Articles by Dana Omirgazy 

ASTANA – Singapore’s experience shows that countries seeking long-term economic competitiveness must be prepared to adapt their policies and institutions to changing circumstances continuously, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong said during a lecture at Nazarbayev University on Aug. 27. Speaking to students and the academic community, Lee outlined Singapore’s development journey from the 1950s, highlighting…

ASTANA – The first session of Kazakhstan’s Kurultai of the first convocation began on Aug. 28, marking the start of work of the country’s new unicameral legislature. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said the launch of the Kurultai marks the beginning of a new stage in Kazakhstan’s political development. “The unicameral legislative body of the country, the…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Singapore need to translate strong political ties and mutual trust into tangible economic outcomes, including more investment, joint projects and technology exchange, as cooperation expands into transport, artificial intelligence, digitalization and other strategic sectors, according to experts. “The key now is to translate the excellent political relationship and mutual trust between…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is investing heavily in airports, cargo infrastructure and international connectivity. But the bigger economic question is whether a growing aviation network can generate more than transit income – and become a platform for logistics, exports and higher-value economic activity. Building the infrastructure for a regional hub The government is upgrading aviation infrastructure…

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called Kazakhstan’s first elections to the new unicameral Kurultai a historic event and urged citizens, notably young people, to take part in the Aug. 23 vote. In an address to the nation on Aug. 21, Tokayev described the campaign as substantive, open and competitive, highlighting televised debates, meetings with…

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles on Kazakhstan featured in international media worldwide this week. Today’s foreign media digest covers Kazakhstan’s AI education initiatives, political reforms and upcoming Kurultai election, investment prospects, and growing role in Central Asian and Eurasian cooperation. Kazakhstan rolls out AI education from school to university In the 2026-27…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is expanding domestic fertilizer production to reduce import dependence, support agriculture and develop higher-value exports. Major nitrogen and potassium projects planned by 2030 could help create a more complete domestic fertilizer industry. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has repeatedly stressed the importance of expanding domestic fertilizer production to reduce import dependence and develop export…

ASTANA – Abnormally high temperatures have contributed to rising electricity consumption and increased pressure on Kazakhstan’s power system, notably during evening peak hours, according to the Ministry of Energy. The ministry said the national energy system is operating normally, while additional demand is mainly observed during periods of maximum consumption. Higher temperatures have increased the…

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest features Kazakhstan’s AI ambitions, ties with Belgium, preparations for the Kurultai elections, and the Middle Corridor. How China is aiding Kazakh efforts to become hyper modern The Diplomat published an article on July 21 about Kazakhstan’s…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will begin serial production of domestically branded buses under the Astana name in November, marking a major step in expanding the country’s automotive manufacturing, Astana Motors Chairman Nurlan Smagulov announced at a government meeting on July 21. The project is one of the company’s flagship initiatives aimed at broadening Kazakhstan’s lineup of…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports has released the competition schedule for the international Phygital Games of the Future 2026, scheduled for July 29-Aug. 9, bringing together athletes and gamers in competitions that combine physical and digital disciplines.  The tournament will open with the 3on3 Freestyle phygital basketball event on July 29, followed…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to launch production of Li Auto, Omoda, and Jaecoo vehicles by 2028 as part of a broader effort to expand its automotive industry, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and introduce advanced technologies, Minister of Industry and Construction Yersayin Nagaspayev said at a July 21 government meeting. The initiative follows agreements reached during President…

ASTANA – The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has begun reviewing Kazakhstan’s nomination of the Rock Mosques of Mangystau and Associated Sacred Sites for inscription on the World Heritage List during its 48th session in Busan, South Korea. The 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee opened on July 19 in Busan and will run…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan will launch its nationwide Interbank Mobile Payment System (IMPS) on July 19, enabling customers to make instant transfers by phone number and QR-code payments between participating banks. The National Bank presented the latest progress in implementing the National Digital Financial Infrastructure (NDFI) on July 17, highlighting the rollout of the Interbank Mobile…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) reviewed preparations for the launch of the QaJET National Investment Platform for a Just Energy Transition at COP31 in November, as both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation on sustainable development and climate finance. First Deputy Foreign Minister Yerzhan Ashikbayev met on…

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reviewed Kazakhstan’s socio-economic performance for the first half of the year at a July 13 meeting with Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and instructed the government to launch a large-scale program to build social and infrastructure facilities, with a focus on modern healthcare projects.    Economy maintains growth Bektenov reported that Kazakhstan’s…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s ice cream exports surged 77% in value in January-April, driven by strong production and growing demand across neighboring markets. Kazakhstan produced 35,100 tons of ice cream between January and May, reported the Bureau of National Statistics on July 10. The Almaty Region remained the country’s main production hub, accounting for 23,300 tons,…

ASTANA — Air Astana has suspended flights to Dubai due to the escalating situation in the Middle East, while Turkish carrier AJET is set to increase flights between Kazakhstan and Türkiye beginning in August. Air Astana has cancelled flights on the Almat-Dubai-Almaty route scheduled for July 13 and 14, as well as flights on the…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s new constitutional framework will help strengthen investor confidence by ensuring greater legal predictability and supporting economic modernization, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said at a July 9 meeting of the Council on Improving the Investment Climate. The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between the government and the international business community, as well as…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and six other OPEC+ members agreed to implement an 188,000-barrel-per-day production adjustment in August, reaffirming their commitment to oil market stability. Algeria, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Oman, Russia and Saudi Arabia, which previously announced voluntary production adjustments in 2023, held a virtual meeting on July 5 to review market conditions and the outlook.…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive and interoperable AI governance at the first UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, where Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev presented the country’s vision for an AI-native future and called for stronger regional cooperation through the Asia-Pacific Digital…

ASTANA — Kazakhstan officially inaugurated the Kazakh National University of Sports (KNUS) and its new campus in the Kazakh capital, marking the completion of a five-year transformation to create a leading regional center for sports education, research and innovation. The opening ceremony was the centerpiece of the international forum New Era of Sport: KNUS 2026,…

ASTANA – Central Asia is strengthening its role in global air cargo flows, with regional volumes more than doubling since 2019 as new trade corridors reshape international aviation networks, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). In its latest Chart of the Week, IATA said the region is evolving into an intercontinental bridge as…

ASTANA – Uzbekistan has published the preliminary results of its first population census in 37 years, showing that the country’s population has reached more than 39 million, according to the National Statistics Committee.    According to the preliminary census results, Uzbekistan’s population stands at 39,047,321, nearly double the figure recorded in the country’s last census in…

ASTANA – The Astana Times has made a selection of articles on Kazakhstan featured in international media worldwide this week. Today’s foreign media digest covers Kazakhstan’s new strategic partnership with Georgia, constitutional reforms, the country’s growing role in international transport corridors, and more. Georgia and Kazakhstan establish strategic partnership Georgia and Kazakhstan have officially established…