The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Shinhan Bank Kazakhstan (SBK) are helping to increase the capacity and attractiveness of Kazakhstan’s major conference hub, the Atakent Business Cooperation Centre in Almaty, by financing its expansion, the EBRD said on February 19. The EBRD will share half of the risk of a KZT 3 billion (US$ 6.6 million) loan
Being close neighbors with centuries-long ties and common roots, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan continue to deepen their relationship, setting a good example for regional cooperation. Both countries are close trade and economic partners as part of the Eurasian Economic Union, which also includes Armenia, Belarus, and Russia. From January-November 2023, bilateral trade grew by 12% and reached
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on February 14 said it has invested $41.99 million into shares of Kazakhstan’s flagship carrier, Air Astana, supporting the country’s first partial privatisation through an initial public offering (IPO). The EBRD’s investment represents a 5 per cent shareholding in Air Astana. The shares will be listed on both the London
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and subsequent economic sanctions imposed by the west have underlined the urgency of finding alternative trade routes between Europe and Asia that do not pass through Russia. In the new geopolitical realities, Kazakhstan has a good chance to become the main and most sustainable transit route between Europe and Asia. In
During his official visit to Qatar on February 14, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and participated in the Kazakhstan–Qatar Investment Roundtable in Doha. During his talks with the Amir of Qatar, Tokayev expressed his firm belief that in the near future Qatar will become one
On February 13, comprehensive presentation on democratic reforms was delivered to the diplomatic community accredited in Kazakhstan, on the eve of the regular session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry reported. During a briefing on the topic “Promotion of human rights: a comprehensive dialogue on transformational reforms in
Kazakhstan’s Culture and Information Ministry said it has blocked the Selftanu.kz website, which focuses on LGBT relations, RFE/RL’s Kazakh Service reported. The ministry said the move was made “to protect children’s rights” while taking into account “the culture and traditions of Kazakhstan’s society and culture.” Although homosexual relations were decriminalized in Kazakhstan in the 1990s,
On February 12, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Nikolai Podguzov, the chairman of the Eurasian Development Bank’s (EDB) Management Board. Podguzov informed President Tokayev about the Bank’s plans and said that the EDB’s annual investment in Kazakhstan’s economy has exceeded $1 billion for the second consecutive year, the EDB’s press service reported. The EDB
On February 9, the new Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Olzhas Bektenov, held a Government meeting on the implementation of instructions of the Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced at an expanded Government session on February 7. Bektenov emphasized that state budget expenditures must be clearly prioritized with an emphasis on obtaining full economic returns, and
From February 5th to 7th, backed by UNDP in Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Culture and Information, and Almaty Management University (AlmaU), a series of training sessions on creative industries took place in Astana. These sessions were aimed at local akimat (state administration) representatives from across the country and hosted at the Academy of Public Administration
