The Astana Times

Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Target Higher Railway Freight Volumes
ASTANA — Kazakh Transport Minister Nurlan Sauranbayev held an online meeting with his Uzbek counterpart Ilkhom Makhkamov to discuss railway sector cooperation. The talks focused on enhancing Kazakhstan’s transit potential and increasing transit cargo volumes to 55 million tons.
Photo credit:KTZ
To ensure steady growth in cargo traffic and achieve the agreed throughput capacity,…
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Kazakhstan and Tajikistan Advance Strategic Partnership After Foreign Minister’s Visit
ASTANA – Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev met with President Emomali Rahmon and Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin of Tajikistan on Feb. 16 to discuss deepening bilateral cooperation, as part of his official visit to Dushanbe.
Yermek Kosherbayev met with President Emomali Rahmon as part of his visit to Dushanbe on Feb. 16. Photo credit:…
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EDB and Eurasian Bank Provide Long-Term Financing for Ust-Kamenogorsk CHPP Modernization
ASTANA — The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), acting as the lead financial institution, and Eurasian Bank have provided $180 million in long-term debt financing to modernize and expand the Ust-Kamenogorsk Combined Heat and Power Plant (CHPP), part of the Kazakhstan Utility Systems Group.
Photo credit: EDB
The EDB also provided grant financing to support…
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Kazakhstan Expands Oil Refining, Gas Processing and Petrochemical Capacity
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is undertaking a major expansion of its oil refining, gas processing, and petrochemical industries, aiming to boost oil processing capacity from 18.4 to 40 million tons per year, eliminate domestic fuel shortages by 2033, and increase production of value-added petrochemical products for both domestic use and export, the Deputy Minister of…
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Kazakhstan Strengthens Agricultural Processing and Expands Export Reach
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s agricultural processing sector continues to show steady growth and rising export potential, said Agriculture Minister Aidarbek Saparov during a Feb. 17 government meeting, reporting on the results of 2025.
Agriculture Minister Aidarbek Saparov. Photo credit:
gov.kz
Last year, food production reached 3.9 trillion tenge (US$7.9 billion), up 8.1% year-on-year. Investments in…
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Tokayev Honors Ersin Baltagul as Sumo Champion Plans Youth Academy in Kazakhstan
ASTANA – Award-winning Kazakh professional sumo wrestler Ersin Baltagul has announced plans to open a children’s sumo school in Kazakhstan, aiming to develop young talent and promote the sport nationwide.
Kazakh professional sumo wrestler Ersin Baltagul with President Tokayev. Photo credit: Akorda
Baltagul, known in Japan as Kinbozan, said the future of Kazakh sumo…
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https://astanatimes.com/?p=112398

What Kazakhstan’s Digital Code Brings to Citizens and Businesses
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has taken a major step toward regulating life online with the signing of the new Digital Code on Jan. 9, a sweeping legal framework designed to protect rights and bring order to the country’s rapidly expanding digital environment.
Photo credit: Shutterstock
Experts view the Digital Code as moving the digital environment…
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https://astanatimes.com/?p=112155

Tokayev Presents State Honors to Kazakh Fighters After Dubai SWAT Victory
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev honored the winners of the UAE SWAT Challenge 2026 international tournament on Feb. 16, praising their performance as a testament to Kazakhstan’s growing prestige on the global stage.
Photo credit: Akorda
Congratulating the teams, Tokayev said they had demonstrated the “unwavering spirit of Kazakh warriors” in one of the…
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Kazakhstan to Transform Beef Industry from Commodity Supplier to Premium Exporter
ASTANA — Kazakhstan is seeking to reposition its beef industry from a commodity-based supplier to a value-added premium exporter, as industry leaders unveiled a comprehensive export ecosystem and market consolidation strategy at the Dala.Camp Forum 2026 in Burabai on Feb. 14.
Photo credit: Turan Livestock Association.
Opening the forum, Chairman of the Board of…
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Burkasyn Festival Spotlights Winter Sports in Astana
ASTANA – Astana celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Burkasyn winter festival on Feb. 14, bringing together families, amateur athletes, and sports enthusiasts along the Yessil River embankment in Central Park.
Photo credit : The Astana Times / Nargiz Raimbekova Click to see the map in full size. The map is designed by The…
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