Digitalization, Modernization of Kazakh Border Checkpoints Increases Capacity
ASTANA – An electronic queue system, introduced at the Kazakh border checkpoints, is streamlining and ensuring transparency in the movement of goods and transports, said Yeldos Saudabayev, director of the control department of the State Revenue Committee, at a July 26 Central Communications Service briefing on the customs administration and modernization of checkpoints. According to…
Kazakhstan Reiterates Willingness to Cooperate with BRICS on Security Matters
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is ready for dialogue and cooperation with the BRICS countries in cybersecurity matters, said Kazakh Ambassador to South Africa Yerkin Akhinzhanov at a July 24 expanded meeting of the BRICS High Representatives for Security Issues with the participation of BRICS member countries and Friends of BRICS in Johannesburg, reported the Foreign Ministry’s…
Kazakh Athletes to Take Part in World Summer Universiade in China
ASTANA — Approximately 90 Kazakh athletes will take part in the 31st Summer World University Games (Summer Universiade/ FISU Games), which will be held from July 28 to Aug. 8 in Chengdu, China. The national team, made up of students from the country’s 26 universities, will compete in 11 sports: archery, shooting, athletics, gymnastics, judo,…
Kazakh Citizens Can Travel Visa-Free to 29 Countries
ASTANA – Kazakh passport holders can travel to 29 countries without visa, the Foreign Ministry reported in response to a request from Kazinform on July 24. “Besides, Kazakhstan agreed with a number of countries on mutual exemption from visas for holders of diplomatic and service passports,” said in the ministry’s report. According to the ministry,…
Kazakhstan Moves Up in 2023 Henley Passport Index
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s passport ranked 67th, with 77 visa-free destinations, in the Henley Passport Index 2023, released on July 19. Last year, Kazakhstan ranked 73rd, with visa-free access to 76 countries. The index covers 199 different passports and 227 travel destinations. Singapore leads the ranking with visa-free access to 192 destinations, followed by Germany, Italy…
Kazakhstan Identifies Prospects for Cooperation with World Bank, IMF
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Ministry of National Economy identified the priorities of partnerships with the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on potential future projects during the recent meetings in Washington, D.C., reported the ministry’s press service on July 22. Alibek Kuantyrov, Kazakh Minister of National Economy, discussed with Anna Bjerde, WB’s Managing…
Kazakhstan Ranks 31 Out of 100 Nations in Coursera Global Skills Report
ASTANA – Kazakhstan ranked 31st in the recent Coursera Global Skills Report 2023, analyzing how over 124 million registered learners from 100 countries worldwide are strengthening business, technology, and data science skills. These 100 countries account for over 90% of Coursera international educational platform learners. According to the report released on June 14, students in…
Diverse Parliament Increases Transparency of Legislative Work, Says Mazhilis Speaker
ASTANA – Yerlan Koshanov, Speaker of the Mazhilis, the lower chamber of the Kazakh Parliament, reported on the work of the deputies (MPs) during the first session of the eighth convocation at a July 21 meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, reported the Akorda press service. According to Koshanov, the deputies initiated 20 bills out of…
Kazakhstan Seeks to Raise Over $24 Billion in Investments This Year
ASTANA – Kazakhstan intends to attract $24 billion in foreign investments by the end of the year, said Chair of the Investment Committee at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ardak Zebeshev at a July 20 press conference at the Central Communications Service. “President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev instructed to attract at least $150 billion to the country…
News Digest: Foreign Media on GCC-Central Asia Summit, Kazakhstan’s Oil Exports to Europe and More
The Astana Times has picked a selection of articles on Kazakhstan published in international media across the world. This week’s foreign media digest includes articles on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) – Central Asian countries summit in Jeddah, increase in Kazakhstan’s oil exports to European markets through Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy’s railway repair efforts and…
Kazakhstan, US to Bolster Trade, Investment Ties
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the United States (U.S.) seek to enhance economic and commercial partnership, as Kazakh Minister of National Economy Alibek Kuantyrov took part in a roundtable with members of the U.S. – Kazakhstan Business Council on July 20 in Washington, D.C, reported the ministry’s press service. Leaders of major U.S. companies, including Chevron,…
Kazakh Government’s Tree Planting Efforts to Create More Green Space in Astana
ASTANA – Kazakh officials intend to plant more trees and construct a sewage treatment plant (STP-2) in the Kazakh capital this year, reported the Prime Minister’s press service on July 20. First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar, Akim (Mayor) of Astana Zhenis Kassymbek, and Akim (Governor) of Akmola Region Yermek Marzhikpayev observed the volumes of…
Kazakh Automotive Engineers Win Award for Positive Contribution at Shell Eco-Marathon
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s SU Racing student team of automotive engineers from Satbayev University received a Spirit of Shell Eco-marathon award for their contributions of passion, creativity, and collaboration at the Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2023 and the Middle East 2023 competition in Indonesia, Shell company reported on July 14. The SU Racing team assisted teams from…
Kazakhstan’s Oil Refineries Resume Production After Overhaul
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s three oil refineries are restoring capacities after Pavlodar and Shymkent oil refineries completed planned repair works, said Deputy Chairman of KazMunayGas Dmitry Makeyev, Kazinform reported on July 18. According to Makeyev, oil refineries will work as usual in two weeks, as they have modernized production facilities, improved environmental indicators, and increased tax…
Return of Illegally Acquired Assets Will Address Social Issues, Say Kazakh Deputies
ASTANA – Following the signing by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of the law on returning illegally withdrawn assets on July 12, Kazinform news agency has published the reaction of the members of the Mazhilis, the lower chamber of the Kazakh Parliament. According to Mazhilis deputy Nikita Shatalov, this law should balance the continued establishment of a…
Kazakhstan, US Confirm Intention to Strengthen Enhanced Strategic Partnership
ASTANA – Kazakh and United States officials confirmed their mutual interest in intensifying cooperation in politics, security, and trade areas and strengthening Enhanced Strategic Partnership dialogue during July 12-13 meetings in Washington, D.C., reported the Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s press service. At the meetings with U.S. partners, Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Foreign Minister Kairat Umarov and Chair…
Kazakhstan to Participate at World EXPO 2025 Osaka in Japan
ASTANA – Kazakhstan signed an agreement to participate in the World Exhibition EXPO in 2025 in Osaka, Japan, on July 17, reported QazExpoCongress, a national company in charge of the country’s participation in the exhibition. The relevant participation agreement was signed between the General Commissioner of Kazakhstan Section at the World Exhibition EXPO 2025 Osaka…
Dimash’s Music Video Breaks Records in Czech Republic (VIDEO)
ASTANA – The music video for the song “Together” by Dimash and Abilmansur Kudaibergens holds the first line for the fifth week in a row at the Czech music television channel Óčko, reported the dimashnews.com on July 14. The TV channel started broadcasting in October 2002. Its program mainly consists of video clips of both…
Central Asian Experts Call for Increased Synergy to Create Ethical, Secure AI
ASTANA – New technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), human capital and prospects for innovative cooperation between Asian states was discussed by experts at a July 14 panel session at the Central Asian Security and Cooperation Forum in Astana. The session participants addressed cooperation in innovation, security of digital currencies, development of AI and synergy between the…
News Digest: Foreign Media on Central Asian Security and Cooperation Forum, Kazakhstan’s SCO Chairmanship and More
ASTANA – The Astana Times has picked a selection of articles on Kazakhstan published in international media across the world. This week’s foreign media digest includes articles on the Central Asian Security and Cooperation Forum, Kazakhstan’s foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow growth, Kazakhstan’s SCO chairmanship and more. Kazakhstan tops FDI inflow for 2022 among post-Soviet…
General Session of CAF Addresses Key Cooperation Trends in Asia
ASTANA – International experts considered ways to enhance greater engagement at a time of unprecedented geopolitical tensions, climate change and water crisis, as well as counterterrorism efforts, nonproliferation and reforms of international institutions during a general session on global security challenges held on the first day of the Central Asian Security and Cooperation Forum (CAF)…
Kazakh Officials Address Implementation of G4 City Project in Almaty Region
ASTANA – The G4 City special economic zone in the Almaty Region is set to become a new economic and global tourism center along the new Silk Road. Kazakh officials discussed the implementation of the G4 City project at a July 11 meeting chaired by the Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Yerulan Zhamaubayev,…
Kazakh President Highlights Astana’s Development Challenges, Sets Priorities
ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined key areas for the development of the Kazakh capital during a July 11 meeting, focusing on problems and setting tasks for the coming year, reported the Akorda press service. Akim (mayor) of Astana Zhenis Kassymbek, First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar, Akim (governor) of Akmola Region Yermek Marzhikpayev,…
Kazakhstan Intends to Make Tourism Key Driver of Economic Growth
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has adopted the Tourism Development Concept for 2023-2029 to make tourism a priority for the country’s economic development, Kazakh Minister of Culture and Sports Askhat Oralov wrote on Facebook on July 10. Oralov outlined the main directions and prospects for the country’s tourism advancement, promotion of tourist destinations, development of infrastructure and…
Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina Advances to Wimbledon Quarterfinals
ASTANA — Elena Rybakina, 24, made it to the Wimbledon 2023 quarterfinals on July 10 in London after her opponent Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil, 27, was forced to retire due to an injury, reported the tournament’s press service. The match ended with the score 4-1 for Rybakina, who will play against Ons Jabeur from…
