Articles by Staff report

Amazon Prime to Film Travel Show in Almaty

ASTANA – Amazon Prime’s Travel by Dart show will film its next adventure in Almaty, the show’s press service reported on April 5 on its Instagram page. Travel by Dart is an inspirational show of Sorin Mihailovici, an adventurer who throws darts at the world map and travels wherever they land. With over 400 million…

Pope Francis Asks to Pray for Flood Victims in Kazakhstan

ASTANA — Pope Francis urged prayers for those affected by the devastating flooding in Kazakhstan during his General Audience on April 10, according to Vatican News. “I wish to convey to the people of Kazakhstan my spiritual closeness at this time,” he said. “I invite everyone to pray for all who are suffering the effects…

EU Stands in Solidarity with Kazakhstan in Aftermath of Devastating Floods

ASTANA – The Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Kazakhstan expressed solidarity in the wake of the recent devastating floods, extending wishes for a swift recovery to the Kazakh people on April 9, reported the delegation’s press service on their Facebook page. With the EU’s full support, the International Science and Technology Center assists…

Number of Foreign Tourists in Almaty Exceeds Pre-Pandemic Level

ASTANA – Last year, 2,038,417 people visited Almaty, which is 12.6% more than in 2022 and 52.7% higher than in pre-pandemic levels in 2019, the city administration’s press service reported on April 4, citing the Bureau of National Statistics. The number of foreign tourists increased 29.5% to 540,744 people, making Almaty a leader among other…

UK Tour Operators Report Rising Tour Sales to Kazakhstan Ahead of  World Nomad Games 

ASTANA – Tour companies of the United Kingdom announced sold-out tours to Kazakhstan with a visit to the World Nomad Games, which will take place in September in the Kazakh capital, reported the Kazakh Tourism national company on April 4. Regent Holidays travel company has sold out tours, while another operator Wild Frontiers has half…

Turkistan Region to Get First Harvest of Bananas This Summer

ASTANA—Gen Group Kazakstan, a greenhouse farm in the Turkistan Region, will harvest its first bananas in early summer, Kazinform reported on April 3. Last summer, the greenhouse farm planted 7,400 banana tree seedlings on an area of 5.3 hectares in the Sairam district. The fruit is grown using Turkish technology. According to Gen Group Kazakstan,…

Direct Flight Links Dushanbe and Astana, Boosting Regional Connectivity

ASTANA – Tajikistan’s national air carrier Somon Air launched a direct regular flight between Dushanbe and Astana on April 2, reported the Civil Aviation Committee’s press service. Flights between the capitals of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan will be operated twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays on a B-737 aircraft. Kazakh Ambassador to Tajikistan Valikhan Turekhanov…

Central Asia – China Secretariat Launches in Xian

ASTANA – Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Bakayev attended the Central Asia – China Secretariat opening ceremony on March 30 in Xian, which was chosen as the location for its headquarters, reported the Foreign Ministry’s press service. Bakayev highlighted the importance of the secretariat’s establishment in close collaboration and regional policy, recalling that the corresponding…

Kazakhstan Chooses Uniform for 2024 Paris Olympics

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Sports Development Directorate has chosen design concepts for the parade attire, sports uniforms and equipment of the national team set to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Sports and Physical Culture Committee of the Kazakh Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported on March 29. The selection follows an open competition to…

Trade, Economic Talks Between Kazakhstan and US Advance in Washington

ASTANA — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu engaged in discussions with the United States (US) Trade Representative Katherine Tai during his official visit to Washington on March 26, the ministry’s press service reported. Nurtleu highlighted the key priorities of Kazakhstan’s new government, emphasizing the current trajectory of trade…

Kazakh Team Triumphs at Singapore FIRST Championship 2024

ASTANA – The Ro-Alemi team from the Abai Region clinched the championship title in the Singapore FIRST Championship 2024, held from March 14 to 16, reported the regional administration’s press office.   The team scored 540 points in a game featuring robots with a challenging point threshold. In addition to securing victory in the Robot…

President Tokayev Affirms Continued Growth in Kazakh-American Cooperation

ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted the traditionally high dynamics of Kazakh-American cooperation at a March 26 meeting with United States (US) Senator Steve Daines in Astana, reported the Akorda press service. The President emphasized the important role of parliamentary diplomacy in fostering bilateral relations. He underscored Kazakhstan’s focus on attracting investment, economic liberalization, and…

Kazakhstan’s Expenditure on IT Services Reaches $2.4 Billion in 2023

ASTANA – The volume of IT services provided in computer programming, consulting, and related services reached 1.1 trillion tenge ($2.4 billion) in 2023, marking a 41.1% increase compared to the previous year, Finprom.kz reported on March 20. In the same period last year, services in the sector increased by 54.8% to 777.2 billion tenge ($1.7…

Kazakh Peacekeepers Complete First Exercise in Golan Heights

ASTANA — The rapid reaction forces of the Kazakh peacekeeping company operating in the Golan Heights conducted their first joint medical evacuation training with the Irish counterparts on March 20, the Kazakh Defense Ministry’s press service reported. Upon receiving the signal, the unit swiftly mobilized to a lookout post located several kilometers away from the…

Radio Stations Worldwide Congratulate Kazakhs on Nauryz Holiday

ASTANA — For the first time, radio stations across five continents congratulated people in Kazakhstan on the Nauryz holiday by playing joyful Kazakh kuis (traditional music), the Foreign Ministry’s press service reported on March 20. Stations broadcast the majestic sounds of the dombyra, performed by the Kurmangazy orchestra, immersing listeners in the atmosphere of Nauryz’s…

Assembly of People of Kazakhstan to Convene in April

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree convening the next 33d session of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan on April 24-25, reported the Akorda press service. The session under the agenda Unity. Creation. Progress will take place at the Presidential Center in Astana. The last 32nd session focused on principles of coexistence…

EBRD Finances Kazakh Municipal Project, Salt Production Facility

ASTANA – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is helping to address pressing water treatment and environmental issues in Kazakhstan’s fourth-largest municipality, Aktobe, by financing the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant and associated infrastructure, reported the bank’s press service on March 18. The bank is extending a sovereign loan of up…

President Tokayev Meets Creative Leaders, Emphasizes Economic Potential

ASTANA – Following his recent emphasis on creativity and innovation for societal progress, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev convened with representatives from Kazakhstan’s creative sector on March 18, reported the Akorda press service. During this gathering, he was acquainted with diverse, thriving domestic endeavors spanning music, social media, film production, artificial intelligence, and e-sports. This meeting echoes…

Tokayev Focuses on Kazakhstan’s Commitment to Defending National Interests and Sovereignty

ASTANA – Kazakhstan as a nation and a responsible member of the international community, must consistently stand prepared to defend national interests, sovereignty, and independence, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in his address on March 15 at the National Kurultai in Atyrau. Tokayev noted this holds particular relevance today, with the growing trend worldwide to prioritize…

Almaty Hosts Inaugural B5+1 Business Forum

ASTANA – Almaty hosted the inaugural B5+1 format forum with the participation of government and business community officials of the United States and Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan on March 14-15, reported the forum’s press service on March 15. The two-day forum prioritized accelerated regional cooperation, improved connectivity,…

Kazakh Peacekeepers Embark on UN Mission from Almaty

ASTANA – Kazakhstan hosted the send-off ceremony of the peacekeeping contingent to the Golan Heights under the United Nations (UN) in the Park of the 28 Panfilov Guardsmen in Almaty on March 14, reported the Kazakh Defense Ministry’s press service. “This is a huge honor for us, as not every country is able to train…

President Tokayev Congratulates Kazakhstan on Amal Holiday

ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated Kazakh citizens on the eve of Nauryz – the Amal holiday or the Day of Greeting, on his X account on March 14. “Congratulations to everyone on the arrival of Nauryz – Amal holiday! Its celebration is an age-old tradition that revives ancient folk customs and is an integral…

Kazakh Boxers Secure Five Tickets to 2024 Paris Olympics

ASTANA—The Kazakh national boxing team of 11 boxers, both men and women, clinched five coveted tickets to the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics at a March 11 world-licensed boxing tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy, the press service of the Kazakh Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported. Among the standout performers, Saken Bibosynov (51 kg), a bronze…

AIFC Participants Get Wider Access to Kazakhstan’s Financial Market

ASTANA – The list of financial services that participants of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) can provide to Kazakhstan residents has been expanded, reported the AIFC press service on Feb. 26. The National Bank, the Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market and the AIFC agreed on the relevant changes and additions…

Kazakhstan Opens National Pavilion at Mining Convention in Toronto

ASTANA – Kazakh Minister of Industry and Construction Kanat Sharlapaev took part in the opening of the national pavilion at the 2024 Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) International Convention in Toronto on March 4, reported the ministry’s press service. The PDAC conference, a leading international event in geological exploration and mineral development, annually…