Articles by staff report

ACWA Power Kazakhstan Becomes 3,000th Firm Registered at AIFC

ASTANA – The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) has registered its 3,000th company – ACWA Power Kazakhstan. Saudi-listed ACWA Power is the world’s largest private water desalination company, a leader in energy transition and the first mover into green hydrogen. It is currently present in 13 countries in the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia, and…

Kazakh Government Projects 5.6% Economic Growth and Reduced Inflation for Next Year

ASTANA — The government of Kazakhstan anticipates economic growth at 5.6% next year and a decrease in inflation to 5.5-7.5%. This was revealed during an Aug. 15 meeting chaired by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The meeting addressed issues of socio-economic development and the government’s forecasts for the medium term. According to the Akorda press service, Tokayev…

Kazakhstan to Double Volume of Agricultural Exports by 2029

ASTANA — Kazakhstan intends to increase its exports of agricultural products to enhance its position in the international market and expand the supply chain. The country exports a wide range of goods, such as livestock, honey, dairy products, sausages, and preserved goods. Kazinform reviewed the list of agricultural products exported from Kazakhstan in its Aug.…

Astana Hub, Draper University Announce Third Cohort of Hero Training Program in Silicon Valley

ASTANA – Astana Hub international technology park has announced the opening of applications for the third cohort of the Hero Training acceleration program. The program, conducted in partnership with Draper University, is designed to rapidly scale technology companies for the global market. Applications are open until Sept. 1. Hero Training is a distinctive five-week acceleration…

Kazakhstan Sees 15% Rise in Creative Industries Post Tax Relief

ASTANA – Following tax breaks, the number of creative industry entities increased by 15%, or 6,033 units, to 45,597 entities, Kazinform reported on Aug. 12, citing the Ministry of Culture and Information. The ministry anticipates further growth in the creative sector and has developed a draft law to support and develop creative industries. The Mazhilis,…

World Nomad Games Await: The Gathering of the Great Steppe in Astana

ASTANA – As the curtain falls on the Paris 2024 Olympics, where Kazakhstan proudly secured seven medals, a new chapter in global sports is set to unfold. While the world has celebrated the feast of modern athletes on the grandest stage, the heart of Central Asia is preparing to host a cultural and sporting event…

Kazakhstan’s Three Horse Riders Secure Licenses for Fifth World Nomad Games

ASTANA – Three horse riders secured licenses for the upcoming fifth World Nomad Games at the qualifying round in baige traditional horse racing at the Almaty Hippodrome on Aug. 11. According to Kazinform, the event gathered horse riders from all over the country. The sports program of the World Nomad Games features 21 types of…

Kazakh Capital to Host Astana Finance Days in September

ASTANA – Astana Finance Days, an annual financial conference covering the entire Eurasian region, is set to attract nearly 3,000 participants from over 70 countries on Sept. 5-6 in the Kazakh capital. The event will gather government officials, high-ranking dignitaries, skilled financial and economic experts, major investors and business owners, heads of international banks, and…

Bibisara Assaubayeva Wins Silver and Bronze at FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships 2024

ASTANA – Kazakh chess champion Bibisara Assaubayeva won a silver medal in Rapid and a bronze medal in Blitz at the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships 2024, Kazakhstan Chess Federation reported on Aug. 8. She beat the reigning World Chess Champion Ju Wenjun in the ninth round of Rapid and twice defeated Ukrainian…

Japanese PM Cancels Visit to Kazakhstan Due to Earthquake

ASTANA – Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who was expected to attend the Central Asia + Japan Dialogue Summit in Astana on Aug. 9, canceled his visit following a powerful earthquake in Japan, Kazinform reported, citing the Kazakh Foreign Ministry. According to The Japan Times, the 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Miyazaki Prefecture…

Kazakhstan’s Green Energy Generation Rises by 31.1% in 2023

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s production of green energy reached 6.6 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 2023, marking a 31.1% increase compared to the previous year, the Bureau of National Statistics reported on Aug. 8. Renewable energy sources accounted for 5.8% of the total electricity output, which increases to 12.74% when large hydroelectric power plants are included. Wind…

CICA Announces Winners of International Essay Contest

ASTANA — Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) announced winners of the essay competition held under the theme “The Future of Asia We Want: Ideas for the CICA Region.” Five works were selected out of 31 essays from eight countries. According to the CICA press service, “The CICA Secretariat extends its…

Starlink Expands Internet Coverage to 1,731 Schools in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Starlink satellites have now been installed in 1,731 out of 1,879 schools in Kazakhstan, Minister of Education Gani Beisembayev said at an Aug. 6 government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov. According to the Prime Minister’s press service, new standards for internet connectivity in schools have been set, with a minimum required…

Kazakhstan, China to Build Moon Base

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will have a research base on the Moon according to the memorandum signed between the country’s Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry and Chinese partners on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in July. According to Kazinform, Kazakh and Chinese scientists are going to conduct joint research,…

Second NPT Preparatory Committee in Geneva: Kazakhstan Strengthens Global Nuclear Security

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Akan Rakhmetullin chaired the second session of the Preparatory Committee for the Eleventh Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which took place on July 22 – Aug. 2 in Geneva. The main outcomes of the session comprised the chairman’s working…

Kurbanov Wins Silver in Artistic Gymnastics at 2024 Paris Olympics, First Medal in Kazakhstan’s History

ASTANA – Kazakh athlete Nariman Kurbanov won a silver medal in the men’s pommel horse final at the 2024 Paris Games on Aug. 3. This is the first-ever medal for Kazakhstan in any artistic gymnastics event.  “I dedicate this medal to all our people. This is a long-anticipated award for our country. When I was…

FIDE World Team Championships Open in Astana, as FIDE Celebrates Centenary

ASTANA – The FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Championships 2024 kicked off in the Kazakh capital on Aug. 1 with a spectacular opening ceremony. This event marked the beginning of an exciting week of world-class chess competitions, celebrating the game’s rich heritage and future, reported the International Chess Federation (FIDE) press service on Aug.…

Pavlodar to Host Horse Race Competition for World Nomad Games Selection

ASTANA – Pavlodar will host the first selection round of participants for the baige (horse race) competition on Aug. 3 as part of the upcoming fifth World Nomad Games, reported the National Sports Association’s press service. The competition will feature four disciplines: kunan baige (around ten-kilometer race on two- to three-year-old foals), top baige (above…

Kazakhstan Secures Over $12 Billion in Investments Via AIFC, Surpassing 2025 Goal

ASTANA — The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) has attracted more than $12 billion in investments, surpassing the target set for 2025. This achievement was revealed during a meeting on July 31 between President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and AIFC Governor Renat Bekturov, which focused on the AIFC’s key results for the first half of 2024 and…

Int’l Institutions Expect Kazakhstan’s GDP Growth to Accelerate in 2025

ASTANA – The Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Institute predicts a sharp surge in the pace of Kazakhstan’s gross domestic product (GDP) development in 2025, reported Kazinform on July 29. According to a CAREC Institute report, Kazakhstan’s economic growth slowed down this year. Kazakhstan’s GDP increased only by 3.7% in January-March compared to last…

Boeing to Deliver First Aircraft to Kazakhstan by End of 2025

ASTANA – Boeing representatives confirmed the delivery of the first Dreamliner for direct flights between Kazakhstan and the United States by the end of 2025 during a meeting with Minister of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry Zhaslan Madiyev in Seattle on July 28. As stated by the ministry’s press service, this event is intended…

Kazakh Judoka Gusman Kyrgyzbayev Wins Bronze at Paris Olympics

ASTANA – Gusman Kyrgyzbayev, a 31-year-old Kazakh judoka, secured a bronze medal in the 66-kilogram weight class at the Paris Olympic Games 2024 on July 27, reported the National Olympic Committee’s press service. Kyrgyzbayev advanced to the semifinals but was defeated by Brazilian judoka Willian Lima. Despite this, he continued to compete for a medal…

Smetov Wins Gold, Becomes First Judo Olympic Champion in Kazakhstan’s History

ASTANA – Kazakh judoka Yeldos Smetov won gold in the men’s final of the 2024 Paris Olympics in the weight category up to 60 kilograms today.  Smetov defeated France’s Luka Mkheidze, the bronze medal winner of Tokyo 2020. Smetov thanked all Kazakh people for their support and said this is “a historic moment” for the…

Dimash Kudaibergen to Perform in Singer 2024 Show

ASTANA – Kazakh singer Dimash Kudaibergen will perform in the final of the Singer 2024 vocal competition, which will be broadcast live on China’s Hunan TV channel on July 26, reported Kazinform, citing the Chinese microblogging website Weibo. According to the competition terms, finalists will perform duets with specially invited singers in the first round.…

Astana Decks Out for Fifth World Nomad Games (VIDEO)

ASTANA  — Astana is in full swing, gearing up for the Fifth World Nomad Games, scheduled from Sept. 8 to 13, according to an announcement on the capital’s administration Instagram account on July 25. Over 2,000 participants from 89 countries will participate in the event, drawing over 100,000 tourists eager to witness the sports competitions…