+32°C / 22°C Wednesday, june 25, 2014 No 12 (55) www.astanatimes.com , South Korea Expand Energy, Industrial Economic, Political Ties Cooperation Agreements Signed During Visit of Italian Prime Minister By Malika Orazgaliyeva After the ceremony of signing bilateral documents, the leaders SCHUCHINSK – Two coop- made a joint statement. eration agreements were signed President Nazarbayev noted that and prospects for expanding co- relations between Kazakhstan and operation in energy, agriculture Italy are developing intensively in and transportation were discussed many areas. during the meeting of Kazakh “Italy is a strategic economic President partner of Kazakhstan in Europe. and Prime Minister of Italy Matteo Italy accounts for 13 percent of Renzi on June 12 in the Burabai re- Kazakhstan’s foreign trade. The sort area approximately 250 kilo- total volume of Italian invest- metres north of Astana. Renzi was ments in our economy is $6.5 bil- in Kazakhstan on a working visit. lion. Moreover, Italy is the largest The two documents signed in- consumer of Kazakhstan’s oil,” he clude an agreement between Ka- said. zMunayGas and Italy’s Eni S.p.A The President also noted that on implementing the Issatay ex- Kazakhstan has high hopes for ploration project and a shipbuild- Italy’s upcoming chairmanship ing/shipyard construction project, of the European Union in the as well as a memorandum of un- second half of 2014, since the derstanding between Kazakhstan’s country is preparing to sign an Ministry of Industry and New enhanced Partnership and Co- Technologies, IVECO S.p.A. and operation Agreement with the South Korean President Park Geun-hye (l) and Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev (r) discussed expanding economic and political ties. Allur Group LLP. EU. The Kazakh President also The parties also discussed pros- invited the prime minister to By Rufiya Ospanova economic ties and realising her vi- technological cooperation, as well as their positions on key issues of bi- pects for expanding cooperation in pay an official visit to Kazakh- sion for a barrier-free Eurasia. the development of a Kazakhstan- lateral cooperation within interna- oil and gas, transport, energy and stan. ASTANA – South Korean Presi- At a bilateral meeting of the two South Korean strategic partnership. tional and regional organisations. agriculture, as well as in the trade, In turn, the Italian prime min- dent Park Geun-hye paid an offi- presidents on June 19, the main Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev noted that the visit economic and investment spheres. ister expressed hope for further cial visit to Kazakhstan within her directions for discussion were Nazarbayev and Park exchanged of the South Korean president is a In addition, Nazarbayev and Renzi cooperation between Kazakh Central Asian tour on June 18-19, strengthening high-level contacts views on topical issues of the in- significant event for Kazakhstan. exchanged views on current issues and Italian companies. focusing mainly on expanding and expanding trade, investment and ternational agenda and checked Continued on Page A8 on the international agenda. Continued on Page A8 More Engagement, Not Less, Talgar Couple Cares for Needed in after Hundreds of Orphaned Troop Withdrawal, Say Children By Asset Kalymov to their home. Over the years, more are painting, dancing and singing kids kept coming to the Baissarin’s in the game room, others are doing Atlantic Council Experts TALGAR – Spouses Tuyak household; some came themselves, their homework in the classroom. The Atlantic Council promotes and CEO. “Energy rich, histori- Yeskozhina and Anuarbek Bais- others were left on the doorstep by To them the Baissarins are guard- By Michelle Witte international engagement with the cally crucial, between and sarin have raised more than 340 their mothers. Yeskozhina moth- ians de jure and parents in fact and hope of fostering global security Russia – we have to start engaging orphaned children left without ered and sheltered them all. they call them mama and papa. ASTANA – The Atlantic com- and prosperity. Engagement with and studying this area of the world parental care. Theirs is the largest When their standard three-room Yeskozhina’s pre-retirement munity’s engagement with Central Central Asia has been insufficient, in its own right,” he said. The U.S. family, not only in region, flat became too small for the grow- teaching experience at a kindergar- Asia must be deepened and ex- Herbst and Kempe said, but the has interests in stability, prosperity but also throughout the country. ing family she applied to the town ten and school came in handy. But panded, said Frederick Kempe and council is hoping to help rectify and progress in all of Central Asia, Nur, a family-type orphanage administration, which gave them it’s hard to imagine what a heavy John Herbst of the Washington, this by considering a presence in he says, and there is a need to build opened in 1998, and Yeskozhina, an old kindergarten building. The burden this woman and her hus- DC-based think tank, the Atlantic Kazakhstan as the region heads solid and meaningful relationships its permanent director, try to re- Baissarins, who have raised their band have shouldered by deciding Council, following their meeting into a period of both potential in the region. spond to every child’s outcry for own three sons, thereafter sold to shelter and parent the orphaned with Kazakh Prime Minister Karim growth and turbulence following Not enough is being done, par- help. It all started one day when their Almaty apartment. With that kids. Of course, every parent loves Massimov and Foreign Minster Er- the creation of the Eurasian Eco- ticularly in light of the troop draw- she met a neglected seven-year- money they revamped the aban- his or her children, but few can lan Idrissov on June 9. As coalition nomic Union (EEU) and the troop down, said Herbst, director of the old girl at an Almaty bazaar. The doned kindergarten and opened bring themselves to take other troops are withdrawn from Afghan- withdrawal from Afghanistan. Atlantic Council’s Dinu Patriciu kind woman’s heart went out to the one of the first family-type chil- children into their family, take istan this year, the United States American engagement in Central Eurasia Centre and former U.S. miserable and abandoned girl and dren’s homes in the country. responsibility for their lives and and its partners must find more av- Asia has been primarily focused ambassador to both after talking with her husband and Nur looks like a big ant hill. enues of non-military cooperation on Afghanistan for too long, said bring them up as decent citizens. and . grown sons, she brought the child Children are everywhere. Some Continued on Page В2 in the crucial region, they say. Kempe, Atlantic Council president Continued on Page A3 Bolashak Scholarship Makes Graduates, and Country, Competitive By Malika Orazgaliyeva International Programmes under “a golden page in the country’s the Ministry of Education and Sci- history.” The Bolashak presidential schol- ence, which administers the Bolas- Over 20 years, the scholarship arship programme, introduced in hak scholarships. has been awarded to 10,363 Ka- November 1993, has since become zakhstan citizens, including 6,975 a key ingredient in Kazakhstan’s How would you describe the graduates of the programme. history of independent develop- key achievements of the Bolashak The Bolashak scholarship provides ment as well as an intergral part programme so far? specialists for all economic sectors, of the country’s image abroad. Last year, the Bolashak scholar- according to market demand. In ad- To learn about the current status ship celebrated its 20th anniver- dition to its numerical value, there is of the programme and its future, sary. At the alumni forum in No- an essential effect of the programme we spoke to Gani Nygymetov, the vember 2013, President Nursultan that cannot be measured. President of the JSC Centre for Nazarbayev named the scholarship Continued on Page A2 Tuyak Yeskozhina teaches her adopted children to read.

Inside Nation Economy & Business editorial opinions NATION & CAPITAL New Technology for Cancer, TB Treatment Government Works to Halve Share of Energy Working to Attract More Investors and Stay Dossayev: A Plan of Ambitious But Aktobe Showcases Tourism Potential at Leading to Earlier Diagnosis, Better Results A2 Consumption in GDP A4 Competitive A6 Achievable Goals A7 International Travel Fair B1 Nuclear Fuel Bank Negotiations Reach Final Kazakh-Israeli Agro Forum Expected to Grow Bakishev: Partnership between Astana and Integration, Protection, Possibilities, Barriers Stages, Agreement Expected Later This Year A2 Innovation A5 Seoul Will Expand A7 Discussed at CAMCA Regional Forum B1

US$ 1 = 183.50 KZT 1 Euro = 249.23 KZT 1 Rouble = 5.35 KZT A2 NATION

Wednesday, june 25, 2014

NATIONAL New Technology for Cancer, TB Treatment news in brief The Mazhilis of the Kazakh Parliament recently approved amendments to the nation’s Leading to Earlier Diagnosis, Better Results Criminal Сode that are meant to By Alina Usmanova frequently now, and over the past bacterium and modern methods of many, will be delivered before the was 34,56 billion tenge (US$188.3 prevent extremism, terrorism and 10 years the death rate from TB in TB diagnosis at the National Bacte- end of this year to five high-tech million). Kazakhstan is one of the the spread of radical ideologies. ASTANA – Journalists were Kazakhstan has decreased by 72.8 riological Reference Laboratory. radiation oncology centres of Ka- few countries in the world where all The amendments stiffen penalties shown a day in the life of oncology percent. The Ministry of Healthcare The introduction of advanced in- zakhstan,” said Director of KazSRI cancer and anti-TB drugs are paid for extremism and terrorism and and tuberculosis specialists in Ka- has implemented six screening pro- novative technologies for acceler- Kuanysh Nurgaziyev. for by the state budget. make spreading radical ideologies zakhstan on a press tour organised grammes for early detection of the ated laboratory diagnosis is an im- All regional and city bacteriolog- According NCTP Director Tleu- a criminal offense. The confisca- by the Kazakhstan Scientific Re- most common types of cancer, which portant factor in improving cancer ical laboratories in TB dispensaries khan Abildayev, along with the ad- tion of property was excluded as search Institute (KazSRI) of Oncol- has led to more positive outcomes. and tuberculosis treatment. KazSRI have introduced advanced innova- justed conservative treatment, new a form of additional punishment ogy and Radiology and the National Through this early diagnosis, doc- is now fitted out with high-tech tive technologies for rapid labora- surgical technologies for TB pa- from 45 articles of the Criminal Centre for Tuberculosis Problems tors have managed to achieve posi- equipment. American high-energy tory diagnosis of tuberculosis, in- tients and patients with extensively Code. As First Deputy Prosecu- (NCTP) on June 13, just before the tive results in the implementation of linear accelerators of the latest gen- cluding the BACTES MGIT-960, drug-resistant tuberculosis are be- tor General Johann Merkel noted National Day of Medical Workers. the state Cancer Care Development eration cost up to 1.5 billion tenge Hain-test and Gene-Expert tests. ing introduced. earlier, an important part of the Advanced innovative technologies Programme for 2012-2016 and the (US$8.1 million). Using what they For 2012-2016, the state has al- Nurgaziyev and Abildayev noted Criminal Code addresses criminal for the rapid diagnosis of the two National TB Control programme. term a “gamma knife” and “cyber located 211 billion tenge (US$1.1 that despite the positive steps, they liability for disseminating false socially significant diseases as well The oncology and radiology of- knife,” their beams affect only tu- billion) for the development of on- are not going to slow down and information. According to Mer- as complex surgical processes were fices of KazSRI and the NCTP were mours, while healthy tissue is not cological care, and the funding of they will do everything possible to kel, the newly-approved amend- also demonstrated. opened for the media day, including irradiated. TB services is increasing each year. achieve even better results in the ments strengthen laws relating Kazakh experts identify early- surgical departments where report- “Low-energy linear accelerators, In 2013, it was 35,47 billion tenge near future in the fight against so- to terrorism and extremism and stage cancer and TB much more ers could see the tuberculosis myco- co-produced by Japan and Ger- (US$193.3 million), while in 2012 it cially significant diseases. also make it illegal to do unsanc- tioned archaeological work. The amendments are also expected tries can use LEU material stored to reduce the number of prison at UMP. All raw materials will be inmates by increasing the use of Nuclear Fuel Bank Negotiations Reach Final the sole property of the IAEA and fines and public service penal- will be sold by the agency only un- ties. Additional amendments are der an agreement with a particular also expected to be introduced company which manufactures fuel that would combat organised and Stages, Agreement Expected Later This Year pellets and assemblies. The project specialised crime, including in of the Ulba Metallurgical Plant all technical details of this bank, storage of more than 60 cylinders is funded by donor states. the field of information technolo- By Alevtina Donskikh (UMP), which would become beginning with issues of security. of uranium hexafluoride, which “For this purpose, a special fund gies and medicine. The goal of the the facility for storing the LEU “The plant has experience in in terms of uranium is about 90 which has already accumulated draft law is to update the Criminal EAST KAZAKHSTAN RE- owned by the IAEA. the work with such material and tonnes,” Khodanov said. $150 million was created and the Code, including the elimination GION – After 14 rounds of means will be spent on the pur- As Khodanov explained, after its storage is a standard proce- The initiative to establish the of contradictions and conflicts talks between Kazakhstan and chase of material and its transpor- reaching the agreement, Kazakh- dure. We are talking about the LEU bank belongs to the IAEA and between acts regulating the ba- the International Atomic En- tation under control of the IAEA. sis of administrative and crimi- stan and the IAEA will sign a num- storage of low-enriched urani- was supported by Kazakh President ergy Agency (IAEA), an agree- Kazakhstan only provides space nal liability, as well as the order ber of documents between UMP, um in the form of hexafluoride, Nursultan Nazarbayev. The main ment on the establishment of the and accepts some operational costs of execution of administrative IAEA bank of low-enriched ura- the assumed technical operator which is used in the production objective of this bank is to create a associated with the storage of this penalties, criminal penalties and nium (LEU) is in the final stage of the project, and the IAEA. The of fuel pellets for fuel assemblies certain safety margin of raw materi- material. The storage will not be legal restrictions related to crimi- and planned for signing before negotiations with the agency are at nuclear power plants. The prin- als for the production of nuclear fuel paid, because it is Kazakhstan’s nal liability. The amendments had the end of the year. The infor- carried out with the participation ciple of LEU bank operation is for the countries that do not have contribution to the process of non- already been approved by the Ka- mation was shared by Alexan- of specialists of Kazatomprom and similar to safekeeping in a safe uranium technologies. In case of proliferation of nuclear weapons,” zakh Senate, so they are now con- der Khodanov, director for sales UMP. The documents will stipulate deposit box. The question is the supply problems, consumer coun- Khodanov concluded. sidered to be fully adopted. The bill on the amendments must be signed into law by the President and Science, has organised two in- of Kazakhstan before they enter formal meetings with the minister into force. in Astana and Shymkent, with 200 Bolashak Scholarship Makes Graduates, and 150 participants respectively. With the commissioning of the During the meeting, graduates had KazSat-3 satellite, the formation a unique opportunity to discuss rel- of a closed Kazakh satellite com- evant issues with the minister and munication system will reduce and Country, Competitive make their proposals on improving the import of communication ser- Continued from Page A1 scholarship has undergone many software. A public health major is the Bolashak scholarship and edu- vices by 4 billion tenge (US$21.8 changes, the most recent of which prevalent among medical staff. cation system in Kazakhstan. million) a year, Chairman of the First and foremost, it is the de- were established in 2013. The pri- The Ministry of Education and Careful attention is paid to the Kazakh National Space Agency velopment of social-economic ority categories of Bolashak pro- Science continuously modernises employment of graduates. So, on (KazCosmos) Talgat Mussabayev opportunities for young citizens gramme applicants were broadened. the programme in accordance with March 15, the Centre for Interna- said at a June 23 government hour throughout the state, including the Today, arts and mass media indus- the new priorities of country’s de- tional Programmes in collabora- in the Mazhilis, the lower cham- regions. For the majority of the try professionals are eligible for the velopment. The Plan of Develop- tion with the Ministry of Educa- ber of Parliament. “KazSat-2 and scholars, Bolashak offers the only scholarship, along with public serv- ment of the Bolashak Scholarship tion and Science organised a job KazSat-3 satellites will provide possibility to study in the world’s ants, academic and medical staff, until 2015 adopted in 2011 em- fair at Nazarbayev University with mutual backup, which creates top universities. engineers and technical workers. phasises masters and Ph.D. pro- more than 600 graduates. One favourable conditions for the Another thing is that the Bolas- In order to foster integration into grammes. hundred leading companies and transition of Kazakh operators to hak scholarship ensures the inter- the world’s scientific community Currently, the main priority of organisations representing various KazSat satellites,” he said. He re- nalisation of the education process and strengthen the scientific capac- the Bolashak programme, as an spheres participated in the job fair. called that KazSat-3 was launched in Kazakhstan. The scholarship has ity of homegrown scientists, Ph.D. important mechanism for the im- In conclusion, the job fair assisted April 28 from the Baikonur Cos- already gained huge international scholarship holders are given an plementation of the Kazakhstan more than 45 graduates in finding modrome, successfully entering recognition. At the Going Global option to learn a foreign language 2050 Strategy, is to increase the re- jobs. Another job fair took place its orbit May 28. After completion International Conference held in for 12 months prior to starting gional representation of fellows. A in Atyrau on June 20. The overall Gani Nygymetov of the required tests in September, Miami in 2014, Bolashak was their Ph.D. programme. large-scale information campaign number of participants reached the satellite will be accepted into mentioned as the best scholarship Many of the changes implement- geted at the local staff of Naz- in the regions by the Centre for 700 people, including 100 gradu- service. The current communica- programme in the world. Russia’s ed over the years since the Bolas- arbayev University, including Bo- International Programmes from ates of the Bolashak programme. tions satellite KazSat-2 is operat- programme of training specialists hak scholarship was established lashak programme graduates, to March to April included 13 cities Once a month, BARO publishes ing in normal mode. Its utilisation abroad used experiences from the were aimed at covering a shortage help them obtain doctoral degrees. and 10 monocities. The number of its own newsletter, dedicated ex- rate is about 66 percent of the Bolashak programme. The Chinese of highly-qualified specialists with The academic doctoral plan will participants reached 4,500. clusively to Bolashak graduates, total volume of satellite capacity the BARO Digest. Graduates can national research fund [and] vari- international educations in light of involve research requirements to leased to 12 Kazakhstan opera- share their success stories in a va- ous organisations from Poland, Ma- the changing goals of the country’s be accomplished in Kazakhstan (in How effective is the programme tors, amounting to over 3.5 billion Nazarbayev University’s laborato- riety of industries, talk about their laysia, and Ukraine are continuous- economy. in finding jobs for Bolashak tenge (US$ 19.1 million). ly studying Bolashak programme ries and research centres) as well alumni? achievements and the process of mechanisms. The Bolashak programme is as in partner foreign universities. The Minister of Education and education abroad and what impact The Tourism Industry Commit- Bolashak scholars are playing a now in its 21st year. What are the Upon completing his or her stud- Science established a new for- the Bolashak programme has had tee of the Ministry of Industry and key role in shaping Kazakhstan’s challenges of the programme go- ies, the Ph.D. student will receive a mat for interaction with Bolashak in their lives. For employment, New Technologies of Kazakhstan positive image abroad. They rep- ing forward? Is there a longer- doctoral diploma from the partner alumni. The Bolashak Alumni Re- the BARO Digest contains a ca- jointly with the International Air resent the elite of the Kazakhstan term vision of how the programme foreign university. If the programme lations Office (BARO) at the Cen- reer centre section, through which Transport Association (IATA), youth, scientific and training staff, will operate in, say, 5 or 10 years is successful, this mechanism is tre for International Programmes is graduates have the opportunity to civil servants, engineering and from now? planned to be applied in other lead- a new initiative that helps gradu- work directly with employers. plans to develop a programme medical staff. One of the main goals set by ing universities of the country. ates realise their potential within In November 2014, another for the development of airports the head of state in his address, their specialty, contributing to alumni forum of Bolashak gradu- in Kazakhstan, the ministry’s In recent years, there have “Kazakhstan 2050,” is to build a What are the top professions employment in various companies ates will take place. The forum press service said. This decision been several changes in the pro- science-intensive economy. Thus, Bolashak students seek to get and organisations, from national will become a unique platform was made June 19 at a working gramme, from ending the bach- one of the priorities of the Bolas- through the programme and what companies to government agen- for alumni and … the exchange of meeting of Marat Igaliyev, chair- elor’s degree programme and hak scholarship is the support and are the state’s priorities in terms cies, private companies and non- innovative ideas and the develop- man of the committee, and Jordan refocusing on master’s degrees provision of specialists for the re- of such professions? profit organisations. In January ment of further cooperation. Karmalakov, IATA country man- to introducing short-term fellow- alisation of the second five years A list of priority majors for Bo- 2014, BARO went through “ideo- Bolashak graduates are a great ager for Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, ships. How would you rate the re- of the State Industrial and Inno- lashak programme applicants is logical” changes. The orientation example of talented, progressive- Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. As sults of these changes? Have they vative Development Programme generated annually, based on re- of the office now involves not only minded young people with active part of the adopted concept of de- been timely? [SPAIID]. quests from state agencies, univer- the mere administration of gradu- civil positions. Upon completion velopment of the nation’s tourist 2011 was the year the bach- The Centre for International sities and scientific organisations ates’ five years compliance with of the programme, graduates re- industry through 2020, the sides elor’s degree for Bolashak schol- Programmes supports the en- in Kazakhstan. prescribed contractual obligations, turn to Kazakhstan with a full store discussed issues of cooperation in arship was discontinued, but the hancement and diversification of According to statistics, the most but also focuses on creating long- of knowledge [and] experience, the implementation of promising programme-oriented approach to internships. In collaboration with popular specialities among appli- term relationships between Bolas- but most importantly with great tourism projects that would re- awarding the scholarship was in- the National Chamber of Entrepre- cants for the Bolashak scholarship hak alumni, their consolidation, potential and a desire to work for ceive significant competitive ad- troduced. The approach requires neurs, professional development are state policy, political science, meetings with potential employ- the sake of the country, improve vantage. IATA expressed interest employer’s bids for personnel programmes for the staff of organi- public administration, pedagogy ers, job fairs [and] informal meet- the lives of our citizens and con- in contributing to the regulation training which are formed accord- sations and enterprises of accred- and psychology [and] accounting ings with dignitaries. BARO holds tribute to the development of the of air carriers’ charter ing to national and industry devel- ited entrepreneurs’ associations are and auditing. Finance and econom- regular meetings with employers future. What distinguishes them programmes. In particular, the as- opment programmes. Therefore, being designed. ics are among the technical speci- in search of potential candidates from others is the competitive- sociation presented the product the training of specialists has been Another programme develop- alities applicants actively submit for vacant positions. ness that they earned while study- called MarketIS and the report implemented to match the recruit- ment objective is the creation of an for the oil and gas business. The The head of the Ministry of Edu- ing abroad. When you study in a on the movement of passengers, ment needs of certain regions. Af- innovative research professional list also includes petrochemicals cation and Science has set a new university where students barely which aims to determine the most ter graduation, specialists have to elite in universities and scientific- and petrochemical synthesis, the standard of open, informal discus- know the geographical location of popular passenger routes. In addi- work for 3-5 years in the organisa- research centres of Kazakhstan. development of oil and gas, com- sion with Bolashak alumni. Over Kazakhstan, it pushes you forward tion, the association represented tion that got them into the Bolas- This year, a pilot project on imple- puter science, information technol- the last three months, the Centre for to act, achieve and prove that Ka- the system to verify the authen- hak programme. menting a split-Ph.D. programme ogy and systems, information se- International Programmes, togeth- zakhstan and its citizens are worth ticity of visa requirements called Over the years, the Bolashak was launched. The project is tar- curity, computing equipment and er with the Ministry of Education competing with. TIMATIC. A3 eurasia&world

Wednesday, june 25, 2014

external news in brief Astana, Paris Expand Ties, as EXPO is Recognised Minister of Foreign Affairs of partnership and cooperation be- bius at the Quai d’Orsay, Idrissov Idrissov also presented to the Kazakhstan met tween Kazakhstan and the Eu- stressed that Kazakhstan consid- assembly a message from Presi- with his counterpart from Tajik- ropean Union (EU) that is being ers France an important and reli- dent Nursultan Nazarbayev. istan Sirodjidin Aslov on June 16 negotiated now to replace the out- able partner in international or- “The exhibition will take place in Astana to discuss the future of dated one from the late 1990s. ganisations. on the territory of the Common- Kazakh-Tajik cooperation and cur- “A new agreement will give “We express our special grati- wealth of Independent States rent issues in regional and interna- an opportunity to consolidate the tude to France for the positive (CIS) for the first time and it is tional cooperation. Following the privileged nature of our partner- attitude toward our request for going to be a platform for produc- talks, they signed a cooperation ship, in which we have to take status as a nonpermanent member tive discussions and presentations plan between the foreign minis- into account our mutual interests of the UN Security Council for on energy efficiency. No doubt, tries of the two countries for 2014- in equal proportions,” Idrissov 2017-2018,” Idrissov said. EXPO 2017 contributes to the 2015. Their priority areas of bi- stated. He also expressed his hope Noting the significant scientific promotion of energy-saving tech- lateral cooperation are interaction that the parties will be able to fi- and technological level of devel- nology, as it gives a real chance in mining, nonferrous metallurgy, nalise the text of the document opment and implementation of to get to know brand-new techni- machinery, the energy sector, light during the next round of negotia- green technologies in France, Id- cal solutions from experts coming industry, transport and communi- tions in order to sign it in October rissov urged French companies to from different countries of the cations, as well as agriculture. The in Brussels. take an active part in the prepara- world. Together we can unite our Kazakh minister noted Tajikistan’s The Kazakh foreign minister tions for EXPO 2017. endeavours in order to create an successful chairmanship in the also addressed mutual liberalisa- In Paris, Idrissov also met with eco-friendly and secure world,” Shanghai Cooperation Organiza- Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov (l) and his French counterpart Loran tion of the visa regime, express- Yves-Louis Darricarrère, co- the message from President Naz- tion (SCO) and expressed its grati- Fabius (r) noted that trade and economic cooperation is one of the main ing hope for the support of the chairman of the Kazakh-French arbayev read. tude to Tajikistan for its support of components of the Kazakh-French strategic partnership. French side in this matter. Business Council and president The relevancy of the EXPO Kazakhstan’s candidacy for non- “It is necessary to emphasise of the energy company Total Up- 2017 topic, Future Energy, was By Altair Nurbekov the two ministers marked the suc- permanent membership in the UN the increase in mutual trips by our stream, and Luc Oursel, president also mentioned by the President. cessful work of the intergovern- Security Council for 2017-2018. citizens. Every year, more than and CEO of AREVA. Kazakhstan is committed to a PARIS – Kazakhstan and France mental commission on economic 100,000 Kazakh citizens visit Eu- On the second day of Idrissov’s green economy, he noted, and be- are working to expand their rela- cooperation and the business The Kazakhstan Mazhilis (lower ropean countries. In this regard, visit, the international exhibition lieves in its successful realisation. tions across the board as the two council that facilitates the discus- chamber of Parliament) has ap- the current visa regime between EXPO 2017 was officially recog- In connection with this, the Strat- countries prepare for the French sion and resolution of economic proved an agreement between Kazakhstan and the EU does not nised during the 155th General egy for Global Energy-Ecological president’s visit to Astana before issues. Kazakhstan and Italy allowing the correspond to the existing realities Assembly meeting of the Interna- Sustainable Development in the the end of the year, Kazakhstan’s “By the end of 2013, France transit of Italian military equip- and goals of the development of tional Exhibitions Bureau (BIE) 21st Century as well as the Green Foreign Ministry announced fol- was fifth among the leading trad- ment and personnel through Ka- political and economic dialogue,” lowing the visit here by its top ing partners, with a volume of in Paris on June 11. Bridge Programme were proposed zakhstan, Trend.az reported. The he said. France is a signatory to “Close cooperation with the by the country in 2012. Committee on International Rela- diplomat. trade that exceeded $6 billion. In Kazakh Foreign Minister Er- terms of direct investments into the Schengen agreement, which [BIE] secretariat contributes to “I am sure that EXPO 2017 is tions, Defence and Security has established a pan-European visa the EXPO 2017 preparation pro- going to be one of the brightest in- also concluded that Italian aircraft lan Idrissov met with his French Kazakhstan’s economy, France counterpart, Loran Fabius, as well holds fourth place. For the years regime. On June 12, Kazakhstan cess. After Kazakhstan became a ternational events of the year and may be given permission by Ka- announced the introduction of a member of the BIE, we reached a will stimulate further develop- zakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Af- as the French president’s counsel- of cooperation, this figure amounts visa-free regime for short-term new level of cooperation with the ment on energy saving technolo- fairs to fly along air routes speci- lor on multilateral cooperation, to more than $10 billion,” Idrissov visits by citizens of 10 countries, organisation and its members,” gies. We will do our best to hold fied in the agreement. Kazakhstan Jacques Audibert, on June 10 to stated. including France. said Idrissov in his speech at the our the exhibition on the highest will provide air navigation services discuss expanding bilateral po- The two ministers expressed During his meeting with Fa- BIE assembly. level,” said Nazarbayev. to transiting aircraft and air crews litical and economic ties, includ- their intention to further develop will be obligated to comply strictly ing organising President François cooperation in areas such as aero- with orders given by Kazakhstan Hollande’s visit to Kazakhstan at space, manufacturing Eurocopter air traffic control. Military equip- the invitation of Kazakh President helicopters, nuclear energy and ment and personnel will be subject Nursultan Nazarbayev at the end mechanical engineering. to border and customs controls as of 2014. The ministers also discussed well as any other controls deemed President François Mitterrand the possibility of establishing di- necessary by Kazakhstan law. visited Almaty in 1993, while rect flights between Astana and President Nicolas Sarkozy vis- Paris, which would provide an The famous ancient Silk Road ited Astana in 2009. President important impetus to Kazakh- and China’s Grand Canal, the Nazarbayev has visited France French cooperation as well as to world’s longest artificial water- 10 times overall, and it was dur- developing tourism, enhancing way, were added to the list of ing one such visit in 2008 that the business contacts and promoting World Heritage Sites on June 22. countries signed an agreement on investment. Jointly submitted by China, Ka- their strategic partnership. Idrissov noted that Kazakhstan zakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, the ap- According to the Kazakh For- attaches great importance to co- plication for adding part of the Silk eign Ministry, Idrissov and Fa- operation in education. Road, which served as a corridor bius noted that the upcoming visit “Joint research projects and for trade and cultural exchanges should mark the achievement of studies are being successfully de- between Asia and Europe dating the new mutually beneficial veloped between the universities back 2,000 years to the UN Edu- agreements, which will expand of our countries. We welcome the cational, Scientific and Cultural the fields of joint activities be- establishment of Kazakhstan-Sor- Organisation (UNESCO) list was tween the nations, primarily in the bonne University in Almaty and approved by the World Heritage economic sector. the opening of French schools,” Trade and economic coopera- he said. Committee at a session in the Qa- The official BIE flag, the symbol of the recognition EXPO 2017, was presented to Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov, First tari capital. The application con- tion is one of the main compo- Turning to multilateral coopera- Deputy Foreign Minister and EXPO 2017 National Commissioner Rapil Zhoshybayev, and Chairman of Astana EXPO sists of 33 historical sites along the nents of the Kazakh-French stra- tion, the two ministers discussed 2017 national company Talgat Yermegiyaev by BIE President Ferdinand Nagy amd BIE Secretary General Vicente ancient trade route, including 22 tegic partnership. In this context, the new agreement on expanded Loscertales. in China, eight in Kazakhstan and three in Kyrgyzstan. They range from urban palaces and pagodas to ruins in remote, inaccessible deserts. More Engagement, Not Less, Needed in Central Asia A congratulatory telegramme to King Felipe VI on the occasion of his accession to the throne in Spain after Troop Withdrawal, Say Atlantic Council Experts was sent by President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan on Continued from Page A1 EXPO 2017, whether you’re look- some influence on the Transat- tential to destabilise the country, he June 20. In his message, President ing at the candidacy for the UN lantic Trade and Investment Part- said, and that could affect the whole Nazarbayev noted that full and “Yes, there’s always been serious Security Council – this leader- nership, the proposed free trade region. The transition will require a mutual cooperation between Ka- Euro-Atlantic interest in energy ship that takes itself seriously and agreement between the U.S. and great deal of focus. “That gets to zakhstan and Spain was allowed to development in Central Asia, be- benchmarks itself and tries to do the EU now under negotiation. the work the Atlantic Council is form thanks to the balanced policy cause there are substantial hydro- better in the world,” said Kempe. “We’re trying to create that as an doing, because we’re very much in of his father King Juan Carlos I. carbons here. Beyond that, there’s “So it’s an interesting country to open infrastructure, where it be- favour of what we’ve been calling “Today, Spain is considered a reli- not been constant engagement, and watch in that respect.” Efforts in comes a platform for the best trad- the New Silk Road Initiative, which able European friend and strategic we think that’s a mistake.” the region must take into account ing and economic practices, where is using the old Silk Road of trade regional partner of Kazakhstan. I By having a presence in the re- Kazakhstan’s economic success as others can sign on to and become routes and investment routes and hope that with your support, the gion, the Atlantic Council hopes well as the differing situations in part of,” he said. “And I hope that really building it under new rules deepening comprehensive coop- to foster interests that go beyond other countries, said Herbst. would be true for Kazakhstan, I and new approaches, so that you’re eration between Kazakhstan and energy, he said. Those interests The new Eurasian Economic hope that would be true for Turkey, actually not just leaving the region Spain will be continued,” the tel- include security issues like terror- Union, both say, has the potential I hope that would be true for Rus- as a country, you’re staying in the egramme stated. The President ism and drug trafficking, but also to be a great boon for the region – sia over time. That’s really got to region in a different form. That’s also expressed confidence that the larger issues of sovereignty and provided it evolves as an inclusive be the future of the global trading what we’re hoping for.” existing relations between the two independence. “It’s in our interests entity. “[The EEU] was originally and investment system. If we build The U.S., Kempe said, is a great countries will be further strength- that all these countries prosper po- Frederick Kempe President Nazarbayev’s idea,” noted islands that become protectionist, technological, financial, creative and litically and economically,” Herbst ened. He invited the King of Spain Greater cooperation, common Herbst, “and it was his idea, right- that is contrary to the direction the intellectual power, and must bring to visit Kazakhstan on a state visit. said, and in regional leader Ka- fully, as a way to integrate econo- world ought to be going.” these to its partnerships in the region. zakhstan’s interests as well. development and economic expan- In conclusion, Nazarbayev wished sion would solve “a lot of issues,” mies that had just been fragmented “Our engagement in this region has King Felipe VI inexhaustible en- said Kempe. “We do think … that by the fall of the Soviet Union.” been excessively military and not The impact of the new union, sufficiently otherwise, and so in this ergy and significant successes and it would be far better if you could After Afghanistan Engagement which Kempe calls “a natural evo- As for the coming withdrawal transition we shouldn’t just leave a wellbeing to the friendly people of have greater regional develop- lution in a region that is trying to of troops, the U.S. and the Atlantic vacuum – we should fill it with other Spain. in a fragmented region ment, and so we’re hoping to play grow economically closer,” de- community need to find a way to engagement. And that’s what the At- Engaging with Central Asia as a a role as the Atlantic Council in an- Representatives from the Tech- pends on whether it is executed as help the region deal with the likely lantic Council hopes to do.” whole, however, is complicated by alysing that situation, figuring out nical Regulation and Metrol- the disjointed nature of the region, an exclusionary body or one that is rise in terrorism and drug traffick- “The Atlantic Council has a why it’s not happening and per- ogy (measurements) Committee the experts say. “Central Asia is a open to inclusion and interaction ing, said Herbst. But the news from way of concentrating attention in haps from the outside proposing of the Ministry of Industry and region that doesn’t quite work,” with other economic bodies, he Afghanistan isn’t all bad: “You have Washington among senior policy New Technologies of Kazakhstan, said Herbst. Despite ties from the solutions that some of the regional said. Both experts agreed that as a transition going on in Afghanistan makers on core national security the Kazakhstan Metrology Insti- Soviet era and earlier, “the coun- players might find interesting.” an open structure that doesn’t hin- that’s going much better than any- issues,” added Herbst. The council tute (KazInMetr), the Kazakhstan tries have not found a way to really In the fragmented region, Ka- der trade with outside countries, one expected,” said Kempe. The hopes to draw that attention, from Standardisation and Certification cooperate on the core economic, zakhstan stands out in terms of the EEU could be a great benefit. election of either of the two current both Washington and Europe, to Institute (KazInSt), the Kazatom- and for that matter, political issues security, stability and economic If instead it erects barriers to other presidential candidates would be a Central Asia, he said. “We think prom Joint Stock Company and the in which they have common inter- growth development, both experts trade, said Herbst, then the EEU’s good outcome, he said, and Afghan there’s a good story to be told in Ulba Metallurgical Plant visited the ests.” These issues include resource say. “Part of the reason we’re at- future could be “interesting,” for troops are taking on responsibilities Central Asia about what we can Turkish metrology institute, Tübi- sharing, in particular, the use of wa- tracted to coming here is there is, – those inside and outside the union. faster than some expected. do to help and in Europe and the tak Ume, in Gebse, Turkey on June ter – a difficult area, Herbst says, whether you’re looking at nuclear The EEU is largely out of the However, the withdrawal of United States about developments 11 to discuss extending their coop- but one in which the Atlantic Coun- proliferation, whether you’re look- Atlantic community’s hands, said troops that have been bringing bil- in Central Asia over the past 20 eration in the sphere of metrology. cil hopes to make a contribution. ing at the future of energy through Kempe, but its experts do have lions of dollars definitely has the po- years, especially in Kazakhstan.” A4 economy

Wednesday, june 25, 2014

economy Kazakh Non-Oil Exports Expected to Increase news in brief According to the World Bank study, By Rosa Amanova a network of trade support abroad At a joint sitting of the houses provides a 6-10 percent increase in of Parliament, the reports of the Due to the new tools of support, export volumes. Many countries government and the Account- the volume of non-oil exports by have a wide network of representa- ing Committee on execution of 2019 should increase by 1.1 times tive offices abroad; for example, the national budget in 2013 were compared to the level of 2012. the U.K. (UKTI) has 4,000 such approved, head of the Kazakh A comprehensive programme to offices. In Kazakhstan, today there Accounting Committee Kozy- support domestic export-oriented is no such network of business sup- Korpesh Dzhanburchin said at a industries created during the first port abroad to protect and promote June 20 Central Communications five-year stage of industrialisation the interests of domestic entrepre- Service (CCS) media briefing. has become a priority in the State neurs. That’s why the government, “The reports were considered at Programme of Accelerated Indus- together with the National Cham- the sitting of the houses of Par- trial and Innovative Development-2 ber of Entrepreneurs, defined a liament, their committees and (SPAIID-2). Exports should be- geographical structure of this net- working groups,” said the head of come a driver of economic growth. work. Thus, it is planning to open the committee. During the brief- To achieve the goals, it is planning representative missions in eight ing, he also noted that in 2013, to introduce such tools as pre-export target markets – Afghanistan, Bela- the Accounting Committee held financing, development of a sup- rus, Georgia, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Ta- 26 events to control the process. portive net for Kazakhstan’s busi- jikistan, Turkmenistan and the bor- Thus, 68 recommendations and nesses abroad and a mechanism to der regions of Russia. The concept 309 instructions have been pre- reduce transport costs through the A comprehensive programme to support domestic export-oriented industries created during the first five-year stage of to form the supportive network for industrialisation has become a priority in the State Programme of Accelerated Industrial and Innovative Development-2. pared and sent by the committee, guarantee of traffic volumes. The Kazakhstan’s business abroad will which were executed at a rate of areas of export support in SPAIID-2 92 percent of the total exports of In order to diversify the national At the same time, the competi- be developed until 2015. 98 and 80 percent, respectively. in 2015-2019 were considered by the republic. economy and improve the struc- tion of countries for export niches Particular attention will be paid The head of the committee also the government. Unfortunately, sale markets also ture of the export basket, the gov- in the context of globalisation is to such constraining factors as the noted that the government did Kazakhstan is among the 50 demonstrate low diversification. ernment provided support to the increasing and it is very important high transport component in the great work on execution of the leading exporters of uranium, Four-fifths of the total export is export of processed goods, includ- for Kazakhstan to achieve a new cost of goods. Thus, the export of budget. “As a result of the work flour, wheat, zinc, lead, iron ore sent to 10 countries. Thus, raw ing free-of-charge assistance to level of development in this field. processed goods in 2013 amounted on the execution and control of and petroleum. The export basket commodities are supplied to Italy small and medium-sized entrepris- Therefore, the government devel- to $19.5 billion, of which 48 percent the budget in 2013, we have de- consists of more than 900 com- (18.4 percent), China (17.4), the es (SMEs) in the promotion of ex- oped the National Export Strategy, is transported by railway, 25 percent veloped recommendations for modity items delivered to 121 Netherlands (12), France (6.4) and ported goods (trade missions, trade the main provisions of which are by motor road, 19 percent by multi- the government. They are aimed countries around the world. Switzerland (5.2); 7 percent of shows, advertising and presenta- included in SPAIID-2. modal transportation and 4 percent at improving the quality of the However, according to the Min- processed goods are exported to tion activities), analytical support, Thus, pre-export finance and in- by marine and air transportation. istry of Industry and New Technol- the Customs Union (CU) countries implementation of the programme surance support for the purchase of It is also planning to introduce taxation and customs adminis- ogies, Kazakh exports are oriented and 6 percent to the Common- to reimburse expenses of exporters raw materials in the manufacture a mechanism to reduce transport tration and increasing the effec- toward raw materials. The first wealth of Independent State (CIS) in developing foreign markets and of export products includes trans- costs by guaranteeing traffic vol- tiveness of the programme docu- 15 commodity items, including countries (Ukraine – 2.5, Uzbeki- the financial and insurance support port, storage and other expenses. umes. This will increase the vol- ments and investment projects,” oil, gas, petrochemicals, uranium, stan – 1.4, Kyrgyzstan – 0.8 per- through KazExportGarant Export The second direction is the sup- ume of sales and open up new Dzhanburchin said. “Taking into copper and ferroalloys, make up cent, and so on). Credit Insurance Corporation. port of Kazakh businesses abroad. markets. account our approaches, the rec- ommendations of the committee were accepted by the government for implementation. We will try which appropriate requirements to help find the best solutions for energy efficiency are set. for the optimal execution of the A market of energy auditors is cur- budget.” Government Works to Halve Share rently in the making in Kazakhstan and investments will be contributed A reduction of Kazakh tax au- in energy saving in the energy-inten- dits by 25 percent has resulted of Energy Consumption in GDP sive sectors with more investment in in an economic effect worth 136 modernisation and application of en- TOE in utilities and the public sec- energy efficiency by 25 percent 13.5 percent compared to the year billion tenge (US$741 million), By Doszhan Nurgaliyev tor. is slated until 2020. 2008. The consumption of primary ergy efficient technologies. Nurtur- Deputy Prime Minister and Min- According to First Vice Minis- A certain effect is already being fuel and energy resources amount- ing the culture of energy efficiency ister of Finance ASTANA – The Kazakhstan ter of Industry and New Technol- felt in the government measures ed to 6 percent,” Rau said. will be focused on as well. said at a June 20 joint meeting government is working to halve ogies Albert Rau, the basic legal for reducing the energy intensity The state energy registry of Demonstration centres of energy of Parliament. “Implementation the energy-consumption share and institutional mechanisms of of the economy. major energy consumers of the efficiency and 14 training centres of warnings instead of fines, to- in the GDP by 2050 by focusing energy conservation were estab- “The energy intensity of the country was made in 2013, which are open in Almaty, Astana and gether with the development of on energy efficiency in three key GDP has already decreased by includes about 11,802 entities for Aktobe. the risk management system, has sectors of the economy: industry, “The energy reduced tax audits by 4,000, or transportation and utilities. 25 percent. At the same time, the According to the Ministry of In- intensity of the return, or tax collection, increased dustry and New Technologies, in- GDP has already by 136 billion tenge (US$741 dustry is the most energy-intensive million), or 46 percent,” Sultanov area where power consumption is decreased by 13.5 stated. He also noted a positive more than 70 percent. The study percent compared effect of the modernisation of tax indicates industrial production is and customs information systems. extremely costly in terms of ener- to the year 2008. “Today, we get 91 percent of tax gy consumption, especially com- accounts in electronic form,” the pared to foreign analogues. The consumption minister said. According to Sul- More than 35 percent of the elec- of primary fuel and tanov, the plan for the Kazakh tric power generated in Kazakhstan national budget revenues in 2013 is consumed by 15 major industri- energy resources was executed by 100.6 percent. al enterprises, including the Aksu amounted to 6 Budget revenues amounted to Ferroalloy plant, ArcelorMittal 5.272 trillion tenge (US$28.7 bil- Temirtau and Kazakhstan Alu- percent.” – Albert lion), which is 7.8 percent or 383 minium Smelter. Meanwhile, the billion tenge (US$2.1 billion) energy audit has found that most of Rau more in comparison with 2012. them have significant potential for Expenditures amounted to 5.991 energy savings. In the Aksu Fer- trillion (US$32.6 billion) or 99.3 roalloy Plant, for one, experts esti- lished in Kazakhstan in the last percent of the plan. Compared mate the possible savings at about four years. In 2012, a new law with 2012, expenditures increased 48 percent, or 2,719 million kW/h on energy saving and energy ef- by 195 billion tenge (US$1.1 bil- of electricity, a sum of nearly 160 ficiency and 22 related norma- lion). The budget deficit amount- billion tenge (US$871,887,308). tive legal acts were adopted. A ed to 718 billion tenge (US$3.9 The Petropavlovsk heavy machine comprehensive plan to improve billion). “The government debt is building plant has as much poten- energy efficiency is being imple- close to 13 percent of GDP, which tial for energy saving too. mented, supported by 16 regional is a safe level. According to the Based on these assessments, an and five sectoral comprehensive public debt index, Kazakhstan annual savings of primary energy plans for energy conservation. resources of 7.8 million tonnes of In the target programme of the occupies 14th position out of 148 oil equivalent (TOE) is envisioned Samruk Kazyna Welfare Fund countries,” Sultanov concluded. in industry and around 0.9 million and its subsidiaries, a rise of their In 2013, government revenue from non-oil sector enterprises in the form of corporate tax in- creased by 14 percent, which Russian-Kazakh exceeds the nominal growth of the economy, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Bakhyt Sultanov said June 20 Production Venture Sees while providing the report on the 2013 national budget execution. He noted that taxes received Success in Kostanai from the companies involved in the industrialisation programme By Aslan Kudabayev Before the year-end, EurazCas- increased by 11 percent in 2013. pianStal is planning to produce “Entrepreneurs who have re- KOSTANAI – The joint Rus- 150,000 tonnes of products, 30 sian-Kazakh venture EurazCaspi- ceived subsidies under the Busi- percent of the annual capacity. In ness Roadmap paid 88 billion anStal has produced its first batch this regard, it is expected that the of industrial fittings. tenge (US$479.5 million) in volume of industrial production in The technological equipment taxes. Thanks to the subsidies of Kostanai will grow by 7-9 percent was put into operation in Decem- 28 billion tenge (US$152.5 mil- ber 2013. The plant has the latest and the share of manufacturing in lion), more than 2,000 entrepre- technology supplied by Siemens the total industrial production vol- neurs represent a real potential SPA. The new equipment will al- ume of the region will grow by 3-5 for future earnings in the econ- low the company to produce out- percent. omy,” the deputy prime minister put with high-added value. At the The produced output will be said. In addition, revenues from same time, the construction indus- sold in Kazakh markets, which are special economic zones (SEZ) try will be supplied with quality steadily growing, as well as in the increased by 35 percent last year, materials. Central Asian states. Sultanov added. A5 Business

Wednesday, june 25, 2014

Business News in Brief Kazakh-Israeli Agro Forum Expected to Grow Innovation By Dmitry Lee by presentations from Israeli com- If Israeli companies adhere to my with Kazakhstan,” the ambassador The Ministry of Industry and panies, roundtable talks and meet- formula, both sides will benefit.” said. “There were other Israelis New Technologies jointly with Almaty will host a Kazakh-Is- ings. “I think the investment climate that had worked in the bountiful the National Agency for Techno- raeli agricultural business forum “The minister and I are planning is very favourable in Kazakhstan Central Asian country but had left logical Development launched an on June 24 and 25. Major Israeli to visit a farm that is fully oper- today, as the President [Naz- after only a short period of time”. innovative bus June 23, with the companies will present innovative ated by the LR Group, an Israeli arbayev] said, Kazakhstan prob- A greenhouse founder from Israel aim of finding new ideas and tech- solutions and the latest drip irri- company located about an hour ably has one of the best invest- left after three years, which was nological solutions in the Kazakh gation, crop protection, fish farm, away from Almaty. At the facility, ment climates in the world. Taxes enough to make it fully operation- regions. “The bus will travel to all post-harvest processing, dairy pro- they raise livestock and grow corn are low [for doing business,] some al. I keep reminding all Israelis – if regions of our country in search duction, horticulture and crop pro- amongst other things,” the ambas- 20 billion US dollars will be al- you don’t do this, others will do it of the best inventors. In the en- duction technologies. sador explained. lotted by the state as part of the instead of you.” tire history of the competition we The event will serve as a plat- Upon returning to Astana, AgroBusiness 2020 programme to Tasman also noted that joining have found more than a thousand form for further agricultural coop- Shamir intends to meet with his support small and mid-sized busi- the EEU will create more opportu- innovators from different regions eration and build new and existing counterpart, Minister of Agricul- nesses. I see the picture from all nities for the Kazakh economy. of our country. For the conveni- partnerships between Kazakhstan ture of Kazakhstan Assylzhan angles. Firstly, Kazakhstan is not a “Israel is interested in being a ence of the innovators, for the first and Israel. Mamytbekov and other ministers, big market, the population is only part of the EEU. We are interested time this year, we opened the front “Minister of Agriculture and Tasman said. 17 million, however, it will be a in being a part of every economic offices of the competition at the Rural Development of Israel Yair “KazAgro, KazAgro Finance market of 170 million once the union. Joining them is imperative entrepreneurship service centres of Shamir will head the Israeli del- and other major Kazakh compa- Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) to us,” he underlined. “We need the entrepreneurship development egation along with five others,” nies will host a round table and Ambassador of Israel to Kazakhstan comes into effect in January 2015; to clearly distinguish and draw a fund Damu in all regional centres Ambassador of Israel to Kazakh- discuss past projects in Kazakhstan Eliyahu Tasman this market will also be one that thick line between political and and the cities of Astana and Al- stan Eliyahu Tasman said in an with their Israeli counterparts,” the grows. Secondly, Kazakhstan is economic unions,” Tasman em- maty, where each interested inven- interview with The Astana Times. ambassador said. need to do things right. I say, if facing a shortage of meats and phasised. tor can get advice or apply for the “The minister is planning to visit Tasman underscored the impor- you come to Kazakhstan [to do vegetables; the country currently According to the ambassador, competition,” Deputy Minister of three countries in the region start- tance of this visit by stating that business] you need to stay [per- imports these products,” he said. Almaty is home to the largest Jew- Industry and New Technologies ing with Georgia, then he is off to this will be perhaps the first ever manently,]” Tasman insists that “Why not produce them in coun- ish community in Kazakhstan and Yerlan Sagadiyev said during the Kazakhstan and then he is headed visit of its type with so many lead- to successfully run a business in try? It is possible and we [the Is- this business forum was organised launch ceremony. According to to Uzbekistan,” the ambassador ing agricultural companies and Kazakhstan, just establishing and raelis] have great technology and by the Embassy of the State of Is- him, the winner will receive a prize explained. state officials representing the two launching it, then departing the need to share our expertise; we rael in the Republic of Kazakhstan, of 7.5 million tenge (US$40,863). During the visit, the minister countries. country is not enough. can show Kazakhstan what to pro- KazAgro and the Union of Bee- Prizes for second and third places will meet the Akim (mayor) of Al- “I have already mentioned this “I also keep saying that [the Is- duce and what not to.” keepers of Kazakhstan Ball-Ara. will amount to 2.5 million tenge maty Akhmetzhan Yessimov and before and I would like to empha- raelis] need to invest from 15 to 20 “My first objective as ambas- “I would like to thank the Hon- (US$13,621) and 1.5 million tenge open a business forum that will sise it once more. It is true that percent of their money. This way, sador was to demonstrate how big orary Consul of Israel and former (US$8,172), respectively. The bus host 24 Kazakh companies includ- Israel boasts high technological both sides have guarantees of long Kazakhstan is and how comfort- Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Ser- is equipped with a 3D printer and ing major corporate players such achievements in agriculture, but lasting business ventures. Kazakh- able it was to work in the country; gey Tereshchenko, who helped to 3D scanner, which innovators can as KazAgro Product and Oil Real we are not the only country op- stan will be assured that the Israelis today, leading Israeli companies make visit happen,” the ambassa- use to test their inventions on the Estate, amongst others, followed erating in Kazakhstan, hence we are not just here to teach and leave. are here eager to engage in projects dor concluded. spot. The bus will visit all regional centres for a month for the purpose of informing the population about the competition and attract appli- cants. Experts from the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies State Support Encourages Intensive and National Agency for Techno- logical Development will meet with the authors of the innovative ideas. During the meetings, in- Gardening in South Kazakhstan ventors can present their projects By Lyubov Dobrota tensive gardening, combining the the imported ones, to the domes- water and use modern technolo- “You have excellent conditions and apply for participation in the efforts of farmers, local authorities tic market. Now, the Shymkent gies. for gardening, created by nature it- competition. According to the SOUTH-KAZAKHSTAN RE- and the state – which has the role Socio-Entrepreneurial Corpora- “We have come to understand self: there is a lot of sun, fertile land National Agency for Technologi- GION – Nurlan Kuralov, director of attracting funds and modern tion has developed a special pro- that gardening should be intensive; and water,” said Birol. Amankeldi cal Development, about 4,000 in- of Amankeldi LLP, plans to grow technologies through financial in- gramme for intensive gardening otherwise it’s a waste of time and grows seedlings imported from Uz- novations and projects have been one million trees on his 420 hec- stitutions for development. In a few that helped farms introduce a money. This year, we will collect bekistan, Turkey, Serbia and Italy. identified in the last four years, tares of gardens and vineyards years, they plan to have 10 hectares new form of crop management. the first harvest of cherries, apples They are not cheap, and sometimes 555 of which got practical as- with the use of intensive technol- of intensive gardens. One of these farms is Amankeldi, [and] apricots that were planted the farmers have to pay $10 for sistance worth 12.5 billion tenge ogy. In addition, six nurseries are created 15 years ago as a farm 5-6 years ago. And our intensive one nursery plant – and intensive (US$68,105,133). Of those, 213 The South Kazakhstan region is being created to supply home- specialising in the cultivation of garden planted in 2013 will yield gardening requires from 1,500 to innovative grants totaling 9.6 bil- betting on the development of in- grown seedlings, cheaper than grain. apples already this fall. This or- 3,000 young trees per hectare. This lion tenge (US$52,304,742) were In 2007, they laid out 10 hec- chard’s main feature is that, thanks led Kuralov to consider creating his issued. tares of vineyards with help from to a special species of seedlings own nursery. A trip to Italy in this a state subsidy programme, and a and special planting and water- respect was crucial. In negotiations President Nursultan Nazarbayev few years later collected an initial ing systems, it yields its first crop with partners he suddenly said that visited the new ferroalloy plant harvest that surpassed all expecta- just a year after planting. Thus, in he intends to lay out a garden and to TNK Kazkhrom, June 23, while tions. That bounty was crucial in a couple of years, we will have grow one million trees. on a working visit to the Aktobe deciding the partnership’s future an industrial crop yield that is 10 Today there are already 500,000 region. The head of state was in- specialisation. times higher than that grown in a trees in the orchard and his plan formed about the project of cre- Today, there are 120 hectares typical garden,” Kuralov said. does not seem unrealistic, espe- ating a ferroalloy plant and upon of grapes and 300 hectares of or- In order to turn their dreams cially as he has now created a nurs- completion of his visit, Naz- chards in the partnership, includ- into reality, the partnership invited ery with one million seedlings. arbayev carried out the ceremonial ing 100 hectares of trees grown agronomists from Turkey to work “We could not do this without launch of the first melting furnace. with drip irrigation, a technol- with them, closely monitoring the state support; it is simply impossi- The President congratulated the ogy for more intensive farming. planting process and giving advice ble. The help of KazAgro in intro- staff with the launch of a major Several years ago, the farmers of on caring for their plants. Arslan ducing innovations in agriculture new production, wishing them Amankeldi defined their strategy, Birol has 15 years of experience is indispensable. The farmers have success and prosperity. The design having realised that growing gar- with the Gulbudah company in the no doubt that in a few years their capacity of the plant is 440,000 dens without drip irrigation was Turkish city of Sparta. The com- products will be delivered directly tonnes per year of high carbon a waste of money. Now, the state pany has a well-developed pro- to the consumer market without in- ferrochrome, with the release of only subsidises the establishment duction line that covers the entire termediaries and trade allowances 226,500 tonnes scheduled through Nurlan Kuralov (l), director of Amankeldi LLP, plans to grow one million trees of orchards that use drip irrigation, production chain, from harvesting and at affordable and reasonable the end of this year. The number with the use of intensive technology. encouraging farmers to conserve to storage to sale. prices,” said Kuralov. of jobs in the company approaches 500.

According to a government de- cree published June 21, the Ka- TCC Works to Bring Domestic Long-Planned Pavlodar zakh government has included the Karazhanbas oilfield, in the Mangistau region, on the high Road Projects Move viscosity list and reduced the tax Science, Business Together rate on mining. According to the world – they fund the science, they pening in the fields of energy and By Michelle Witte Forward document, the field is included on get the grant, they work for two life sciences. the list of hydrocarbon raw materi- years, they have something interest- But these innovations must have By Sergei Gorbunov structed in parts. An 11-kilometre, als attributable to the category of ASTANA – At Kazakhstan’s ing – but it’s not ready for market real world applications, and the key four-lane section is being laid in Pav- PAVLODAR – Major, national- low-margin, high-viscosity and Technology Commercialisation use and nobody’s ready to fund that subtext of the TCC’s work is in get- lodar, and, concurrently, a four-lane, Centre (TCC), Lead Expert Erik scale projects in transport logistics watered. The decree noted that the last gap to get it from the prototype ting scientists to innovate in the di- 12-kilometre bridge (the longest in Azulay and a team of managers, sci- are being implemented in Pavlodar. field is included due to the high to actual industrial use,” Azulay told rection of business. In Kazakhstan Kazakhstan) is under construction to entists and other experts are working Plans that have been long in the viscosity oil, which at reservoir The Astana Times in an interview at and around the world, there is a gulf directly connect Pavlodar with Aksu to marry those old, uneasy bedfel- making to build a bridge over the conditions makes from 378 to 541 the TCC’s offices in Astana. “So all between academia – the home of and further along with Semey. MPa per second. In accordance lows, science and business. Through Irtysh River connecting Pavlodar those technologies, all those innova- much innovation – and business, he The $10-billion Astana-Pav- with the decree signed June 18 by focused training sessions, a nation- and Aksu and to continue road con- tions sit somewhere on a shelf, like says. “For us – the TCC, the manag- lodar autobahn will meet the high- Prime Minister , wide technology audit to assess the struction in the direction of Astana, orphan technologies – they’re never ers, the people that work with inno- est standards and is expected to part of the field set the tax rate on current state of applied science, a Karaganda, Semipalatinsk, Ust- actually brought into the market.” vation – a lot of it is kind of work- mineral extraction tax (MET) at thorough review of existing intellec- Kamenogorsk, and to the Russian be completed by the end of 2016. The grant programme is intended ing as an interpreter between those Additional road construction from 0.5 percent. The decision did not tual property legislation and a grant two worlds, knowing what business cities of Omsk, Novosibirsk and to nudge viable technologies toward Pavlodar to Ust-Kamenogorsk will indicate the previous severance programme, the team is “trying to, wants, knowing what the scientists Barnaul are coming to fruition. tax rate, but according to the cur- little by little, change the culture of the market. The TCC will disperse Road construction is already un- continue from 2016 to 2018. some 32 grants over two years in want and trying to get them together rent tax code, the severance tax on innovation and commercialisation,” and to [learn to] talk to each other.” derway from Astana to Pavlodar and The developer of the bridge over two categories: proof of concept, crude oil, including gas conden- he said. Training sessions address some further on to Ust-Kamenogorsk. The the Irtysh River is KazAvtoZhol a smaller grant up to $150,000 for sate, is dependent on the volume Kazakhstan has other science of these communication gaps. Sci- 1,000-kilometre road is being con- NC and the project is on schedule. early stage work; and industrial of annual production ranging from commercialisation programmes, and entists and innovators are trained 5 to 18 percent. The Karazhanbas- Azulay’s team has actually joined a prototype, a grant of $500,000 for a in how to present their work from munay company produces oil at project funded by Kazakhstan and longer period of time that supports a business point of view, focusing Karazhanbas, located in the north- the World Bank that was initiated in bringing innovation to the real- on results rather than specifications. western part of the Buzachi Penin- 2008. This three-year programme is world field testing stage. The programme also holds training sula. It is one of the three leading different, he says. The programme, The grants are open to projects in on intellectual property laws and oil producing companies in the operated by CRDF Global, focuses the energy, raw materials process- processes, hoping that as fears of Mangistau region. The owners of narrowly on applied science with a ing, life sciences, information and having ideas stolen ease, institu- Karazhanbasmunay are the Ka- specific commercial point. communications technology and tions will be more willing to share zakhstan company KazMunayGas “Many of the programmes we’ve intellectual potential fields. So far, innovations and better protected and Chinese state corporation CIT- seen before – not only in Kazakh- Azulay says, the most interesting when they do. IC Group. stan, but many places around the Kazakh innovation seems to be hap- Continued on Page B5 Construction of the bridge over the Irtysh River connecting Pavlodar and Aksu. A6 EDITORIAL&opinionS

Wednesday, june 25, 2014 Working to Astana Is a Bright Page in Attract More Kazakhstan’s Modern History tenge (US$834.13), increasing by connected to them. The expression, By Zarema Shaukenova almost 12 times. Wages almost dou- “Astana’s prosperity is Kazakhstan’s bled between 2008 and now. prosperity,” is relevant as never be- Investors Just a decade and a half ago, we A very positive social attitude and fore. In general, the consistency of witnessed the official presentation of high expectations of further mate- the capital is the consistency of the the capital of Kazakhstan and the ap- rial growth has been observed in the entire regional policy. And here, we pearance of a new name on the world population of Astana. Three quarters have to do much in terms of devel- and Stay map. Today, we are watching the em- of the capital’s residents are satisfied oping agglomerations and improving bodiment of Nursultan Nazarbayev’s with their living conditions, com- policies in rural areas. vision of the construction of the pared to 42.5 percent in 1997. In other words, the meaning of main city in the heart of the country. Kazakhstan’s capital is a venue of Astana and its value is actually the Competitive Sixteen years for a man is just the important international forums. It representation of the President’s beginning of adulthood, the time has hosted four Congresses of Lead- deep-rooted idea of a strong regional t the June 12 meeting of the Foreign Inves- when he receives the document cer- ers of World and Traditional Reli- policy. tors Council under the President of Kazakh- tifying his identity, his passport. For gions and summits of the Organisa- The transfer of the capital created stan in Borovoye, the picturesque resort the state, living in conditions of se- tion for Security and Cooperation in a centre to attract human resources in northern Kazakhstan, the head of state, vere scarcity of historical time, as Europe (OSCE), the Shanghai Co- to a promising but labour-deficient Nursultan Nazarbayev, did something that he President Nazarbayev put it, it is a operation Organisation (SCO), the region. Today, the state’s role in bal- rarelyA does: He publicly signed a new law on the enhance- whole layer of history, an epoch. Organisation of Islamic Cooperation anced regional development contin- ment of the country’s investment climate, introducing sweep- Since the transfer of the capital to political centre. No less important (OIC) and, most recently, the sev- ues to grow. The northern regions ing reforms and major incentives. Astana, more than 4.7 trillion tenge is the development of industry and enth “Asian Davos” – the authori- have significant agricultural advan- In particular, Kazakhstan has now introduced a set of (US$25.6 billion) in both public and production. There is already one in- tative and meaningful Astana Eco- tages, but they need human resourc- measures to attract investors, including the exemptions from foreign investment has been put in dustrial zone in the capital and a sec- nomic Forum (AEF). es, good governance and new popu- corporate income taxes for 10 years (to enter into force on its construction. From 2015, Astana ond industrial zone is being created. Astana is a bold and dynamic city lation centres. January 1, 2015); exemptions from land taxes for 10 years plans to become a donor to the na- Industrial production has increased that has already achieved unprec- The experience of Astana also (to enter into force on January 1, 2015); exemptions from tional budget, along with the oil re- from 15.7 billion tenge (US$85.5 edented heights but is still striving to shows the importance of creating property taxes for eight years (to enter into force on January gions and the city of Almaty. This is million) in 1997 to 263.2 billion conquer new peaks and make a name new industries and productions, and 1, 2015); and the compensation of up to 30 percent of capital a very important result and achieve- tenge (US$1.4 billion) today, by al- for itself worldwide. A unique oppor- not only in traditional industrial cen- costs by the state after a newly-built facility is launched into ment. most 17 times. Astana has become tunity to do this will be the interna- tres. Therefore, the establishment of operation (a so-called investment subsidy). In order to understand the pro- attractive for investors. The total tional specialised exhibition, EXPO the main city and its success should The new law also introduces the “stability” of tax rates, gress made in these years, we should housing area here has almost quad- 2017. The expo marks a new stage in inspire us and give us an understand- charges and fees (excluding value-added tax and excise consider the basic statistical indica- rupled compared to 1997 and grown the development of Astana. The basic ing of future actions. taxes), environmental fees and charges (for the use of surface tors and sociological development by 1.6 times since 2008. In 2013, message is that Kazakhstan, aiming Astana is a bright page in our water resources, wildlife, forests or protected areas and for of the new capital in three periods: the total housing area approached to be among the 30 most developed modern history. This choice and the emissions into the environment) for 10 years after the con- 1997, when the decision to move the 16 million square metres. In 2013, countries of the world, must do eve- transfer of the capital was the politi- clusion of contracts with investors. This provision will also capital was made; 2008, the year of investments in fixed assets reached rything possible to bring its central cal and personal mission of the First enter into force on January 1, 2015. its 10th anniversary; and finally, the 545.7 billion (US$2.97 billion). This city to join the 10 most powerful cap- President of Kazakhstan, Leader of The law also grants investors the right to attract foreign data for 2013-2014. is one third higher than in 2008 and itals of the world. These challenges the Nation Nursultan Nazarbayev. labour during the construction period and one year after First of all, it’s worth noting that 13 times more than in 1997. are set by the head of state. Astana is not only our success to- commissioning their newly-built facilities, without quotas Astana’s gross regional product has The population of the capital con- In this way, Astana is facing new day; it is our great hope for the fu- for foreign labour. increased by 105 times since 1997 tinues to grow steadily. In 1997, challenges and at the same time ture. The law further states the there will be limits on tariffs and more than doubled since 2008. about 287,200 people lived in Asta- encountering new opportunities, for all services of natural monopoly entities in the long term By the end of 2013, the gross region- na; in 2013, this number grew to because the city must become an The author is director of the In- (five years or more). al product of the capital amounted to 825,400, an increase by a factor of important centre of science and tech- stitute of Philosophy, Political Sci- 2.7 trillion tenge (US$14.8 billion). four. nology, with advanced education, ence and Religion of the Commit- Kazakhstan has already attracted Astana’s share of the total gross re- The unemployment rate in the city media, transport and communica- tee of Science under the Ministry gional product of the country has decreased from 13 percent in 1997 tions, as well as smart homes and of Education and Science of Ka- more than $190 billion in foreign reached 9.4 percent. In 1997, it was to 5.3 percent in 2014. (In 2008, un- a green economy. All this is being zakhstan and a correspondent of 1.7 percent; in 2008, 3.0 percent. employment in the capital was at 6.6 done today in Astana. the National Academy of Sciences direct investment since gaining An important advantage of the new percent.) Average wages rose from The capital has achieved great re- of Kazakhstan. She is a doctor of independence in 1991, more than capital is its status as the country’s 12,886 tenge (US$70.20) to 153,109 sults, and the whole country must be social sciences. all other countries in Central Asia combined. The new package is their counterparts who focus solely on the domestic market. Export mar- expected to make this figure grow kets are often tough for SMEs and further. SMEs, the Key to Kazakhstan’s they can learn how to integrate into value chains by first becoming sup- It also introduces the “one window” principle; namely, a pliers to local subsidiaries of global portal to the Investment Committee of the Ministry of Industry Economic Future corporations. Once they have been and New Technologies (MINT) that will be responsible for able to scale up their productive ca- While continuing to support extrac- the coordination of issuing permits for investors and providing pacities to supply such firms at home, By Arancha González tive industries, government policies information. The Investment Committee of the MINT will now it will be easier for these SMEs to ex- should actively promote the devel- have the competence to assist investors in providing guaranteed pand regionally and globally. When many of the world’s business opment of other sectors where value procurement orders from interested legal entities to investors in To support the integration of SMEs and political elite gathered recently in addition and retention at source are case there are investment contracts signed with them. into value chains requires coherence Kazakhstan at the Astana Economic greatest. For landlocked countries The above-mentioned package of incentives will be between trade and investment poli- Forum, the country’s achievements such as Kazakhstan, improving trade provided for new investment projects worth at least $20 cies, improvements in infrastructure and potential were plain for all to see: facilitation is of particular impor- million in the priority sectors of the economy. According to and investment in vocational training. good transport infrastructure, a grow- tance, as goods need to transit neigh- the MINT, the list of priority sectors will be approved by the It is only through raising the skills and ing service industry and a government bouring countries to reach wider government in July 2014. productivity of its enterprises that Ka- focused on working closer with the markets. Lowering transaction costs Along with this, the government has developed a compre- zakhstan will be able to successfully private sector. and waiting times at border crossing hensive plan to attract direct foreign and domestic invest- compete against countries which may For many of the country’s exporters, is key to the competitiveness of Ka- ment (approved by governmental decree #570 on June 5, have a comparative advantage in the particularly small and medium-size en- zakhstan’s exporters. 2014). The plan consists of five major directions: adopting cost of labour or which may have di- terprises (SMEs), the reality, however, The accession of Kazakhstan to the a new package of incentives to attract foreign and domestic rect access to sea routes. can be vastly different: an overused rail- WTO is an important element to help investment; improving activities of special economic zones The International Trade Centre, the way system, long waiting times at bor- SMEs thrive in global markets: it will (improving tax legislation, creating a single SEZ opera- joint agency of the United Nations der crossings, complex and costly pa- ensure transparent, fairer and more tor); simplifying the visa regime (visa-free regimes with and the World Trade Organization, perwork requirements that slow down predictable rules for SMEs trading 10 priority countries); enhancing the “investment ombuds- works to internationalize SMEs in exports and undermine international with other nations. man” institution (legislative consolidation of its status); developing countries and transition competitiveness. This is the Achilles’ erty reduction and innovation must To trade, however, it is not enough and creating a concrete plan to attract foreign and domestic economies. We collaborate with gov- heel of Kazakhstan’s impressive climb be a policy directive and not a policy to remove barriers, cut paperwork investment to Kazakhstan in 2014-2015 (compiling a list of ernments to improve the business en- in the ranking of the World Bank’s Do- choice. SMEs, many in the hands of and modernize customs systems. interested investors, appointing responsible people, conduct- vironment for SMEs; we strengthen ing Business Report over the last few vibrant women entrepreneurs, are the Firms must produce products and ing informational-branding work in host countries). institutions to provide support to ex- years: while overall, Kazakhstan is largest source of future growth and services for which there is demand The amendments described above mean Kazakhstan is porters; we also work directly with ranked 50th for ease of doing business, employment – they represent the un- in world markets. Investing in pro- obviously consistently working toward its goal of becoming the private sector, helping them to its ranking for trading across borders tapped potential of the country. This ductive capacity, developing skills one of the top 30 most developed countries. It has a consist- find new markets, connect to value has remained unchanged at 186. is why they must be at the heart of and establishing links to new markets ent policy on improving its investment climate and it follows A recent survey carried out by the are crucial if Kazakhstan’s SMEs are chains and meet quality require- through on it, including through measures such as waiving any economic policy aimed at stimu- International Trade Centre, the Unit- to take advantage of emerging trade ments. visa requirements for short visits by citizens of 10 countries. lating growth. ed Nations Economic Commission opportunities. SMEs need to acquire For landlocked developing coun- These efforts gain additional significance as Kazakhstan The has for Europe and local partners found technical skills to scale up their busi- tries such as Kazakhstan, ITC also pursues them just as it has signed a treaty on the creation of a made the competitiveness of SMEs that over a third of exporters in Ka- ness. They need to be compliant with offers a comprehensive trade facili- Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) along with Belarus and Rus- and support to entrepreneurship a zakhstan face trade barriers when international quality standards, rules tation programme. This programme sia. These new investment attraction measures mean Kazakh- cornerstone of its Kazakhstan 2050 exporting, and some of these barriers and regulations in target markets. focuses both on policy reform to stan wants to retain its competitive edge in the new union. strategy. These businesses represent are related to procedures imposed by They need to develop capabilities to simplify customs processes and on The adoption of the new law will improve the investment the country’s future. They are key the authorities in Kazakhstan itself. continuously innovate and differenti- equipping exporters to comply with climate, as well as create the conditions to attract foreign and to lowering Kazakhstan’s depend- ate and position themselves through regulations. During my recent visit to domestic investment to the priority sectors of Kazakhstan’s ence on fluctuating commodity prices marketing and branding. Astana I offered the government and economy. Foreign companies, both large and medium, will Entrepreneurship and and ensuring that its rapid economic the private sector ITC’s full support surely stand to benefit from the new measures and the op- SMEs: towards growth benefits a wider segment of and commitment to assist in ensuring portunities to set up businesses in Kazakhstan with a view of the population. Supporting export-led SMEs play their potential in the new expanding their sales and services into the EEU countries. a more competitive Economic development requires a Kazakhstan in the making. Kazakhstan has already attracted more than $190 billion in conducive business environment cou- growth foreign direct investment since gaining independence in 1991, economy pled with a trade support infrastruc- Supporting exporting firms makes The author is Executive Director more than all other countries in Central Asia combined. The Supporting the private sector to ture that stimulates international and economic sense: they tend to be more of the Geneva-based International new package is expected to make this figure grow further. become incubators of growth, pov- regional competitiveness of SMEs. productive and pay higher wages than Trade Centre.

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Wednesday, june 25, 2014

Development Bank’s (ADB’s) board of governors in Astana this spring, ADB President Takehiko A Plan of Ambitious But Achievable Goals Nakao noted that Kazakhstan can By Yerbolat Dossayev case is the implementation of long- knowledge-based economy and in- 50 percent due to the creation of fa- achieve this goal by promoting term development strategies. tegrating into global and regional vourable conditions for doing busi- economic diversification, using re- The task of Kazakhstan’s joining Kazakhstan is constantly work- economies. ness, the renewal of infrastructure source revenues prudently, ensuring the 30 most developed countries in ing to improve the welfare of the World experience shows that the and investment in human capital. good governance and strengthening the world by 2050 seems very am- country. Thus, the goal set by Pres- success of a country depends not In addition, Kazakhstan’s econ- institutions in order to promote the bitious, but achievable. ident Nursultan Nazarbayev of Ka- only on its economic well-being, omy should become attractive for efficiency of the private sector. In hindsight, we must pay at- zakhstan on joining the 50 leading but also on its level of human devel- investors. The share of investment Other experts believe that in some tention to the three countries that countries by 2030 has already been opment, environmental security and in fixed assets will be maintained ways, Kazakhstan is already among implemented such strategies and achieved. In 2013, we were ranked efficiency of public administration. at the level of 30 percent of GDP. the top 30. Member of the Euro- successfully accomplished similar 50th in the Global Competitive- In this regard, the concept identified This will provide a high level of pean Parliament Elisabeth Jeggle, tasks in the 20th century – Singa- ness Index of the World Economic key indicators for further evaluation savings to ensure macroeconomic welcoming Kazakhstan’s ambitious pore, South Korea and . Forum (WEF GCI), as well as in of our progress toward the goal. stability. Rising prosperity will goal of joining the 30 most devel- That is why Kazakhstan is interest- dustries that could compete at a the World Bank’s ease of doing Thus, it is necessary to increase significantly improve the living oped countries, believes that build- ed in the experience of economic global level due to the low cost business ranking. gross domestic product (GDP) per conditions of the population. Thus, ing a strong, innovative and diversi- development in these states. and convenient geographic loca- According to some indicators, capita from $12,000 to $60,000. life expectancy in the country will fied economy, competitive in global The Singapore Economic De- tion of the state. Following a long- Kazakhstan is already among the This is possible given we maintain increase from 69 to 80 years. markets, is the basis of any economic velopment Strategy, which was term industrial development strat- 30 most developed countries in the a 4.3 percent per year annual eco- A priority in this regard is the success. She stressed that the Presi- implemented by the Council of egy divided into five-year stages, world. For example, the WEF GCI nomic growth to mid-century. We improvement of quality of life dent and Government of Kazakhstan Economic Development, allowed South Korea was already among ranked Kazakhstan 14th in terms also need to raise labour productiv- through effective healthcare and will take all necessary measures to the country to become a financial the 30 most developed countries of public debt in 2013, a positive ity, to decrease the dependence of education systems, efficiency and implement the objectives of the Ka- and commercial centre of South- by the 1990s due to investment by signal to foreign investors. Another the domestic economy on oil price transparency in institutions and the zakhstan 2050 Strategy. east Asia and to achieve rapid the leadership in developing new example is our country’s provision fluctuations and to ensure macro- prevalence of information technol- Taking into account the current economic growth and improved technologies, microelectronics, of secondary education for chil- economic stability through increas- ogies. Human capital will become development of Kazakhstan, we welfare of the population (from biotechnology and optics. dren, where we take 29th place. ing the share of non-oil exports in a key driver of the economy, and can say that the goal of joining the 1967 to 2002, per capita income In Norway, success was The President’s state-of-the- GDP from 32 to 70 percent. Also, healthy demographics providing a 30 most developed countries in increased from $2,200 to $25,400, achieved through the establish- nation address, the Kazakhstan we must boost activity in the field high natural growth of population the world by 2050 is achievable. or by more than 11 times). As a re- ment of oil-industry clusters, pro- 2050 Strategy, lays the founda- of innovations and increase fund- will become one of Kazakhstan’s The state is taking all necessary sult of these steps, this tiny island moting partnerships with leading tion for gradually improving the ing for research and development competitive advantages. Popula- measures for its implementation. nation received the title of “East companies, the rapid transfer of social, economic and institutional 15-fold, from the current 0.2 per- tion growth will bring high aca- However, it should also become Asian Tiger.” modern technologies and support- environment and for achieving cent to 3 percent of GDP, in order demic and creative potential and the goal of every citizen, which in The base of economic growth in ing competitive manufacturers and this goal by 2050 in five strategic to reach the level of developed professional manpower. turn will create the conditions to South Korea was founded in the service providers. areas: developing human capital; countries with knowledge-based International experts have recent- achieve this goal. 1960s and 1970s, when the gov- From this it follows that every improving the institutional envi- economies. Small and medium en- ly given their assessment of Ka- ernment, under strict state plan- successful country has its own ronment; developing knowledge terprises (SMEs) are a key driver of zakhstan’s opportunities to join the The author is Minister of ning, identified priority industrial unique way of development. But economy sectors; accelerating the economic development. By 2050, 30 most developed countries of the Economy and Budget Planning development, particularly in in- the foundation of growth in each formation of the infrastructure of a their share in GDP should grow to world. At the meeting of the Asian of Kazakhstan.

cil, which holds several sessions per year. Also there are separate actions on different levels being- Partnership between Astana and Seoul Will Expand held constantly. One of them is the By Alibek Nurpeissov Economic Union, Customs Union, came to Kazakhstan along with First of all, it is necessary to un- business forum during President Shanghai Cooperation Organisa- new technologies and modern pro- derline that today, particularly in Park’s visit on June 18-20. Besides Ahead of the state visit to Astana tion, Collective Security Treaty duction management. Kazakhstan, all possible favour- this, parties quite often exchange by President Park Geun-hye of the Organisation, Conference on In- Today, there are more than 700 able conditions have been created mutual visits of sectoral delega- Republic of Korea on June 18-19, teraction and Confidence Building Kazakhstan-Korean joint ventures for running business and foreign tions from different authorities and we interviewed Kazakhstan’s Am- Measures in Asia, Etc.), trans- and I believe this number will in- investors. These are simplification organisations. bassador to Seoul Dulat Bakishev portation transit potential of our crease further, taking into consid- of tax legislation, optimisation of li- In general, all these mechanisms about what makes the relations be- country as well as large Korean eration new opportunities for busi- censing procedures, specialised pro- are urged to support development tween the two countries strong and ethnic diaspora determine a higher ness opened up with the treaty on grammes for separate sectors which of cooperation between our coun- what to expect in the future. interest of the Republic of Korea the creation of the Eurasian Eco- have been adopted and many others. tries in all directions. It is notable in closer cooperation with Kazakh- nomic Union signed this May by In South Korea as well, every- that this list is not complete; to- Most Kazakh people consider stan as a key partner in Central the presidents of Belarus, Kazakh- thing is being made for the con- day we are talking about five and South Korea a highly technologi- Asia and the world in general. stan and Russia. venience of entrepreneurship, tomorrow this number could in- cally developed state. How do you Dulat Bakishev Kazakhstan in turn has its own Economic integration always including foreign business. Gov- crease twice. This means that our see current cooperation between interests in the Asian-Pacific re- had a positive impact on the de- ernmental programmes directed to cooperation is at a very close level. the two countries? ests and mutual understanding of gion and in Asia generally and velopment of entrepreneurship and promote global-leading Korea also First of all, I would like to un- responsibility for international se- finds it important to develop a Korean companies clearly under- widely assist it. What would you wish for the derline that today Kazakhstan and curity and stability in Asia. In this strong partnership with Korea, one stand that. They are now making Currently, there are a range of people of two countries? South Korea are strategic partners context, strategic partnership with of the leading countries in the re- business in Kazakhstan, which regular interaction mechanisms One of the distinctive features of and they are actively moving to- Seoul is considered as a necessary gion. The rise of the global role of has a very beneficial tax system between Kazakhstan and Korea the relationship between our coun- wards deepening this partnership. condition for the creation of really Seoul in the 21st century, its geo- and comfortable conditions for which help both parties develop tries is the presence of strong cultur- Kazakhstan and Korea have democratic and fair world order. political location and involvement running business, and will open certain direction of our coopera- al and human ties. Our relations in much in common. There are no Our countries actively inter- in one of the main issues of inter- them to a far bigger market of the tion. First is the intergovernmental this sphere have reached the higher political disagreements between act on the international arena; on national agenda (North Korean world’s sixth GDP and 172 million commission on trade and invest- scale. The significance of Korean Astana and Seoul. Korean lead- many vital global issues Astana problem) makes this country one consumers. ment and scientific and technolog- diaspora, which plays the role of an ers highly evaluate Kazakhstan’s and Seoul have similar positions, of the key players in East Asia. Moreover, within the imple- ical cooperation, which recently original bridge between our nations achievements in political, social including nuclear security and non- mentation of the principles of held its seventh session. Partici- especially in cultural and humani- and economic spheres, support proliferation regime. South Korea Certainly trade and economic the Kazakhstan 2050 strategy on pants discussed a wide range of tarian spheres, is very important. Kazakh initiatives in CICA, at the entirely supports the peaceful initi- interaction between Kazakhstan stimulating exports of domestic bilateral cooperation issues. I would like to emphasise that Congress of Leaders of World and atives of Kazakhstan and its leader. and Korea is very intensive. What products to foreign markets, our As it is well known, the concept cultural ties, communication of Traditional Religions and actively It is proved by the speech President do you think businessmen of both government is taking a range of of foreign policy of our country both nations and mutual experi- participate in their development. Park Geun-hye delivered to the countries should expect in the effective actions. At this point, the particularly emphasises interac- ence of customs and traditions are The economies of both nations do members of the National Assembly nearest future? signing of the memorandum on co- tion with the Republic of Korea the features that provide genuine not compete with each other but of Korea, which appealed to North During the recovery of the econ- operation between KazNexInvest in attraction of new technologies. close cooperation of the states. have complementary features. The Korea to follow Kazakhstan’s ex- omy after the world crisis it is very JSC and the Korean Importers As- Here it is necessary to point out Highest officials, governmental mentalities of our nations, their cus- ample, “which has renounced one important for our states to inten- sociation during President Park’s the activity of the Kazakh-Korean structures, diplomats and state bod- toms, beliefs and even Kazakh and of the world’s largest nuclear arse- sively promote joint projects. Fortu- upcoming visit is very symbolic. centre for technological coopera- ies make their best endeavours for Korean languages are quite similar. nal and taken a path towards suc- nately Kazakhstan and Korea have In the future, besides joint pro- tion, which has its Korean branch a closer approach of our countries. Annual summits show the high- cessful economic development.” all the necessary elements for that. jects in Kazakhstan and Korea, it located in Astana, and the Kazakh However, without the support of est level of friendship and strength Today, both parties are already seems like private sectors of both branch located in Taejon, the tech- the population and ordinary people of relationships between our coun- What do you think attracts developing a range of multibil- countries will actively develop oth- nological capital of Korea. these efforts can lose their mean- tries. The state visit of President South Korea in Kazakhstan, and lion projects like construction of er markets. Today, there are all pre- Moreover, there are similar suc- ing, preventing the creation of a de- Park Geun-hye to Kazakhstan on how “the Country of the Morning the Balkhash thermal power plant requisites and opportunities for that. cessfully-functioning mechanisms cent life and welfare of our nations. June 18-19 is evidence of it. Agree- Calm” can interest our state? and of a chemical complex in the of cooperation in energy and cul- In a modern and speedily- ments between our leaders identify The geopolitical location of Atyrau region, the development What kind of practical support ture: the committee on cooperation globalising world it is extremely high dynamics of our cooperation Kazakhstan, its stable political of the Zhambyl field and others. is given by the governments of in energy and natural resources and important to move forward along and its impressive achievements. system, dynamic economic de- All these are vivid examples of Kazakhstan and South Korea for the commission on cultural coop- with friends, together with reliable Kazakhstan and the Republic of velopment, rich natural resources, our close cooperation with South the development of business con- eration. I would like to underline partners, one of which for Kazakh- Korea have joint long-term inter- integrational processes (Eurasian Korean partners. The investments tacts between private sectors? the activity of the business coun- stan is South Korea. Saryarka Holds Special Place in Kazakh, Regional History nium B.C. Rich deposits of copper an impact on the social order, life phic creatures found in the excava- related to the history of the Turkic zakhs, Uzbeks, Bashkirs and other By Bakhtiar Kozhakhmetov ore and ancient metallurgy, which and culture of later ages and greatly tions in Kargash, Ulytau, Karkaraly, khanates emerged. Vast areas of land Turkic peoples. The most powerful stretched from the Minusinsk hol- contributed to active interaction of is thought to have originated in this from to the North Caucasus union of nomads, as well as the Rich in cultural-ethnographic low to the Volga Basin, allowed cultures. The nomads occupied a period. The people built majestic became the scene of the formation of strengthening of mutual influence of monuments of different periods, the Saryarka tribes to take a special huge steppe space from Manchuria burial structures and monuments, the Turkic peoples of Eurasia. Numer- peoples, began in the 12th century the Saryarka region takes a special place in the historical and cultural to the blue Danube, rightly called among which are 37 burial mounds ous stone sculptures of this age were under Genghis Khan. His empire place in the history of Kazakhstan community of the period. Similar the Great Steppe belt, where they of warriors and as well as Aibas. found in the Altai, , Kazakhstan played a prominent role in the histo- and neighbouring countries. design of burial mounds and dwell- erected impressive mausoleums to In the 3rd to 1st centuries B.C., and Central Asian regions. ry of the Turkic-Mongolian peoples. The history and culture of any nation, ings, the same type of labour tools tribal nobility, such as Begazy, San- the movement of Hun tribes, Late in the first millennium A.D., The Golden Horde was the cradle including Kazakhstan, is inextricably and characteristic shapes and pat- gru and Aibas-Darasy. which began in the steppes of Cen- new nomadic states appeared on of the final formation of the Turkic linked with the history of neighbouring terns of ceramic tableware speak The Begazy-Dandybay culture tral Asia, spread to many nations the ruins of the Turkic khanates. peoples in the Eurasian steppe. Its peoples and develops in mutual influ- to the close contacts of the tribes formed the next era of Tasmoly cul- of Eurasia, causing a big move- The rise of the Oguz, Pecheneg, state and social system was the base ence. Written sources, archaeological living on this vast territory. Thus, ture, which ran from the 7th to the ment of tribes and peoples known Kipchak and Cuman peoples is in- of the Kazakh-Nogai, Crimean, Ka- excavations and finds confirm the in- Kurgan and the fence of Myr- 3rd centuries B.C. The monuments as the Great Migration. The Huns’ extricably linked with the political zan and Uzbek khanates. terconnectedness of the historical roots zhyk, Aksu Ayuly, Terisakkan and of Tasmoly culture have much in culture, one of the layers of which centre of the medieval age. Ulytau The history of the Kazakh peo- of peoples of Central and Southwest the settlements of metallurgists in common with its sister cultures of formed the Kazakh people, had and powerful citadels of the settle- ple and archaeological data of the Asia, Eastern and Central Europe, the Atasu, Milykuduk and Taldysai in the Scythian-Saka type from the a great influence on the peoples ments of Baskamyr, Khanaral and steppe strongly confirm that the Altai, Ural and Volga regions and nu- the Karaganda region are much Altai to the Black Sea; the similar- of Eurasia and the formation of a Khanshatyr speak to the formation interaction of cultures is a natural merous contacts of nomadic and sed- bigger in size than similar monu- ity of mounds, household items and number of Turkic-speaking peo- of mighty hordes. phenomenon of the development entary cultures of Eurasia. ments in the adjacent territories. weapons also speak to their close ples of the Volga, the Caucasus These hordes later became the of human civilisation. A high cultural level in central At the end of the Bronze Age, the contacts. The Scythian animal style, and Central Asia. base for the emergence of new peo- Kazakhstan was achieved in the local tribes had a new form of busi- with its main theme of images of In the middle of the 6th century ples in Asia and Europe. For ex- The author is Director of the Na- Bronze Age, the second millen- ness entity. Nomadic husbandry had animals and mythological zoomor- B.C., a new community of nomads ample, the Kipchak joined the Ka- tional Museum-Reserve Ulytau. A8 eurasia&world

Wednesday, june 25, 2014 Energy, Industrial Cooperation Agreements Signed During Visit of Italian Prime Minister Continued from Page A1

“I deeply believe in the strengthening of relations between Kazakhstan and Italy. I am grateful to Kazakhstan for the support you provide to our companies here,” he said. The prime minister thanked Nazarbayev for the meeting and noted that he accepted the invitation for an official visit with grati- tude. He also expressed appreciation for Ka- zakhstan’s upcoming participation in WORLD EXPO 2015 in Milan and congrat- ulated the country on winning the interna- tional specialised EXPO 2017 for Astana. Eni S.p.A. is important to the Kazakh economy, Renzi said, and he expressed hope for the development of cooperation between other Kazakh and Italian companies, includ- ing Fiat, Italcementi Group and Finmeccan- ica S.p.A. “I would also like to say that our country is in need of partners such as Kazakhstan, where there is always stability and prosper- Prime Minister of Italy Matteo Renzi (l) and Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev oversaw the signing of two cooperation agreements and discussed prospects for expanding cooperation in ity,” the visiting prime minister concluded. energy, agriculture and transportation. Kazakhstan, South Korea Expand Economic, Political Ties Continued from Page A1 At the expanded meeting of the economy and in politics,” Naz- dence Building Measures in Asia) G20 Summit of major economies example for North Korea to fol- delegations, Nazarbayev noted arbayev said. and the establishment of trust and in St. Petersburg, Russia, which in- low. “Since the early days of our in- that Park’s first state visit opens He noted that Kazakhstan sup- peace on the Korean peninsula, as dicated the two nations’ close and “North Korea is still unable to dependence we have been study- a new milestone in the history ports the policy of the Republic of well as the Eurasian initiative. friendly ties. give up its nuclear weapons and nu- ing reforms that were carried out of the Kazakhstan-South Korean Korea on the denuclearisation of During Park’s visit, the two During Park’s visit, the two clear development, so this is a big in your country. I have met with strategic partnership. He also ex- the Korean Peninsula. In turn, the countries pledged continued sup- sides also signed a memorandum obstacle to improving inter-Korean all the presidents of South Korea, pressed condolences on behalf of South Korea president expressed port for their ongoing joint projects of understanding (MOU) on rail relations. But I think the precedent starting with Mr. Roh Tae-woo. the people of Kazakhstan in con- appreciation for the invitation to worth a total of $10 billion, includ- cooperation. set by Kazakhstan is a big lesson,” Our relationships, which we began nection with the crash of the ferry visit Kazakhstan. ing the construction of a coal-fired The MOU calls for South Ko- Park said in an interview with Ka- to build in those years, are at a very Sewol. “I attach special importance to power plant near Lake Balkhash rean participation in the moderni- zakhstan’s Khabar TV channel. good level now. I hope your visit The Kazakh president stressed the meeting where we discussed and a petrochemical complex in sation of Kazakhstan’s railways, Kazakhstan, which in the past will create conditions for even that, in a short term by historical the issues of cooperation in all the Atyrau region. which is expected to provide a had more than 1,000 nuclear war- closer cooperation. We want to standards, South Korea has created fields. Strong and friendly rela- Kazakhstan is the largest desti- basis for Park’s vision for a Silk heads, achieved economic growth have close political and economic an economic miracle, transform- tions have developed between our nation of South Korean investment Road Express that connects South by voluntarily choosing to aban- relations with your country,” Naz- ing from an agrarian country to a two countries. I welcome the fact in the region, with more than 250 Korea to Europe via North Korea, don its nuclear programme and in arbayev said. member state of the twenty leading that we have discussed issues re- South Korean companies operat- Russia and China. return receiving large-scale eco- “Indeed, we have a broad scope economies in the world. lated to the international situation, ing here. Park especially noted Ka- The two countries also plan to nomic aid and security guarantees for cooperation and great potential “Interaction between our two including the North Korean nucle- zakhstan’s policy to diversify its sign a mutual agreement on a 30- from the United States, Russia and of economic interaction. Today I countries in the field of energy, au- ar problem,” Park said. industries by developing the infor- day visa free regime. Britain, Park said. saw first-hand the rapidly develop- tomotives, engineering, construc- Park stressed that Kazakhstan mation technology, cutting-edge The visit of the South Korean “North Korea should carefully ing Astana, which demonstrates a tion, mining, healthcare, education is a key partner for the Republic traffic technology and renewable president also served to highlight watch Kazakhstan’s abandonment high level of economic growth,” and science is dynamically devel- of Korea. She also expressed her energy sectors, saying these areas the economic success Kazakhstan of nuclear (weapons) and its de- Park noted. oping and the total trade volume gratitude for the support of major offer large potential for bilateral achieved after abandoning its nu- velopment, choose the right kind She also expressed hope that the has reached $1.5 billion. I am con- international initiatives, including cooperation. clear weapons programmes. Ka- of change as soon as possible and long-term Kazakhstan 2050 Strat- fident that as a result of this visit, those related to the strengthening The meeting of the two presi- zakhstan’s per capita income ex- come forward as a responsible egy will be successfully imple- we will be able to raise a whole of trust within the CICA (Confer- dents took place 10 months after ceeds $13,000, the highest among member of the international com- mented. new level of our cooperation in ence on Interaction and Confi- they met on the sidelines of the Central Asian nations, setting an munity,” Park noted.

The expanded meeting of delegations, where Nazarbayev noted that Park’s first state visit opens a new milestone in the history of the Kazakhstan-South Korean strategic partnership.

Though Kazakhstan unilaterally eased visa restrictions for these countries, Kazakhstan will contin- Kazakhstan Establishes Visa-Free Regime ue to negotiate with those and oth- er countries to ease visa require- ments for citizens of Kazakhstan. “In the future, Kazakhstan will for 10 Industrialised Countries pay special attention to the pro- By Malika Rustem that have either invested the most spend in Kazakhstan and the type favourable conditions for inter- tional Commissioner for EXPO cedure and the level of difficulty in Kazakhstan or have the poten- of activities they are engaged in. national travel on the eve of the 2017 Rapil Zhoshybayev at a in obtaining visas to every single ASTANA – Kazakh President tial investment planned that is the Officials will decide after the country while expanding the list Nursultan Nazarbayev announced most considerable. initial one-year period if they of visa-free countries and of visa on June 12 that Kazakhstan is During this one-year period, cit- want to continue the visa-free re- The visa-free regime will be in force between exemption, especially for those about to establish a visa-free re- izens of these 10 countries hold- gime which is now introduced in countries that create favourable gime for citizens of 10 countries. ing valid diplomatic, official and a pilot mode. This initiative aims July 15, 2014 and July 15, 2015 and apply conditions for entry for citizens The announcement came dur- national passports can enter, exit to strengthen Kazakhstan’s bilat- to citizens of the United States, the United of Kazakhstan,” stressed Zhoshy- ing his speech to the Foreign In- and transit through the territory of eral partnerships as well as create bayev. vestors’ Council at the Borovoye Kazakhstan on multiple occasions favourable conditions for foreign Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Already, Kazakhstan has a sim- Lake resort. without a visa for up to 15 calen- investors and tourists during their Ireland, the Federal Republic of Germany, plified visa regime for short-term The visa-free regime will be dar days at a time from the mo- stay in Kazakhstan. The move will visits by citizens of 48 countries, in force between July 15, 2014 ment of crossing the state border. allow visitors of the 10 countries to France, Italy, , the Kingdom of the including the 34 countries of and July 15, 2015 and apply to If there is a demonstrable reason come to Kazakhstan without a visa the Organisation for Economic citizens of the United States, the that citizens from one of these 10 and visit the country’s historic, Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, the Cooperation and Development United Kingdom of Great Britain countries need to stay in Kazakh- natural and tourism attractions as Republic of Korea and Japan. (OECD). and Northern Ireland, the Federal stan longer than 15 days, they will well as learn about Kazakh culture It is expected that detailed new Republic of Germany, France, have to obtain a business visa from and establish business contacts. rules and procedures for travel to Italy, Malaysia, the Kingdom of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or “This is a special step by our international specialised exhibi- specially arranged meeting with Kazakhstan by the citizens of the the Netherlands, the United Arab an investor visa from the Ministry country that aims to facilitate co- tion EXPO 2017 in Astana,” said ambassadors and consuls of the ten countries for whom visa-travel Emirates, the Republic of Korea of Foreign Affairs, depending on operation with other countries, First Deputy Minister of Foreign countries accredited in Kazakh- regimes will be introduced will be and Japan. These are the countries the amount of time they need to attract investment and create Affairs of Kazakhstan and Na- stan on June 13. made public within a few weeks. B Nation&Capital

Wednesday, june 25, 2014

Culture Country Sports Young Pavlodar Accordionist Astounds Armenian Ethnocultural Centre Kazakh Alpinist Shares Adventures Public With Vivaldi’s Winter Preserves Culture, Encourages with New York Audience B3 Unity B4 B7 Aktobe Showcases Potential Integration, Protection, at International Travel Fair Possibilities, Barriers By Zhubanysh Baigurinov AKTOBE – The 11th Interna- Discussed at CAMCA tional Travel Fair of Aktobe (ITFA) was held earlier this month, this time under the theme “Tourism. Regional Forum Sayakhat. Sports.” ITFA 2014 also showcased folk handicrafts. with an interest in writing about By Michelle Witte The Aktobe region is a major the region should contact the pro- cultural and industrial centre that gramme. ASTANA – Rumsfeld pro- “None of the countries that are also includes the Torgai national gramme fellows – graduates of a park, a refuge for many of Kazakh- represented in this room – not six-week fellowship programme one of them has a real voice in stan’s rarer animals. The region’s organised by the Washington, the world that is audible through tourism potential was presented in DC’s Rumsfeld Foundation and journalism. The only people we 64 stands at the exhibition by tour- the Central Asia-Caucasus Insti- hear from … are the presidents, ist companies, representatives of tute (CACI) of Johns Hopkins but we don’t hear from people in- local hotels and restaurants, trans- University – and invited guests, port and insurance companies, rec- including Kazakh vice minis- volved in normal life.” reation centres, tourism and sports ters, key financial figures and “We all share the same vision equipment sellers, universities and Central Asia expert S. Frederick of a more connected and inte- local history museums. The offi- Starr gathered in Astana on June grated region,” said Erlan Ashi- cial opening ceremony was attend- 20-22 for their third annual re- kbayev. deputy foreign minister ed by First Deputy Akim (gover- union: the two-day Central Asia- of Kazakhstan, in his opening nor) of the region Nurmukhambet Mongolia-Caucasus-Afghanistan remarks. “Unfortunately, it’s true Abdibekov and Chairman of the (CAMCA) Forum, a collection for Central Asia that despite all Committee of Industry and Tour- of presentations and often frank the countries being landlocked, ism under the Ministry of Indus- discussions of their region’s po- we still are … among the most try and New Technologies Marat tential and the remaining barriers disintegrated regions in the Igaliyev. to realising it. world.” This forum and the ties The forum’s panels covered within it are of vital importance Continued on Page B6 Exposition of the 11th International Travel Fair of Aktobe topics ranging from foreign di- for the future of the region, he rect investment, the region’s said, as no single organisation transit potential, models of eco- unites only the countries stretch- nomic cooperation and the con- ing from Mongolia in the east to nections between economic de- the south Caucasus in the west. Young Graphic Designer velopment and national security. “Here in Kazakhstan we have Tazy Dog Breed Discussions expanded further, the concept of transforming our with participants questioning Ka- landlockedness into landlinked- zakhstan’s currencydevaluation, ness. This is the idea that is be- to be Recovered Brings Kazakh Culture offering critiques of economic hind so many projects that our integration, debating how to government is invested in,” By Yulia Polonskaya Central Asian hound, was equal deal with the international pow- Ashikbayev said, citing trans- to 47 horses for a bride’s required erhouses in the region and often port initiatives like the Western Tazy a breed of Kazakh dog dowry. That explains the value of to England returning to the question of why Europe-Western China road cor- that has been a true friend of man these agile creatures to a nomad. a region of such potential riches ridor. “The more integrated … for several millennia, needs to be not only the size but also add a de- It was the only animal allowed to By Rufiya Ospanova remains so disconnected. the more interconnected Central saved. State support is required in sirable complement. The company sleep inside the yurt close to the “There are no taboos in our Asia, South Caucasus, Mongolia, the effort. provides a guarantee of the product hearth and to approach the kids. ALMATY – Almost every fash- conversation among friends,” will deserve a better place in our A hundred years ago, one tazy, for five years. ionista has a renowned Leather A combination of English and Starr said in his opening remarks, current global world.” also known as Kazakh hound or Continued on Page B4 and suggesting that any fellow Satchel in her closet, as the popu- Kazakh styles was embodied by Continued on Page B8 larity of the bags is really high. Leather Satchel Co. representa- Stylish and comfortable satchels tive Yelena Yang, who wanted to are equally chosen by both men attract young designers to release and women, because books, docu- a capsule collection dedicated to Things to Watch ments and even laptops can easily the cultural heritage of Kazakh- fit in them, and their appearance al- stan. june - july lows picking up a variety of looks Aigerim Idrissova, a local young that are topical now. artist, was interested because she Leather Satchel Co. is located is inspired by the nation’s culture in the U.K. and has been produc- and traditions. Thus, a capsule col- AStana Opera ing leather bags since 1966. Each lection of satchels was created as June 30 at 19:00 Don Quixote of the its briefcases is produced a result of collaboration between July 6 at 20:00 Classical Music Concert manually. If one wants to have a the factory and the designer. This unique case, one can easily contact collection reflects a combination of July 7 at 19:00 Swan Lake the factory and provide the idea, the two cultures – the Old World because this feature provides an characteristics of quality, hand- opportunity to manufacture satch- made, 100 percent leather and Ka- palace of peace and accord Not afraid of wolves, the agile and enduring dog hunts with man in the open and els for individual orders. When zakh prints. July 5-6 at 17:00 “Magic Astana” first international forest-steppe space. ordering purses, one can choose Continued on Page B2 festival of magicians

kazakhstan central concert hall Production of Toyota Off-Road July 7 at 20:00 A’STUDIO concert congress hall Vehicles to Begin in Kostanai June 30 at 18:30 Big evening of Bulat Ayukhanov By Julia Rutz ballet: “Swan Lake,” “Romeo and Juliet, “Carmen Suite,” The first Toyota car factory in Kazakhstan – and the first Toyota “Bolero” assembly platform in Central Asia July 4 at 10:00 Festival of Astana Confectioners – will soon begin producing For- July 5 at 19:00 “An Zhuregim – Astana” tuners, one of Toyota’s off-road vehicles, in a full-cycle assembly Gala Concert plant in Kostanai. July 7 at 17:00 Summer Jazz Astana Concert The factory was launched with a gala party on June 11 attended by Minister of Regional Develop- Carnegie Hall New York City ment Bolat Zhamishev, Kazakh June 30 at 20:00 Magic Songs of the Eternal Steppe First Vice Minister of Industry and New Technologies Albert Rau, Akim (governor) of the Kostanai The Kennedy Centre Washington, DC region Nuraly Saduakassov, Allur July 3 at 20:00 Magic Songs of the Eternal Steppe Group President Andrey Lavren- tyev, Saryarka Avtoprom Joint Stock Company stockholder Yuri saltanat saraiy square Tshai and Toyota representatives. Members of the press were taken June 29 at 08:00 Bike race on a tour of the factory’s facilities. The factory is only the second paint cars. They also noted that full- car assembly. The factory’s as- the Kostanai car factory while pro- Khan shatyr square Toyota factory in the Common- cycle car production creates more sembly line can produce eight car duction process. wealth of Independent states (CIS). new jobs for Kostanai locals. As of bodies per hour. The 1,600 patterns The factory will produce cars in July 4-7 at 11:00 “Millenia around Astana” According to the Saryarka Avtoprom now, the staff includes more than needed for the assembly will be five colours in demand among lo- Nomads civilsation festival representatives, unlike other car fac- 100 people. imported from Japan and Thailand. cal customers: black, white, grey, July 7 at 13:00 Wedding Parade of Astana tories in Kazakhstan, the new Kosta- The new factory is expected to Japanese colleagues have already dark blue and silver. Prices for the nai complex will also burn battens produce 3,000 cars a year, due to expressed their willingness to con- domestically produced vehicles will together, assemble aggregates and the complex process of full-cycle trol the standards maintenance on range from $39,200 to $44,500. B2 Nation&Capital People

Wednesday, june 25, 2014 Young Graphic Designer Brings Talgar Couple Cares Kazakh Culture to England for Hundreds of Orphaned Continued from Page B1 stand all the beauty of fine art, ar- chitecture and music and that was “We wanted to convey the Ka- the impetus for choosing a special- zakh flavour, not with the -tradi ty. I went to Central Saint Martins Children tional approach, but by using pat- College in London, known for its Continued from Page A1 tern and a modern style. To create alumni who have become famous prints we used images of the ani- throughout the world. When I was It takes enormous strength, mals and mountains of Kazakh- at school, I dreamed of enrolling warmth of heart and boundless stan, which are symbols of our there, however, I wanted to work patience to raise more than a hun- country,” Yang said. on textile and fashion. But on ar- dred children of different ages and Idrissova worked for several riving in England, I discovered a characters. years as a freelance graphic de- new profession called graphic de- Thinking back on the financial, signer and illustrator. In addition sign after my internship and train- personal and psychological chal- to her basic work, she actively ing at the BBC Department of New participates in various cultural and Media,” Idrissova went on. lenges they were first facing, the charitable events and competitions Idrissova wanted to present her retired couple say the most difficult held annually in the city, such as homeland as she studied at the uni- thing was to break the children’s Art of You 2013/14, Almaty De- versity. Her thesis was devoted to bad habits and ragamuffin ways sign Charity Week and the Goe- food culture in England and Ka- picked up in the street. The children the Institute\Art_Gorod, charity zakhstan in an effort to emphasise came to them mostly unkempt, sick, unable to read and write and project “Bird. Inspired by Hope,” a different approach to the culture Aigerim Idrissova Zhoktau, 1937. of food. “I created the plates, cut- far behind their peers in physical “Yelena Yang offered me to lery and tablecloth with a Kazakh zakhstan – the majestic snow leop- and cultural development. Some ard and loyal companions of no- had no documents or birth certifi- Spouses Tuyak Yeskozhina and Anuarbek Baissarin raised more than 340 work on the creation of the capsule motive, not with pretty flowers and orphaned children left without parental care. collection dedicated to Kazakh- patterns, but colourful kazy, rams’ madic people, the graceful horses cates, which sent the adopting par- stan. For the creation of prints, heads and carcasses. It looked gro- and camels. ents on long red tape runs to obtain Women’s Pegagogical Institute ther was found in Germany who I decided to use symbols of our tesque, bright and graphic, espe- “I think girls who prefer the them. On hearing of such a home, (ZhenPI), Talgar College of Ag- did not know of the existence of country,” Idrissova said. cially for the British,” she said. originality and innovative ap- many people brought and are still ribusiness Management and Zhas a daughter from his first marriage. “In my childhood I got interest- While creating her Leather proach will be pleased with this bringing money, clothes and foods, Ulan School and Medical College The foster family subsists on the ed in design thanks to my mother, Satchel Co. collection she pursued purchase. But the collection is lim- which helped sustain the family. in Astana. Some started their own parents’ retirement payments and who decided to introduce me to a the goal of showing the identity ited and it is possible to buy satch- The kids go to a regular school, families and are helping their par- the state child benefits are saved wonderful art teacher. It was she and colours of the Kazakh culture, els at the store Fab&Glam and at taken in a special bus donated by ents, too. Yeskozhina says proudly for the children’s later educations. who taught me to love the culture. linking past and present. As her the Almaty popup store be held in local authorities. Responsibilities that she has 25 grandchildren that At present 110 children are liv- She taught me to see and under- prints she took the symbols of Ka- June,” Idrissova said. are equally distributed in the large she lovingly attends to as well. ing in the home and the foster par- Her collection is created for a family – older children look after “We should not forget how impor- ents are thinking of building an younger ones, girls learn to cook, modern girl or a young woman tant a simple human care and at- apartment block to accommodate sew and whitewash and boys learn who is studying or working, is tention is to a child and we want their adult fosterlings and their to work with appliances and build- often abroad and watches fashion to change public opinion and bring families. ing skills. The father of the family out compassion and charity in This project is moving ahead. trends. She should be self-con- made special workshops on the people to make the world a better The local administration gave them fident, speak foreign languages, homestead territory, where they place,” she notes. a hectare of land to build the house regard her Kazakh roots with rev- practice DIY and various crafts The spouses believe every child on, where their children can set- erence and appreciate and love her and have an opportunity to earn. must live in the family. They take tle in their independent lives after own country. Their craft articles are sold at vari- care of every stranded child, but graduation from universities and “Recently, the collection was ous charity events. their hearts are also open to these colleges or when they get a job. presented at the Kazakhstan de- The older children finished kids’ next-of-kin if they turn up. A The parents hold state awards, signers’ fair ‘Almaty popup store, school and went to universi- few years ago, the home’s website including Altyn Zurek (Heart of which attracted a lot of attention,” ties and colleges, such as the Al- was created to help find biologi- Gold), a kind of Kazakh Oscar for she concluded. maty Technological University, cal parents, through which a fa- charity. B3 Nation&Capital Culture

Wednesday, june 25, 2014 Holiday of Modern Ethnic Music Held in Almaty opened with three Kazakh groups: festival for the second time,” said van throat singing Radik Tyuly- By Marina Mikhailova Roksonaki, who have successfully its soloist Gulzada Ryskulova. “It ush. synthesised Turkic shamanistic shows that the interest in ethnic As the organisers of the festi- ALMATY – The Spirit of Ten- tradition with Kazakh musical music is increasing. This is not val noted, there was a time when gri, an international festival of and poetic heritage; Aldaspan, the surprising. After all, in this music ethnic music and ethnic musical contemporary ethnic music held only ethnic rock band in the world we hear the voice of our ancestors, instruments of different peoples June 7 with a live sound and light playing the electric dombra, and the identity of a people, their histo- had completely disappeared from show, has become a real gift to the the Sharapat team, which for the ry and culture. Ryskulova said she the music scene. Until recently it citizens of the city. first time demonstrated playing the writes the stylised music and lyrics seemed that the time of original Established by the national ra- electric zhetygen, a Kazakh musi- herself and tries to unite younger music and musical instruments dio Tengri FM, the multi-cultural cal instrument. and older generations with her had passed. But the cultural sig- project is aimed at demonstrating The team from Gornaya Shoria, songs. nificance of ethnic music and in- the ethnic traditions of the world’s in the Kemerovo region of Rus- No less enthusiastically the au- struments is undeniable. That’s cultures. sia, impressed the audience with dience welcomed the other partic- why their adherents sought a For the second time it gathered the sound of their national instru- ipants of the festival: the Turkish compromise and began to pro- ethno musicians from many coun- ments, kai-komus, kobrak and group Baba Zula, instrumental- mote ethnomusic and musical in- tries, including countries from the tambourine. Its soloist Chyltys ists from Georgia The-Shin, the struments, combining them with Eurasian continent, Ecuador, Japan Tannagasheva demonstrated the Ecuadorian team Yaric-Ecuador, the attributes of modern life. The and Austria. This year the festival The Spirit of Tengri international festival of contemporary ethnic music. traditional style of throat singing Argymak group from Bashkorto- ethnic trend in music is gaining was dedicated to “Almaty – the of the Shor people. stan, Buryat duet Namgar, singer in popularity among listeners. For cultural capital of CIS” and held its geography, as 13 creative teams Several thousand people gath- The Kyrgyz team Gulzada artis- Sainkho Namtchylak (Tuva) and musicians, it’s a great opportunity in the open air in the square before from ten countries performed their ered to hear masters of throat sing- tically conveyed the ethnic origi- artist Bolot Bairyshev, the group not only to revive the forgotten the Palace of the Republic. The famous songs as well as the songs ing and virtuosos playing ethnic nality of their musical culture. “We Belukha Jam from the Altai re- tradition, but also to make a name event also significantly expanded from their new albums. musical instruments. The holiday are participating in this wonderful gion and a famous master of Tu- abroad. Kazakh Youth Display Artwork at State Kasteyev Museum of Arts batik, stained glass, applique and Dzhilkibayeva, whose works were By Natalia Valuiskaya grattage. Decorative ornaments, se- also shown at the exhibition, organ- quins and clay were also used. ised the club to teach art to children ALMATY – An exhibition of “The exhibition presents com- ages 4 to 15. She has taught them more than 130 artworks by Ka- pletely new works. ‘The Country of the fundamentals of classical and zakh youth titled, “The Country of Drawing,” opened recently at the Drawing’ shows how talented our modern art techniques to help the State Kasteyev Museum of Arts. children are. Each [set of artwork children express themselves. The artworks focus on themes is based on a particular topic] and Many of the club’s students are of wildlife, space, fairy tales, car- each is the result of the hard work now permanent members of the club toons, books, hobbies and travel. of the teacher,” says art critic Tati- and participate in its annual exhibi- They included such fantastical de- ana Martysheva. tions. Those members include Olga pictions as flying elephants, talk- The works were created by youth Yegorova, Rania Nugumanova, sis- ing flowers and mischievous bunny who are members of the Tomiris ters Agila, Aibibi and Sophia Kuan, rabbits. The works were created in creative club, which was created Iligai and Kairat Turakulov, Valeria a wide variety of mediums includ- more than 10 years ago by graph- Devism, Lena Tolkachenko, Dima ing, watercolours, gouache, acrylic, ic artist Tomiris Dzhilkibayeva. Ann and Darina Kurbanova. More than 130 artworks by Kazakh youth are showcased at the State Kasteyev Museum of Arts. Young Pavlodar Accordionist Astounds Moscow Public With Vivaldi’s Winter By Julia Rutz

Fourteen-year-old accordionist from Pavlodar Olzhas Nurlanov participated in the 11th Moscow Meets Friends international fes- tival for young musicians in the Russian capital from May 26 to June 5. Nurlanov, a recent grad- uate of Pavlodar’s music school for talented children, performed Vivaldi’s violin concerto “Win- ter,” from his “Four Seasons,” for the Moscow audience. Fes- tival organisers say the young Kazakh musician astounded not only the sophisticated pubic, but also music critics and mature musicians. “Olzhas was invited as one of the youngest accordionists. Dur- ing the final concert, he played a score composed for violin, which is a challenging task, as the violin is a much more expressive musi- cal instrument than the accordion. But he performed very well,” said the musician’s mother, Elena Por- shneva. The Pavlodar regional office for education noted the performance and called it one of the brightest events of the festival. After the show, representatives from the Vladimir Spivakov Fund, which arranges the festival, suggested that Nurlanov join the orchestra of the Russian maestro. He was invited to perform the full “Four Accordionist from Pavlodar Olzhas Nurlanov Seasons” set with the famous or- chestra. This concert programme Museum, the House of Academics international festivals, and his rep- is scheduled to tour Russia and and the Feodor Chaliapin Memo- ertoire includes more than 100 clas- also travel abroad. rial Homestead. On the first day, sic, folk and modern compositions. This year’s Moscow Meets festival participants performed During a Kazakh accordion fes- Friends festival was held as part of with the renowned Moscow Vir- tival in 2012, Nurlanov was called the Vladimir Spivakov Fund’s 20th tuosos State Chamber Orchestra, “the future of the accordion mu- anniversary celebrations. Around with Spivakov conducting. sic.” In the same year, he took first 1,500 young musicians from Rus- Nurlanov started to play the ac- place at the fourth International sia and neighbouring countries cordion at age six. Despite his ten- Competition of Accordionists in performed at the festival. Con- der years, he has already won some China. According to his parents, certs were held on different stages recognition in the music world of the boy also composes his own around the capital, as well as at Kazakhstan. He has performed at music and is very interested in the Michael Glinka Music Culture 20 different music competitions and conducting. B4 Nation&Capital Country

Wednesday, june 25, 2014 Armenian Ethnocultural Centre Tazy Dog Breed Preserves Culture, Encourages Unity to be Recovered By Dmitry Lee and support of Armenians abroad. Continued from Page B1 sations working in the country In the Soviet era, the country’s should pool efforts to formalise the ASTANA – Hard work, dedica- economy was based largely on Not afraid of wolves, the ag- tazy breed – it’s our cultural herit- tion and entrepreneurial spirit, these chemicals, electronics, machin- ile and enduring dog hunted with age after all,” she added. are the qualities represented by the ery, processed food, synthetic man in the open and forest-steppe Formal documents must be three colours of the Armenian flag. rubber and textiles, but with the space. Even nowadays breeders made for the viewing of the breed Red stands for the Armenian high- dissolution of the Armenian So- and hunters would give a fortune to be carried out, which the Kan- land, its people’s continued struggle viet Republic, the economy col- for it. But the trouble is that there’s sonar hunting public association for survival and their maintenance lapsed. no proving the pureness and au- is handling. The viewing is sched- of Christianity, independence and Armenia’s economy has grown thenticity of this canine breed. As a uled this September and the Kan- freedom. Blue symbolises the will since 1995 and inflation has been matter of fact, this breed, national sonar requests breeders take part in of the Armenian people to live be- negligible for the past several treasure of nomads, is not entered it. The more dogs of this breed that neath peaceful skies. Orange marks years. New sectors such as pre- on any official register and conse- are brought for viewing, the more Armenians’ creativity and hard- cious-stone processing and jew- quently it cannot be accepted by objective and accurate it will be. working nature. ellery making, information and international canine organisations. “It has offered to use the 1979 Today, Armenians live in small communication technology and “Standard for the Central Asian standard as the basis that defines communities in over 70 countries, even tourism are beginning to sup- greyhound breed, the Kazakh tazy the regional characteristics of the with the largest populations liv- plement more traditional sectors of needs be confirmed at the state breed. In the southern regions of ing in the U.S., Russia, France and Chairman of Astana’s Van Armenian Ethnocultural Centre Gagik Martirosyan the economy, like agriculture. The level. There is a standard adopted Kazakhstan, for one, tazy dogs are Lebanon. The Armenian diaspora 1994 cease-fire in the Nagorno- by the USSR Agriculture Ministry smaller, whereas northern tazys are totals about eight million people. eas in the North Caucasus, moved The community all chips in to Karabakh conflict has also helped on December 23, 1979, which is bigger and have an undercoat, are More than 25,000 Armenians live to explore the Kazakh steppes. maintain the centre, the chairman boost the economy. still valid. But we have been living thin, flexible and well-muscled,” in Kazakhstan. Armenians accompanied them, says. The office is provided by a Armenians, like the country’s 23 years in a sovereign state,” said Makerova said. “In Yerevan [the capital of Ar- acting as interpreters for the Rus- local ethnic Armenian business- many other ethnic groups, are rep- Nina Makerova, president of the The project on the modern stand- menia], there is an Institute of sians as well as consultants and man, for example. In addition, resented in the Assembly of the cynological centre. ard for the breed is under consid- Ancient Manuscripts that archives businessmen for the emerging oil Martirosyan said, “the city aki- People of Kazakhstan (APK). The “All the cynological organi- eration by the agriculture ministry. ancient manuscripts from all over industry. mat (local government) also allots APK was established by President the world. Among these manu- Today, Armenians at the Van funds to preserve our language and Nursultan Nazarbayev in 1995; in scripts there are scripts in the Ka- Centre are engaged in various in- culture.” With so many local busi- 2007, the President signed a decree zakh language but using Armenian dustries in their adopted nation, nesspeople involved in the centre, giving the APK the right to con- words,” Chairman of Astana’s Van Martirosyan said, mostly in con- it has also become a site for net- tribute nine of its members to the Armenian Ethnocultural Centre struction and building. working. Mazhilis (lower house of Parlia- Gagik Martirosyan told The Asta- “We have about 50 members in According to Martirosyan, Ka- ment), a unique privilege for such na Times in an exclusive interview. our ethnocultural centre who come zakhstan’s favourable tax policy an assembly. “This proves that Kazakhs and from different working back- attracts many Armenians. “I would like to wish the [gov- Armenians had ties thousands of grounds. Our deputy is a doctor, “In Kazakhstan, you pay your ernment] of Kazakhstan to con- years ago,” he said. there are retirees, some are busi- taxes and sleep in peace; you don’t tinue the flexible and righteous Historical records show that Ar- nessmen, and whoever can help fi- have to worry about other things. policy towards all peoples. As our menian warriors and traders once nancially contributes to our centre, The taxing policy also helped cre- President says, our strength lies in roamed freely in many parts of where our goals are to maintain ate the middle class and it grows the unity of all nations. All these Central Asia, often fighting along- fluency in our language. We teach stronger. The government relies on nations that live in Kazakhstan side local warlords in return for the language to children … teach the middle class, as opposed to Ar- contribute something to the devel- trading privileges. In more recent them to dance national dances, pay menia, for instance, [where] there opment of the country. Today in history, Armenians arrived in Ka- our dues to our ancestors and try is almost no middle class.” Kazakhstan we can grow, build, zakhstan in the 1860s, when the to keep our traditions and history Today, the Armenian economy, continue developing, work, live – Russian Empire, which at the time alive, and to proudly represent our with a population of about three we have peaceful skies over our controlled Armenian-populated ar- nation,” Martirosyan explained. million, relies on the investment heads,” Martirosyan concluded. B5 Nation&Capital Society

Wednesday, june 25, 2014 South African Embassy Premieres TCC Works to Bring Autobiographical Film About Mandela Domestic Science, “An interesting fact about this Business Together By Dmitry Lee film is that it is based on a book Continued from Page A5 tion to work, “we have to build those that was written by Mandela while bridges,” Azulay said. ASTANA – The South African he was in prison,” Soni explained. The organisation is engaged in a The TCC is also hoping to build Embassy in Kazakhstan hosted a “He had to hide the paper in tins massive review of existing intellec- bridges internationally, bringing in premiere of “Mandela: Long Walk in the prison’s garden,” Soni said. tual property law, which will result in venture capitalists to review projects to Freedom,” directed by Justin “So while imprisoned in a high- a packet of suggestions for the gov- that could have international poten- Chadwick (The Other Boleyn Girl) security prison, his fellow inmate ernment. The basic laws exist, Azu- tial. In the end of June, a group will at Sary Arka Mall on June 19. Mac Maharaj, who had a knack for lay said, but they are often misunder- be coming to visit projects in Astana The film is based on the auto- writing in tiny handwriting, buried stand and often lack crucial details. and Almaty, looking not for pro- biography of Nelson Mandela, the writings underground while While teaching scientists how duction-ready technology, but “dia- which tells the story of his early working in the garden.” to think about their work from a monds in the rough,” Azulay said. life, his fight against apartheid and When Maharaj was released, he commercial point of view, the or- He uses the old analogy of teaching a man to fish versus giving him a fish the 27 years he spent in prison be- managed to smuggle out the pieces ganisation is also working to create networks to connect these two scep- to describe their work. They’re trying fore becoming the first democrati- of paper according to the ambas- tical partners. The TCC works with to do both, he says. The grants, the cally elected president of South sador. He wrote a book based on The Premiere of “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” organised by the South African Embassy in Astana. foreign and domestic businesses in business connections – these are the Africa. The script was written by them that was later published in William Nicholson. British actor Kazakhstan to get them to connect fish, the relatively immediate gratifi- 1995. allow his legacy to live in our con- used to say, is ‘the most power- with technological partners here. cation. But advising on laws, provid- Idris Elba portrayed Nelson Man- “I must thank the people of Ka- tinuing struggle against injustice ful weapon which you can use to “There’s not a large amount of trust ing training for researchers hoping dela while his fellow compatriot zakhstan for their interest in our and the destruction of the human change the world.’ Today in Ka- between the local Kazakh business to woo financiers, creating pathways Naomie Harris played his wife celebrations of Mandela, which spirit by setting an example for our zakhstan, we are doing our best community or the foreign business between government, science and Winnie Mandela. we launched in 2012. For exam- future generation,” Executive Sec- to improve this ‘weapon’ as much community in science and innovation business, is what is hoped will lay the “In 1994, the people of South ple, Fryday Astana hosted parties retary of the Kazakh Foreign Min- as we can. Today, on this beauti- in Kazakhstan,” Azulay said. “You ground for a thriving applied science Africa chose Nelson Mandela as to celebrate Mandela’s life, Inter- istry Askar Mussinov said. ful evening, we have the unique see that a lot in developing countries sector after the programme wraps up. their first democratically elected nations hosted parties in Almaty, “We will never see the likes of opportunity to get one step closer – people think, ‘Why should I bother That programmes like this one president,” Ambassador of South the Akim (governor) of Eastern exist at all is a good sign for Ka- Nelson Mandela again. But let to his spirit,” Talgat Narikbayev, with this? I’ll just go and buy my Africa to Kazakhstan Shirish Soni Kazakhstan Berdybek Saparbayev, equipment from Germany, because it zakhstan, Azulay says. “I’ve been me say to the young people of my rector of Kazakh State Juridical told The Astana Times before the jointly with deputy akims and a works, I know it, there’s guarantees, pleasantly surprised that the govern- country and South Africa: you can University (KazGYuU), noted in premiere of the 141-minute film. museum curator, hosted an exhibi- there’s no questions.’” ment is actually making the effort … make his life’s work your own. opening remarks. “So today, above all, we are cel- tion of Mandela’s life,” Soni said. So the TCC is trying to make it to make this diversification in their We learned of Mandela and the “This movie is very important ebrating 20 years of freedom and Soni encourages Kazakhstan’s as easy as possible for businesses economy happen. That’s a good democracy; it’s a big milestone for citizens to commemorate the val- struggles in his land. We should and very interesting because it’s a to try new domestic technology thing.” Extraction may still be king, us. We are a young country with ues Mandela left behind by doing learn from them. It generates our story about [Nelson Mandela] who and offer feedback. “We’ll fund it, he says, but recognising the long- a young democracy, but we have 67 minutes of community service. responsibility to others. He was was an inspirational figure for de- we’ll attach the management, we’ll term need for a balanced economy quite a story to tell. Consequently, “These 67 minutes represent the the personification of what is best mocracy. He [established] democ- make sure the intellectual property puts Kazakhstan ahead of some this is the first year we are- cel years that Mandela contributed to about mankind. As we lead our racy in South Africa and was an ex- is secure, we’ll get it ready for field other resource-rich nations, he said. trial,” Azulay said. “All we want “We’ve seen other countries where ebrating freedom and democracy the freedom and democracy South daily lives, let us search then for ample for every country that wants from you [businesses] is your input. [diversification] is still not a - prior without our iconic leader; Mandela Africans and people around the his strength and for the depth of to [obtain] democracy. He was a And if it gets to a certain stage … ity, where they figure, ‘Oh, well, passed away in December 2013. It world enjoy today,” Soni stressed. his spirit somewhere inside our- leader that brought different nation- selves,” he added a few minutes alities together to live in harmony,” then you’ll consider it for putting in whether it’s coal, gas or oil, we’re is a pity he is not with us,” Soni The film was shown for the first your factory for field trials. And then getting all that money’ – and it’s be- before the premiere. Ambassador Dr. Charn Jullamon of noted. time in a Commonwealth of Inde- if it works in field trials, you know, ing siphoned off for corruption and “Being a strong freedom-fighter Thailand said about the feature. The world premiere took place pendent States country. The movie in actual, real-world conditions, then to other areas, and the sciences and at the Toronto International Film screening started with a video for human rights, independence, The show was attended by dis- you consider licensing. So for busi- innovation, supporting that scientific Festival in September 2013. Ear- message from the producer of the equality, friendship and the ideals tinguished guests and dignitaries nesses, it’s a no-lose situation.” education base, is a very low prior- lier this year, the film was awarded film Anant Singh, who addressed of a democratic and free society, as well as members of the diplo- These are the small steps in mo- ity. And here we see that’s changing. a Golden Globe in the category the audience. Nelson Mandela has become the matic corps, governmental offi- tivating businesses to work with … We’re seeing funding increasing “Best Original Song for a Motion “Today, in this hall, let us honour best example and mentor for our cials, representatives of universi- domestic applied science. For tech- for science and for education and to Picture.” Nelson Mandela with this film and future generation. Education, he ties and others. nology transfer and commercialisa- me that’s very promising.” B6 Nation&Capital Tourism

Wednesday, june 25, 2014

expected to come mainly from Rus- respondents to a survey conducted sia and eastern countries, with about during the event, is the lack of ad- 15 percent from Asia. The Ministry equate infrastructure, low quality New Measures, Activities Aim to Overcome of Industry and New Technologies of services, high prices in hotels, and the Mangistau oblast adminis- limited choice of airlines, compli- tration will closely cooperate in the cated visa procedures and corrup- development of domestic tourism, tion. Nevertheless, in light of recent Underdevelopment in Tourism Sector including in activities aimed at im- positive changes, only 15 percent of proving the country’s image and the respondents were pessimistic about By Samat Mustakhimov quality of tourist products and ser- tourism. Others think the prospects vices, as well as in investments and for the development of Kazakh- Tourism is among the priorities training of employees in the tour- stan’s tourism are good, given the of Kazakhstan’s State Programme ism sector, noted Chairman of the tasks set out in the new concept. of Accelerated Industrial and In- Tourism Industry Committee Marat The total budget of 16 regional novative Development. The gov- Igaliyev, In addition, special tourist administrations in 2014 allocated to ernment’s new concept for the de- products will be developed as part promote tourism is more than 553 velopment of the tourism industry of preparations for the international million tenge ($3 million). Accord- through 2020, plus ongoing work to exhibition EXPO 2017. ing to the Ministry of Industry and promote and improve Kazakhstan’s Promotion and presentation ac- New Technologies, the income of image and tourist infrastructure, is tivities are another important area organisations that provide services intended to give a big boost to this of work, and this year Kazakhstan in tourist activity over the past five important but underdeveloped sec- is promoting its tourist opportuni- years has increased by 95 percent tor. ties at a number of international and amounted to 151.6 billion tenge The new concept, adopted a exhibitions. This May, the Tour- ($826 million). As a consequence, month ago, envisions large-scale ism Industry Committee presented the number of tourist firms grew by transformations, including the a Kazakh stand at the international 767 to 1,994 companies last year. creation of five tourism clusters The concept of tourism development implies the abolition of visa regimes for citizens of economically and politically stable countries, changes in the legal framework of tourism, the introduction of tourist certificates for domestic tourism, the tourist exhibition Arabian Travel Chairman of the Board of KIDI and a range of measures aimed at development of an internal market of transportation and subsidies for internal air routes. Market 2014 in Dubai, which re- Azamat Akhmerov says they have strengthening the investment at- sulted in signed agreements on already developed system plans for tractiveness of the industry. It con- According to the Kazakhstan the Kazakhstan Tourist Association region Rakhymbek Amirzhanov cooperation in tourism. More than the Shchuchinsk-Borovoye resort tains specific measures to create a Industry Development Institute Rashid Shaikenov. signed a memorandum of coopera- 20,000 people from more than 135 area and a package of clear rules favourable investment climate in (KIDI), in 2012, extensive studies About 60 percent of travel agen- tion in tourism between the minis- countries took part in the exhibi- covering ownership and respon- Kazakhstan and creates five spe- of the tourist industry were carried cies operating in the country (of try and the regional administration. tion. sibility issues for investors. The cial tourist zones around Astana, out at the national and regional lev- which there are more than 1,000), The Mangistau region has 11,000 Business is also growing in the Burabai resort area will be trans- Almaty, East Kazakhstan, South els. The work of the Tourism Coun- are focused exclusively on out- historical monuments under state regions of the country. Not long formed over the next few years Kazakhstan and West Kazakhstan. cil under the government was inten- bound tourism, and the remaining protection. According to statistics, ago, the Akmola regional tourism into a modern, all-seasons resort of The concept of tourism develop- sified and tourist departments were alternate outbound and inbound tourism revenues last year reached department, with the support of international class, capable of han- ment also implies the abolition of established in Almaty City and the tourism, offering places like the 4.7 billion tenge ($25.6 million) the regional administration and the dling much larger amounts of tour- visa regimes for citizens of eco- Almaty, Akmola, Mangistau and Alakol Lake resort area, the infra- and 4,615 people, 2.9 percent of all Tourism Indsutry Committee, held ists. Annually more than 3 billion nomically and politically stable South Kazakhstan regions. structure of which is still in an “em- employed people in the region, are the tourist fair Tourism. Recovery. tenge ($16.3 million) is allocated countries, as well as changes in the In addition, the Tourism Industry bryonic state.” employed in the industry. Travel 2014 in Burabai village. from the state budget for this pur- legal framework of tourism, the Committee is also working to pro- The situation is slightly better The Kenderli international rec- The East Kazakhstan region pose. introduction of tourist certificates mote the development of the indus- in some other places: the famous reation area now under construc- will implement the Golden Altai – “Tourism should be a priority for domestic tourism, the develop- try through national contests like Charyn Canyon, also called the tion is expected to take a leading Wealth for Regional Development sector of the economy,” said Depu- ment of an internal market of trans- last year’s Myths and Legends con- Valley of Castles, is just a dozen role in the sector, with year-round project proposed by the Slovak as- ty Prime Minister portation and subsidies for internal test and the recent Best Regional kilometres from the main road, but attractions and activities planned. sociation Swallowtail International at the government meeting in May air routes. It is expected that in the Tourism Startups contest. because its access road isn’t paved, The Swiss-Spanish company THR, and supported by the East Kazakh- this year. “It’s time to withdraw the near future, these measures will Domestic tourism, however, is there are clouds of dust in the sum- part of the World Tourism Organi- stan regional administration. The industry from the social sphere and help remove the main administra- facing difficulties due to poor infra- mer and impassable mud in the off- sation (UNWTO), recently joined project will be implemented be- the category of non-core assets. tive, financial, tax and other barri- structure season. the project. The resort area needs an tween 2014-2016 and the EU will The tourist branch can develop and ers to the development of inbound “The lack of consistency in ser- The Mangistau region, the leader- additional $3.2 billion to develop provide 350,000 euros in financing grow faster than the GDP and one and domestic tourism, and will vices, poor quality of transport in- ship of which for several years has all its intended projects, said THR for the three pilot districts – Ka- job in this industry costs 10 times strengthen the position of small and frastructure, noncompliance of sta- been developing its tourist opportu- President Eulogio Bodas, and the tonkaragai, Ridder and Kurchuem. less than in the manufacturing in- medium-sized business involved in tistics with international standards, nities, is one bright spot of positive company is ready to try to attract Some 550 companies from more dustry. Tourism in the global econ- infrastructure development. insufficient funding of tourism in change. In February this year, they another 5-10 big investors. than 40 countries took part in the omy is one of the leading creators Some improvements have been the regions, lack of a scientific re- held a large-scale meeting on the The ecological situation and envi- recent 14th Kazakhstan Interna- of jobs; it creates over 75 million already been made and their impact search base, weak marketing and development of domestic tourism ronment will also improve because tional Tourism Fair (KITF) 2014, in vacancies in the world. Every 11th has been noted: on the Competitive- noncompliance of prices with qual- in the region. Following that event, traffic by vehicles with internal Almaty. or 12th employee works in this sec- ness Index for Tourism, Kazakhstan ity of services are the main things Vice Minister of Industry and New combustion engines will be forbid- The main obstacle to the full tor and international tourism pro- moved five positions between 2011 hindering the development of do- Technologies Nurlan Sauranbayev den at the new resort and overall development of tourism in Ka- vides employment, first of all for and 2013, to 88th place. mestic tourism,” said Director of and Deputy Akim (governor) of the traffic will be limited. Visitors are zakhstan, said the vast majority of youth and women.” Aktobe Showcases Potential Kazakh Tourism Underdeveloped, at International Travel Fair Continued from Page B1 makes customised souvenirs of 60 new infrastructure facilities Parliament Says Kazakh elm. is blueprinted, as well as tourist “If they were vacationing in the touted the need to bring down Ka- Aktobe’s crafts industry is one of Given the ongoing Silk Road routes to historical sites and nature By Laura Tussupbekova Borovoye resort, the same-name zakh airline fares to make domes- the hallmarks of the region. At the revival and Silk Road integra- reserves. Press tours and trainings lake would have been cleaned tic tourism more attractive and to ASTANA – Despite the huge ITFA folk crafts festival, craftsmen tion processes, the development with tour operators are scheduled long before. We go to Okzhet- develop small aircraft. potential, tourism in Kazakhstan is from across Kazakhstan offered of tourism adjacent to the ancient regularly, and the local budget has pes (resort), but swimming in the Another problem spot in do- not developing properly. That was handmade souvenirs of wood, ce- route has gained new attention. contributed sizeable funds to the lake is impossible there,” he com- mestic tourism that the members the inference of the governmental ramics, felt and other materials, as “The exhibition is bigger than the development of the industry this plained. of parliament have pointed to is hour on June 16 in the Mazhilis, well as paintings and snapshots of previous ones, with about 100 ex- year. This year’s tourism exhibi- In response, Vice-Minister of the insufficiently-developed ser- the lower chamber of the Kazakh country’s unique natural sites. hibitors,” said Deputy Head of the tion is a kind of accounting of what Environment and Water Resources vice industry, its shortage of pro- Parliament, chaired by its vice- Craftsman from Aktobe Yerlan Regional Department of Business has been achieved in the industry Yerlan Nyssanbayev said that more fessionals, poor condition of the speaker, Dariga Nazarbayeva. Baiganov, who makes traditional and Industrial-Innovative Devel- so far and a road map for further than $1 trillion tenge (US$5.5 bil- buildings and facilities and diffi- In his performance report, Dep- felt souvenirs – yurts, baskets, opment Askar Kukeyev. steps. lion) is to be shortly budgeted for culty of accessing resort areas and uty Prime Minister and Minister dolls and animal figures – is The new Western Europe-West- Within the festival were organ- cleaning up 18 lakes, including historical sites. of Industry and New Technologies thinking of opening his own shop. ern China international transit cor- ised a representative roundtable to Borovoye Lake. Taking into account these short- Asset Issekeshev reminded that in His souvenirs sell well with tour- ridor runs through Aktobe, boost- talk over the outlook for tourism “Not only dirty lakes discour- comings, Deputy Seitsultan Aim- the concept frames for tourism de- ists and the style of his work is ing the development of roadside development and contests with age the people in Kazakhstan betov cited issues like the lack of related to the history of the Silk services and small and medium prizes for best stand design, best velopment until 2020, the share of Road. Another craftsman, Tas- enterprises in rural districts. Kuke- handicraft and best presentation of tourism in the GDP is to be brought Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of bulat Sembayev from Turkestan, yev says that construction of about local tourism products. up to more than 4 percent. Private investment in the industry is to be Industry and New Technologies Asset up to $4 billion with the creation of up to 300,000 jobs. Issekeshev reminded that in the concept In general, the concept provides frames for tourism development until 2020, for the development of tourism clusters in Astana, Almaty and the share of tourism in the GDP is to be East, South and West Kazakhstan. Astana and Almaty are positioned brought up to more than 4 percent. Private as business tourism centres, with investment in the industry is to be up to $4 Almaty also a centre of interna- tional mountaineering. A centre billion with the creation of up to 300,000 of ecotourism is planned within jobs. the east cluster, cultural tourism is to be developed in the south and from vacationing at home, but proper control, consistent and co- cultural and beach tourism in the also overpriced sanatoria and ho- ordinated actions between the gov- west. National projects are also tel rooms,” said another member ernment and local executive bodies, slated within these clusters, such as of the Mazhilis, Mukhtar Tini- which greatly damage the economy, the ski resorts South Kaskelen and keyev. As a result, it is more prof- and the society at large. To it, mem- Kok Zhailau in Almaty, Bukhtar- itable to vacation in Turkey on the ber of parliament Tursunbek Omur- ma and Katon-Karagai within all-inclusive system. zakov added that despite the natural the east, Kenderli in the west and Issekeshev also reported on the opportunities of Kazakhstan, tour- Borovoye near Astana. plans to make Borovoye a venue ism is developing very slowly. There Development of the Borovoye for festivals and rallies through- is no mechanism to monitor the resort zone was a special focus. out the year. Fifty tourist products quality of tourist services, no quali- Parliament member Aldan Smaiyl have been developed under the fication requirements in this sphere, resented the over-polluted Boro- plan, such as winter and autumn no classification of hotels and no tax voye Lake, adding not without sports, family sports and health incentives for the tourism industry. sarcasm, that if Kazakh officials programmes. This format of tour- Nazarbayeva inferred that, de- chose to take a holiday at home, ism development is to be applied spite the allocated funds, the tour- rather than along the French or in other regions as well. Vacation- ism industry in Kazakhstan re- Spanish coasts, the nation’s tour- ing at a 50 percent corporate ex- mains underdeveloped and this is ism might be more developed and pense will also be practiced. largely attributed to poor adminis- popular. Members of parliament have tration of the tourist industry. B7 Nation&Capital Sports

Wednesday, june 25, 2014 Kazakh Alpinist Shares Adventures with New York Audience of large musical groups from Ka- bad weather he flew to the glacier. By Rufiya Ospanova zakhstan. The first performance “On the small plane we flew to- will take place June 30 in promi- gether with the pilot. Of course, I Kazakh alpinist Maksut Zhu- nent Carnegie Hall. So, we look was afraid. Due to bad weather we mayev, who climbed Mount Mc- forward to new successes and new flew above the clouds, then descend- Kinley, the highest point in North meetings,” said Kazakh Consul ed down, circling over the airport America, shared his impressions General Raushan Yesbulatova. trying to find a hole in the clouds to with his compatriots June 14 at a Zhumayev flew to the U.S. May slip through the passes of the glacier. meeting at the Kazakh Consulate 22 to make his solo ascent, a climb I’m glad I arrived safely, but a couple General in New York City. alone and without companions, of of gray hairs appeared on my head, Zhumayev discussed what inspires Mount McKinley, or Denali, as it and in general everything is fine,” he climbers to conquer new heights, de- is called. Despite bad weather, he said. After landing Zhumayev im- spite the difficulties of hiking as well was able to climb 6,200 metres, mediately hit the road and for four as methods of preparation for new June 8, and conquer the peak. hours rose to a trans-shipment point climbing. He also confirmed his af- “We will fly to New York and from at a height of 2,400 metres. filiation with the romantics, whose there to Anchorage, a city in Alaska, Zhumayev safely overcame all inner world is vividly expressed in to purchase products there. After- subsequent segments. He said that the songs of Vladimir Vysotsky, who wards we will go to the town of Tal- the movement was complicated by wrote “only mountains can be better keetna. From there we will fly to the bad weather and he had to drag a than mountains.”According to him, glacier on small planes. We will land lot of his personal things behind every ascent requires careful prepa- on the glacier, disembark and begin him. During the ascent he began ration. a long transition to an advanced base to collaborate with other climbers, “Kazakhs making such achieve- and assault camp. Climbing will be who along with him rose to the top ments in the U.S. and conquering very interesting. I haven’t done any- of Mount McKinley. new heights are a great symbol for thing like this before. This will be a According to him, on average it Kazakh alpinist Maksut Zhumayev (l) and Kazakh Consul General Raushan Yesbulatova (r) during the meeting with the the successful development of our very long skis passage on the glacier,” should have taken from six to 10 alpinist in New York. country and Kazakh-American co- Zhumayev said before climbing. hours to climb. There are places on operation. In particular, the ascent Zhumayev’s expedition was the mountain where even the two fully chosen and it is necessary to ing the first Kazakh to conquer all Mount Everest and K2, and only precedes a number of projects in postponed for several days due to experienced climbers could not de- climb only in good weather. of the world’s 14 highest peaks the 12th alpinist in the world to do the U.S., including performances bad weather. On June 1, despite the part, so time should be very care- Zhumayev is famous for becom- above 8,000 metres, including so without the use of oxygen. Almaty to Host Stage Asian Games Greco-Roman of Volleyball World Grand Prix Wrestling Bids Determined Six teams will play in the second strongest teams in the world. Na- By Dmitry Lee and third divisions. The first round tional teams from Brazil, Cuba will be held in Almaty. [Our na- and the Netherlands traveled to Al- at Karaganda Championship For the second year in a row, tional team] will face off against maty. Last year, Kazakhstan was In the 75-kilogramme category, In the heavyweight category up to one of the stages of the prestigious the Czech Republic, Croatia and ranked 17th in the FIVB,the Fédé- By Dmitry Lee World Grand Prix in women’s vol- Astana resident Doszhan Kartikov 130-kilogrammes, international class Australia. The second week will be ration Internationale de Volleyball, won gold, Rashid Kochiyev fin- master of sports Abdumalik Sart- leyball will be held in Almaty July Seventy-one Greco-Roman played out in Prague. If our team World Grand Prix ratings. ished second and Marat Kozhapas bayev from the Mangistau region took 21-27. will make it to the ‘Final Four,’ we In Soviet times, Kazakh volley- wrestlers in four weight categories from Almaty along with Askhat gold. Silver went to Esengeldy Zhal- This year’s event will also be will continue to play in Bulgaria, ball players were part of the wom- were whittled down to four nation- Dilmukhamedov of the Almaty re- gasbayev of the Kyzylorda region. held under a new format. where the division champion will en’s national team of the USSR al champions and 12 podium win- “This year, 20 teams were divid- be determined. Only the winner and became world champions and ners during the June 21-22 Greco- gion shared third place. Representatives from the Kostanai ed into three divisions according gets the right to move to the next Olympic champions. Roman wrestling Championship in Karaganda native Andrei region and Almaty Talgat Zhientaev to the world rankings, and we got division,” he added. In 2005, the team for the first Karaganda. Samokhin became the only cham- and Damir Kuzembaev won bronze. the third division,” said Secretary Additionally, Kazakhstan will time travelled to Japan to play in In the 66-kilogramme weight cate- pion from the Karaganda region of The championship was a quali- General of the Volleyball Federa- square off against the Czech Re- the World Cup and won the silver gory, Ashat Zhanbyrov of South Ka- Kazakhstan. In the 85-kilogramme fying tournament. The event’s tion of Kazakhstan Yermek Syrly- public, Mexico and Algeria in medal of the 13th Asian Champi- zakhstan region won the title. Astana weight category, he won the final gold medalists will now participate baev. “Winners of divisions will Prague. Last year, when the tour- onship. wrestler Almat Kepisbaev took sil- match against Almaty resident in the XVII Summer Asian Games advance. The first, the strongest nament was held under different Currently, the Kazakh national ver and Almaty region representative Alkhazur Ozdiev. Yerbol Raimbe- in South Korea and the silver me- division,will be comprised of the regulations, Kazakhstan had the women’s team is ranked 30th in Nurtai Nurgaliyev and Aktobe repre- kov of Astana and Almaty wrestler dalists will participate in the up- eight strongest teams in the world. opportunity to play against the FIVB standings. sentative Nurtas Utepbergen shared Sayat Sarmanbekov were awarded coming World Championships in third place on the podium. bronze medals. Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Rafting Race Opens Summer Season at Kapshagai Water Reservoir ticular concern was the shallowing experts from Kazhydromet on one By Asset Kalymov of Lake Balkhash and polluting of of the teams conducted clearance the River Ili, causing the death of of the river’s banks and monitored ALMATY REGION – The fish and considerable damage to the Ili River and Lake Balkhash. closing ceremony of the 14th Ili- local flora and fauna. The issue of In addition to Kazakh enthusi- Balkhash Regatta, a competition preservation of the unique lake, asts and lovers of water and ex- of extreme multi-day rafting, was according to the environmentalist, treme tourism, representatives held recently at Kapshagai recrea- from Belarus, Hungary, Rus- tion base fishing village. should be raised at the world level. sia and the Czech Republic took Tired but satisfied rowers were The water super marathon was part in the regatta, confirming the met on the coast of Kapshagai divided into several stages: sprint growing popularity of sport-tourist The June 21-22 Greco-Roman wrestling Championship in Karaganda gathered wrestlers in four weight categories. Lake by Mels Yeleussizov, the races, rafting on the reed delta of competition. Moreover, the Hun- captain of the regatta and head of the river and the competition of garian team was led by Ferenc the Tabigat Ecological Union, rep- sailboats. The famous rock Finger Blaumann, consul general of that resentatives of the Tourism Indus- Stone, ancient crossing of Geng- country in Almaty, and the highest try Committee of the Ministry of his Khan in Kapshagay Gorge and Industry and New Technologies, giant Singing Dunes in the Altyn- number of awards was won by stu- the Ministry of Education and Sci- Emel National Park made an indel- dents of St. Petersburg University ence and the Almaty Regional Ad- ible impression on the participants of the Russian Ministry of Emer- ministration. of the regatta. gency Situations. As Yeleussizov noted, the main In just a month, rowers on rafts, As part of the regatta, a number goal of the water rally was to draw kayaks, inflatable boats and cata- of activities were held in the pic- public attention to the environmen- marans navigated more than 800 turesque gorge Tamgaly Tas, in- tal problems of the region. Of par- kilometres. Throughout the route, cluding an international festival of ecotourism, tourist tournaments, competitions on togyzkumalak, Kazakh kuresi, mini football and beach volleyball. The guests watched national games and the competition of climbers, gliders and bikers, as well as a culinary dueling on cooking kebab and pi- laf with great interest. Regional craftsmen demonstrat- ed folk crafts in the tent city near the scripture rocks. Directly in front of the guests, masters skill- fully manufactured handicrafts and jewelry from wood, leather and wool. For three days, bard songs were performed on the main stage of the festival. The completion of the aqua rally coincided with the Day of Neptune holiday and the opening of the summer swimming season on the The 14th Ili-Balkhash Regatta at the Kapshagai recreation base fishing village. Kapshagai water reservoir. B8 Nation&Capital capital Wednesday, june 25, 2014 Capital Celebration to Include Astana to Host Evolution Sweet Taste of Success according to organisers preparing exquisite sweets and pastries to Summer FEST 2014 Dance By Rufiya Ospanova the celebration to note Astana’s demonstrate their masterpieces 16th anniversary. to a wide audience and for candy ASTANA – The capital birth- The Confectioners Festival is lovers to sample and purchase the day’s sweetest event, the Festival Festival held to promote confectionery delicious treats. Entrance to the By Dmitry Lee of Astana Confectioners, will take skills and increase the level of festival will be free. place July 4, at 10 a.m.in Congress confectionary arts in Astana. The The centerpiece of the Festival is The Evolution Summer FEST- Hall and is expected to attract festival provides an opportunity expected to be a cake called “Asta- 2014 dance festival will be held in more than 20 candy companies, for confectioners and creators of na is my favourite city!” front of the Astana Opera theatre throughout the summer. The festi- val opened on June 21 for the first time with try outs. It celebrates Latin American dances and is ex- pected to stir interest among the capital’s residents. “The idea did not emerge spon- taneously. For quite some time, there has been a need to combine metropolitan schools and dance studios of different styles,” Indira Koshkarbayeva, director of the social-educational fund Foresight volved around the main idea of let- ies around the country. This spring, told The Astana Times. ting people have fun and enjoy the a Brazilian dance festival took “The main objective of the event long Astana sunny summer days. place in Almaty where the public is to facilitate mutual exchange and “Last Saturday, Latino Fest, enjoyed colorful performances. the enrichment of various dances. Punta Cana, a school for social The festival’s aim is to gather the When a dancer discovers some- dances, held free salsa classes as best dancing troupes in Astana and thing new and surprising in another well as Cuban style salsa, cha-cha- also to spread dance in the capital, style of dance, it improves their cha, afrohaus and Kizomba class- according to the organisers. It will own individual style,” she said. es,” Koshkarbayeva said. be held every other weekend with The first event last weekend gath- Latin American dances are very the support of The Astana Opera ered over 50 dance lovers and even popular in the Central Asian coun- theatre. More information can be got some media attention with local try. Every year, a number of various received from Zhanna Shaykhme- television stations. The event re- festivals take place in different cit- tova at +7(701)524 69 77.

The Confectioners Festival will be held to promote confectionery skills and increase the level of confectionary arts in Astana. Integration, Protection, Possibilities, Barriers Discussed at CAMCA Regional Forum Continued from Page B1 “I totally believe that Kyrgyzstan is World Bank’s Tajikistan country not ready for, Kyrgyzstan doesn’t office. In the panel, “Macro-economic have the proper structure of econ- “Unfortunately, we … don’t see stability and foreign direct invest- omy, to be part of not only the Cus- our political leaders meeting apart ment along the new transportation toms Union but also the Eurasian from the organisation of collective corridors,” European Bank for Union and Eurasian integration. security,” noted Emil Umetlaliyev, The Evolution Summer FEST-2014 dance festival is showcased in front of the Astana Opera theatre and will be held Reconstruction and Development It’s a question of different values.” president of Kyrgyz Concept Ltd. throughout the summer. (EBRD) Kazakhstan Country Di- Kyrgyzstan’s bottom-up approach “Honestly, I’ve been to many meet- rector Janet Heckman reviewed had created a service-based econ- ings before,” said Azamat Akeleev, the recent agreement between the omy incompatible with a Eurasian director of Kyrgyzstan’s Promo EBRD and Kazakhstan to see $2.7 Economic Union potentially domi- Tank research and promotion com- billion administered by interna- nated by the Kremlin, he said. But pany, “and these problems come up tional financial institutions to reac- other models, like the EU’s Gen- again and again, the problem of bar- tivate investment and reform, call- eralised System of Preferences, riers. I think the main problem here ing it “unique in the world.” might work better, though his gov- is the outdated thinking of the ruling There is a need to search beyond ernment, he said, ignored them. elites of our countries, which may be the obvious sources of investment The governments of the new characterised as mercantilist or 18th and profit, noted participants. EEU failed to effectively inform and 19th century thinking.” Holding “How can we as a region look into the populations about the union, business forums, particularly in im- the world beyond China, beyond said Sayasat Nurbek, director of portant Fergana Valley, can at least Russia. India – why are we not the Institute of Public Policy of raise awareness and try to change the thinking about India, their mar- Kazakhstan’s party, but minds of ruling elites, he suggested. ket, about access to that market? the EEU will help Kazakhstan’s Closing the first day, Starr noted We could go on and discuss about business develop. It’s a technical, that up to now, “these kinds of dis- China, but how about we discuss economic agreement 20 years in cussions have been dominated by what we can do to go to other parts the making, he noted, that doesn’t two organisations: national gov- of the world?” asked Uluk Kydyr- infringe on other economic agree- ernments and international finan- baev, founder of Biz Expert of Kyr- ments and contains equal vetoes cial organisations. … That is not gyzstan. for the three powers and exit mech- the whole picture. There has not The Silk Road Initiative is work- anisms as safeguards. ever been the kind of business en- ing on opening borders in terms As for fears about Russia’s po- gagement in these discussions that of border control and simplifying tential to be overbearing, he said, we’re having here today,” he said. trade, Heckman said. Reforming “Start the integration. Make the No organisation is actually dedi- the banking sector, a huge part of economies intertwine. Boost the cated to bringing business people the EBRD’s work in Kazakhstan, trade.” That’s how to avoid con- together to discuss these issues, will be a major factor in this. “If flict, Nurbek said, citing the ex- making CAMCA’s role significant. you don’t have banks that trust ample of 20th and 21th century Economic development and na- each other in the countries, how do Europe. “If you have an unruly tional security was the focus of the you do trade?” she asked. neighbour, you can’t escape him last day of the official forum, ad- “Frankly, the problem is in us,” – you have to open up to him,” he dressing complicated questions of said Bahriddin Najmudinov, mem- said. “You have to use the rules of protectionism, labour migration and ber of the board of Tajikistan’s the game.” the security impact of economic Bokhtar Operating Company. The The “Bridging Asia and Europe: openness. Kuban Ashirkulov, gener- countries of Central Asia lose some Transportation and Transit Poten- al director of Kyrgyzstan’s Andash $200 billion a year by not cooper- tial of CAMCA” panel highlighted Mining Company Ltd. outlined the ating more, he said, but that can the great transit potential of the for- complicated pattern of Russian in- change over the long term. “It can mer Silk Road as well as its many vestment into his country’s strategic happen as soon as we cooperate current roadblocks. Trade between energy and other enterprises, while with each other in Central Asia.” Europe and Southeast Asia reach- Aziza Umarova, head of the UN- How to integrate and cooperate es nearly $1 trillion per year, said DP’s governance team in Uzbeki- proved a thorny question, however. presenters Hikmat Abdurahmanov stan noted that protectionism in her The benefits and risks of economic and Umid Aripdjanov, but only country had led to less movement integration – and to what extent 1-2 percent of that passes through of ideas, but a high level of con- that becomes political integration Kazakhstan. Transit possibilities sumption of domestically produced – generated significant discussion through the region are limited and goods and diversification. during the panel, “Models of eco- expensive and cumbersome where These are complicated questions, nomic cooperation: From Euro- they do exist. There must be the noted Starr and panel moderator Ma- pean Union to Eurasian Union and political will to create integrated muka Tsereteli, director of research Beyond.” transit infrastructure and provide at CACI. The forum may not have Marat Djanbaev, CEO of Kyr- access, concluded presenter Ravs- led to conclusions, but in a disinte- gyzstan’s TAZA Biosystems, said, han Sobirzoda, an economist at the grated region, discussion is a start.