Articles by Zhanna Shayakhmetova

AIFC Tech Hub Unveils Startup Ecosystem of Kazakhstan Report

NUR-SULTAN – The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Tech Hub released the “Fintech Startup Landscape in Kazakhstan” report, the first study of Kazakhstan’s startup ecosystem, according to the press service of the AIFC. The AIFC Tech Hub was created to unite global start-ups, entrepreneurs, corporations, investors, experts, and specialists in the field of innovation. The…

S&P Global Ratings Affirms Kazakhstan’s Sovereign Credit Ratings at Stable Outlook

NUR-SULTAN – The S&P Global Ratings international rating agency affirmed the sovereign credit rating of Kazakhstan at the level of stable outlook. This year, the sustained fiscal policies and expectations of economic recovery were the main factors for determining the credit rating, according to the agency. In 2020, fiscal support measures from the government became…

In Focus: President Tokayev’s Address to Nation Sets Goals for Long Term Development of Kazakhstan

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh political analysts have observed that the initiatives and instructions laid out in President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s Sept. 1 address-to-the-nation clearly outline the key priorities for further socio-economic development of the country. According to the experts, the implementation of this plan will further increase the stability and competitiveness of the economy, prosperity and improve…

Kazakhstan Shows Increase in Net FDI Among Transition Economies in UNCTAD World Investment Report

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan showed an increase in net foreign direct investment (FDI) compared to 17 countries with transition economies and 34 landlocked countries, according to the World Investment Report compiled by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). It is reported that the FDI flows to the transition economies of South-East Europe, the…

Interview: Atyrau Region Generates Most of Industrial Goods

NUR-SULTAN – The Atyrau region contributes 88 percent of industrial products and attracts approximately 30 percent of investments to Kazakhstan, said Kanysh Mambetov, acting head of the Department of Entrepreneurship, Industrial and Innovative Development of the Atyrau region. “The first large investment projects were implemented in the Atyrau region. This impacted the economic and energy…

Foreign Investors’ Council Focuses on Further Development and Increase of Investment Attractiveness of Oil and Gas Industry

NUR-SULTAN – Increasing the investment attractiveness of the oil and gas sector was discussed at the working meeting of the Foreign Investors’ Council (FIC), which was held in video format on Aug. 26.  President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that the oil and gas sector has always played a major role in the country’s development. The industry…

UNAMA, UN Agencies Accredited in Afghanistan Temporarily Relocated to Almaty, Kazakhstan

NUR-SULTAN – The group of personnel of the United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA) and of other UN agencies accredited in Afghanistan have been temporarily relocated to Almaty, reported the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  The first flight with UNAMA personnel landed at the Almaty airport on Aug.18. The newly arrived persons are international…

Moody’s Investors Service Upgrades Kazakhstan’s Rating to ‘Stable’

NUR-SULTAN – Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) report upgraded Kazakhstan’s rating outlook to stable from positive on Aug. 11.  “The decision to upgrade the ratings is driven by Moody’s assessment that Kazakhstan’s sovereign balance sheet and credit profile demonstrates resilience that is consistent with peers at the Baa2 rating level,” reads the release.  It is expected…

President Tokayev Congratulates Olympic Athletes

NUR-SULTAN – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated the athletes who took part in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Eight athletes won bronze medals and the country took 83rd position in the team classification. Overall, 97 athletes in 27 sports represented Kazakhstan at the Olympics.  “I thank the athletes who showed their skills and their will…

Kazakhstan Provides Assistance to Turkey in Fight Against Forest Fires

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan dispatched two Mi-8 AMT helicopters and a task force of 16 rescuers to Turkey to assist in extinguishing forest fires, according to the Kazakh Ministry of Emergency Situations.  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey expressed thanks to Kazakhstan for showing solidarity and support in extinguishing forest fires. “Thank you to our…

Kazakh President Takes Part in Consultative Meeting of Heads of Central Asian Countries in Turkmenistan

NUR-SULTAN – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called on the leaders of the Central Asian countries to work together “to make the region a stable, economically developed and prosperous” at the third Consultative Meeting of the Heads of Central Asian countries, which was held on Aug. 6 at Turkmenistan’s Awaza resort on the Caspian Sea. The consultative…

Kazakhstan’s Population Reaches 19 Million

NUR-SULTAN – The population of Kazakhstan has reached 19 million people. This was announced by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Aug.3.  “In the year of the 30th anniversary of Independence, the population of Kazakhstan reached a historic milestone. Zhaniya Azamatkyzy from the Almaty region became Kazakhstan’s 19-millionth citizen. The girl is the fourth child in her…

Domestic Airlines Carry Nearly 4 million Passengers in First Half of 2021

NUR-SULTAN – Domestic airlines carried nearly 4 million passengers in the first half of 2021, on Aug. 2 the press service of the Kazakh Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development reported. The country observed a significant decrease in the number of passenger traffic a year earlier due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, domestic airlines…

Zhambyl Region Observes Increase in Investment Activity, Identifies Priority Projects For Foreign Participation

NUR-SULTAN – Aspandiyar Seisebayev, the head of the regional department of entrepreneurship and industrial-innovative development, in an interview for The Astana Times spoke about the competitive advantages of the Zhambyl region and its investment projects. The Zhambyl region observed high investment activity in the first half of 2021 against the backdrop of eased restrictions, according…

Citi Remains Positive About Prospects For Business in Kazakhstan, Says Citi CEO For EMEA

NUR-SULTAN – David Livingstone, Chief Executive Officer in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at Citi, in an exclusive interview with The Astana Times, spoke about the bank’s activities in the region and how the pandemic is affecting the economies around the world.  Citi is one of the largest foreign investors in Kazakhstan and is…

Small Steps, Big Changes: How Kazakh Entrepreneurs Can Contribute to Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Protection (Video)

NUR-SULTAN – Creating a feeling of respect for biodiversity and ecosystem development are seen as one of the major challenges of conservation. In this light, increasing green business opportunities are essential for any nation. In Kazakhstan, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with the support of the Global Environment Facility has been implementing major initiatives…

Kazakhstan is Ready to Provide its Own COVID-19 Vaccine to OIC Member States after WHO’s Approval, says Tokayev at OIC Summit on Science and Technology

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan will provide its QazVac vaccine to the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and consider its production in other OIC nations to boost cooperation in science, technology and innovation within the organization, said Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the second OIC Summit on Science and Technology held on June…

Kazakhstan Achieves Major Results in Protecting Rights of Refugees and Asylum Seekers, Says UNHCR Representative in Central Asia

NUR-SULTAN – World Refugee Day, annually celebrated on June 20, is an international day initiated by the United Nations (UN) to honor refugees around the globe. To mark World Refugee Day 2021, The Astana Times spoke with Hans F. Schodder, Representative of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, for Central Asia, to learn about  the organization’s activities and…

More International Destinations Open Up to Kazakh Travelers

NUR-SULTAN – The Polish airline LOT Polish Airlines has resumed its flights between Warsaw and Nur-Sultan from June 10 with a frequency of one flight per week, according to the Kazakh Civil Aviation Committee.  Warsaw Chopin Airport is included in the group of the so-called transfer airports suitable for quick and smooth handling of passengers…

Construction of Gas Processing Plant Kicks Off at Kashagan Oilfield

NUR-SULTAN – The gas processing plant will be built at Kashagan oilfield, PrimeMinister.kz reported on June 8. This was announced during the working visit of Kazakh Prime Minister Askar Mamin to the Atyrau region. The capacity of the plant is expected to reach up to 1 billion cubic meters of raw sulfur gas per year.…

Kazakh Government to Focus on Inclusive Environment, Education

NUR-SULTAN – The rights and protection of people with disabilities is one of the most important tasks of the country.  According to the Ministry of Healthcare, there are about 705,000 people with special needs including 94,000 children in Kazakhstan. Some 37 centers for adults and 23 for children with disabilities operate nationwide. Overall, more than…

West Kazakhstan Region Offers Well-Developed Infrastructure and Benefit for Investors

NUR-SULTAN – The West Kazakhstan region observed positive trends in all main socio-economic indicators by the end of 2020. The region has been implementing major projects in attracting investments, manufacturing industrial products, agriculture and the creation of workplaces.  The Astana Times spoke with First Deputy Mayor of the West Kazakhstan region Mukhtar Mankeyev to learn…

Development Bank of Kazakhstan Celebrates its 20th Anniversary with Major Achievements in Non-Resource Financing

NUR-SULTAN – This year, the Development Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK), the national financial institution, is celebrating its 20th anniversary, which coincided with the 30th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s independence.  The bank has been involved in launching the strategic projects, which are supposed to be key drivers of the national economy. These are projects in mechanical engineering,…

Kazakhstan Celebrates Day of National Symbols

NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan is celebrating the Day of State Symbols on June 4.  The national symbols are one of the main symbols of the country, which embody its identity and sovereignty. In Kazakhstan, the state symbols are the flag, the emblem and the national anthem. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated the nation on this day…

Government Presents Plan on Socio-Economic Development of Turkistan Region for 2021-2025

NUR-SULTAN – The plan on socio-economic development of the Turkistan region for 2021-2025 was presented at the June 1 government meeting headed by Prime Minister Askar Mamin.  The Ministry of the National Economy in cooperation with the executive bodies identified the projects with high potential of direct and indirect impact on the socio-economic development of…