Foreign currency mortgages to be converted to tenge, older mortgages to receive payment support

ASTANA – The National Bank of Kazakhstan updated March 27 the nation’s mortgage loan refinancing programme to convert foreign currency mortgage loans to tenge and help ease...


Investments in manufacturing almost triple, positive dynamics in SEZs, says official

ASTANA – The share of investments in manufacturing has increased almost three-fold since Kazakhstan initiated the state programme on industrialisation, reaching approximately 24 percent of foreign direct...


Kushtarova: Digitisation and strong civil society are antidotes to corruption

Every member of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) has agreed to employ a proactive approach in promoting transparency and increasing public awareness in the fight...


Dutch company to build potato processing plant in Almaty region

ASTANA – Dutch company Farm Frites, one of the world’s largest potato processing companies, will build a potato processing plant in the Almaty region. The cost of...


Nazarbayev University students drive self-made battery car at Shell Eco-marathon Asia

ASTANA – A team of nine undergraduate students from Nazarbayev University (NU) designed, constructed and drove a car on electric battery at Shell Eco-marathon Asia, held March...


Afghan Public Health Ministry employees attend seminar in Astana

ASTANA – Afghan public health workers arrived in the Kazakh capital April 2 for a two-week capacity-building seminar on maternal and child healthcare organised by the Kazakh...


EBRD to finance irrigation system reconstruction in Zhambyl region

ASTANA – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is allocating 24.2 billion tenge (US$75.8 million) to reconstruct the Zhambyl region irrigation system. The deal is...


Kazakh President briefed on Astana’s development progress, 20th anniversary preparations

ASTANA – As Astana prepares for its 20th anniversary, President Nursultan Nazarbayev was briefed on the progress of Astana infrastructure improvements and the development of amenities for...


“Astana! Brighter Together!” festival brings eco-culture to Kazakhstan

ASTANA – The second Astana! Brighter Together! eco-festival gathered approximately 4,000 students from capital schools to promote an environmentally conscious lifestyle among the young generation, according to...


SCAT Airlines receives IOSA security certificate

ASTANA – SCAT Airlines has become a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the company’s press service announced March 24. The association represents the interests...


Digitising healthcare will make medical care more accessible, efficient, says Kazakh Minister

ASTANA – Electronic health passports and medical information systems have been implemented in Kazakhstan this year to make medical service provisions more efficient for both patients and...


Kazakh athletes with visual impairments to bike to Paris

ASTANA – Kazakh athletes with visual impairments plan to bike this year from Astana to Paris. The tour aims to highlight the problems of accessibility and popularise...


Kazakh economy ministry projects real GDP of 3.8 percent in 2018

ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry of National Economy projects the nation’s real GDP will reach 3.8 percent this year, which is 0.7 percent higher than the previous...


Kazakhstan’s Zhumagulov defeats American opponent in international MMA tournament in Almaty

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Zhalgas Zhumagulov defeated Tyson Nam of the US in the main event of the mixed martial arts tournament MMA Fight Nights Global 86 in...


First-quarter inflation hits 1.8 percent, says Kazakh official

ASTANA – The Kazakh inflation rate has reached 1.8 percent since the beginning of the year, reported Minister of National Economy Timur Suleimenov during an April 3...


Golovkin-Canelo rematch called off, Golovkin seeks different opponent for May 5 bout

ASTANA – The bout between Kazakhstan’s Gennady Golovkin, the WBC, WBA (Super), IBF and IBO belts holder, and Mexican Saul Alvarez, has been officially called off. The...


Astana Opera to perform masterpieces of Argentine tango

ASTANA – An ensemble will perform at the Astana Opera April 13 the works by the late and renowned Argentine composer Astor Piazolla. Original interpretations of tango...


Digital Mama provides job opportunities for women on maternity leave

ASTANA – Tamilya Anchutkina, a mother of two children, entrepreneur and founder of UrbanMama Space, has launched Digital Mama, a programme designed to provide women on maternity...


East African designer and traveller enjoys Kazakh life

ASTANA – One tourist trip to Kazakhstan for Rwanda (East Africa) music label and clothes label co-founder and graphic designer Khalilu Rahman turned into two interesting years...


High water remains across Kazakhstan, as government continues to take preventive measures

ASTANA – Rescuers evacuated 97 people March 28 from Polkovnichiy Island in Semei in eastern Kazakhstan affected by heavy rainfall and intensive snow melting. Six others refused...


Kazakh ministry reviews positive results of state education programme, actions needed to eliminate schools in disrepair

ASTANA – About 70,000 teachers participated in the qualification upgrading courses as part of the 2017 state programme to develop education and science, said Minister of Education...


Kazakhstan completes establishment of diplomatic relations with all Latin American countries

ASTANA – Kazakhstan established diplomatic relations with Barbados March 27 during the ceremony of the exchange of documents in Ottawa. Barbados is 184th state globally and the...


Kazakhstan begins electronic customs system

ASTANA – As of April 1, the Kazakh Ministry of Finance is using a free, online electronic customs system. The project, supported by the United Nations Conference...


Local architects focus on solutions for more indoor comfort, create innovative design ideas

ASTANA – Architects are paying greater attention to sustainability in construction and design. INK Architects & Kamitov Project is following this global trend, bringing maximum comfort to...


BurabaiLand year-round amusement park to be launched in summer

ASTANA – The BurabaiLand amusement park will open at the beginning of summer in the Shchuchinsk-Burabai resort zone north of Astana. The Kazakh Lapland winter court is...


Boeing supplies first 737 MAX aircraft to SCAT

ASTANA – Boeing delivered the first 737 MAX 8 to SCAT, one of six such aircraft the airline is acquiring under its fleet and route network expansion...


75-year-old anti-nuclear activist to run his 305th marathon in Almaty

ASTANA – Nine riders led by Bike for Peace (BFP) President Tore Naerland will participate in the April 22 Almaty Marathon. This year, 75-year-old Harald Sel from...


Prime Minister announces launch of steel bloom production plant during South Kazakhstan visit

ASTANA – The Shymkent Temir steel bloom production plant will launch production in South Kazakhstan in April, announced Prime Minister Bakytzhan Sagintayev during his March 28 trip...


Medet Chotabayev becomes Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy

ASTANA – Astana Opera principal soloist and Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Medet Chotabayev received the award and title Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy...


Kazakhstan seeks to be Central Asia’s transport and logistic hub, officials say

ASTANA – Unified tariff conditions, technological schemes and participation in international alliances have furthered Kazakhstan in becoming the transport and logistics hub of the Central Asian region,...