Kazakhstan, EBRD Sign Transport, Infrastructure, SME Support Financing Deals in London

ASTANA – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced three major financing deals to support small business development, road infrastructure and public transport in Kazakhstan...


Astana Ties Atletico Madrid at Home

ASTANA – With a dramatic last minute save, FC Astana held Atletico Madrid to a 0-0 tie in a home match in Astana Nov. 3. With two...


Taiburil Scholarship Programme Supports Talented Students, Plans to Expand

The awards ceremony for the Taiburil monthly scholarship winners was held Oct. 31 in Almaty. The programme, supported by second-tier banks such as Kaspi Bank and Kazkommertzbank,...


Astana Residents to Choose Best Health Professionals

ASTANA – The heads of Astana’s Health Administration have called on city residents to actively participate in “The Best Doctor” and “The Best Nurse” campaigns. Citizens’ opinions...


Electrodes Production Launched in Zhambyl Region 

TARAZ – A 70 million tenge (US$250,000) plant to produce electrodes was launched in Kazakhstan’s Zhambyl region in October 2015. There is a great demand in Kazakhstan’s...


Aidyn Aimbetov: Younger Generation Still Interested in Space Exploration

Aidyn Aimbetov, Kazakhstan’s third cosmonaut and a colonel in the country’s Air Force, travelled to the International Space Station Sept. 2 as part of an international crew....


In Astana, Kerry Promotes Stronger Ties in Economy, Security

ASTANA – It was a visit full of symbolism. It ranged from the presentation of the famous savoury and fragrant Almaty Aport apples to a foreign dignitary...


Milan Passes EXPO Flag to Astana at Closing Ceremony

Kazakhstan’s pavilion was ranked in the best three for opening theme and content, it was announced at the closing ceremony for EXPO 2015 in Milan Oct. 31,...


President Signs New Civil Procedure Code

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev publicly signed the new Civil Procedure Code (CPC) of Kazakhstan Oct. 31. The code introduces changes to procedures in investment, civil and...


Kazakh Blogosphere Presents New Type of Media for its Audience

ASTANA – As the number of Internet users rises, online publications are becoming more and more popular. In the age of new technologies, any kind of information...


Expats Say Enjoy Hospitality, Expanding Choices in Kazakhstan, List Language, Prices as Challenges

ASTANA – Kazakhstan was recently ranked 59th out of 64 countries for expat destinations this year, one place ahead of Russia and one behind Italy, according to...


Barys Crawls Upwards

ASTANA – While on tour in the European part of the Continental Hockey League (KHL), ex-coach of the Astana Barys Andrei Nazarov took the reins of the...


Nurly Zhol Economic Policy to Help Kazakhstan Weather Global Economic Storm

We have witnessed a tumultuous year for the global economy. The spectre of the 2008 global financial crash is a constant reminder to governments of the dangers...


Kazakhstan Hopes to Send 100 Athletes to 2016 Rio Summer Olympics

ASTANA – More than 100 Kazakh athletes will represent their country during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Vice Minister of Sports and Culture Saken Mussaibekov said during...


New National Bank Chairman Approved by Senate, Appointed by President

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Senate approved on Nov. 2 the proposed appointment of acting Presidential Aide and head of the Social and Economic Monitoring Department of the Presidential...


Security, Connectivity, Water Management Discussed at C5+1 Ministerial Meeting in Uzbekistan

SAMARKAND – The foreign ministers of the five Central Asian states held a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Nov.1, in the...


Kazakhstan’s Contribution To COP 21

A proposal put forward by President Nursultan Nazarbayev at the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly to establish an international centre for the development of...


Kcell Fined for Abuse of Dominance

ASTANA – Kcell was recently fined 252.7 million tenge (US$903,000) for abuse of dominance by the Committee for Regulation of Natural Monopolies and Protection of Competition of...


Kazakhs Harnessing Social Media to Demand Justice

ASTANA – The surge of popularity of social media in Kazakhstan, and the corresponding ability to post anonymously online is having an impact on both high and...


Tricks of the Trade: How Astana Restaurateurs Try to Improve Service Sector

ASTANA – It is no secret that city restaurants have been slow to reach the level of five-star service. Many patrons have experienced poor service in the...


Live Music in Astana Finds its Audience

ASTANA – Live music should be “tasty,” says one the city’s most loved, versatile musicians. Numerous creative live bands and solo performers enjoy playing and singing both...


British-Kazakh Ties Strengthen Across the Board

From Oct. 7-9, I had the pleasure of visiting Kazakhstan. I am the sixth U.K. government minister to visit Kazakhstan since the historic visit by Prime Minister...


More than $1.5 Billion in Deals Signed at Astana Invest Forum

ASTANA – Four agreements worth $580 million in new projects in Kazakhstan were signed following the Oct. 29 morning session of this year’s Astana Invest Forum, including...


Almaty Businessman Creates Electric Sports Car

ASTANA – As environmental conditions worsen, people are becoming more and more interested in eco-friendly vehicles. A businessman from Almaty has surprised his compatriots with the electric...


Kazakh Judoka Wins Gold at Junior World Championship

Judoka from Kyzylorda Magzhan Shamshadin became the second champion in the history of Kazakh judo to win the Judo World Championship for Juniors in the men’s 55...


Kazakh Student Community in Austria Releases Bilingual Journal

ASTANA – The Kazakh Student Community in Austria is keeping readers informed about its activities in more than one language, as the group released the second issue...


Nur Otan Refuses Kok-Zhailyau Project

ASTANA – The Nur Otan Party in Almaty has refused to invest in the Kok-Zhailyau project, with deputies explaining during a party meeting that the decision was...


Disasters Beyond Borders: Asia-Pacific Resilience Critical for Sustainable Development

Nothing erases development as suddenly and severely as natural disasters. When earthquakes, floods, droughts and cyclones strike, they wreak destruction not only across borders but across generations...


Kazakhstan Leaps 12 Places to 41st in World Bank Doing Business Report

ASTANA – Kazakhstan was among the top 10 economies showing the most improvement in the World Bank’s 2016 Doing Business report released Oct. 27. The country leaped...


Kazakhstan Joins International Community to Mark UN’s 70th Anniversary

ASTANA – A range of international activities and events were organised Oct. 24 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the United Nations. More than 200 landmarks in...