Astana launches pilot project to provide fee-based school buses for first time

ASTANA – Astana recently moved closer to providing for the first time transportation for its schoolchildren with the March 5 launching of the Mektep (School) Bus pilot...


Atameken focuses on integrating digital technologies as corruption-fighting measure

ASTANA – The Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs and civil service and anti-corruption agency will focus on integrating digital technologies as a corruption-fighting measure, according to a...


Kazakhtelecom builds largest Internet of Things network in CIS

ASTANA – Kazakhtelecom has completed the first stage to build the largest M2M/Internet of Things (IoT) network utilising LORA, Zigbee and LTE technologies in the Commonwealth of...


Astana adds 18,000 hectares to city limits

ASTANA – Astana Maslikhat (local city administration) deputies recently approved the addition of 18,129 hectares to the capital’s city limits. The newly incorporated area will accommodate 211,000...


Kazakhstan to launch music, theatre and literary initiatives to modernise country’s global image

ASTANA – As part of Kazakhstan’s national effort to modernise its image globally, the country plans to launch a Theatre Laboratory initiative, a Literary Belt initiative and...


Investment ministry to review regulations to improve Kazakhstan’s investment attractiveness

ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry of Investment and Development hopes to improve the country’s attractiveness to investors by reviewing current labour, tax and customs laws. “This year...


Kazakh instant noodles producer seeks to capture domestic market

ASTANA – With state support, more and more companies start production of essential goods, successfully competing with foreign products. KAZBRAND used the state support to construct high-tech...


Toll systems to be installed on main Kazakh highways

ASTANA – Installing toll systems on Kazakh and international highways is the main priority of the Nurly Zhol infrastructure development state programme, said Minister for Investment and...


Mangistau region farmers utilise green energy

ASTANA – Farmers in the Mangistau region are reflecting Kazakhstan’s emphasis on renewable energy by incorporating renewable energy sources into their operations. The Khanbekgul farm, which includes...


Central European, Central Asian foreign ministers launch new dialogue platform in Budapest

ASTANA – Seizing the occasion of its presidency at the Visegrad Group and standing by its “V4 Connects” motto, Hungary convened the first meeting of foreign ministers...


Meinhardt Group to assist Kazakhstan in next phase of development

President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev in his address to the nation on Jan. 10, put forward an inspiring vision for the next phase of the country’s economic...


Kazakh designers demonstrate collections at London’s Silk Road Fashion Show

ASTANA – Young Kazakh designers Zhanar Kainarbayeva and Aizhan Salimbayeva presented their works in London at last month’s Silk Road Fashion Show. The event introduced modern Central...


Kazakhstan launches new system to track alcohol, oil product production, distribution

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is launching an automatic system to track the production and distribution of alcohol and oil products called eSapa. The controlling devices – counters –...


Chocotravel, Aviata.kz to merge to compete in int’l online air, rail ticket market

ASTANA – Major Kazakh online air and railway ticket sales providers Aviata.kz and Chocotravel plan to merge to better compete in the international market, inform.kz reported recently....


AIFC Expat Centre offers English-language relocation assistance, hopes to attract foreign workers

ASTANA – The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Expat Centre provides English-language services, including visa and work permits, tax payments, consultations on healthcare, education, transport and accommodations...


Zhambyl region to focus on seven agricultural development priorities

ASTANA – The Zhambyl region will focus on seven priorities to develop the region’s agricultural sector, Regional Agriculture Department Head Nurzhan Nurzhigitov said during a recent meeting...


Gender equality is important element of success, says UN Women Representative in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – On the eve of the March 8 International Women’s Day, United Nations (UN) Women Representative in Kazakhstan Elaine Conkievich spoke with The Astana Times about...


Teacher of the Year named among nation’s 100 New Faces

ASTANA – Biology teacher Alexander Kintsel, one of Kazakhstan’s 100 New Faces, believes the most important quality every teacher should possess is love and passion for working...


Georgia and Kazakhstan exchange tourism, business, logistic experience

ASTANA – A Kazakh delegation led by Almaty Akim (Mayor) Baurzhan Baibek and Georgian administration headed by First Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Economy and Sustainable...


Kazakh FM, officials brief foreign diplomats on national tourism effort

ASTANA – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is joining efforts with other government agencies to promote inbound and domestic tourism in Kazakhstan, Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov announced...


Nazarbayev announces Kazakhstan to lower mortgage costs, reduce taxes on low-wage workers and provide more microloans, among other initiatives

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev announced March 5 what he called “Five Social Initiatives,” including tax breaks for low-income workers and greater access to education, that are...


Former expat shares Kazakh experience in ‘Vagabond Chronicles’

ASTANA – “Kazakhstan, chroniques vagabondes” (“Vagabond Chronicles”), by French writer Aude Ceccarelli, is based on her three-year work and living experience in Almaty. It gives a glimpse...


Club 28 Petel volunteers knit woollen clothing for premature newborns

ASTANA – The volunteers of the Club 28 Petel (28 Loops) project gather in seven countries around the world to knit boots, hats, cardigans and toys for...


Brazilian businesses seek stronger Kazakh ties in mining, construction, technology

ASTANA – A delegation of business people from Brazil, including top management from the Optimal Capital Partners company, met with Kazakh officials and entrepreneurs to promote increased...


New route to transport passengers from Kazakhstan to Turkey on high-speed train

ASTANA – The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) high-speed railway route initiated last fall will transport Kazakhs to Turkey and Europe by the end of the year. “One of the...


Tumar: Kazakh-styled champlevé jewellery

ASTANA – Tumar is the first and only Kazakh brand of national-style silver jewellery using the champlevé enamelling technique. The company has an online store (www.mytumar.kz) where...


Loans vary among Kazakh cities and regions

ASTANA – Where one lives in Kazakhstan apparently helps to determine what he or she will buy using credit, according to ranking.kz. Residents of the capital take...


EBRD to invest $244 million in Kazakh renewable energy projects

ASTANA – The Eurasian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) plans to invest approximately $244.2 million in Kazakh renewable energy sources (RES) attracting private and international financial...


Visually challenged pianist named one of Kazakhstan’s 100 New Faces

ASTANA – Saida Kalykova, one of the nation’s 100 New Faces, is the only Kazakh citizen holding an academic degree in music. The pianist and composer, a...


Haileybury Astana launches International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

ASTANA – Haileybury Astana introduced the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme March 1 designed to incorporate a more holistic approach to students’ academic and personal development and...