Kazakhstan exceeds expectations, says Dominican FM

ASTANA – In an exclusive interview with The Astana Times following his June 5-6 visit to Kazakhstan, Dominican Republic Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas said he saw many...


Kazakhstan jumps 15 spots on IMD World Competitiveness ranking

ASTANA – Kazakhstan climbed from 47th to 32nd place in the IMD World Competitiveness ranking, evaluating business efficiency, public finance and domestic economy. The new ranking shows...


Worst times gone for Kazakhstan, says PwC tax and legal leader for Eurasia

ASTANA – Long-time expat, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Tax & Legal Services leader for Eurasia Michael Ahern believes the worst times of economically tough 2015-2016 are over for Kazakhstan....


Italy presents details of its EXPO 2017 pavilion

ASTANA – Italian officials revealed a few details of Italy’s EXPO 2017 pavilion during a June 2 press conference in Astana devoted to Italy’s National Day. Among...


Kazakhstan – UAE: together for a quarter of a century

This year, we celebrate 25 years of friendship and diplomacy between Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates. This celebration is a landmark one for our bilateral relations...


Int’l political, business leaders discuss One Belt, One Road initiative at St. Petersburg Economic Forum

ASTANA – International representatives of political and business circles gathered at the June 1-3 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). More than 100 events were devoted to...


British programme at EXPO 2017 focus on creativity as source of energy

ASTANA – The British Council will present the Future Creative programme to bring U.K. contemporary culture to Kazakhstan and to promote cooperation between cultural leaders of Kazakhstan...


Diverse economic development key to Astana growth, says city official

ASTANA – Investments play a vital role in the development of any country. Much has been done to attract investors to Kazakhstan, but plenty of tasks are...


Kazakh National Bank launches sale of gold bars

ASTANA – Chairperson of National Bank Daniyar Akishev announced May 31 that Kazakh citizens can buy gold bars weighing 10, 20, 50 and 100 grams. The price...


Rehabilitation centre for people with disabilities opens in Karaganda region

ASTANA – A rehabilitation centre for people with disabilities was opened in Karkaralinsk, a town in the Karaganda region. The centre was designed and built in consultation...


Astana botanical garden to open in December

ASTANA – The construction of the botanic garden along Kabanbai Batyr Avenue will be completed in December, according to the city akimat (administration) press service. The garden...


National Museum to hold several exhibits within EXPO 2017

ASTANA – Exhibits featuring Kazakhstan’s honoured art workers, the Terracotta Army, ancient Egyptian monuments and weapon arts will be held by the country’s national museum as part...


Expert presents book about Central Asian militants in Syria

ASTANA – “Between ISIL and Al-Qaeda: Central Asian militants in the Syrian war,” written by Kazakh political scientist Yerlan Karin, was presented May 30 in Almaty, reported...


WeAlmaty project to encourage and support citizens in developing city

ASTANA – The EU-funded WeAlmaty project aims to encourage and support residents to engage in evolving their city into a smart, safe, comfortable, socially-oriented and economically-sustainable urban...


Kazpost showcases services provided at offices of future

ASTANA – A new digital office featuring Kazpost services such as hybrid ATMs, an electronic cashier, post office and parcel supermarket, drones and post.kz capabilities was opened...


New terminal officially opened at capital’s airport

ASTANA – The new $256 million terminal at the capital’s airport had an official opening May 31 attended by President Nursultan Nazarbayev. The terminal was implemented within...


Kazakh banks launch housing subsidy programme

ASTANA – The country’s seven banks have begun issuing mortgage loans at 10 percent for residents as part of the Nurly Zher Housing Construction programme supported by...


Nazarbayev attends ALZHIR memorial site, Almaty unveils monument to famine victims

ASTANA – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev took part May 31 in a wreath-laying ceremony at the ALZHIR memorial complex of victims of political repressions and totalitarianism. The...


UNESCO and ISESCO national commission holds annual meeting

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s national commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO), dedicated to the 25th...


LOT Polish Airlines launches direct Warsaw-Astana flight

ASTANA – LOT Polish Airlines conducted its first flight from Warsaw to Astana, Poland’s first ever air link to Kazakhstan, and held a flight presentation ceremony May...


AIFC, NASDAQ ink technology agreement for AIFC Exchange

ASTANA – The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) and NASDAQ Inc. signed a technology agreement May 29 that will allow the AIFC Exchange to use the NASDAQ...


EXPO 2017’s ‘Smart City’ technology will be first of its kind in capital

ASTANA – Cutting-edge technology will be used to decrease energy usage throughout the EXPO 2017 facilities, said Vladimir Sobolev, the Astana EXPO 2017 national company’s managing director...


Solar resources map introduced in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Atlassolar.kz, an interactive solar resources atlas providing free access to information to implement solar power ideas in Kazakhstan, was launched in late May in the...


International Rotary Club launches in capital

ASTANA – Astana International Rotary Club (AIRC) held its official charter ceremony on May 26. The newly-formed club aims to serve humanity and local society by focusing...


Fitness Park Astana opens new season for open-air workouts

ASTANA – It is that time of the year again when the residents of the capital can get outside and enjoy having open-air exercises with fitness professionals....


Astana to host open air production of ‘Aida’ opera

ASTANA – Giuseppe Verdi’s masterpiece “Aida” will be staged under the open sky near the Palace of Peace and Harmony, Astana’s famous pyramid as part of the...


Singapore Pavilion to Present “Small City, Big Ideas” at Astana EXPO 2017

ASTANA – Singapore is a thriving, modern and global city; a global hub for commerce, finance, shipping and travel. Its airport is amongst the world’s most efficient; its container port...


Astana is ready for EXPO 2017, Mayor says

ASTANA – These days, Astana is probably the busiest and most sleepless city in Central Asia. In an exclusive interview with The Astana Times, Akim (Mayor) of...


115 states and 22 international organisations to take part in EXPO, Kazakh national commissioner says

In this interview, Rapil Zhoshybayev, Kazakhstan’s National EXPO 2017 Commissioner recounted the story of the preparations for the biggest event of the year for Kazakhstan and the...


Kazakhstan’s first ever Cross-Country World Cup stage finishes in Aktau

ASTANA – Rally Kazakhstan 2017, which was also the fifth stage of the Cross-Country World Cup organised by the International Automobile Federation (FIA), was held in Aktau...