Balkhash Tour Fest Welcomes 35,000 Guests, Spotlights Volunteer Action
ASTANA — Approximately 35,000 visitors from 11 countries attended the opening day of Balkhash Tour Fest 2026 on the shores of Lake Balkhash on June 19, the event’s press service reported. The festival brought together visitors from Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, India and other countries for a program of sports competitions, cultural events and outdoor…
Central Asia Emerges as World’s Fastest-Growing Startup Region
ASTANA — Central Asia has emerged as the fastest-growing startup subregion in the world, according to the Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2026, with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan driving much of the region’s momentum. The report found that Central Asia recorded 81% growth over the past two and a half years, the highest among all startup subregions…
Saudi Arabia’s Mining Lesson: Real Mining Race is About Value, Not Resources
ASTANA — For decades, Saudi Arabia’s place in the global economy was defined by one commodity: oil. Today, the Kingdom is betting that its future will be shaped by another set of resources entirely. As demand for critical minerals surges amid the expansion of artificial intelligence, clean energy technologies, electric vehicles and advanced manufacturing, countries…
Kazakhstan to Build Unified Digital Transport Platform by Year’s End
ASTANA — Kazakhstan plans to create a unified digital database to manage the country’s transport and logistics chain in real time by the end of 2026, as was revealed during a government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov on June 16. According to Bektenov, countries including China, Japan and members of the European Union…
Jackie Chan Film Shoots Begin in Mangystau Region
ASTANA — Filming for “Armor of God 4: Ultimatum,” starring Jackie Chan, has begun in Kazakhstan’s Mangystau Region, according to Kazinform. The first scenes of the international film project have already been shot against the region’s distinctive natural landscapes. One of the movie’s main filming locations is the Bozzhyra tract, a globally recognized natural landmark…
Kazakhstan’s Rail Network Undergoes Historic Modernization
ASTANA — Kazakhstan is undertaking one of the most ambitious railway modernization programs in its history, combining infrastructure upgrades, digital transformation, industrial development and expanding transit ambitions as the country seeks to strengthen its role as a key Eurasian transport hub. Updates presented during a June 16 government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov…
Kazakhstan Explains US Visa Refusals, Signals Progress on Schengen Talks
ASTANA — Nearly half of visa applications submitted by Kazakhstan citizens to the United States (US) are denied due primarily to documentation issues rather than nationality-based restrictions, official Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yerlan Zhetybayev said on June 15 during a press briefing. Zhetybayev addressed concerns over a previously reported 45% U.S. visa refusal rate for Kazakhstan…
Kazakhstan Secures $10 Billion AI Investment With NVIDIA, Firebird
ASTANA — Kazakhstan signed $10 billion worth of agreements with the United States AI infrastructure company Firebird and technology leader NVIDIA to develop large-scale artificial intelligence infrastructure, marking one of the country’s most ambitious technology investments to date. The agreements, signed following a June 16 meeting chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, lay the groundwork…
Kazakhstan-EU Relations Deepen Beyond Trade as Cooperation Expands Across Strategic Sectors
ASTANA — The relationship between Kazakhstan and the European Union (EU) is entering a new phase, marked by growing trade volumes, closer political dialogue and expanding cooperation in digital governance, critical raw materials and transport connectivity. A series of high-level meetings held this month in Astana, Brussels and Strasbourg highlighted the breadth of the partnership,…
New Flights to Armenia and Uzbekistan Expand Kazakhstan’s Air Connectivity
ASTANA — Kazakhstan is expanding its international air links with the launch of new routes to Armenia and Uzbekistan, as authorities continue efforts to increase flight connectivity and strengthen regional travel and business ties. According to the Transport Ministry, Armenian carrier FlyOne Armenia entered the Kazakh market on June 12, launching direct scheduled passenger flights…
Kazakhstan Showcases Investment Potential at US-Kazakhstan Roundtable
ASTANA — Kazakhstan has attracted more than $480 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) since independence, Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Kuantyrov said during a United States (US)-Kazakhstan roundtable at Astana Mining and Metallurgy (AMM) 2026 on June 11, highlighting opportunities in critical minerals, renewable energy, logistics and technology. The roundtable brought together government officials and…
Kazakhstan’s Oilseed Industry Quadruples Export Revenue Up To $1 Billion in Four Years
ASTANA — Export revenue from Kazakhstan’s oilseed-processing industry has quadrupled over the past four years, reaching $963 million, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin said at the Fifth International Fats and Oils Conference (FOC 2026) in Astana on June 5, according to the Prime Minister’s press service. Opening the event, Zhumangarin…
Kazakh Tazy Places Fourth at World Dog Show 2026
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s national dog breed, the tazy, drew international attention at the World Dog Show 2026 in Bologna, Italy, where a young Kazakh tazy named Chelsea placed fourth among junior sighthounds in one of the world’s most prestigious canine competitions, according to Kazinform. The annual World Dog Show, held between June 3-7, organized under…
Cyprus and Kazakhstan Seek to Turn Strategic Location Into Economic Gains
ASTANA — Cyprus is seeking to become a gateway to European markets for Kazakh companies, while Kazakhstan aims to leverage its role as a key Eurasian transit hub to deepen economic ties with the Mediterranean nation. The message emerged during the Kazakhstan-Cyprus Business Forum in Astana on June 3, which brought together more than 70…
Cyprus Opens First Embassy in Central Asia in Astana
ASTANA — Cyprus officially opened its embassy in Astana on June 3, establishing its first diplomatic mission in Central Asia and signaling a new stage in relations with Kazakhstan, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s press service reported. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev described Cyprus as an important partner of Kazakhstan within…
Why June 4 Matters: The Story Behind Kazakhstan’s State Symbols
ASTANA — Every year on June 4, Kazakhstan celebrates the Day of State Symbols, honoring the flag, emblem and anthem that have come to embody the country’s independence, identity and aspirations. While they are familiar elements of daily life, appearing in schools, government institutions and at international sporting events, their significance extends far beyond official…
Experts Outline Three Scenarios for Kazakhstan’s Livestock Industry by 2031
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s livestock sector could follow one of three distinct development paths over the next five years, according to a new industry report presented on May 29 in Astana following the Dala.Camp National Livestock Expedition. The report, unveiled during a roundtable discussion organized by the NU Impact Foundation and the Kazakhstan Livestock Breeders Association…
Experts Say Kazakhstan’s Economy is Growing, But Few Can Feel It
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s economy is experiencing a slowdown in growth across its key sectors, according to a new report released on April 27 by the Halyk Finance analytical center, based on data for the first quarter of 2026. Analyst Timur Dilmukhametov noted that Kazakhstan’s economy grew by 3% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026,…
As Hormuz Tensions Rise, Central Asia’s Role as Transit Hedge Grows
ASTANA – As risks around key maritime chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz intensify, Central Asia is increasingly being repositioned from a transit option into what Jihad Azour, director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s Middle East and Central Asia Department, described in an interview with The Astana Times as a “transit hedge,” offering…
Kazakhstan’s Mineral Wealth Faces Hard Reality
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s mining sector sits on a paradox. It holds some of the world’s most strategically relevant mineral reserves, yet struggles to attract capital where it matters most at the earliest and riskiest stages of exploration. As global demand for critical minerals accelerates, the constraint is no longer geology, but the ability to turn…
Kazakhstan Holds Base Rate at 18% as Inflation Eases But Risks Persist
ASTANA — The National Bank of Kazakhstan kept its base rate at 18.0% per annum, with a corridor of plus or minus 1 percentage point, according to the bank’s statement released on April 24. Annual inflation slowed to 11.0% in March from 11.7% in February. Food inflation eased to 11.7% from 12.7%, non-food inflation to…
British Embassy Hosts Wildlife Exhibition in Astana, Urging Attention to Kazakhstan’s Biodiversity
ASTANA — The residence of the British Embassy in Astana briefly turned into something between a gallery and a quiet warning system on April 21. The occasion was Wildlife Photographer of the Year, one of the world’s most respected nature photography competitions, produced by the Natural History Museum in London. For over six decades, it…
Retail Investors Reshape Kazakhstan’s Financial Landscape, But Structural Gaps Persist
ASTANA – Retail investors have become the dominant force in Kazakhstan’s stock market in just a few years, a shift that is rapidly redefining how the country funds growth and allocates household savings. A new report by the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), released at the beginning of March, shows that individual investors now account…
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Eye Joint Clean Air Initiative, Expand Strategic Ties
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are considering a joint Clean Air initiative alongside broader efforts to expand trade and strategic cooperation, following a meeting between Presidents Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Bukhara on April 11. According to the Akorda press service, Tokayev said the initiative could be implemented under the patronage of both presidents,…
South Korea Eyes Investment in Kazakhstan as Energy, Nuclear Talks Signal New Strategic Phase
ASTANA — Expanding cooperation in the oil and gas sector was a key focus during meetings between Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov and a high-level delegation from the Republic of Korea on April 9, the ministry’s press service reported. The sides underscored the high level of political dialogue between the two countries and reaffirmed their mutual…
