Articles by Saniya Sakenova

Kazakhstan Leads Regional Venture Financing Growth

ASTANA — Kazakhstan has emerged as the leader in the Central Asia and Caucasus region in venture financing volumes and development rates, according to a recent large-scale study published on March 14 by RISE Research, EA Group Holding, BGlobal Ventures, Crunchbase, the Kazakh Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry, and KPMG Central Asia…

Kazakhstan to Expand Exports to Uzbekistan by Nearly $500 Million

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is ready to expand export supplies to Uzbekistan across 255 items worth approximately $500 million, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said at a March 15 meeting with Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov in Tashkent, reported the Kazakh Prime Minister’s press office. During his working visit to the capital, Bektenov was received by President…

President Prioritizes Country’s Wellbeing, Officials Say

ASTANA—President Kassym–Jomart Tokayev pays close attention to economic growth, improving the quality of citizens’ lives, and integrated regional development, as confirmed in his address at the National Kurultai in Atyrau, State Counselor Erlan Karin wrote on March 16 in his Telegram channel. Karin said Kazakhstan’s positioning in the global competitiveness race lies in the effective…

Kazakhstan Reviews Oil and Gas Projects Execution with Shell

ASTANA — Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov reviewed the progress of joint projects in the oil and gas sector with Shell Executive Vice President Peter Costello on March 18, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. The parties will ensure the timely commissioning of additional raw gas reinjection compressors to maintain oil and condensate production levels…

Top Austrian Companies Show Keen Interest in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu met with the top management of leading companies in the construction, logistics, and machinery sectors during his visit to Austria on March 16, reported the Foreign Ministry’s press office. With Lasselsberger Group CEO Josef Lasselsberger, Nurtleu reviewed progress on an investment project to produce…

Kazakhstan Advocates for Gradual CICA Transformation Approach

ASTANA – The transformation of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) should be a structured, result-oriented, gradual, but not protracted process, said representatives of Kazakhstan’s chairmanship at a March 14 meeting of the CICA Senior Officials Committee (SOC), reported the CICA’s press service. Alongside outlining plans for implementing the CICA…

Kazatomprom Shows Remarkable Financial Performance in 2023

ASTANA – Kazatompom national atomic company showcased exceptional financial resilience in 2023, driven by its strategic market positioning and robust operational efficiency, the company’s press service reported on March 15, summing up last year’s consolidated financial results. Despite a modest year-on-year increase of slightly over 20% in the average annual uranium price, the company witnessed…

EU Envoy for CA Joins Tusaukeser Ceremony During Nauryz Festivities

ASTANA—Terhi Hakala, the European Union’s (EU) Special Representative for Central Asia, was honored to participate in a tusau kesu ceremony (a tradition to celebrate a child’s first attempts to walk) at the invitation of the Kazakh Embassy in Brussels on March 13, the Embassy reported on its X account. Kazakh diplomats and foreign guests performed…

Photo Exhibition Dedicated to Women Empowerment in Kazakhstan Opens in Strasbourg

ASTANA – The headquarters of the Council of Europe hosted a photo exhibition titled Unveiling Strength: A Visual Journey for Gender Empowerment in Kazakhstan on March 14 in Strasbourg, reported Kazinform. Organized by Kazakhstan’s Consulate General in Strasbourg, the Bolashak corporate foundation, and the L’Association QazElles community of Kazakh businesswomen in France, the event marked…

Kazakhstan Plans to Establish Anti-Fraud Center

ASTANA – National Bank Governor Timur Suleimenov unveiled plans for the establishment of an anti-fraud center to protect Kazakh citizens’ funds from fraudulent activities during a March 13 meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, reported the Akorda press service. The governor provided an overview of the National Bank’s monetary policy implementation in 2023 and January-February of…

Art Exhibition Showcasing Kazakhstan Through AI Opens in Almaty

ASTANA – An innovative art exhibition showcasing Kazakhstan through the eyes of artificial intelligence has opened in Almaty, the Culture and Information Ministry’s press service reported on March 13. The exhibition, featuring over 120 paintings, was launched within the NeuroKazakhstan 2024 project. The exposition presents an alternative overview of nature, architecture, cuisine, and elements of…

Kazakhstan Advances Cooperative Projects with Italian Businesses

ASTANA – During his recent visit to Italy, Kazakh Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev met with representatives of several Italian businesses, reviewing entrepreneurship collaboration following the agreements reached by the Presidents of both countries in January, the ministry’s press service reported on March 13. With Italy’s Senator Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata, Shakkaliyev focused…

Kazakhstan to Celebrate Nauryz Festive Events for Ten Days

ASTANA – This year marks the introduction of a new format for the Nauryz holiday in Kazakhstan, with the launch of the Nauryznama Decade, observed annually from March 14 to 23, said Sabit Barlybayev, deputy chairman of the culture committee of the Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Information at a March 13 briefing in the…

Kazakhstan Witnesses Incidence Rate Decrease Via WHO Partnership

ASTANA — Kazakhstan saw a decline in its incidence rate as a result of joint systematic work with the World Health Organization (WHO), a key strategic partner in healthcare, as reported during a March 13 meeting between Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge, according to the Prime Minister’s…

Kazakhstan Gifts Children’s Creativity Center to Azerbaijan

ASTANA – The Kurmangazy Center for Children’s Creative Development is a humanitarian gift from the Kazakh people to the brotherly people of Azerbaijan, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the center’s opening ceremony in Fuzuli on March 12, reported the Akorda press service. The modern innovation center, established at Tokayev’s initiative, was built by Kazakhstan’s BI…

Kazakhstan, UK Sign Roadmap on Critical Minerals

ASTANA – Kazakh Vice Minister of Industry and Construction Iran Sharkhan and the United Kingdom’s (UK) Minister of Industry and Economic Security Nusrat Ghani signed a roadmap for strategic cooperation in critical minerals on the sidelines of the Mineral Processing and Circular Economy business forum, currently being held on March 11-15 in London, reported the…

Kazakhstan-Azerbaijan Forge Strong Interparliamentary Ties

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted the robust development of Kazakh-Azerbaijani interparliamentary relations during a meeting with the Chair of Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova on March 11 in Baku, reported the Akorda press service. Stressing the strategic partnership between the two countries, the President underscored the significant responsibility attached to such ties. He spoke…

Astana to Host Eurasia Africa Energy Summit, KDR 2024 in September

ASTANA – The Kazakh capital will host the first-ever Eurasia Africa Energy Summit (EAES) and the ninth Annual KDR Well Engineering Forum on Sept. 19-20 at the Rixos President Hotel, reported the EAES’ press office. Energy industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers from Eurasia and Africa are expected to discuss collaboration, technological innovations, and pressing energy…

Kazakh Students Win Cyprus Robotics Championship

ASTANA – Schoolchildren from Almaty clinched first place in two categories at the FIRST Tech Challenge robotics championship in Nicosia, Cyprus, the Kazakh Education Ministry’s press service reported on March 11. Kazakhstan was represented by the Sana Team, who claimed the Winning Alliance gaming award and earned the Think Award from judges for their problem-solving…

Kazakhstan, Italy Review Creation of Joint Brand

ASTANA – Kazakh Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev proposed the development of a unified concept titled “Made in Kazakhstan with Italy” at a March 12 meeting with Italy’s Minister of Business and Made in Italy Adolfo Urso in Rome, reported the ministry’s press service. This initiative follows the agreements reached between the Presidents…

Kazakh Economy Grows 4.2% in Two Months of 2024

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s economic growth reached 4.2% in January-February this year, accelerating from 3.9% recorded in the first month of 2024, said Minister of National Economy Nurlan Baibazarov at a March 12 government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. The real sector showed a 5.1% increase, while the…

Kazakh President Underscores Strategic Partnership with Azerbaijan

ASTANA – As the struggle for access to transport and logistics capabilities intensifies worldwide, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan closely interact as natural partners in this strategic area, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at a press briefing on March 11 in Baku, reported the Akorda press service. Tokayev emphasized the importance of inaugurating a new railway route from…

Kazakhstan Gears Up for International Women’s Day with Flourishing Flower Imports in 2023

ASTANA – As Kazakhstan approaches the celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8th, flowers take center stage as a cherished tradition. Last year, the country witnessed a notable surge in flower imports, importing 8,278 tons valued at $61 million, a significant increase from the previous year’s $46 million, reported the Bureau of National Statistics…

President of Indonesia Explores Kazakhstan’s Sergek Transport Platform

ASTANA – Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo got acquainted with the Kazakh-developed transport platform Sergek, launched in pilot mode in Nusantara’s satellite city Balikpapan during a working visit to Nusantara, the future capital of Indonesia, Sergek Group’s press service reported on March 5. Based on artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics, Sergek is capable of seamlessly…

Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia Launch Innovation Hub in Riyadh

ASTANA — A new Kazakh-Saudi innovation hub, named after the great medieval scholar and outstanding Islamic philosopher Abu Nasr al-Farabi, who was born on the territory of modern Kazakhstan, opened on March 5 in Riyadh, reported the press service of the Kazakh Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry. The Al-Farabi Innovation Hub will…