Astana prepares rich cultural programme as EXPO 2017 passes halfway point
ASTANA – EXPO 2017 may have passed its halfway point, but there are still numerous opportunities to enjoy the exhibition. A rich cultural programme of concerts and theatre performances in August and early September awaits capital residents and visitors, offering everyone a chance to get the most out of the expo. Limp Bizkit fans should…
Moody’s Investors Service report upgrades Kazakhstan to ‘stable’
ASTANA – Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) report recently changed Kazakhstan’s rating outlook from ‘negative’ to ‘stable’. In addition, Moody’s confirmed the issue and senior unsecured ratings as well as senior unsecured medium-term note (MTN) rating of Kazakhstan at Baa3. The Baa3 credit rating includes such strengths as a relative large size of the economy, high…
Institutional reforms have improved public services access, transparency, says government official
ASTANA – Implementation of institutional reforms under the 100 Concrete Steps programme outlined by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev in 2015 have increased the transparency of and access to public services, asserted Kazakh Minister of Information and Communication Dauren Abayev and Chairman of Government for the Citizens State Corporation Ablaikhan Ospanov, during a July 27 briefing…
Kazakh high schooler wins gold at International Mathematical Olympiad
ASTANA – Kazakh high school student Amir Mokhammed-Ali won gold at the 58th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), held July 12-23 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, according to Tengrinews. The championship brought together 615 young talents from 111 countries. Mokhammed-Ali, who lives in Pavlodar city in northern Kazakhstan, also captured gold at last year’s IMO in…
1,200 musicians perform Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 at Astana Opera
ASTANA – Approximately 1,200 musicians performing Austrian Gustav Mahler’s famous Symphony No. 8 led by Astana Opera chief and world-famous conductor Alan Buribayev made a splash July 21 at the Astana Opera House. After the performance, the audience exploded in applause that lasted for more than 20 minutes. Symphony No. 8, also known as “A…
EIB provides Kazakhstan half $1 billion clean energy financing over last five years
ASTANA – The European Investment Bank (EIB) provided more than 500 million euros in loans to Kazakhstan for its renewable and clean energy initiatives over the last five years, EIB Secretary General Klaus Trömel reported July 24 as he addressed participants of the Future Energy Forum in Astana. With 25 percent of the lending portfolio…
Seventy percent of civil servants support increasing meritocracy
ASTANA – More than 70 percent of Kazakh civil servants support increasing meritocracy in the country’s civil service, Deputy Chair of Kazakhstan’s Civil Service Affairs and Anti-Corruption Agency Aigul Shaimova told a July 20 briefing, citing an analysis conducted by the agency. A comprehensive set of reforms aimed at enhancing the country’s civil service is…
1,200 musicians to perform Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 at Astana Opera
ASTANA – The capital is offering the public an opportunity to enjoy a concert at the Astana Opera House July 21 featuring Austrian Gustav Mahler’s famous Symphony No. 8. The concert is particularly unique, as 1,200 musicians will appear on the stage to present the composition. Symphony No. 8, also known as A Symphony of…
Hollywood stars to arrive in Astana for Eurasia Film Festival
ASTANA – Astana will welcome Hollywood stars for the 13th International Eurasia Film Festival to take place in Kazakhstan’s capital July 22-28. Nicolas Cage, John Malkovich, Adrien Brody, Bai Ling and a well-known producer Marko Mueller will visit Astana to take part in the festival, noted festival organisers. “Eurasia is the largest film forum in…
Astana Taxi launches at new Nurly Zhol train station
ASTANA – Visitors and residents arriving at a new Nurly Zhol train station in Astana can now use Astana Taxi services right at the train station to get to any part of the city. “The taxi service now has 350 cars. I think it is very convenient for passengers because they can order a taxi…
Astana to host SCO and CICA International Athletics Marathon
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, will host Aug. 27 the International Athletics Marathon of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA). The large-scale race is part of the celebrations of SCO Day at EXPO 2017. The presentation of the upcoming marathon took place July 10…
Kazakhstan, China ink $160 million in agricultural agreements
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and China signed $160 million in agreements July 11 during the Kazakh-Chinese Agriculture Investment Forum held as part of a two-day visit to the capital by Chinese Minister of Agriculture Han Changfu at the invitation of the Kazakh Agriculture Ministry. The forum brought together more than 100 business, education and science representatives…
Air Astana presents documentary about Kazakhs living abroad
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national flag carrier Air Astana presented July 6 the documentary “Air Astana: Connecting Destinies” that captures the lives of Kazakhs living abroad. The premiere coincided with Astana Day and 15th anniversary of Air Astana, noted Air Astana President Peter Foster. “Now we are at the middle of international exhibition EXPO 2017, which…
Astana celebrates 19th birthday
ASTANA – A variety of cultural events took place July 6 in Astana as the capital celebrated its 19th birthday. Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev kicked off July 4 the celebrations in the capital during a flag raising ceremony. Astana plays a key role in the history of independent Kazakhstan, noted the President. “Astana is a…
Samruk Kazyna ranks among world’s most transparent sovereign wealth funds
ASTANA – Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund is one of the world’s 20 most transparent sovereign wealth funds, according to the U.S.-based Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute, a global organisation that studies sovereign wealth funds, central banks and other long-term public investors. With $67.4 billion in assets under management, state-owned Samruk Kazyna received the maximum ten…
Kazakh Senate elections fair and transparent, say international observers
ASTANA – Sixteen senators representing 14 regions as well as Astana and Almaty were elected June 28 to the upper chamber of the Kazakh Parliament in elections which international observers deemed fair and transparent. The Central Election Commission (CEC) announced the results the following day. “Based on the protocols compiled by the election commissions in…
Ancient Egyptian artefact exhibit opens in Astana
ASTANA – An exhibit featuring the Tutankhamun collection and artefacts of ancient Egypt opened June 24 at the National Museum of Kazakhstan, giving locals and guests the chance to acquaint themselves with the northern African nation’s rich history. The display is timed with EXPO 2017. Kazakh Deputy Minister of Culture and Sports Aktoty Raiymkulova was…
Air Astana named Best Airline in Central Asia and India
ASTANA – Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s national carrier, won the Best Airline in Central Asia and India award at the June 20 Skytrax World Airline Awards at the Le Bourget Air Show in Paris. The airline is celebrating the award for the sixth successive year. Air Astana is the nation’s largest airline, with state-owned Samruk Kazyna…
Astana moving closer to becoming smart city
ASTANA – The idea of smart cities is gaining ground around the world, and specifically in Kazakhstan, which intends to keep up with the trend. With the capital’s intention to enter the world’s top 50 smart communities, the city is working hard to achieve the goal. Smart cities merge digital innovations and the physical world…
Nazarbayev opens World Kurultai of Kazakhs in Astana
ASTANA – Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev opened June 23 the fifth World Kurultai of Kazakhs in Astana, which takes place in the capital within the framework of EXPO 2017. Nearly 850 delegates and guests, including 350 ethnic Kazakhs from 39 countries, arrived in Astana to take part. “I want to address Kazakhs from the rostrum…
Kazakh Foreign Investors Council discusses future energy in Astana
ASTANA – The 30th plenary session of the Foreign Investors Council under the President of Kazakhstan took place June 22 in Astana, bringing nearly 300 participants to the capital, including top executives of world’s leading companies in various fields. Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev chaired the session devoted this year to Future Energy, which coincides with…
Akan Satayev’s film named Best Feature Film at New York Eurasian Film Festival
ASTANA – “Road to Mother” directed by Akan Satayev won the Best Feature Film award at the June 16-18 fifth New York Eurasian Film Festival. The competition brought together 33 films from 18 countries. “I am pleased to announce that our film “Road to Mother” was named best feature film at New York Eurasian Film…
Hermitage collection of arms to be presented in Astana
ASTANA – Astana residents and visitors will have the opportunity to explore the country’s rich history of arms when the Hermitage collection of arms opens July 3 at the National Museum of Kazakhstan. The event is organised within the framework of EXPO 2017 and will last until the end of the exhibition Sept. 10. Its…
Astana hosts Second Preparatory Meeting of OSCE Environmental and Economic Forum
ASTANA – The second preparatory meeting of the 25th Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Economic and Environmental Forum took place June 14-16 in Astana and concluded with recommendations for participating states before the final meeting scheduled for September in Prague. Representatives of 57 participating states of the OSCE, nongovernmental organisations, academic circles…
Polish delegation meets Kazakh State Secretary, opens exhibition
ASTANA – A delegation from Poland is on a three-day visit to Kazakhstan to visit EXPO 2017 and celebrate the June 17 Day of Poles. Headed by Deputy Senate Marshal Maria Koc, the delegation met with Kazakh State Secretary Gulshara Abdykalikova June 15 and unveiled the exhibition dedicated to Polish army commander Gen. Wladyslaw Anders.…
