News Digest: Foreign Media on Kazakhstan’s Balanced Foreign Policy, Kazakh-Tajik Cooperation and More
ASTANA – The Astana Times has curated a selection of articles about Kazakhstan published in international media outlets around the world. This week’s foreign media digest includes articles on the country’s balanced foreign policy, Kazakh-Tajik cooperation and more. Kazakhstan’s role in US-China competition The National Interest published an expert article on Aug. 20 about Kazakhstan’s…
IAEA Low-Enriched Uranium Bank Stores 90 Tons of Nuclear Fuel
ASTANA – The Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) Bank of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), located on the territory of the Ulba Metallurgical Plant (UMP), is a physical stock of 90 metric tons of LEU. This reserve is intended for IAEA member states in case of sudden supply disruptions. On Dec. 10 in 2019, the…
Kazakh, Tajik Presidents Outline Priorities, Strengthen Bilateral Ties
ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon identified priorities and tasks to strengthen bilateral cooperation during the Aug. 22 talks in Dushanbe. In a narrow-format meeting, Tokayev emphasized that he attaches great importance to regular high-level meetings, which serve as a solid foundation for strengthening the Kazakh-Tajik multifaceted partnership. “This visit…
TikTok, Kazakh Tourism Promote Nation’s Culture, Major Sites Through Travel Content
ASTANA — TikTok, a short-form video hosting service, and Kazakh Tourism national company, are launching a new stage of a large-scale initiative under the GuideToKazakhstan hashtag. The initiative encourages users to take part in a creative competition about Kazakhstan’s tourism. Winners in three nominations will receive valuable prizes — a vacation in hotels in Aktau…
Slight Majority Favor Construction of Nuclear Power Plant in Kazakhstan, Survey Finds
ASTANA – A slight majority of respondents (53.1%) support building a nuclear power plant, hoping it will help resolve electricity shortages by 2030, according to survey results published on Aug. 22 by the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS). The telephone survey, which included 1,200 citizens aged 18 and over, was conducted from Aug. 7…
Kazakhstan Prepares Birds of Prey for Fifth World Nomad Games
ASTANA – With less than 20 days before the start of the fifth World Nomad Games, Kazakhstan hosts a training camp for kusbegilik, the art of hunting with birds of prey, from Aug. 12 to 25 in the Akmola Region. Nine berkutchis (eagle hunters) are training with golden eagles, falcons and hawks in Schuchinsk. The…
Kazakhstan’s Urban Population Hits 12.6 Million, Growing Rapidly
ASTANA — According to the Bureau of National Statistics, the urban population in Kazakhstan reached 12.6 million people as of July 1. Five years ago, the urban population made up 58% of the total population; today, this figure has grown to 62.7%. “As of July 1, there were 90 settlements with city status registered in…
National Bank Survey: Kazakhstan Economic Growth Slows, Inflation Steady
ASTANA –The National Bank of Kazakhstan released its latest macroeconomic survey on Aug. 21, revealing key forecasts and expectations from expert respondents. The survey, which includes insights from professional market participants, research institutes, international organizations, and rating agencies, highlighted several important trends for Kazakhstan’s economy. Respondents predict that Brent crude oil prices will average $83.5…
Kazakhstan’s Airlines to Launch New Routes This Year
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s airlines plan to increase international flights and open new routes by the end of this year. Kazakhstan’s flag carrier Air Astana plans to launch direct flights on the Shymkent-Jeddah route in September, the Kazakh Transport Ministry said in a response to Kazinform on Aug. 21. The flights will be operated on an…
Almaty Food Fest to Celebrate Global Cuisines, Unite Int’l Chefs
ASTANA – Chefs from eight nations will demonstrate their cuisines at the Almaty Food Fest international gastronomic festival on Aug. 24-25. Chefs from Belarus, China, Iran, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Russia and Tajikistan will take part in the event, reported Kazinform on Aug. 21. Nearly 50 restaurants worldwide and more than 30 farm and…
Inspiring Video Shows US Kokpar Player’s Preparation for Fifth World Nomad Games
ASTANA – A video of the U.S. kokpar player Nick Willert preparing for the kokpar competition to participate in the fifth World Nomad Games (WNG) in September has gained popularity on social networks. The video was published on his Instagram account on Aug. 14. Willert used a kettlebell during training, and a homemade wooden installation…
Kazakhstan Ready to Increase Grain Exports to Three Million Tons to China
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is ready to increase grain exports to three million tons to China, said Kazakh Minister of Agriculture Aidarbek Saparov during talks with the Director of the Economy and Trade Department at the Chinese National Development and Reform Commission Wang Jianjun. Saparov said cooperation in agriculture is an important component of Kazakh-Chinese relations,…
Modern Digital Solutions Enhance Efficiency at Kazakh-Chinese Border Customs
ASTANA — Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov visited the Nur Zholy Customs Service international transport and logistics center in the Zhetisu Region on Aug. 19. The center uses cross-docking technology and an automated vehicle accounting system. It introduces new technologies to simplify and speed up transit and increase cargo turnover. The volume of the region’s…
President Tokayev Reviews Astana’s Readiness for Fifth World Nomad Games
ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited sports venues renovated for the upcoming fifth World Nomad Games (WNG), which will take place from Sept. 8 to 13 in the Kazakh capital. According to the Akorda press service, Tokayev visited the Astana Arena stadium on Aug. 20, which will host the opening ceremony of the international…
Kazakh Manufacturing Industry Undergoes Reforms to Boost Domestic Production
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s manufacturing industry has experienced changes, including improved legislation, reduced administrative hurdles, preferential financing and new tools to boost domestic production. The Kazakh government prioritizes mechanical engineering, petrochemistry, advanced metal processing and the automotive industry. The sector’s growth was 105.1% from January to June. According to the Prime Minister’s press service on Aug.…
Kazakh President Visits Production Facilities in Akmola Region
ASTANA – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev paid a working visit to the Akmola Region on Aug. 16, touring production facilities in Koshy town and Rodina village. In Rodina village, Tokayev visited a local supermarket, Dostyk (Friendship) park, the local secondary school and the production facilities of the Rodina agro firm. “I have heard a…
Italy Leads in Kazakhstan’s Exports in January-June
ASTANA – In January-June, Italy took the lead in the structure of Kazakhstan’s exports. Kazakhstan exported goods worth $9 billion to Italy, accounting for 23.6% of total exports. Kazinform reported on Aug. 15, referring to the Bureau of National Statistics, that this is $2 billion higher than at the same time last year. China ranks…
Air Astana Plans to Launch Almaty – Phu Quoc Flights in October
ASTANA — Kazakh national air carrier Air Astana will open a new Almaty—Phu Quoc (popular tourist destination in Vietnam) route on Oct. 28. Direct flights to Phu Quoc will be operated on A321LR aircraft twice a week – on Mondays and Wednesdays, with a subsequent increase in frequency to four times a week from December.…
News Digest: Foreign Media on Сonsultative Meeting of Central Asia’s Presidents in Astana, Moon Base and More
ASTANA – The Astana Times has picked a selection of articles on Kazakhstan featured in international media across the world this week. Today’s foreign media digest includes topics such as the sixth consultative meeting of Central Asia’s Presidents in Astana, Kazakh-Chinese incentive to build a moon base and more. Continuity and change in the new…
President Tokayev Tours Industrial, Social Facilities in Karagandy Region
ASTANA – Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev toured the industrial and social facilities in the Karagandy Region and emphasized the importance of improving the region’s environmental situation during an Aug. 14 working visit. Industrial facilities Tokayev visited the Qarmet metallurgical plant in Temirtau. Qarmet Chairman of the Board of Directors Andrey Lavrentyev and the company’s CEO…
Kazakhstan’s Strongman Sergey Tsyrulnikov Shocks America’s Got Talent Audience
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s strongman Sergey Tsyrulnikov took part in the United States’ TV show America’s Got Talent and stunned the jury and the audience with his amazing strength. The video was released on the show’s YouTube channel on Aug. 7. “My big dream is to inspire people, to have my own show and especially to…
Kazakhstan’s Legendary Cyclist Urges Abuse Victims to Speak Out, Defend Their Rights
ASTANA – General Manager of Astana Qazaqstan Team and Olympic cycling medalist Alexandr Vinokurov urged Kazakhstan’s women to defend their rights and not keep silent on domestic violence. Vinokurov, named Kazakhstan’s Goodwill Ambassador, participates in public activities to prevent domestic abuse and support women’s rights, 24.kz reported on Aug. 6. “They must stay men as…
Majority of Kazakh Youth Consider Family as Main Life Value
ASTANA — Nearly 80% of Kazakhstan’s youth consider family to be the main value, according to the results of a sociological study conducted by the ElJastary (Youth) Research Center. The ministry’s press service reported that the survey results were presented to the Ministry of Culture and Information at an Aug. 13 meeting attended by representatives…
Charity Run Highlights Importance of Organ Transplantation
ASTANA – The annual charity run – festival titled Zhuregimnin zhenimpazy (You are the champion of my heart) took place in the Kazakh capital on Aug. 11, bringing together 4,200 participants. The annual run is held in honor of a significant date — the first successful heart transplant in Kazakhstan, which took place on Aug.…
Kazakhstan’s International Reserves Surge to $19 Billion in July
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s assets in international reserves increased by 7.3% in July to $18.86 billion, according to the National Bank’s report, published on Aug. 9. Gross international reserves increased by 4.68% to $41.8 billion, monetary gold in international reserves grew by 2.6% to $22.9 billion. Net international reserves increased by 4.68% in July to $39.7…
