Author: Iliyas Daniarev

ASTANA. KAZINFORM Following the past eight months the key sectors demonstrated positive trends. The most growth was seen in construction, trade, information and communications, deputy National Economy Minister Azamat Amrin said at the Government’s meeting on Wednesday, Kazinform correspondent reports. In January-August the country’s economic growth rates went up 4.9%. Growth in the real sector and services sector made 4.4% and 4.8%, respectively. Positive dynamics is seen in all major sectors. The most growth is recorded in trade, information, communications, and the construction sector of Kazakhstan. Investment inflow growth rates in the industrial sector made 12.2%, 49% in transport and…

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo will meet with Chinese officials and American business leaders next week amid efforts to stabilize relations that have sunk to historic lows. Raimondo’s Aug. 27-30 visit to Beijing and Shanghai aims for “constructive discussions on issues relating to the U.S.-China commercial relationship, challenges faced by U.S. businesses, and areas for potential cooperation,” the Commerce Department said in a news release posted on its website Tuesday. China’s Ministry of Commerce said the visit came at the invitation of Minister Wang Wentao but gave no other details. Raimondo’s visit follows the imposition of foreign investment controls…

ASTANA – The Constitutional Court has enacted a series of decisions that enshrine fundamental principles established within the Constitution to advance human rights in Kazakhstan, said Elvira Azimova, chairwoman of the Constitutional Court. In an interview with The Astana Times, she outlined the work carried out since the court’s establishment in January. Establishment of the Constitutional Court In his address to the nation in March 2022, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev set out plans to re-establish the Constitutional Court in Kazakhstan with the aim of ensuring that national laws comply with the country’s constitution and strengthen human rights. The Constitutional Court began operating…

ASTANA – Joint archaeological expedition of the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU) and Cambridge University specialists found a woman’s burial mound during excavations near the Ainabulak village in the Zaisan district of the East Kazakhstan Region, the Kazakh Ministry of Science and Higher Education reported on Aug. 2. Next to the mound, the archaeologists found a bronze tip, a hanger, a bronze bowl, 180 asyks (bones of sheep’s knee joint), and a bronze object depicting a frog. During the fieldwork, the specialists drew up a full topographical plan of the Ainabulak-Temirsu burial ground and explored several burial mounds and three…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has reaffirmed its commitment to the agreement on oil output cuts by 78,000 barrels per day till the end of 2024 following the latest agreement reached by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). This was announced at the 49th meeting of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) on Aug. 4, reported the Energy Ministry’s press service. OPEC member countries recognized the importance of complying with the obligations fulfilled under the agreement in May-June, noting the current situation in the oil market. JMMC members agreed to continue monitoring market conditions to respond to market changes and be ready to…

PRC Soft-Power Moves China is making a soft-power push in Central Asia, launching initiatives to strengthen cooperation with expert institutions in Uzbekistan and boost cultural exchanges and tourism with Kyrgyzstan. An Uzbek expert delegation led by Doniyor Kurbanov, head of the Foreign Ministry’s Information and Analytical Center for International Relations, recently toured China, holding talks with representatives of leading Chinese research institutions, including the Academy of International Affairs, Peking University and the Academy of Social Sciences. According to a report published by Review.uz, the visit produced a memorandum of understanding outlining “prospects for further strengthening cooperation in research activities” and “further strengthening…

ASTANA – Kazakhstan ranked 31st in the recent Coursera Global Skills Report 2023, analyzing how over 124 million registered learners from 100 countries worldwide are strengthening business, technology, and data science skills. These 100 countries account for over 90% of Coursera international educational platform learners. According to the report released on June 14, students in Kazakhstan scored 96% in skill proficiency in technology, 58% in data science, and 14% in business. Switzerland, Spain and Germany are in the top three countries, while Nigeria is at the end of the rating. With over 120 million learners, 7,000 institutions, and 5,400 courses…

ASTANA, Kazakhstan, July 3. In a recent global passport index ranking compiled by Arton Capital, Kazakhstan has emerged as the leading country among Central Asian nations, Trend reports. Kazakhstan has secured the 53rd position out of 97 in the global passport index ranking, which assesses the visa-free travel opportunities for citizens of different countries. According to the ranking, Kazakhstan has visa-free travel agreements with 39 countries. Furthermore, Kazakh citizens have the opportunity to obtain visas on arrival in 52 more countries. However, 107 countries still require visas for entry. Kazakhstan shares its spot with Nauru, a small island country in the Pacific Ocean.…

Kazakhstan, the world’s ninth-largest country by land area, has emerged as a key player in the global energy market. Its vast reserves of oil and natural gas have transformed the nation into a major energy exporter, with significant implications for regional stability and geopolitics. The role of Kazakhstan’s energy market in shaping regional stability and geopolitics cannot be overstated, as it has become a crucial factor in determining the balance of power in Central Asia and beyond. One of the most significant aspects of Kazakhstan’s energy market is its potential to diversify Europe’s energy supply. The European Union (EU) has…

The International Monetary Fund predicts a decline in inflation in Kazakhstan. The inflation rate is expected to drop to 12 percent in 2023, according to the country’s financial and economic development review published on the financial institution’s website. As noted by the experts, the monetary policy implemented by the National Bank of Kazakhstan will allow for the achievement of a steady downward trend and the stabilization of inflation expectations this year. Nevertheless, inflationary pressures may necessitate maintaining the increased base rate for a longer duration than currently expected, IMF representatives say. It bears noting that National Bank of Kazakhstan Governor…