Justice Ministry amends administrative code to humanise laws
ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry of Justice, in cooperation with non-governmental organisations and the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, has developed a draft law “On introducing amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences,” Justice Minister Marat Beketayev announced at a Feb. 10 enlarged board meeting devoted to the results of 2016 and priorities for 2017.…
Kaznex Invest reveals top four sectors for international investors
ASTANA – Kaznex Invest national export and investment agency and leading global strategic management consulting firm McKinsey & Company have determined the four most attractive sectors for foreign investors in short and medium terms, said Kaznex Invest Chairperson Borisbiy Zhangurazov on his Facebook page Feb. 10. The areas are food manufacturing, the chemical industry, machinery…
Full moon, penumbral lunar eclipse expected this weekend
ASTANA – The Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon for the first time this year on Feb. 11. According to Associate Professor of Astronomy at Kozybayev North Kazakhstan State University Andrei Solodovnik, the February eclipse is of the penumbral type, which is very difficult to detect, tengrinews.kz reports. “Lunar eclipses are among…
Officials Discuss Developing Nomadic Tourism, Other Challenges at Tourism Conference
ASTANA – Tourism officials discussed ways to boost domestic tourism, including promoting nomadic tourism, environmental tourism and working in conjunction with the government, during a Feb. 1 tourism development meeting. “These two types of tourism (nomadic and environmental tourism) need more support from the state, although they are among the most popular and promising trends…
Astana Opera to Premiere Kazakh Masterpiece ‘Kyz Zhibek’
ASTANA – Astana Opera will premiere their production of “Kyz Zhibek” by Yevgeny Brusilovsky Feb. 10-11, the theatre has announced. After “Kyz Zhibek” was released as a film in 1970, the legend of love between two young hearts became widely known. But the tale, preserved in a folk poem about a Kazakh girl, was first…
Almaty Man Travels World with Little Money, Lots of Enthusiasm
ASTANA – Forty-five-year old Umarzhan Urakhunov returned to Kazakhstan Jan. 24 after an epic round-the-world tour lasting five months. The Almaty resident set a goal to set foot on all seven continents and visit African tribes, having only three visas and knowing nothing of foreign languages. The Astana Times interviewed the enthusiastic traveller about his…
Kazakh Economy Saw Sharp Increase in Chinese Investment in 2016
ASTANA – The inflow of direct Chinese investment in the economy of Kazakhstan amounted to $623.9 million between January and September last year, seven times higher than in 2015, finprom.kz reports. However, the reverse trade activity continues to fall. Gross outflows from Kazakhstan to China decreased 3 percent to $41.1 million in the reporting period.…
Kazakh Fashion Designers Launch Country’s First Clothing Line for People with Special Needs
ASTANA – The Light Industry Enterprises Association has released its first collection of clothing for people with special needs in partnership with the Ministry of Healthcare as part of the Adaptive Clothing and Shoes project. “Prior to the designing and production of clothes, we conducted a survey among people with limited abilities to determine their…
Syrian Peace Talks Open in Astana, Focus on Strengthening Cease-Fire
ASTANA – Two days of international talks in Astana to extend the cease-fire in Syria brokered Dec. 29 by Russia and Turkey opened Jan. 23. The talks are expected to pave the way for Feb. 8 negotiations in Geneva under the UN auspices. Monday’s meeting is the largest gathering to date in terms of parties…
Citizens’ Registration Law Draws Controversy, Confusion
ASTANA – Amendments to migration legislation on citizens’ temporary registration entered into force this month in Kazakhstan, evoking disputes among the population all over the country. New rules are supposed to tighten laws against terrorism. According to Galina Sarsenova, deputy head of the Migration Police Department, the absence of registration may result in the issuing…
Nordic Walking Offers Great Health Benefits, Says Instructor
ASTANA – Nordic Walking, started in Finland, is drawing attention as a sport suitable for people of all ages who enjoy being outdoors. Three years ago, Almaty resident Maxim Proshchenko founded Eurasia, a Nordic Walking school certified by Nordic Walking International (NWI) headquartered in Germany. The school currently has instructors in the Kazakh capital, Karaganda,…
KazAgroFinance Seeks to Grow Agricultural Technology, Production
ASTANA – Investment in Kazakh agriculture increased 50 percent in 2016 totalling 228 billion tenge (US$686.96 million) compared to 148 billion tenge (US$445.92 million) a year earlier. According to General Manager of Assets of the Inspection Department at KazAgroFinance Tuleugazy Seisenov, the state constantly allocates significant funds to support agriculture. The government subsidises projects, provides…
Army Athletes to Compete at Winter Universiade
ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry of Defence recently reported on the results of the Autumn 2016 Recruiting Campaign, which was distinguished by a qualitative growth in conscripts. The young recruits underwent examinations in several areas. In particular, attention was focused on the health, mental and emotional readiness of young soldiers and level of their education.…
Independent Young Filmmaker Unveils First Sports Drama, Seeks to Inspire Young Kazakhs
ASTANA – When life gets rough, people need some motivation to keep up with their goals. Twenty-seven-year-old screenwriter and director Turar Davilbekov is going to bring some of that motivation into Kazakh cinematography releasing his first full-length film “Bystree Sebya” (Faster than Myself) about perseverance and willpower. The Astana Times interviewed the young creative from…
Dombra Cover of Metallica Song Strikes Chord with Kazakh Public
ASTANA – Twenty-nine-year-old Almaty resident Gleb Ponomaryov recently released a dombra cover and video of Metallica’s “Battery,” which has sparked a great interest among internet users gaining almost 40,000 views in a few days. “As an old fan of the Metallica band, I always wanted to do a cover of one of their songs. I…
‘Worthy Citizen of Kazakhstan’ Winners Receive Apartments from Bi Group
ASTANA – Citizens of Kazakhstan chose not one, but two of their countrymen to win the “Worthy Citizen of Kazakhstan” award in transparent online voting held from Nov. 15 to Dec. 25. Two candidates, Murat Kabylbayev and Marina Cheishvili, received the most votes in the project organised by BI Group, the largest investment and construction…
Kasietty Zhol Public Foundation: Inspiring Mission to Help Kids
ASTANA – The Kasietty Zhol (Sacred Path) Public Foundation was established in 2009 to provide charitable assistance to children from underprivileged families, orphanages and children’s homes. Director Gulmira Abeldinova believes children have great capabilities; they only need a little help. In an interview with The Astana Times, she talked about the foundation’s activities, goals and…
Winter Charity Ball Raises more than $60,640 for Children with Special Needs
ASTANA – The Winter Charity Ball, held traditionally in the Radisson Hotel Astana, is an enchanting event that brings together capital residents empathetic toward social problems affecting children. Bolashak Corporate Fund, with the support of the hotel and major companies, hosted the ninth annual ball Dec. 22 and raised more than 20 million tenge (US$60,640). …
Karaganda Motorcyclist to Start her First Long-Distance Journey
ASTANA – Karaganda resident Yuliya Ivanova is soon planning to embark on her first long-distance motorcycle ride. A group of experienced motorcyclists from the Russian city of Tyumen will accompany her. “This upcoming motorcycle ride will be a new experience for me. I am planning to cover 5,500 kilometres by motorcycle with my Russian friends.…
Kostanai Named Kazakhstan’s Cleanest City
ASTANA – Kostanai was named the cleanest city in the country while residents of Temirtau, Ust-Kamenogorsk and Semey complain the most about smog caused by industries, according to recent research conducted to reveal the cleanest city in Kazakhstan. People in Kazakhstan evaluated the quality of life in their cities on a scale from one to…
Kazakh Students Rank Higher Than U.S., Germany in Math and Science
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s school students have demonstrated high mathematics and science scores in the international assessment of knowledge. According to the results of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) released at the end of November, Kazakhstan’s 13 and 14-year-old students showed excellent knowledge in science achievements taking eighth place and students aged…
WWF to Back Kazakhstan in Reviving Turanian Tiger
ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture announced the launch of a project to revive the Caspian, also known as the Turanian tiger population, in the country. A team of specialists will soon be created to begin the task, reported Today.kz. “Following the meeting with Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Kazakhstan Yerlan Nyssanbayev held Nov.…
Astana’s Largest Ice Town to Open Near Khan Shatyr
ASTANA – Ice slides and frozen sculptures of popular characters are beginning to appear in Astana ahead of the New Year’s celebration. The city’s largest ice town is set to welcome residents and guests near the Khan Shatyr Mall Dec. 19. The area near the mall will also hold an ice rink, a variety of…
Philanthropist Taps Kazakhs’ Friendly Spirit, Desire to Help
ASTANA – Gulmira Abdrasheva has made her commitment to helping people from all across the country a reality by creating the Club Dobryakov Astana (Astana Club of Kind Souls). A great desire to save lives, improve people’s health and relieve fellow citizens in misfortune motivated her to launch the project. “A few years ago, I…
Membership in UNSC: Responding to Threats to International Peace and Security
ASTANA – Kazakh professors and legal researchers talked about challenges and opportunities for Kazakhstan’s participation in international organisations at a Dec. 3 roundtable devoted to the 25th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s Independence and election of Kazakhstan for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council. “Membership in the UN Security Council is both honourable and…
