Kazakhstan improves on key indices of latest UN Human Development Report

ASTANA – Kazakhstan improved on key indices over 2015 in latest United Nations Global, Regional and National Human Development report. Compared to 2015, life expectancy increased to...


Kazakh pavilion presents country at Cannes Film Festival

ASTANA – Kazakhstan had a pavilion at the May 17-28 70th Cannes Film Festival for the first time. It represents the film industry of the country on...


Cirque du Soleil gives sneak peek before EXPO 2017 performance

ASTANA – The world-famous Cirque du Soleil has prepared the exclusive REFLEKT show based on nomadic culture for EXPO 2017. A seven-minute portion, created by the team...


Kazakh National Bank: inflation remains stable, base interest rate to decrease

ASTANA – The annual inflation rate was 7.5 percent in May and slowed its decline. The expectations of citizens regarding the future level of inflation remain stable...


Kazakh, Chinese leaders discuss economic cooperation, mark 25 years of relations in Astana

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed bilateral economic cooperation and marked the 25th anniversary of relations during a June 8 meeting as...


China honours EXPO 2017 with issuance of special bank note

ASTANA – With permission from the Astana EXPO 2017 national company, Chinese companies Wanbo and Zhangdao Wenhua have issued memorable banknotes and a postage stamp dedicated to...


Tourism company offers double-decker bus sightseeing tours

ASTANA – The private company Visit Astana with the support of the city’s akimat (administration) is providing city sightseeing tours on double-decker buses, according to the akimat’s...


Book by Chinese president translated into Kazakh, presented in Astana

ASTANA – The Kazakh-language version of Chinese President’s book “Xi Jinping: The Governance of China” was presented June 5 in the Library of the First President in...


Astana ready to welcome the world for EXPO 2017

2017 will undoubtedly go down as a momentous year in the history of Kazakhstan. In January, the country took up its seat on the United Nations Security...


Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in Astana will be historic

The upcoming meeting of the heads of member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Astana June 8-9 is important and historic. It is expected that...


New Astana-Delhi flight will assist Astana’s development as transit hub in centre of Eurasia

“India had never been a far-off country for the Kazakh people. Historical and geographic proximity gave us the opportunity to closely follow events in the Indian peninsula...


Astana’s new Nurly Zhol railway station is open for business

ASTANA – The new Nurly Zhol railway station had its first passengers June 1 and a visit from President Nursultan Nazarbayev, according to akorda.kz. In the run-up...


Astana Opera House to stage Kazakh and world masterpieces in June

ASTANA – The Kazakh capital is turning into the world’s largest performance venue this summer. During the more than 90 days of EXPO 2017, the city will...


Information satellite system saves Kazakhstan $45 million

ASTANA – Space technology development contributes to the increase of domestic content in space system production for foreign customers, said Minister of Defence and Aerospace Industry Beibut...


KIOGE turns 25, looks to further successes

ALMATY – The Kazakhstan International Oil & Gas Exhibition and Conference – KIOGE – is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Since its first edition, it has...


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...