Korea Ties Deepen
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Sept. 14 presented the Order of Dostyk (Friendship), second degree, to five prominent South Korean state and public figures for their contribution to strengthening Kazakhstan-Korea relations, as cooperation between the two countries continues to expand into practical areas including employment, trade, investment and technology. The awards ceremony was held…
Elena Rybakina’s Historic Rise to World No. 1 Culminates in US Open Triumph
ASTANA – Elena Rybakina has officially become the new World No. 1 in women’s singles, making history as the first Kazakh tennis player to top the WTA rankings, and has crowned the milestone with victory at the U.S. Open. Rybakina defeated Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the U.S. Open final on Sept. 13…
Tokayev Advances Kazakhstan’s Partnerships with India, US at BRICS Summit
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a series of high-level meetings on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Sept. 12-13, focusing on expanding Kazakhstan’s cooperation with India, the United States, the UAE and Ethiopia. Kazakhstan-India relations During a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tokayev congratulated him on successfully…
ADCB Kazakhstan Plans to Triple Project Financing in Kazakhstan
ASTANA – Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank plans to triple project financing in Kazakhstan over the next 18 months, from the current 2.5 trillion tenge (US$5.5 billion), as the bank expands its role in supporting the country’s real economy and infrastructure development. The plans were discussed during a Sept. 9 meeting between Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov…
Kazakhstan’s First Government Meeting Puts Skilled Workers in Focus
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s first government meeting in its updated composition after the Kurultai elections focused on a topic that could determine the success of its economic transformation: whether the country will have enough skilled workers to support planned growth. At the Sept. 8 meeting, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov called for an accelerated pace of work…
Expert: Kazakhstan Residents See Infrastructure Gains, Demand Further Development
ASTANA – Kazakhstan residents are largely positive about improvements in their towns and villages, but their expectations are shifting toward further development of everyday infrastructure and services, according to a nationwide survey presented on Sept. 7. National Analytical Center expert Roza Tleukhan said the findings show that people continue to expect the development course to…
EDB: Kazakhstan Maintains Growth, Strengthens Position Amid Tighter Global Financing Conditions
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s resilient economic growth, moderate public debt and strong external buffers are strengthening its ability to access global capital markets despite tighter borrowing conditions worldwide, according to the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) September Macroeconomic Outlook. The EDB experts said the economy continued to expand this year, with GDP growing 4.1% year-on-year in January-July,…
News Digest: Foreign Media Highlight Kazakhstan’s China Ties, Middle Corridor and Political Reforms
ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest highlights President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s vision for deeper Kazakhstan-China cooperation, the Middle Corridor, and more. Tokayev links Kazakhstan-China partnership to wider vision for a more connected and cooperative Eurasia Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has used the Shanghai…
ChatGPT’s Kazakh Language Push Shows Why AI Must Go Beyond English
ASTANA – ChatGPT’s growing development in the Kazakh language highlights a broader challenge for artificial intelligence: understanding a language also requires understanding the cultural context behind it, futurist and author Ron Immink told The Astana Times. Kazakhstan’s efforts to build Kazakh-language datasets and culturally specific AI benchmarks show why AI systems need to reflect the…
National Bank Cuts Base Rate to 16.25% Amid Continued Disinflation
ASTANA – The National Bank of Kazakhstan cut its base rate by 50 basis points to 16.25% on Sept. 4, as annual inflation fell below 10% after 11 consecutive months of disinflation. The regulator, however, warned that persistent inflation risks limit room for further easing. “The balance of risks remains tilted towards inflation. Therefore, we…
Kazakhstan Set to Join Digital Cooperation Organization as Membership Expands to 24 Countries
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is set to join the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) as a new Member State, opening opportunities for greater cooperation in digital technologies, AI, innovation and digital trade. The DCO, the world’s first standalone international organization dedicated to accelerating the inclusive and sustainable growth of the digital economy, announced on Aug. 28 that…
Kazakhstan’s 40 Million-Ton Refining Goal Hinges on Domestic Market Incentives, Expert Says
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s ambition to increase oil refining capacity to 40 million tons a year will require more than expanding existing plants and building a new refinery. The country will also need to address the economic incentives that currently make crude exports more attractive than supplying some oil to domestic refineries, Executive Director of Energy…
Kazakhstan Wins First Gold Medals at World Nomad Games in Kyrgyz Republic
ASTANA – Kazakhstan claimed its first two gold medals at the sixth World Nomad Games in the Kyrgyz Republic, with Nurtalap Kerim and Sailau Mukhamedzhan winning titles in audaryspak, a traditional Kazakh horseback wrestling sport. In the up to 60-kilogram category, Kerim defeated a Kyrgyz representative in the final to become champion. In the up…
Kazakhstan Positions Itself as Key China-Europe Land Corridor as Ties With Beijing Expand: Key Take-Outs from Tokayev’s Interview with Хinhua
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a key land corridor between China, Central Asia, the Caucasus and Europe while seeking to deepen cooperation with Beijing in trade, technology and investment, Kazakh political scientist and historian Daniyar Ashimbayev wrote in his Telegram channel, commenting on President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s Sept.1 interview with Xinhua. Ashimbayev noted that…
Two Amur Tiger Cubs Planned for Release in Kazakhstan in May 2027
ASTANA – Two young Amur tigers brought from Russia as part of Kazakhstan’s tiger reintroduction program are planned to be released into the wild in May 2027, marking the next stage of efforts to restore the species in the Ili-Balkhash ecosystem. “Two tiger cubs are planned to be released in spring 2027, in May. They…
Historic KMG Dim Sum Bond Issue Sets New Benchmark for Yuan Financing in Kazakhstan
ASTANA – KazMunayGas’ (KMG) historic issuance of 3.5 billion yuan (US$520.3 million) in Dim Sum bonds could mark a new stage in Kazakhstan’s access to yuan-denominated financing, financial analyst Andrei Chebotaryov said. The transaction, which includes the first 10-year Dim Sum bonds issued by a company from Kazakhstan and Central Asia, attracted more than 25…
Kazakhstan Has Begun Structural Shift Toward Non-Resource Economy, Expert Says
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has entered a new investment cycle that is beginning to change not only the volume but also the structure of capital entering the economy, according to the country’s leading financial analyst Rassul Rysmambetov. While the country remains dependent on extractive industries, growing investment in manufacturing, processing and high-technology production suggests that the…
Rybakina Begins US Open Campaign With World No. 1 Ranking in Sight
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina has moved to No. 1 in the WTA live rankings as the US Open women’s singles main draw gets underway in New York, putting her within reach of becoming the first Kazakh player to top the official world rankings. Rybakina currently leads the live standings with 7,911 points. Aryna Sabalenka…
Kazakhstan, CERN Advance Framework for Kazakh Scientists’ Participation in Research
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research and a leading global center for particle physics, are advancing a new mechanism that will enable Kazakh scientists to participate in CERN research experiments and scientific internships. This was discussed at a meeting between acting Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek and…
Karin Elected Vice President as Bektenov Stays on as Prime Minister
ASTANA – Erlan Karin was elected vice president of Kazakhstan on Aug. 31, while the Kurultai also backed Olzhas Bektenov to remain as prime minister, filling two of the country’s most senior posts as the new unicameral parliament began its work. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev nominated both candidates during a meeting with the leaders of political…
Kazakhstan’s First Kurultai Takes on Legislative Modernization and Institutional Reform
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has outlined a broad legislative and institutional agenda for Kazakhstan’s first Kurultai, calling on deputies to modernize national legislation, strengthen the quality of lawmaking and help build a stronger system of checks and balances. Speaking at the opening session of the first Kurultai on Aug. 28, Tokayev said the new…
