Articles by Dana Omirgazy

PwC: Kazakhstan’s Retail E-Commerce Sales Reach Almost $3 Billion in 2022

ASTANA – The retail e-commerce market in Kazakhstan continued its moderate growth and reached 1.3 trillion tenge ($2.9 billion) in 2022, 30 percent more than in the previous year, according to an analysis by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on Kazakhstan’s retail e-commerce market, published in April.   “One of the important factors influencing the development of the e-commerce…

Kazakhstan is Only Country in Geopolitical Environment Implementing Profound Reforms, President Tokayev Says

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is the only country in the geopolitical environment implementing profound reforms that are ushering in a new era of development, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at the opening of the first session of the Kazakh Parliament of the eighth convocation on March 29, outlining priorities aimed at improving the country’s political system, the…

Kazakhstan Seeks to Enhance Strategic Partnership with China, President Tokayev Says

ASTANA – Kazakhstan seeks to deepen cooperation with China based on strategic partnership and eternal friendship, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during a March 27 meeting with a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and Communist Party Secretary of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Ma Xingrui, reported the Akorda…

Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies Comments on Preliminary Results of Parliamentary Election

ASTANA – The Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS) held an expert meeting on March 20 to discuss the preliminary results of the country’s parliamentary election, expected changes and the country’s development prospects. According to Yerkin Tukumov, KazISS director , Kazakhstan is set to have a new, more pluralistic parliament. “Six of the seven parties…

WHO and Kazakh Experts Discuss Healthcare Development and Upcoming International Events

ASTANA – The advancement of Kazakhstan’s healthcare sector was discussed by experts at the March 14 meeting of the Standing Committee of the Regional Committee (SCRC), a subcommittee of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Europe, which was held in Almaty for the first time, reported the Healthcare Ministry’s press service. The meeting…

Khorgos International Center to Resume Work Soon, Says Kazakh PM

ASTANA – The Khorgos International Center for Border Cooperation will soon resume its work after years of being idle due to the COVID-19 pandemic as a relevant agreement had been reached with the Chinese side, Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov said during his Feb. 24 working visit to the Zhetisu Region. “Khorgos should start its…

USAID Deputy Administrator Visits Central Asia Region, Affirms Enduring Support

ASTANA – Deputy Administrator for Policy and Programming at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Isobel Coleman emphasized the United States’ commitment to each of the Central Asian states’ sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence during her working trip to the region on Feb. 12-18, reported the USAID press service. Coleman began her trip…

Bundestag Delegation Visits Astana to Promote Ties, Receives Warm Welcome

ASTANA – A German delegation from the Bundestag, headed by Chairman of the Parliamentary Friendship Group for Relations with the States of Central Asia Eugen Schmidt, arrived in Astana on Feb. 20 to meet with the Kazakh top officials and discuss the Kazakh-German relations.  The official delegation included Bundestag members Thomas Bareiss, Christian Gorke, and…

Uzbekistan to Increase Exports to EU via Aktau Seaport in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Uzbek exporters are set to increase freight shipments to European markets through the Aktau seaport, the Uzbek Foreign Ministry’s Dunyo media agency reported. Aktau seaport President Abai Turikpenbayev met with the Consul General of Uzbekistan in Aktau Atabek Tursynbekov to address the cooperation development in transport and logistics on Feb. 16. Turikpenbayev spoke…

Kazakhstan to Deliver 55 Tons of Additional Humanitarian Relief to Türkiye

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will deliver 55 tons of additional humanitarian assistance for the earthquake victims in Türkiye at the instruction of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, reported the Prime Minister’s press service on Feb. 15. The humanitarian relief includes clothes (warm jackets and trousers), tents, metal beds, and bedding, among other essential items. The airplane with humanitarian…

Humanitarian Aid from Kazakhstan Keeps Flowing to Türkiye and Syria

ASTANA – According to the Turkish Embassy in Kazakhstan, four tons of humanitarian aid collected by Astana residents were delivered to charitable organizations in Türkiye on Feb. 11. People of the Aktobe Region sent over 11 tons of humanitarian aid worth more than 30 million tenge (US$66,340) on Feb. 12 to support those in need…

Former Taldykorgan Policemen, Accused of Torture with Hot Iron, Sentenced to Prison

ASTANA – The Zhetisu regional court in Taldykorgan sentenced five former police officers to prison terms on Feb. 10 after they were found guilty of torturing detainees involved in the January 2022 events with the use of a hot iron, reported Liter.kz.  The court found the defendants guilty under Article 146, part 2 of the…

Kazakhstan Rated among Top 10 Most Budget-Friendly Countries for Tourists

ASTANA – Kazakhstan was named among the top 10 most budget-friendly countries to visit in February, according to the Curly Tales food, travel, experiences, and lifestyle content platform. “Kazakhstan is a country with two time zones and five climate zones. This landlocked country offers a diverse range of canyons, glaciers, arid plains, and deserts. You…

Rescuers Free One Kazakh Citizen, Three Remain Trapped under Rubble after Türkiye Quake

ASTANA – Kazakh native Sabina Mamadyarova was found alive after being trapped for hours under the rubble in Hatay, Türkiye on Feb. 8, said the Kazakh Foreign Ministry in a statement published on its Telegram channel. She was taken to hospital with a broken arm. The rubble under which two Kazakh citizens, Astana Hub international…

President Tokayev Calls to Strengthen Principles of Democracy at Senate Meeting

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called for unity and strengthening the principles of democracy for effective governance in his address to the Senate, the upper chamber of the Kazakh Parliament, on Jan. 26.  Tokayev noted the inviolability of the principle “different opinions, but one nation.” “Democracy is responsibility for one’s words and actions. We all…

Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister, Top EU Officials Review Progress in Key Areas of Cooperation in Brussels

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko held meetings with top European Union (EU) officials on Jan. 23 in Brussels to address the effective and full implementation of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) between Kazakhstan and the EU, covering 29 areas of interaction, reported the ministry’s press service. Vassilenko met with Deputy…

Herd of Endangered Saiga Antelopes Walk the Streets in Ulytau Region (Video)

ASTANA – Kazakh citizens witnessed hundreds of endangered Saiga antelopes racing along the streets and roads in one of the villages in the Ulytau Region, reported the Khabar 24 TV channel. Ecologists believe this is a one-of-a-kind case because steppe antelopes are extremely rare in Central Kazakhstan. Additionally, they typically travel south in the winter.…

Kazakh Chess Player Bibisara Assaubayeva Wins Silver at Belt and Road 2022 World Chess Woman’s Summit Tournament in China

ASTANA – Kazakh chess player Bibisara Assaubayeva, 18, took second place at the Belt and Road 2022 World Chess Woman’s Summit tournament in China’s Xi’an, Assaubayeva wrote on her Instagram account. “I managed to play in a Chinese tournament over the weekend. I played without defeats and scored one point more, at least. Unfortunately, the…

Kazakhstan Extends Open Sky Policy Through to 2027

ASTANA – The Civil Aviation Committee of the Kazakh Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development extended the open sky aviation policy for five years through to Dec. 26, 2027, reported the committee’s press service on Jan. 6. This regime removes all restrictions on the number of flights and provides foreign airlines with a fifth degree…

Kazakhstan to Continue Political Modernization This Year, Says State Counselor Karin

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will continue implementing the political modernization program this year, State Counselor Erlan Karin wrote on his Telegram channel on Jan. 3, reporting on fundamental changes coming in 2023. The Constitutional Court, which just started its operation on Jan. 1, would ensure strict and unswerving observance of the norms of the Constitution. The…

Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Sign Treaty on Allied Relations, Agreement on Border Demarcation to Foster Strategic Partnership

ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev wrapped his state visit to Tashkent on Dec. 22, resulting in the signing of major documents cutting across many areas of cooperation, reported the Akorda press service. Among the key documents are the treaty on allied relations and an agreement on border demarcation.  During their talks in a…

Kazakhstan Approves Sustainable Development Goals 2023 Action Plan

ASTANA – Kazakhstan approved the sustainable development goals (SDGs) 2023 action plan at a Dec. 21 meeting of the SDGs coordinating council chaired by Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. The leadership of central government agencies and representatives of the diplomatic corps, the United Nations (UN), and the United Nations…

National Bank Chair Presents Results For 2022, Sets Tasks for Next Year

ASTANA – Chair of Kazakhstan’s National Bank Galymzhan Pirmatov announced the results of 2022 and the bank’s main tasks for the forthcoming year at a Dec. 12 expanded government meeting chaired by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. New fiscal policy According to him, the fiscal policy of Kazakh government will increase…

President Tokayev Calls for Immediate Actions to Tackle Socio-Economic Challenges at Government Meeting

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke about social, economic, and infrastructure issues, political reforms, and the government’s welfare policy at a Dec. 12 expanded government meeting in Astana, reported the Akorda’s press service. “The presidential election demonstrated the people’s support for the government’s course. People are waiting for changes, not in the distant future, but…

Kazakh Prime Minister Delivers Report on Social, Economic Development in 2022, Outlines Plans for 2023

ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov delivered a report on the country’s social and economic development in 2022 and the government’s action plan for 2023 at a Dec. 12 expanded government meeting chaired by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, reported Prime Minister’s press service. Economic growth and inflation According to Smailov, the economic growth rate reached…