Entrepreneurial programme to fund more than 14,000 projects
ASTANA – Kazakh Minister of National Economy Timur Suleimenov spoke about new measures of government support for entrepreneurs and steps to increase business activity at the March 27 governmental hour in the Mazhilis. Thousands of businesses will receive funding and collateral. “The programme for the development of productive employment and mass entrepreneurship creates the conditions…
EAEU works on common exchange space for oil products
ASTANA – The issues of organising the exchange trade of oil and oil products under the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) developing programme to form common oil and oil products markets were discussed at a meeting of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) advisory committee working group for oil and gas, according to the EEC press service.…
Kazakh feminists have something to say
ASTANA – On the recent March 8 International Women’s Day, the Kazakh media exploded with the news that Kazakh feminists were marching in Almaty. Comment sections were filled with different opinions and views. Undoubtedly, KazFem, the group that organised the rally, has shown that feminists have something to say. “We wanted to celebrate March 8…
Kazakhstan to modernise hundreds of post offices
ASTANA – A new, modernised post office was officially opened in Almaty March 16, the fourth such upgraded post office in the city. Fourteen more are set to be completed soon. A total of 400 post offices in 197 localities in Kazakhstan will be put through a modernisation programme, according to the website of Kazpost,…
British expert visits KTZ to share experience within IOSH-EBRD project
ASTANA – Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the nation’s state-owned railway and logistics operator, is exchanging experience with the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), the British-based organisation for health and safety professionals. Railway group chair Keith Morey spent a week in the capital to see how KTZ protects its workforce and ensures exchange experience…
UNICEF Innovation Laboratory Opens in Almaty
ASTANA – The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has opened a laboratory aimed at improving the quality of life of children through the development and integration of information technology solutions. The Innovation Laboratory, which opened in Almaty, is the first such laboratory in the Commonwealth of the Independent Countries (CIS) and is hosted…
Astana to be positioned as one of leading platforms for Islamic finance, says AIFC governor
ASTANA – The future and prospects of Islamic finance in the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States), as well as investment opportunities, Islamic capital market development and other issues, were discussed March 14 at the Islam Finance News (IFN) CIS Forum in the capital. The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) is expected to play a major…
Baiterek Rocket and Space Complex set to launch in 2025
ASTANA – The future of the Baiterek Rocket and Space Complex project at the Baikonur Cosmodrome depends on Russia developing a new Phoenix carrier rocket which will begin in 2018. The first launch of the joint project is scheduled for 2025, said Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of Defence and Aerospace Industry Marat Nurguzhin, reported Sputnik Kazakhstan…
Young author from Kyzylorda creates more than 40 fairy tales
ASTANA – Altynai Berik is a fifth-grader from Kyzylorda whose name became known throughout the nation last year when President Nursultan Nazarbayev presented her with a book. The 10-year-old writer has been recognised as the youngest author and given a special award. “I create fairy tales by myself. They are especially good when I have…
British leather goods with Kazakh soul
ASTANA – Aiman Sagatova, also known by her artistic nickname Vasya, created Kazakhsha Leather Art Studio almost three years ago in Aldershot, England. After working as an interpreter, the young artisan decided to make her hobby a full-time job. “Most of my items are made of full grain vegetable tanned leather, which is the best…
Young chef introduces molecular gastronomy to Astana
ASTANA – Kairat Amanbayev, also known as Kai Aman, is the 25-year-old chef and founder of Resto Studio – Modernist Cuisine, a trendy new place on the map of capital restaurants. The official opening is not scheduled until July, but the city’s first molecular gastronomy spot already serves customers in the evenings. “For some people,…
Ust-Kamenogorsk hairstylist wins international competition in Paris
ASTANA – Ust-Kamenogorsk hairstylist Vladimir Dubinin recently won the Haute Coiffure Française (HCF) Trophy 2017, which is an annual international hairdressing competition in Paris. The competition has allowed him to receive international recognition. “Almost 100 hairdressers from 23 different countries are pitting their talents, cutting, dyeing and styling fully unfettered fashions, presented as a before/after…
Kazakh domestic violence rate decreases
ASTANA – Within the last five years, the number of domestic violence crimes in Kazakhstan decreased by 35 percent, Minister of Internal Affairs Kalmukhanbet Kassymov said during the Feb. 13 Mazhilis (lower house of Parliament) governmental hour. Preventive measures adopted in 2010 helped in achieving the decline. “Last year more than 248,000 criminal offenses were…
Kazpost Continues E-Services Evolution
ASTANA – The last week of January was full of events for Kazpost, Kazakhstan’s postal service. On Jan. 24, they launched the country’s first e-commerce centre. The next day, Kazpost Chairman Bagdat Mussin was transferred to a position at the General Prosecutor’s Office, but before leaving he presented 15 projects for 2017 intended to continue…
Kazakh Company Develops Cheese Production Without Additives, GMOs
ASTANA – Saba Food has been making Italian cheeses in Kazakhstan for the last two years. The products, without additives and GMOs, promise to be as tasty as their European counterparts. Working mainly with restaurants, the company is expanding production and making its way into the mass market. The original mozzarella, ricotta and burrata have…
LOT Polish Airlines to Launch Direct Flights to Astana
ASTANA – LOT Polish Airlines will launch direct Poland to Kazakhstan flights for the first time in May. Tickets are already on sale. “I want to stress that besides the commercial aspect, the launch of the direct flights proves the high dynamic of our bilateral relations and Polish-Kazakh cooperation and it is part of the…
Kazakh Actress Torry Talgat to Take Part in Berlinale Talents
ASTANA – Kazakh actress Torry Talgat will be participating Feb. 11-16 in Berlinale Talents, the annual summit and networking platform of the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale). Her application was one of 250 selected among 2,700 applications from 127 countries, and she is among 15 individuals selected in the actors category. “I found out about…
Primus Power Presents Innovative Energy Storage System, Sets Goal to Conquer Asian Market
ASTANA – Primus Power, a provider of long-life and long-duration energy storage systems, is working on its second project in Kazakhstan with Samruk Energy, a subsidiary of the Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund. Primus Power’s innovative EnergyPod has been used to deal with specific energy issues internationally, and now will be showcased as one of…
Syrian Peace Talks in Astana End with Support for Ceasefire, Further Talks in Geneva
ASTANA – Three guarantor states of the recent efforts to end the six-year conflict in Syria, Russia, Turkey and Iran, completed the two days of peace talks in Astana Jan. 24 by agreeing to create a mechanism to ensure compliance with the existing ceasefire and to continue talks towards a more permanent solution Feb. 8.…
Kazakh Teams Win Categories in Dakar and Africa Eco Race
ASTANA – Kazakhstan performed well in the Dakar Rally in South America and won a category in the Africa Eco Race, both of which ended Jan. 14. At the Africa Eco Race 2017, the team of Marat Abykayev and Andrey Chipenko finished 16th in the general car ranking, but in the T2 they managed to…
Almaty Metro Prepares for Universiade
ASTANA – Almaty Metro celebrated its fifth anniversary in December. As the country’s only metro network, it is set to expand its route and retain its status as the safest transport. The subway, managed by Metropoliten, a communal state-owned enterprise, is strengthening security measures in anticipation of the upcoming Universiade. “First, it concerns the inspection…
China Reveals Secrets of Its Expo Pavilion
ASTANA – The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) presented the concept for China’s EXPO 2017 pavilion at a Jan. 5 conference in Beijing, according to Kazinform news agency. China’s pavilion, among the largest at the upcoming exhibition, is preparing many surprises for its visitors. “Being the second largest economy in the…
Young Designer Launches Islamic Clothing Line
ASTANA – Ulzhan Turabayeva, a young mother of two, decided six months ago to connect her life with fashion and design. She has chosen an Islamic direction and has already presented her first collection. The founder has named her brand Imani and is looking towards a bright future for her business. “I am a geographer,…
With Any Oil Price Scenario, Kashagan Benefits Country’s Economy, Says Expert
ASTANA – The launch of production in 2016 of the Kashagan oil field will be of great benefit to the Kazakh economy despite current oil prices, General Director of the Association of oil service companies of Kazakhstan (KazService) Nurlan Zhumagulov told The Astana Times. “Kashagan is not only the largest oil and gas field discovered…
MEGA Silk Way to Officially Open in 2017, Will be ‘City Within a City’
ASTANA – MEGA Silk Way, the capital’s new shopping and entertainment centre located at the EXPO 2017 site, was launched in December. The official opening is planned for the first quarter of 2017. The complex is completely ready and tenants are preparing for the opening, Mega Centre Management Communication Department representative Takhmina Kibirova told The…
