Nazarbayev Addresses Japanese Parliament, Says Effective Interaction and Confidence Key to Convergence of Asia

TOKYO – The second day of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s official visit to Japan on Nov. 8 was significant and symbolic due to his statement before the...


Kazatomprom to Allocate $231.4 Million to South Kazakhstan Region until 2025

ASTANA – Kazatomprom head Askar Zhumagaliyev announced the company’s plans to invest in the South Kazakhstan region during a meeting with regional governor Zhanseit Tuymebayev as part...


Toll Roads to Bring 33 Billion Tenge to National Treasury by 2020

ASTANA – The gradual introduction of toll highways in Kazakhstan is projected to reduce the burden on the state budget and ensure self-sufficiency for road maintenance. The...


Kazakh Animated, Dramatic and Historic Films Shown at Barcelona’s Casa Asia Film Festival

ASTANA – The screening of the animated film “Kazakh Eli” (2016) and several other Kazakh historic and dramatic movies is currently taking place at the Casa Asia...


Kazakhstan Backs Early Approval of SCO Convention on Combating Extremism, Says Diplomat

ASTANA – Yerik Ashimov, Kazakhstan’s permanent delegate to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Secretariat, spoke about the priorities and plans of his country’s chairmanship at a Nov....


Nurtas Adambayev: I Would Take a Knife to School

“Taraz,” a new film from young producer Nurtas Adambayev released Oct. 13, has already made a claim across Kazakhstan. The title is the name of Adambayev’s native...


Kazakh President’s Visit to Japan Focuses on Business Ties, Global Security

TOKYO – President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev began an official visit to Japan Nov. 7 seeking to boost the already strong political and economic relations. During the...


China-Kazakhstan Cooperation: Towards New Horizons

Two years ago I paid a visit to Kazakhstan for the first time. This country impressed me with its magnificent landscapes, abundant resources and hospitable people. China...


President Nazarbayev’s Visit to Seoul to Strengthen Kazakh-Korea Ties, Ambassador Says

Ahead of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s state visit to Seoul on Nov. 9-11, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Dulat Bakishev answered The Astana Times’ questions...


Astana Pro Team’s Lutsenko Wins Tour of Hainan

ASTANA – Kazakh rider Alexey Lutsenko from the Astana Pro Team won the cycling race Tour of Hainan, which was held in the namesake province of China...


Astana Named One of World’s Smart21 Communities

ASTANA – The Kazakh capital has entered the world’s top 21 intelligent communities according to the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF), the akimat (city administration) press service reported....


Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan Open Trade Houses in Moscow

ASTANA – Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan opened trade houses, and Voronezh Oblast opened a trade and exhibition hall, Oct. 28 in Moscow, the Eurasian Business Council...


Astana Opera, Teatro di San Carlo Artists Perform at Theater’s Grand Gala Ballet

ASTANA – A Grand Gala Ballet featuring Astana Opera artists and renowned artists from Teatro di San Carlo opera house in Naples, Italy was held Oct. 29...


Kazakhstan’s Premier League Finishes with New Title for FC Astana

ASTANA – Oct. 29 saw the finish of the 25th season of the Kazakhstan Football championship’s Premier League. For the third time in a row, FC Astana,...


FC Astana Ties 1:1 at Home with Olympiacos in Europa League

ASTANA – Ahead of a Nov. 3 match, FC Astana faced a number of challenges with its line-up. Injured were such players from the main squad as...


Charity Bazaar to Bring Hope and Magic to Christmas Season

ASTANA – This year’s Christmas Charity Bazaar in Astana is hoped to be the largest-ever gathering to date, with 53 embassies involved and the snazziest prizes yet...


Khorgos Dry Port to Process more than 500,000 Containers by 2020

ASTANA – More than 70,000 containers were handled through the Khorgos dry port during its first year of operation and by 2020, the terminal will be able...


Kazakh President, Chinese Premier Discuss Joint Projects in Astana

ASTANA ­– Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang discussed during a Nov. 3 meeting at the Akorda presidential residence bilateral agreements reached during Nazarbayev’s...


Rich, Natural Kazakh Honey Valued among Consumers

ASTANA – Honey extraction in Kazakhstan takes place mainly in Altai region, and South Altai has a good quality harvest. Its compound has a wide array of...


OBI’s Entrance into Kazakhstan Means Global Revolution in Providing Amenities, says Almaty Official

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s first OBI hypermarket is slated to open in Almaty by late May. The home improvement superstore, to be built on 3.4 hectares at the...


Nurly Zher Programme to Increase Housing Construction

ASTANA – The Nurly Zher land and housing development programme will be launched in 2017. One and half million Kazakh residents will be able to get their...


Kazakh Air Force Transports Injured Student Back to Kazakhstan

ASTANA – Combat aircraft of Kazakhstan’s Air Forces delivered Kazakhstan student Akzharkyn Makhambetova with an injured spine bone from St. Petersburg. “The heads of the Ministry of...


UN Secretary-General Envoy Values Astana Regional Hub’s Work

ASTANA – Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Regional Hub of Civil Service in Astana Alikhan Baimenov recently met with Jorge Chediek, Envoy of the UN...


Kanat Islam Gets Latest Boxing Victory

ASTANA – The last weekend of October was highlighted by the victory of Kazakh boxer Kanat Islam over Ghana’s Patrick Allotey.  Islam improved to 22-0 and acquired...


Eight Year Old Becomes World Chess Champion in Under-8 Category

ASTANA – Eight-year-old Aisha Zakirova has become the world chess champion in the under-8 category based on the results of the World Cadets Chess Championship that ended...


Abe-Nazarbayev Summits Facilitate Cooperation Across the Board

On Nov. 6 – 9, President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev is paying an official visit to Japan. The event is very significant, since it will take place...


Public Administration Academy Focuses on Practical Learning

ASTANA – Forming a professional and autonomous state apparatus was identified as the first reform of the 100 Concrete Steps Programme initiated by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev...


Fitch Rating Confirms Insurance Company Kazakhmys at B+

The international rating agency Fitch Ratings has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of the insurance company Kazakhmys at the level B+. The rating reflects the strong...


Up to 800,000 Containers to Be Shipped from China to Europe through Kazakhstan by 2020

ASTANA – Kazakhstan is working to increase the volume of container shipments along the Western Europe – Western China route and through the country’s territory. Up to...


National Medical Holding Chief Discusses Need for Mandatory Health Insurance

ASTANA – The head of the clinic of National Medical Holding Viktor Madjuga recently explained the reasons for the introduction of mandatory social health insurance. He called...