Nikon School of Photography Launches in Astana
ASTANA – A Nikon School opened Dec. 8 to spread the culture of photography in the capital. “Nikon School is an educational project of Nikon and unique among camera makers, designed for those who already enjoy and are interested in single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras,” Nikon marketing expert Zarina Plotnikova, of Almaty, told The Astana Times…
Kazakhstan Makes Strides in Gender Equality; Issues of Labour Inclusion and Violence Remain
ASTANA – This year, Kazakhstan was ranked 51st out of 144 countries in the World Economic Forum’s gender equality index, according to President of the Association of Businesswomen of Kazakhstan (ABWK) Raushan Sarsembayeva. The proportion of women in the country’s lower chamber of Parliament, the Mazhilis, is 27.1 percent this year. But despite these impressive…
UAE Committed to Expanding Relations with Kazakhstan, Says Chargé d’Affaires
ASTANA – United Arab Emirates (UAE) Chargé d’Affaires Hamad Rashed Alhebsi stressed that his country will stay committed to expanding relations with Kazakhstan in an interview with The Astana Times on the eve of the 45th anniversary of his country’s foundation, Dec. 2. President of the UAE Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and President…
National Railway Carrier KTZ to Build Eurasian Transcontinental Bridge
ASTANA – A Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) delegation recently took part in the international forum Creation of the New Economic Corridor Eurasian Continental Bridge in Lianyungang, China, the KTZ press service reported. According to President of KTZ Kanat Alpysbayev, the favourable geographical position of the port and well-established rail and sea communications with major Chinese…
Trump Administration, UNSC Membership Spell New Opportunities for Kazakhstan, Int’l Scholars Say
ASTANA – Internationally recognised speakers, scholars and politicians presented reports and spoke about Kazakhstan’s achievements and future during the Nov. 28 international conference, 25 Years of Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan: Outcomes. Accomplishments. Vision for the Future. The conference was part of the celebrations of country’s quarter century of independence on Dec. 16. “For…
Marriott Wins World Travel Award as Country’s Leading Business Hotel
ASTANA – The capital’s Marriott Hotel won the World Travel Award as Kazakhstan’s 2016 Leading Business Hotel. Marriott topped such brands as InterContinental Almaty, Radisson Hotel Astana, Renaissance Aktau Hotel and Rixos Almaty, which also bid for the honour. “We didn’t need to work on anything specific to get the ‘Best Business Hotel’ award,” said…
Swedish Artist Joins Kazakhstan in Nuclear Non-Proliferation Efforts
ASTANA – Exhibition First Lightning, in which Swedish artist Tove Krabo unveils the horror of the consequences of nuclear explosions, opened in Astana’s Museum of the First President Nov. 2 and will be open until Dec. 2. The artist visited Kazakhstan’s former Semipalatinsk nuclear test site to get the feel of the horrible nuclear legacy…
Charity Bazaar to Bring Hope and Magic to Christmas Season
ASTANA – This year’s Christmas Charity Bazaar in Astana is hoped to be the largest-ever gathering to date, with 53 embassies involved and the snazziest prizes yet for raffle tickets. However, to the organisers of the Dec. 4 event at the Radisson Hotel, Ambassadors’ Spouses Astana (ASA), this is more than just a party –…
Aktau and Kuryk Seaports Should Be Provided with Own Vessels
ASTANA – The Aktau seaport and the new Kuryk ferry port must concentrate 35 percent of all traffic on the Caspian Sea, Minister for Investment and Development Zhenis Kassymbek said during a Nov. 1 government meeting on developing the transport and logistics potential. Power ferry infrastructure in the Caspian Sea will increase to 23 million…
New Ski Prospects Hopeful in Wake of Universiade
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s final skier roster for Universiade 2017 is to be determined in Almaty Dec. 22-26 at the Alatau ski-biathlon complex. Qualifying rounds will also be held for the World Juniors, Asian Winter Games and World Championships in Finland. But what are the nation’s chances of earning top medals? The Universiade, to be held…
Kazakhstan Significantly Reduces Prison Population
ASTANA – As the result of a campaign to humanise criminal legislation, the number of prisoners in Kazakhstan has fallen by 30 percent in five years, Zakon.kz reports. “The Ministry of Internal Affairs, headed by Minister Kulmukhanbet Kassymov, recently held a board meeting with the participation of the management staff of the central office and…
Kazakh TV: New Format, New Goals, New Beginnings
ASTANA – Kazakh TV, Kazakhstan’s major English-language channel, underwent a complete makeover on the eve of its Oct. 25 birthday and is now ready to broadcast in the new format. Channel Director Andrey Tarakov spoke to The Astana Times about some of the changes the network has introduced. “From now on, the news on our…
South Kazakhstan Region Days Held in Capital in Honour of 25th Anniversary of Independence
ASTANA – The series of regional exhibitions continues in Astana: on Oct. 15 and 16, capital residents had a chance to see Days of the South Kazakhstan Region near Khan Shatyr Mall. The exhibition was timed to honour the 25th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s independence. “We held more than 30 events over these two days,” said…
Guardian Places Almaty’s Shymbulak in Top 10 Ski Resorts in World
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Shymbulak Ski Resort has been added to the top 10 best places to ski this season by British media outlet theguardian.com. “Ten of the best places to go skiing – readers’ tips,” notes the headline. “From Kazakhstan to Canada via the Cairngorms, our readers have been on the pistes, enjoying the après…
UN Resident Coordinator: UN System in Kazakhstan Has Strong Partnership with Government, People
ASTANA – The United Nations (UN) has spread threads of assistance in various directions and projects in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. Today, there are 21 UN agencies with more than 300 staff members working throughout Kazakhstan, supporting and prioritising national reforms, economic diversification, transition to a green economy and promoting transparency and accountability as well…
South Kazakhstan Tourism Forum Links Government, Business, Int’l Organisations to Highlight Industry’s Image
ASTANA – The organisers of the 2016 Ontustik Tourism Forum, held Oct. 6-7 in Shymkent, sought to create a single concept to promote the region’s tourism industry and its reputation as the “Heart of the Silk Way.” “The forum serves as a dialogue platform for meetings and negotiations among representatives of government, business, academia, media…
Ocean Basket Seafood Restaurant Opens in Astana
ASTANA – World-known South African seafood restaurant chain Ocean Basket (OB) opened in Astana Sept. 23 and the management is claiming every seafood lover should pay a visit for delicious otherworldly treats. “The restaurant is distinguished by high-quality, fresh seafood. Besides, we are going to offer meals, which have never been offered in Kazakhstan before,…
Astana Pro Team Cyclist Lutsenko Wins Tour of Almaty
ASTANA – Astana Pro Team cyclist 24-year-old Alexei Lutsenko, from Petropavlovsk, Kazakhstan, beat Italian Mauro Finetto of Unieuro Wilier and Russian Roman Maikin (GazProm-RusVelo) Oct. 2 in a rainy, 186-kilometre race to claim the third Almaty Tour in his career. Lutsenko finished the race in four hours, 23 minutes and 55 seconds. “Tour of Almaty…
Citi Country Head: Kazakhstan’s Market Is Good for Business
ASTANA – Citigroup, one of Kazakhstan’s largest foreign banks, continues to expand its operations amid today’s uncertain economic situation. The Astana Times spoke with Andrey Kurilin, Citi’s country manager and a CEO of its daughter bank in Kazakhstan, to find out how and why Citigroup has decided to keep growing. “The market conditions in Kazakhstan…
Bishkek – Getaway for Pleasure and Business
ASTANA – You’re a non-native, have been working in Kazakhstan for a while, maybe years, and have done some travelling around the country but seeking new experiences and adventures? Ever thought about going to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan? Here are some tips of dos and don’ts of visiting Kazakhstan’s neighbour and what to look…
Universiade 2017 Foreign Medics Assure Safe, High-Level Assistance Ahead of Games
ASTANA – The official foreign medical staff visited the Almaty venues and medical facilities to evaluate the quality of the medical services ahead of next year’s Winter Universiade, reported the Almaty Universiade 2017 press service. “We have been very impressed both in terms of set up of the facility and the equipment, but also with…
Golovkin Stops Brook in Round 5 in Biggest Cash Fight of Career
ASTANA – Middle weight World Champion according to the World Boxing Association (WBA), International Boxing Organisation (IBO), International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Council (WBC) Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (36-0-0) earned his 36th career win and 23rd consecutive knockout over Britain’s Kell Brook (36-1-0) by forcing his corner to throw in the towel in round…
Egyptian-Type Pyramid Tomb Discovered in Karaganda Region, Archaeologists Offer Answers
ASTANA – A structure similar to what the world knows as the Egyptian pyramids recently discovered in Kazakhstan’s Shet district in the Karaganda region has raised the eye-brows of many researchers worldwide. A group of scientists working as part of the expedition financed by a grant from the Ministry of Education and Science’s Science Committee…
Discovering Kazakhstan: Portuguese National on Life in Land of Great Steppe
ASTANA – The young Kazakh capital keeps betting on attracting young, foreign professionals – the pool that can shape the pillars of the future city. What, however, could lure anyone to another country and leave the comforts of home? “Working and living abroad is already a challenge in itself, especially when you embrace a project…
Annoyed by Borat Questions, Kazakh Student Creates Award-Winning Film
ASTANA – “Welcome to Almaty,” a three-minute, 27-second short film by Almaty-born Anton Alfimenko, 20, received a Best Travel Film nomination in April at the Global Short Film Awards festival in New York. The next month, it also picked up the BNU Film Awards in the Best Cinematography category. “The whole idea was that any…
