Chocotravel, Aviata.kz to merge to compete in int’l online air, rail ticket market

ASTANA – Major Kazakh online air and railway ticket sales providers Aviata.kz and Chocotravel plan to merge to better compete in the international market, inform.kz reported recently....


AIFC Expat Centre offers English-language relocation assistance, hopes to attract foreign workers

ASTANA – The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Expat Centre provides English-language services, including visa and work permits, tax payments, consultations on healthcare, education, transport and accommodations...


Zhambyl region to focus on seven agricultural development priorities

ASTANA – The Zhambyl region will focus on seven priorities to develop the region’s agricultural sector, Regional Agriculture Department Head Nurzhan Nurzhigitov said during a recent meeting...


Gender equality is important element of success, says UN Women Representative in Kazakhstan

ASTANA – On the eve of the March 8 International Women’s Day, United Nations (UN) Women Representative in Kazakhstan Elaine Conkievich spoke with The Astana Times about...


Teacher of the Year named among nation’s 100 New Faces

ASTANA – Biology teacher Alexander Kintsel, one of Kazakhstan’s 100 New Faces, believes the most important quality every teacher should possess is love and passion for working...


Georgia and Kazakhstan exchange tourism, business, logistic experience

ASTANA – A Kazakh delegation led by Almaty Akim (Mayor) Baurzhan Baibek and Georgian administration headed by First Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Economy and Sustainable...


Kazakh FM, officials brief foreign diplomats on national tourism effort

ASTANA – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is joining efforts with other government agencies to promote inbound and domestic tourism in Kazakhstan, Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov announced...


Nazarbayev announces Kazakhstan to lower mortgage costs, reduce taxes on low-wage workers and provide more microloans, among other initiatives

ASTANA – President Nursultan Nazarbayev announced March 5 what he called “Five Social Initiatives,” including tax breaks for low-income workers and greater access to education, that are...


Former expat shares Kazakh experience in ‘Vagabond Chronicles’

ASTANA – “Kazakhstan, chroniques vagabondes” (“Vagabond Chronicles”), by French writer Aude Ceccarelli, is based on her three-year work and living experience in Almaty. It gives a glimpse...


Club 28 Petel volunteers knit woollen clothing for premature newborns

ASTANA – The volunteers of the Club 28 Petel (28 Loops) project gather in seven countries around the world to knit boots, hats, cardigans and toys for...


Brazilian businesses seek stronger Kazakh ties in mining, construction, technology

ASTANA – A delegation of business people from Brazil, including top management from the Optimal Capital Partners company, met with Kazakh officials and entrepreneurs to promote increased...


New route to transport passengers from Kazakhstan to Turkey on high-speed train

ASTANA – The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) high-speed railway route initiated last fall will transport Kazakhs to Turkey and Europe by the end of the year. “One of the...


Tumar: Kazakh-styled champlevé jewellery

ASTANA – Tumar is the first and only Kazakh brand of national-style silver jewellery using the champlevé enamelling technique. The company has an online store (www.mytumar.kz) where...


Loans vary among Kazakh cities and regions

ASTANA – Where one lives in Kazakhstan apparently helps to determine what he or she will buy using credit, according to ranking.kz. Residents of the capital take...


EBRD to invest $244 million in Kazakh renewable energy projects

ASTANA – The Eurasian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) plans to invest approximately $244.2 million in Kazakh renewable energy sources (RES) attracting private and international financial...


Visually challenged pianist named one of Kazakhstan’s 100 New Faces

ASTANA – Saida Kalykova, one of the nation’s 100 New Faces, is the only Kazakh citizen holding an academic degree in music. The pianist and composer, a...


Haileybury Astana launches International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

ASTANA – Haileybury Astana introduced the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme March 1 designed to incorporate a more holistic approach to students’ academic and personal development and...


National preschool classes launch postponed until 2020

ASTANA – The launch of national preschool courses to prepare children to enter first grade has been postponed until 2020 to allow new textbooks to be prepared...


Seven milk farms to be built in North Kazakhstan region

ASTANA – Seven milk farms capable of producing 10,000 tonnes of product will be constructed in different districts of the North Kazakhstan region to provide job opportunities,...


Kazakh construction companies introduce blockchain contracts

ASTANA – Ualikhan Nysanov is the latest Kazakh businessperson to incorporate blockchain into his business model. As the developer of AIDA Service, the construction company owner is...


Kazakh Invest launches call centre, CRM system for investors

ASTANA – Kazakh Invest is seeking investors to implement 17 projects worth $16.4 billion this year as part of the 2018-2022 national investment strategy, said Kazakh Invest...


Damu Fund supports Kazakh geneticist in dental invention

ASTANA – Kazakh genetic scientist Bauyrzhan Aituov has made a breakthrough in the incipient treatment of cavities. His technology, called InnoDent, features biocompatible implants that stimulate the...


Band brings American Bluegrass music to the Kazakh steppe

ASTANA – On a cold winter night, one of the capital’s pubs is swept away by the sounds of bluegrass music, which seems unusual for the surroundings....


EU, Kazakh officials call for stronger cooperation at Brussels forum

BRUSSELS – Kazakh government officials and high representatives of European Union institutions discussed prospects for Kazakhstan-EU cooperation in light of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA)...


Astana mayor sees major social, ecological, urban planning and development programme changes

ASTANA – Capital Akim (Mayor) Asset Issekeshev is proud of his city. The latest project, a light tram network from the airport to the new railway station...


Kazakh domestic pharmaceutical production up 79.8 percent in 2017

ASTANA – The Kazakh pharmaceutical industry increased production of the country’s most popular medications by 73.1 percent with production increasing 79.8 percent over 2016. Prices for pharmaceutical...


EBRD supported 177 SMEs and 62 female entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan in 2017

ASTANA – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Kazakh government provided subsidies for management consulting services last year to 177 small and medium-sized enterprises...


Kazakh domestic carmakers increase sales 43.2 percent

ASTANA – Kazautoprom Union of Auto Companies published January’s results of new motor car and light commercial vehicle sales. Kazakh customers purchased 3,122 cars spending $73.9 million, a...


Boraldai Saka burial mounds welcome tourists in Almaty

ASTANA – Tourists to Almaty now can visit the Boraldai Saka burial mound archaeological complex, which in addition to the ancient necropolis showcases the reconstructed burial mound...


Kazakh movie about National Guard hero premieres

ASTANA – “Sixth Post,” a feature film about the courage and heroism of National Guard soldiers, premiered recently in the capital. The picture is based on the...