-8°/-15°C WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017 No 24 (138) www.astanatimes.com Nazarbayev, Jeenbekov enhance cooperation, President congratulates ink border demarcation treaty in Astana nation, awards

By Aigerim Seisembayeva ASTANA – The new Kyrgyz Pres- outstanding citizens on ident Sooronbay Jeenbekov arrived Dec. 25 in Astana for a two-day of- ficial visit to meet Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and other top Independence Day officials for talks aimed at re-launch- Nazarbayev also noted the recent ing bilateral relations. By Aigerim Seisembayeva meeting with the participants of the Having discussed the state and 100 New Faces project and stressed prospects of cooperation, the two ASTANA – Kazakh President that the main value of independence heads of state signed a number of Nursultan Nazarbayev presented is people. bilateral documents, including the awards to outstanding citizens and “These people have chosen a treaty on the demarcation of the Ka- praised the nation’s accomplish- motto – not to demand from the zakh-Kyrgyz state border and a joint ments during the ceremony marking state, but to offer their ideas, crea- statement while heads of the border Kazakhstan’s Independence Day, tive energy and hard work. This is agencies of the two countries signed the Akorda press service reported. the living manifesto of our success! an agreement regulating the border “This day always brings feelings This is the generation of Independ- regime. that do not abide the time – a special ence,” Nazarbayev said. In remarks shared by the Akorda combination of pride, joy and ex- He defined the transition from presidential office, Nazarbayev citement,” he said on Dec. 15. quantitative growth to qualitative thanked his Kyrgyz counterpart for Nazarbayev said that Kazakhstan changes as an important condition accepting his invitation and noted over the years since independence for joining the world’s top 30 most that the visit, the first for the new has achieved rapid growth and cre- developed countries. Kyrgyz President, is taking place on meeting with Jeenbekov within the He also stressed that a number of than 150 documents has been cre- ated a solid platform for sustainable “Having strengthened Ka- the 25th anniversary of diplomatic framework of the Eurasian Econom- urgent issues were discussed with ated between the two states. Today, development in the future. zakhstan as an established state, relations between the two countries. ic Union. the Kazakh leader in a more private the most important bilateral agree- “An entrepreneurial class has we proceeded to comprehensive He also highlighted the historically “Not much time has passed since meeting that they had prior to a larger ments have been signed aimed at the been created. More than 1.2 mil- modernisation, to the creation of friendly nature of Kazakh-Kyrgyz our meeting in Minsk. Our govern- meeting of the two delegations. further deepening the Kazakh-Kyrgyz lion Kazakhs have their own busi- a new quality of Kazakhstan’s In- relations. ments have carried out a very great “We will make every effort to cooperation. Those include the treaty nesses, which provide a quarter of dependence. In order to achieve “Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are and productive work and have re- continue strengthening our friendly, on the demarcation of the Kazakh- the total national income,” said this, we launched the political, fraternal and allied countries. We moved the issues that worried both fraternal relations. After we signed Kyrgyz state border and the agree- the head of state. economic and spiritual moderni- have established a constructive and you and us. That is why today we the roadmap, our departments and ment on the state border regime. We He noted that the Nurly Zhol sation,” said the President refer- trustful dialogue in all spheres,” Naz- can talk about what can be done in ministries began to work more fruit- also adopted a joint statement,” Naz- infrastructure development pro- ring to the three-pronged reform arbayev told his guest. the future,” Nazarbayev said. fully,” said Jeenbekov referring to arbayev told journalists during a joint gramme has become an effective package he had initiated earlier He also dwelled upon the econom- Jeenbekov thanked Nazarbayev the document signed earlier in De- press conference by the heads of state. anti-crisis solution that is providing this year. ic relations of the two states. for the opportunity to pay an official cember in Astana outlining measures Jeenbekov called the signed docu- a reserve for the future. Nazarbayev focused specifi- “I believe there are no issues that visit to Kazakhstan and for congratu- the two governments will be taking ments historical: “I am convinced “When severe winds blew, we built cally on the implementation of the Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan could lating him on winning the Kyrgyz jointly to resolve issues relating to this will contribute to the border not fences, but mills. In seven years, Rukhani Janghyru programme to not resolve. Over 10 months, our elections. customs and border administration between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakh- 24 new manufacturing sectors ap- modernise the national identity. trade turnover grew 13 percent. “My first visit to Kazakhstan is as well as phytosanitary and sanitary stan becoming the gateway of trust, peared. The effect of the programme “This year we celebrated Kazakhstan is one of Kyrgyzstan’s taking place in the year of a double controls of food products in Kyr- good-neighbourliness and mutually of industrial-innovative develop- Alashorda’s 100th anniversary. That main partners and investors that has anniversary – the 25th anniversary gyzstan. beneficial cooperation. At the same ment is measured not by facilities movement made a decision on the invested about $650 million in the of diplomatic relations between After the signing ceremony, the time, we must strive for the border [launched], but by whole branches transition of the Kazakh alphabet Kyrgyz economy. There are several our countries and the 20th anniver- heads of state expressed their confi- between us to be only a formality and [created],” said Nazarbayev. to Latin script. The transition to the hundred joint ventures. More than sary of the signing of the Treaty of dence that the negotiations held and for our peoples to be able to cross it The head of state specifically fo- Latin alphabet has its own deep his- 700 enterprises with Kyrgyz partici- Eternal Friendship. Our countries the documents signed would con- without hindrance, as they did be- cused on the success of economic torical logic. This is not only the ful- pation are operating in Kazakhstan,” have one history, one language, tribute to the further strengthening of fore. We are truly fraternal peoples. reforms, which became the basis for filment of the dreams of our ances- said the Kazakh leader. one faith and one culture,” said the bilateral relations. There are no closer people than the strengthening the social function of tors, but also the way into the future He also spoke about his recent Kyrgyz President. “A solid contractual base of more Kyrgyz and the Kazakhs,” he stated. the state. for generations to come,” said the “For the first time in history, the head of state. population of our country exceeded “I want to thank all Kazakhs for the first and second phases helped 18 million, birth rate increased 1.5 your trust that has given me the solve the tasks of building a mar- times. Kazakhstan this year reached strength to carry out all the trans- ket economy in the post-Soviet era, fourth place in the world in terms of formations, for your sincere par- President’s new book presented while the third is aimed at helping primary education coverage. Life ticipation and selfless efforts,” Naz- Kazakhstan join the top 30 most de- expectancy increased by 4.5 years arbayev stated. veloped countries, he explained. and amounted to 72.5 years. Pri- During the awarding ceremony, “It is not just a book. It is the view vate housing has become a reality President Nazarbayev stressed the in advance of Independence Day of President Nursultan Nazarbayev for more than 1.1 million families,” role and efforts of every Kazakh cit- reflects the author’s views on its pre- are presented in this book,” he on the history of our country and said the President. izen in the country’s achievements By Aigerim Seisembayeva sent and future. said. its future. It presents an impressive He particularly spoke about Ka- and praised the award-winning citi- Nur Otan Party First Deputy Chair “The Era of Independence” is not analysis of the events that occurred zakhstan’s international achieve- zens ASTANA – Kazakh President Mukhtar Kul-Mukhammed opened just a timeline of events. The book over 26 years – not only facts, but ments. “Today we mark with awards and Nursultan Nazarbayev’s book “The the ceremony by noting the book explains the logic and mechanisms also interpretations and emphases. “Our capital hosted the EXPO prizes the merits of those of our fel- Era of Independence” was presented could be called the encyclopaedia of behind decisions; for instance, how The book contains the valuable ex- international exhibition. This year low citizens who contributed to the in the capital Dec. 15 on the eve of Kazakhstan’s independence. the President defines domestic and perience of public management and alone, Kazakhstan hosted the World development of our homeland,” he the country’s Independence Day. “It covers all the aspects of our foreign policy and the way Kazakh- strategic planning in practice and in University Games, the historic SCO said. The work outlines the sovereign life, from political and economic stan builds relations with the world’s this respect, it is a kind of a national [Shanghai Cooperation Organisa- Nazarbayev received congratu- state’s development stages and the spheres to spiritual modernisation. leading powers. It embraces the es- platform for optimism and confi- tion] summit, the first OIC [Organi- latory telegrams on Independence challenges the young nation faced All the milestones of the three sence of Kazakhstan’s development dence in the future,” said Yerzhan sation of Islamic Cooperation] sum- Day from the heads of state of on its path to success. The publica- modernisation stages with opin- model, its evolution and strength. Babakumarov, Deputy Head of the mit on science and technology and Austria, Canada, Cuba, Germany, tion reflects Kazakhstan’s newest ions and an in-depth analysis of The author outlines the three waves Kazakh Prime Minister’s Office. the intra-Syrian peace talks. Begin- Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, the history in a journalistic genre and the head and founder of our state of the nation’s modernisation, noting Continued on Page A2 ning January 2018, our country will Netherlands, Singapore and other assume the presidency at the UN nations as well as UN Secretary Security Council,” he stated. General Antonio Guterre Latest Astana Process Syria talks result in documents on confidence-building measures GDP grows 3.9 percent toward the implementation of UN end of the year and offers a timely ● reaffirming their strong and By Dmitry Lee Security Council resolution 2254. opportunity to take a stop of the pro- continued commitment to the sov- in 11 months The communiqué also noted that gress made and to identify the tasks ereignty, independence, unity and Positive dynamics are observed ASTANA – The Dec. 22 8th the sides plan to maintain regular that remain ahead.” territorial integrity of the Syrian By Zhanna Shayakhmetova in all sectors as a result of econom- rounds of Astana Process talks in the contact in the lead up to the Jan. He added that the humanitarian Arab Republic; ic diversification programmes, ag- Kazakh capital to help de-escalate 29-30 Syrian national dialogue situation in Syria has improved as ● welcoming progress in the im- ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s gross ribusiness activities development, the conflict in Syria resulted in the congress in Sochi and that the a result of the de-escalation, though plementation of the Memorandum domestic product (GDP) increase entrepreneurship, infrastructure and adoption of a number of documents guarantor states will hold a Jan. 19- much remains to be done “such as on the creation of the de-escalation is expected to be 4 percent by the employment. in the area of confidence building, 20 preparatory meeting. the problem of exchange of detain- areas in the Syrian Arab Republic end of 2017 due to stable economic The industry, transport and com- as well as saw the reaffirmation of Also during the latest talks, the ees, which in our view, represent of 4 May 2017; growth rates, said Minister of Na- munication services demonstrate commitment of their participants to sides adopted the “Regulation on major obstacles in building confi- ● Welcome the achievements tional Economy Timur Suleimenov the greatest growth. Due to double- seek full elimination of terrorism the Working Group on the release of dence between Syrians.” made in the fight against terrorism m at a Dec. 12 governmental meeting. digit growth in oil and natural gas and strengthen the political process detainees/abductees and handover of “In this regard, we urge the guar- Syria, particularly the defeat of ISIL The economy grew by 3.9 percent production, the mining industry re- in that country. the bodies as well as the identification antors and Syrian parties to over- and imminent liberation of all the from January-November against corded an increase of 9.6 percent. According to the joint communi- of missing persons” and the “Joint come their differences through Syrian territory from ISIL; the backdrop of accelerated invest- “Pharmaceutical products, fur- qué by guarantor states Iran, Russia statement on humanitarian mine ac- dialogue and achieve the final ● Reaffirm their determination ment activity, inflationary process niture manufacturing, light and and Turkey, the sides will continue tion in Syria including the UNESCO agreement in this humanitarian is- to continue cooperation in order stabilisation and an improved eco- metallurgical industries, refined to try to strengthen the ceasefire re- list of cultural heritage sites.” sue,” Abdrakhmanov said. to ultimately eliminate DAESH/ nomic environment. products, food and beverages and gime and the functioning of the four “Today Syria is going through a Below is the full text of the joint ISIL, Nusra Front and other ter- The growth rate of investments in machinery became the drivers of de-escalation areas adopted during number of significant developments communiqué. rorist entities as designated by the fixed assets totalled 5.7 percent and growth in the manufacturing in- earlier Astana Process talks, said that offer us new opportunities The Islamic Republic of Iran, the UN Security Council and to pre- increased 2.8 times compared to 2016. dustry. The growth in agriculture Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat to pave the way to a peaceful and Russian Federation and the Repub- vent the relocation of international The annual inflation rate has remained accelerated from 1.9 percent up to Abdrakhmanov who read out the lasting political settlement of this lic of Turkey as guarantors of the terrorists to other countries and in the target corridor of 6-8 percent 2.3 percent for 11 months,” said communiqué, adding he hopes the crisis,” Abdrakhmanov said. “This observance of the ceasefire regime regions; since the beginning of this year, in- Suleimenov. talks move the Geneva peace talks round of talks is convened at the in the Syrian Arab Republic: Continued on Page A3 cluding 7.3 percent in November. Continued on Page A4

INSIDE NATION ECONOMY&BUSINESS EDITORIAL OPINIONS NATION&CAPITAL President meets with nation’s new Supreme KABC, AIFC to cooperate on green finance, Challenging year should strengthen resolve SHPEKBAYEV: Contemporary model of state, Paralympic athlete aims to change perception Mufti A2 blockchain technology and crowdfunding A4 to do better in 2018 A6 independent from corruption: initiatives and of people with limited abilities B1 achievements of Kazakhstan A7 PM urges improved services A2 PM stresses commitment to attracting foreign Altai Alps ski resort welcomes visitors to investment A5 SABIROV: Cybercrimes divide the world enjoy winter activities, improve skills B6 into two A7

US$ 1 = 333.32 KZT € 1 = 395.45 KZT 1 = 5.74 KZT A2 NATION

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017

NATIONAL President meets with nation’s new Supreme Mufti NEWS IN BRIEF madhhab (school) for Kazakh Oraz thanked Nazarbayev for President Nursultan Naz- By Frol Leandoer Muslims and noted the need to his reception. arbayev took part in Lord Harry clarify the foundations of this par- “The Spiritual Administration of Kenneth Woolf’s oath-taking ASTANA – Kazakh President ticular Islamic movement. Muslims faces a big task to revive ceremony to become court chair- Nursultan Nazarbayev recently “We have young people among the historically-established tradi- man of the Astana International congratulated Serikbay kazhy believers; there are those going tional religious school,” he said. Financial Centre (AIFC) Dec. 7. Oraz on his election as the nation’s to mosques in the fashion trend, “In your article ‘Course towards In his address to the chairman and Supreme Mufti, the highest official there are believers that are crop- the Future,’ you talked about the judges, Nazarbayev noted that it of the Spiritual Administration of ping pants and growing beards. need to follow new trends and is important to increase the world Muslims of Kazakhstan. There is a need to correctly explain changes in the surrounding world. community’s trust in the centre’s “I invited you on the eve of In- the foundations of Islam to all of Today, our imams study new liter- activities. The AIFC Court is to dependence Day in order to con- them,” he said. ature and apply this knowledge in start work in January 2018. gratulate you on your election to The head of state also stressed conducting sermons and services,” such a high post. Thanks to our the need for individual explana- he added. A migration service centre for independence, we were given the tory work with followers of radical The Supreme Mufti noted the foreign citizens will be opened in opportunity to revive our traditions religious movements. appointment, an unexpected deci- the capital, Government for Citi- and profess the religion of our an- upon to ensure order in the reli- meeting with representatives of the “We need to attract qualified sion for him, carries great respon- zens State Corporation head Ab- cestors. The state has done every- gious sphere so that believers do SAMK, where they discussed the imams who know the Qu’ran and sibility. He plans to achieve all the laikhan Ospanov announced Dec. thing to provide every citizen with not violate each other’s rights,” he need to modernise the country’s hadith (collection of traditional tasks for the next five years. 20. “The pilot project providing freedom of religion,” he said. added. consciousness and preserve its his- sayings) to explain the provisions “We also intend to do a thorough services for foreign citizens on Nazarbayev noted the Supreme The head of state spoke about torical and spiritual wealth. of the traditional Hanafi madhhab job of explaining the meanings of a single window principle is be- Mufti’s special role in regulating the need for joint work to explain “Patriotism, love of the mother- and its difference from destructive the Qu’ran and religion in general. ing launched in cooperation with relations with the Ministry for Re- and communicate the main provi- land and stability within the coun- currents,” he noted. There is a need to prevent the in- the Ministry of Internal Affairs,” ligious Affairs and Civil Society. sions of the upcoming draft law try and in the region is the guaran- The President emphasised the fluence of radical currents in the he said. Special centres provid- “Kazakhstan is a secular state. on religious activities to the pub- tee of our future. For this, we must importance of not only develop- state. The immunity of our society ing services for obtaining driv- The Ministry was not created for lic. The two men have also talked work together,” said the President. ing social support sponsorship for in this sense is very strong and we ing licenses will also be opened the purpose of any restriction of about religious education issues. Nazarbayev underlined the tra- those in need, but also scientific re- have enough knowledge about the in Kokshetau and Semei this year religion. The Ministry is called The President recalled the April ditional character of the Hanafi search, conferences and advocacy. Muslim world,” he said. and in Uralsk and Atyrau in the first quarter of 2019. Car registra- tion procedures will also be trans- ferred to electronic format.

A waste-processing plant and PM urges improved services Heads of law enforcement waste-sorting facilities will be According to Abayev, his ministry constructed as part of the public- By Dmitry Lee is developing a transfer of some in- private partnership in Karagan- formation systems, such as the eGov da, Temirtau and Zhezkazgan. ASTANA – State bodies should electronic government website, mo- bodies reshuffled “A two-container waste collec- change their approach servicing bile applications mGov, IIS PSC, modernisation of the judicial and Nazarbayev also appointed for- tion system has been gradually the public, Kazakh Prime Minister SDB the Real Estate Register and the By Dana Omirgazy law enforcement system, connected mer Civil Affairs and Anti-Corrup- introduced in Karaganda and Bakytzhan Sagintayev said Dec. 20 AIS State Land Cadastre to the trust with the adoption of a new law. tion Agency Chairperson Kairat Temirtau since 2014. More than during a weekly government meeting. management of the State Corporation ASTANA – Kazakh President Therefore, the new head of the judi- Kozhamzharov as the new Prosecu- 1,000 containers were installed. “Eighty-five percent of state- ser “Government for Citizens.” Nursultan Nazarbayev announced a cial authority will have to ensure its tor General. Eighty percent of urban and 54 vices are transferred to the State Cor- “Currently, work has been carried major reshuffle Dec. 11 in the na- effective and rapid implementation. “He worked in the Agency for percent of the rural population poration ‘Government for Citizens’ out to identify the so-called ‘hidden’ tion’s law enforcement structure, As a result, Kazakhstan’s justice Civil Service and Anti-Corruption now have their municipal solid – we have already reached a high services, some functions of govern- reported akorda.kz. should become more progressive for many years. He has manage- waste removal services covered. mark. But there is a lot of work on ment agencies that are defined as Nazarbayev proposed appointing and fair. I believe that the candida- rial experience and experience in The total volume of waste recy- the quality of services that has to be ‘public services’ but not included in former Supreme Court Chairperson ture of Asanov fully meets the high- the prosecutor’s office. In con- cling amounted to 9 percent of done. The question is not how many the Register of Public Services, for Kairat Mami to the Senate as Con- est requirements,” said the head of nection with his transition to the the total amount of accumulated services we provide, but how we do their further inclusion in the register,” stitutional Council chair to replace state as he presented Asanov to the post of Prosecutor General, Alik waste, with a planned figure of 3 it. When the people feel that they re- Minister of National Economy Timur Igor Rogov, who reached retire- members of the Senate. Shpekbayev is appointed chairper- percent for this year,” said Kara- ceive low-quality service, they still go Suleimenov said. ment age. The President noted Asanov’s son of the Agency for Civil Service ganda region Natural Resources for a paper certificate. That means the According to the minister, 58 new “Igor Rogov reached the retire- personal qualities and profession- and Anti-Corruption Affairs,” he and Environmental Regulation state bodies should change their ap- services have already been included ment age. In accordance with the al skills and expressed gratitude said. Department head Ruslan Tulep- proach,” Sagintayev said. in the register. The ministry has re- law, he is dismissed from his post. to Mami for his contribution in Prior to the appointment, bayev. Harmful substance emis- There are 746 public services listed viewed additionally 200 functions of I want to thank him for his fruitful developing the country’s judicial Shpekbayev served as the agency’s sions decreased by 12.6 percent on the Register of Public Services, ac- state bodies, of which 50 new services and good work. Kairat Mami is ap- system. deputy chair. He is a member of compared to 2012. Emissions cording to primeminister.kz. Approxi- will be included in the register as well. pointed as chairperson of the Con- “The only thing I can promise Kazakhstan’s Human Rights Com- amounted to 593,000 tonnes in mately 450 can be serviced online, Furthermore, the Ministry of In- stitutional Council,” he said. is openness and transparency, as mission and president of the coun- 2016. As a result, large enterpris- 621 provided through the State Cor- formation and Communications and Former Prosecutor General it was before, maybe more. The try’s Rock Climbing Federation. es have been enacting environ- poration “Government for Citizens” state bodies involved in the work cre- Zhakip Asanov was suggested as President controls this and we will The President once again focused mental protection projects. Last and 191 are local executive services. ate an action plan to transfer public the candidate for Supreme Court be open. Especially in the frame- on implementing qualitative and year, more than 21 billion tenge Minister of Information and Com- services to non-alternative services. chair. work of the President’s address, all timely reforms in the country’s ju- (US$63 million) was allocated to munications Dauren Abayev said the Meanwhile, the Ministry of Nation- “This choice is not accidental. our activities should become very dicial and law enforcement system, environmental protection. ministry is constantly seeking to im- al Economy was instructed to develop We are entering the next stage of transparent,” said Asanov. noted the website. prove the services. a Roadmap to identify “hidden” ser- The first natural gas filling “The Ministry of Information and vices and responsible officials within compressor station was opened in Communications is considering the a month. Aktobe. Gas at a cost of 60 tenge possibility of interaction in the ‘Paper The prime minister also said it is per litre (US$0.17) will be an Free’ format – the exclusion of paper- important for the government to fo- alternative to liquefied gas, pet- work, the transition to the ‘one appli- cus on protecting the personal data of President’s new book... rol and diesel fuel. “The project cation’ principle,” he said. citizens. Continued from Page A1 to convert cars to natural gas is implemented as part of the agree- The work outlines Kazakhstan’s ment signed between the region 33 main achievements since 1991, and the KazTransGas company including building a unique model in 2015. Environmental friendli- MFA launches app of interethnic and interfaith accord, ness and economy are the main closing the Semipalatinsk nuclear advantages of methane. It is two- test site, creating a market economy, or three-fold cheaper than fuel. to assist citizens launching its own currency, building Methane does not freeze until a new capital, chairing the Organisa- minus 80 degrees in winter. Liq- mobile application contains advice on tion for Security and Co-operation in uefied gas is less environmentally insurances, medical services, emer- By Aigerim Seisembayeva Europe (OSCE) and hosting EXPO friendly and more explosive,” gency actions, useful phone numbers, 2017. said KazTransGas General Direc- contact details of Kazakh transport of- ASTANA – The Ministry of For- The narrative is divided into four tor Arman Kassenov. The station eign Affairs launched Dec. 14 a new fices, as well as advisory information parts – “Birth of the state”, “Great can serve up to 400 vehicles per mobile app that will help Kazakh about medical institutions and law- overcoming”; “On a steep rise” and day. The company plans to open citizens find resources, understand yers. Application users will be able to “The established state”– with the last local cultures and travel more safely contact the consul of Kazakhstan in six automobile gas filling com- stage covering the events from 2010 pressor stations until 2022 in the abroad. The application, Smart- a particular country and receive con- to the present. The book also reflects sular assistance on emergency issues Aktyubinsk region. TravelKZ, contains information Kazakhstan’s aspiration to pursue online,” said Madiyev. about countries, regional peculiari- a multi-vector policy, participate in He added that in the face of in- Five hundred and fifty youth- ties, standards of behaviour in dif- all global initiatives and set world creasing threats to global security, social projects were awarded ferent countries, recommendations trends. on actions in hazardous situations, natural disasters and the growing grants in the amount of up to 1 Kazakh Parliament Senate (up- warnings about emergencies and number of trips of Kazakh citizens million tenge (US$3,000) as part per chamber) Deputy and former other necessary information for Ka- abroad, the issue of modernising of the Zhas Project programme Minister of Education and Science zakh citizens abroad. The applica- measures of consular support is be- launched in the Almaty, Kara- Bakhytzhan Zhumagulov dwelled tion also offers information about coming especially important. ganda, Pavlodar and South Ka- on the book’s focus on improving the sanitary-epidemiological and crimi- “We have studied the positive zakhstan regions. The project country’s human capital. nal conditions in various countries. experience of developed countries, unites 8,500 youngsters and aims “It provides for substantial im- “Information on the visa regime and generally, it was the foreign to involve vulnerable groups in and the order of stay in a foreign minister’s idea. We started working provement in education, science, healthcare, culture, sports and qual- socially useful activities through country, as well as general informa- on the project since February this the development of skills neces- tion on visa-free countries for Ka- year,” Madiyev explained. ity of life. Over the years of inde- pendence, a new system of science sary for integration into soci- zakh citizens can be of particular He also stated that Kazakhstan cur- ety and productive employment. interest. Also, the mobile application rently has 90 consular offices in 67 and education has been created and its material base has been substan- Sanat Kushkumbayev, deputy di- newspaper board chair Darkhan Ky- “This is a good opportunity to can provide data on items prohibited countries. All of them have been no- rector of the Kazakhstan Institute for dyrali. create a social business. For ex- for import and export, rules of duty- tified about the launch of the Smart- tially expanded, especially in pre- Strategic Studies, shared his opinion The work also contains interest- ample, we have five or six pro- free import and export and veterinary TravelKZ mobile application and are school and secondary education. All of the new work. ing personal assessments of mod- jects aimed at creating sewing and phytosanitary control in certain ready to continue providing support of this is described in detail in the “As the President wrote in his ern world leaders such as Tony countries,” said the Director of the for Kazakh citizens. In the countries book. Thanks to the unique Bolashak workshops. Young people invest- Department of Consular Service of where there are no consular offices, Programme, more than 12,000 tal- book, a country’s foreign policy is a Blair, Bill Clinton, Vladimir Putin, ed in sewing training and pur- the Foreign Ministry Ardak Madiyev according to Madiyev, there are 103 ented young people have been edu- reflection of the domestic one. It is Margaret Thatcher and Jiang Zemin chased equipment,” said Pavlodar during the app’s presentation. honorary consuls who have also been cated in the world’s best universities. no coincidence that all three stages of and reveals details of the settlement region project coordinator Dinara He also noted that SmartTravelKZ alerted to the launch of the application. A network of intellectual schools, modernisation are synchronised with of the Russian-Turkish conflict and Aitzhanova. As a result, about users will not only be able to receive The application is available for An- vocational lyceums and world-class our country’s foreign policy achieve- situation around the Syria talks. 2,000 people started businesses up-to-date information about the sit- droid users and will be available in the universities has been created and is ments,” he said. Experts have already called the in a five-month period. In the uation in a foreign country, but can near future for iOS. SmartTravelKZ developing in the country. As a re- “This book will help you see how publication an important document pilot regions, 79 sports facilities also directly contact a Kazakh con- can be downloaded from the official sult, today we have an educational issues occurred and how they were of the era that will always be in de- and 94 leisure centres, including sul for advice. Kazakh MFA website as well. The app and scientific system that meets the solved through hard work and expe- mand not only in Kazakhstan, but theatres, vocal and dance centres, “For the users’ convenience, the is also able to work in offline mode. global standards,” he said. rience,” added Egemen Kazakhstan also abroad. were opened. A3 EURASIA&WORLD

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017

EXTERNAL NEWS IN BRIEF Latest Astana Process Syria talks result in Kazakhstan presented the na- tion’s investment projects during the Dec. 14 Kazakh-Qatari busi- ness forum in Doha. The Kazakh documents on confidence-building measures delegation, including representa- Continued from Page A1 handover of the bodies as well as tives of the country’s Ministry for the identification of missing - per Investments and Development, ● Express joint determination sons” and the “Joint statement on Atamaken National Chamber of to continue coordinated efforts humanitarian mine action in Syria Entrepreneurs and Foreign Trade to ensure that the progress in including the UNESCO list of cul- Chamber, briefed Qatar’s busi- reduction of violence is irre- tural heritage sites”; ness community on the nation’s versible. They underscore the ● Reaffirm their determination export potential, an important area necessity to take urgent and ac- to continue implementing the pro- of cooperation given 90 percent tive international steps in order visions of the Memorandum of of goods in Qatar are imported. to assist the Syrians in restor- 4 May 2017 and other decisions Qatari companies and businesses ing unity of the country, and adopted earlier within the frame- expressed interest in Kazakhstan’s achieving a political solution work of the Astana process; large-scale privatisation and pub- of the crisis through an inclu- ● Emphasise the need to contin- lic-private partnership programmes sive, free, fair and transparent ue efforts aimed at strengthening and the sides agreed to establish a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned the ceasefire regime and ensuring business council seeking expanded process leading to a constitu- the effective functioning of all four economic and trade ties. tion enjoying the support of the de-escalation areas; Syrian people and free and fair ● Express their sincere gratitude Washington hosted an official elections with the participation to the President of the Republic of reception celebrating Kazakhstan’s of all eligible Syrians under ap- Kazakhstan, His Excellency Nur- 26th anniversary of independence, propriate UN supervision; the Syrian society and call on the To this end three guarantors will under the UN auspices in Geneva and sultan Nazarbayev and the Kazakh gathering representatives of the ● Reaffirm their determination representatives of the Govern- hold a special preparation meet- facilitating an intra-Syrian agreement authorities for hosting in Astana White House, U.S. State Depart- to closely interact on a regular ment of the Syrian Arab Republic ing in Soсhi before the congress, based on mutual consent; the 8th high-level International ment, Pentagon, leading American basis to support preparation for and the opposition that are com- on 19-20 January 2018; ● Adopt, with a view to building Meeting on Syria; companies and investors and busi- and convening of the Syrian na- mitted to the sovereignty, inde- ● Emphasise that they view the up- confidence between the conflict- ● Decide to hold the next high- ness and academic circles, report- tional dialogue congress in Sochi pendence, unity, territorial integ- coming Syrian national dialogue con- ing parties in Syria, the “Regula- level International Meeting on ed Kazakh TV. The participants [on 29-30 January 2018] with the rity and non-fractional character gress as an initiative aimed at giving tion on the Working Group on the Syria in Astana in the second half praised the nation’s contribution participation of all segments of of Syria to actively cooperate. momentum to negotiation process release of detainees/abductees and of February 2018. to a global nuclear non-prolifera- tion regime, stability, security and peace building efforts and its role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. FM meets Austrian President, attends Deputy Assistant to the President and National Security Council Senior Director for South and Cen- tral Asia Lisa Curtis noted Kazakh- OSCE Ministerial in Vienna stan has remained a reliable partner in all key areas, adding the U.S. is on reforms, outlined in President talks within the OSCE region with tion in the OSCE human dimen- trian relations was also discussed anticipating President Nursultan By Almasbek Zhumadilov Nazarbayev’s address to the na- a view to preventing the growth of sion,” he said. during the meeting with the OSCE “I strongly believe that we should Chair-in-Office – Austria’s Min- Nazarbayev’s visit in January. tion “The Third Modernisation of military activity and the increases ASTANA – Kazakh Minister Kazakhstan: Global Competitive- in the concentration of troops and, build upon this positive momen- ister for Europe, Integration and ness” and “Rukhani Janghyru” pro- as a consequence, the danger of tum in the OSCE to form a healthy Foreign Affairs Sebastian Kurz. The Kazakh visa centre, the first of Foreign Affairs Kairat Abdra- khmanov met with Austrian Presi- gramme. military incidents, confirming Ka- political environment as a strong Special attention was paid to the institution of its kind in the history dent Alexander Van der Bellen, and At the Dec. 7-8 24th OSCE zakhstan’s willingness to actively foundation for conflict-free devel- development of economic interac- of the nation’s diplomacy, was re- attended the 24th Council of For- Ministerial Council session on the participate in it. opment and the attainment of the tion with an emphasis on trade di- cently unveiled in Beijing, bring- eign Ministers of the Organisation Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian chal- The OSCE’s economic and eco- vision enshrined in the 2010 Astana versification, as well as legal coop- ing Kazakh-Chinese tourism part- for Security and Cooperation in Eu- lenges, Abdrakhmanov stressed logical dimension should help build Declaration. That declaration it- eration, including the establishment nership to a new level. The centre rope (OSCE) during a Dec. 6-8 visit the importance of the principles of consensus, stability and coopera- self as the one and only document of direct contacts between law en- is the result of a series of events to Vienna. the Astana Declaration of the 2010 tion within the OSCE, he said. of such scale in the 21st Century forcement agencies, the signing of seeking to promote travel, includ- The Austrian President praised OSCE Summit – the only political “The OSCE can promote greater proves that this mission is possible. bilateral treaties and the accession ing Kazakh tour operators’ visit Kazakhstan for its holding of document the organisation adopted compatibility between regional But we need trust, transparency, tol- of Kazakhstan to the legal instru- to China followed by a presenta- EXPO 2017 and Kazakhstan’s ef- in the 21st century. economic and integration processes erance and respect for traditions,” ments of the Council of Europe. tion of domestic tourism potential. forts to help de-escalate the conflict In his remarks to colleagues from and, ultimately, lead to the forma- Abdrakhmanov concluded evoking Abdrakhmanov also congratu- More than 100,000 Chinese tour- in Syria and other peacekeeping ef- other 56 OSCE participating states tion of a single economic space the famous 4 Ts slogan of Kazakh- lated Kurz for the victory of his ists visited Kazakhstan this year forts. He also noted Kazakh Presi- as well as eleven partners, the dip- from the Atlantic to the Pacific. stan’s 2010 OSCE chairmanship. Austrian People’s Party at the par- and the sides expect the figures to dent Nursultan Nazarbayev’s lead- lomat pointed out the importance of We hope to continue promoting the On the sidelines of the Vienna liamentary elections in October, increase. The visa-related service ership in nuclear non-proliferation, dialogue and cooperation in conflict benefits of enhanced interaction be- ministerial, the Kazakh minister wished him success in forming the will be outsourced to TLScontact, according to the Kazakh Ministry prevention and outlined Kazakh- tween integration associations, and attended an informal meeting of new government and invited him to one of the leading companies in the of Foreign Affairs. stan’s priorities as a non-permanent in this regard remain committed to CSTO foreign ministers who dis- visit Kazakhstan. field. The two officials also discussed member of the UN Security Coun- the idea of a Greater Eurasia, unit- cussed the OSCE Agenda and CS- A detailed conversation on global bilateral cooperation within inter- cil and mediation efforts in the ing the Eurasian Economic Union, TO-OSCE cooperation. Kazakhstan issues also took place with Secre- Kazakhstan exported more than national organisations, including Eurasian region. He also presented the Belt and Road Initiative, and the proposed to focus on countering tary General of European External 100,000 tonnes of grain to Iran in the UN and the OSCE. They also the Kazakh President’s initiatives European Union,” he noted. terrorism, cybersecurity and com- Action Service Helga Schmid. The the first ten months of 2017, report- discussed Kazakh – European Un- to create a Global Anti-Terrorist An initiative from Secretary bating illicit drug trafficking as pos- diplomats considered the imple- ed Kazakh TV. The shipments also ion cooperation in the context the Coalition and the Code of Conduct General Thomas Greminger to cre- sible areas for cooperation. mentation of the Joint Comprehen- included 2,000 tonnes of chilled Enhanced Partnership and Coop- on Global Action against Terrorism ate thematic OSCE missions was Abdrakhmanov also discussed sive Plan of Action on the Iranian lamb and 200,000 tonnes of fodder eration Agreement (EPCA). Austria and Extremism and called for steps welcomed by Abdrakhmanov, who bilateral and multilateral coopera- nuclear programme, the situation in crops, such as rapeseed, oilcake is involved in implementing the EU to strengthen OSCE cooperation proposed using the former EXPO tion with the heads of delegations the Middle East and Afghanistan. and barley. Iran has offered to pro- strategy for Central Asia and seeks with the Conference on Interaction 2017 site to host the thematic OSCE from Austria, Italy, Macedonia, While in Vienna, Abdrakhmanov cess Kazakh grain at its plants, al- to partner with Kazakhstan on tran- and Confidence Building Measures Centre for Interconnectedness and Mongolia, the Netherlands, Estonia also met with Lassina Zerbo, ex- lowing it to reach markets in neigh- sit transport and infrastructure pro- in Asia, the Shanghai Cooperation Green Economy in Astana. and the European Union. ecutive secretary of the preparatory bouring countries like Afghanistan jects. Organisation and the Collective Se- “Kazakhstan is of the opinion Talking to the European part- commission of the Comprehensive and Iraq, and representatives of Abdrakhmanov met with the curity Treaty Organisation that will that the reduction of environmental ners, the Kazakh minister stressed Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organisa- Kazakhstan’s Food Contract Cor- Kazakh-Austrian society’s leader- be chaired by Kazakhstan in 2018. risks, resource efficiency and alter- the need to strengthen contacts be- tion (CTBTO) to discuss Kazakh- poration have expressed interest in ship, Kazakhstan honorary con- Abdrakhmanov also praised the native energy uses go hand in hand tween citizens of Kazakhstan and stan’s on-going cooperation with the proposal. The sides also agreed suls in Austria and Slovenia and start of a structured dialogue on with good governance, encourage European countries, including by CTBTO in reaching its goal of en- to export frozen lamb and are cur- Austrian economic officials and military challenges meant to re- the rule of law, economic progress simplifying the visa regime. suring the treaty’s early entry into rently negotiating shipments of Ka- businesspeople. The talks focused store confidence in arms control and the strengthening of coopera- The spectrum of Kazakh-Aus- force. zakh beef.

Kazakhstan supported prolong- ing the United Nations resolution on humanitarian aid to Syria dur- Human Rights Day marked at Foreign Ministry ing the recent meeting of the UN “President of Kazakhstan Nur- having consolidated the politi- the values and principles of human man Rights Dialogue in the frame- Security Council (UNSC), where By Almasbek Zhumadilov sultan Nazarbayev attaches great cal and legal bases of sovereignty, rights protection, as well as to con- work of the Enhanced Partnership the overwhelming majority voted importance to the rule of law and proclaimed the life, rights and sistently strengthening its national and Cooperation Agreement, the in favour of a year-long extension. ASTANA – To celebrate the In- the establishment of a legal culture freedoms of a person regardless human rights system. “Kazakhstan establishment of the office of the The Kazakh delegation also advo- ternational Human Rights Day, in Kazakh society and respect for of origin, social status, nationality, actively interacts with the mecha- Ombudsman for Children’s Rights cated for the UN and non-govern- Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign the constitutional rights of citi- language and religion as the highest nism of the special procedures of and Kazakhstan’s growing desire mental organisations working in Affairs hosted the round table “Hu- zens in the context of the interna- values of the state. “Kazakhstan is the UNHRC. In 2009, we sent an to strengthen engagement between Syria to improve the monitoring man Rights as the Basis of Harmo- tional obligations of our country,” always guided by its international open invitation to all mandate hold- government and civil society. and transparency of humanitarian nious Development of Society and stressed Abdykalikova, opening obligations in protection of human ers of the special procedures of the During the event, participants operations under their auspices. the State” on Dec. 7 in Astana. the round table. “Kazakhstan has rights. The norms of human rights UNHRC,” he stressed. discussed issues of the realisation The diplomats stressed the inef- The event, chaired by Kazakh- created a dynamically developing agreements approved by our state Shimomura thanked the Kazakh of human rights and freedoms in ficiency of humanitarian efforts stan’s Human Rights Commission national system for the protection are included in the national legis- government for organising this Kazakhstan, underscoring the im- alone and urged the UNSC mem- Chair Kuanysh Sultanov, brought of human rights; its system-form- lation and practice of law enforce- important event and confirmed the portance of the country’s current bers to support the Geneva talks together Kazakh State Secretary ing elements include the institution ment,” Sultanov noted. readiness of the UN to provide fur- reform projects and Nazarbayev’s and the Astana process seeking to Gulshara Abdykalikova, who also of the Ombudsman and the Com- Asanov informed participants ther support to the initiatives of the policy article, “Course towards settle the six-year crisis. chairs the National Commission mission on Human Rights under about new procedures and mecha- government of Kazakhstan and the the Future,” in improving human for Women Affairs and Family, as the head of state, which is a reli- nisms in working with citizens de- Human Rights Commission under rights mechanisms and strengthen- Trade turnover between Kazakh- well as Prosecutor General Zhakyp able link between the institutions veloped in 2017. “In accordance the President. “The UN structures ing the national system for human stan and the Eurasian Economic Asanov, Labour and Social Pro- of civil society and state bodies,” with the instructions of the head of represented in your country are al- rights protection. International and Union (EAEU) members Armenia, tection Minister Tamara Duisse- she added, . She noted the timeli- state, we have improved the princi- ways ready to cooperate in fulfilling national experts who participated in Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Russia nova, Deputy Foreign Minister ness of their discussions on the ples of working with citizens with all obligations in the field of human the discussion praised human rights totalled $13,971.4 million from Roman Vassilenko, Justice Vice eve of the 70th anniversary of the the aim of increasing efficiency and rights and promoting sustainable mechanisms in Kazakhstan. January-October, a 28.1-percent Minister Elvira Azimova, UNDP Universal Declaration of Human saving resources. One of the results development in Kazakhstan and Concluding the work of the round increase compared to the previ- Resident Representative Norimasa Rights (UDHR), adopted by the of the work done is the creation beyond,” he stated. table, Sultanov presented a letter of ous year. Kazakh exports reached Shimomura, head of the EU Del- UN General Assembly on Dec. 10, of our Law Enforcement Services Assuring the commitment of the gratitude to Szabo to mark the com- $4,154.1 million, 32.1 percent egation Traian Hristea, head of the 1948 as Resolution 217, as well as Centre, which does not have any EU, the Organisation for Security pletion of OSCE Programme Office more than in 2016, and imports OSCE Programme Office Gyorgy the preparation of a national report analogue in the world,” he said. and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), supported training seminars on hu- were $9,817.3 million, a 26.5-per- Szabo, International Organisation under the Third Universal Periodic Vassilenko pointed out that to the IOM and British government to man rights protection mechanisms cent increase compared to the pre- for Migration (IOM) Coordinator Review in the UN Human Rights date, Kazakhstan has joined all key continue providing support to Ka- that had been organised for repre- vious year. Russia continues to rep- for Central Asia Dejan Keserovic, Council (UNHRC). international instruments in the field zakhstan in its efforts to ensure har- sentatives of the local governments, resent the biggest share, accounting British Charge d’Affaires Andrew The chair of Kazakhstan’s Hu- of the human rights promotion and monious dialogue between civil so- civil society and judiciary of areas for 92.2 percent of Kazakhstan’s MacAlisster and other members of man Rights Commission stated that protection, which demonstrates the ciety and the state, foreign speakers in the West Kazakhstan, Kostanai trade turnover within the EAEU. the diplomatic corps. the Constitution of Kazakhstan, firm commitment of the country to welcomed the Kazakhstan-EU Hu- and North Kazakhstan regions. A4 ECONOMY

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017

ECONOMY KABC, AIFC to cooperate Kazakh GDP grows NEWS IN BRIEF Akhmetzhan Yessimov was ap- pointed Dec. 23 Chairman of the Board of the Samruk Kazyna Nation- on green finance, 3.9 percent in 11 months al Welfare Fund. On behalf of Presi- Continued from Page A1 Sustained economic growth was at 4.5 percent, but it already dent Nursultan Nazarbayev, Prime accompanied by improvements in reached 5.2 percent,” said Minister Bakytzhan Sagintayev and Transportation services rose by the social sector. First Vice Minister of National Head of the Presidential Administra- blockchain technology tion Adilbek Dzhaksybekov intro- 4.8 percent, communications ser- Job creation is one of the main Economy Ruslan Dalenov at vices by 3.2 percent, trade by 2.8 priorities, said Suleimenov. The the briefing. duced Yessimov to the staff of the Samruk-Kazyna. Yessimov previ- percent and real estate transactions number of employees increased by The positive growth dynamics ously held the post of the Chairman by 2.5 percent. 53,100 to 6.4 million and the aver- in industry, agriculture and con- and crowdfunding of the Board of the Astana EXPO “The investments in fixed assets age nominal monthly salary rose struction are also noted in certain is on the AIFC’s radar as well. We 2017 National Company and was grew by 5.7 percent and reached 7.5 by 4.6 percent to 146,500 tenge regions. The Atyrau region regis- widely credited for the successful or- By Arsen Omarkulov hope that the signing of this agree- trillion tenge (US$22.35 billion). (US$437). tered a 21.4-percent rise in indus- ment will further boost the develop- ganisation and holding of the EXPO The main increases in investments “The industry is making a try ensured by stable oil produc- 2017 international exhibition last ASTANA – The Kazakhstan As- ment of applications of the block- go into agriculture, trade, construc- breakthrough with an increase tion at the Kashagan field. The sociation of Blockchain and Cryp- chain technology in our country. summer. Sagintayev noted Yessi- tion and industry,” he added. of 7.3 percent, while there was 11-month period produced 7.3 mov’s merits before the country and tocurrency (KABC) and Astana In- We, as an association, will direct all The country’s foreign trade turn- a drop last year. There are sev- million tonnes, 46 percent ahead ternational Financial Centre (AIFC) our efforts to encouraging our mem- emphasised his high professionalism over increased by 25.6 percent to eral reasons for this. Oil pro- of the annual plan. and responsibility in accomplishing signed Dec. 11 a memorandum of bers to launch new projects within $62.1 billion. The export surplus duction and the manufacturing The Kyzylorda region with a cooperation covering fintech, green the AIFC’s platform,” said Eset Bu- the most difficult tasks set by the soared by nearly 71.7 percent as industry are growing. We ex- 3.9 percent decrease and Mangis- government. finance, asset management, devel- tin, chairman of KABC. a result of a more than twofold pected 8.3 percent growth in tau region with a 0.4 percent de- opment of a crowdinvesting envi- Butin and AIFC board chairman prevalence of growth in exports oil production, but we already crease are still in the negative zone The Atyrau refinery is set to in- ronment, ICO and crowdfunding, as Nurlan Kussainov signed the docu- over growth in imports. The figure have growth of 10.9 percent. against the backdrop of a decline well as the blockchain technology. ment. crease motor fuel production and was also improved by growth in As for the manufacturing in- in oil production as a result of de- the commissioning work has started This is definitely an important Kazakhstan Association of Block- processed product export. dustry, growth was expected pletion of reserves. on the deep oil refining complex, milestone for KABC and for the en- chain and Cryptocurrency (KABC) reported 24.kz. The project, part of tire blockchain industry. The MoU was founded earlier this year in Al- the Industrialisation Map, aims to signed today confirms that this topic maty. increase refining depth and volumes and produce high-quality fuel. Near- ly 500 new jobs have been created Electronic customs declaration at the complex. The plant’s manage- ment has noted one-stage production growth is still not possible, as the All regional centres tests and reaching the designed ca- to be launched Janyary 1 pacity will take several months. “The minimising direct contact between of the number of information sys- commissioning of this complex will By Zhazira Dyussembekova participants in foreign economic tems, the possibility of paperless allow sharply increasing the produc- to be covered with 4G activity and customs authorities. declaration of goods, auto-release tion of diesel fuel of the K4 and K5 ASTANA – Two new customs The programme launch will and auto-registration. standards, which are an analogue codes, one each for Kazakhstan also include the single window for “In order to simplify the cus- of Euro 4 and Euro 5… Diesel fuel and the Eurasian Economic Un- export-import operations, which is toms administration starting from production will increase 23 percent,” by end of 2017 ion (EAEU), will come into force also aimed at significantly reduc- Jan. 1, 2018, the single window said Atyrau Oil Refinery General Di- tions is to provide the population Jan. 1. Under the new legislation, ing customs clearance and simpli- mechanism will be launched for rector Galimzhan Amanturlin. Staff Report with broadband internet access Kazakhstan will introduce the fying customs declaration proce- nine permissive documents. Out of services. ASTANA-1 information system dures. these, seven documents are under Fifty-five significant projects ASTANA – Deputy Chairman “As a result of the creation of for electronic declaration, based “ASTANA-1 is being intro- the competence of the Ministry of worth 162 billion tenge (US$484.38 of the State Control Committee in a modern telecommunications on the Automated System for duced in stages. On Oct. 1 of this Agriculture, one under the com- million) were implemented under the the field of Communications, In- infrastructure, the number of in- Customs Data (ASYCUDA). The year, the Customs Transit sub- petence of the Ministry of Health- Industrialisation Programme in the formatisation and Mass Media of ternet users was 76.8 percent in programme has been under devel- system was put into trial opera- care, one under the competence Zhambyl region, reported khabar. Kazakhstan Mikhail Komissarov 2016. According to this indica- opment since 2015, when the Min- tion. Starting from Jan. 1, 2018, of conformity assessment bodies kz. In the country’s 26 years of in- recently announced Kazakhstan tor, Kazakhstan ranks 36th in the istry of Finance’s State Revenue there are plans to put its other (organisations accredited by the dependence, the region has attracted hopes to cover all regional centres Global Competitiveness Index of Committee signed the relevant subsystems into operation. The Committee for technical regula- about 2 trillion tenge (US$5.98 bil- with 4G by the end of 2017. the World Economic Forum,” the agreement with the United Nations ASTANA-1 information sys- tion and metrology of the Ministry lion) in investments, creating more “The coverage of the population ministry official said. Conference on Trade and Devel- tem is set up in accordance with of Investment and Development), than 6,300 new jobs and growing its by 3G services amounted to 86.8 Already the population is con- opment (UNCTAD). the norms of the Customs Code which account for 80 percent of gross regional product 110-fold in percent in 2016. 4G mobile ser- nected to the internet via a fibre- “The ASTANA-1 information of the Eurasian Economic Un- the total number of permitting nominal terms. Zhambyl’s agro-in- vices are provided in towns with optic cable in all major cities of system is a multifunctional and ion (EAEU). At the same time, documents required for customs dustrial complex is also developing a population of 50,000 people and the country. complex system that will provide some innovations in the field of clearance,” he added. dynamically, industrial production higher. We expect that by the end “The world trend is now certainly favourable conditions for partici- customs legislation have already ASYCUDA has been introduced volumes are increasing, social and of this year all regional centres moving towards the development pants in foreign trade activities and been implemented, such as elec- in more than 90 countries, mostly cultural facilities are being construct- will be covered with 4G,” Komis- of wireless mobile networks, as evi- will allow automated monitoring tronic declaration of goods, au- developing ones. According to asy- ed and the quality of residents’ lives sarov said at a meeting of the pub- denced by the growth in the number of the entire customs process from tomatic registration of a customs cuda.org, 43 countries are in Afri- has significantly improved. lic council on the development of cellular subscribers, the country the moment of submitting prelimi- declaration and automatic re- ca. Thirteen European and Central of information, information and now has more than 26 million sub- nary information to control after lease of a declaration for goods,” Asian nations have introduced it as The current year has become the communication technologies and scribers. In Kazakhstan, the density the release of goods,” said Min- said Sultanov. their customs declaration system, most successful for air carriers in the provision of public services. of cellular subscribers ranked 17th ister of Finance Bakhyt Sultanov, The main differences between including Afghanistan, Georgia, Kazakhstan in the past five years, He noted that one of the minis- in the world in 2017,” Komissarov adding the introduction will lead the existing customs operations Moldova, Latvia, Lithuania, Ro- according to finprom.kz. Approxi- try’s priorities in telecommunica- said. to reducing the corruption level by and ASTANA-1 are the reduction mania and Turkmenistan. mately 6.8 million individuals were transported from January-Novem- ber, a 1.3 million or 22.2-percent hike compared to last year, as in- comes exceeded 260 billion tenge (US$777.4 million). The increase in the number of passengers has trans- Mining companies in Kostanai region lated into growth in airline revenue, which reached 266.4 billion tenge (US$796.53 million), or 26.4 percent boost digital technology use more than the same period in 2016. The roadmaps are in use by SS- cast, the Smart Career system was and a new factory complex to be The company has implemented Several additional major inter- By Yerbolat Uatkhanov GPO, Kostanai Minerals and Var- launched at Kachar quarry with launched in 2018-2023. approximately 200 projects from national brands will be franchised varinskoye. Regional deputy akim the participation of Kazakh Presi- “The construction of the factory 2012-2017 and invested more in the Kazakh market next year, re- ASTANA – Large mining en- (governor) Meirzhan Myrzaliyev dent Nursultan Nazarbayev. Using complex will increase the volume than two billion tenge (US$6 mil- ported 24.kz. They include projects terprises in the Kostanai region spoke about the ways each enter- the system, the company plans to of mining of iron ore at the Kachar lion). The investments helped the from Australia, Japan and South have developed and implemented prise plans to introduce the new increase mining equipment pro- quarry by 50 percent, which will company receive an economic Korea, according to Franchising roadmaps for technological mod- technologies and modernise their ductivity by 10 percent. Increases give an additional two million boost of 4.7 billion tenge (US$14 Association forecasts. Experts note ernisation under Kazakhstan’s operations during the regional ad- are expected as well in movement tonnes of finished products per million). In the near future, more the domestic market currently of- third modernisation programme. ministration meeting, reported Ka- speed and equipment distribution. year. At the same time, the produc- fers sufficient copies of the world’s Investments in projects executed zinform. The company also plans to im- tivity of one section of the concen- Kostanai Minerals most famous clothing and fast food by companies through 2025 will SSGPO has taken the first steps plement cycle-flow technology in trator will increase 3.5 times. There brands and the market is saturated. total 92.7 billion tenge (US$276.2 in the updating process. During the quarry’s career programme, is a need to invest 92.1 billion tenge plans to modernise the As a result, entrepreneurs are look- million). the Dec. 6 nationwide TV broad- a project planned for 2017-2021, (US$274.4 million). The construc- ing for new niches and the franchises tion of a new factory complex in- enrichment complex will feature coffee shops and retail, volves the creation of an additional by transitioning medical and other services. Domes- 250 jobs,” said Myrzaliyev. tic brands will also be franchising in Kostanai Minerals plans to mod- to a one-stage China, Georgia, Russia and Ukraine. ernise the enrichment complex by enrichment scheme The Ontustik Business Service transitioning to a one-stage en- Centre provided support for more richment scheme and introducing and introducing an than 2,000 entrepreneurs to set up an automated system to monitor automated system their own businesses in the South and control technological equip- Kazakhstan region, said head of the ment. Plans are also underway to to monitor and centre Gani Umirzakov at a Dec. automate the concentrating plant. 22 briefing. It is planned to create The company will be buying drum control technological 3,600 jobs. “The annual indica- classifiers, which will allow con- equipment. tor is 2,500 people and the plan is trolling the fractional composi- fulfilled by 105 percent. This year, tion of the finished product and 705 residents completed business than 100 large projects with in- improve the performance of high basics courses and invested 2.5 bil- chrysotile grades. vestments is excess of 2.5 billion lion tenge (US$7 million) in their “In the next year, we plan to tenge (US$7.5 million) and total own business. Other participants are introduce a digital system for the efficiency reaching at least 4.3 expecting funding,” he said. The fi- registration of technical inspec- billion tenge (US$12.8 million) nanced projects are mainly in the tions and equipment repairs, which are planned. livestock, agriculture, production will allow us to visualise the tech- Varvarinskoye expects to build a and services spheres. More than 240 nical condition of the mechanisms. crushing and screening complex at business plans worth more than $3 Also, we plan to develop a system the gold extraction and processing million have been developed for for accumulating information on plant and install additional equip- nearly 47 agricultural production co- the quality of blasting operations,” ment for SART + AVR detoxifica- operatives and 196 members of co- said Kostanai Minerals chairper- tion. Construction of a tailing pond operatives. The centre is transferring son Yerbol Nurkhozhayev. is also anticipated. its operations into a digital format. A5 BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017

BUSINESS NEWS IN BRIEF PM stresses commitment to attracting foreign investment Farmers in the South Kazakh- measures to promote foreign direct Sagintayev added implementing carrying out structural reform of World Bank’s 2018 Doing Business stan region have increased their By Dana Omirgazy investments (FDI) with representa- major new reforms, including con- the agricultural sector, diversifying ranking. In that same ranking, Ka- meat exports to Iran. High-quality tives of more than 100 major inter- stitutional reform, modernisation of crop areas in line with market de- zakhstan was rated first among the products are in high demand in ASTANA – Eleven agreements national companies. Kazakhstan’s identity and a strat- mand,” he noted. 190 countries considered in Protect- the foreign market, and the Ka- and memoranda worth more than “The government aims at form- egy on a new model for economic Investors gain access to the ing Minority Investors. In addition zakh Kayip Ata company sold $3 billion were signed at the Dec. ing a large-scale and sustainable growth implies the country’s entry largest markets through Kazakh- to protecting minority investors, the 6,000 sheep in the Iranian market 5 Kazakhstan Global Investment strategy to stimulate a new genera- into a new stage of development stan’s integration policy within country ranked sixth in enforcing this year. The sale of meat to Iran, Roundtable, which gathered inves- tion of investments in Kazakhstan. and facilitates its ambition to enter the Eurasian Economic Union contracts. where about 2.4 million tonnes of tors from more than 30 countries in Today’s meeting is one of the im- the top 30 developed countries of (EAEU). Sagintayev believes it “Nevertheless, the government is lamb is consumed annually, is a advance of Industrialisation Day in portant steps in this direction and the world. is important to establish effective focused to further promote Kazakh- great opportunity for Kazakhstan the Kazakh capital. we are open to your suggestions and Foreign investors can benefit trade relations with neighbours to stan in the Doing Business rating. to significantly increase its export In particular, agreements were new ideas,” he said to welcome the from the nation’s policy on devel- raise the country’s attractiveness, Thus, the new seventh package of potential. Kayip Ata has up-to- reached on the Big Almaty Ring participants. oping science-intensive production, especially with China. legislative amendments has been date equipment for the production Motor Road and public-private He outlined measures taken in the renewing the basic branches of the “The remaining trade barriers prepared to improve the business and processing of meat and pro- partnership (PPP) project establish- country to improve the investment economy and the agro-industrial with China will be regulated and environment at national and sub- cesses up to 1,000 head of small ing the Nur Zholy motor vehicle climate and expand investment op- complex, he said. The third stage removed as early as 2018. This will national levels,” said Sagintayev. cattle. crossing point within a section of portunities. of modernisation opens new op- open a very large market. Agricul- “Over the last 10 years, approxi- the Western Europe – Western Chi- “First, after the difficulties of portunities for investors in various tural and organic products manu- mately $250 billion of FDI was Halyk Bank is going to finance na highway. Memoranda were also 2014-2016 linked with world sectors of the economy, such as factured in Kazakhstan are in high attracted in various sectors of the exporters through the Kazakh- signed on constructing an agribusi- changes, the economy of Kazakh- metallurgy, machine building, agro- demand in China,” he said. economy. We are grateful to every Export programme. Pre-export ness complex and fruit processing stan has stabilised. Thanks to the industrial complex, processing and According to PriceWaterhouse- investor who came to Kazakhstan financing will be provided to Ka- facility, ceramic tile production and adopted measures, the GDP grew the food industry, Sagintayev said. Coopers and the World Bank, Ka- and implements projects here. We zakh exporters at a reduced rate plant protection products. 4 percent in the first 10 months of “Today, Kazakhstan is one of the zakhstan is 18th of 189 countries in hope their example and today’s through KazakhExport, along Prime Minister Bakytzhan this year. For the first time [since the world leaders in the production of terms of investment climate favour- conversation will inspire you to with a wide range of support tools. Sagintayev discussed economic slowdown], private investments ex- wheat and flour. We are strengthen- ability, he noted. The nation is also conquer new business heights in Most domestic companies operat- trends, investment possibilities and ceeded state ones,” he said. ing this advantage, but we are also ranked 36th of 190 countries in the Kazakhstan,” he added. ing in foreign markets have prob- lems with capital and pre-export financing can help them resolve the issue of increasing supplies to foreign partners and minimise losses in the event of non-fulfil- Halyk Bank board of directors S&P gives Tengri Bank B+ rating ment of their financial obliga- As of Nov. 1, Tengri Bank as- tions. As of today, KazakhExport By Arsen Omarkulov sets increased 49.4 percent com- provides ​​pre-export financing for pared to the beginning of the companies including the Ken- approves merger with Qazkom ASTANA – On Dec. 13 the inter- year and stood at $317.9 million. tau Transformer Plant, Khlopko- millions of customers and the most smooth operation of all services at national rating agency S&P Global The increase resulted from an prom-Cellulose, Almaty Product, By Frol Leandoer competitive products and services of both banks to ensure customers are Ratings confirmed the long-term increase of the bank’s loan port- Araltuz, Huyndai Trans Auto, the both banks,” said Halyk Bank board not inconvenienced. credit rating of Tengri Bank at the folio by 59.2 percent to $257.4 Arasan Firm and others. ASTANA – The Halyk Bank chair Umut Shayakhmetova Improving services and increas- level of B+. million for the same period. board of directors has approved a The accession will be completed ing their availability began with Tengri Bank is one of five sec- Therefore, the bank’s deposit Hilton is to open two more ho- merger with Kazkommertsbank once the necessary prerequisites and the unification of ATM networks in ond-tier banks with the same or portfolio as of the indicated date tels in Kazakhstan: DoubleTree (Qazkom). The agreement will be service and technological readiness July. Halyk Bank and Qazkom sub- higher rating from S&P Global increased 52 percent to $188.9 by Hilton Almaty and Hampton finalised after passing all necessary provisions of the two financial insti- sequently implemented joint card Ratings among 32 second-tier Ka- million, and the bank’s equity by Hilton Astana Triumphal Arch. procedures, including appropriate tutions have been created. The steps projects, including the consumer zakh banks. capital to more than $68.5 mil- The company plans to have four coordination with regulatory bodies. include synchronising the product lending programme Halyk Light + The bank’s major shareholder lion. hotels under four different brands “After five months of painstaking offer, banking procedures and pro- Homebank Orange. In the future, is the second largest state-owned Currently, the debut issue of in the nation, with the goal of at- work with international consultants, cesses and integrating the IT sys- banks will bring a number of ser- bank in India – Punjab National Eurobonds worth $175 million is tracting a diverse range of travel- we can confidently state that the tems and banking infrastructure. vices for money transfers and card Bank (PNB), which was estab- going on, which will strengthen lers. Hilton finds great potential potential of the transaction is huge “We expect that the association, payments to market on the internet, lished in 1895 and services ap- the funding base of the bank. in the local market in all areas of both in scale and in terms of the de- when creating the largest bank, will launching a completely new online proximately 100 million customers Thus, as of Nov. 1, Tengri Bank tourism. Head of Hilton Astana gree of influence on the economy of improve the access of clients to loans bank and its mobile application for through more than 6,000 branches. is in first place in terms of asset Stephan Reiter says the hotel has a Kazakhstan and a number of neigh- and a broader product line and provide entrepreneurs being serviced at the The equity capital of Punjab Na- increase, in third place by the in- perfect location, sitting very close bouring countries. Integration of additional incentives for the develop- Halyk Group. The banks will seek tional Banks (PNB) is $6.8 billion, crease of the loan portfolio and in to the EXPO exhibition area. Ac- banks is the most optimal option for ment of business and the economy. to make every effort to more fully assets total $113.2 billion, and the second by the growth of the de- cording to him, the hotel was de- further development of the group. The investment opportunities of the reveal the synergetic potential of the long-term credit rating of Punjab posit portfolio among second-tier signed by a Kazakh expert whose The core of integration is the princi- Halyk Group will allow the advanced association to clients. National Bank (PNB) is BBB. Kazakh banks. touch can be seen throughout the ple of maximum synergy, based on development of Qazkom’s know- premises. combining the strengths of the two how to be more actively developed. banks. We will take all the best: the All this together gives us confidence Fitch Ratings reported about most developed banking infrastruc- that we will continue to maintain and minority share buyout and delist- ture in the country and the best risk strengthen our technological leader- ing of KazMunayGas Exploration management of Halyk Bank and the ship and quality of service,” said Qaz- & Production (KMG EP). Experts modern technologies and standards kom board chair Ulf Vokurka. believe that a 63 percent-owned of Qazkom customer service, as well The main emphasis in the integra- upstream subsidiary of KazMu- as knowledge, experience in serving tion process will be on ensuring the nayGas National Company (NC KMG) should improve its finan- cial flexibility and give it full access to KMG EP’s cash flows and cash reserves, according to Kazinform. On Dec. 8, KMG EP Largest Chinese bank announced that its board unani- mously approved the launch of a conditional tender offer to repur- chase all of its outstanding global considering opening depository receipts.

Starting in April 2018, Russia’s Angara Airline plans to launch subsidiary in Kazakhstan flights to Kazakhstan, Kapital.kz national Financial Centre (AIFC), reports. At present, the Angara air- By Frol Leandoer which will be starting in 2018 on line is undergoing the procedure the territory of EXPO 2017 and for accrediting a foreign carrier for ASTANA – China Construction operate the largest financial hub flights to Kazakhstan. Angara plans Bank (CCB) is considering open- in the Central Asian region. In this to open the following routes: Kras- ing a subsidiary in Kazakhstan as regard, we invite your bank to take noyarsk-Almaty, Irkutsk-Astana, a result of negotiations between an active part in AIFC activities,” Irkutsk-Almaty and Krasnoyarsk- the governments. The parties un- said Nuryshev. Astana. The Kazakh Civil Aviation derstand the important role of Ka- “Kazakhstan has great potential Committee is actively implement- zakhstan as a link in China’s Belt and is an important link in the im- ing a programme linking the large and Road Initiative and the na- plementation of the initiative of the cities of Kazakhstan and Russia, tion’s financial institutions. Silk Road Economic Belt. Our bank thereby developing the transit po- Kazakh Ambassador to China is ready to take an active part in im- tential of local airports. According Shakhrat Nuryshev met with CCB plementing projects and investing in to Angara Airline representative board chair Tian Gol to discuss the country’s economy,” said Goli. Andrei Pautov, this direction will cooperation issues between the The parties also discussed open- be in demand by members of the country’s and bank’s financial ing a CCB subsidiary in Kazakh- Kazakh diaspora living in the Ir- structures. Nuryshev noted the im- stan. Founded on Oct. 1, 1954 in kutsk region, Siberia and the Far portant role of Chinese financial Beijing, the bank provides finan- Eastern Federal District of Russia, institutions in combining the Nur- cial services such as lending, mort- as well as tourists wishing to visit ly Zhol new economic policy and gage lending, insurance, savings Baikal Lake. Angara is one of the Belt and Road, as well as in im- accounts and currency and credit main air carriers of Eastern Sibe- plementing 51 projects worth $28 card transactions. ria and provides regular passenger billion under the Kazakh-Chinese CCB has approximately 375,000 flights in the Irkutsk region, Si- industrialisation and investment employees. The bank has 15,000 beria and the Far Eastern Federal programme. branches in China, 11 subsidiary District, as well as charter flights “In 2013, Chinese President banks and 22 branches abroad, around Russia. Xi Jinping paid a state visit to including in East Asia, Germany, Kazakhstan and put forward an Russia, South Africa, the U.S., Kazakh companies produced initiative to build the Silk Road U.K., and Vietnam. 77,196 kilogrammes of raw gold Economic Belt. Over the past four The bank was ranked second this from January to November, 13.9 years he visited Kazakhstan three year in the Forbes Global 2000 in- percent more than in the same pe- times, which indicates the high ternational rating and 28th in the riod in 2016, Kazinform reports. level of our relations. This contrib- Fortune Global 500 rating. As of According to the Statistics Com- utes to the development of politi- May, CCB’s assets were $3.01 tril- mittee of Ministry of National cal, trade-economic and cultural- lion; market capitalisation, $200.5 Economy, the volume of raw sil- humanitarian cooperation between billion; annual income, $134.24 ver production reached 958,040 the two countries. Recently, the billion (-8.7 percent) and profit, kilogrammes for the reporting Shanghai International Stock Ex- $34.98 billion (-4 percent). CCB period, 12.8 percent less than last change successfully hosted the has 3.9 million legal and 340 mil- year. presentation of the Astana Inter- lion physical clients. A6 EDITORIAL&OPINION

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017 Challenging year should We are only at the beginning, says strengthen resolve Latvian ambassador of relations transportations and logistics, which By Zhazira Dyussembekova “pays special attention both in bilat- eral relations and in multinational to do better in 2018 ASTANA – December marks a context to develop a connection be- s we enter the final few days of the year, indispensable role the country is playing in the quarter century of diplomatic rela- tween Asia and Europe in general,” turbulence seems the best way to sum up modern Silk Road. By investing in transport links tions between Kazakhstan and Lat- said the ambassador. the last 12 months internationally. As this and infrastructure, it is creating new jobs and driv- via. To highlight the anniversary, Lat- “We can play bigger roles in pro- viding these connections between newspaper has said before, in too many ing economic growth at home as well as supporting vian Ambassador Jurijs Pogrebņaks spoke about what has been reached two parts of the continent or fostering casesA the divisions sadly evident within the global global trade and prosperity. trans-Eurasian transportation. The community have widened. The world seems, too, Kazakhstan has signalled strongly, against a and what is ahead for both countries. “I would like to congratulate all visit of Latvian President Raimonds further away from finding lasting solutions to major background of protectionist tendencies around the the people of Kazakhstan on last Vējonis to Astana during the expo challenges, such as ending conflict in the Middle world, that it will remain an open economy. The New year’s 25th anniversary of independ- Jurijs Pogrebņaks and Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Prime East. Silk Road and the wider Belt and Road initiative, put ence and congratulate all friends of Minister Askar Mamin’s visit to Riga The violence of extremist groups continues to forward by China, along with the other new transport Latvia in Kazakhstan and Kazakh- at the end of September gave new im- cast its shadow over many millions of lives across routes in which Kazakhstan is deeply involved, are stan’s friends in Latvia on the 25th Kazakhstan in particular. I should re- petus for the cooperation in the transit the world. Successes in some geographical areas powerful examples of an international, collaborative anniversary of the establishment of mind you that during our presidency, and transport spheres,” he noted. are offset by increased worries elsewhere. It is also approach for shared rewards. There is a strong need diplomatic relations. And it is only the institution of the EU special rep- “The first container train was the beginning,” he said in an inter- resentative for Central Asia was re- launched from the Chinese province profoundly disturbing, as we hare remarked, that the for other countries and regions to follow this lead. established and reintroduced. During threat of nuclear conflict between states is again a EXPO 2017 was, of course, another example of view with The Astana Times. of Urumqi though Khorgos dry port 2015, the Enhanced Partnership and to Riga’s seaport and further on to real concern. It has never the strong international “We share some common pages of history. Perhaps it gives us additional Cooperation Agreement was signed Western Europe, and we see great been more important, as While few would claim that the stance that underlines between the EU and Kazakhstan potential in the cooperation of the Kazakhstan is determined Kazakhstan’s policies and opportunities to understand each last 12 months internationally have other better, to develop the political and Latvia was the first EU member railway connections in the future as to help achieve, to re- ambitions. The exhibi- dialogue and to respect our different to ratify the agreement,” he said. well. As you know, we can provide energise the drive to rid the been positive, here at home there tion was enjoyed by many cultures,” he added. Pogrebņaks emphasised this the distribution of goods for the Baltic world of nuclear weapons. thousands of visitors All five Latvian presidents have shows Kazakhstan has a very good region and Scandinavia,” he added. Nor has the need for are more reasons to look back on every week during the visited Kazakhstan in the last 25 friend within the EU. The nations are also cooperat- dialogue and cooperation, summer and was seen as a years, two during the Organisation “After 2015, we continued to be ing in green economy. Information which our country has the year with optimism. success by more than 100 for Security and Co-operation in active within Central Asia and mak- technologies and communication is consistently championed, international exhibitors. Europe (OSCE) summit and Asta- ing EU policy towards the region and the fastest growing industry within we consider that the EU’s new for- been clearer. Kazakhstan should continue to use its In the long-term, the role EXPO played in show- na EXPO 2017. Kazakh President the Latvian economy and also an Nursultan Nazarbayev visited Lat- eign policy strategy should pay ad- area where the country is looking position on the UN Security Council over the next casing the latest developments in future energy will ditional attention to the Central Asian year to help deliver these goals just as initiatives such help promote sustainable growth around the world. via in 2006. to expand ties. Latvia also sees an region and it should be properly tack- additional possibility to enhance co- as the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional At home, the knowledge learned and ideas shared The visits have given strong sup- port to various relations between led in the strategy as well,” he noted. operation in education. Religions are helping promote understanding be- will help drive the modernisation of our economy the countries. Latvia is the newest member of As for the priorities of his term, tween the faiths. and the higher profile will increase investment and “In parallel, we have established the Organisation for Economic Co- Pogrebņaks noted in addition to de- But while few would claim that the last 12 months boost tourism. everyday working relations between operation and Development (OECD) veloping all existing and possible internationally have been positive, here at home there The exhibition was also carefully planned to leave the governments. We have an inter- and can offer its experience to Ka- fields of cooperation, he would also are more reasons to look back on the year with opti- a lasting physical legacy. Astana’s new rail station governmental commission, which zakhstan, which is seeking to become like the two countries to learn more mism. Thanks to the courage in taking tough long- and airport terminal are key parts of the plan to is meeting regularly. We have estab- a member of the organisation in the about each other’s culture, history term decisions, the economy is again going strongly improve Kazakhstan’s transport infrastructure while lished a special mechanism of coop- future, he added. and traditions. in the right direction. the modern, developed and sustainable site will also eration between the business circles Kazakhstan is Latvia’s main trad- To mark the anniversary, the em- of both states, which is the business ing partner in the Central Asia region. bassy will soon launch an exhibit After the challenges caused by the collapse of house the Astana International Financial Centre. Its According to Latvian data, last year’s global oil prices, growth in the first 11 months of launch next year will provide new opportunities for council. In general, it gives a very dedicated to Latvian achievements good base. I have to mention the wide turnover was 122.6 million Euros in the 20th-21th centuries, includ- 2017 reached almost 4 percent, and it is projected new partnerships in the Kazakh and Central Asian (US$145 million), which included to reach that number by the yearend. Coupled with economy. legal basis and the agreements we ing Minox cameras, the heart drug have concluded between the states. both products and services. Meldonium, drones, JZ microphones steady inflation, this has led to upgrades in the inter- This is an exciting development which, along It gives a legal platform for coopera- “Services take a bigger part and and citric acid. A bigger exhibition is national forecasts for the Kazakh economy for the with the celebration of Astana’s 20th anniversary, tion in all the spheres of our bilateral this shows that it is already modern planned next year as part of Latvia’s years ahead. will be extensively covered in our paper next year. relationships starting with political business relations, because in modern centenary. Importantly, too, for the future, this improved So, too, will Kazakhstan’s continued position dialogue, but also including business, society services provide additional The exchanges between Riga and performance extends well beyond the oil and com- on the UNSC, which the country will chair next cultural and educational exchanges,” value to the old relationships. Of Astana as sister cities are contributing modity sectors. We are now seeing the results of the month. It is a heavy responsibility in an era of such said Pogrebņaks. services, the first place goes to trans- to the Latvian-Kazakh relationships, efforts and investment to diversify and modernise division and tension. “Latvia, being a member of the portation. The tourism sector and said Pogrebņaks. Air Baltic, the coun- the economy which has been given powerful fresh But it is more important than ever that the sound European Union since 2004, recently commerce services are also grow- try’s national carrier, is planning to re- impetus over the last 12 months. The Third Mod- values which underpin Kazakhstan’s foreign policy held the Presidency of the EU Coun- ing within the service package,” said establish direct connections between ernisation programme set out by President Nursultan help guide global decision-making so trust can be re- cil [in 2015] and one of the priorities Pogrebņaks. the two states next spring which is Nazarbayev is aimed at accelerating the speed of built across the international community. This should in foreign policy was to help Europe- Latvia seeks to strengthen coop- meant to link even more closely the progress. be all our hope for the happier New Year which we an relationships with Central Asia and eration in traditional areas, such as people of Latvia and Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is also reaping the rewards from the wish all our readers. Every day is Human Rights Day on the Elimination of Discrimina- By Norimasa Shimomura tion against Women (CEDAW), the UN is ready to support the ini- Ever since the Charter of the tiatives of the Commission on Hu- United Nations was signed in man Rights under the President of 1945, human rights have consti- Kazakhstan and the Kazakh Gov- tuted one of the three pillars of our ernment in this area. Further to our work, along with peace and devel- earlier support to the development opment. of the new Concept on Family and This year, Human Rights Day Gender Policy signed by the Presi- kicks off a year-long campaign to dent, we will continue our sup- mark the upcoming 70th anniver- port in relation to the programme sary of the Universal Declaration of Family without Violence, of of Human Rights. torture investigation in accordance the National Commission and the The power of the Universal Dec- with the principles of Istanbul Pro- Prosecutor-General’s Office. laration is the power of principles tocol on Effective Investigation Kazakhstan ratified almost all to change the world. It tells us that and Documentation of torture and core human rights documents, human rights are essential and in- other cruel, inhuman or degrading and I take this opportunity to call divisible – 365 days a year. Every treatment or punishment; on the Government to join in the day is Human Rights Day: a day – We pay special attention to the others. The country has actively on which we work to ensure that gender-based violence focusing on engaged with the UN human rights all people can live with equality, overcoming stereotypes and gender mechanisms, including the recent dignity and freedom. barriers and building a violence-free visit by the UN Special Rappor- The commitment to ‘leaving no environment for women, children teur on the Rights of Persons with one behind’ is a key feature of the and persons with disabilities. In Disabilities. The constant test for global Sustainable Development particular, we provide expertise on the Government is to implement Goals (SDGs) for 2016-2030, protecting victims’ rights and avoid- recommendations given by the UN meaning that the UN Member ance of secondary victimisation; human rights mechanisms. This is States commit to ensuring that – We support the efforts of the an on-going process that should every individual achieves the full Supreme Court to improve the jus- guide not only the country’s legis- package of rights and opportuni- tice system for children and pro- lative and policy developments but ties the SDGs promise, by end- tect their rights. also programmes and measures at ing extreme poverty, promoting – We also promote broader ac- all levels, and in the law-enforce- equity, creating a sustainable and cess to justice by supporting ment practice. inclusive economy, and by protect- alternative dispute resolution The UN entities present in the ing the planet, in close partnership mechanisms with application of country stand ready to partner among the nations. out-of-court decisions, including with Kazakh authorities and civil Standing behind the principle of mediation and conciliation. society in meeting all the human “leaving no one behind”, the UN – We help strengthen Kazakh- rights obligations and advancing system strives to work on a num- stan’s judiciary by modernising sustainable human development in ber of issues: training of judges and the courts’ Kazakhstan and beyond. – We work closely with Kazakh- administration staff. stan’s law enforcement bodies and As currently Kazakhstan is pre- The author is UN Resident Co- forensic experts to ensure effective paring its report to the Committee ordinator for Kazakhstan.

THE ASTANA TIMES Advertiser bears responsibility for the content of advertisements. The news- The Astana Times is published since November 2010. The Astana Times is Distribution in Astana: +7 7172 44 51 58, (224) paper does not answer the readers’ letters, does not mail them, does not re-registered by the Ministry of Communications and Information of the Republic Publisher: Svezhaya Pressa LLP consider copies the size of over 5 printed pages, does not review and does of Kazakhstan under the registration No. 14037-G of 20 December 2013. Editor-in-Chief: Roman Vassilenko not return the materials not ordered by the newspaper. Guest opinions do not The newspaper is typed and made into pages at the computer centre of “Ka- News and Editorial: [email protected] Moscow Business Centre, 18 Dostyk Street, Office 33, necessarily reflect the newspaper’s opinion. For reprinting, permissions must zakhstanskaya Pravda”. Published biweekly, the size of 8 pages. Advertising: +7 727 252 08 82 be sought and obtained first from The Astana Times, and reference must be Astana, 010000 made to “The Astana Times”. Inquiries: [email protected] Telephone/Facsimile: +7 7172 78 00 08 The Astana Times is printed at “Media Holding “ERNUR” LLP, 30 Sileti ORDER: 2005 PRINT RUN: 6,000 KazPost Subscription index: 64572 Street, Astana. A7 OPINIONS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017 Contemporary model of state, independent from corruption: initiatives and achievements of Kazakhstan including testing for knowledge of rights and freedoms, as well as the ment, are conducted electronically. factor has been excluded due to au- By Alik Shpekbayev legislation, assessment of compe- legality of the criminal process. Full automation of the public pro- tomation and introduction of stand- tences and an interview. Career pro- Functions of the police are decen- curement system has allowed for ards and regulations; Considering the dynamics of the motion is merit-based. tralized by creating a local police off-site online control (remote con- – legal awareness as well as legal progress of developed countries, As a result, the number of new- service, which is accountable to lo- trol) through the website. and anti-corruption culture of people Kazakhstan continues modernizing comers to the civil service has in- cal executive authorities. Kazakhstan has made significant have increased; and building a modern state similar creased threefold, the turnover of The system of recruiting to law steps to reduce corruption. First of –implementation of the Code of to leading countries in preventing staff has decreased by half, and enforcement agencies has changed. all, they are related to the implemen- Ethics has led to close monitoring corruption. Non-acceptance of com- transfers have decreased 18 times. Now, candidates for law enforce- tation of the new anti-corruption over its observance by civil servants; promises in the formation of corrup- In order to increase the transpar- ment agencies undergo the same se- policy of the state. The 100 Concrete – increase in civil servants’ sala- tion free society is emphasized by ency of the state apparatus, it is en- lection process as all state employ- Steps Plan of the Nation and the ries is guaranteed. President of Kazakhstan Nursultan visaged that foreign managers can ees. Anti-Corruption Strategy for 2015- The state does not intend to loose Nazarbayev. Database integration of the minis- be hired in state authorities. Today, the emphasis in the penal 2025 have formed the conceptual institutes of criminal prosecution of Key components of success are tries of internal affairs, finance and A key aspect of the reforms was system is shifted to probation and re- basis for the policy. corruption crimes. the following: justice has already made it possible the development of modern justice: socialization. International rating agencies and Officials convicted of corrup- –transparent and accountable to to exclude the need to obtain about 3 transition to a three-level justice As a result, the number of insti- national experts have positively tion, regardless of their positions society state; million one-time certificates. system, the independence of the tutions of the penitentiary system evaluated the implemented meas- and ranks, are prosecuted with all –professional, efficient and eco- As a result, Kazakhstan reached procedure for the selection and ap- is decreasing. In total, this allowed ures. the severity of the law. According nomically motivated state apparatus; leading positions in the electronic pointment of judges, adoption of a to reduce the prison population by According to the Transparency In- to official data, more than 10 thou- –ensuring the rule of law and government development index new code of ethics for judges, full three times. ternational’s “Global Corruption Ba- sand people (10,931) have been strengthening the protection of among South East Asian countries. automation of managing of court Protection of the rights and in- rometer,” the proportion of Kazakh convicted of corruption crimes since rights and freedoms; Kazakhstan is 33rd among 174 records and distribution of court terests of business is another vector citizens observing the progress in 2001. They are two former prime – support and protection of busi- countries according to the UN index. cases, as well as continuous audio in the development of the modern combating corruption has doubled ministers, nine ministers and chair- nesses; In the coming years, 90 percent of and video recording of all court state. In this regard, the Atameken and the number of people giving persons of agencies, fifteen mayors – purposeful and consistent imple- public services will be transferred to hearings. National Chamber of Entrepreneurs bribes decreased by one third com- of regions and cities, eight heads of mentation of anti-corruption policy; an electronic format, the rest 10 per- In December 2015, the President was established in 2013. Its activity pared to three years ago. national companies and eight gener- – development and enhancement cent will be delivered through “one signed the Law on the establishment is aimed to improve the investment These trends are facilitated by als of the national security, defense of international cooperation. stop shop” based on the experience of the Astana International Financial climate and develop business condi- a new format of dialogue with the and law enforcement agencies. All necessary conditions have of European and other most devel- Centre. Following the experience tions for both national and foreign non-governmental sector, political The effectiveness of the anti-cor- been created to achieve this purpose. oped countries. of Singapore and the United Arab investors. parties, trade unions, businesses and ruption measures implemented in Large-scale economic, social and “Digital Kazakhstan 2020” state Emirates, an independent financial In order to improve the undertak- academic communities. Kazakhstan has been positively as- political reforms have been carried programme is implemented in four court, based on the principles of the en measures further and strengthen Openness and willingness to co- sessed by experts of the Lee Kuan out. The third modernization of Ka- key areas such as development of English common law, will operate the role of business in combating operate have become important tools Yew School of Public Policy, the zakhstan is underway. affordable and high-speed digital within the Centre starting from Janu- corruption, the Institute of the Om- for increasing citizens’ involvement United Nations Development Pro- The first prerequisite of mod- infrastructure and increasing digi- ary 2018. budsman for the Protection of the and engagement in anti-corruption gramme, foreign diplomatic mis- ernization is the establishment of an tal literacy of population in order This will allow for effective pro- Entrepreneurs’ Rights was intro- processes. This also serves as evi- sions and international organizations open and accountable government. to achieve sustainable economic tection of foreign investors and reso- duced and the Council for the Pro- dence that the society is becoming based in Kazakhstan. In this regard, we have adopted a growth, increase the country’s com- lution of investment disputes. tection of Entrepreneurs’ Rights and more responsible and conscious. Kazakhstan intends to develop co- Law on Information Access and cre- petitiveness, and improve the quality The results of international rat- Anti-Corruption was created. Modernization of public con- operation with international organi- ated an Open Government electron- of life of the population. ings prove the effectiveness of the The Foreign Investors’ Council, sciousness is impossible without zations and implement international ic platform, consisting of five open As part of the country’s moderni- on-going reforms. According to the chaired by the President of Kazakh- changing habits and stereotypes and standards. data websites that facilitate citizens’ zation process, 35 functions of the Global Competitiveness Index, Ka- stan, has been operating since 1998. fostering anti-corruption culture of The Agency currently works on a participation in the affairs of state. President Nazarbayev have been zakhstan has improved its “Judicial It is focused on investment issues citizens. priority issue – accession of Kazakh- This enables every citizen to transferred, thus strengthening the Independence” indicator by moving and investment attractiveness of the The tools for preventing cor- stan to the Group of States against check budget expenditures, receive role of the Parliament and the au- from 111th to 79th place. country. ruption identified in the new anti- Corruption (GRECO) of the Council online consultations and file online tonomy of the government. In the past three years, Kazakh- The effectiveness of these institu- corruption legislation have already of Europe. complaints, assess the effectiveness Starting from 2018 local budgets stan’s judiciary moved 29 positions tions is evident in international rat- demonstrated their effectiveness. In September 2017 the OECD of government authorities as well as will be adopted only after consider- up (from the 35th to the 6th place) in ings. These include anti-corruption moni- gave a positive assessment of the participate in discussing draft laws ing the needs and interests of every the “Ensuring the fulfilment of con- Notably, Doing Business – 2018 toring, analysis of corruption risks, implementation of the recommen- in distance. region’s citizens. Society will ac- tracts” indicator of the World Bank assessment ranks Kazakhstan 36th developing anti-corruption cul- dations of the Istanbul Plan, which In 2017, 47 percent of public ser- tively participate in the state gov- “Doing Business – 2018” rating in the overall rating of 190 countries. ture, anti-corruption standards, and Kazakhstan has consistently im- vices rendered electronically. All the ernance. among 190 countries. We are the 1st in “Protecting minor- preparation of the annual National plemented since 2004, embodying licenses and permits issued for busi- Kazakhstan Government works The reforms also touched upon ity investors.” Report. the anti-corruption standards of the nesspeople in electronic format only. on reducing in 2018-2020 more than the law enforcement system and the Given that the activities of many The adopted systemic and com- OECD countries in legislative acts. Twenty-four percent of services 40 percent of supervisory functions prosecutorial authorities. entrepreneurs are related to public prehensive measures have generated rendered through “one stop shop” of by transferring to a competitive en- The new appearance of the prose- procurement, a number of measures the following results: The author is Chairman of the “Government for Citizens” state vironment and increasing civil serv- cutor’s office meets the best practic- have also been taken in this area to – administrative barriers, bureau- Agency of the Republic of Ka- corporation. ants’ salaries by two or more times. es of the Organisation for Economic ensure transparency of all its proce- cratic procedures and corruption zakhstan for Public Service Af- These measures have allowed re- The civil service begins with entry- Cooperation and Development dures. risks have been reduced; fairs and Anticorruption. ducing the level of “day-to-day cor- level positions. It is necessary to (OECD) and puts a priority on the Today, all stages of public pro- –quality of public services has The full version of the opinion ruption” by two thirds. pass a three-stage selection system, protection and restoration of human curement, from planning to pay- been improved whilst the human available online. Cybercrimes divide the world into two on information security coopera- vant offensive units and set up so- directions for implementing state considers cybersecurity as its top By Shavkat Sabirov tion was signed June 16, 2009. The called “cyber troops.” The devel- policy in the field of protection priority. Automation of enterprises document is unique in the sense opment and maintenance of a new of electronic information sources, and organisations, e-government In the end of 2017, the world has that the participating states com- modern branch of troops in terms information systems and telecom- development, introduction of in- developed a situation in which cy- mit themselves not to use cyber of intellectual costs are available munications networks.” Among formation systems into national bersecurity issues are considered weapons against other countries only to some countries, such as the them are the establishment of a na- companies and widespread use of as urgent as nuclear threats. The and assist other parties. In fact, the U.S., China, Russia, the U.K., Is- tional information security coordi- modern technologies in the bank- world has become digital. obligation not to use cyberforces rael, Germany and, perhaps, Iran. nation centre, development and ing sector require appropriate The threats of the global network equalises the threats of cyberspace Can Kazakhstan have such an construction of electronic borders, security systems not only at the have become so grave that losses with the threats of using nuclear army? It is very unlikely, but it is “a unified approach to the moni- corporate level, but also at the na- and damage are measured not just weapons against the parties. Ka- simply necessary to have e-borders toring of information security” and tional one. by large amounts of money, but zakhstan ratified the agreement on and e-sovereignty. “the development of mechanisms Over the past six months, there also by human lives, sometimes of May 6, 2010. Two years later, in December for preventing and promptly re- has been a large number of docu- the rising generation. It was based on voluntary infor- By that time, Kazakhstan had 2013, the OSCE participating sponding to information security ments, legal acts and draft laws Cyberspace opportunities are mation exchange and provision already made significant steps to- states adopted the initial set of incidents.” seeking to change legislation in so powerful that they can organ- of technical access for participat- wards building an information so- OSCE confidence-building meas- The key problems of Kazakh- the field of cybersecurity. This is ise rallies in tens of thousands of ing countries. The countries that ciety and begun to provide public ures (CBMs) to reduce the risks stan’s information space identified done primarily to ensure the com- people and create real threats to signed the convention had strong services in electronic format. Gov- of conflict stemming from the use in the concept include the presence pliance of the work of the recently the existence of the state system. economic ties and most were part ernment databases were created of information and communica- of a large number of malicious created Ministry of Defense and There is even a new model of the of the North Atlantic Treaty Or- and maintained, while the e-gov- tion technologies. The CBMs list programmes, low legal literacy of Aerospace Industry with the le- global internet – the “splinter- ganisation (NATO) military bloc. ernment had become an actual link provides for data exchange and the population in information se- gal framework. This new industry net,” which implies the creation By the mid-2000s, the world between government agencies. cooperation, consultations and co- curity, poor knowledge of protec- destined to become a backbone of national state segments of the was divided into two according With the digitalisation of the gov- ordination of participating states in tion methods, lack of educational of the economy is under devel- Internet. New media and social to their approaches to cyberspace. ernment system, the population information and communication institutions and specialists, less opment; and these processes and networks represent the next stage Some countries, like the U.S. and learned to enjoy the benefits of the technology (ICT) and internet se- than 5 percent of products of Ka- changes accompanying them will of internet development, which Europe, insisted on the adoption information society. However, the curity. The fundamental element of zakh origin, high risks of high lev- affect all levels of the society and by the number of users exceeds of joint measures to counter cyber threats emanating from cyberspace the entire document is the volun- el of digitilisation and automation, the state. the population of many countries. threats based on voluntary access had become widespread and af- tary information exchange. Addi- the illusion of impunity created by Unfortunately, the reality so far is Alliances and arrangements to the countries’ technical resourc- fected the national security of en- tional CBMs to “step up individual the cross-border nature of cyber- that each country promotes its own that previously existed between es, while Russia, China and others tire states. and collective efforts to address se- criminals and, finally, tension and models of information security, countries were more of an intelli- insisted on taking measures to pre- At the meeting of the SCO curity in the use of ICTs in a com- the “use of ICT for intelligence, taking into account only military- gence nature and did not provide vent the very threat of an informa- Council of Heads of State on June prehensive and cross-dimensional subversive and other purposes” political and bloc interests. Further for a joint struggle regardless of tion war. After heated debates at 15, 2011, Kazakh President Nur- manner in accordance with OSCE created by ICT militarisation by development and efforts on collec- the countries’ bloc affiliation. the United Nations and the Organi- sultan Nazarbayev noted that “it commitments” were introduced in countries. tive confidence-building measures That is why the Council of Eu- sation for Security and Co-opera- is time to introduce new concepts March 2016. It appears that in their analysis between countries could only be rope adopted the Budapest Con- tion in Europe (OSCE), the sides into international law such as elec- After the Edward Snowden case, of international experience, the au- ensured at the global platforms vention on Cybercrime in 2001, began to act independently. One tronic border and electronic sover- significant changes were made to thors of the Cybershield Concept of the UN and the OSCE. Cross- which for the first time defined side acted within a military and eignty.” the work of the U.S. intelligence focused on the Global Cyberse- border nature of cybercrimes is a and classified crimes in cyber- political union; the others acted “It might be useful to think agencies; many countries took rel- curity Index of the International problem not only at the national, space and determined mecha- within bilateral relations and vari- about creating a special SCO body evant measures to protect their in- Telecommunication Union (ITU), but also at the international level. nisms for cooperation between ous associations. Joint cybersecu- that performs the functions of a formation space and governmental which, albeit useful, does not re- The immediate and effective fight countries, the order of interaction rity collaboration continued only cyberpol. Separatism, terrorism, institutions from external interfer- flect the real situation in countries against cyberterrorism is possible of law enforcement bodies and within the Computer Emergency extremism and drug trafficking use ence. Each country thought about since it is based on formal signs of only through cooperation between conditions for information stor- Response Team. the global network to penetrate our its own digital sovereignty and cybersecurity development. There countries. There is no other option. age by Internet providers. The The starting point for the Shang- countries and spread throughout started to carry out relevant work. is a need to study the real experi- convention entered into force hai Cooperation Organisation the world,” he said. Resolution No. 407 of the Ka- ence of countries that are truly ad- The author is President of the July 1, 2004 and was signed by (SCO) was the establishment of The Kazakh President’s propos- zakh government of June 30, 2017 vanced and have all the potential Internet Association of Kazakh- 30 countries in 2005, including joint measures to counter infor- al to create a special SCO agency approved the concept of cyberse- for this. stan and a member of the Public European countries, the USA, mation security threats. The first was relevant and timely. Some curity (Cybershield of Kazakh- Kazakhstan, which is rapidly Council overseeing the work of Canada, Japan and South Africa. intergovernmental SCO agreement countries have already had rele- stan), which “determines the main integrating into the digital world, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry. A8 EURASIA&WORLD

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017 Officials and experts agree united efforts against corruption give positive results one of the key priorities in the state to ever more serious criminality. By Zhanna Shayakhmetova policy of Kazakhstan encapsu- So, beating it really matters to the lated in a national anti-corruption UK just as it does to Kazakhstan. It ASTANA – More than 60 per- strategy and other relevant docu- matters to us all, wherever we are cent of Kazakhstan’s public servic- ments. To date, a comprehensive in the world,” he added. es are provided in electronic for- legal framework has been formed. The British embassy in Astana mat which has reduced the level of There is a shift in emphasis from is working on a project with Pe- domestic corruption by two-thirds, law enforcement methods to pre- nal Reform International’s Central said State Secretary Gulshara Ab- ventive measures… Great atten- Asia office designed to increase dykalikova at the Dec. 8 Modern tion is paid to eliminating the root accountability and good govern- Anti-Corruption Standards and In- causes of corruption and to reduce ance in the law enforcement sys- ternational Cooperation Develop- corruption risk,” he noted. tem specifically by targeting - cor ment conference in the capital. The The UN Office on Drugs and ruption. event was held one day prior to the Crime has supported Kazakhstan’s “To be successful, this project UN-recognised International Anti- asset recovery efforts through its relies on the support of the Agency Corruption Day, marked annually Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative in for Civil Service and Anti-Corrup- since 2004. cooperation with the World Bank. tion of Kazakhstan and the Min- “President Nursultan Naz- Agency for Civil Service and Anti- measures right up to the disclosure The National Anti-Corruption “Despite our joint efforts and istry of Internal Affairs and I can arbayev’s political will is the basis Corruption Kairat Kozhamzharov. of data of account holders in for- Bureau, which is part of the achievements and the progress that report that their on-going work to of the country’s anti-corruption The transparency of state bod- eign banks. Kazakhstan welcomes agency that Kozhamzharov leads, is being made, still much more can eradicate corruption in the law en- policy. The fight against corruption ies’ activities and openness of and fully supports these efforts and uncovered more than 8,000 cor- be done to eradicate corruption forcement system makes us actual is one of the key priorities of the public and private quasi-sectors is ready to cooperate with other ruption cases and prosecuted from Kazakhstan. This requires partners. We are working success- Third Modernisation of Kazakh- are ensured. The administrative countries,” Kozhamzharov said. approximately 3,000 individu- persistent and consistent imple- fully together on this. Our shared stan. The Plan of the Nation and barriers were significantly reduced The United Nations Convention als who caused 60 billion tenge mentation of our institutional re- goals to strengthen government the Anti-Corruption Strategy up to and constructive dialogue with against Corruption is the interna- (US$180 million) in damage, form. These reforms, when imple- accountability and its capacity to 2025 are aimed at a systemic fight civil society widely implemented. tional legal platform for coopera- including the heads of state and mented successfully, will enable combat corruption and to enhance against corruption with a focus on New prevention institutions and tion. Agreements on the issue and regional executive bodies, the effective public control, reduce interaction between the govern- preventing it. The new legislation anti-corruption monitoring were return of assets have been con- bureau chief Talgat Tatubayev corruption risk and limit the space ment and civil society in Kazakh- on public service and anti-corrup- introduced. cluded with more than 40 nations, announced at the event. for corruption. It is everyone’s stan are another key way of tack- tion is based on this initiative,” she “More than 10,000 people have including Lithuania, Poland, South United Nations Development responsibility – the government, ling this,” said MacAlisster. said. been convicted for corruption Korea, Spain, Turkey and the Unit- Programme Resident Representa- civil society, organisations, the pri- The UK welcomes the national Kazakhstan ranks 33rd among crimes, including two former prime ed Arab Emirates, he explained. tive Norimasa Shimomura noted vate sector, media, public and gen- anti-corruption strategy and pro- 174 countries in the United Na- ministers, 17 ministers, chairper- During the past 10 years, 152 corruption is a truly global chal- eral public, including the young gramme that are driving the in- tions E-government Development sons and deputy chairpersons [of of 205 suspected corrupt officials lenge which first strikes the most people who will play a pivotal role stitutional reforms enabling the Index. Seven state programmes to state agencies], 15 akims (gover- hiding abroad were returned to vulnerable. in shaping our world hopefully country to effectively counter cor- combat corruption have been im- nors and mayors), eight heads of the country. Former ministers and “UN Secretary-General António free of corruption in the years to ruption. plemented and eight draft laws, 30 national companies and eight of- local governors who have stolen Guterres sent a powerful mes- come,” said Shimomura. “We are proud to be working by-laws and eight public service ficials from the law enforcement more than $8 billion, however, sage to the international commu- No country is immune from as partners on the Astana Interna- standards developed since 1995, bodies since 2001,” he said. are hiding abroad, including fugi- nity stating that corruption hits the corruption, noted British Charge tional Financial Centre (AIFC) in as further means to reduce poten- The nation is resolutely opposed tive banker Mukhtar Ablyazov and poor, the weak and the most vul- d’Affaires Andrew MacAlisster. recognition of the fact that English tial for corruption. to bribery and corruption, an im- Viktor Khrapunov (former Almaty nerable of all. It can deny people No country can feel complacent or law is a tried and tested means of “One of the main tasks is to use portant priority included in the mayor and East Kazakhstan region access to health services, schools comfortable and “it’s only through dealing with corruption and mal- a wide array of means of media Kazakhstan 2050 development governor) and his wife Leila Khra- and economic opportunities. It can collective action working inter- practice in the international finan- communication to involve the en- strategy. punova, Kozhamzharov said. deny them hope of a better future,” nationally and in partnership that cial sphere,” he added. tire society in the fight against cor- “To reveal the whole chain of “Despite the politicisation of he said. governments can stand a chance of The conference continued ruption, to form a strong immunity the criminal scheme from execu- their status, they won’t escape Businesses and individuals pay tackling it,” he said. throughout the day in separate to corruption and to develop a sus- tors to organisers is the priority. It prosecution. As a result of our part- an estimated $1.5 trillion in bribes “Corruption is a disease. It hin- sessions each producing a set of tainable anti-corruption culture in is important to identify public sec- nership with foreign organisations, every year, Shimomura continued. ders growth, it undermines con- recommendations for the interna- the context of promoting digitali- tor corruption and prevent capital every corrupt fugitive will face the The figure represents about 2 per- fidence in the rule of law, it eats tional community on how best to sation in Kazakhstan,” she said. withdrawals at an early stage. Fu- court. The state should unite ef- cent of the global GDP and ten away at the very fabric of our so- fight corruption, strengthen inter- Fifty-nine laws have been gitive criminals and stolen assets forts in excluding double standards times the value of official develop- ciety and it chokes the growth and national cooperation in this area adopted as part of the institution- are topical issues for each country. when extraditing criminals and re- ment assistance. development of our very liveli- and implement the UN Convention al reforms, said Chairman of the The world community is taking turning assets,” he stressed. “The fight against corruption is hoods. It fuels conflict and it leads against Corruption. EP approves EU-Kazakhstan enhanced partnership agreement “The Parliament believes it’s a good thing for us to begin human rights dialogue with Kazakhstan and we hope that this country will regularly participate in this dialogue. We sincerely believe that an ambitious agreement will have a significant benefit for both- par ties,” she added. European Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality Věra Jourová noted the EPCA “reflects the new level of ambition in our relations with one of the EU’s closest partners in the region.” She stressed the EU’s relation- ship with Kazakhstan “has never been stronger.” “The EU and our partners in Central Asia share many common objectives: regional peace and sta- bility, fighting terrorism, fostering

Photo credit: europarl.europa.eu. Photo credit: the rule of law and increasing pros- perity and trade. The reinforced former Slovakian foreign minister cooperation between the EU and By Aigerim Seisembayeva Eduard Kukan. Kazakhstan is an excellent exam- “The agreement will boost ple of how to advance in practice ASTANA – The overwhelming political and economic coopera- the goals and interests shared by majority of European Parliament tion with this important country both sides,” she said. (EP) members approved Dec. 12 in Central Asia. The European The agreement covers 29 areas the Enhanced Partnership and Union is Kazakhstan’s biggest of cooperation, from economy and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) investor and one of its important trade to countering the prolifera- between Kazakhstan and the Euro- trade partners,” said rapporteur tion of weapons of mass destruc- pean Union (EU) and its member and EP member from Finland tion and terrorism and cooperation states, the first of this kind con- Liisa Jaakonsaari during the de- in climate change, healthcare, pub- cluded with a Central Asian coun- bates the previous day. “Kazakh- lic finance management and taxa- try. stan is crucial for the implemen- tion. The EPCA, signed in Astana tation of the EU Central Asia Jourová noted the EU “appreci- Dec. 21, 2015 and temporarily Strategy.” ates Kazakhstan’s commitments to applied since May 1, 2016, was Cooperation in the new format promote the green economy,” one passed with 511 out of 654 present will boost work on such issues as of the European Commission’ pri- members voting in favour, 115 “trade, energy and sustainable de- orities, as well as the country’s es- voting against and 28 abstaining. velopment, as well as security is- sential contribution to execute the The agreement will fully enter into sues, such as combating terrorism EU Strategy for Central Asia. force once ratified by all EU mem- and non-proliferation of weapons On the international platform, ber states. To date, 18 nations out of mass destruction,” she added. she noted Kazakhstan has become of 28 EU states have approved the On the human rights front, “an extremely important partner document. Jaakonsaari argued the EP requires in matters of regional and global “The EU opened a new chapter tangible reforms and improve- security.” She highlighted the na- in its relations with Kazakhstan, ments. Economic interests can- tion’s role in “strengthening the the largest country in Central not take precedence over human nuclear non-proliferation regime Asia,” tweeted EP member and rights, she said. and international stability.” B Nation&Capital

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017

PEOPLE CULTURE SPORTS MBionics creates nation’s Astana Opera holds charity Win in Prague secures FC Astana’s first bionic prosthesis concert historic progress to Europa B2 B3 League playoffs B7 Paralympic athlete aims to change perception Kazakh TV starts of people with limited abilities broadcasting in new format the most convenient for them,” By Yerbolat Uatkhanov he added. The transition has allowed Ka- ASTANA – Kazakh TV became zakh TV to establish a new trend the first channel in the country and in industry development, not only the Central Asian region Nov. 16 in Kazakhstan, but in the Central to switch to multi-channel broad- Asian region as well. casting. Network director Andrei “This once again confirms that Tarakov spoke about the transition the channel is always a step ahead in an exclusive interview with The in terms of technology. For exam- Astana Times. ple, in the beginning of the 2000s “Kazakh TV channel has been when the satellite television mar- dynamically developing in the ket was just emerging in the world, state for the last 15 years, showing Caspionet was the first satellite TV the state’s investment and tourist channel in Kazakhstan,” said Tara- potential, global initiatives, cul- kov. tural and historical heritage and “Prior to the launch of multi- directions of sustainable develop- channel broadcasting, the chan- ment. On Nov. 16, we launched nel’s broadcast grid consisted of a new broadcast format. Now, two language blocks – 50 percent Kazakh TV broadcasts in Kazakh in Kazakh and 50 percent in Rus- 24 hours a day. Along with Ka- sian in the domestic branch of the zakh, the channel is available in channel and 50 percent in Kazakh in Russian and English around the and 50 percent in English in the in- clock,” he said. ternational one. Language blocks The practice is similar to those alternated every three hours. I implemented at Euronews and cer- am sure that the new format of tain foreign film channels. broadcasting will contribute to the By Dana Omirgazy he has already achieved numerous lympic movement and studies at of overcoming problems with peo- “This is a very important channel’s competitiveness in the victories and has great plans for Kazakh Academy of Sports and ple who face similar challenges. I event for us. First of all, I hope international television market and ASTANA – Almaty resident and the future. Tourism. think my story encourages many that our viewers will like this increase the interest of operators Paralympic athlete Serik Yesma- As a member of the National “I often hold seminars for peo- people,” he said in an interview for option, as digital TV subscrib- of cable and satellite networks,” tov, 19, is one of Kazakhstan’s 100 Paralympic Volleyball Team, Yes- ple. I think I am a good orator, a this story. ers will now have an opportuni- he added. New Faces. Despite his young age, matov participates in the Para- motivator. I share my experience Continued on Page B5 ty to choose a language which is Continued on Page B3 First Kazakh sports food producer seeks Kazakh government quality, promotes healthy lifestyle tests GPS tracking of

By Assel Satubaldina

ASTANA – Demand for sports state-owned vehicles nutrition is rising in Kazakhstan, about the movement of the car, its as people are becoming eager to Staff Report speed, stop time, route and even stay fit and be more involved in show approximations on fuel con- sports. Eldar Beldeubayev, Yer- ASTANA – The Information sumption,” said Chairman of the zhan Kamzabayev and Erik Kara- and Registration Centre is test- board of JSC Information Centres, bayev, the founders of Beyond, ing a system that would use GPS Zhanasyl Ospanov. the nation’s first sports food pro- to track government vehicles, In- The project would need to be ducer, discussed the challenges form.kz reports. approved by the Agency for Civil of establishing a sports nutrition The project will include the use Service and Anti-Corruption be- brand, the company’s activities of electronic maps from the www. fore being implemented. and sports food-related stereo- gosreestr.kz project, which protect “By the way, the current head types in Kazakh society in a re- the database of information about of the agency Alik Shpekbayev cent interview with The Astana the movement of vehicles. himself repeatedly raised this is- Times. “If the attempt turns out to be sue and even initiated the action The trio met while training at successful, it is possible that the with sticking special stickers on the Crossfit centre in the capital, use of official vehicles will be cars. The essence of the method where Karabayev was one of the monitored throughout the coun- in sticking information sheets with co-founders and partners. try. The press frequently raises the an appeal to inform about the find- At the time, Beldeubayev was question of the use of official cars ing of this car outside of working studying chemistry at Nazarbayev by officials. Every now and then, hours, for example, near entertain- University and working as a coach users share photos and videos on ment facilities, is based on citizen- at the centre, while Kamzabayev this topic on social networks. It ship consciousness and does not was employed in the country’s is quite easy to solve the problem guarantee the result. The installa- Ministry of Finance. Their con- certain base of clients that we can “We realised everything is pos- registration process and high technically – you just need to in- tion of GPS trackers, I think, will nection was a passion for sports involve to develop a new project. sible,” he added. costs to register products with stall a special device on the car that solve the problem completely,” and enthusiasm to start their own In the winter of 2016, together Being the nation’s first sports competent state bodies, a pro- will transmit complete information Ospanov added. business. with Eldar and Yerzhan we came nutrition brand entailed certain cess that needed to be addressed “We have a network of Crossfit up with the idea of establishing the difficulties, said Kamzabayev, before the company launched in centres. We are familiar with the first Kazakh sports food brand,” including the lack of qualified June. fitness industry. We also have a said Karabayev. specialists, bureaucracy, slow Continued on Page B2 THINGS TO WATCH & PLACES TO GO KAZAKHSTAN CONCERT HALL National volunteering strategy December 28 at 7 p.m. New Year’s Concert BARYS ARENA presented in Astana December 29 at 7.30 p.m. HC Barys – HC Sochi zakhstan and young people are Young volunteers from different tor of the nation’s competitive- By Dana Omirgazy actively involved in the life of the regions of the country exchanged ness. ASTANA OPERA local community. This project is their experience and shared ideas “Today’s event is an indicator of ASTANA – The Kazakhstan vol- unique, because for the first time for promoting and developing the development of the Volunteer- December 30 at The Nutcracker, ballet unteering concept was presented the strategy has been designed to volunteering. Members of Parlia- ing Law in Kazakhstan, adopted 12 p.m., 6 p.m. at a Dec. 5 first national forum in involve young people in volun- ment’s Mazhilis (lower house) and last year in the form of a strategy. the capital devoted to International teering in Kazakhstan. This was a Senate, representatives of state Why do young people get involved January 5 at 7 p.m. The Nutcracker, ballet Volunteer Day. proposal by the non-governmental agencies and business structures, in volunteering? On the one hand, January 11 at 7 p.m. Carmen, opera The event was held under the sector – those people who volun- heads of international organisa- this is patriotism; on the other Youth Corps Development Project teer on a daily basis. The main tions and leaders of public as- hand, this is about the increase January 14 at 6 p.m. The Fountain of Bakhchisarai, implemented by the Kazakh Minis- priority areas of the strategy are sociations, as well as more than of skills and professional knowl- ballet try of Education and Science and the motivation and stimulation of 100 ambassador-volunteers from edge,” said Frischin. World Bank, reported tengrinews. volunteers, information support throughout Kazakhstan took part Representatives of some social kz. The forum was part of the Ru- and recognition of the volunteers’ in the forum. projects held a photo exhibition SARY ARKA VELODROME hani Janghyru (Modernisation of contribution to the development According to United Nations and installations as part of the Kazakhstan’s Identity) programme. of Kazakhstan, as well as the con- Volunteers programme coordi- event. Kazakh volunteers attended January 6 at 3 p.m. PBC Astana - PBC Nizhny “The development of the youth tinuous education of volunteers,” nator for Central Asia Dmitry plenary and panel sessions devoted Novgorod corps is a big project, under which said project manager Gulmira Frischin, developing volunteer- to volunteer activities and master volunteering is developing in Ka- Yeskendirova. ing in each country is a guaran- classes on communication skills. B2 NATION&CAPITAL PEOPLE

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017 MBionics creates nation’s World Bank names conference first bionic prosthesis hall in Washington after bank’s

By Zhazira Dyussembekova

ASTANA – Maulen Bektur- first female Kazakh employee ganov, one of Kazakhstan’s 100 about philosophy, politics and eco- New Faces, is the founder of MBi- Staff Report nomics. She was always very deep onics, the company that developed in her reasoning,” World Bank and created the nation’s first bionic ASTANA – The World Bank re- staff member Jane Clement said. prosthetic hands designed for disa- cently named a conference hall in Colleagues of Ourazalinova bled people of the third group. The its Washington offices after the first called her a pioneer for her work young engineer helps people return Kazakh woman hired by the bank. in developing countries. They also to regular life after losing a limb. The conference hall was named remember her modesty, kindness Fifteen-year-old Akezhan Arg- after Alma Ourazalinova who died and mercy. She continued working yngazin, of the East Kazakhstan in 2015 after battling an illness and even during her illness. region, is the first prosthesis owner. who worked for the World Bank “She was very humble. One “I was surprised when I learned for more than two decades. never would have guessed her that such prostheses exist in Ka- Ourazalinova held a degree status, the number of her degrees, zakhstan. I liked even the proto- from Moscow State University the summits she conquered. She type version, although that model Akezhan Argyngazin, 15, of the East Kazakhstan region, is the first MBionics and was the first Kazakh woman to could work on the Wall Street and prosthesis owner. did not allow squeezing and hold- receive a doctorate from the Mas- in general anywhere, but she chose ing some objects. This prosthesis is “Kazakh developers for the first nium. The company also plans to sachusetts Institute of Technology years. All these years we worked the way to fight poverty,” Clement more functional: it squeezes much time managed to create a model of produce traction prostheses, wrist (MIT). She worked on syndication together on various projects, we added. “We still feel her presence, stronger than my own hand and in a a bionic prosthesis, which is practi- trainers for individuals who have processes and Islamic financing were not just colleagues, but really so it was decided to name the con- few minutes I learned to make sev- cally applicable in domestic condi- suffered strokes. for the bank, among other issues, close friends. It often happened ference hall in her honour in the eral gestures,” he said. tions. Unlike imported analogues, Bekturganov’s journey in the field and colleagues say she was highly that we were late at work and were hope that the legacy of her work, Bekturganov made the first pro- we have manufactured a custom- started in 2015, when he first saw a respected within the institution. the last in the office. We usually her art of being herself will help us totype in January 2016. Argynga- ised product that takes into account device that enables a person to inter- “I knew Ourazalinova for 20 sat opposite each other and talked in our future work.” zin is using the fifth model. all the features of the biometrics act with technology through muscle “In the fifth version of the pros- of a particular person. Saving time impulses, or the power of thought. thesis, we applied all the accu- and resources is achieved by scan- He was interested in the technol- mulated knowledge and achieve- ning the stump at the stage of mod- ogy and began studying it in detail. ments. This is a reliable and elling the elements of the prosthe- Bekturganov had the idea of help- convenient device which uses the sis,” said 3D PM co-founder and ing those who lost their hands and First Kazakh sports food most successful solutions of five technical director Oleg Lobakh. decided to make a bionic prosthesis different models of prostheses. The “With the help of such a prosthe- controlled by muscle impulses. software that we developed allows sis, a person can take a cup in his He first made a prototype which fully managing the prosthesis the hand or open a door. He can even repeated the movements of his own producer seeks quality, next day after fitting,” he said in an play sports! And there is no need to hand. The second model, devised interview for this story. cut the hand to connect nerves with in fall 2016, was more suitable for With existing analogues, several the bionic wrist. The prosthesis is a prosthetic hand. Bekturganov months are needed to learn how to equipped with sensors that are at- invented the third version similar promotes healthy lifestyle manage the prosthesis, while Arg- tached to the skin. Each prosthesis to the second prototype in its con- yngazin, for example, learned the must be assembled individually to trol system, followed by the fourth Continued from Page B1 pe, however, is regulated by law. made goods. People try to avoid way to fully use MBionics’ prod- better suit a particular user. For ex- model in April 2017 which was There are certain allowed norms everything that is locally made. uct in a week. The company uses ample, when a person has muscle successfully installed and tested. The team members invested for vitamins and based on that we But in neighbouring countries, in only certified details, while most atrophy, the individual settings of Bekturganov subsequently their own funds. Registering each worked out the recipe,” he said. Russia or Uzbekistan, there is no start-ups use cheap ones, said Bek- the prosthesis can help him or her founded MBionics, where he and product costs approximately one Before finalising the formula, such thing; on the opposite, people turganov, adding the device is also manage the prosthesis, even if he his colleagues are working on de- million tenge (US$2,990) and they the team conducted taste tests, try to support their own products, easy to attach without glue. or she has already forgotten how to veloping new versions of bionic were required to submit the mate- where people had a chance to try a which fosters the development The prosthesis was developed manipulate fingers or wrist,” said prostheses. While he admitted lack rials used in production for review, product and leave feedback. of the country,” he said. “When with the help of 3D PM, which pro- Bekturganov. of financing is an issue, he does not a time-consuming process. Busi- “We offered several options; it comes to sports food, a person vided prosthetic socket modelling In creating MBionics, Bektur- want to attract investors. The com- nesses need assistance and sub- they tried it and then were asked to starts thinking and stereotypes and manufacturing using 3D print- ganov emphasised reliability. The pany plans to expand as the sales sidies to foster development and fill in the blanks. We then analysed come into play.” ing and based the prosthetic details prostheses, made with impact- grow, even though several months production of local goods and ser- the results. It is a long process,” Kamzabayev agrees with his on stump scanning. MBionics spe- resistant plastic, are currently pro- are needed to create each prosthe- vices, said Kamzabayev. said Beldeubayev. colleague and has a positive out- cialists engaged in electronics and duced on a 3D printer, but he wants sis since the company has a small The product line, which current- Russian sports food products cur- look on the future of the industry. software development. to replace certain parts with tita- number of employees. ly includes a protein, branched- rently occupy nearly 50 percent of The team believes building a dia- chain amino acid (BCAA) and the local market, said Kamzabayev. logue with dealers and consumers weight gainer, is represented in U.S. and European products were will help overcome the problem. Kazakhstan’s eight cities. The previously also in great demand, “Consumers in Kazakhstan team hopes to eventually increase but with the sharp devaluation of are quite picky. They get used to production. the tenge, residents’ ability to pur- everything that is imported from TV films to be produced “We are planning to expand chase these products decreased. As abroad. But time goes by and our range of products. There is a a result, the locally-produced items products become more expensive. wide array of sports products now. have the potential to occupy a niche The ratio of income and price is Sports are becoming very popular in the Kazakh market. becoming wider,” he said. about 100 New Faces now. People are becoming keener “Russian goods are at a more “It is a matter of time,” he added. year, I very much hope that there will success or who have committed a on keeping fit; they are taking part reasonable price, but still not all of “The mentality is such that at first Staff Report be 100 TV films about the participants feat]. We will continue to work with in competitions and marathons,” them. We are trying to line up with it is negative and judging, but later of the project. Social videos will be these people,” he said. noted Kamzabayev. Russian products. We are trying to when everyone has it, the attitude ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s 100 made about them and they will partic- The applications were received “Everything is intertwined. We sell our products at a lower price changes as well.” New Faces will become recognis- ipate in TV programmes. We would from June 5-Sept. 15 according to need more people to be involved in and trying to make them tastier in Karabayev noted the dynamic of able visages. An equal number of also like to organise the performances Kazcontent, the organisation re- sports for us to prosper,” he added. terms of perception,” he added. development has been good so far. TV films will be made about the of these people among the youth with sponsible for 100 New Faces pro- Price and quality are among the The team seeks to make “a Ka- “The geography is expanding, as programme’s participants and the lectures and open lessons. We will not ject. The applicants were whittled to key enticements. zakh product of European qual- is the range of products,” he added. country’s new heroes will deliver leave this project,” he said. 302 and the names of the nominees “People say the taste is good, as ity,” maintaining high quality at Entering the Russian market is motivational speeches at schools, Abayev added President Nur- published on the project’s website, is the effect,” noted Beldeubayev. a reasonable price. The sceptical among the team’s future goals, colleges, universities and youth sultan Nazarbayev recommended where online voting started Oct. Because of his major, he is in- and stereotype-based attitude to- though Kamzabayev believes the meetings, said Minister of Informa- reviewing the histories of all 2,112 18. As a result, 102 people were se- volved in the production process. wards locally-produced goods Russian market is currently over- tion and Communications Dauren applicants as part of Kazakhstan’s lected, all of whom were included Prominent British nutrition spe- and sports nutrition, in particular, saturated with sports food prod- Abayev at a public council meeting 100 New Faces forum. on the final list. More than 342,000 cialist Drew Price assisted the however, raises difficulties, noted ucts. Plans also include involving dedicated to promoting information. “Next year, perhaps we will pre- Kazakh residents, a number com- team in developing the recipe. Karabayev. more brand ambassadors, includ- “We have developed a roadmap sent a new version [of the project to parable to the population of Taraz, “We shared our opinions and “Due to certain reasons, there is ing eminent Kazakh boxers, to for the 100 New Faces project. Next promote people who have achieved voted in less than a month. ideas. The development of a reci- a negative attitude towards locally- promote the products. Artist Alexandra Roganova shares her ‘Life Cycle’ create new art objects. In her stu- duces pure, innocent art full of deep By Natalya-Aurora Kim dio is a microscope, right between thoughts. a large book on ceramics and a The ceramic panel “Life Cycle” ALMATY – Any meeting with sketchbook. is a one of a kind. According to the Alexandra Roganova, an artist from There is a great variety of fishes artist, the work represents meaning- Almaty, is an occasion for wonder. in this sketchbook, as well as in the bearing evolution layers. It is a ce- She switches from the mystical, like studio. Large and small fish, flat ramic square panel with an endless Vladimir Vernadsky’s theory on the and three-dimensional fish, multi- spiral on it. The spiral is the symbol noosphere, straight to more home- coloured and black-and-white fish, of eternal evolution. On the helix spun topics like salmon spawning. joyful and sad fish live everywhere. are dancing fish. A road crosses Roganova’s artistic interests are They gather together on paper and over their path, on which men wear- equally widespread. She paints, on canvas, on shelves and panels. ing sun symbols walk. The fish and draws, makes ceramics and shoots The fish swim up and down and the men move in the same rhythm photographs. She might drive whirl in dance. Roganova confess- on the road of life, the fish carrying 1,000 kilometres for the perfect es that she always paints or sculpts secrets to the men. The dots, lines shot, wake up at dawn and spend fish between projects. and circles build up a fluid compo- a day searching for wild tulips at a Do not take this to mean the art- sition. One can see the throbbing riverside. But she always gets her ist’s studio is in chaos. Roganova’s tunnel that leads to the depths, and image. And from these trips she workspace is in exceptional order; the shining sun up in the sky. The brings home things like seeds and it is reminiscent of a researcher’s universe’s sounds are brought by wild bird feathers, which make up lab. However, the order contrasts white and black waves. Multidirec- her collection of memories and the motley colour scheme of her tional movements untwist the spiral feelings. Later on, she views these art. The artist, like a child, loves to of the evolution. The ceramic panel things through a microscope and paint her world with vivid colours. delivers the concept that the true makes new discoveries. The dis- Here we can see that the research- meaning of life is eternal develop- coveries help her comprehend the er and the artistic child are good ment. This is Roganova’s belief, world and bring the inspiration to Alexandra Roganova and her daughter. friends, and their collaboration pro- and her message. B3 NATION&CAPITAL CULTURE

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017 Astana Opera holds charity concert UNESCO includes traditional Kazakh game on Intangible Cultural Heritage list

separate concerts for retirees. Par- ary schools No. 34 and No. 40. dren’s Studio Choir under the By Yerbolat Uatkhanov ents with many children cannot af- They were joined by 20 children direction of choirmaster Altyn- ford to take five-six children to a from Akkol in the Akmola region ganim Akhmetova also partici- ASTANA – Approximately 300 concert and disabled children also and the same number from Taraz. pated in the programme and the children from low-income fami- rarely visit the Astana Opera. Nev- They were also treated to a tour of piano parts were performed by lies, those from large families and ertheless, our opera house gives the opera house. international competition laure- youngsters with disabilities attend- them this unique opportunity and, Concert host Saule Mauletova, ates Raushan Beskembirova and ed the Dec. 3 Diversity of Musical of course, we receive only positive the opera house’s musicologist, Meruert Zhekenova. “The secretariat of Kazakh Na- Voices charity concert at the Asta- feedback, hear words of gratitude gave an entertaining presenta- The children were given frag- By Dana Omirgazy tional Commission for UNESCO na Opera Chamber Hall. The opera and we understand that our work tion about the various kinds of ments from the well-known ani- and ISESCO, experts of the Na- house holds such events every year was not in vain,” said audience operatic voices from soprano to mated films “Nu, Pogodi!” and ASTANA – UNESCO recently tional Committee for the ICH Pro- for children who otherwise would service department director As- bass. Well-known soloists Ye- “Snegurochka” and archival re- included the traditional Kazakh tection and the Permanent Mission not have an opportunity to attend sel Zhandauletova in an interview lena Ganzha, Madina Islamova, cords of great singers. game Asyk Atu on the organi- of Kazakhstan to the UN, as well as the opera. with The Astana Times. Malika Minisini and other sing- The smartly-dressed youngsters sation’s Representative List of the Ministry of Culture and Sports “The Astana Opera has been The young guests included ers performed popular arias and listened attentively to the concert. the Intangible Cultural Heritage carried out the work to prepare the holding regular charity concerts children from low-income and duets from the works of Georges When it was finished, they took (ICH) of Humanity. The inclu- nomination,” the report said. since its opening. Every year, we large families, youngsters from Bizet, Wolfgang Amadeus Mo- pictures with the soloists and ex- sion came during the 12th session The ICH list inscribes seven try to give three-four children’s the Astana Association of Peo- zart, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, pressed their gratitude for the of the UNESCO Intergovernmen- nominations with the participa- musical performances and hold ple with Disabilities and pupils Gioachino Rossini and Giuseppe chance to experience the high art. tal Committee for the Safeguard- tion of Kazakhstan, including the New Year’s charitable perfor- from school-gymnasium No. 58, Verdi, Neapolitan songs and other The next charity concert will be ing of the ICH on Jeju Island, “Kazakh traditional art of Dombra mances. In addition, we organise school-lyceum No. 56 and second- tunes. The Astana Opera Chil- held shortly before the New Year. South Korea. Kui,” “Kazaksha Kures” (Kazakh The session featured an exhibi- wrestling), joint Kazakh-Kyrgyz tion dedicated to the ICH of Ka- nomination of “Aitys/Aitysh, the zakhstan and the presentation of art of improvisation” and others. the Asyk game, according to the The presence of Kazakhstan’s Kazakh Foreign Ministry. nominations in the UNESCO list Kazakh TV starts broadcasting in new format The traditional Kazakh game is could help popularise Kazakh- believed to develop cognitive and stan’s ICH at the international lev- Continued from Page B1 remained unchanged – to be a “The total audience of the TV physical skills as well as promote el and develop measures to protect guide to the original world of Ka- channel is more than 300 million Broadcasting in three languages zakhstan, to promote the country’s viewers. I think that a full-fledged fully meets the needs of both do- image. In general, the content of English soundtrack will allow the The traditional Kazakh game is believed to mestic and foreign viewers. the Kazakh TV channel is defined Kazakh TV channel to further ex- develop cognitive and physical skills as well as “The Russian language will allow in six main directions: economy pand the foreign audience and ef- establishing effective interaction and international relations, nature fectively acquaint the world with promote friendship and the rapprochement of with an extensive Russian-speaking and tourism, history, traditions, our unique country,” said Tarakov. audience in the CIS (Common- culture and art, and people and Kazakh TV is currently avail- cultures regardless of ethnicity among youth. wealth of Independent States) ter- Andrei Tarakov persons,” he said. able around the clock in Kazakh- ritory. English as a language of in- The change was initiated with the stan and four continents via the friendship and the rapprochement it at the national level, the ministry Switching to a multi-channel ternational communication will be a fall season, when the network up- HotBird 13B, Galaxy 19 and of cultures regardless of ethnic- believes. good tool for interaction with view- broadcast signal was under discus- dated its content and launched 15 AsiaSat 5 satellite platforms. The ity among youth. As a symbol of Kazakhstan also plans to submit ers from distant foreign countries. A sion for several years. A great deal new educational, cultural, historic signal is available in 118 nations, childhood, Asyks, which are made for inclusion “Traditional Spring broadcast channel in Kazakh will, of work was necessary prior to the and entertainment programmes. including in North and Central from the knuckles of the sheep’s Rituals of Kazakh Horse Breed- among other things, provide access transition. Certain shows focus on the ideas America, Eastern and Western hind legs, play an important role in ers” and the multinational appli- to information in the native lan- “The main directions of the pro- outlined in the Ruhani Janghyru Europe, Asia, Australia and Oce- strengthening the social cohesion cation “Korkyt-Ata’s Heritage” guage for a large Kazakh speaking gramme policy of the TV channel (Modernisation of Kazakhstan’s ania, North Africa and the Mid- of the Kazakh people and creating with Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and audience,” he said. have been preserved. The mission Identity) national programme. dle East. unity and identity. Turkey.

livers a child in a toilet, and in fear Comparing the reaction to the of uyat or shaming, leaves the child play in Almaty and Astana, Tarasova there. noted the latter had a stronger reac- Almaty independent theatre raises socially The topic eventually intertwines tion. with several other acute issues, pro- “The audience reaction was very ducing a reality that the audience important for us. People in Almaty can relate to. could not relate to some moments, sensitive issues in Astana performance Explaining the decision to work but it was a 100 percent shot in cially sensitive issues and views Galina Pyanova, the play was rector came up with the idea to invite with a playwright from abroad, Astana. People are living inside of By Assel Satubaldina them from a different angle, let- written by well-known Ukrainian a professional playwright to stage a Tarasova noted the insufficient this and you do not have to explain ting audiences see another side of playwright Natalya Vorozhbit and play for Artishock based on this re- development of dramaturgy in Ka- the text or ideas. People understand ASTANA – The Almaty-based certain social norms and princi- is based on the book “Molotov search,” noted Tarasova. zakhstan. them,” explained Tarasova. independent theatre Artishock trav- ples. The very name of the thea- Cocktail: Anatomy of Kazakh- Aside from the research findings, “Dramaturgy in Kazakhstan is at The theatre opened a second stage elled to Astana Dec. 12 to present tre, which is a wordplay on words stan Youth,” written by a group the play incorporates Vorozhbit’s its infancy, only starting to develop. in October, collecting money on its hit play “Uyat,” (“Shame” in Ka- ‘art’ and ‘shock’ and which, com- of political scientists guided by observations during her stay in Al- They are not very active. An out- their own. According to Tarasova, zakh), which was warmly welcomed bined, projects an impression of the research work of prominent maty and stories told by the theatre sider’s view was also interesting. A their work now focuses on the new in Almaty in September 2016. a multilayered meaning reminis- Kazakh political scientist Dossym actors, to bring the play closer to person from Kazakhstan would not stage. “Uyat,” though translated as cent of an artichoke, denotes its Satpayev and the Friedrich Ebert reality. It took 10 months to prepare be able to detach from a situation “Our goals focus on this stage to “shame,” actually reflects a much approach to art. Foundation, “Youth in Central and stage it. and be unbiased,” noted the theatre promote it. We have to work hard. stronger social code that condemns The play weaves together salient Asia.” The play starts with a group of director. We are planning to stage Cervantes’s any actions that go beyond tradi- social issues, including a lack of The theme of Satpayev’s book be- colleagues working at a popular The actors were encouraged to ‘Don Quixote’ next April,” she add- tional norms prevalent in Kazakh sexual education among girls and came of great interest to the theatre, TV channel and challenged to find find out what motivates people to ed, stressing the experimental and society. subsequent early pregnancies, the said Artishock Managing Director new ideas for a show. Close to los- make certain decisions in differ- all-genre nature of the theatre. ‘What is not supposed to be gap between people living in urban Anastasiya Tarasova in an interview ing hope, one of workers, a lighting ent situations. The concept of uyat “We have existed as an independ- discussed, but impossible to be si- and rural areas and rising religious for this story. technician, tells a story of a young in this case plays a significant role, ent theatre for 17 years – this is when lent about,’ is how the theatre de- radicalism among young people. “We started thinking about how girl coming to a big city from a vil- especially in families strongly com- the theatre does not have govern- scribes this play, which raises so- Directed by Artishock founder we could use the material. Our di- lage, who finds herself pregnant, de- mitted to traditions. ment subsidies or permanent spon- “One case leads to a system. Fam- sors and investors. We are working ily is a system leading to a state and as a theatre company, earning mon- this turns into a chain of private ey, looking for investors, working cases and experiences,” added Tara- with foreign cultural institutes and sova. various companies,” said Tarasova. Theatre is a tool that allows cer- The mission of the theatre, ac- tain topics that are resonant in public cording to her, is to promote and de- to be voiced, she noted. velop the contemporary theatre arts “Such dialogue is needed now, in Kazakhstan. because there is no such dialogue “It is an important goal in terms on TV, in parliament or in govern- of communication with people and ment,” said Tarasova. formation of audiences’ taste. We “This is what we are talking cannot work for the sake of sales; about, but we remain silent. We are we have different objectives. We are not supposed to discuss it, but it is doing what is interesting to us and already impossible to be silent,” she what we want to convey to people,” added. she noted. B4 NATION&CAPITAL COUNTRY

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017 Digital Kazakhstan programme 1.2 million tonnes of to create 300,000 jobs by 2022 cargo to be transported munity, digital Silk Road referring than 169 billion tenge (US$508.69 on the effect of digitalisation. The By Assel Satubaldina to the development of high speed in- million) in investment from the 300,000 work places – these are frastructure and transfer and storage quasi-public sector, according to very serious indicators,” he noted. ASTANA – The Digital Kazakh- of data and development of human Abayev, and 141 billion tenge Digital inequality will be rising, through Trans-Caspian stan programme, part of the nation’s capital, and the establishment of an (US$424.41 million) from the na- he said, and oil and gas resources effort to build and promote digital innovative eco system by creating a tional budget. will no longer ensure success in infrastructure nationwide, is expect- favourable climate for the develop- The ministry estimated the return global competition. Developing hu- route by year’s end ed to create 300,000 work places by ment of technological entrepreneur- on investment will be approximately man capital and modern technolo- 2022. The programme, endorsed by ship and innovations,” said Minister 4.8-6.4 times the total volume of in- gies will take their place. complex on the Caspian Sea. He the government Dec. 4, is now un- of Information and Communication vestment, with the added value total- “The digital revolution opens up By Frol Leandoer also proposed signing a roadmap der consideration by President Nur- Dauren Abayev, stressing the meas- ling 1.7-2.2 trillion tenge (US$5.12 unprecedented opportunities for to reach delivery deadlines of no sultan Nazarbayev. ures will affect all segments of the billion-US$6.62 billion) by 2025. countries and we are glad to see that ASTANA – Rather than the more than 15 days. “The document includes five population. The programme’s partner is the Kazakhstan is aware of these advan- initial plan of 700,000 tonnes of “This will result in big cargo main directions – digitalisation of One of the key ideas behind the Boston Consulting Group, and its tages,” he added. cargo, approximately 1.2 million traffic and strengthen the volumes the economy, transformation of tra- project is a greater involvement of managing director Sergei Perape- Yet the digitalisation process may tonnes will be transported through of these facilities, as there is a ditional industries using progressive business and private companies, chka believes the investment in digi- come with several pitfalls, said Pera- the Trans-Caspian International need to strengthen joint work with technologies to increase productiv- eventually minimising the role of the talisation will eventually pay off. pechka, including self-digitalisation Transport Route (TITR) by the Azerbaijani, Georgian and Turk- ity and build on capital, digital gov- state in the process, noted Deputy “We conducted a thorough analy- and the prevailing role of the state, end of the year, reported the Ka- ish partners. The Kazakh side will ernment envisioning a new quality Prime Minister Askar Zhumagali- sis; the return is estimated at five-six too much focus on information and zakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) press make every effort to maximise the level of public services provided to yev. times per tenge and nearly 30 per- communication technologies and service. stimulation of cargo flows, includ- the population and business com- The programme will require more cent of the GDP growth will depend accepting fast results. Members of the TITR interna- ing reducing the delivery time of tional association met recently in cargoes to 14-15 days,” he said, re- the capital. Speaking about the ferring to the total time needed to corridor’s viability, KTZ head and ship goods from China to Europe. TITR management chair Kanat Al- To attract cargo traffic to the pysbayev noted “by the end of this route, he noted the importance Ban on anonymous web comments explained year, the volume of transportation of organising the launch of regu- actions, I think it will be possible the administrator and the messages will reach about 1.2 million tonnes lar container trains, at least twice Staff Report to track down the claims for the are deleted. instead of the planned 700,000 a month, in the China-Turkey/ law enforcement bodies,” he said. The minister noted no one tonnes.” Georgia direction. Consideration ASTANA – The bill on Amend- Abayev noted violators were within the ministry specifically “For further development of the should also be given to the use of ments and Additions to Some previously tracked through their monitors the comments, but that route, there is a need to fix compet- feeder vessels, with the possibility Legislative Acts on Information IP address, but the technology was information and communication itive tariffs approved by all TITR of transporting 40-50 containers. and Communications prohibiting inconsistent. ministry employees are reacting participants for a longer period,” As part of the general meeting, anonymous Internet comments “It is a normal practice. Every to complaints of ordinary Kazakh he said. multimodal operator KTZ Express was explained recently by Minis- person should openly state those citizens. Approximately 3,000 Alpysbayev stressed new op- concluded an agreement on rail ter of Information and Communi- things that he wants to comment websites with prohibited con- portunities for transportation transportation services in Turkey. cations Dauren Abayev. The ban on. There is nothing supernatural tent were blocked this year, said growth along the route, which is The association also approved is necessary to control statements about this; we are not pursuing Abayev. connected to the opening of the a new board in connection with that incite interethnic discord or criticism, valuable advice or prac- The Mazhilis (lower house of new Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway the changes in the first leaders of negative comments that offend tical things. The question is not Parliament) voted Nov. 22 to ap- and the launch of the automobile Georgian Railways and Batumi component at the Kuryk port ferry Sea Port. citizens. Kazakh Minister of Information and that we are thus eradicating com- prove amendments to the legis- “We plan to make it possible for Communications Dauren Abayev. ments,” he added. lation on information and com- information portals so that they Abayev indicated work with munications. Under the draft law, can track and find out who leaves here and the information portal non-Kazakh social networks will owners of electronic resources comments. We do not in any way will know who a certain citizen is. continue in the same format. If will be obliged to conclude written [want to] abolish the right to use In the case of inciting ethnic hatred there are calls for unlawful ac- agreements with the readers using aliases, but there is no problem and calls for some unconstitutional tions, the ministry sends a notice to EDS or SMS identification. Kazakhstan increases storage capacity at Multiple arrests made in suspected Khorgos – Eastern Gate ment of the Khorgos – Eastern laundering of more than $50 million By Yerbolat Uatkhanov Gate, including the construction million) of budget funds through regarding qualified protection and back. However, former ministers of warehouses, a feed mill, a food Staff Report SKY SERVISE LLP, which he con- conditions of detention are being and akims (governors) who have ASTANA – The Kazakh govern- cluster and the production of build- trols. In addition, Yerimbetov and observed. No complaints have been stolen more than $8 billion from ment recently began construction ing materials. ASTANA – The interdepartmen- his accomplices acted jointly and in received about violations of proce- the country continue to hide abroad. of state-of-the-art storage facilities “Today’s ceremony demon- tal investigative and operational the financial interests of the people dural norms from the suspects and First of all, those are the leaders at the Khorgos – Eastern Gate spe- strates the willingness of foreign group of the National Anti-Corrup- hiding from Kazakh justice abroad. their lawyers and the suspects are of an organised criminal group – cial economic zone. The facilities companies to cooperate in our pro- tion Bureau and the National Secu- One of them is Yerimbetov’s sis- cooperating with the investigation. Ablyazov and the Khrapunovs. We are expected to be completed by ject and they believe in the future rity Committee apprehended Nov. ter Botagoz Jardemali, Ablyazov’s Thus, according to the bureau, are confident that, despite the po- the end of the year and are part of development of this region,” said 13 in Almaty Iskander Yerimbetov, accomplice and consultant, the bu- “the efforts of the fugitive suspects liticisation of their status, they will the national Nurly Zhol economic Chief Operating Officer of Khor- Vasilina Sokolenko, Dmitriy Pestov reau said. Jardemali was personally Ablyazov and Jardemali to po- not escape responsibility. Thanks programme and 100 Concrete gos – Eastern Gate Hicham Bel- and Mikhail Zorov on suspicion of involved in the illegal issuance of liticise and deliberately distort the to our partnership with our foreign Steps Plan of the Nation. maachi. embezzlement and money launder- loans by BTA Bank worth about course of this investigation through colleagues, every runaway corrupt The storage capacity will add to Heads of Verno Capital and ing. $500 million that she had known the use of relatives, suspects and official will bear a fair punishment other infrastructure meant to facil- PNK Group also recently pre- The Anti-Corruption Bureau re- wouldn’t be repaid, it claims. In controlled persons are another at- imposed by the court. The states itate Kazakh-Chinese trade within sented an investment project at ports that pre-trial investigations 2013, she was declared an interna- tempt to avoid responsibility”. should unite efforts in excluding the zone, which also includes busi- the logistics zone of the special were requested by BTA Bank of- tional wanted person on charges of Chairman of Kazakhstan’s Agen- double standards when extraditing ness favourable taxes and no cus- economic zone, which is part ficials about the involvement of misappropriation or embezzlement cy for Civil Service Affairs and An- criminals and returning assets,” he toms duties. of a large project for the con- these individuals and the companies of entrusted property of others com- ti-Corruption Kairat Kozhamzharov said. The project is being financed by struction of more than 100,000 they controlled in laundering and mitted on a large scale as part of an spoke on the issue during an interna- Kozhamzharov highlighted that Baiterek National Managing Hold- square metres of warehouse and legalising more than $50 million organised criminal group. tional anti-corruption conference in the UN Convention against Cor- ing. Head of the holding’s manage- class A industrial facilities in the previously stolen from the bank by Yerimbetov, Pestov, Sokolenko Astana on Dec. 8. [Kozhamzharov ruption is the international legal ment board Aidar Arifkhanov said regions of Kazakhstan. The fi- Mukhtar Ablyazov, the bank’s for- and Zorov were placed in the re- was appointed the country’s Pros- cooperation platform in this sphere. the project exemplifies Kazakh ef- nancial group has implemented mer chairman who is convicted of mand prison of the Almaty Depart- ecutor General by President Nursul- According to him, Kazakhstan has forts to develop infrastructure with projects in Russia, the U.S. and embezzling more than 7 billion dol- ment of Internal Affairs. The court tan Nazarbayev on Dec. 11 follow- concluded agreements on extradi- the participation of foreign busi- Europe. lars from the lender. authorised their detention and sei- ing the consent from the Senate.] tion and return of assets with more nesses. Khorgos – Eastern Gate officials According to the bureau, Yerim- zure of property. “Over the past 10 years, out of than 40 states, including Spain, Tur- Foreign investors have proposed hope developing the zone will bet- betov is also suspected of embez- The investigative authorities have 205 corrupt officials hiding outside key, Poland, South Korea, the Unit- more than $295 million in projects ter integrate Kazakhstan into the zling about 1 billion tenge (US$3 noted that the rights of the detained Kazakhstan, 152 have been brought ed Arab Emirates and Lithuania. for 2018 involving the develop- global cargo transit network. Kazakhstan to consolidate energy transmission companies by 2022 stan Electricity Grid Operating “The fees will not be included in By Inga Selezneva Company (KEGOC), Regional the tariff. The system and all the Electricity Company and 14 me- services that are needed to operate ASTANA – The Kazakh gov- dium-sized supply companies. At the networks will be automated at ernment plans to consolidate the the moment when we move to con- the expense of their own invest- country’s electrical grid and re- solidation, there will be a chain: ments. Accordingly, these expens- duce the number of energy trans- the station – KEGOC – regional es will not be taken into account in mission companies by 30 percent electricity company and then the the tariff,” he said. by 2022. energy transmitting organisations Kazakhstan adopted a law to “We expect the number of en- will deliver electricity to consum- consolidate energy transmission ergy transmission companies to ers,” Sarsenov said. companies to increase their re- reduce from 160 to 110 and 27 The largest number of electricity liability last July. The law also public utilities and 23 private en- intermediaries are in the Karagan- provides for the release of power ergy transmission enterprises will da and East Kazakhstan regions. transmission organisations from cease operations by 2019 and by “There are up to 40 energy trans- corporate income tax and prop- 2022 as part of the consolidation mitting organisations. There are 17 erty tax after receiving abandoned of regional electric grid compa- such companies in the East Kazakh- electrical grid facilities and lifting nies,” said head of Electric Power stan region. It is still difficult to say the prohibitions provided for by Industry Department of the Minis- whether they will be able to meet the legislation in the field of natural try of Energy Bauyrzhan Sarsenov necessary requirements,” he said. monopolies. The law contains a at the briefing, adding that only a The electricity tariff and charges mechanism for transferring aban- small number of companies meet will remain the same with a reduc- doned electricity grids through the country’s requirements. tion in the number of electricity amendments to the law on state “These companies are Kazakh- transmission organisations. property. B5 NATION&CAPITAL SOCIETY

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017 Young developers create energy saving industrial solutions store a large amount of data, the This is a smart system that allows ernisation of Kazakhstan’s Identity) By Zhanna Shayakhmetova computer can understand the rela- us to understand why we consume programme. tions between some activities and more or less energy. Due to this, we “This is a great honour for me ASTANA – Almaty-based She- these data. If the activity repeats can save more energy,” he said. to be a part of the 100 New Faces berkhana is the company behind and it affects some indicators, then In addition to serving as a partner project. This is a big responsibility ecoSocket, the technology that it concludes that this activity was technology strategist at Microsoft to motivate people into doing good helps to conserve energy and save caused by other activities and on Kazakhstan, Myrzagalym is in- deeds. We are glad that our product money by controlling power usage. the basis of the machine learning al- volved in educational activities. is getting more attention and people The start-up was among the top 10 gorithm, we make analyses and rec- “When we started to work, we are interested in collaborating with best Central Asian and South-East ommendations to users,” he added. knew that it was necessary to de- our team. We met with Astana Hub European projects from the 500 ap- With the help of the smart device, velop the IT sector. We have exten- representatives and plan to apply plications at the Echelon Asia Sum- it is possible to conduct an energy sive experience in developing new for residency there. We also intend mit 2015 in Singapore. audit of the industrial enterprise. products and equipment including to launch our crowdfunding cam- “The ecoSocket adapter is able to The device is directly connected to printers, devices and multimedia paign so that the local IT product turn your home into a smart home. Sanzhar Myrzagalym the Internet of Things. tools. The concept of our company will enter the world market,” he You can connect the easy-to-use de- After graduation, they received job than 50 percent of electricity in the “Our device is able to analyse the can be compared with the Mas- said. vice to the refrigerator or TV. With offers from global firms including country is used by several large cost of electricity, why consump- sachusetts Institute of Technology The developer believes the IT the help of your smartphone, you Google and Amazon. enterprises and the coefficient of tion is higher or lower and what Media Lab. We conduct free mas- sector can boost economic growth. can calculate power consumption “The prototype device is ready efficiency from our device will be impacts it. The Energy Efficiency ter classes for students about new “It requires fewer expenses and and control home appliances,” said for production. After reviewing much higher,” he said. programme 2020 was adopted by technologies and trends. On one time for development. In addition, company co-founder and CEO San- the market research we decided “We don’t want our team to be providing that all industrial enter- hand, we share our knowledge and we have huge human capital po- zhar Myrzagalym, one of Kazakh- to focus on the industrial market, associated with one device. It’s just prises should undergo an energy experience; on the other, we create tential. If there’s no progress in stan’s 100 New Faces. as the potential for energy savings the beginning. This adapter is a part audit to confirm that they use ener- a like-minded community,” he said. 20 years, the next generation will Myrzagalym built the business in this sphere is much higher than of a system. We want to work in the gy efficiently to reduce overall con- Myrzagalym shared his impres- blame us. We should do our best to and team during his college years. in homes and apartments. More field of machine learning. If you sumption throughout the country. sions of Ruhani Janghyru (Mod- make a better future,” he said. Student literacy in Kazakhstan 413,000 people find jobs above international average in 2017 through national in improving the reading skills of Staff Report children. In addition, on average, Kazakh children come to school ASTANA – The International more prepared than do their peers employment programme Association for the Evaluation from many other countries. in employment of vulnerable catego- and Educational Achievement of The common trend for most By Dana Omirgazy ries of citizens and increased mobil- students (IEA) announced the re- countries, both developed and ity of labour resources. sults of its 2016 Progress in Inter- developing, is the reading of ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s nation- “This year, approximately 134,000 national Reading Literacy Study informational texts through in- al Employment 2020 Programme people have been introduced to so- (PIRLS). Kazakhstan came in formation and communication helped 413,000 citizens get a job cial work places, youth practice and 27th among the 50 participating technologies. Thus, 37 percent over the last 12 months. Of those, public works,” the minister noted. countries. of Kazakh students read texts in 279,000 were permanently em- The programme gives special at- The average score of Kazakh an electronic format and about 40 ployed, Kazakh Minister of Labour tention to the increase of citizens’ la- schoolchildren in fourth grade percent use the internet to search and Social Protection Tamara Duis- bour mobility. Duissenova reiterated was 536 points, which is 26 points for information and perform edu- senova said during a Dec. 20 govern- that more than 2,000 families ex- higher than the international aver- cational tasks. As in most of the ment meeting. pressed a desire for voluntary reset- age. in International Mathematics and time in PIRLS, the result is a participating countries, it is diffi- The programme includes 527,000 tlement in the northern regions under The purpose of PIRLS is to Science Study (TIMSS). significant achievement. cult to read literary texts and ana- participants so far. More than 50 per- the interregional job fairs. determine fourth-grade readers’ The top 30 countries in the About 5,000 schoolchildren lyse them. cent are inhabitants of rural areas. “Given allocated funds, 381 fami- literary experience and skills in study are overwhelmingly lead- from 172 schools from all regions According to the plans of the According to the minister, the main lies or 1,479 people have voluntar- mastering the use of information. ers in the Global Competitive- of Kazakhstan took part in the Ministry of Education and Sci- indicators of the programme have ily moved from the southern to the Currently, this study is the only ness Index (GCI). Russia and study. In Kazakhstan, unlike Rus- ence of Kazakhstan, the national been achieved. northern regions under the pro- global tool for measuring the lit- Kazakhstan were the only coun- sia and many other countries, the report on the country’s results in “Under the first direction, 90,000 gramme. Next year, it is planned to eracy of primary school students. tries from the Commonwealth testing was conducted in two lan- PIRLS-2016 will be published in people were trained to meet the increase the regional quota of reset- The previous PIRLS releases in of Independent States (CIS) to guages: Kazakh and Russian. the second quarter of next year. needs of regional labour markets. tlement by five times, that is, to re- 2001, 2006 and 2011 helped many crack the top tier. Russia has The study showed that the abso- The results of international and Of them, 21,000 people are unem- settle up to 1,700 families or about countries improve their curricula, been a participant in this re- lute majority (96 percent) of Ka- national reports, as well as PI- ployed youth; the remaining 69,000 7,000 people,” Duissenova reported. textbooks and content of courses search from the very beginning, zakh fourth graders are very fond RLS-2016 Encyclopaedias, will are unemployed and self-employed. The minister submitted for the for teachers and national assess- and has re-confirmed its status of reading. Teachers showed high be included in the knowledge Short-term training courses were government’s consideration changes ment systems. The IEA study is as one of the most reading coun- satisfaction with their work and base used to further improve the completed by 43,500 people,” Duis- to the programme to more effectively held every five years. Its organ- tries in the world. For Kazakh- trust in children. Some 91 percent content of primary education in senova said. encourage the voluntary resettlement iser is also known for the Trends stan, participating for the first of parents praised the school’s help Kazakhstan. Almost 15,000 people underwent of citizens, support entrepreneurial training to support entrepreneurial initiatives of citizens and improve initiatives under the Bastau business the education system. programme. Approximately 8,200 In addition, Minister of National attendees protected their business Economy Timur Suleimenov, Min- projects and over 3,000 received ister of Education Yerlan Sagadiyev Paralympic athlete aims to change perception loans. Next year, the government and First Vice Minister of Agri- hopes to double the number of train- culture Kairat Aituganov reported ees among unemployed and self-em- on the implementation of the pro- ployed citizens. gramme for the Development of of people with limited abilities The third direction of the pro- Productive Employment and Mass gramme provides targeted support Entrepreneurship. Continued from Page B1

Yesmatov has been an active person since his school years, where he danced, sang and per- formed in the choir at various More than 500,000 events. Sports, however, were his main pursuit, including playing professional football, volleyball and basketball. Yesmatov also residents are on travel ban posted good results in track and field, relay races and single com- bats. “In 2009, I started boxing and list due to unpaid debts got onto the reserve team of Ka- obtain information about the existing zakh Olympic Champion Serik Staff Report debt and pay for it except for recovery Sapiyev. Unfortunately, I did not of alimony, compensation for harm participate in the competitions. ASTANA – More than 500,000 and requirements of an executive doc- Then, I started cycling and per- Kazakh residents cannot travel over- ument related to non-property rights. formed at the competitions. Later, seas because of unpaid debts. As of The restrictions can be cancelled my coach left Kazakhstan. How- December 13, 690,529 temporary within 30 minutes,” said the release. ever, I decided not to stop there restrictions have been imposed on The temporary restriction can be and tried swimming. My coaches travel outside the country, including cancelled automatically for debts is- promised a great future for me. I 164,972 temporary restrictions in sued after July 2015 when they are had a dream to become an Olym- 2016 and 229,656 this year, noted a satisfied using the cash services and pian and defend the honour of the statement released by the Ministry of terminals. Kazpost terminals are in- country at international competi- Justice. stalled in the Aktau, Aktobe, Almaty, tions and the Olympic Games,” he Yesmatov began Paralympic than 42 kilometres. Among Para- siade. By this, I proved that people According to the law “On enforce- Astana, Atyrau, Karaganda, Kyzy- said. sports in 2013, joining the nation’s lympians, he finished first in three with limited abilities do not differ ment proceedings and the status of lorda and Shymkent airports and His dreams changed “radically,” youth Paralympic Volleyball Team hours, 56 minutes and placed from full-fledged people,” he said. court bailiff,” the law enforcement round-the-clock payments have been however, when he accidentally and travelling to his first interna- 128th among the 13,000 regis- Yesmatov wants to change officials have the right to execute re- accepted since June 21. There are fell under the wheels of a freight tional competitions. After win- tered runners. Within EXPO 2017, society’s perception of people strictions if a citizen has an unpaid plans to install terminals throughout train. ning the bronze medal at the Asian he took part in the Shanghai Co- with limited abilities. He aims to debt equal to the 20 monthly calcu- the country. “I lost both legs. After rehabili- Youth Games in Malaysia, the operation Organisation (SCO) and achieve more and is glad people lation indeces (one MCI equals $7). “The Ministry of Justice plans to tation, I got my first prostheses athlete’s life started changing for Conference on Interaction and have noticed and appreciated his Debt payments can be made through replicate the payment service in all and I learned to walk again. Then, the better. The excellent opportu- Confidence-Building Measures in efforts. cash services and terminals at check second-tier banks using their rami- coaches of the Kazakhstan Para- nities helped him become what he Asia (CICA) marathons, finishing “I would like to tell everyone points near the state border and in fied network of ATMs, similar to the lympic Volleyball Team noticed is now. 133rd of 5,000 registered runners. that life loves those who do not public places in cities and regions. payment service implemented jointly me and offered for me to continue Yesmatov has also run several “I worked as a volunteer at the complain about it. You need to “Online payment was also imple- with Kazpost,” said the ministry. playing sports on a professional marathons. This year he partici- 2017 Winter Universiade in Al- clearly set the goal and achieve it mented using mobile apps beginning Approximately 24,391,725 tenge level. I could not refuse,” he add- pated in the Almaty marathon, maty. Then, I was recognised as anyway. The greatest victory is a June 10. By entering their personal (US$72,931) was paid by 396 debtors ed. overcoming a distance of more the best volunteer of the Univer- victory over yourself,” he said. identification number, people can using the online service. B6 NATION&CAPITAL TOURISM

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017 Altai Alps ski resort welcomes visitors Tourism to enjoy winter activities, improve skills industry on rise, figures show

More residents are choosing to By Zhazira Dyussembekova travel within the country as well. According to the figures, the num- ASTANA – A record number of ber of domestic tourists reached foreign tourists visited Kazakhstan 4.4 million, 25 percent more than in the first nine months of 2017, the previous year and the sharpest tional ski and snowboard training deal of pedagogical and sports Accommodations start from according to finprom.kz analytical growth since 2010. By Zhanna Shayakhmetova Nov. 21-30 in accordance with experience, sports masters, prize- 10,500 tenge (US$31) per person service, as the number traveling to The boom has contributed to the International Ski Instructors Asso- winners and participants in the a day. Meals, equipment rental and the country from abroad grew 18 growing demand for services in ASTANA – With its gorgeous ciation (ISIA) standards. European Cup and International ski lifts are included. percent compared to the previous Kazakh hotels, hostels and other mountain views and large variety “Our coaches took part in the Universiade 2017. “This place is really beauti- year. The domestic tourism sector accommodations. of slopes for outdoor enthusiasts, National Russian League of In- “At the moment, we have visitors ful. There’s a lot of trees on followed the same trend, with the From January-September, 3.9 a tour of the East Kazakhstan re- structors programme and be- from China, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan the mountains. Most people number of residents vacationing million rooms of various levels gion is the perfect winter trip idea. came C-category instructors. and Russia. There are also a lot of come here with their families,” locally increasing 25 percent dur- were booked, noted the analyst, Located 24 kilometres from Ust- They constantly improve their tourists from Europe. We can ac- said capital resident Aibarshyn ing the period. a 23.7-percent increase over the Kamenogorsk, the Altai Alps ski skills and follow new trends. commodate 3,000 tourists in the Akhmetkali, who recently visited This summer’s EXPO 2017 and same period last year. As a result, resort is an amazing and affordable The school attaches great impor- winter season, which lasts from mid- the resort. “The prices are much the simplified visa regime for 48 the current occupancy rate is esti- vacation destination for families tance to safety. Instructors offer November to Apr. 10,” she said. cheaper compared with the Shy- countries were among the main mated at an average of 27.8 per- and friends. specially-equipped safe routes Altai Alps may be accessed by mbulak ski resort. We first im- contributors to the growth. cent, higher than 2016 and 2015 The cozy and remote resort is in- for teaching children and speak air or ground. Air travel is $180 and proved our skills with an instruc- “All the achieved indicators of (25.8 percent and 26.1 percent, cluded in the list of top 10 popular three languages – Russian, Eng- a 40-minute ride from the airport tor who taught us some basic improvement are a great legacy of respectively). The number is lower destinations in the Commonwealth lish and Kazakh,” noted Saiko- to the resort costs approximately tricks. It cost approximately $12. expo and encourage us to further than 2014, however, before the develop the tourism industry. At of Independent States (CIS) and vskaya. $10. The 15-hour Talgo high speed All the outdoor sporting equip- period of sharp economic deterio- the moment together with foreign ration and fall in the population’s neighbouring countries. The Assyl Tau ski school team train from Almaty and Astana to ment is available for rent except consultants, a strategy for the de- real income. “Clean air and pristine nature includes professionals with a great Ust-Kamenogorsk is $60. for ski clothing.” velopment of tourism in Astana The highest increase has been make our resort an excellent place until 2020 has been developed and seen in five-star hotels. Accord- for family holidays. We offer night we very much hope that this strat- ing to the data, the occupancy rate skiing and snowboarding for peo- egy will bring tourism in the city in the accommodations was about ple with different levels of skills, to an entirely new level. Thanks to 50.5 percent, compared to last as we are a beginner-friendly ski expo, the infrastructure of Astana year’s 40.5 percent. resort. The slopes are also recom- is ready to accept tourists of any By contrast, the occupancy rate mended for freeriding. Here there level,” said the city’s deputy akim during the same period in four-star are the ski lifts, T-bars and other (mayor) Yermek Amanshayev dur- hotels was 33.9 percent, three-star modes of transportation to get up ing the early November meeting (31.9 percent), two-star (18.4 per- the mountain,” said representative devoted to the expo. cent), one star (21 percent) and Yana Saikovskaya. Kazakhstan has strengthened hotels without categories (22.6 The resort is also famous for its its position on the international percent). healing procedures including pan- tourism map, noted finprom.kz, The tourist industry revival was totherapy, massage, physiotherapy, with 5.8 million foreign tourists also recorded in a survey of 184 a weight loss programme and bath entering the country in the first travel agencies completed by the treatment. nine months of the year. During Committee on Statistics of the “We offer new warm cottages the previous five years, the same Ministry of National Economy. with all the conditions for a large indicator fell short of or only The third-quarter study showed group of people,” she noted. slightly exceeded the five-million an economic increase compared to The resort hosted basic instruc- mark. the previous year. Open skies initiative proposed for Almaty airport “Today, the tourism sector is “We want to continue this ed, indicating the national carriers regional aviation,” said Duissen- terms of air traffic and to forecast By Zhanna Shayakhmetova accounting for only 1 percent of experiment. We are currently went into bankruptcy after intro- galiyev. potential flows,” he said. the total gross national product negotiating with the govern- ducing the policy, but noted “there Kazakh Tourism intends to co- A regional aviation network will ASTANA – The open skies ini- (GNP). We have ambitious goals ment to introduce the open skies is a need to find a certain balance operate with IATA in terms of re- be also established. tiative proposed for Almaty Inter- to reach 8 percent of the GNP by initiative at Almaty airport. If to make the Air Astana company search and analysis of domestic “There were 100 landing national Airport will boost tourism 2023. The development of air ser- we want to develop tourism in competitive.” air transport communication until grounds in the country during the and the country’s attractiveness, vices is of great importance,” he Kazakhstan, we need to under- “The policy will be imple- 2030. Soviet era and this made it possi- said Kazakh Tourism Board Dep- said at a Dec. 4 press conference stand that there are so-called mented in stages. We are now “The IATA will make an analyti- ble to solve the issues in the most uty Chairperson Timur Duissen- in the capital. growth points to boost travel in planning to collaborate with the cal review to develop a long-term remote areas of our country. The galiyev. The national company The open sky policy will be con- the country. We essentially have IATA on the programme until policy in air services and inter- regional aviation is not well de- expects to create a plan to develop sidered based on the positive expe- two starting points – Almaty and 2030. We will decide what year national flights. Our country has veloped. Transport and air trans- air services in cooperation with the rience at the capital airport, as the Astana,” he said. to introduce the initiative, what huge transport and transit poten- port accessibility is a key factor International Air Transport Asso- programme was introduced in May The international experience should be done and what meas- tial. It is important to learn how influencing destination choice,” he ciation (IATA). for EXPO 2017. does have some negatives, he add- ures should be taken to develop to make Kazakhstan available in said. B7 NATION&CAPITAL SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017 Win in Prague secures FC Astana’s historic progress to Europa League playoffs which helped Astana defender although we had some problems By Anuar Abdrakhmanov Marin Anicic send it into the emp- in the second half, but it is al- ty net. ways like this in matches of such ASTANA – FC Astana secured The pattern was fairly simi- level. The guys are heroes,” said a 1-0 win away against SK Sla- lar in the second half. Slavia ac- FC Astana head coach Stanimir via Prague in the sixth round of tively pressed and Astana did not Stoilov after the match. the UEFA Europa League’s group let the Czechs bring their attacks Kazakh President Nursultan stage Dec. 8, becoming the first to the logical end. At times, how- Nazarbayev also congratulated the Kazakh club to ever make it to the ever, it seemed Slavia could level team on its playoff berth, wishing European Cup playoffs. the score. Necid went one on one the members good health, pros- Slavia was one point ahead be- with Nenad Eric, but hit above perity and success in reaching fore the match, so Astana needed a the net. He then tried to redirect their goals. victory to progress from the group. the ball into the net with his head, “This achievement made mil- What made it worse was for the but Astana’s goalkeeper saved it lions of the team’s fans and sup- team was that the Kazakh football again. porters happy. Your success will season ended just over a month The end of the game was nerve- surely make a huge contribution ago and the team did not have any wracking for the Kazakh fans, as to further development of football game practice, while Slavia has Slavia had a few scoring chances and sports in Kazakhstan. This been playing regular matches in and Astana struggled as if it was victory also has a symbolic mean- the Czech championship. the last match in its life. The fi- ing ahead of the 20th anniversary From the beginning, Slavia nal whistle, however, marked the of our capital city, Astana,” he went on the offensive, but the team’s victory and the Kazakh wrote in his message. Astana players coped with the op- champs reached the playoffs, earn- The draw for the first game of ponent’s attacks. When the host ing second place with 10 points. the round of 32 was held Dec. 11 team’s striker Tomas Necid took First place in the group went to in Nyon (Switzerland). FC Astana the field, their attacks became Spanish Villarreal. drew Portuguese team Sporting more intensive and unpleasant. “This team is meant to make CP. The first leg is scheduled for Photo credit: Kazakhstan Football Federation press service Kazakhstan Football Federation press Photo credit: Miroslav Stoch also made a good history. They changed the history Kazakhstan for Feb. 14, 2018, shot, although the ball hit the post. tactics of the game, waiting for the and eventually saw a chance. Af- the Slavia defenders made a gross of Kazakhstan’s football again. while the return leg in Portugal FC Astana strictly followed the moment to go on a counter-attack ter a pass from the penalty area, mistake trying to clear the ball, I am glad we were disciplined, will be played on April 1. Yulia Galysheva wins gold in China Astana cycling team the United States, lost to her by Cup. That is how I succeeded yes- World Cup stages, with a total of By Anuar Abdrakhmanov 0.80 points. Third place went to terday,” Galysheva said. 44 victories in cup competitions. Andi Naude (Canada) with 80.03 However, on the second day, The Canadian athlete scored ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Yulia points. she took a confident win. 85.94 points, while Kazakhstan’s presents line-up for Galysheva won a gold medal in This was the second medal for “It was terribly cold, and I Dmitry Reiherd with 84.92 points moguls at the International Ski the Kazakh athlete in these com- could not see anything. I came took the second place. The third Federation (FIS) Freestyle Ski petitions as Galysheva won silver 9th to the final. The coach said I place went to Australian Matt new season World Cup stage in Thaiwoo, on the first day of the World Cup should go forward, and I decided Graham with 82.96 points. part of China’s northeastern He- stage. to take another chance. I got to After these successes in the ogy. The club will no longer bei province, on Dec. 22. The day before she took the the final. Well, I had nothing to World Cup rankings in moguls, By Anuar Abdrakhmanov divide its logo by team type, as The future facility for the up- second place in moguls with lose then, and I just enjoyed. It so Galysheva is placed second with all projects will now be under a coming Winter Olympic Games 77.79 points, losing 0.11 points happened that I won. This is my 180 points, Reiherd is second ASTANA – The Astana pro- common name and logo with the 2022 turned out to be successful to Kauf. first victory in the individual mo- among men with 160 points. fessional cycling team members “Astana” inscription. The teams’ for the Kazakhs. On the second “I decided to give my all after I guls, before I was 2nd and 3rd,” The season’s main competition and managers presented its new corporate outfits will also have day of competition, Kazakhstan’s failed at the first World Cup stage. shared Galysheva. in winter sports, the Olympic line-up Dec. 8 in the capital. a single design, style and colour Yulia Galysheva won her gold I thought I should get out of this In men’s event, Canada’s Mi- Games, will be held in South Ko- The team is part of the Astana scheme. medal with 80.88 points. The situation and at least get into the kael Kingsbury won again. This rea’s PyeongChang Feb. 9-25, Presidential Sports Club, which Vinokourov summed up the previous leader, Jaelin Kauf of top 10 to score points in the World was his tenth victory in a row at 2018. includes rosters competing in cy- results of the past season and an- cling, football, ice hockey, bas- nounced the club’s key goals for ketball, boxing and motorsports, the upcoming year. and is backed by the country’s “We had big wins and remark- Samruk Kazyna sovereign able achievements at the highest wealth fund. level in 2017, both at the World Major table tennis tournament in Astana The ceremony opened with a Tour races and Grand Tours. I am popular and accessible sports athletes and the experience of sataka Morizono and Yuya Os- tribute to Michele Scarponi, the especially pleased to highlight By Anuar Abdrakhmanov [worldwide]. About 150,000 hosting major international com- hima, won in the uncompromising team rider who died in a road the successes of our Kazakh rid- practice table tennis in Kazakh- petitions. Over the years of inde- competition against the team from accident last spring. The invited ers. Today’s presentation offi- ASTANA – The final matches stan. The number of professional pendence, our country has held Hong Kong. In the finals of men’s officials, including Minister of cially opens a new season for our of the International Table Ten- players exceeds 5,000 athletes, various world-scale tournaments. singles, the future world’s No. 1, Culture and Sports Arystanbek team. We are entering a new year nis Federation (ITTF) World Tour who are trained by more than 200 Now Astana has appeared on the according to the ITTF rankings Mukhamediuly and Astana Akim with a new line-up and we will Grand Finals took place in the coaches. Unfortunately, today we world map of table tennis that (as of January 2018), Ovcharov (Mayor) Asset Issekeshev, deliv- focus not only on Grand Tours, Kazakh capital Dec. 14-17. Ping- could not beat the world leaders gains huge popularity. We should played against the leader of the ered welcoming remarks. but also on week-long and clas- pong lovers watched the world’s of this interesting and challeng- remember that the Table Tennis Chinese national team, Fan Zhen- “Thanks to the wins of the sic races,” he said. strongest players compete at the ing sport representing China or Federation has a great respon- dong. After four games, the first Astana Presidential Club teams, Astana Presidential Club board Daulet Sport Complex. Japan. But our athletes have the sibility [on its shoulders]. We place went to the Chinese players. people around the world learn chair Darkhan Kaletayev noted Kirill Gerassimenko, 21, repre- opportunity to try [themselves] understand this very well. The ITTF President Thomas Weikert more about our country. I want sented Kazakhstan at the Grand and earn invaluable experience, federation has done great work to thanked Kazakhstan for the high- to congratulate the Astana team the cycling team’s contribution Finals. At the 1/8 finals draw, consistently becoming stronger,” prepare for the tournament. I be- level organisation of the tourna- on their great achievements. As to promoting the Astana brand he played against a 14-year-old said President of the Table Ten- lieve the tournament was a suc- ment. [Astana cycling team’s general around the world. prodigy, Japanese Tomokazu Ha- nis Federation of Kazakhstan, cess. This was a great chance for “The World Tour Grand Finals is manager] Alexander Vinokourov “The big sports family of the rimoto. Winning all four consecu- Chairman of the Kazakh Senate Kazakh players to learn from the one of the most important events told me, more than 30 percent of presidential club recently had tive games with a total score of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. best competitors from a number for us. We really see how people the international cycling world’s a big event. FC Astana reached 4-0, the representative of the Land According to him, holding such of countries,” said Tokayev. here in Kazakhstan are happy that star riders used to be or are now the playoffs of the UEFA Europa of the Rising Sun went through a major tournament in Astana was In women’s doubles, Chen such an event was held here, and members of the Astana club. I League for the first time. I think to the quarterfinals, where he lost another significant event for the Meng and Zhu Yuling of China everything was organised at a high this is an important event, espe- in a very close competition to the nation’s sports community. won over Japan’s Hina Hayata and level. Astana has some modern wish Astana cyclists new vic- tories and achievements,” said cially ahead of the new season world’s No. 1 in table tennis (ac- “Holding such a tournament is Mima Ito. Later the representa- facilities, both large and small, an for our cycling team. It is a jewel cording to the January ITTF rank- a big success for our Table Ten- Mukhamediuly. tives of China played against each ambitious team and young athlete of Kazakhstan’s sports, which ing), Dmitry Ovcharov, represent- nis Federation. Kazakhstan is other in women’s singles, where Gerassimenko, so it is most likely Astana Pro then presented its will win and strengthen the im- ing Germany. recognised as a sports power in Chen won. ITTF will come back here,” said new line-up for 2018. The team “Table tennis is one of the most the world thatcan be proud of its In men’s doubles, Japan’s Ma- the ITTF President. will be represented by 30 cy- age of our country. Astana has clists, including first-time mem- always proved that it can cope bers Magnus Cort (Denmark), with any situations. The year was Omar Fraile (Spain), Yevgeny hard, but the team has strengths Gidich (Kazakhstan), Jan Hirt and [it has new] opportunities. (Czech Republic), Hugo Houle It has newcomers who will give Barys loses to Dynamo Moscow 3:5 (Canada) and Davide Villela extra strength, and, first of all, (Italy). Ten of the new riders are I believe in Alexander Vinok- After the intermission, Barys’ Tied at 3:3, the teams were look- games. In several of them, Barys Kazakh. ourov,” he added. By Dmitry Lee Roman Starchenko scored at 28:02 ing to break the game their own was shut out. One of the highlights of the The cycling team secured 20 and put his team ahead by one. But ways. Dmitry Vishnevsky of Dy- Rumours that Barys is looking wins and 25 prizes in interna- ASTANA – In an away match about 10 minutes later, Dynamo namo gave his team the edge two for a new goalie after Karlsson’s ceremony was the Presidential tional cycling competitions in on Dec. 21, Barys lost to Dynamo tied things up again with a goal by minutes later to make it 4:3 and recent unimpressive matches were Club announcement about re- Moscow 3:5, but managed to at Nikita Komarov, whose shot de- Dustin Boyd sealed the deal with quickly dismissed by the team. branding its sports projects and 2017. To date, it has received least shred the nerves of the home flected off a Barys defenseman and another goal against his former Karlsson is apparently applying changing its conceptual ideol- 286 prizes. team in the rollercoaster game. slipped by Henrik Karlsson. Just team with over five minutes to go for Kazakh citizenship in order to Top scorer for both Barys and the two minutes later, Tarasov scored in the match. play for the national team. league Nigel Dawes missed the his second of the game, nicely slid- “The guys fought well,” Evg- This was 22nd loss for Barys, game because of an injury. ing the puck into the top left cor- eny Koreshkov, head coach of the which put the team in sixth posi- The match started with Dyna- ner past the goalie and changing team, said after the game. “When tion in the Eastern Conference. It mo’s Danil Tarasov scoring in the the course of the game. With his the score was 3:3 they lost concen- slipped into the seventh position first minute of the first period – second goal, Tarasov boosted the tration and allowed a goal. Missed on Dec. 22 as Traktor from Chely- promising a high-scoring game for confidence of the team and shook out by a little. On the whole no abinsk won against Vityaz from the local audience of 4,479 people up Karlsson. complaints, they fought until the Podolsk and moved into the sixth at Moscow’s VTB arena. In the beginning of the third, end,” he said. spot. But Barys, recently struggling to however, Barys came back to Barys has been struggling to Barys will face Neftekhimik straighten out their win-loss ratio, an- score again right off the face off in recover from a series of losses Dec. 23 in Astana and is starting swered back soon enough: Vladimir Dynamo’s zone. This time, it was since the second week of No- a series of home games. If they Markelov netted an unassisted one at James Wright giving fresh hope to vember. Astana’s team has won win at least four of these, they will 13:12 and tied the game. his team. only twice since then and lost 12 have a chance for a playoff spot. B8 NATION&CAPITAL CAPITAL

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017 Three ice towns built in Astana for winter amusement Photo credit: Astana mayor’s office. Astana mayor’s Photo credit: 1851 event and the Eiffel Tower, tre long ice maze with light- By Frol Leandoer which served as the entrance to dynamic illumination, noted the the 1889 exhibition in Paris. culture department. In addition, ASTANA – Three ice towns Two large slides, measuring the country’s main New Year’s were built in the capital for New five metres high and 40 long, tree is located near the Nur Year’s and opened Dec. 18, said were built for adults. The two Alem sphere, Kazakhstan’s na- the city’s department of culture, children’s slides have a height tional pavilion at the expo this archives and documentation. of 2.5 metres and length of 14 past summer. The main ice town is located metres. The town features ice The second ice town, with one on the expo grounds. EXPO trees, sculptures of famous su- adult and two children’s slides 2017: Future Energy was chosen perhero movie and cartoon char- similar to the expo site, is on the as the main focus, with the idea acters, Disney Land castle and square in front of the city gov- of conducting a tour of the most futuristic ice towers. Sculptures ernment. Ice figures of Santa recognisable architectural sym- of Santa Claus and the Snow Claus, the Snow Maiden and 12 bols from the history of world Maiden were made of coloured zodiac animal figures were also exhibitions. Visitors are able to ice. installed. see a fragment of the Crystal Children will be especially in- The third ice town with a large Palace built in London for the terested in a more than 80-me- slide was built in Student Park. Photo credit: Astana mayor’s office. Astana mayor’s Photo credit: Photo credit: Astana mayor’s office. Astana mayor’s Photo credit: Photo credit: Astana mayor’s office. Astana mayor’s Photo credit: Photo credit: Inform.kz. Photo credit: