Durov on Kazakhstan: Beauty Only Rivaled by Its Ambitions, Says Telegram Founder
ASTANA – Pavel Durov, founder of the largest social networking site VK and the Telegram messenger app, recently returned from Kazakhstan, “the economic powerhouse of Central Asia,” stating that the country’s beauty “can only be rivaled by its ambitions,” according to his Telegram post on July 15. “The country attracts international companies and tech startups…
Kazakhstan Discusses Green Locomotives Production with Wabtec
ASTANA – Kazakh First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar and CEO of Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (Wabtec) Rafael Santana discussed the company’s plans to produce new generation green locomotives in Kazakhstan at a meeting on July 11, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. Sklyar highlighted the government’s efforts to develop the railway industry, including…
Kazakhstan to Introduce Four Gas Processing Plants by 2030
ASTANA—Kazakhstan plans to commission four gas processing plants gradually from 2026 to 2030. These plants will process raw materials from the Kashagan field, which has capacities of one billion and 2.5 billion cubic meters per year, the Karachaganak field, which has capacities of four billion cubic meters per year, and the Kazakh gas processing plant…
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan to Double Mutual Trade to $10 Billion
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan aim to double their mutual trade to $10 billion, Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said during the 21st meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Bilateral Cooperation, co-chaired with Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, on July 12 in Almaty. Doubling the trade to $10 billion is the target the two…
Kazakhstan’s Dining Scene Booms with 4.5% Surge in Eateries
ASTANA – Kazakhstan registered 15,826 public catering venues in 2023, a 4.5% increase from 15,146 recorded in 2022, the Bureau of National Statistics reported on July 11. The surge is especially evident in the restaurant sector, which saw a jump from 2,106 in 2022 to 2,303 in 2023. Canteens also saw an increase, expanding from…
Kazakhstan’s National Bank Reduces Base Rate to 14.25%
ASTANA – The Monetary Policy Committee of the National Bank of Kazakhstan has reduced the base rate by 25 basis points, setting it at 14.25% with a corridor of +/- 1 percentage point, the bank’s press service reported on July 12. Annual inflation slowed to 8.4% in June, which aligns with the forecast trajectory. Lower…
Alageum Electric Becomes General Sponsor of Fifth World Nomad Games
ASTANA – Alageum Electric became the general sponsor of the fifth World Nomad Games, according to a bilateral memorandum signed on July 11 with the Directorate for the Preparation and Holding of the fifth World Nomad Games. According to the directorate’s press service, Alageum Electric Chairman Yerkebulan Ilyassov expressed pride in supporting Kazakhstan’s cultural and…
Kazakhstan, EU Discuss Plans to Develop Middle Corridor
ASTANA – Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Kazakhstan Kęstutis Jankauskas and heads of EU diplomatic missions expressed interest in unlocking the potential of the Middle Corridor at the 15th meeting of the Kazakhstan-EU dialogue platform chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov on July 10. As stated by the Prime Minister’s press service, the…
UN Secretary-General’s Visit Highlights Strong UN-Kazakhstan Partnership
ASTANA – UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ recent visit to Kazakhstan highlighted the strong partnership between the country and the UN, focusing on sustainable development, climate action, and regional cooperation, the UN’s press office reported on July 10. Guterres started his official visit in Almaty, warmly welcomed by Kazakh First Deputy Foreign Minister Akan Rakhmetullin, Permanent…
Vietnamese Investor to Acquire Qazaq Air This Autumn
ASTANA – Kazakh Minister of Transport Marat Karabayev announced at a press conference following a July 9 government meeting that Qazaq Air’s sale to Vietnamese SOVICO Group is progressing, with one stage of the contract already signed and completion expected by the end of September, reported Kazinform. Karabayev detailed that under the terms of the…
Which Sports Will Kazakh Athletes Compete in at 2024 Paris Olympics
ASTANA – Eighty athletes will represent Kazakhstan at the 2024 Summer Olympics in 25 sports, including boxing, judo, artistic gymnastics, athletics, kayaking and canoeing, shooting, fencing, Greco-Roman wrestling, freestyle wrestling, archery, skeet shooting, tennis, road cycling, swimming, modern pentathlon, taekwondo, track cycling, trampoline gymnastics, badminton, rowing, rhythmic gymnastics, triathlon, table tennis, rock climbing, and breaking,…
President Tokayev Presents State Flag to Kazakhstan National Team for 2024 Summer Olympics
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev presented Kazakhstan’s national flag to Aslanbek Shymbergenov, the captain of the national team, in preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics, scheduled from July 26 to Aug. 11. According to the Akorda press service, the main part of the team attended the meeting via video link from the Akbulak Olympic Center…
Life Expectancy in Kazakhstan Exceeds 75 Years
ASTANA – Life expectancy in Kazakhstan has surpassed 75 years, Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova said at a meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on July 9. In a press statement released by Akorda, it was reported that since the beginning of 2024, incidence rates for 21 infections, including coronavirus, have been reduced. Efforts in vaccination and…
Kazakhstan Puts 1,600 Kilometers of Main Roads into Operation with World Bank’s Support
ASTANA – As part of the ongoing South-West and East-West projects financed by the World Bank, over 1,600 kilometers of main roads have been put into operation in Kazakhstan, World Bank Country Manager for Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan Andrei Mikhnev said at a government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov on July 9. World Bank…
Kazakh Comics Writers to Make Splash at Comic Con Astana 2024
ASTANA – Over 100 Kazakh authors of graphic novels will showcase their works at the Authors’ Alley during Comic Con Astana 2024 from July 25 to 28, according to the festival’s press office. Graphic novel author and storyboard artist Alibek Kozhageldiyev will present his famous work “We Are Not Superheroes,” a story about two fifth-graders…
SCO Leaders Emphasize Strategic Dialogue and Economic Cooperation at Summit
ASTANA — Chinese President Xi Jinping, whose country assumed the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) chairmanship, emphasized the organization’s role as a guarantor of common and sustainable security despite turbulence in international relations during the SCO Plus format meeting held on the sidelines of the 24th SCO Summit on July 4. “Regardless of changes in the…
Kazakh President Outlines Strategies to Boost Multilateral Cooperation at SCO+ Forum
ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed several key strategies to foster multilateral cooperation among the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states at the inaugural SCO+ format during the organization’s 24th summit on July 4. Collective facilitation for peace and development Tokayev underscored the necessity of enhancing the UN’s role as the major international institution, ensuring…
President Tokayev Unveils Strategic Vision for SCO Members as Kazakhstan’s Chairmanship Concludes
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined critical strategic directions for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states during his address at the 24th summit of the SCO Council of Heads of State on July 4 in Astana. Speaking at the summit, President Tokayev stated that the SCO has become an effective mechanism of interstate relations,…
Spring Floodwaters Elevate Caspian Sea Levels
ASTANA – In April and May, the abundant flow of floodwaters along the Zhaiyk River replenished the northeastern part of the Caspian Sea by 119 centimeters, the Water Resources and Irrigation Ministry’s press service reported on July 1. This replenishment was facilitated by additional canals constructed by the ministry in collaboration with local executive bodies.…
Kazakhstan, China Deepen Cooperation in Energy and Road Infrastructure
ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov discussed issues of deepening investment cooperation in the energy industry with China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) Chairman Dai Houliang, who arrived in Kazakhstan as part of the Chinese President’s state visit on July 2. Energy field According to the Prime Minister’s press service, particular attention was paid to…
Kazakh President Signs Law to Enhance Science and Technology Policy
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed the law “On introducing amendments and additions to some legislative acts of Kazakhstan on issues of science and and technology policy, platform employment, and state control” on July 1, reported Akorda. The new law outlines mechanisms to advance Kazakhstan’s national scientific system. It defines the entities involved in scientific…
China’s Xi Outlines Vision for Strengthening China-Kazakhstan Partnership Ahead of SCO Summit
ASTANA – On July 2, Chinese President Xi Jinping published an article on Kazinform discussing the progress made in bilateral relations with Kazakhstan and outlining the growth he expects to discuss with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during his state visit to Kazakhstan as part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Astana. President Xi outlined…
Kazakhstan Boosts Tourism Development with Major Investment Plan
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has allocated over five billion tenge (US$10.5 million) this year to develop its tourism industry, Khabar TV Channel reported on July 1. Last year, the country welcomed nearly nine million foreign tourists, doubling the number from 2022. The country’s attractions, including the blue Caspian Sea, sandy beaches, mountains, and other picturesque landscapes,…
Eurasian Delegation Explores India’s Rich Cultural Heritage and Innovations
HYDERABAD – The Eurasian delegation of journalists from Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan embarked on a Familiarization Visit to New Delhi and Hyderabad from June 22 to 29 to experience India’s rich heritage and vibrant culture. Historical journey in New Delhi Upon arriving in New Delhi, the…
Kazakhstan Exports IT Solutions to Sierra Leone
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has transferred digital components of its e-government to Sierra Leone through grant assistance from the Kazakhstan Agency for International Development (KazAID) at the Sierra Leone Innovates 2024 summit, which took place from June 11 to 13 in Freetown. The export of Kazakh IT solutions resulted from a memorandum of cooperation signed between…
