Articles by Saniya Sakenova

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined several critical points during a Sept. 5 meeting of the AIFC Management Council aimed at strengthening the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) as a thriving regional financial hub, reported Akorda.  He stressed that boosting investment in Kazakhstan’s economy and improving the investment ecosystem are crucial. Tokayev highlighted that the…

ASTANA — The Digital Family Card, designed to ensure equal access for Kazakh citizens to state support in the social sector, was among the innovative GovTech solutions Kazakhstan presented at the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Digital Inclusion and Transformation on Sept. 3. According to the UN Development Program’s (UNDP) press service, the Digital Family Card…

ASTANA— The Koshpendiler Alemi (World of Nomads) ethno-village will be set up near the Kazanat racetrack in Astana for the fifth World Nomad Games. Spanning ten hectares, the village will immerse visitors in the rich traditions of the Kazakh people and the unique cultures of nomadic nations.  According to the Astana administration’s press service, the…

ASTANA — Kazakh universities will now offer individual Learning Paths for undergraduate and graduate students through the Coursera platform, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education’s press service reported on Sept. 4. This is part of the ministry’s initiative to provide high-quality teacher training. These paths include courses and projects specifically selected to develop the…

ASTANA – The Uly Dala Zhorygy (The Great Steppe Tour in Kazakh) international horse race (baige) marathon began on Sept. 3 in Botai settlement in the North Kazakhstan Region. The event is held in the run-up to the fifth World Nomad Games, reported the National Sports Association’s press service. The 500-kilometer race starts from Botai…

ASTANA – The Central Election Commission (CEC) approved the calendar plan on Sept. 3 for the upcoming referendum, which will decide on the construction of a nuclear power plant, scheduled for Oct. 6, reported the CEC’s press service. The question presented to the referendum will be: do you agree with the construction of a nuclear…

ASTANA — The General Committee of the International Canine Federation (FCI) decided on Sept. 4 to grant preliminary recognition to the Kazakh Tazy as an official dog breed, designating Kazakhstan as the breed’s standard holder. According to Kazakhstan’s Presidential Administration’s press service, this decision is a key and final step before fully recognizing the Tazy…

ASTANA – Tengizchevroil (TCO) has completed its planned turnaround maintenance on two of the five production trains at the Complex Technological Lines (KTL) plant in the Tengiz oilfield, TCO’s press service reported on Sept. 3. The maintenance, finished on schedule and within budget, achieved a 23% improvement in execution efficiency compared to the 2019 turnaround…

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said during his Sept. 2 address that his main priority is to ensure Kazakhstan becomes a place of safety and comfort. He instructed law enforcement and specialized state bodies to ensure the comprehensive security of citizens, reported Akorda. President Tokayev also addressed the issue of fraud, which has become increasingly…

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the need to maximize domestic raw materials and components and establish related industries around major enterprises in his Sept. 2 state-of-the-nation address. Industrial potential In a press statement released by Akorda, Tokayev highlighted the government’s list of 17 major projects, prioritizing high-value-added areas. Tokayev noted that with the involvement…

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the need to address the critical shortage of experts in industries like water management, construction and energy, while also advocating for the training of specialists in future-oriented professions in his Sept. 2 address, reported Akorda. He underscored the importance of providing sufficient grant funding to domestic universities with educational…

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called for a new banking law that meets the current challenges of stimulating economic activity and dynamic development of the fintech sector in his Sept. 2 state-of-the-nation address. He noted that the existing law, which has been in place for 30 years, no longer aligns with present-day realities. Tokayev emphasized…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national teams in Kazakh togyzkumalak, African ovari, and Turkish mangala held a final open training session on Aug. 28 at Nazarbayev University’s sports ground ahead of the fifth World Nomad Games, reported the event’s press service. According to the Kazinform news agency, the teams for these games were formed in three stages,…

ASTANA – Oil and gas are strategic resources and a foundation of the national economy, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at an Aug. 29 meeting dedicated to the 125th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s oil and gas industry, reported Akorda. As the President stated, nearly 250,000 people are currently employed in this sector. In addition to raw material…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Germany signed ten documents at the 15th meeting of the Kazakh-German Business Council on strategic cooperation on Aug. 28 in Berlin, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. Among them are a framework agreement on developing investment cooperation, a memorandum of understanding between the Saarbrücken Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the…

ASTANA – The Monetary Policy Committee of the National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) decided on Aug. 29 to keep the base rate at 14.25% with a corridor of +/- 1 percentage point, reported the bank’s press service. Annual inflation rose to 8.6% in July, which aligns with the NBK’s forecast trajectory. The current acceleration of…

ASTANA — The Kazakh government has approved 17 major projects worth 15 trillion tenge (US$31.1 billion) to form high-value-added clusters, the Prime Minister’s press service reported on Aug. 28.  These initiatives are set to generate over 26,000 jobs, increase exports by six trillion tenge ($12.4 billion), and facilitate import substitution exceeding 1.5 trillion tenge ($3.1…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan opened its first creative industries park, established by Energo University, on Aug. 28 in Kaskelen, the Almaty Region, reported the university’s press service. The first event at the new venue was the Film Industry Forum, which included top managers and Michael Young, President of the New York Film Academy. Energo University Rector…

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko congratulated Danish researcher Leonora van Deurs on releasing her historical fantasy novel, “Botai – Shadowpath,” at a meeting on Aug. 26, reported the ministry’s press service. Van Deurs, who began writing the novel at age 15 and finished by 18, drew inspiration from the unique documentary “Equus:…

ASTANA – The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) representatives arrived in Kazakhstan on a review mission to open direct flights between the two countries by late 2025, the Civil Aviation Committee reported on Aug. 26. From Aug. 26 to 30, the FAA is conducting a technical review as part of the International Aviation Safety…

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated Kazakh athletes and coaches on their achievements at the Paris Olympics during a meeting on Aug. 27, reported Akorda. He especially noted Yeldos Smetov’s win who claimed the first Olympic gold medal for Kazakhstan in judo. Tokayev also called Nariman Kurbanov’s silver medal a historic achievement for Kazakhstan’s artistic…

ASTANA — For the first time, Kazakhstan Central Securities Depository (KCSD) will host the 26th Annual General Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Central Securities Depository Group (ACG) in Almaty from Sept. 9 to 12. The meeting will bring together over 150 executives and representatives of more than 40 depositories, exchanges and clearing organizations worldwide. According to…

ASTANA — The Kazakh government is working to implement the Roadmap to eliminate bottlenecks and develop the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) until 2027 between Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Türkiye and between Kazakhstan and Georgia. This will increase the route’s capacity to ten million tons per year, the Prime Minister’s press service reported on Aug. 27. To…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is committed to further cooperation within the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+), Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said at an Aug. 26 meeting with OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. “We support the initiatives of the organization, accept restrictions along with other countries, including on…

ASTANA – Over 200 archers from 35 countries will compete using arrows made in Kazakhstan during the traditional archery competitions at the fifth World Nomad Games, the event’s press service reported on Aug. 21. “If earlier we relied on imported equipment, purchasing it in Türkiye, Hungary, and Russia, now the situation is gradually changing. I…