Articles by Staff report

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Japan have developed a strategic partnership that demonstrates dynamic development in the political, trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian spheres over 30 years of diplomatic relations, said Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mukhtar Tileuberdi during his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Dec. 23, reported the Foreign…

ASTANA – Foreign direct investments (FDI) in Kazakhstan reached $14.5 billion in the first six months of this year, a 28 percent increase over the same period last year, said Deputy Foreign Minister Almas Aidarov at a press briefing at the Central Communication Service on Dec. 22. Aidarov noted that this year’s main task was…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev took part in the opening of the Tagzym (bow) Memorial dedicated to the victims of the January events in Almaty on Dec. 23, reported Akorda press service. “The monument has deep meaning and great significance. It reflects the many stages of our statehood’s development. The quotes from prominent Kazakh…

ASTANA – The investigation of the January events is nearing its completion, said First Deputy Prosecutor General Timur Tashimbayev at a briefing on Dec. 22 devoted to the results of the Prosecutor General Office’s work. “A total of 1,249 people have been convicted. They committed thefts, stole weapons and participated in riots. 160 people received…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan managed to return 631 billion tenge (US$1.36 billion) in illegally withdrawn funds, including $400 million from abroad, said the First Deputy Prosecutor General Timur Tashimbayev at a Dec. 22 briefing dedicated to the results of the Prosecutor General Office’s work. The agency continues its work on returning assets and combatting oligopolies. It…

ASTANA – The Kazatomprom national atomic company has completed a physical delivery of natural uranium to Western markets via the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), the so-called Middle corridor, reported the Kazatomprom press service on Dec. 20.  The delivery, which included Kazatomprom and Turkistan-based JV Inkai-owned uranium, arrived at a Canadian port. The company has…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in Tashkent for a state visit on Dec. 21, reported Akorda press service. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev welcomed Tokayev at the Tashkent international airport. The Kazakh President will hold bilateral meetings with their Uzbek partners in narrow and expanded formats. The parties will sign several agreements. At the…

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mukhtar Tileuberdi praised the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for its contribution to Kazakhstan’s development over the past 30 years at the Dec. 21 meeting with EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso in London, reported the Foreign Ministry’s press service. The parties discussed the…

ASTANA – Some 40 agreements on investment, trade, and economic cooperation worth $2.5 billion were signed at the interregional Uzbek-Kazakh business forum on Dec. 21 in Tashkent, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. More than 400 delegates from both sides took part in the forum. Serik Zhumangarin, Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade…

ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov met with Deputy Chair of the Supreme Council for Reforms Sir Suma Chakrabarti to discuss plans for the upcoming year on Dec. 21, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. They also spoke about the country’s current economic situation, measures to reduce inflation and the introduction of the Organisation…

ASTANA – United Kingdom (UK) Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs James Cleverly and Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mukhtar Tileuberdi pledged to strengthen cooperation during the sixth Kazakhstan-UK Strategic Dialogue on Dec. 20 in London, reported the Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s press service.  In a joint statement, the…

ASTANA – The second day of the Central Asian Media Forum kicked off with the Multilateral organizations as a bridge of cooperation panel session.  Former Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States Halil Akinci in his speech urged countries to strengthen international cooperation. “The members of the Turkic Council should not be in confrontation…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Alimkhan Yessengeldiyev, and representatives of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) visited the Barmal district of Paktika province in Afghanistan on Dec. 15 to hand over humanitarian supplies previously sent by Kazakhstan through the UNAMA to the victims of the devastating earthquake last summer, reported the Foreign…

ASTANA – Central Asian countries should enhance ties in different areas, said Kazakhstan’s State Counselor Erlan Karin at a Dec. 20 Central Asian Media Forum in Astana, reported the Kazinform. “Central Asian states have started collaborating in recent years. The consultative meetings of Central Asian heads of state, the first of which took place in…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev encouraged Central Asian countries to expand cultural and humanitarian partnerships as State Counselor Erlan Karin read the welcoming speech at the Central Asian Media Forum on Dec. 20 in Astana. “Congratulations on the launch of the inaugural Central Asian Media Forum! In today’s world, where mass communications are rapidly…

ASTANA – Some 130 people were nominated for the deputy elections to the Kazakh Senate (the upper house of the Parliament) to be held Jan. 14 next year, said acting Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Konstantin Petrov at the Dec. 15 meeting, the CEC press service reported. This direct election will determine deputies…

ASTANA – The 25-meter-high Christmas tree was lit up in a festive ceremony at the International Exhibition Centre EXPO Square in front of the Nur Alem Pavilion on Dec. 19 in Astana, reported the city administration’s press service. Astana Mayor Zhenis Kassymbek lighted nearly 360 lights adorning the tree. “Dear Astana residents and visitors, on…

ASTANA – More than 100 international experts address media development and share insights and experiences at the first Central Asian Media Forum on Dec. 20 in Astana. Winners of the Pulitzer Prize, world politicians, international and local journalists, influencers, heads of international organizations, and authoritative media experts are expected to participate in the event. Within…

ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will meet with President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev as part of the state visit to Uzbekistan on Dec. 21-22, reported the Akorda press service. Presidents are expected to discuss the strategic partnership, including the development of trade, economic, and transit-transport cooperation, and prospects in the humanitarian sphere. In addition,…

ASTANA – The National Bank of Kazakhstan released collectible coins dedicated to the Kazakh traditional game of Togyzkumalak on Dec. 15, reported the bank’s press service. Togyzkumalak, an ancient board game designed to develop a person’s intellect, is included in the UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) List of Intangible Cultural Heritage…

ASTANA – China Southern Airlines announced plans to launch flights between Almaty and the Chinese city of Xi’an from Dec.23, according to Kazakhstan’s Civil Aviation Committee. “As part of the ongoing work on resuming international traffic and establishing new routes, the Civil Aviation Committee and the Chinese aviation authorities have worked out the issue of…

ASTANA – The two chambers of the Kazakh Parliament, the Mazhilis and the Senate, adopted changes and additions to its regulations and procedures stemming from the country’s constitutional reform during a joint session on Dec. 19, reported the Mazhilis press service. The adjustments and additions follow the provisions of the constitutional changes voted on by…

ASTANA – The first Central Asian Media Forum will take place in Astana on Dec. 20-21. The forum seeks to become a unique platform for collaboration and intends to create a single media environment for the countries of Central Asia. Within two days, the experts will discuss in person the issues of media development and…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is preparing nomination dossiers for six objects to be included on the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) List in 2025 to promote unique objects of Kazakhstan’s historical and cultural heritage, said Minister of Culture and Sports Dauren Abayev during a Dec. 14 government meeting, the Prime Minister’s press service…

ASTANA – The United States (US) District Court for the Southern District of New York on Dec. 15 ruled in favor of BTA Bank in the case against Mukhtar Ablyazov and his shell company Triadou SPV S.A., reported the bank’s press service. The jury awarded BTA bank a compensation of more than $100 million with…