Kazakhstan Improves Position in Speedtest Global Index Ranking
ASTANA – Kazakhstan moved up 23 places on the Speedtest Global Index, from 95th in December 2022 to 72nd in December 2023, putting it ahead of neighboring Central Asian countries, reported the Ookla Research on Feb. 19. Kazakhstan’s mobile download speeds have improved by 61% since late 2022, reaching 35.07 megabits per second (Mbps) in…
Kazakhstan’s Citix to Upgrade Fuel Stations in Middle East and Africa
ASTANA – Citix, a leader in smart city technologies in Kazakhstan, has signed a tripartite agreement with MEMA, a division of Al Hajiry Holding, and Oman Oil Marketing Company to upgrade a network of fuel stations in Oman, Tanzania, and Saudi Arabia, Citix reported on June 7. Under this project, Citix will deploy up to…
South Korea’s President to Visit Kazakhstan Next Week
ASTANA — At the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol will pay a state visit to Kazakhstan from June 11-13, 2024, Akorda press service reported. During the visit, Kazakhstan and South Korean presidents will engage in high-level negotiations to deepen cooperation across various sectors. Additionally, both…
Kazakhstan, PACE Reaffirm Commitment to Shared Values of Human Rights, Democracy
ASTANA — The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Theodoros Rousopoulos, and Chairman of the Senate, the upper house of the Kazakh Parliament, Maulen Ashimbayev, reaffirmed their commitment to the shared values of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, reported the PACE press service on April 27. The…
Kazakhstan’s Population Grows by Nearly 85,000 People in Five Months
ASTANA – Since the beginning of the year, the number of Kazakh citizens has increased by 84,636 people, according to the statement of the Bureau of National Statistics, published on June 3. As of May 1, the number of people in Kazakhstan reached 20,118,478. Of these, 12,533,471 people reside in urban areas, while 7,585,007 live…
Over Ten Low-Cost Airlines Operate Regular Flights in Kazakhstan
ASTANA – In Kazakhstan, over ten low-cost airlines operate regular flights, including Malaysia’s Air Asia X, India’s IndiGO, Kuwait’s Jazeera Airways, the United Arab Emirates’ Wizz Air Abu-Dhabi, Air Arabia, and FlyDubai, Türkiye’s Pegasus Airways, Egypt’s Air Cairo and Red Sea, Saudi Arabia’s Flynas, and Vietnam’s Vietjet Air, among others, Kazinform reported on June 3.…
Tokayev Highlights Middle Powers’ Role in Tackling Global Challenges in Euronews Article
ASTANA – Countries like Kazakhstan must step forward together with renewed vigor and assert their role not just as participants but as responsible managers in the global arena, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev wrote in the Euronews article, published on May 28. “In today’s world, marked by extraordinary geopolitical turbulence and persistent conflict, the need for multilateral…
Kazakhstan Extends Contract on Oil Supply to Germany by Year-End
ASTANA — KazMunayGas (KMG), the national oil and gas company, has extended its current agreement on oil supply from Karachaganak Petroleum Operating to an oil refinery in Schwedt, Germany, until the end of 2024, the KMG press service reported on May 21. The agreement envisages a monthly oil transportation volume of 100,000 tons. In January-April,…
SCAT Airlines Launches Astana-Prague Direct Flights
ASTANA – An opening ceremony for a new direct flight route from Astana to Prague, operated by SCAT Airlines, took place at Václav Havel Airport Prague, the Kazakh Embassy in the Czech Republic reported on May 23. The regular flights will run twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, using a Boeing 737. Kazakh Ambassador…
Kazakhstan Suspends Digital Bridge 2024 Forum
ASTANA – Following President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s directive to suspend major events due to the severe floods in Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry announced the cancellation of the international IT forum Digital Bridge 2024, which was scheduled for Sept. 5-7 in Astana, reported the ministry’s press service. This year’s spring floods…
Kazakh President Ratifies Treaty on Allied Relations with Uzbekistan
ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a law on the ratification of the treaty on allied relations with Uzbekistan on May 20, reported the Akorda press service. The treaty, signed by the Presidents on Dec. 22, 2022, in Tashkent, was ratified by the Senate, the Upper House of the Kazakh Parliament, on April 25.…
Kazakh Climbers Triumphantly Return Home After Conquering Everest
ASTANA—Kazakhstan proudly welcomed home its triumphant Everest conquerors, Maksut Zhumayev, Anar Burasheva, and Almir Kymbatbayuly, at Almaty airport on May 20, the Kazinform agency reported. The expedition, led by Maksut Zhumayev, planted the national flag of Kazakhstan atop the world’s highest peak (8,848 meters). Burasheva made history as the first Kazakh woman to conquer Everest,…
Kazakhstan, US Maintain Constructive Dialogue on Human Rights, Democratic Reforms
ASTANA – Assistant to the President of Kazakhstan for International Affairs Erzhan Kazykhan and U.S. Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya co-chaired the third meeting of the annual High-Level Dialogue on Human Rights and Democratic Reforms between Kazakhstan and the United States on May 20, reported the Foreign…
Kazakhstan to Register New Political Party
ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry of Justice confirmed the acceptance of the application for the Yntymaq political party’s registration, Vice Minister of Justice Botagoz Zhakselekova said at a May 17 briefing in the Central Communications Service, reported Kazinform. The party administration has four months to submit all the necessary documents for official registration. According to…
Kazakhstan, UAE to Cooperate in Leadership Training in Public Services
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set to collaborate in leadership training in public administration. This was announced at a meeting between Minister of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry Zhaslan Madiyev and UAE’s Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange Abdulla Nasser Lootah, who visited Kazakhstan May…
Uzbekistan to Launch New Bus Routes to Astana and Turkistan
ASTANA – Uzbekistan plans to launch new bus routes to Kazakhstan’s cities of Astana and Turkistan this year, the Uzbek Transport Ministry’s press service reported on May 13. The routes will link Bukhara to Astana, as well as Bukhara, Samarkand, and Shahrisabz to Turkistan. Currently, Uzbekistan has 196 buses operated by 32 carriers, both domestic…
German Direct Investment in Kazakhstan Hits Record $770 Million in 2023
ASTANA – Last year, German direct investment in Kazakhstan grew 64% to a record high of $770 million, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at a meeting with Chair of the Board of the Eastern Committee of the German Economy Cathrina Claas-Mühlhäuser on May 15, reported Akorda. Determining Germany as a strategic partner of Kazakhstan in the…
Dimash Kudaibergen Announces Solo Concerts in Prague and Düsseldorf
ASTANA – Kazakh singer Dimash Kudaibergen will give solo concerts in the Czech Republic and Germany this fall, DimashNews.com reported on May 13. On Nov. 22, the “Stranger” show will grace the stage at 7:30 p.m. at Sortovni Hala Fortuna in Prague. On Nov. 24 at 6:00 pm, Kudaibergen will perform at PSD Bank Dome…
Fertilizer Producer to Build Chemical Complex in Kazakhstan
ASTANA – EuroChem, a subsidiary of the Swiss fertilizer producer EuroChem Group AG, and China National Chemical Engineering Company signed a contract for the design, construction and commissioning of a chemical complex in Janatas town, the Zhambyl Region on May 14, reported the ministry’s press service. The plant for the production of mineral fertilizers will…
Almaty to Host Silk Way Music Festival Next Week
ASTANA – The Silk Way music festival will take place May 22-25 in Almaty. This was announced during a May 11 briefing at the Secretariat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Beijing, reported the SCO’s press service. SCO Deputy Secretary General Janesh Kane highlighted Kazakhstan’s substantial contribution to the development of cultural and humanitarian…
Kazakhstan’s E-Commerce Surges by 79% in 2023
ASTANA – Sales volume in the e-commerce market in 2023 reached 2.4 trillion tenge ($5.3 billion) according to a study by Strategy&, a subsidiary of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). This is 79% more than in 2022. The Digital Kazakhstan Association and second-tier banks, including Kaspi, provided data for the report.kz, Halyk Market and Forte Market. E-commerce comprised…
Kazakhstan, Türkiye Simplify Goods Transportation
ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev officially ratified an agreement on international combined transport of goods between Kazakhstan and Türkiye on May 6, Akorda press service reported. The newly signed law on ratifying the agreement between the government of Kazakhstan and the government of Türkiye on international combined transport of goods signifies a milestone in the…
President Tokayev Approves Legislation to Enhance Science and Education
ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed the law “On introducing amendments and additions to some legislative acts of Kazakhstan on issues of science and education,” the press service of Akorda reported on May 6. The first block of amendments focuses on bolstering the financial well-being of educators and researchers across Kazakhstan. An increased monthly salary…
Netflix to Film Reality Travel Show in Almaty
ASTANA – Global streaming platform Netflix will shoot a reality travel show in Almaty from May 20 to 30, reported the city administration’s press service. Having opted for Almaty’s beautiful mountains, Netflix, a key player in the global entertainment industry, aims to capture the authenticity of nature in the Kyrgyz Republic as well. According to…
Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan, Armenia to Meet in Almaty This Week
ASTANA – The foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia will meet in Almaty on May 10 for peace treaty negotiations, Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson reported on May 6. The talks will take place in Kazakhstan’s largest city in accordance with previously reached agreements. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev suggested providing a platform for peace treaty negotiations during…
