-6° / -10°C WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019 No 4 (166) www.astanatimes.com President appoints new government, Aktobe region bets on reorganises ministries manufacturing, agriculture, SMEs and PPPs, governor says tivity by digitising and introducing By Malika Orazgaliyaeva new technologies, as well as im- proving urban development with ASTANA – In this exclusive the aim of becoming a big agglom- interview, Berdybek Saparbayev, eration and centre of the country’s Akim (Governor) of the Aktobe western macroregion. oblast in the western Kazakhstan, I would like to note that thanks speaks about the major efforts to the support of the President, by his administration to develop government and the implementa- industry, agriculture and road in- tion of all state programmes, we frastructure and attract tourists managed to ensure the growth of as they prepares to celebrate the the regional economy at the level 150th anniversary of the founding of 5 percent for the second year of the regional capital. in a row. Industrial enterprises  manufactured products for a re- What social and economic de- cord amount of 1.9 trillion tenge velopment issues are on the agen- (US$5.05 billion), farmers – 228 da for your region? billion tenge (US$606 million). A Given the potential and tasks set total of 908,000 square metres of by the head of state, the main pri- housing were built, 534.6 billion orities of the social and economic tenge (US$1.4 billion) were col- Photo credit: Akorda.kz Photo credit: development of the Aktobe oblast lected in the consolidated budget. and, therefore, was happy to ap- ernment’s ministries to improve appointed as deputy minister of are further diversification of the Our task for this year is to use all By Aidana Yergaliyeva prove him in the new position. the public administration system. finance. economy with the development of the reserves for the further devel- This candidate has been work- According to the decree, the By his decree, the President the manufacturing industry, use of opment of the region and improve- ASTANA – Kazakh President ing with the President for a very Ministry of Information and Com- also appointed Berdibek Sapar- the potential of the mining indus- ment of the well-being and quality Nursultan Nazarbayev appointed long time. The Mazhilis knows munications will terminate its bayev, formerly Akim (Governor) try, service sector, agricultural in- of life of the population. Askar Mamin new Prime Minis- work. The President transfers its of the Aktobe region (see his ex- dustry, increase in labour produc- Continued on Page A6 ter, announced the Akorda press functions and powers in the field clusive interview in that capacity service Feb. 25. The same day, “The government of information to the Ministry of in Opinions), as Minister of La- the President reorganised several Social Development transforming bour and Social Protection of the ministries and appointed the en- has received all the it into the Ministry of Information Population. tire cabinet. necessary powers and Social Development. Dauren Saparkhan Omarov was ap- Mamin, who had been First Abayev, former Minister of Infor- pointed Minister of Agriculture. Astana Akim discusses Deputy Prime Minister, has been and must clearly mation and Communications, will Previously, he was the chair of the leading the interim government, head the newly formed ministry. Committee on Agrarian Issues of after the President dismissed fulfil its obligations The rest of the functions and the Mazhilis. Feb. 21 the government led by to the population, be powers of the ministry, namely, Roman Sklyar became new healthcare, housing and Bakhytzhan Sagintayev over what communications, informatisa- Minister of Industry and Infra- he termed its failure to improve responsible.” tion, e-government, public policy structure Development. Earlier, living standards. development in the provision of Sklyar was First Vice Minister The President suggested the him very well. I think that Mamin public services is now among re- for Investment and Development, other issues with residents candidacy of Mamin in a Feb. can handle this position. A lot will sponsibilities of the Ministry of when Zhenis Kassymbek headed were present in the Astana Concert 25 meeting of the Bureau of the depend on him,” said Mazhilis Defence and Aerospace Industry the ministry. At the same time, By Saltanat Boteu Hall and 3,400 participated online. Mazhilis (lower house of the Par- member Alexander Suslov. that is also renamed as the Min- Kassymbek was appointed Depu- The meeting was broadcasted on liament). “Social policy is the main istry of Digital Development, ty Prime Minister. ASTANA – Astana Akim Facebook, reported astana.gov.kz. “He has the necessary experi- thing. In order for our peo- Defence and Aerospace Industry. Gulshara Abdykalikova, former (Mayor) Bakhyt Sultanov dis- The akim’s presentation began ence – he has worked with me ple to live better, now the new The presidential decree appointed Secretary of State, was also ap- cussed housing, medicine, edu- with the issues of social security. for a quarter of a century,” said prime minister will throw all his former Deputy Prime Minister pointed as Deputy Prime Minister. cation, ecology, security and oth- “Social security is the number Nazarbayev. “Under his leader- strength on it. I think that there Askar Zhumagaliyev as the min- Ruslan Dalenov, who had been er issues with citizens at the Feb. one priority. It is not only about ship a lot was done, especially in is a merit of his being able to ister in the new governing body. First Vice Minister of National 20 annual reporting meeting. families with many children or the area of infrastructure develop- organise work. I think in this On the same day, the President Economy, from now on heads the The meeting came as the city low-income families, but also ment.” regard the President supported appointed the rest of the govern- ministry. administration is seeking to help about people with disabilities, Before working as first deputy him,” added Suslov. ment as well. As for the rest of the ministers, large families with housing, in- pensioners, participants of the prime minister for more than two Later in the day, the Mazhilis Kulyash Shamshidinova, for- the President decreed to reap- crease educational options and Great Patriotic War and other cat- years, Mamin, 53, headed Ka- voted to approve the candidacy of merly board chair of the Naz- point ministers for their earlier bring gas power to the outskirts egories,” said Sultanov, referring zakhstan Temir Zholy for eight Mamin for the prime minister. arbayev Intellectual Schools, be- positions. Beibut Atamkulov re- of the city. to the veterans of the 1941-1945 years, and had previously been The president is expected to set came new Minister of Education mained Minister of Foreign Af- About 5,000 people took part war of the Soviet Union against the Akim (Mayor) of Astana and the main tasks for the government and Science replacing Yerlan Sa- fairs, Nurlan Yermekbayev stayed in the dialogue with the akim. the Nazi Germany. the Minister of Transport and at the congress of the Nur Otan gadiyev. on as Minister of Defence, Yerlan Among them, 1,600 participants Continued on Page B8 Communications. He graduated Party Feb. 27 in Astana. Former Finance Minister Turgumbaev as Minister of In- from the Tselinograd Institute of “The government has received Alikhan Smailov became First ternal Affairs, Marat Beketayev Civil Engineering and Plekhanov all the necessary powers and must Deputy Prime Minister and Min- as Minister of Justice, Yelzhan Russian Academy of Economics. clearly fulfil its obligations to the ister of Finance. Smailov had been Birtanov as Minister of Health- The bureau members expressed population, be responsible,” said an Assistant to the President over care, Arystanbek Mukhamediuly unanimous support for Mamin’s the President. the years. Before that, he chaired as Minister of Culture and Sports Government, EBRD candidacy during the meeting. On the same day, Nazarbayev the national Agency of Statistics. and Kanat Bozumbayev as Minis- “Everyone knew this candidate decreed reorganisation of the gov- During his career, he was twice ter of Energy. reaffirm support for SMEs, business consulting increases turnover panies to become even more com- By Zhanna Shayakhmetova petitive,” he said in an interview for this story. ASTANA – Small and medium- The bank consulted more than sized businesses are key focus areas 800 women-led companies and in the country, said European Bank provided financing equal to more for Reconstruction and Develop- than $75 million in tenge equiva- ment (EBRD) for Kazakhstan Di- lent using commercial banks. rector Agris Preimanis at the sixth In 2018, EBRD financed 26 pro- annual steering committee meeting. jects worth $540 million. The funds The bank intends to invest $540 were directed towards developing million in various projects this year. a green economy, infrastructure “Kazakhstan is one of the most and support for small and medium- important markets for the EBRD. sized enterprises (SMEs) and wom- It is not only about financing. Since en’s entrepreneurship. 2013, with the help of the Kazakh “We will continue work in this government we have supported direction with a focus on the private more than 1,500 businesses. We sector this year,” he added. bring consultancies that help small A good environment has been and medium-sized businesses to created for SMEs, noted Vice Min- improve their practices, financial ister of National Economy Serik Photo credit: Primeminister.kz Photo credit: understanding and strategy. Nearly Zhumangarin. Prime MinisterAskar Mamin chairs the first meeting of the new government Feb. 25. all those things are needed for com- Continued on Page A7

INSIDE NATION ECONOMY EDITORIAL BUSINESS NATION&CAPITAL President dismisses government over failure to Kazakhtelecom, Air Astana to be listed as Kazakhstan increases focus on assisting large Kazakh, UAE businesswomen commit to Be human above all, Kazakh war improve living standards A2 IPOs in 2019 A4 families, next generation A6 developing economic ties at business forum A7 correspondent stresses B1 New government members take oaths E-services transition in public procurement Clock-in, clock-out automation service start- Zaisan Lake residents investing in tourism of office A2 exceeds state budget plan, says Minister of up plans expanding to Southeast Asia A8 infrastructure B6 Finance A4

US$ 1 = 378.04 KZT € 1 = 429.68 KZT 1 = 5.77 KZT A2 NATION

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019

NATIONAL President dismisses government over NEWS IN BRIEF Astana airport has introduced electronic boarding passes, Ka- zakhstan’s civil aviation committee failure to improve living standards has announced. “This technology evised address also carried widely Sagintayev in a Feb. 21 statement The country’s 2017 constitu- reach socially vulnerable groups is used in the world’s largest air- By Dilshat Zhussupova by the country’s print and online on Primeminister.kz. “I want to tional reforms were to provide by targeted social assistance. ports. Passengers can scan board- media. “I, as President and Guar- thank Elbasy (Leader of the Na- the government with authority The new government “should take ing passes with a smartphone and a ASTANA – Kazakh President antor of the Constitution, taking tion, the constitutional title accord- and independence to fulfill these effective steps in improving living tablet. A hard copy is not required. Nursultan Nazarbayev dismissed into account the interests of the ed to Nursultan Nazarbayev) for objectives. standards, stimulating the economy If a passenger with hand luggage the country’s government Feb. 21 people, make the following deci- the high degree of confidence that I “In many areas of the econo- and implementing strategic objec- is checked in for a flight from a over what he termed its failure to sion – I believe that the govern- was given over these two and a half my, despite the adoption of many tives,” said Nazarbayev. Funds from computer or mobile device, then a improve living standards, reported ment should resign.” years working as prime minister.” laws and government decisions, the state budget and National Fund boarding pass with a 2D bar code is Akorda.kz. First Deputy Prime Minister The President emphasised that improvements have not been will be allocated toward improving sent by email. Previously, passen- In announcing his directive for Askar Mamin led the administra- Kazakhstan’s programmes such achieved,” Nazarbayev said. regional development policy, social gers received boarding passes and the government to resign, the Pres- tion as interim prime minister until as Third Modernisation and 100 According to the President, state welfare for citizens of low socioeco- went to a special control desk at the ident said ministers and the Nation- a new government was appointed Concrete Steps to Implement programmes in education, health- nomic status and housing options for entrance to the departure area… It al Bank were not able to prioritise Feb. 25. Five Institutional Reforms are care, infrastructure, industry and socially vulnerable groups. was necessary to print the boarding income growth and raise people’s “The founding father of our state meant to accelerate the imple- social development were adopted The President will propose pass or get it at the registration desk wellbeing, as well as “work with always makes decisions based on mentation of structural reforms, and supported with the necessary measures “to strengthen social at the airport,” said the release. the public, listen to people’s prob- the interests of the state and the decreasing the state’s role in the resources for implementation but welfare and improve living stand- lems and explain their work and people, putting the wellbeing of economy, reorganising the bank- failed to create jobs in rural areas, ards” at the next Nur Otan Party Kazinform reports that 11 mu- the policies that were carried out,” all citizens at the forefront,” said ing sector and raising public trust raise incomes and small and me- congress scheduled for Feb. 27 in nicipal solid waste landfills will said Nazarbayev in a Feb. 21 tel- former Prime Minister Bakytzhan in the law enforcement system. dium-sized business growth and Astana. be built in the Atyrau region. “We adopted a regional programme for solid household waste for 2017 to 2021. At present, 2.3 million tonnes of various wastes are stored in land- fills. Last year, 112,000 tonnes of New government members take oaths of office solid waste was collected. Building new landfills is a necessity. Envi- Abdykalikova has worked to im- Food Contract Corporation, deputy ing as vice minister in the ministry She had been the general director ronmental measures are of great By Aidana Yergaliyeva prove the country’s social protection head of the Economic Relationship of transport and communications, of Bobek National Scientific and importance. Over the past year, 47 and labour system and has promoted Management of the President’s Of- vice president of Kazakhstan Temir Practical Educational and Health activities to reduce harmful envi- ASTANA – New ministers, in- women entrepreneurship. She start- fice. Omarov also had been the state Zholy, vice minister of national Centre between 2005 and 2007. ronmental impacts were carried out. cluding minister of education and ed her career as the senior specialist inspector of the State Control and economy and vice minister for in- Ruslan Dalenov became the new The total amount of funding is 4.9 science, minister of agriculture, and later head of the Department of Territorial-Organisational Work De- vestment and development. minister of national economy re- billion tenge [US$13 million],” said minister of national economy and Social Protection of the Population partment of the Presidential Admin- Former board chair of the Naz- placing Timur Suleimenov. He has Akim (Governor) of the region Nur- of infrastructure and development of the Kyzylorda region. She also istration between 2008 and 2011. arbayev Intellectual Schools been serving as the first vice min- lan Nogayev. took their oaths of office Feb. 26 at worked as a consultant of the Com- He was a member of the Accounts Kulyash Shamshidinova replaced ister of national economy since the first meeting chaired by new Ka- mittee of the Supreme Council on Committee for Control over the na- Yerlan Sagadiyev becoming the April 2017. Dalenov received his New housing will be built for em- zakh Prime Minister Askar Mamin. social protection of the population. tional budget execution from 2011 new minister of education and degree from Marmara Univer- ployed youth in Kazakhstan’s cities. “Our government should be the She served as the Advisor to the to 2014. He had been the vice minis- science. She graduated from the sity in Istanbul, Turkey. He began More than 10,500 apartments were government of real action, aimed President – Chair of the National ter of agriculture from 2014 to 2016. chemistry department of Al-Fara- working as a leading specialist at built for Zhilstroysberbank deposi- at concrete results,” said Mamin. Commission for Women, Family Roman Sklyar before his appoint- bi Kazakh National University in the Ministry of State Revenue in tors and participants of the 7-20-25 Kazakh President Nursultan and Demographic Policy under the ment as minister of industry and 1979. Shamshidinova started her 1999 and had been growing in a programme. “The mortgage pro- Nazarbayev appointed Feb. 25 a President from 2012 to 2013. infrastructure development was first career as a chemistry teacher in a career ladder within the ministry gramme gave an impetus to hous- new government, directing them New Minister of Agriculture Sa- vice minister for investment and de- school in the Almaty region. Then, up to being the head of Revenues ing construction. More than 5,000 to improve the quality of life, di- parkhan Omarov had been a mem- velopment. He began his career as she had been working as a deputy Analysis and Forecasting Depart- citizens got houses. A certificate versify the economy, create new ber of the Mazhilis (lower house a locksmith-fitter. At various times, director of the Taldykorgan region- ment. Between 2002 and 2008, for a down payment on a preferen- high-skill jobs and develop small of the Parliament) of the sixth con- he had been the public procurement al institute and the director of sec- Dalenov led the Current Revenue tial mortgage is being introduced and medium-sized businesses. vocation. He had been a chair to department head of Pavlodar, chief ondary school No. 18 in Taldykor- Department, Analysis and Current for doctors, teachers and police of- Gulshara Abdykalikova, former the committee on Agrarian Issues inspector of the Pavlodar region gan. Shamshidinova had been the Revenue Forecasting Department ficers. We are taking measures to Secretary of State, became a deputy of the Mazhilis since March 2016. akim (mayor), deputy akim of Pav- deputy akim of Taldykorgan from of the Tax Committee, both within equip construction sites with engi- prime minister. She graduated from Over the years, he worked as de- lodar. He was first deputy akim of 1996 to 2002. Over her career, the Ministry of Finance. Then, in neering communications to reduce the Zhambyl Technological Institute partment head of National Securi- Pavlodar region between 2010 and she was reappointed twice as vice March 2008, he was appointed as costs. Annual funding has increased with a degree in economics in 1987. ties Commission, vice president of 2011. After that he had been serv- minister of education and science. vice minister of finance. to 100 billion tenge [US$265 mil- lion],” said Vice Minister of Indus- try and Infrastructure Development Kairbek Uskenbayev.

Some 120 industrial projects Senate passes laws to modernise judicial system worth 1.1 trillion tenge (US$3 bil- lion) will be commissioned this enlarged regional court plenary representative and member of the The law introduces a person- comply with the requirements of year as part of the national industri- By Saltanat Boteu session in which judges from re- Supreme Judicial Council from nel reserve for the positions of the Constitutional Law “On the alisation programme, according to gional and district courts of a par- among the judges who have the the district court’s chair, region- Judicial System and the Status Primeminister.kz. This will create ASTANA – The Kazakh Senate ticular region, a city of national right to speak in an advisory ca- al courts and Supreme Court’s of Judges of Kazakhstan.” The 20,000 work positions. The pro- passed two laws aimed at modern- significance and the capital- par pacity. judicial boards. The Personnel council also forms an annual na- jects include a ferrosilicon plant in ising the judicial system, includ- ticipate. “All personnel issues are Reserve Commission at the Su- tional report on judicial person- the Karaganda region and a ceramic ing qualitative developing and The authorities of the enlarged passed from the Supreme Court preme Judicial Council forms the nel. granite and ceramic tile plant in renewing of judicial personnel, regional court plenary session to the Supreme Judicial Council. personnel reserve. The amendments defined the the Aktobe region. “Overall, more strengthening guarantees of judg- include consideration of the del- This is a collegial body, not a sin- Senators also adopted the Law remuneration of the council’s than 1,250 projects have been im- es’ independence and eliminating egation of two local court judges gle person. There are 16 people “On introducing amendments and members from among legal plemented worth 7.9 trillion tenge illegitimate influence on them. to the enlarged Supreme Court who are representatives of differ- addenda to some legislative acts scholars and lawyers, which is [US$21 billion] and 120,000 jobs The Senators adopted the Con- plenary session and the judicial ent structures but mostly judges, of Kazakhstan on the modernisa- paid from the council’s funds al- have been created. Last year, more stitutional Law “On Amendments candidates to the Supreme Judi- because they must be evaluated tion of the judicial system.” located from the state budget. than 100 projects worth 1.3 trillion and Additions to the Constitu- cial Council, the Judicial Jury, by judges,” said Kazakh Supreme An amendment was made to According to the amendment in tenge [US$3 billion] were launched tional Law of Kazakhstan ‘On the the Commission for Personnel Court Chair Zhakip Asanov while the Law “On Education” describ- the Law “On Governmental Ser- and more than 13,000 jobs were cre- Judicial System and the Status of Reserve and the Commission on presenting the bill to the senators, ing the authorities of the Supreme vice,” the candidates, who have ated,” said Minister of Industry and Judges of Kazakhstan,’” initiated Justice Quality. The session is reported inform.kz. Court of Kazakhstan in relation completed training and passed the Infrastructure Development Zhenis by Kazakh President Nursultan also able to make relevant recom- The Judicial Jury consider cases to the Academy of Justice. exam at the Academy of Justice, Kassymbek. Nazarbayev, at their recent meet- mendations to the enlarged Su- of judges based on the Supreme Amendments were made to the are able to take administrative ing led by Senate Chair Kassym- preme Court plenary session. Court’s application, decisions of Law “On the Supreme Judicial Corps B state posts of the Supreme Iranian company Faradid Meehan Jomart Tokayev. Under the Supreme Judicial regional and the Supreme Court’s Council of Kazakhstan,” provid- Court, local and other courts with- will invest in a $10-million brick According to the law, Supreme Council, the Judicial Jury is plenary sessions, information and ing that the Supreme Judicial in one year after completing train- plant in the Turkestan region, the re- Court and regional courts’ ple- formed to consider disciplinary facts published in the media and Council considers the issues of ing based on the agreement with gion’s press service has announced. nary session presidiums have cases against judges. The council appeals of individuals and legal en- judges’ dismissal for their dis- the authorised body and without a “The plant will be built in the in- been abolished, replaced by an consists of six judges, a public tities confirmed by judicial ethics. ciplinary actions or failure to competition basis. dustrial zone in the Boraldai district of the Baidibek region. Investors intend to produce seven types of bricks and create more than 200 jobs. The enterprise will produce 4 to 5 million bricks per month and up to 70 million per year. The company Central Asia’s largest solar power will allocate an additional $10 mil- lion and build 200 cottages,” reads plant opens in Karaganda region the release. A microfinance organisation will Staff Report without harming them. The panels, some of the investors have already support 200 start-up projects in the which have a 40-year life expec- expressed a desire to continue co- Karaganda region. The region has ASTANA – The Karaganda re- tancy, will even be able to generate operation with Kazakhstan. seen an increase in the number of gion began large-scale transition about 10-15 megawatts of electric European investors signed a small and medium-sized enterprises. to green technology by opening a energy in cloudy weather. memorandum with the Karaganda Their production grew by more than solar power station in Saran, the The solar energy plant is a com- region’s administration, confirm- 21 percent and jobs increased by 6.4 largest such facility in the Central pletely private project, as a group ing a $500-million investment to percent. The training of start-up en- Asian region. of European companies has invest- develop alternative energy sources trepreneurs in the Business School “The head of state set us a task ed $137 million. A substation was in the coming years. and Bastau Business projects will to bring the share of alternative built and all electric lines installed “With this money, we are plan- also continue. The region will open energy up to 30 percent by 2030. to insure the panels operate in the ning to build another three-four business incubators at the urban and Today, we have taken a big step most efficient manner. large green energy facilities. We rural colleges with youth entrepre- towards achieving this goal. The Minister of Energy Kanat Bo- have already offered a number of neurship courses. “The positive solar power plant launched today zumbayev, who participated in the projects to our European partners. indicators have been achieved due has 100 megawatt power. To un- opening ceremony, called on in- We are confident in the fruitful to the expansion of micro-lending derstand the power, this energy vestors to build wind power plants cooperation with the local authori- as part of the entrepreneurship pro- will be enough for 10 small cities. as well. ties, since all conditions for inves- gramme. Some 1,245 microloans I’ll add that two more solar power Koshanov noted 33 large invest- tors have been created here,” said were issued in 2018. This year, 1.5 stations with a total capacity of The plant has 307,000 voltaic The panels, manufactured with- ment projects worth one trillion Jan Sonnenshein, representing the billion tenge [US$4 million] will be 90 megawatts are under construc- panels on 164 hectares which will out metal borders, are part of the tenge (US$2.7 billion) are being Sonnenenergie group of investors. allocated to reduce interest rates of tion in our region,” said Akim convert the sun’s energy into elec- latest generation of solar cells. As implemented in the region. Sev- The enterprises will create more second-tier banks,” said head of the (Governor) Yerlan Koshanov on tricity, according to the region’s a result, they do not accumulate enteen projects are being execut- than one hundred new jobs in the regional Entrepreneurship Depart- Jan. 23. administration press service. snow and rain flows to the ground ed with foreign participation and region, according to investors. ment Tatiana Ablayeva. A3 EURASIA&WORLD

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019

EXTERNAL NEWS IN BRIEF Finland to promote EU-Kazakhstan cooperation, Kazakhstan presented its food and beverage products at the Gulf- Food event, the 24th iteration of the world’s largest annual food and boost economic ties, says Finnish envoy beverage trade show, which took tries. The solutions and technolo- “We have a few companies with part of the intergovernmental com- place Feb. 17-21 in Dubai. More By Zhanna Shayakhmetova gies we have created for our coun- direct investments. For example, mission,” said Kivikoski. than 5,000 companies from 120 try and our society to function in Tikkurila company produces paint He noted the importance of peo- countries displayed the industry’s ASTANA – Kazakhstan is the the harsh climate conditions could and has a factory in Almaty. We ple-to-people contacts growing or- latest products and equipment. The most important Central Asian eco- obviously be used here as well. One have a few other companies that ganically and how travel and con- Kazakh delegation presented agri- nomic partner for Finland, said of the excellent examples is the city have production sites in the coun- nectivity are the best way to bring culture products from the Almaty, Finnish Ambassador Mikko Ki- of Oulu, which is the twin city of try. Cooperation is also taking people together. East Kazakhstan, Kostanai, Akmola, vikoski in an interview with The Astana. It is located in the north- place in the service sector. After “I am glad that our national air- Zhambul and Aktobe regions. This Astana Times which touched upon ern part of Finland, just a hundred the EXPO 2017 in which Finland line company Finnair has had direct year, more than 98,000 people from a number of topics relating to the kilometres from the Arctic Circle. participated and after the recent flights between Astana and Helsinki 193 countries visited the exhibition two nations. Regardless of its geographical po- visit of President Nazarbayev to during the last two years during the spanning 1 million square metres at “During the second half of this sition, it is one of the most vibrant Finland, we are seeing some new summer time. I am expecting that Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). year, Finland will take over the Mikko Kivikoski cities in Finland,” said Kivikoski. openings and pretty soon we hope they will soon announce that they Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al European Union (EU) presidency The Astana-based Finnish Busi- to hear good news about new joint will be flying this summer as well. Maktoum, Vice President and Prime after Romania. There are lots of tions. Our presidents have been ness Hub, which provides practi- ventures and new common pro- The connections are important. I Minister of the United Arab Emir- things going on between the EU meeting each other on a regular cal help and promotes cooperation jects,” he added. want to thank Kazakhstan for a lib- ates and ruler of Dubai, also toured and Kazakhstan. The new EU basis. This proves that our politi- between business communities, is The Kazakh capital will host the eral visa regime. Finnish citizens the exhibition. strategy for Central Asia will be cal relations are excellent. They financed by the city of Oulu. Finnish-Kazakh Intergovernmental are able to come to Kazakhstan adopted this spring. As a member have fruitful and comprehensive “They are active here, not only Commission at the end of February. without a visa for 30 days. These Kazakh children conveyed their of the EU, we are also promoting dialogue on different matters, not serving the Finnish companies “The most important thing to things create a favourable envi- vision of the country in paintings EU-Kazakhstan cooperation and only bilateral matters but also on coming from the Oulu region, but do is follow up with the contacts, ronment. What I have experienced displayed in Delhi as part of the “Ka- relations. The EU is an excellent world politics in general. During all Finnish and Kazakh companies projects which were created during already is that the combination of zakhstan in the Eyes of Children” and reliable partner for Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev’s visit to interested in doing business togeth- the expo and after the expo. Then, visa freedom and direct flights will exhibition hosted by the Kazakhstan Finland last October, it was noted National Federation of UNESCO in its modernisation efforts. There er. The director of the Finnish busi- there is a need to follow up on the bring more and more of our citizens on both sides that our joint goal is Clubs (KazFUCA) and the Confed- is still lots of space to step up the ness hub Mukhtar Mankeyev is agreements signed during Presi- to this country,” he added. eration of UNESCO Clubs and As- cooperation between the EU and to bring economic cooperation and doing excellent work both for Ka- dent Nazarbayev’s visit to Finland. Kivikoski wished good luck to sociations of India (CUCAI). The Kazakhstan. We are working hard relations to the same level with our zakhstan and for Finland. We need During that visit, we also had a the KHL ice-hockey team Barys exhibits include 30 pieces made by on the bilateral front to improve political relationship. It is an ex- this type of activity for Finnish separate business forum where the Astana, which qualified for the art school and kindergarten students. our relations, but also us as a mem- cellent goal for both of our coun- businesses. If a new Finnish com- Kazakh President met with 20-plus 2019 Gagarin Cup playoffs. The goal of the cultural exchange ber of the EU,” he said. tries. We are now working hard to pany wants to enter the Kazakh Finnish companies working in Ka- “Barys team is strong this year. project was to show the culture and Kazakhstan accounts for 90 per- achieve this,” he noted. market, the hub is their first con- zakhstan. Twenty-three different They are number two in the East- traditions of Kazakhstan to Indian cent of Finland’s trade with Central Finland and Kazakhstan cooper- tact. The hub is a bright example agreements and memorandums of ern Conference. It would be great citizens. The organisers note the Asia, with foreign trade between ate in the traditional sectors – en- of an arrangement that boosts eco- understanding were signed. This is to see Barys and Jokerit Helsinki event drew vibrant interest not only the countries reaching $307.9 mil- ergy efficiency, clean tech, energy nomic cooperation. It is important an important priority for the inter- in the finals. It is possible in the- from general visitors, but also from lion in 2017. Trade turnover from solutions and education. that they bring new Finnish tech- governmental commission. We are ory, as Jokerit plays in the Western art specialists. January-July 2018 was $160 mil- “The cooperation will continue to nologies to this region,” he noted. expecting that the representatives Conference. I am looking forward lion. In the past 13 years, Finland increase. New sectors with lots of Approximately 50 Finnish com- of Finnish companies will partici- to the playoff games, because the Kazakhstan has improved its posi- has invested $334 million in Ka- potential include agriculture, dig- panies operate at the moment in pate in the event. Kazakh Invest game will be better and faster. tion in the Organisation for Econom- zakhstan. itisation and logistics. Climate and Kazakhstan. The number is in- has kindly agreed to organise a The atmosphere will be even more ic Cooperation and Development “Our countries have good rela- weather conditions unite both coun- creasing. separate business roundtable as a fantastic at the arena,” he said. (OECD) Country Risk rating, climb- ing to the fifth group of the ranking. The index is regularly compiled by the organisation’s Working Party on Export Credits and Credit Guar- antees and reflects their assessment In Tashkent, Central Asian nations discuss security, of country risk encompassing trans- fer and convertibility risk and cases of force majeure. Kazakhstan took part in the group meeting for the environment and other regional issues first time in November 2017, when Uzbek Minister of Foreign Affairs to generate suggestions discussing cessful experience of the function- whole region, unleashing its full it was in the sixth group. Countries By Saltanat Boteu Abdulaziz Kamilov in his wel- security, connectivity and environ- ing of various models of regional potential as a link between Europe are classified across eight categories coming speech, reported infoabad. mental issues. I hope this confer- cooperation, such as the Associa- and Asia,” Burian said. based on a two-step methodology. ASTANA – Experts from the com. ence and its conclusions and rec- tion of Southeast Asian Nations, It was emphasised that a politi- The first assessment is quantitative Central Asian countries, and be- He emphasised the era of big ommendations will be a very good the Nordic Council, the EU and cal agreement on the management and examines three groups of risk yond, agreed at a Feb. 19-20 con- challenges and new initiatives has source of information and sugges- the possibility of their application indicators: reported payment experi- of transboundary water resources ference in Tashkent to continue come, thus there is a demand for tions for shaping the agenda of the in Central Asia were reviewed and ence, the financial situation and the has yet to be reached, including supporting cooperation in security, rational interaction of the peoples upcoming summit in Tashkent (the analysed. economic situation, based primarily strengthening the cooperation on of Central Asia and their coopera- Novruz consultative meeting of “The European Union is based on IMF indicators. The second as- connectivity and environmental is- the Aral Sea issue. on regional cooperation and we sessment is qualitative and incorpo- sues. tion. Central Asian countries’ heads),” Issues related to the observance rates factors not taken into account The conference titled Intercon- The experts of leading analytical he said in an interview with The believe, based on our experience, of human rights, youth policies, by the model. The KazakhExport nection in Central Asia: Chal- centres of not only Central Asian Astana Times. regional cooperation is the most the role of women, cultural, hu- company represented Kazakhstan, lenges and New Opportunities countries, but also the United “We very much like this confer- efficient way for challenging these manitarian and scientific coopera- presenting to OECD members Ka- brought together more than 100 States, Russia, China, Germany, ence approach involving all the kind of difficulties like security, tion, sports and tourism were also zakhstan’s export potential through experts from 30 countries and nine the United Kingdom, Turkey, In- brains, not only governments, but protection of borders, environmen- discussed. the lens of their financial instru- international and regional organi- dia, Israel, Iran and Canada attend- private sector and civil society, tal cooperation addressing impact The important strategic location because then the whole process is of climate change and many other ments, indicators and development sations; representatives of more ed the conference. of the countries of Central Asia re- than 70 analytical institutions and International organisations such more sustainable and comprehen- things. We very much welcome prospects. They also briefed inter- quires the rational use of the pos- 18 governmental organisations as the European Union, the Nor- sive. We had this kind of meeting this new wind blowing in Central national partners on state support for sibilities of international transport and parliaments participated in the dic Council, the Organisation of in the past, but now we feel that Asia and we want to very much exports. corridors. The establishment of conference. American States, the Arctic Con- starting from first regional summit support regional cooperation, rath- interregional rail, air, sea and road Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan will The conference was organised sultative Council, as well as finan- in Astana last year, this process is er than rivalry and competition,” links and freight traffic provides establish a coordination council on by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs cial institutions such as the World developing in a very well organ- said Burian. bilateral cooperation in energy, said of Uzbekistan on the initiative of Bank, the World Trade Organisa- ised manner contributing to defin- The conference also addressed many opportunities for the imple- Kazakh Minister of Energy Kanat President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in tion and the European Investment ing regional interest, challenges helping Afghanistan in strengthen- mentation of transport and com- Bozumbayev. The minister said the cooperation with the United Na- Bank were also present. and approaches addressing these ing security and economic devel- munication projects in the East- document will enable the countries tions Regional Centre for Preven- According to EU Special Rep- challenges together rather than in- opment. West and North-South directions. to take a more comprehensive ap- tive Diplomacy for Central Asia. resentative for Central Asia Peter dividually,” he added. “We very much welcome the en- It is planned to implement the Silk proach to oil and oil products, gas “Our region has enormous ener- Burian, the conference has played Among the conference’s pre- gagement of the Central Asian part- Road Visa project for the develop- sales, petroleum chemistry products gy and mineral resources, cultural an important role for regional co- senters, Chinese experts reported ners in supporting peace and sta- ment of regional tourism. and electricity. The Mazhilis, the and civilisational, and, most im- operation and international dia- on that country’s Belt and Road In- bilisation in Afghanistan. A stable Along with it, new opportunities lower chamber of the Kazakh Parlia- portantly, great human potential. logue. itiative; American, European and and peaceful Afghanistan would to establish cooperation between ment, recently ratified a framework At the same time, the competing “It was a very useful conference. Indian experts spoke about other benefit everybody, in particular, research and expert-analytical cen- agreement between the governments interests of leading global pow- Probably, the first of its kind… A formats of communication and in- it will contribute to strengthening tres of the Central Asian countries of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan that ers overlap in Central Asia,” said large group of experts got together terregional cooperation. The suc- the security and connectivity of the were discussed. also focused on the energy sector. As part of the agreement, Kazakhstan plans to increase its oil exports to its neighbour. In 2018, Kazakhstan exported more than 260,000 tonnes to Uzbekistan, and the minister said Kazakhstan to send second military unit Tashkent is ready to import close to 2 million tonnes. Kazakh Ambassador to the United to UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon Kingdom Erlan Idrissov recently ad- dressed an international investment mandate. Experienced peacekeep- There are plans to increase the peacekeepers trained in joint-mili- a UN peacekeeping mission. Indian and economic conference in London By Aidana Yergaliyeva ing officers have been training 120 number of Kazakh peacekeepers tary exercises with Indian battalion Battalion (IND BATT), as a more hosted by the League of Angels, an troops. The soldiers learn the UN trained at the Iliyski base. The min- of the United Nations Interim Force experienced party in peacekeeping, investment and networking busi- ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry general provisions, train to patrol istry is interested in having more in Lebanon (UNIFIL). They are the leads the mixed forces of IND- ness association that includes more of Defence is preparing the second and provide service at roadblocks, soldiers with experience working in first Kazakh armed forces sent with KAZ BATT. than 1 million representatives of the contingent of Kazakh soldiers to be reported the Ministry of Defence’s “difficult military-political situation global business community. Idrissov deployed as peacekeepers in Leba- press service. They learn to peace- areas and unfamiliar physiographic briefed the audience on Kazakh- non. The troops are expected to be fully resolve conflicts and use conditions,” said the minister. stan’s achievements in improving deployed at the end of April. weapons only in critical situations “Being on a mission, be bold, its investment climate and the new “This is a matter of national im- for protection. courageous, disciplined soldiers, mandate of the Kazakh Ministry of portance, since it is the fulfilment All the soldiers passed through strictly and accurately performing Foreign Affairs in attracting invest- by the Republic of Kazakhstan of highly selective criteria to train for all tasks, observing laws, rules, ment and promoting exports. He its obligations to the world com- the UN mission. The first condition instructions and personal safety emphasised the work of the Astana munity,” said Minister of Defence is that a candidate must have served measures! I wish you to fulfil high- International Financial Centre, the Nurlan Yermekbayev at his recent at least five years in the Kazakh level military duty and return home country’s large-scale privatisation working visit to the Iliyski training Armed Forces. Apart from being with honour and dignity,” said Ye- programme, Kazakhstan’s new site in the Almaty region. in an excellent physical shape and rmekbayev addressing the peace- Code on Subsoil and Subsoil Use The peacekeeping unit is set to health, the candidate is also required keepers. and the opportunities for British patrol the area, organise observation to have advanced level of English. They will replace the first peace- businesses created by China’s Belt posts and monitor the cease-fire in The commission accepted soldiers keeping contingent deployed at the and Road Initiative. accordance with the United Nations between 25 and 50 years old. end of October. Prior to that, the A4 ECONOMY

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019

ECONOMY Kazakhtelecom, Air E-services transition in public NEWS IN BRIEF Investments in health and social services in Kazakhstan reached 122.2 billion tenge (US$324.88 Astana to be listed procurement exceeds state budget million) at the end of 2018, 26 percent more than a year ear- lier, reports finprom.kz. More than half of it, 72.5 billion tenge as IPOs in 2019 plan, says Minister of Finance (US$192.75 million) or 59.4 per- domestic product (GDP) in Janu- tion had slowed to 5.2 percent. cent, was allocated from the state By Assel Satubaldina By Aidana Yergaliyeva ary. The slightly lower economic The National Bank kept the base budget. The investments in health growth than last year’s average rate at 9.2 percent, reported its and social services comprised 1.1 ASTANA – Kazakh national tel- ASTANA – The Kazakh gov- was “mainly due to the decline in Chairman Daniyar Akishev. percent of the total investment in ecom operator Kazakhtelecom and ernment is fulfilling 117.9 percent the manufacturing industry and The current base rate level fixed assets. Business investments national airline Air Astana will be of budget revenues, according to construction, as well as a slow- should keep inflation at 4-6 make up 35 percent of the port- folio. Almaty received 17 billion listed as IPOs this year, Minister of the January monthly report pre- down in investment activity,” said percent, provided there are no tenge (US$45.2 million), which is Finance Alikhan Smailov said at a sented at a recent government Minister of National Economy shocks. The exchange rate of the 18.9 percent less than a year ear- Feb. 11 press conference. meeting. Timur Suleimenov. tenge, which strengthened by 1.4 lier, yet still the largest amount of “In 2019, we plan to list two The main factor for timely fund January’s main growth source percent against the dollar during investment within the country. The disbursement is simplified public was continued demand in the the month, is associated with the Samruk Kazyna [Sovereign regional akimats (administrations) procurement procedures that have consumer market and extractive favourable situation in the oil Wealth Fund] companies through primeminister.kz. Photo credit: plan to build 201 projects on the been fully converted to electronic industries. The highest growth market and strengthening of the IPOs. These are Kazakhtelecom Alikhan Smailov public-private partnership (PPP) format. indicators are in light industry Russian rouble. As of Feb. 8, the and Air Astana. In 2020, the plan mechanism for 1 trillion tenge Revenues exceeded the budget (17.5 percent), beverage produc- rate was 378.73 tenge per dollar. will include Kazakhstan Temir (US$2.66 billion) until 2025, said ship objects worth six billion tenge plan at all levels. State budget tion (15.6 percent) and rubber and The National Bank will con- Zholy [national railway company], Vice Minister of Healthcare Alek- (US$15.9 million). revenues (without transfers) in plastic goods production (14.3 tinue to adhere to the free floating KazMunayGas, KazPost and Sam- sey Tsoi. ruk Energo. In each case, Samruk Another 280 facilities are at January were 593 billion tenge percent). exchange rate regime, Akishev Kazyna will make the decision at the reorganisation and liquidation (US$1.58 billion), 130 billion The investment volume in fixed said. stage. The gross profit of large and the board of the fund on imple- tenge (US$346.47 million) more assets decreased by 2.5 percent. The financial market is seeing Kazatomprom, the national medium-sized companies reached mentation of shares through IPO. than last year. Corporate income “The decline is associated with gradual improvement. Bank as- atomic company, placed 15 per- record high, 4.7 trillion tenge The website will list all informa- and value-added tax were the the completion of work on the sets increased by 4.5 percent to cent of its shares ($431 million) on (US$12.49 billion), with 22.8 per- tion concerning the sales,” he main revenue sources, said Minis- modernisation and reconstruction 25.2 trillion tenge (USD$67.16 the London Stock Exchange and cent growth at the end of the third noted. ter of Finance Alikhan Smailov at of the Shymkent refinery and the billion) and insurance organisa- quarter in 2018. Compared to the Astana International Exchange in the Feb. 12 government meeting. Aksu Ferroalloy Plant,” he added. tions’ assets grew by 13 percent This year, the ministry plans to November. It was the first national previous quarter, gross profit in- sell another 123 facilities as part of Kazakhstan experienced Monthly inflation was 0.5 - per to one trillion tenge (US$2.67 bil- creased by 10.2 percent. The prod- company listed on an international 2.9-percent growth in the gross cent and by Jan. 14, annual infla- lion). its large-scale privatisation effort; stock exchange and shares were uct volume and services by the 22 large companies under Samruk purchased by 49 foreign and 17 lo- companies totalled to 8.3 trillion Kazyna will remain for 2020. cal companies and 2,700 Kazakh tenge (US$22.07 billion). In terms The privatisation programme citizens. of the sales volume, mining and launched in 2016 is currently 84 “I would like to note that the quarrying dominate the industry, percent complete, said Smailov. Of comprehensive privatisation plan comprising 30.8 percent of the to- the 898 objects on the list, 530 are E-Law Assistance system will tal. The companies sold products is regularly updated with the fa- for sale, including 473 sold for 470 cilities revealed during the inven- worth 2.5 trillion tenge (US$6.65 billion tenge (US$1.25 billion). tory. Last year, an additional 48 billion), 44.1 percent more than The figure is 1.7 percent higher objects were included in the list,” the year before. The manufactur- optimise lawyers’ services ing industry stand second with than the estimated market price said Smailov. able to comment on and evaluate yers from the capital, Aktau, Al- and 51 percent higher than their “There are no limits for taking product volume and services sold By Aidana Yergaliyeva the text of regulatory legal acts. maty, Karaganda, Kokshetau, Ko- book value, he added. This in- part in an IPO. All citizens have the for 1.7 trillion tenge, 15.8 percent Law consultants and lawyers can stanai, Kyzylorda, Pavlodar and cludes 47 national objects worth 44 right to participate in an IPO. This year-on-year (yoy). The third big- ASTANA – National Informa- create a personal account at zan. Shymkent previously provided billion tenge (US$117.2 million), entitles [the individual] to rev- gest sector is in transport and ware- tion Technologies (NIT) and the gov.kz. explanatory workshops. The pro- 246 communal property objects enues of the company that lists its housing. It comprises 14.6 percent Association of Legal Consultants The association will also inte- worth 64 billion tenge (US$170.5 shares on the exchange and receive gramme was part of the memoran- (1.2 trillion tenge or US$3.19 bil- million), 102 objects owned by part of it through dividends on one Chambers signed an agreement grate USLI into the information dum signed among the Ministry lion). national holdings worth 356 bil- side and, on the other, if company Feb. 15 to provide legal consult- systems of the Kazakh Supreme of Justice, Legal Advice Chamber lion tenge (US$948.8 million) and shares grow, then through this ants’ and lawyers’ services through Court, Prosecutor General’s Of- and NIT. Kazakhstan produced 26,400 78 corporate social entrepreneur- [mechanism],” he added. E-Law Assistance, the Unified fice, Ministry of Justice, Ministry The e-service is part of the new tonnes of fresh chilled and frozen System of Legal Information of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Law on Advocacy and Legal As- fish (+0.2 percent yoy), 11,200 (USLI). Education and Science, Ministry sistance signed July 5 by Kazakh tonnes of processed or canned fish, The e-service will optimise the of Healthcare, Unified Accumula- President Nursultan Nazarbayev. caviar and its substitutes (-4.7 per- activities of legal advisers and tive Pension Fund and Securities The Ministry of Justice and Ka- cent yoy). The main production lawyers, provide prompt public Registrar and Astana Department zakh lawyers have been discussing of fish, crustaceans and molluscs Citizens invest $2.6 access to government information of Justice. USLI will allow search- and developing the e-resource for is concentrated in Atyrau, East systems, minimise paperwork and ing for documents in any of the in- the last three years. Kazakhstan, Kyzylorda, West Ka- reduce financial costs. The system formation systems. “Lawyers do not have free ac- zakhstan and Turkestan regions. will provide access to both stand- The association developed an cess to necessary and important Because of comprehensive works million in NB notes ard and reference information. It enforcement plan that it will fully information for prompt and timely to restore the Small Aral Sea, used by any citizen and does not integrates the information systems incorporate by the end of the year. service provision,” said Bakytgul catch volumes have increased by By Yerbolat Uatkhanov require special knowledge. such as the Adilet system on adilet. During the first quarter of 2019, Atagiyeva, Director of the Reg- 36 percent in the Kyzylorda region The advantages of the system are: zan.kz. the system will run as a test and istration Service Department and over the past five years. The re- ASTANA – Kazakh citizens the absence of commissions; all op- In addition to launching USLI, be examined for the security of Ministry of Justice Legal Services gion caught 8,477 tonnes of fish in have purchased government notes erations in the system are free; the access to information and legal shared information. Organisation, at an Oct. 19, 2017 2018. Authorities continue creat- worth $2.6 million through the investments are guaranteed invest- systems on Adilet will also be The Astana Department of Jus- press briefing. “The E-Law sys- ing opportunities for fishing indus- National Bank’s Invest Online ments in government securities; no changed. The modifications will tice explained and discussed the tem will allow interaction among try revival in the region. To date, system, an innovative technology risk of loss of funds and the possibil- include more user-friendly inter- use of USLI Feb. 19 to lawyers themselves [lawyers], associations the region has eight fish factories product for people to invest in se- ity of returning invested funds with face and registered users will be and legal consultants. Kazakh law- and the state.” with a capacity of 11,000 tonnes curities. accumulated income at any time. per year, which are engaged in Invest Online was launched in Another advantage of the sys- stocking, fishing, and processing. March as an affordable way to in- tem is the ability to invest small vest, providing an opportunity for amounts – individuals can start Kazakhstan produced 140,700 Kazakh citizens to acquire govern- with as little as $0.30. In addition, tonnes of phosphate fertilisers over ment securities (notes of the Na- the number of investments and 2018, 15 percent less year-on-year. tional Bank) and sell them back to their terms are not limited. The production volume is still the regulator. All operations in the system are big over the past years because Since the launch of the sys- free, including input and with- 2017 was marked with a rapid tem, citizens have purchased at drawal of money and operations increase in the fertilisers produc- least 32,000 short-term notes for buying and selling. The income tion by 48.3 percent that reached worth more than 3.1 million tenge received from the sale of short- 165,500 tonnes. Before 2017, the (US$8,240) every day using the term notes is not taxed. country produced roughly 90,000 system. The total investment A government security is a bond tonnes per annum. The Zhambyl has totalled 987.4 million tenge issued by a government with a region produced almost 88 percent (US$2.6 million), National Bank’s promise of repayment upon matu- (123,300 tonnes) of phosphate fer- press service reports. rity. The securities are widely is- tilisers in 2018. The products of Invest Online eliminates the need sued and used in many countries. Kazakh companies keep dominat- to physically visit organisations. They promise periodic coupon or ing in the market. Although the All operations are carried out on- interest payments and are consid- import increased from 7.1 tonnes line around the clock through the ered low-risk investment, since in 2017 to 75.5 tonnes in 2018, it mobile application or the website they are secured by the taxing accounted for only 0.1 percent of of the system. This product can be power of a government. total resources in the market. The exports doubled in a year, but they comprise slightly more than 3 per- cent of the available resources.

The off-season fresh vegetables NB blocks second-tier banks from prices markedly increased in Janu- ary. The cucumbers (+ 20.4 per- cent) and tomatoes (+17.3 percent) had the most significant growth taking commissions for loans in price, reports energyprom.kz. ated with issuing and servicing a March. Since the beginning of this In July, Kazakhstan modified its interest rate in a fixed amount is al- Also, there were increase in prices By Yerbolat Uatkhanov loan, as well as for issuing a loan to a year, along with remuneration and banking law to make commissions lowed only for a loan issued for a of cabbage (by 4.8 percent), garlic bank account under bank loan agree- penalties, banks are not entitled to and other payments related to the is- period not exceeding one month, a (4.4 percent) and onions (3 per- ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Na- ments concluded with individuals demand payments related to the issu- sue and servicing of a loan included loan issued under a credit line on a cent). The prices for winter veg- tional Bank has banned second-tier for the purchase of goods, works ance and servicing of a loan accrued in the order of repayment of the loan payment card, an overdraft loan, etables of long-term storage, such banks from charging fees for lending and services not related to the imple- after 180 consecutive calendar days debt. The law took effect Feb. 1, and and an agreement to extend (open) as potatoes, carrots and beans rose to the population. This move follows mentation of entrepreneurial activ- overdue under a mortgage housing now, banks must inform borrowers a credit line,” the National Bank’s less than 1 percent per month. As its ban on such banks charging inter- ity. The National Bank is attempting loan agreement for an individual not about the amount of remuneration press service explained. for fruits, bananas had a more sig- est on accounts more than 180 days to lower the monthly charges users related to business activities. paid. The banks are given an op- At the same time, for loans with nificant price increase by 2.9- per overdue. of second-tier banks face, its press At that, the remuneration accrued portunity to indicate the size of the fixed interest rates, the maximum cent, while prices for apples and The National Bank prohibited service reports. and paid before the enactment of the interest rate not only in percent per amount of the annual effective in- lemons declined less than 1 percent establishing and charging fees for The ban will apply to bank loan Law dated Jan. 21, that is, until Feb. annum, but also in a fixed amount. terest rate should not exceed the per month. The prices for products maintaining a bank account associ- agreements concluded starting from 3, is not subject to recalculation. “An indication of the size of the limit established by law. of animal origin stayed the same. A5 BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019

BUSINESS NEWS IN BRIEF Retailers see positive dynamics in online Turkestan opened a new informa- tion technology centre, Turkestan Hub, Feb. 19. The centre is intended for use by young IT professionals shopping, plan to strengthen customer service and investors, the press service of store in Almaty in 2016, now has “There’s still low confidence in with call centre employees and the regional akimat (administration) By Zhanna Shayakhmetova its own logistics system and cou- online commerce in our country. sales representatives. Logistics, reports. Regional Akim (Governor) rier service operating in 16 cities. This is one of the main challeng- however, remains the main chal- Zhanseit Tuimebayev and Kazakh ASTANA – The government an- “Positive dynamics are observed es. We are glad that this indicator lenge for any Kazakh online com- Deputy Minister of Social Develop- ticipates e-commerce will account entirely in the industry. People decreases with time. We work to pany. ment Zhuldyz Omarbekova attend- for 2-3 percent of the retail market now use online shopping more of- increase the range of items and “Our company was founded sev- ed the centre’s opening ceremony. by 2021. The figure is currently ten. Last year, the figures increased improve the quality of customer en years ago. Since that time, we At the hub, IT classes and project approximately 1.9 percent of the by more than 50 percent compared service,” he added. significantly changed the service support are available for individuals total trade market, according to the with 2017. This is a positive trend, Lamoda.kz, one of the largest and market conditions. On-time aged 14 and up. Students can learn Kazakhstan Internet Business and but we know that it is possible to online stores, launched Lamoda order delivery is important for about modeling, programming, mo- Mobile Commerce Association. grow at even faster rates,” Flip.kz Market for independent clothing the customer, but logistics is still bile app use, website development, The Ministry of National Econ- Director Alexander Sokolov said manufacturers and designers in expensive for a company in Ka- content monetisation and attracting omy reported the 101-billion tenge in an interview for this story. 2016. The store promotes local zakhstan. The remoteness of cities investors. (US$270 million) e-commerce The company is distinguished brands and welcomes new part- is one of the main disadvantages market represented 2.9 percent of by excellent and fast service, ac- ners. for e-commerce. The percentage International start-up technopark the total retail turnover for the first cording to social media reviews. “We are delighted to see a posi- of people who shop online is still Astana Hub has carried out three half of 2018, a two-fold increase As a result, improving service is tive growth trend every year. Ac- accelerated start-up programmes, high. All the Internet platforms are through which 47 start-ups were compared to 2017. always a priority. cording to the analytical depart- interested in increasing the number supported and more than 180 mil- Last year, 250 new e-commerce “At the moment, we are doing ment of Lamoda.kz, the number of of online consumers,” said Rys- entities were registered and ap- everything to make it easy for our orders increased by an average of saliyeva. lion tenge (US$478,620) was at- Molder Ryssaliyeva tracted, Kazakh Minister of In- proximately 1,700 online stores customers to make purchases. It 10 percent. By the number of or- Most customers prefer paying in formation and Communications operate. The number of customers is the most important task of our ders, November leads both in 2017 cash when receiving orders, a ten- increased to 1.5 million. portation, shipment and delivery team. When the customer faces and 2018. This is undoubtedly due dency observed in online clothing Dauren Abayev told a February of goods. government meeting. Kazakh Vice The tax code provides tax ben- some problems, it becomes a chal- to the most anticipated sale of the shops. Many want to try clothes on efits for entrepreneurs who began Major online retailers, while lenge for the whole team. We solve year, Black Friday,” said Lamoda before purchasing them. Minister of Information and Com- cognizant of the challenges facing munications Dinara Scheglova and operating through an online store this issue starting from the con- Kazakhstan General Manager “We intend to increase the net- or online platform in 2018. Legal their growth, see positive dynam- tact centre and other departments. Molder Ryssaliyeva. work of points for issuing orders. Zerde National Infocommunication ics and promising future of online Holding are developing a roadmap entities are exempt from paying I personally read comments on The company has 282 employ- We will plan to develop the mar- commerce. to help the hub achieve its aim of at- corporate income tax and individ- products and responses to publica- ees including office staff, sales ketplace model – when third-party Launched in 2007, Flip.kz, one tracting 4.8 billion tenge (US$12.76 ual entrepreneurs from individual tions on social media, so I control representatives and employees at sellers can use the website as a million) in investment. Abayev income tax until 2023. The entre- such retailer, offers more than most of the situations that arise,” points across Kazakhstan. platform for selling their goods. noted that the ministry had worked preneur must conclude the contract 400,000 items from 200 suppli- he noted. “We are constantly working to Now, we are attracting new part- on and will continue creating leg- with the buyer online, use cashless ers, including books, toys, cos- The company employs more improve our service. We pay spe- ners and we are planning to attract islation on venture financing and payment and have his or her own metics, household appliances and than 300 people, with the staff cial attention to the new alternative large brands to the Lamoda.kz fostering favourable conditions for delivery service or an agreement electronics. The company, which growing in proportion to the num- methods of delivery,” she noted. website by the end of 2019,” she informational technology firms and with a company engaged in trans- opened its first brick and mortar ber of customers and orders. The company conducts trainings added. investors. In particular, a draft law amending and adding to the coun- try’s regulations regarding digital technologies is being developed with the intention of creating a legal basis for regulating the implementa- Sustainable investing expert advocates tion of blockchain, big data, artifi- cial intelligence and robotisation.

An entrepreneurship service cen- for business-led societal change tre will open in the capital in May, Astana International Financial Cen- as the ESG data that is available out AIFC,” she added, pointing to the Twitter (@NovikovaYelena) and Astana Akim (Mayor) Bakhyt Sul- By Dilshat Zhussupova tre (AIFC) and Novikova makes a there… Thirdly, while any of the need for ESG integration in the Sin- her research on the sharing economy tanov told a February meeting with case for grassroots action in support developments that take place within gle Accumulative Pension Fund. within the post-Soviet context will city residents, according to Inform. ASTANA – Businesses are key of these initiatives. the AIFC setting are welcome, we Novikova’s insights on SDGs and be published in the upcoming issue kz. The centre will serve entrepre- to greater societal change, a young “I strongly believe that if we are cannot focus exclusively on the ESG investing may be followed on of “Central Asia Business Journal.” neurs in simplifying business pro- Kazakh expert drawing on envi- ever to fully achieve these [SDG] cedures for obtaining funds and ronmental, social and governance goals, leadership on these issues public services to implement their (ESG) factors in investment analysis needs to come from everywhere, products. State support for entrepre- and decision-making says. not just from the executive branch,” neurs also includes the commitment Yelena Novikova’s article on she said. “Remember that old tale of of 186 billion tenge (US$494.6 pension funds appeared in the Sep- the National Aeronautics and Space million) to 1,090 businesses under tember edition of “Global Solutions Administration (NASA) janitor who the Business Roadmap 2020 state Journal,” along with contributors described his job as helping to put a programme. According to the city German Chancellor Angela Merkel man on the moon? We need more akimat (administration), more than and American economist and 2006 of those people who pioneer SDGs 120,000 businesses are currently Nobel Laureate Edmund Phelps. while doing what they have always operating in the capital, 20 percent Meeting Merkel as a 2017 and 2018 been doing.” more than in the previous year. To- G20 Young Global Changer made Kazakhstan’s first foray in ESG day, 57 percent of tax revenues in Novikova even more determined to investment includes the AIFC and the city budget are contributed by live a life of impact. European Bank for Reconstruction small and medium-sized businesses. “Businesses are at the heart of our and Development’s conceptualisa- societies,” she said on the impor- tion and development of Kazakh- Eight new schools will be built tance of firms’ ESG performance stan’s Green Financial System and in Almaty through 2022, Almaty in an exclusive interview for this the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange’s Akim (Mayor) Bauyrzhan Baibek story. “The default setting for busi- publication on ESG reporting meth- told a February meeting with city nesses and investing communities odology. Novikova sees a shift away residents, according to Inform.kz. was to essentially be a part of the from ad-hoc corporate social respon- Six schools will be located in the problem… With some companies sibility campaigns and encourages Alatau district, one in the Auezov being bigger in terms of revenue greater integration of sustainability district and one in the Nauryzbai than some countries in terms of practices in Kazakh companies’ cor- district. The akim noted that schools gross domestic product, we simply porate strategies. are becoming more crowded as the cannot navigate the maze of societal “When we hear about companies city grows by an average of 50,000 progress the way we used to. Plus, joining to become a part of the solu- people annually, with the number of they have ethical, reputational and, tion in Kazakhstan, the focus tends to schoolchildren growing by 10,000 importantly, financial incentives to be on the responsibility of the busi- to 12,000 every year. More than join the challenge.” ness, rather than the opportunity that it 100 billion tenge (US$265.9 mil- “It is helpful to think of Sustaina- might bring,” she said on why Kazakh lion) is allocated toward education ble Development Goals (SDGs) and firms should continue on this path. in the city annually. This money ESG as two different frameworks “For example, companies that have a goes toward the salaries of more that tell the same story,” she added. better ESG performance tend to enjoy than 32,000 teachers and the main- “ESG is essentially an SDG story a lower cost of capital. This, in turn, tenance and construction of 221 told through the eyes of profession- can make them more competitive.” schools, 182 kindergartens and 20 als in sustainable investing.” “We need to continue improving colleges. Kazakhstan’s major sustainabil- the quality of corporate non-finan- ity initiatives are the energy-themed cial disclosures by Kazakhstan’s Eurasian Bank has reimbursed EXPO 2017, National Concept for companies… Just like in any other approximately 35.2 billion tenge Transition to a Green Economy un- country, the quality of ESG invest- to Astana Bank clients, which is til 2050 and green finance under the ment analysis can only be as good 93.7 percent of Astana Bank’s ob- ligations to depositors, reports the Kazakh National Bank. Reimburse- ment payments by Eurasian Bank will continue until July 26, after which payment applications will be directed to the Kazakh Deposit In- surance Fund for compensation via bank transfer.

A national mineral resource da- tabase is under development in Ka- zakhstan, Minister of Industry and Infrastructure Development Zhenis Kassymbek told a February govern- ment meeting. The ministry and Ka- zGeology are creating the database to consolidate field reports, mineral reserve balances and territory ex- ploration data. The database will facilitate greater investment in the Lunin. Andrey Photo credit: industry of geology and subsoil use. Yelena Novikova A6 EDITORIAL&OPINION

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019 Kazakhstan increases Aktobe region bets on manufacturing, focus on assisting large agriculture, SMEs and PPPs, governor says Continued from Page A1 foreign companies entering the sues on an ongoing basis. To date, region, we have noted a positive 79 contracts have been signed for What is planned to be done to trend in foreign investment. Today, a total amount of 22.7 billion tenge families, next generation (US$60.3 million). improve performance in the com- seven TNCs operate in the oblast azakhstan, as we have the Nurly Zher programme, of ing years? including Sinopec Group, CNPC, As part of the PPP, a number of said many times be- providing better accommodation First, the systematic develop- ERG, Yildirim Group, Russian large and socially important facili- fore, has come a long for 1.5 million families over the ment of the manufacturing sector Copper Company, which in 2018 ties have already been opened in way in a very short next 15 years. will be maintained. Over the past included the global giants Eni and Aktobe, which meet all interna- time.K The country’s development The programme includes five years, the share of manufac- General Electric, building a wind tional standards. Among them is in the last two decades has been measures to build many new turing in the gross regional product power plant in the Kargaly region the Daru Zharygy ophthalmology remarkable both in its speed and properties for rent and to help (GRP) has increased from 7.3 per- worth 33 billion tenge (US$87.7 centre, equipped with high-tech the breadth of the transformation. more families buy their own cent to 11.6 percent. million). equipment from Germany, France, But such change, of course, homes. Additional finance is In addition, work is underway the United States, Japan and other does not happen at a uniform being provided for home loans, to establish a special economic Please, tell us about the most leading countries. The centre al- speed across the board. As the lower payments are being set for zone by transforming the exist- Berdybek Saparbayev important projects in construc- ready performs surgeries unique country has developed, there targeted groups while the whole ing Aktobe industrial zone, which ing and greenhousing, 10 projects tion, manufacturing and agri- for western Kazakhstan. The in- have been times when progress process of accessing mortgages is will create attractive conditions in dairy farming, five projects in business. vestment amount in the project is has been slower. being streamlined. for investors. At the first stage, it processing of agricultural prod- In 2018, six large investment 3.1 billion tenge (US$8.2 million). Inevitably, there are areas It is important, as President is planned to attract about 2.2 tril- ucts, four projects in poultry farm- projects of the manufacturing in- Based on the example of the Is- where improvements have not Nursultan Nazarbayev stressed lion tenge (US$58.5 billion) of ing and one project in fish farming. dustry were commissioned with tanbul ambulance, the city emer- come as fast as they should have. in his most recent state-of–he- investment in the oblast, create At the same time, we are univer- total investment of 47.2 billion gency station is operating with the This may be because of difficul- nation address in October, that about 5,000 new jobs, establish a sally introducing innovations in tenge (US$125.5 million), 575 capacity of 150,000 attendances a ties in bringing about the changes these plans are delivered and ad- chain of enterprises with high add- the agricultural industry, introduc- jobs were created. Thus, with the year. The station has an informa- required, the lead time necessary ditional measures identified and ed value and thereby diversify the ing satellite monitoring of fields, participation of Chinese investors, tion system that will be integrated to see the impact of new invest- acted on. He said that quality and economy of the region. automating technology crop maps, production of modular equipment with the Ministry of Healthcare ment on the ground or, in some affordable housing was essential At the same time, based on the monitoring the traffic record, grain packages was opened at Kazakh- and all hospitals in Aktobe. Calls cases, new pressures and strains. to create “a comfortable living analysis of the balance between storage and processing. In the fu- stan Oil Equipment Plant LLP at will be addressed to the call centre, The terrible fire in Astana environment” for the country’s manufacturing and consump- ture, it is planned to implement a cost of 1.8 billion tenge (US$4.7 and 25 dispatchers will be able to earlier this month, which cost the citizens. tion of products in the region and smart farms in the oblast and intro- million), ice-cream production track the routes of all teams online. lives of five young children, put He also stressed in his speech neighbouring areas, strategic niche duce targeted farming. was launched at Ice Plus LLP at a Advanced equipment, including the spotlight on areas where, de- the central role of the family in projects and promising directions, In addition, the oblast will work cost of 1.2 billion tenge (US$3.1 mobile ICUs, made it possible to spite real efforts and investment, national life and ambitions and types of necessary products that to increase labour productivity by million), as well as production of reduce the time of arrival to the progress has not kept pace with urged the Government to ensure the oblast and other regions of Ka- developing digitisation and intro- ovens for the oil industry at Eco- patient to eight-10 minutes. At the national needs. There remains a they received the support they zakhstan need, are identified. Thus, ducing new technologies. Accord- Express Aktobe LLP worth 1 bil- same time, the project provides shortage of high-quality, af- needed. It is why major invest- in 2019, another 10 investment ing to the state-of-the-nation ad- lion tenge (US$2.6 million). for three substations with a repair fordable housing. While living ment should be poured into edu- projects are planned to be commis- dress of the head of state, “Third The gas processing facility of base for 50 ambulances, planned standards for our citizens have cation and health to give children sioned with a total investment of Modernisation of Kazakhstan: Gas Processing Company LLP to be commissioned in 2019. The improved dramatically, not all the best possible start in life. 34.8 billion tenge (US$92.5 mil- Global Competitiveness,” in 2017 has become a significant project investment amount is 2.1 billion families have benefited fully and In keeping with a country lion) creating 700 new jobs that the activities were launched to for the region. The project was tenge (US$5.5 million), the inves- some continue to struggle badly modernise and digitise enterprises. actively encouraging a growing will fill niches in the construction launched in 2016. Then, within the tor is a Turkish company. to make ends meet. Over the past two years, about 75 Fourth International Investment population, there is also financial industry, mechanical engineering At the end of 2018, the Ice Pal- We need, of course, to wait for and consumer goods. enterprises have been modernised Forum “Aktobe Invest 2016,” a ace was commissioned, where support for families including the full investigation into the fire. Sure enough, we will also use in the amount of 105 billion tenge memorandum was signed between technological equipment was additional help for those with the But it seems, from all we know the mining industry potential. At (US$279.2 million). the oblast akimat and the manage- computerised to the maximum. most children. Mothers, for ex- already, that both these challeng- present, there are still 160 reserve The investment package of ment of the company. On Dec. 11, The project implementation made ample, who raise seven children es contributed to this heart-break- fields in the region, the potential documents of every production 2018, within the Industrialisation it possible to create conditions ing tragedy which united the na- are awarded national heroine of which has not been unlocked. facility was revised, with the in- Day, the President of the country for health promotion and public tion in grief and shock. It has led, status. They receive life-time Free fields will allow developing volvement of foreign experts for a launched a new facility during a involvement in winter sports – rightly, to appeals for action to benefits as well as tax breaks and metallurgical and petrochemical detailed analysis of the modernisa- teleconference. This production hockey, figure skating, short track, prevent another such catastrophe child support in recognition of clusters. tion and digitisation effectiveness. facility not only makes a signifi- etc. The investment amount is 2.5 and to begin to tackle the reasons their hard work and contribution The development of the service Together with local enterprises, we cant contribution to the economic billion tenge (US$6.6 million), the which contributed to it. to society. sector is also one of the key ar- worked with large foreign compa- development of the region, but investor is the Slovak company H The authorities – at both But, as all parents know, bring- eas of economic development. In nies to purchase equipment, further also improves the environmental + H Technika. city and national level – must ing up children is expensive. 2019, using all sources available, reduce costs, increase competitive- situation by processing the asso- In addition, a tennis centre has respond to these appeals with And it can be especially difficult about 34 billion tenge (US$90.4 ness, increase productivity and im- ciated gas, which was previously been recently opened, consisting both immediate and long-term to pay – or even find – the good million) will be allocated for the prove the environmental situation. simply flared. The investment of four outdoor and four indoor measures. Low-income families accommodation needed to house SME development, including 5.1 In 2019, at least 50 enterprises are amount in the project was 42 bil- courts. In general, this facility has across Astana, for example, are a large family. It is why the pro- billion tenge (US$13.5 million) planned to be modernised and dig- lion tenge (US$111.6 million). It quite spacious rooms for year- to be helped urgently to install posal, in the wake of the Astana for microcrediting within the im- itised in the industry. As a result, is predicted that in just seven years round tennis, as well as various smoke alarms in their homes. tragedy, that fresh impetus is to plementation of Five Social Ini- their productivity should increase tax revenues to the local and na- national and international tourna- It is a practical step which can be given to building new apart- tiatives of the President, further by 7 percent. tional budget from this plant alone ments. The investment amount is be delivered quickly and, the ments, which can accommodate creating more than 2,000 jobs. In order to increase the competi- will amount to more than 10 bil- 1.5 billion tenge (US$3.9 million), evidence shows, can be the dif- bigger than normal families is Allocated funds will increase the tiveness of the region, activities lion tenge (US$26.5 million). the investor is a local company ference between life and death in welcome. share of small and medium-sized are underway to improve the ur- In agribusiness, a large-scale Bonus Corporation LLP. the event of a fire. So, too, are ideas to look at the businesses in the structure of the ban environment, since this facili- project for the construction of the In total, last year PPP and cor- But while such alarms are a specific needs of larger families economy. tates investment attractiveness. In fifth-generation greenhouse facility porate social responsibility pro- welcome first step, there has been and see whether more personal In order to improve business Aktobe, we are implementing the at Green Capital Kazakhstan LLP jects were implemented for a widespread recognition that there help might be given. After all, confidence in state agencies in the Smart City project with a special has been implemented. A project total amount of 32 billion tenge is also the need for longer-term Kazakhstan’s young and grow- region, the Business without Bar- focus on public space, develop- worth 7.4 billion tenge (US$19.6 (US$85.1 million). solutions which must include ing population, as we said in riers project is being implemented. ment of pedestrian streets that million) will grow more than 1,500 In addition, today within the PPP improving the availability and the previous issue, is our great- It provides for the reduction of ad- shape the city’s brand and attract tonnes of vegetables per year. it is planned to build large projects quality of housing and sup- est natural resource. It is both ministrative barriers, optimisation tourists and SMEs. We are doing In addition, such projects are at such as: port for families. Here there is critical and right that we nurture of authorisation procedures, and this taking into account the best in- the stage of completion as Koktas * Positron Emission Tomogra- re-assurance that tackling these and support the families who are reduction of the documents list ternational standards. Aktobe JSC construction mate- phy Centre (PET centre) worth challenges have already been rearing the individuals on which when obtaining authorisation doc- Housing construction is also rials plant worth 7 billion tenge 6.5 billion tenge (US$17.2 mil- made a priority. our future depends. uments and making changes to the a priority. We will build on the (US$18.6 million), Zerde Kera- lion). The project, being imple- Over $5 billion, for example, The newly installed Kazakh regulatory acts, as well as carrying principle: increasing the number mika Aktobe LLP ceramic tile mented jointly with the American has been spent in the last two government led by Prime Min- out activities aimed at improving and affordability. “Increasing the and granite plant worth 9.2 billion partner General Electric, will im- years to expand and improve ister Askar Mamin has a clearly the region’s rating on ease of doing number” means an ambitious task tenge (US$24.4 million). prove the quality of diagnosis and housing stock with public fund- defined set of goals in this area business. The region is the leader of the current year to commission At the same time, it is worth not- treatment of cancer patients identi- ing being used to attract private and it is this area which will in non-financial support from more than one million square me- ing construction projects in the so- fying cancer-related diseases at the investment. This is just the start be watched by the people most the EBRD, the amount of grants tres of housing, and “increasing af- cial area, where 23.8 billion tenge earliest stages. with the ambitious target, under closely. was more than 120 million tenge fordability” means cutting costs in (US$63.2 million) was allocated * Check-up Centre worth 5 bil- (US$319,140). In cooperation housing construction through the for the design, development and lion tenge (US$13.2 million). The with the MASHAV, human capi- introduction of modern technolo- arrangement of engineering and project is being implemented joint- tal is being constantly developed, gies and the use of construction utility infrastructure, and 30.9 bil- ly with the Seoul National Uni- increasing the competence of en- materials from local manufacturers. lion tenge (US$82.1 million) – for versity. The centre will apply new trepreneurs. Within the Zhas Pro- the construction of 26 schools in technologies for the early and time- ject designed for the unemployed What is the amount of foreign 2017-2018. ly diagnosis of various diseases. youth, the World Bank allocated a investment attracted to the Aktobe * Children Oncology Centre grant in the amount of 163 million oblast in 2017 and 2018? Please tell us about activities worth 4.4 billion tenge (US$11.7 tenge (US$433,499). At the end of 2018, 516.1 bil- and projects in the area of public- million). Agriculture remains one of the lion tenge (US$1.37 billion) was private partnership (PPP). In addition, as part of the PPP, main sectors of the economy of attracted to the region. Compar- In his address “Third Mod- street lamps will be replaced with the Aktobe oblast. The key areas ing to 2017, the amount of invest- ernisation of Kazakhstan: Global energy-saving ones everywhere of the agricultural industry in the ment increased by 78.1 billion Competitiveness,” the President reducing the annual cost of street short term should be the develop- tenge (US$207.4 million). Thirty stressed that “all possible kinds lighting by more than 60 percent. ment of animal husbandry, irri- percent of investment are foreign and forms of PPPs are critical to be The project cost is 1.2 billion tenge gated land and non-traditional ag- (155.6 billion tenge, (US$413.8 used to attract private funds: trust (US$3.1 million), while the return ricultural sectors. With the EBRD million) or 41.9 percent more than management of state property, ser- of funds will be ensured by saving financing, this year it is planned to last year. vice contracts and others. PPP is electricity. increase the irrigated land area by At the same time, jointly with set to become a primary mecha- 10,600 hectares. The agricultural the Kazakh Invest national com- nism for infrastructure develop- The full interview is available project office was created, within pany, active work is carried out to ment, including the social one.” online. which 208 promising projects attract foreign investment in vari- In turn, the Aktobe oblast is On Feb. 25, Berdibek Sapar- were outlined for 2019, including ous sectors of the regional econ- actively introducing PPP mecha- bayev was appointed the Minis- 149 projects in animal husbandry, omy. Thanks to transnational cor- nisms and attracting private invest- ter of Labour and Social Protec- 37 projects in irrigated crop farm- porations (TNCs) and other large ment in solving various social is- tion of the Population.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019 Kazakh, UAE businesswomen commit to AI cleaning robots developing economic ties at business forum from Yakutia find develop projects to promote busi- Staff Report ness cooperation, mutual invest- ment and joint ventures. Measures ASTANA – A Kazakh delega- to improve the two countries’ busi- customers in tion of businesswomen to Dubai ness climates will include stream- recently committed to deepening lining legal and administrative bilateral economic, trade and tech- conditions and conducting ana- nological ties between Kazakh- lytical studies to identify trade and Kazakhstan stan and the United Arab Emirates economic barriers. (UAE) at the UAE-Kazakhstan During their UAE visit, the Businesswomen Forum. Kazakh delegation also met with Kazakh Secretary of State UAE General Women’s Union Gulshara Abdykalikova and Chairperson Sheikha Fatima bint Atameken National Chamber of Mubarak to discuss cooperation Entrepreneurs’ Businesswomen among the two countries’ busi-

Council Chairperson Lyazzat atameken.kz. Photo credit: ness communities, state family Ramazanova headed the Kazakh policy, motherhood and women’s delegation of women entrepre- World Economic Forum, Ka- “Time dictates the need to deep- economic empowerment. In addi- neurs. zakhstan ranks 32nd in terms of en cooperation in the development tion, they met with the Federation At the forum, Abdykalikova em- women’s economic participation of women’s entrepreneurship,” of the UAE Chambers of Com- phasised the importance of deep- and opportunities. We also need she said. “It is possible that, in merce and Industry Chairman ening the two countries’ friendly to pursue economic, commercial, the future, 50 percent of the UAE Mohammed Thani Murshed Gha- ties, which were established by technological and business com- Parliament will be represented by nem Al Rumaithi to discuss trade, Kazakh President Nursultan Naz- munity collaboration, with a focus women.” food security and investment be- arbayev and former Abu Dhabi on digitisation.” A memorandum of coopera- tween the two countries and with Ruler Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Ramazanova said the experienc- tion between Atameken National UN Women in Abu Dhabi Direc- “We have made significant es of businesswomen in the UAE Chamber of Entrepreneurs’ Busi- tor Moza Al Shehhi to discuss progress in ensuring equal rights as valuable to Kazakh business- nesswomen Council and the UAE improving the status of women, and opportunities in the economy women and hopes a new partner- Businesswomen Council was developing women’s entrepre- [of Kazakhstan],” she said. “At ship format will foster such ex- signed during the forum. Under neurship and promoting gender the end of 2018, according to the changes. the memorandum, the parties will equality.

stitution. The Yakut start-up coop- Staff Report erated with Tech Garden Kazakh Autonomous Cluster Fund. ASTANA – An autonomous ro- “By participating in Tech Gar- Government, EBRD reaffirm support for bot cleaner designed to clean large den’s three-month accelerator, premises and industrial and com- we, firstly, got a lot of new knowl- mercial facilities was presented edge and were able to bring our Feb. 4 at the Nursultan Nazarbayev robot to the stage ready for in- SMEs, business consulting increases turnover International Airport in the capital. dustrial assembly. Secondly, we The inventor, a start-up company found customers and partners Continued from Page A1 dress, Kazakh President Nursultan EBRD Advice for Small Business vited an expert in metalworking and from Yakutia, Russia, has signed in Kazakhstan. The first robots Nazarbayev set the task of allo- National Programme Manager mechanical engineering from Spain, a contract to supply 100 robots to were presented today at the air- “We monitor this process on an cating 600 billion tenge (US$1.6 Alma Kassymova. who worked with our client, an LED Kazakh companies. port,” said the start-up’s co-author on-going basis. Last year, the share billion) for affordable loans. The “We have our own base of bank solutions company, that produces Kazakh officials and Yakut part- Nikolai Potapov. of SMEs in the GDP was 27.9 per- loans will be divided into two consultants who have accredita- LED lightning using energy-efficient ners are working out the issues The Autonomous Technologies cent,” he said. equal tranches from funds of the tion. The most important thing technologies,” she noted. related to establishing industrial Startup (resident of the IT-park of The ministry plans to reach 28 National Bank and Unified Accu- for us is what projects they have According to the recent report, production of these robots in Ka- Yakutsk) was attracted to Kazakh- percent by next year and 30-35 mulative Pension Fund. already implemented. Marketing of 172 SME projects implement- zakhstan. percent by 2025. Approximately “We are at the final stage of fi- consultants and experts in strate- ed since 2015, 85 percent were stan as a part of the Startup Ka- three million Kazakhs, or more nancing. We will provide loans at 8 gies including branding and re- rated as successful and almost 80 A fully self-contained robot zakhstan programme, which aims than 30 percent of the population, percent per annum for seven years. branding are in demand,” she said. percent of clients reported an in- washes floors and independently to support Kazakh companies and are employed in SMEs. The working group headed by In addition to consulting ser- creased turnover. More than 56 navigates in space without human attract foreign start-ups to create a The development dynamics are Deputy Prime Minister Yerbolat vices, the bank provides seminars, percent of enterprises increased intervention, bypassing people, critical mass of technology compa- positive, as small businesses do Dossayev is engaged in visiting business coaching, mentoring, en- their headcount by an average of walls and other obstacles. The ro- nies in Kazakhstan. not face challenges in terms of ad- the regions and screening the po- trepreneurial skills courses and in- 14 percent. The report also indi- bot consumes water economically “With the support of the Ka- ministrative barriers or inspections. tential borrowers,” he said. dustry expertise. cated a 20-percent increase in jobs cleaning it in the internal tank for zakh Government, a full-fledged Long-term financing and favourable Last year, the bank implemented “We attract experts from other filled by women. Eight percent of reuse. ecosystem was formed around the loans are currently on the agenda. 264 local and international SME countries when we need consultation the businesses evaluated reported Elements of artificial intelli- Tech Garden cluster and an ef- In his state-of-the-nation ad- advisory projects nationwide, said in specific areas. For example, we in- an increase in export sales. gence (AI) introduced into the con- fective stream of start-ups from trol system allows several robots to the Commonwealth Independent interact in the same room without States’ countries was established. interfering with each other. When Today, we are seeing a real case, necessary, the robots themselves when the promising Yakut start-up go to the base to replace the bat- is transformed into a successful tery and water. Kazakh high-tech company. The The robot was developed by sci- company is registered and pays entists and students of the Maxim taxes in Kazakhstan, becoming Ammosov North-Eastern Federal a full-fledged participant in the University and is being assembled country’s economy,” said Tech in the workshops of the Yakutia Garden’s Chief Executive Officer Technopark State Autonomous In- Sanzhar Kettebekov. Car production increases approximately 80% enterprises. KazAvtoProm plans Staff Report to continue that increase by manu- facturing 40,000 cars by the end of ASTANA – Kazakh passenger 2019. The goal should be attain- car production increased 78.8 per- able based on growing market de- cent (30,000 cars) in 2018 com- mand and Kazakhstan’s auto loan pared to the previous year. programme. Kazakhstan becomes global leader The East Kazakhstan region Official dealers sold 57,900 ve- manufactured 18,300 cars, or hicles last year, a 24.9-percent hike 60.8 percent of the 2018 total, compared to 2017. Nearly half of reported energyprom.kz. One local buyers (28,300 or 48.9 per- in flax production, says official of the nation’s two largest auto cent) opted for Kazakh products. sification of acreage, which is the opment programme of intensive “Taking this opportunity, I’ll say, plants is in Ust-Kamenogorsk, Lada is the most popular brand Staff Report transition from the production of gardening, for the next 10 years everyone who has proposals, come which works in partnership with popular in the country, account- traditional cereals to those that are the agriculture sphere’s tasks are to our project office, see how it General Motors, KIA Motors, ing for 13,413 units sold last year. ASTANA – Kazakhstan ranked now in more demand such as fod- to sow 47,000 hectares of land and works and get involved in the pro- Renault-Nissan-AvtoVAZ and The Russian brand was followed first in the world in the produc- der, oilseed, and vegetable melon, ensure import substitution. jects. As of Feb. 7, there are 3,095 Volkswagen Group, and the facil- by Toyota (12,278) and Hyundai tion of flax reaching the volume of reported express-k.kz. “As part of the intensive garden- projects in operation,” he said. ity added and updated 14 models (8,721). KazAvtoProm reported more than 900,000 tonnes flax in “This season, 22.8 million ing development programme, 862 According to the vice minister, last year. 10.9 percent of all sales of local- 2018. tonnes of grain were harvested and hectares of intensive gardens were further growth in the exports re- The second leading plant, in ly-produced cars were purchased This was announced by Kazakh 11.7 million tonnes of grain were laid. The main regions to place in- quires continuation of deep pro- the Kostanai region, produced within the preferential loan pro- First Vice Minister of Agriculture exported. This is 32.4 percent tensive orchards are the Almaty, cessing of grain for the production 11,800 cars (39.2 percent) in gramme. Arman Yevniyev at a recent ex- more than in 2017. Gross collec- Zhambyl and Turkestan regions, of pasta, starch, fibrin, gluten and 2018. The product line includes As a part of the recycling pro- panded meeting of the board of the tion of oil seeds amounted to 2.7 where 162 hectares, 200 hectares organic chemical fabric. Such pro- brands such as Chevrolet, Hyun- gramme for outdated vehicles, ministry. million tonnes. Kazakhstan for the and 500 hectares of land (were jects have been implemented in dai, IVECO, JAC, Niva, Peugeot Kazakhs acquired approximately According to the official, the first time ranked first in the world given for gardening respectively),” Kapshagai in the Almaty region and Ravon. 7,900 domestically-produced cars increase in labour productivity in production of flax bringing the said the vice minister. and Tayinshy in the North Ka- The Kazakh auto industry has using discount certificates and of- in the agro-industrial complex in production volume to 930,000 Yevniyev also reminded that the zakhstan region. In Kostanai, the seen two years of steady growth, fered 27,200 units for recycling. 2018 was 23 percent. In particular, tonnes,” said Yevniyev. agriculture ministry is open to dis- project is entering the construction said Oleg Alferov, chair of Ka- Nearly 13,000 certificates were it was achieved because of diver- As a part of the sectoral devel- cuss all programmes. stage. zAvtoProm union of automotive presented to car dealerships. A8 BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019 Clock-in, clock-out automation service start-up plans expanding to Southeast Asia rics and a face recognition mecha- supermarkets in the capital, Costa “You no longer need papers that working on developing a corporate By Assel Satubaldina nism that makes it distinct among Coffee, Hardee’s and KFC. need to be signed and calculations segment. similar systems around the world. “If your cashier is late, for in- that need to be done. The system “This includes control of work- ASTANA – Kazakh start-up “You can be sure, because these stance, for 10 minutes, then it produces the time automatically ing hours and control over ac- Clockster, a clock-in, clock-out are not cards that could be handed means at least five people were not and allows comparing to the KPI cess. This entails installation of automation service powered by over to other people and not signa- served and this negatively affects of the employee, what he or she systems at pay gates to recognise biometric identification, seeks to tures in a register where employees your sales. Our big clients, KFC, was able to accomplish,” said faces. This is for large organisa- expand to Southeast Asia after can sign for each other,” he added. Hardee’s and Costa, had such a Ryskaliyev. tions. It also includes automation selling four devices to SubicWorx The developers sought to help problem. It was important for them The company recently closed a of all processes, including visits of in the Philippines, said CEO Yer- businesses improve their salary not only that their employee is on 90-million tenge (US$240,269) guests,” said Ryskaliyev. zhan Ryskaliyev in an interview budgeting efficiency and improve time for work, but also that they round of seed investments. with The Astana Times. employee key performance indica- do not lose potential clients,” said “We received our first invest- Kazakhstan is well known for tors (KPIs). The team is working Ryskaliyev. ment, which was $100,000, in its abundant natural resources, but to make the system more acces- Companies using the system can 2017 from a private businessper- is far less known for its early ef- sible to small and medium-sized save significant resources. son. We spent the money entirely forts to develop an IT ecosystem enterprises. “We boost the discipline of em- on product development, devel- and start-up culture. Clockster A monthly subscription in- ployees through this transparency oping its prototype and system is among the brightest examples Yerzhan Ryskaliyev cluding a tablet with installed aspect. Let’s imagine you have validation. Last year, we attracted making strides in fostering a start- finger print scan, software and 50 employees and 10-15 percent $240,000 of seed investments and up ecosystem in the country and of monitoring employment hours technical support costs $50 per of them are 10-15 minutes late $100,000 of those come from Sin- representing its untapped potential using biometrics. This is for such month. The company can re- every day. If we accumulate these gapore, where we requalified the abroad. The integrated system en- clients as restaurants, bars, cafes coup its investments from one ten minutes within a period of one company with its name remaining ables employers to monitor work and other service offices where location in approximately seven- year, then the company pays a lot the same. We have our main hold- hours and employee shifts using a there is a need to control work eight months. in total over these 10-15 minutes. ing there,” he said. biometric identification tool. hours of employees,” said Ryska- The system is currently inte- This is not efficient,” he said. The company plans on expand- “Speaking about the product, liyev. grated at 184 Kazakh locations. Automating processes are anoth- ing into Southeast Asia, including Clockster is a cloud-based system Clockster incorporates biomet- Among the biggest clients are A2 er significant Clockster advantage. Malaysia and Singapore. It is also Defence-industrial NU scholars, students invent sector to prioritise medical device named among world’s local production top 20 innovations Today, Kazakh firms produce ics, machine learning, artificial es for upper limbs and ankles, the pants from more than 150 coun- By Dilshat Zhussupova ships, combat vehicles, helicop- Staff Report intelligence and medicine. They ReLive team also hopes to expand tries. ters, communications and radar presented the project at the Oct. the invention’s functions with arti- According to UNICEF, there are ASTANA – Increasing Kazakh- reconnaissance systems and salvo ASTANA – The United Nations 25-26 international exhibition ficial intelligence. approximately 93 million children stan’s production in the defence- fire systems used by the Kazakh (UN) recently recognised an in- Astana Digital Health to United In recognition of their innova- aged 14 or younger that live with a industrial sector is to be prioritised army and abroad. vention by Nazarbayev University Nations International Children’s tion, the project team was invited disability, and they often face chal- among defence-industrial firms in Aircraft Repair Plant No. 405 (NU) scholars and students to re- Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Ex- to participate in the UNICEF in- lenges in enjoying their rights and Astana and Almaty, said Kazakh specialises in overhauling and habilitate patients after a stroke as ecutive Director Henrietta Fore ternational exhibition on Assistive are subject to discrimination and Deputy Prime Minister and Min- repairing military and civil heli- among the world’s top 20 innova- and Kazakh Minister of Health- Technology in Accelerating Learn- social exclusion. The international ister of Defence and Aerospace copters and aviation technical tive solutions. care Yelzhan Birtanov, receiving ing and Participation of Children exhibition will promote the use of Industry Askar Zhumagaliyev at a equipment. Sergey Kirov Machine According to the NU press ser- an award for best digital solution. with Disabilities in Geneva March assistive technology for children Feb 8. visit to production factories. Building Plant manufactures hy- vice, ReLive helps stroke victims Developing rehabilitation devic- 7-8. The event will include partici- in overcoming barriers in learning Zhumagaliyev visited defence- draulic items and specialises in recover more quickly. It includes and participation. The exhibition is industrial firms Sergey Kirov Ma- modernising and restoring certain equipment and software for read- also organised around the Human chine Building Plant, Aircraft Re- products. SKTB Granit manufac- ing and recognising brain signals, Rights Council Session in March pair Plant No. 405, SKTB Granit, tures systems and devices for ra- a microcontroller and an exoskel- on the topic of “Empowering chil- Kazakhstan Aviation Industry, Eu- dio-electronics, communications, eton of the upper limbs. Brain dren with disabilities for the enjoy- signals are recorded by a mobile ment of their human rights, includ- electroencephalograph and sent to ing through inclusive education.” a computer, allowing patients to Nazarbayev University is an mentally manage an exoskeleton. English-medium autonomous The prototype has undergone sev- educational and research univer- eral test drives and was shown to sity in Astana and was founded be fully functional. on Kazakh President Nursultan The project was led by NU Nazarbayev’s initiative in 2010. It Assistant Professor Prashant seeks to utilise the advantages of Jamwal and PhD student Beibit the national education system and Abdikenov and designed by NU the world’s best scientific and edu- scholars and students in robot- ReLive project team. cational practices.

Photo credit: inform.kz. Photo credit: KMG International sets operating Askar Zhumagaliyev (L) visiting Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering. rocopter Kazakhstan Engineering, telecommunications and informa- and financial records Kazakhstan Aselsan Engineering tion technology. Eurocopter Ka- Romania-based refinery processed nal channels reached 3.35 million This year, KMG International and Kazakhstan Paramount Engi- zakhstan Engineering trains flight Staff Report 5.9 million tonnes of raw materi- tonnes, 59,000 tonnes more than intends to start implementing pro- neering (KPE). He surveyed the personnel and sells and repairs als, one million tonnes more than 2017 and 1.25 million tonnes more jects to construct a combined heat firms’ production lines and indus- helicopters. Kazakhstan Aviation ASTANA – KMG International planned, and is continuing at the than 2012. and power plant at the refinery, as trial capacities and was briefed Industry manufactures, assembles, recorded high operating and fi- highest processing level in its 40- Exports of raw materials and pe- well as expand its retail network on their development plans. In repairs and sells aviation equip- nancial results in 2018, accord- year history, reported the company troleum products through trading of petrol stations in its main Ro- meeting with the firms’ staff, he ment. Kazakhstan Aselsan Engi- ing to management reports. The press service. channels was 14.9 million tonnes, manian market. The infrastructure emphasised the role of the newly neering manufactures, distributes, group’s operating profit (earnings Significant growth was recorded 2.7 million tonnes greater than projects are aimed at improving introduced Key Performance In- repairs and sells electronic and before interest, taxes, depreciation, in retail sales. Wholesale and retail 2017 and 10.3 million tonnes more the group’s financial sustainability electro-optical products. KPE and amortisation (EBITDA)) was sales through internal and exter- than 2012. and profitability. manufactures advanced armoured KPE began expanding $249.7 million, according to unau- vehicles, such as the Alan 4×4, dited management reporting data, its land, maritime and Arlan 4×4, Nomad 4×4, Barys 6×6 with a net profit of $86 million. and Barys 8×8. aerial production line Notably, KPE began expanding “In 2018, KMG International’s in September, given its land, maritime and aerial pro- operating activities were imple- duction line in September, given mented in full compliance with the that its Astana factory that its Astana factory had quickly plans and the group strategy ap- had quickly become become one of the world’s most proved in early 2018. For all key advanced military equipment fac- performance indicators, the past one of the world’s tories and part of global defence year was the best for more than 10 and aerospace company Paramount years. In the medium term, we set most advanced Group’s global supply chain. The ourselves a task to double net prof- military equipment factory’s increased production ca- it indicator, continue implement- pacity allows it to serve both do- ing the strategy of KazMunayGas factories and part of mestic and international demand, to expand its presence in the inter- meaning that Kazakhstan is be- national market and, as a result, in- global defence and coming a more competitive export- crease the shareholder value of the aerospace company er in the global defence and aero- entire KMG Group,” said KMG space industry. For example, KPE International CEO Zhanat Tussup- Paramount Group’s currently produces the Arlan 4×4, bekov. a localised version of Paramount Petromidia Refinery, the group’s global supply chain. Group’s Marauder 8×8 used by largest asset and one of the most defence and peacekeeping forces technologically advanced oil re- dicator system in ensuring effec- worldwide and will become one of fineries in the Black Sea region, tive control over production in the the primary production vendors of reached a new maximum operating defence-industrial sector. the Marauder 8×8 in global sales. efficiency indicator last year. The KMG International’s Petromidia refinery in Romania. B Nation&Capital

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019

PEOPLE CULTURE SPORTS President meets with newest 100 Astana Ballet to present globally Galysheva wins Kazakhstan’s first New Faces winners recognised ballet gold in Ladies’ Moguls at FIS World B2 B3 Championship B7 Be human above all, Kazakh Astana coworking war correspondent stresses develops, offers ject, being acknowledged as a living By Aidana Yergaliyeva example of someone making a posi- tive impact despite facing challenges. ASTANA – Nazgul Kenzhetay, different solutions perhaps Kazakhstan’s first war cor- janov noted the coworking culture respondent, hopes to raise aware- The children By Ainur Seidakhmetova provides the key things needed for ness of the lost childhoods of the “[The reason] why I started [to small business – a cheap work- millions of innocents along the bor- do the wartime journalism] is the ASTANA – Although a novelty space and communication across der between Turkey and Syria. Now, tears of children. I met offended several years ago, the coworking different industries. The most im- their identities and very futures are children in every corner,” she said. culture seems to be gaining popu- portant thing for small business also at risk, the journalist says. She knew she was needed the larity within the city’s business owners is to overcome the fear of Kenzhetay tells The Astana Times day a child asked her if there community. Coworking sites in the doing business and face the risks that her work in war zones taught her was enough food in heaven, and capital offer a similar core product associated with it. The cowork- the importance of identity. At just 23, if they’d meet their mother there – a membership-based workspace ing culture creates a community age and gender has never stopped again. In addition to facing hunger and unique concepts, each with of like-minded people and helps Kenzhetay from pursuing her ideals, and loss, these children are being certain amenities that differentiate eliminate the psychological limita- and her passions. She reached out to preyed upon, the journalist said. them from their competitors. tions of first-time entrepreneurs. the UN and the UNICEF to support “For some people it was a busi- Multispace is a pioneer among IQ Coworking, created by Vostok her stories and trips to conflict zones, ness, organ selling. It is a very de- the city’s coworking sites. Opened Invest Group, offers 2,000 square and her work has caught the interest veloped business in Asia Minor in 2014 with 6,500 square metres, metres in the heart of the city. of the BBC and the Financial Times. [the area that encompasses most of it is the second largest coworking “Renting commercial real estate Her photos have been exhibited in modern Turkey]. Children’s organs company in the world. The firm, is the main activity of our company. Qatar, Turkey and Europe, and just are very expensive. I’m not com- which offers individual work- We have managed traditional busi- this month, on Feb. 13, Kenzhetay fortable talking about it. But it is a places, smart offices and meeting ness centres for many years. We won recognition as part of Kazakh- Nazgul Kenzhetay Instagram page. Photo credit: fact, it is the reality,” she added. rooms, received the Best Office have strong experience in the in- stan’s 100 New Faces of 2018 pro- Nazgul Kenzhetay. Continued on Page B2 Kazakhstan award in 2015. dustry of commercial real estate. As In an interview with Atameken any business, our company changes Business Channel, Multispace to meet the needs of our customers. Tattoos should be perceived Founder and CEO Emil Mald- Continued on Page B5 as artwork, says tattoo artist Korean culture, “‘I do not believe that you can do “This is done not only for the “We have one of the few studios By Saltanat Boteu something spiritual as you have no sake of beauty or tribute to fash- in Kazakhstan in which administra- tattoos,’ he said to me. “He woke ion. There are people whose lives tors are fluent in English. Therefore, language are popular, ASTANA – Tattoos are artwork me up. The next day, I went and got changed after I made them a tat- a person who has come from abroad that should be created for each per- a tattoo.” too. There is a story about a man will always be understood here,” he son based on the individual’s wishes Batyrbayev emphasised the im- who stuttered who came to me. We said. and ideas and taking into account portance of the connection and un- made him a tattoo on his back of a During EXPO 2017 he met many says community leader his or her anatomy and health, said derstanding between client and art- phoenix rising self-born from the interesting people from around the tre is based in the office of Kogam- Tattooskull Studio founder and tat- ist. For him, a tattoo is artwork that ashes. Two weeks later, I got a call. world who got tattoos in his studio. By Saltanat Boteu dyk Kelisym governmental institu- too artist Ruslan Batyrbayev. should be created for each person It was his phone number, but I heard “Almost all of the Cirque Du tion. The team of the centre consist Batyrbayev is a self-made tattoo individually. a completely different person… not Soleil artists got tattoos from the ASTANA – The Korean lan- of 18 members including founders artist. He was born in a lawyers’ “I invite people to a preliminary stuttering”, he said. studio. Several times we went to guage and culture are popular and activists of the centre. family and followed the example consultation for free. If there is no “He became self-confident. It their show; they invited us. We among young people, said Chin- The centre organises Korean lan- by getting an education in the field. mutual understanding between the turns out that a few days after we became friends with them. Such a son Korean Cultural Centre Chair guage and culture school, a dance With time, however, he found his client and the tattoo artist, then any made the tattoo, his colleagues went friendship – it is eternal. They will Lyudmila Lim in an interview with group, an ensemble of drummers path in tattoo art. While serving in tattoo will not please the person. It to rest in the countryside. During the not forget you, because you left a The Astana Times. and assists the Assembly of the the army, he understood his inter- should give him or her joy, strength trip, he asked one of his colleagues mark in the form of a tattoo,” he The Chinson Korean Cultural People of Kazakhstan for the im- est and several years later, started to and energy,” he said. to take care of the tattoo, as the tat- said. Centre of the Akmola region be- plementation of state policy. The perceive it as a career path. “In the tattoo there is something too was on his back. He put a lot of The studio resembles a gallery gan its activities September 2015. centre participates in many events Although he had an interest in tat- sacred. If you do it with soulfulness, effort to that, because he never asked with sculptures, paintings and other There are 1,420 people of Korean in Kokshetau and the Akmola re- tooing, he did not get one until 2012, then the tattoo will carry out the anything. He was in love with the girl artwork, some of which he made. nationality in the region, 336 of gion. a year after starting in the field. mission embodied in it,” he added. he asked to help and after that, their Almost every subject in the studio which live in Kokshetau. The cen- Continued on Page B5 “I was making tattoos for a year During the consultation, clients relationship and his life changed has a story. already, but I didn’t make a decision share their ideas and thoughts about completely,” added Batyrbayev. “This is the original drawing of to have one myself. Also, my par- their future tattoo. “This kind of situation inspires me Yeraly Ospanov (Kazakh graphic ents were against it. So, it lasted un- “A person usually comes with to make positive adjustments to peo- artist). It was given to me by a man til I met a Kazakh showman and he an idea and sets it out. Together, ple’s lives. The tattoo works for eve- who at 73 got his first tattoo. By impressed me with his tattoos… He we create an artwork based on the ryone in different ways, but the main meeting me, he became acquainted Martian landscapes on had a batyr (Kazakh warrior) paint- person’s idea. The person becomes thing is that it works exactly the way with body painting. He said that he ed on his back. I had never seen an a co-author [of the tattoo],” noted a person wishes it.” had seen a lot, but he was sceptical ethnic tattoo,” said Batyrbayev in an Batyrbayev. Batyrbayev, who previously lived about tattoos… He could not think interview for this story. The stories the artist shares about and worked for five years in Kara- Earth: Kiin-Kerish Valley that the drawings on the body car- He wanted to become an artist his clients inspire him, giving more ganda, opened Tattooskull Studio in ry artistic value,” said Batyrbayev. who makes tattoos for show people. value to his art. the capital in October 2015. Continued on Page B2 and Shekelmes Cape 120 kilometres from Kurshim By Saltanat Boteu village, occupies an area of ap- proximately 300 hectares. The Non-profit promotes Central Asian ASTANA – Kiin-Kerish Valley valley is a puff of tertiary clay, and Shekelmes Cape in the East eroded by water and wind; un- Kazakhstan region are famous for imaginable in its beauty and their red, orange and white-col- originality, it is called the Spirits culture in South Korea oured landscapes that resemble the Valley. From a distance, the red surface of the moon. Although the clay cliffs look like flames tear- By Zhanna Shayakhmetova destinations are not easy to reach, ing in the wind, giving the cliffs their astounding views attract the name Burning Rocks, reports ASTANA – The Central Asian many tourists and travellers. 3d-maps.kz. Supporters Association (CASA) Kiin-Kerish Valley, located Continued on Page B6 based, a non profit organisation based in Seoul, South Korea, pro- motes Central Asian culture and THINGS TO WATCH & connects citizens of the region liv- ing in South Korea. PLACES TO GO CASA has members from Uz- bekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, BARYS ARENA Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. February 28 at 7.30 p.m. HC Barys – HC Torpedo “When you are abroad, country borders are washed away and you Nizhny Novgorod feel closer to each other because you speak similar languages. That ASTANA OPERA is what happened when we have March 1 at 7 p.m. Magic of Art Song, concert met with Dias, my brother from Kazakhstan for the first time. We CASA members at the New Year Party event. March 7, 8 at 7 p.m., 6 p.m. Swan Lake, ballet became even closer when we re- March 10 at 6 p.m. Gala Opera alised that we have similar prob- tures,” said Mansur Babajanov Asian land,” he said referring to young Central Asian professionals lems: majority of people in South from Uzbekistan in an interview the Spanish word for house. and Korean educational institu- March 12 at 7 p.m. Silver Age Ballets Korea do not know anything for this story. The CASA seeks to foster net- tions, public organisations, busi- about our countries, we missed Babajanov and his friends gath- working among youth in Korea, nesses and individuals. ASTANA BALLET our food, music, and needed ered a team of 10 people. offer mentorship programmes Kazakh native Zhanar Yegis- a platform to network. That is “The word Casa has become a by experienced members, pro- bekova recalled the first event in March 8 at 6 p.m. In the Middle, Somewhat how the idea of an organisation global term meaning ‘home’ so we vide educational and training September. They had no sponsors Elevated came up. Koreans usually see us named our organisation as CASA programmes, showcase Central and organised it on the rooftop of March 9 at 5 p.m. Lovers Night with what stereotypes they have to provide the feeling of warmth Asian tourism potential in Korea an Uzbek café. towards our countries and cul- and support of our home – Central and promote exchanges between Continued on Page B2 B2 NATION&CAPITAL PEOPLE

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019 President meets with newest 100 New Faces winners ent country. We are the generation generation. You prove that every- By Zhanat Tukpiyev that embodied the dream of our thing in life can be achieved,” he ancestors. Now, it’s your time. You added. ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s 100 must not forget this,” said Naz- The age group is playing an im- New Faces project aims to moti- arbayev. portant role in the country’s pro- vate citizens to achieve better re- The head of state spoke about gressive development. sults in their activities, said Presi- forming an independent Kazakh- “Each of you contributes to the dent Nursultan Nazarbayev at the stan and the prospects for young future of Kazakhstan, which will Feb. 13 meeting in the capital with people. He noted the importance be represented by educated peo- the project’s newest winners. of preserving and increasing ad- ple who believe in themselves and Launched in 2017, the pro- vances in science and education. speak different languages. Today, gramme serves as a multimedia “Artificial intelligence, informa- you have all the possibilities for information support platform, en- tion technology, bioengineering this,” said Nazarbayev. gages citizens and creates both re- and nanotechnology will contrib- The head of state noted the gov- gional and national projects. ute to our progress. Due to this, ernment is taking measures to de- One hundred New Faces tells we opened new laboratories for velop the national economy and the stories of people of different start-up projects in one of the expo create new sources of growth. He ages and nationalities from across pavilions,” he noted. emphasised the importance of de- the country who have achieved Young people have unique op- veloping agriculture, science and success, he noted in the Ruhani portunities and time for personal achievements in technological Zhangyru (Modernisation of Ka- and professional growth. progress. zakhstan’s Identity) article in April “Everything depends on the per- “We launched the industrialisa- 2017. Last year, 2,388 applications son and his or her aspirations. We tion programme to build an effec- were submitted and 29 individuals should dream and work to achieve tive economy. We have built 1,200 selected in online voting. our goals. The project participants plants in six years. We will con-

“You were born in an independ- Akorda.kz Photo credit: are an example for the younger tinue this work,” he added. Becoming a 16-year old Tattoos should be perceived world champion: a story as artwork, says tattoo artist Continued from Page B1 master. Every day, you learn some- When I was just starting, I wanted every stage of their development. If thing from him. He gives advice. us to be able to gather and organise one is already a professional, then from a karate fighter Two additional tattoo artists, Now I work in the ornamental style, forums and guilds so that we could one can still apply to this institute Akhat Duisenbayev and Dana Shy- so Ruslan shares different photos of share not only our experience, but to improve one’s qualifications. If karate, diligently performing all ntemirova, are now working in the similar works and master classes on also our opinions about the precari- one is a beginner, then one can be By Anzhela Kaliyeva the exercises. Ayupov noted her studio. the topic,” said Shyntemirova. ous state of the tattoo culture. Now, directed to a medical institution by talent, dedication and hard work “Before Tattoskull, I worked in “An advantage of working in Tat- it is a mass consumption chasing af- the institute, where you are given ASTANA – A 6-year-old girl and she won her first gold medal two other studios. Here, I like eve- tooskull is the opportunity to do ter hype. I would like it to be created the skills of pre-processing, sterili- who became a world karate-do at seven. rything. First, we have everything your favourite activity with pleas- for the sake of art,” he said. sation, and identification of healthy Shotokan champion in four years Her first serious competition as clean as possible. We sterilise ure. I admire Ruslan’s experience, “Now, our studio has a goal – to skin,” he said. has been named one of Kazakh- was the international tournament rooms, wash the floors; everything responsiveness and willingness to attend tattoo conventions together, He added there are many nuances stan’s 100 New Faces. Eduarda dedicated to the memory of the is wiped. We ourselves clean our help and a sincere, genuine desire to to develop ourselves and develop and details that need to be taken into Velk is a two-time world cham- Honoured Coach of Kazakhstan workplace every day. Secondly, develop tattoo culture in the coun- tattoo culture through our studio,” account, as every person has his or pion in the sport. Vyacheslav Sovkiv. For the first we are not just colleagues, we are try,” said Duisenbayev. he added. her own peculiarities. “My candidacy was put forward time, Velk felt the joy of victory friends. Ruslan does everything In 2013, Batyrbayev organised the Batyrbayev has the goal of devel- “They can also learn how to work by my coach, thanks to whom I and bitterness of defeat. for our convenience. Everyone has first International Tattoo Festival in oping a tattoo institute to train high with people with poor blood clot- reached such heights. I am eter- Years passed, she practiced a their own office. There is everything Kazakhstan that boosted develop- quality tattoo artists. He imagines ting, eczema, psoriasis. These are nally grateful to him for support, lot and confidently went on to you need for work and rest during ing the country’s tattoo culture. He an institution supervising novices’ also people who want tattoos, they training and patience, as well as more victories. Ten-year-old Velk breaks,” said Shyntemirova. continually hosts tattoo artists from competence that would develop the just have features to take into ac- my parents, who, not sparing time and her coach went to the World Batyrbayev pays as much atten- the Commonwealth of Independent tattoo culture and improve the qual- count,” he said. and energy, did extra work with Shotokan Karate Championship tion to the studio’s team as the cli- States and visits experienced tattoo ity of artists and professionals. “Trust your body only to pro- me, went to trainings, supported in 2012 in Sydney, where she ents. Both artists spoke about his artists and international tattoo events. “We propose creating an insti- fessionals and remember, tattoo is me in difficult times and rejoiced managed to beat her rivals and mastery and experience. “Now, tattoo artists are develop- tute where students will work with painful, expensive and forever!” at my victories. I believe my win two gold medals, becoming a “Ruslan is a very experienced ing in isolation from each other. tattoo artists individually, work at concluded Batyrbayev. success proves that if you want two-time world champion. something, you can achieve this “Karate is [composed of] many through your work. Upon learning brave, strong-willed people. It that I entered the list of the 100 brings up the best human quali- New Faces, I experienced pride ties, forms a person’s character, and joy that I was able to make willpower and discipline. In ad- Non-profit promotes Central Asian culture in South Korea my own contribution to the devel- dition, it is the achievement of a opment of my country,” she said. certain result in my physical ac- Continued from Page B1 120. Now companies have more Ramadan, CASA Anniversary in why Uzbeks call Ayaz Ata (San- Born in 2002 in Kentau, the tivity in order to achieve further interest in the organisation. August, and Central Asian Youth ta Claus) Kar Bobo,” said Dias Turkestan region, Velk has victories for me,” she said. “Even though we had planned “We even had to choose among Forum in December. The celebra- Shakubayev with a smile. earned 117 gold, 25 silver and Graduating from ninth grade in every second so scrupulously, we several sponsors for our last New tion of independence days of each Team members said they were eight bronze medals. Despite her 2017, the young athlete needed to did not know what to expect from Year party event,” said Makhfuza CASA countries is also scheduled. able to overcome the stereotypes young age, she is the owner of a choose between continuing her the audience. We tried to make the Baykarayeva from Uzbekistan. Feruza Buranova is interested in they had about each other. second dan black belt, Candidate education or her sports career. She event warm, without official speech- “We have more cultural perfor- doing charity work related to edu- “I always thought that Uzbek Master of Sports in karate-do and opted for the latter, enrolling in es and ‘serious faces.’ Our guests mances and dances. We have two cation and connected to Central plov and samsa (a meat pastry) are member of the karate-do Shoto- Novosibirsk College of Olympic could feel the atmosphere and we core goals at our events – to cre- Asia. She sees more opportunities the best and was so surprised when kan national team. Reserve. She owes her coach and have earned their trust and respect. ate a platform to chat and enjoy in participating in the association’s tasted plov and samsa cooked by While her name is familiar to parents for her victory in the 100 We had to clean the place by our- home atmosphere for our people activities. Alim aka from Turkmenistan. many, few know her grandfather New Faces of Kazakhstan project. selves. We asked the café to permit in South Korea and to share our The events are held in English as Also, we thought that Kazakh brought her to the sport. Ka- “I cannot imagine my future us to cook plov (a traditional Uzbek rich culture with our international they welcome friends from other people are always late. But actu- zakhstan Honoured coach Farit life without sports. My dream dish). Sardor aka (senior) from Uz- friends. So authentic Central Asian countries. ally, Zhanar could not break this Ayupov immediately saw po- is to reach the highest level in bekistan did it. It was even tastier food, national performances, our “However, during our team stereotype yet. In general, there is tential in the future champion, a karate, to perform at major in- than in any restaurant,” she said. music and dance are the key ele- meetings, each member of CASA much to learn from each other and puny little girl remembered for ternational competitions and, of Some 80 people joined the in- ments of our events.” talks in their own language and we that’s the power of CASA,” said her perseverance. From the very course, at the Olympic Games,” augural party and the number of This year, the association plans understand each other well. The Cholpon Kozhoiarova from Kyr- first trainings, Velk began to learn said Velk. participants has since increased to to organise the Nauryz celebration, only thing I do not understand is gyzstan. Be human above all, Kazakh war correspondent stresses Continued from Page B1 to develop and become more com- above,” that she thinks “people speaks with her pictures, but more fortable – but, thank God, I have would understand.” Working in and more she is communicating Taking pictures in conflict zones a country and a passport. As soon shades of black and white delivers her message with words. She is is never easy. Kenzhetay speaks as I understood that my rights are depth and tension, she says. writing a dissertation in Turkish on Arabic, Kurdish, Turkish, English, protected wherever I am, I had a Kenzhetay at first didn’t want to the matter of being stateless; she Russian and Kazakh. She has had true patriotic feeling,” she said. be labelled “a wartime journalist.” speaks at public events and reach- to learn all the legal provisions, “What you do is war journal- es out to all organisations protect- what she can make public or not ism. But I didn’t want to use that ing human rights. as a freelance photographer. Last Just be human word. Because when your family “Korkyt ata” is another of her but not least, she has had to learn Ethnicities, histories and occu- learns this, they react differently. projects – a comic book for chil- how to stay calm and be as delicate pations of course help form indi- I didn’t want to scare them. I love dren. Its hero, Korkyt ata, teaches as possible when approaching the vidual identities, “but being hu- children. man should stand above all,” the them more than anything, and I children useful things such as how “At first, the children cry or try journalist says. had to hide it from them. I’m just to use the internet. She is consult- to run away from me, because they Refugees are not a new prob- a journalist and I just want to be ing with teachers and psycholo- have never seen a camera and con- lem – instead, the problem today the voice of the children affected gists to develop it. by war .” “For now I have frozen the pro- fuse it with a weapon, but they can A photo from Nazgul Kenzhetay’s “The Face of the Statelessness” project. is with societies that have the abil- easily recognise a missile if it is Rus- ity to help them but choose not to. As a journalist, Kenzhetay finds ject to make it of a very good qual- sian, American or Turkish,” she said.  A patriot in two when she witnessed herself the Refugees are no less human, Ken- her biggest responsibility is to raise ity. Not easy and simple… Not for Her photo project “The Face of suffering of children. zhetay says. We should recognise awareness and keep the discussion the archive, but for the kids for the the Statelessness” tells the stories minutes “They awaken my human emo- that. “They are as much humans going. Eventually, this may build a future. At the same time, it is about of the kids. For some, the pictures “It was 5 a.m., and two minutes tions. In two minutes, I could un- as we are,” they’ve just been driv- better future. the promotion of our national cul- Kenzhetay took are the only ones changed my life. I became a pa- derstand what it is to be stateless, en to desperation by circumstance, “We all know that there are such tural heritage, Korkyt ata… He that exist of them. triot,” she said. without a passport, without regu- she stresses. problems. However, we pretend will tell about global trends, what’s “What I do is something honest Prior to that moment, she’d lar national identification, with- Before taking a picture, Kenz- as if we don’t see and hear them. happening around and what we do. and emotional to the maximum, wanted to go to Europe, build a out a country and a motherland. I hetay considers her target audience We need to be constantly reminded I work for the future. All of my not business and not public rela- career that would bring her money thought, ‘I am so lucky [where I and how they perceive informa- that it is there,” she said. projects and what I talk about is all tions,” she said. and comfort. But all that changed live].’ It is not that we don’t have tion. She often uses angles “from For the most part, Kenzhetay for the future,” Kenzhetay said. B3 NATION&CAPITAL CULTURE

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019

of tango. Another ballet, “Love Fear Loss” tells about the difficult fate and tragic love of the French Astana Ballet to present globally recognised ballet singer Edith Piaf. worked with Forsythe for 12 years, Amarante’s new artwork, the By Saltanat Boteu reported astanaballet.kz. “Silent Voices” neo-classical bal- The name of Forsythe in ballet let, will be shown also to the pub- ASTANA – The Astana Ballet is associated with a revolution, lic for the first time on the Astana will present four one-act ballets which to a large extent determined Ballet’s stage. According to the on International Women’s Day, the development of this art at the choreographer, the music of string March 8. Among them are “In the turn of the centuries. His choreog- quartet No. 14 in D minor “Death Middle, Somewhat Elevated” bal- raphy seems to defy gravity. His and Maid” by the Austrian com- let by American choreographer works can be described as extreme poser Franz Schubert, one of the founders of romanticism in music, William Forsythe, “A Fuego Len- technique and a continuous stream will be used in the performance. to,” “Love, Fear, Loss” and “Silent of movements along with the bru- The choreographer intends to Voices” by Brazilian choreogra- tal music. address inner voices, invisible in- pher Ricardo Amarante. Also March 8, the triplet of bal- terlocutors, which convey an inner The “In the Middle, Somewhat lets from Amarante, will also be emotional state, a person’s experi- Elevated” ballet, a globally rec- performed. Among them are “A ence, confusion or fear and hope ognised masterpiece, will be pre- Fuego Lento” and “Love, Fear, or doubt. Through the performers’ sented for the second time in the Loss” ballets, staged for the Royal movements and the original light- capital. The ballet was first shown Ballet of Flanders. ing, the choreographer aimed to in Astana in November 2017. It “A Fuego Lento” (Slow Fire) create an organic, emotional, and was staged by dancer and chore- is a ballet about the first love and at the same time, intense dance ographer Agnes Noltenius, who astanaballet.kz. Photo credit: desire that is performed to rhythms drama. Kazakh-language Notre Dame de Paris Astana Opera, Astana to be staged across Central Asia Ballet and Bolshoi More than 70 actors, singers, dancers Concert Organisation and Kazakh penned by Plamondon. The musical By Dilshat Zhussupova and acrobats will perform the musi- Ministry of Culture and Sport. Its debuted in Paris in 1998 and has since cal’s famous numbers dressed in cos- ensemble featured Kazakh actors, been professionally played in Bel- ASTANA – Following its De- tumes made in Kazakhstan. singers, dancers and acrobats, whose gium, Canada, China, France, Italy, Theatre to exchange cember debut in Kazakhstan, the “The world famous musical was auditions were overseen by the team Japan, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Po- Kazakh version of the French mu- performed for more than 11 million behind the original musical, includ- land, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, sical Notre-Dame de Paris (The spectators,” said Kazakh State Con- ing Nicolas Talar, Luc Plamondon, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, Hunchback of Notre Dame) will cert Organisation Director Zhenis Riccardo Cocciante and Martino the United Kingdom and the United artists, performances be performed in Azerbaijan, Kyr- Seidulauly. “Last year, it was per- Müller, and whose acrobatic per- States and has been translated into ballet dancers will be invited to gyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan formed in the Kazakh language for formances were choreographed by English, Flemish, Italian, Kazakh, By Dilshat Zhussupova perform at Bolshoi Theatre, said and Uzbekistan in the next three the first time. This is a success for gymnast Jonathan Ghadan. Korean, Polish, Russian and Spanish. Urin. years, reports Kazakh-tv.kz. Kazakhstan and Central Asia.” The musical Notre Dame de Paris It had the most successful first-year ASTANA – Performers from On the day the agreement was Upcoming performances across The Kazakh-language musical is adapted from a novel of the same run of any musical ever, according to the Astana Opera and Astana Bal- signed, Urin complemented a Central Asia will retain the musi- was first performed on the stage title by French novelist Victor Hugo the Guinness Book of Records. let companies will now be able to short Astana Ballet programme cal’s original storyline and musical of Kazakhstan’s Palace of Peace and centres on cathedral bell-ringer A musical on Kazakh warrior intern and perform at Russia’s his- featuring Richard Strauss’ “Sa- compositions and feature hit songs and Harmony Dec. 18-24 to com- Quasimodo and his love for a gypsy Karakypshak Koblandy is also in toric Bolshoi Theatre, according lome,” William Forsythe’s “In “Belle,” “Le temps des Cathédrales” memorate the capital’s 20th anniver- named Esmeralda. The music was the works for staging across Cen- to an agreement reached in Astana the Middle, Somewhat Elevat- and “Vivre” in the Kazakh language. sary, supported by the Kazakh State composed by Cocciante and lyrics tral Asia. Feb. 9 between the three arts in- ed,” Ricardo Amarante’s “A Fue- stitutions. The agreement also in- go Lento” and Aigul Tati’s “As- cludes performance and tour ex- sem Konyr.” changes. “Despite that I mostly saw mod- “Kazakh ballet has its own ern ballet today, the dancers have style,” said Bolshoi Theatre Direc- brilliantly displayed classical tech- National Museum presents Urzhar priestess tor Vladimir Urin on the day of the niques – this is important in mod- agreement. “That is, you are not ern ballet,” said Urin. repeating what other ballet thea- Astana Ballet was founded in tres are doing nowadays, rather 2012 and presents a multi-genre and restored treasures exhibition you are creating your own product repertoire of original productions Kazakhstan revealed seven remains and have your own creative indi- and national and international viduality. This is what clearly sets classics. In addition to Grigor- By Zhanna Shayakhmetova of golden men. The achievements you apart from others.” ovich, German choreographer of our ancestors impress us. The Bolshoi Theatre has held bal- Raimondo Rebeck will also di- ASTANA – The Kazakh Na- Urzhar Priestess, of course, is the let and opera performances since rect new shows at the ballet tional Museum opened the Urzhar main exhibit of this exhibition,” said 1825. Its historic premieres have theatre in the coming year. The Priestess and Restored Treasures: National Museum Acting Director featured Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s “The Astana Opera was founded in results of conservation and restora- Almaz Nurazkhan. Voyevoda” and “Mazeppa,” Ser- 2013 and houses its own orches- tion works exhibition Feb. 13 in the Conservation and restoration gey Rachmaninoff’s “Aleko” and tra, ballet and opera troupes and capital. The show is dedicated to the works, as well as reconstructing an- “Francesca da Rimini” and Nikolai presents a repertoire of classical museum’s fifth anniversary, reported cient buildings and objects, are the Rimsky-Korsakov’s “The Maid of and national opera. the Ministry of Culture and Sports only ways to preserve archaeologi- Pskov.” The agreement with the historic press service. cal monuments. The agreement will include a Russian theater follows a directive The sensational artefact was The exhibition also presents pre- performance in Astana this sum- from Kazakh President Nursultan discovered during a 2013 archaeo- served and restored finds from the mer of Arif Malikov’s “The Leg- Nazarbayev for government agen- logical expedition headed by Timur Saka to the medieval epochs, includ- steppe. We collected the exhibits tract more visitors,” said Depart- end of Love” choreographed by cies and private entities to pay spe- Smagulov in the Urzhar district of ing a saddle and quivers from the 8th Russian choreographer Yuriy cial attention to “the development the East Kazakhstan region. The from all over the country. The Min- ment of Culture and Arts Director century, 9th-12th century sword, silk istry of Culture and Sports initiated Abil Zholaman at the opening cer- Grigorovich. Once the famous of inbound and domestic tourism remains of a young woman of no- with gold embroidery from the 14th choreography becomes a part of by drawing on the country’s cul- the re-exposition of the hall. The emony. ble birth were found 1.7 metres century and a silver harness. Astana Ballet’s repertoire, Kazakh tural potential.” underground, in addition to wood historical finds and artefacts con- Large-scale work to re-expose the As the leading research centre, and clay pottery, sheep bones and firm the inseparable connection of halls is currently underway. Unique the Krym Altynbekov restoration remnants of blue and green cloth- our ancestors with the advanced artefacts from the Auliekol, Ayan laboratory studies archaeological ing. The woman wore gold earrings technological innovations of their Berel, Karakaba, Tasaryk, Tuietas finds to provide more information and a gold headdress decorated time and let us to look at the place and other mounds are displayed in about the material and spiritual with floral patterns and zoomorphic of the steppe in global history. It is the hall of gold. culture of the ancient population. ornamentation. a permanent exhibition. The Urzhar “In addition to the golden man Archaeological sources allow re- “The entire exposition is dedicat- Priestess is of special importance. I in the Issyk mound and the golden constructing the formation process ed to the masterpieces of our great believe that the exhibition will at- man from the Yeleke Sazy mound, of modern Kazakh culture. “Ayka” film premieres in Astana thing. She hides the pregnancy, By Aidana Demesinova hides the child. How to tell about it? It was a difficult task. I showed ASTANA – The Oscar-shortlist- her feelings through her look, eyes ed “Ayka” film directed by Sergey and moves,” he said. Dvortsevoy was recently released Dvortsevoy said the film was in the capital. The film features one of the most difficult of his ca- Kazakh actress Samal Yeslyamova reer because non-professional ac- who won the Best Female award at tors were involved in the film and the 71st Cannes Film Festival for the director had to conduct train- her role in the film. ings. The film tells the story of a Recently, Yeslyamova became young Kyrgyz girl who lives and Samal Yeslyamova the People’s Favourite laureate in works illegally in Moscow. She the Breakthrough of the Year cat- gives birth to her son and is forced egory in Kazakhstan. to leave him in the hospital. years in Moscow. We even made plot was revealed through colour, “We tried to do something real. Dvortsevoy said that the work snow and kept it in refrigerators light and all the small elements of My character is stronger than me. on the film lasted six years. as we had an industrial refrigera- the picture. She deserves respect after all her “We faced many difficulties. tor,” he said. “Some say that a hand-held cam- sufferings,” she said Due to this, the filming was a The most challenging thing was era is more often used now. When The film won the Grand Prix of long process. The whole story to show the sufferings of a girl I was making a film, it was not im- the 28th international film festival was filmed in winter and the first who started to look for her son. portant for me. It was just a story, in Cottbus in November. It also winter was snowy with heavy According to the script, the main and I tried to make it a drama. This won the Grand Prix of the Tokyo snowfalls. We did not have time character is not a talkative person. is a difficult story. How to tell the Film Festival Filmex. to finish the film. Unfortunately, Her story is told by actions, ges- story of a girl who doesn’t speak The film entered the Oscars then there was no snow for three tures and facial expressions. The about herself? She hides every- 2019 Foreign-Language Shortlist. Astanaopera.kz Photo credit: B4 NATION&CAPITAL COUNTRY

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019 Turkestan region signs memorandums to modernise Kazakhstan increases trade system, healthcare, research centres solar power electricity prioritises its research in iodine By Aidana Yergaliyeva deficiency disorders, a modern ap- proach to diagnosing and treating ASTANA – Turkestan regional diabetes mellitus, and measures by 9 percent authorities recently signed memo- for treating thyroid pathology, in- randums of cooperation (MOC) cluding various types of differenti- with local and foreign companies ated thyroid cancer. It seeks to cre- and institutions to improve and ate a register of pituitary adenomas modernise its trade system, build a and adrenal gland diseases and pharmaceutical plant and develop introduce high-tech methods of its research centres. The docu- surgical treatment of various pitui- ments include a MOC signed Feb. tary adenomas in compliance with 16 by regional Akim (Governor) the international standards to treat Zhanseit Tuimebayev and Kazakh- neuroendocrine patients. stan’s Trade Unions Federation. Uzbek National Medical Paedi- The number of trade union enter- atrics Centre conducts research, prises and organisations in the re- organisational and methodologi- gion, which is Kazakhstan’s most cal work to improve the quality populous, continues to grow. The of medical care for children by federation is therefore interested ontustik.gov.kz. Photo credit: coordinating and monitoring the L-R: Trade Unions Federation Chair Bakytzhan Abdraim and Turkestan in cooperating with regional au- Regional Akim (Governor) Zhanseit Tuimebayev. activities of 13 regional children’s thorities to conduct activities that multidisciplinary medical centres. “promote the system of develop- Turkestan region was estab- ment that will protect labour rights This is an important step. We have Department head Mukan Yegiz- lished by a presidential decree in and interests of workers,” said all the conditions for investors. bayev also signed a memoran- June 2018 as the former centre of Trade Unions Federation Chair Also, it is worth mentioning the dum Feb. 11 with leading Uzbek the former South Kazakhstan re- Bakytzhan Abdraim. advantages of entering not only the medical institutions specialising gion, Shymkent, was declared the The akim signed another memo- Eurasian Economic Union mar- in endocrinology and paediatrics city of national significance on a randum Feb. 14 with Niak, an Ira- ket, but also Russia, Belarus, Kyr- to modernise medical institutions par with Astana and Almaty, and nian pharmaceutical company, to gyzstan and Armenia. I urge you to and telemedicine, as well as organ- the regional capital was moved to build a plant that will comply with start implementing this project as ise seminars and conferences. the city of Turkestan famous for its produced 55.8 million kWh, 8.6 the latest Good Manufacturing soon as possible,” said Tuimebayev Uzbek National Specialised Sci- 14th-century Khoja Ahmed Yas- Staff Report percent more than the same period Practice (GMP) standards. in addressing Niak representatives. entific and Practical Medical Cen- sawi mausoleum commissioned in 2017. “I fully support your initiatives. Turkestan’s Regional Healthcare tre for Endocrinology in Tashkent by Timurlane. ASTANA – Kazakhstan saw a Electricity generated by all re- 9-percent increase last year in its newable energy sources combined volume of solar power generated represented 1.2 percent of the electricity. The 2018 volume was country’s total electricity produc- 107.1 billion kilowatt hour (kWh) tion in 2018 and 1 percent a year compared to 103.1 billion kWh in earlier. Nazarbayev University to host Harvard 2017. The share of renewable energy The country is gradually tran- will increase by the end of this sitioning to a green economy, year. The solar power station in developing its renewable energy the town of Saran in the Kara- University’s largest student-run conference by constructing wind and solar ganda region, now the largest in diplomats and international or- ment President Leila Akhmetova. largest student-run conference in power stations. The nation has the Central Asia with a capacity By Dilshat Zhussupova ganisation heads comprise confer- She noted that a delegation of the Asia. The conference is to provide 65 renewable energy facilities – of 100 megawatts (MWs), began ence speakers, with notable past HPAIR Organising Committee a dynamic forum of exchange on 33 hydroelectric power plants, operating in January. Solarnet ASTANA – Nazarbayev Univer- speakers featuring former United recently visited Astana to discuss international issues, foster long- 19 solar power stations, 12 wind Investment GmbH, an affiliate sity (NU) will host the 2019 Har- Nations Secretary General Ban event organisation and the NU or- term relationships among young power stations and one biogas of German developer Goldbeck vard College Project for Asian and Ki-Moon, Zipcar Co-founder and ganising committee will soon visit leaders and connect delegates with plant. Solar, built the power station. International Relations (HPAIR) former Chief Executive Officer Harvard University in Cambridge, today’s leaders in academia, busi- In the first half of 2018, electric- The European Bank of Re- Asia Conference in mid-August, Robin Chase and former Gold- Massachusetts to continue event ness and government. ity production by all renewable construction and Development reports the university’s press ser- man Sachs Asia President Philip preparation talks. The event’s Nazarbayev University is an energy facilities was 629.5 million (EBRD) and Green Climate Fund vice. Murphy. agenda will feature six thematic English-medium autonomous kWh, a 23.1-percent increase com- invested $73.5 million in the The HPAIR Asia Conference is NU won an international bid to panels on social policy and inclu- educational and research univer- pared to 118.1 million kWh during $137-million project. The EBRD a five-day annual conference es- host the event over applications sive development; world economy, sity in Astana and was founded the same period in 2017. financing structure includes a tablished in 1991 as a platform for from universities in China, India, security and diplomacy; business on Kazakh President Nursultan The small hydropower plants $51.3-million loan, as well as a students and young professionals Japan, Singapore and Taiwan. Last and technology; environmental Nazarbayev’s initiative in 2010. It generated the biggest share of en- $22.2-million loan from Green to discuss the economy, politics year’s Asia conference was in Kua- sustainability and energy; and cul- aims to become the national brand ergy, 373.7 million kWh or 28.6 Climate Fund. and society in the Asia-Pacific re- la Lumpur, Malaysia. This year, ture and media. of Kazakhstan’s higher education, percent more than the previous EBRD has invested in 32 renew- gion. It has been held at universi- the event will be in Astana during HPAIR is a student-run organi- combining the advantages of the year. Electricity production from able energy projects in Kazakhstan ties in 12 countries with more than Kazakhstan’s Year of Youth. sation of Harvard University’s national education system and the wind farms reached 200 million overall. Goldbeck Solar is cooper- 32,000 participants. The NU Organising Committee Faculty of Arts and Sciences and world’s best scientific and educa- kWh with an annual growth of ating with 15 countries on stations World leaders, Nobel laureates, is headed by NU Student Govern- organises Harvard University’s tional practices. 18.1 percent. Solar power stations generating 750 MWs of energy. Students with C grades Digital Kazakhstan measures increase studying on state grants labour productivity, reduce costs electronic grade books. The digiti- sation in education reduced the gap in the quality of education between will retain stipends rural and urban schools by more He supports the new proposal, than 30 percent,” said Abayev. By Aidana Yergaliyeva stressing a stipend “is mainly a Nearly all healthcare organi- means of social support for stu- sations transferred to paperless ASTANA – The Ministry of dents.” documentation and 16.3 million Education and Science and the Ka- “This would allow introducing citizens have regional e-health zakh League of Academic Integrity, a median of grades in all higher passports. which includes the country’s lead- educational institutions and teach- Currently, 506 of 752 public ser- ing universities, proposed cancel- ers would more objectively evalu- vices are provided online. Terms ling the older system of depriving ate the results of student work,” he for providing services reduced by Kazakh students from a monthly added. “We expect all members of 40 percent and from 12 to 7 days stipend for a “3” (the equivalent of the League of Academic Integrity on average. People received 30 “C” or “satisfactory”) grade during to fully implement the median of million online services last year. a Feb. 15 ministerial board meeting. ratings by June 1, 2019.” Three migration, eight special- The league members believe the “In general, the idea of award- ised and 16 digital public service academic regulation that should ing scholarships regardless of aca- liter.kz. Photo credit: centres (TsONs) were opened. Bi- support high performing students demic performance is reasonable if established, the state bodies oper- One hundred and two mining ometric data collection launched in no longer serves its initial purpose. it reduces corruption and increases By Zhanna Shayakhmetova ate according to their duties and enterprises transferred to transpar- the capital and Almaty. Instead, it is the main reason for the the strictness of student assess- national and private companies ent production and the intelligent “This year, 80 percent of public problem with grades considered ment,” said Minister of Education ASTANA – Measures imple- have a vision of the work ahead. transport system has been intro- services will be provided online. to be too high. A recent analysis and Science Yerlan Sagadiyev. mented through Digital Kazakh- We are convinced that this year duced in transport and logistics. One digital and five migration ser- showed more than 55 percent of The ministry is also planning to stan have had a 218-billion tenge the economic effect from the new Sixteen mobile laboratories oper- vice centres will be opened,” he students receive “good” and “excel- support student volunteers with 1,000 (US$579 million) economic im- technologies will be higher,” said ate in the road asset management added. lent” grades. In some classrooms, tenge (US$2.65) per hour for their pact and created more than 43,000 Abayev. system. Small and medium-sized busi- no student receives a lower grade. work, which, if applicable, might also jobs, said Minister of Informa- Digital Kazakhstan has been Elements of precision farming nesses are also a priority. The The teaching faculty has a ten- be converted into academic credits. tion and Communication Dauren implemented in five key areas and introduced in 14 pilot farms will Astana 1 information system was dency to show empathy towards Students will receive additional pay- Abayev Feb. 19. includes 17 initiatives and 120 reduce costs 15-20 percent and launched to monitor customs pro- students, who often happen to be ment for volunteering in inclusive The positive trend is being ob- events. increase crop yields 2.5 times. Ap- cedures and keep online duty pay- in critical financial situations, but education, tutoring (Kazakh and Eng- served in many sectors. The leg- Labour productivity has in- proximately 500 smart farms will ment records. The time needed to such mercy results in artificially lish language and computer literacy), islative base has improved and creased by 10 percent, energy sav- begin operation. release customs declarations was high-performance averages, ac- working with children with deviant optimised approaches have been ings by up to 33 percent and the Tax concessions are provided reduced from several days to a cording to KazGUU President Tal- behaviour, organising sports clubs developed in production, busi- equipment utilisation rate by 50 to e-commerce entities. Six large minute. gat Narikbayev. and being involved in social work ness and state administration. The percent as a result of using Indus- banks were connected in pilot Approximately 859 electronic “This situation creates an im- with older people. central and local executive bodies try 4.0 elements at energy, mining mode last year to a contactless pay- declarations were registered in the aginary impression of the real “We plan for students to be of- must create a uniform methodol- and metallurgical facilities. Intel- ment service using mobile phones. system, 85 percent of which were is- achievements of students who, fered two types of vouchers: for ogy for monitoring and evaluating ligent and digital projects were “Sixty-four percent of all pre- sued in 60 seconds without customs after completing their studies, are two and five academic credits per the programme’s effects. launched at seven large mineral school organisations accept ap- inspection. Electronic invoices and not able to compete in the real sec- semester, which is 20 or 50 hours,” “The most important thing is deposits, with the number increas- plications in electronic form. product labelling systems also pre- tors of the economy,” he said. said Sagadiyev. that all the work processes are ing to 12 this year. Ninety-four percent of schools use vent shadow transactions in trade. B5 NATION&CAPITAL SOCIETY

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019 KAZGUU supports young researchers in Year of Youth “The main requirements for the number of grants allocated for By Yerbolat Uatkhanov candidates include a qualita- the work by three billion tenge tive and relevant substantiation (US$8 million). ASTANA – KAZGUU Univer- of a research topic, IELTS 6.5 “We clearly understand that the sity has launched a special grant or TestDAF B1 (or equivalents) primary mission of the universi- programme during the Year of certificates in English or - Ger ties is to make research and not Youth to demonstrate its institu- man and results of previously- focus only on academic activity. tional support for young research- conducted research. At the first It means that we have to maintain ers and generate new knowledge. stage of competition, applicants’ the research interest and support The university is providing five, documents are considered by the the research capacity of young three-year PhD grants in public competition commission in ab- professionals, who have to meet law and private law. sentia. After that, an interview all modern requirements. One of Kazakh President Nursultan will be arranged. The correspond- the key requirements among them Nazarbayev highlighted the many ence stage of the competition will is knowing foreign languages, es- relevant topics in young people’s be held until April 30. Interviews pecially languages in which the lives and separately emphasised with applicants who have passed main body of legal scientific in- active assistance to young scien- the correspondence stage will be formation is generated. Personal tists and attracting young people held before June 20. All docu- research and personal practical to the field at the Jan. 23 Year of ments and materials should be experience are also very impor- Youth opening ceremony. sent to the official website of the tant. Such young scientists are In addition to full funding, KA- university, www.kazguu.kz,” said able to be the most successful in ZGUU provides a young research- KAZGUU Law School Director getting topical and applicable re- er with accommodations for the Sergei Pen. sults, which are demanded by the entire period of study and, after The President also spoke about market and allow rethinking or successfully defending one’s the- the need to help young Kazakh sci- correcting the fundamental provi- sis, offers employment opportuni- entists transfer their ideas into real sions to create the new legal real- ties at the university. projects and instructed increasing ity,” said Pen. Korean culture, language Astana coworking develops, are popular, says offers different solutions community leader Continued from Page B1 obtained at training courses for from Astana took part in the con- teachers in South Korea. certs and showed the Korean culture “Our organisation is working in “I am also a teacher at the including performance of Korean the spiritual and moral education Shanyrak Korean Sunday School. songs, a drum show and a wedding of young people, as well as in the It is gratifying that the Korean lan- ceremony. My friends who came to preservation of cultural heritage,” guage and culture are currently in the concert enthusiastically and ex- noted Lim. demand and popular among young citedly told everyone they met, what She arrived in Kazakhstan in people. I hope that parents of my a sight it was!” said the chair. 2003. In 2015, she was appointed students will also become actively The Korean Association in Ka- Continued from Page B1 people who plan a short business logue with Azamat Kappas, when chair of the centre. interested in the cultural heritage zakhstan that is in Almaty com- stay in Astana,” she added. he invites experienced entrepre- “I always felt the urge to com- of their ancestors,” she said. municates with ethnocultural The profile of an Astana entre- New York Coworking&Networ­ ­ neurs to share their knowledge and municate with people. I have a lot The centre organises many centres across the country and preneur changed a lot during the king is a new coworking space in skills with young people. of life experience and I wanted events. coordinates their work, including most recent five years. We now the new part of the capital. Found- Managers and users organise to share my knowledge and help. “In 2018, we had three big events. the one in Kokshetau. clearly see that the number of er and CEO Azamat Kappas, an other events to create an atmos- This is a very important job, and at Those are Lunar New Year Feb. 16 “Much work is being done by freelancers and solopreneurs has entrepreneur well-known in the phere of cooperation and collabo- first it was difficult. I had to intro- and the ‘You’re in my heart, Asta- the central office with the regions. increased. I am sure that they will city’s business community, oper- ration. duce changes and live in tune with na!’ concert in honour of the 20th At least two times a year, we visit be a large part of the Astana busi- ates a chain of building materials The company does not offer the times,” she said. anniversary of the capital May 26 Almaty for sessions and plenums. ness community in the coming stores, a dental and cosmetology separate offices for its clients. In- The chair also teaches Korean and the ‘Kazakhstan is our home!’ We share experience, make plans years. We offer small businesses clinic and café. stead, users rent a workspace in language at the centre. She uses concert Dec. 15 as a part of Ruhani for the future and report on the all the conditions for growing “In 2017, I spent six months an open area, allowing them to modern technologies and skills Zhangyru programme. Some artists completed work,” she said. their business,” said Vostok In- in the USA. I went there to seek easily communicate and network. vest Group General Director Di- business and migration opportu- Residents have 24/7 access to their nara Kabdullina in an interview nities. Every day, I used to go out workspaces and the package also for this story. and walk along New York streets includes use of conference and IQ Coworking has the option of thinking about what I could do in meeting rooms and the services of renting an individual workplace or this country. One day, I visited a a lawyer, accountant and market- an office for five-six people. The lawyer whose services I used to ing expert. space has conference halls, meet- prepare my personal documents. “I am an entrepreneur. I know ing rooms, a kitchen, canteen and She rented a working place in We- what entrepreneurs need when relaxation areas. Managers also or- Work (one of the largest cowork- they start their business. Our cow- ganise events and meetups to boost ing chains in the world). I liked orking has it all and I am sure we cooperation among users. an atmosphere there. It is easier to will be a success,” said Kappas. “Our unique offer is a capsule stay motivated and inspired when “I often meet with young peo- hotel with nine places. Each guest you are surrounded by other peo- ple. Most of them dream about is accommodated in a separate ple doing business in different in- building their own business. Ca- suite which is well ventilated and dustries,” he said. reers in big corporations are not has power facilities to charge a “I decided to return to Kazakh- something which attract the youth phone and laptop. It is a great op- stan and build my future here,” he any more. It is a worldwide trend. tion for people who want to take a added. Individual entrepreneurs with shower and relax after a trip and to The main difference of New great ideas and skills to commu- save time for the meetings which York Coworking is the focus on nicate and collaborate with others can be appointed right here in our networking and business educa- are the future. I am happy that coworking centre. A very conveni- tion. Kappas has initiated regular our coworking helps them in their ent and democratic option for the meetings known as Honest Dia- first steps in business,” he added. Contemporary Uzbek art on

Photo credit: ddakmo.kz Photo credit: display at Astana exhibition Lyudmila Lim Razhabov, Nodir Shoabdurahi- the World international exhibi- By Saltanat Boteu mov, Victoria Troshina, Dilmorod tion project,” said Kazakh Na- Yuldashev and Khurshid Ziyah- tional Museum Director Almaz ASTANA – The Kazakh Na- anov. Nurazkhan. tional Museum is presenting an The photo exhibition con- The exhibition is being held as exhibition of contemporary Uz- sists of 100 works by Vladimir part of the Year of Uzbekistan in bek photos and paintings. The Goncharenko, Ravshanbek Islo- Kazakhstan. The opening ceremo- show, running through March, mov, Rustam Shagaev, Rustam ny was organised in the museum gives visitors an opportunity to Sharipov, Vladimir Shlosberg, Feb. 2 with the support of the Uz- analyse the modern character and Hamdam Shorahmedov, Vlad- bek embassy. image of the country’s fine arts of mir Sokolov, Victor Vyatkin, “Bilateral relations in the cultur- the last decade. Vladimir Zhirnov and Abdugani al and humanitarian sphere moved Guests will see the changes in Zhumayev that depict the coun- to a new level. More than 200 traditions and structure of the na- try’s history, life, development events took place last year. They tional identity that have evolved and tourist potential. covered all areas of bilateral rela- since Uzbekistan declared its in- “Contemporary art of Uzbeki- tions and allowed people to learn dependence in 1991. The exhibit stan is not being presented in Ka- more about each other. I am sure features 39 paintings by well- zakhstan for the first time. Two that this exhibition will serve as known masters and young artists years ago, we successfully held another step in strengthening co- such as Faizulla Akhmadaliev, an exhibition in Astana. This operation between our countries,” Alisher Alikulov, Valery Enin, Ab- year, we will visit Uzbekistan said counsellor of the Uzbek em- dukhakim Karimov, Dilorom Ma- as part of the Procession of the bassy in Kazakhstan Timur Rakhi- medova, Bakhtiyor Obidov, Umar Golden Man in the Museums of mov. B6 NATION&CAPITAL TOURISM

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019 Martian landscapes on Zaisan Lake residents investing Earth: Kiin-Kerish Valley in tourism infrastructure and Shekelmes Cape Photo credit: limpopo-fishing.kz. Photo credit:

zakhstan is a popular holiday des- love with fishing at the age of 14, By Saltanat Boteu tination for lovers of fishing be- when he went out onto the lake cause of the huge number of fish with his father. ASTANA – Zaisan Lake’s rich inhabiting the lake, and their vari- “My father taught me every- and diverse fish stocks are at- ety – swimming below the surface thing, he gave me valuable advice. tracting fishing enthusiasts from there are pike perch, taimen, bur- I still follow them. In my youth,

Photo credit: travelbook.kz. Photo credit: within Kazakhstan and from bot, ide, tench and crucian carp. I caught 100 and even 600 tonnes Kiin-Kerish Valley. neighbouring Russia. Now, the Winter fishing lover Sergey of fish. At the time of the Soviet Continued from Page B1 four subtropical forests with bone nel or volcano crater. As there is no local population has built a hotel Plotnikov lives in Russia’s Al- Union, I went to Moscow and vis- remnants of the fauna of ancient drinking water in the valley and its for their winter visitors and are tai Territory. He travelled 800 ited the Exhibition of Economic The canyon landscape is stun- vertebrates such as rhinos, croco- climate is unpredictable, it is better planning more infrastructure im- kilometres to drop his hooks into Achievement. There, I learned ning in its diversity. It includes diles, turtles and salamanders. It not to stay for the night. provements. Zaisan Lake for the first time re- that our Zaisan fish are consid- plains, salt spots and stripes of also contains the remains of ther- Shekelmes Cape, another unique Zaisan Lake lies 60 kilometres cently. ered the best and tastiest. Zaisan meadow vegetation adjacent to mophilic palms, araucaria and natural monument, is located 20 from the Chinese border between “Fishing here is great. I’m is called the Golden Lake, as 80 dried streams that disappear in magnolias. The saturation of these kilometres from Kiin-Kerish Val- the Altai, Qalba and Tarbagatai pleased. People’s relationship rivers from China, Russia and Ka- summer. remnants and diversity of conti- ley. It is a micro analogue of the mountain ranges at an altitude of is wonderful. Housing is good. zakhstan flow into it,” he said. Although it is a desert, rare ani- nental deposits at Kiin-Kerish Val- valley and, according to geolo- 420 metres above sea level. It’s There are no problems in this re- After he retired, Shulenov and mals such as Eurasian eagle owls, ley have no equals among similar gists, was formed by a meteorite. the second-largest lake in the East gard. I wish that we did not have his wife Sabilya Segizbaeva de- falcons, steppe eagles, golden ea- natural monuments in Asia and Because of the collision, the low- Kazakhstan region, and the origin problems with customs, so that cided to develop winter tourism gles and Pallas’ sandgrouse inhabit Europe, reports e-history.kz. er layers of the earth came to the of its name is Mongolian, visitka- we could easily move in and out, on the lake. They opened a 30- the area. Unusual insects including The optimal trip to the valley surface, forming an unusual land- zakhstan.kz reports. because we specifically come for bed hotel and a sauna for tourists, scorpions and huge crickets can takes three-four days by car, the scape. Pelicans, cormorants and The lake covers 1,810 square fishing,” he told 24.kz. employing several other local also be found. first and last partially on the road. rare species of animals like gyr- kilometres and has a maximum Most visitors to Zaisan Lake residents. In the future, the entre- According to Kazakh geologist It is difficult to find it without a falcons, bustards, black-sprouted depth of 15 metres. Its average stay in a hotel built for tourists by preneurs are planning to expand Viktor Filippov, the valley in- guide, since there are no signs and specks and desert shrikes inhabit depth is between 4 to 6 metres. local entrepreneur and fisherman their business to focus on summer cludes five floristic horizons and it is located in lowland like a fun- the area. This picturesque corner of Ka- Kabylkak Shulenov, who fell in tourism. Air Astana increases number of flights to Uzbekistan The airline currently offers issue of subsidising these routes By Yerbolat Uatkhanov Astana-Tashkent-Astana flight will be considered and solved,” with a discount. The price is said First Deputy Prime Minister ASTANA – Air Astana will be- 63,400 tenge (US$169) if tickets Askar Mamin at a meeting of the gin April 1 offering three addition- are bought till Feb. 28 for flights board of the Ministry of Industry al flights per week from Almaty to from April 1-30. Airbus A320 and and Infrastructure Development. Tashkent and two additional flights Embraer 190s are used for the “Now we are preparing a pack- per week from Astana to Tashkent. two-hour flights. age of documents specifically for The airline is also negotiating to Air Astana started flights from subsidising international flights. offer flights to Japan and the Unit- Almaty to Tashkent in December We have an agreement with Japan, ed States through an intermediate 2010 and from Astana to the Uz- and in the second half of this year, point. bek capital in May 2012. Since the we plan to open the flight. As for Currently, the company has start of the flights to Uzbekistan, it the United States, Air Astana and daily flights from Almaty to Tash- has carried more than 500,000 peo- the Civil Aviation Committee have kent and four flights per week ple and 700,000 tonnes of cargo. to pass an audit of the U.S. aviation from Astana to the Uzbek capital. The airline plans to open direct authorities for security compli- The extra flights from Almaty to flights to Japan this year and to the ance. Unfortunately, it takes a lot Tashkent will be on Mondays, United States through an interme- of time, about two years. But it is Thursdays and Saturdays at 9 diate point in 2020. possible to attract foreign, Ameri- p.m. The additional flights from “The head of state set such a can airlines at the first stage,” said Astana to the Uzbek capital will task at the government meeting. First Vice Minister of Industry and Photo credit: photosafari.kz. Photo credit: be on Mondays and Thursdays at It is clear that the flights may be Infrastructure Development Ro- Shekelmes Cape 7:40 a.m. unprofitable at the first stage, the man Sklyar. Cost, travel logistics remain key barriers to maritime cruise popularity in Kazakhstan the tenge rate directly affects the they will switch to other forms of days. In summer, the most popular By Yerbolat Uatkhanov increase in the cost of tours, as tourism. This is actually an inter- region is the Mediterranean Sea; they are bought in dollars or euros. esting product. You can see sev- in winter – Asia, Australia and ASTANA – Maritime cruises I do not think that in the next two eral countries in one trip,” said the Caribbean. Ships change their have never been as popular in or three years there will be a rush Tuleyev. main regions based on seasonality Kazakhstan, a landlocked nation, on cruise travel. It is easy to enter Premium Travel Director Ev- and there is always a choice of lo- as they have in other more ocean- into an agreement with the com- geniya Khokhlenko said her com- cation. accessible countries. But some pany; it will take about a week. We pany has seen annual sales growth. “Kazakhs prefer standard rest domestic travel officials hope that can organise a cruise and advise “Many travel companies from instead of a cruise for several rea- will change. good companies, but we will not Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan buy sons. One of the main ones is fear “The cost of a Vietnam-Malaysia develop this particular direction, cruises for their clients from our of the open sea – our people do not cruise for 10 days will cost 3,900 because it will not pay off. The company. If 15 years ago cruise feel comfortable in such condi- euros (US$4,409) per person. This funds invested in the advertising companies started selling 10 cab- tions. Also, there is no such clarity is a high cost for local consumers should pay off,” he added. ins a year, now sales go every day. and relaxation, so it is not suitable and most Kazakhs often choose a China, Dubai, Egypt, Southeast We have contracts with cruise for everyone,” said Zhetisu Travel more acceptable and popular form – very far from any open sea or seems that our clients are not ready Asia and Turkey, as well as coun- companies from around the world. owner Yelena Bekboyeva. of recreation,” said Travel Club ocean. for this yet,” he noted. tries in Europe and the U.S., are We carefully select them. Not all “As for the difference in price Kazakhstan partner Askar Tuleyev, “In Kazakhstan, cruises are not An average family can vacation still the most popular destinations companies approach the Kazakh- between all-inclusive and a cruise, as reported by Kapital.kz. very popular because they are in Turkey beginning at approxi- for Kazakh tourists. stan market and the Asian market I would not compare them at all. Cruises are not the most inex- expensive. In addition to the cost mately $3,000, he said. Cruise “If everything goes well with in general,” she said. This is a rest for different needs. pensive pleasure for locals. Pric- of the cruise itself, you need to prices start at $4,000 per person. the economy, the market of cruise Cruises offer year-round vaca- They can be chosen by the same es depend on foreign currency pay for the flight. It is beneficial “This is a specific product that tours will develop, because people tions to endless destinations and people, but at different periods of rates and Kazakhstan’s location for Kazakh travel agencies, but it needs to be promoted. The fall of will get bored with beach rest and most tourists board for seven-12 life,” she added. B7 NATION&CAPITAL SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019 Galysheva wins Kazakhstan’s first gold in Ladies’ Moguls at FIS World Championship Dual Moguls. Many disputed the with 500 points, followed by An- By Aidana Yergaliyeva score and believed she performed thony with 405 points. Galysheva as well as her opponent Tess has a chance to move into the top ASTANA – Kazakh profession- Johnson, who scored 82.60 and three, as she is only 77 points be- al freestyle skier Yulia Galysheva earned the bronze. hind American Jaelin Kauf. won the first gold of her career at “Everything went as planned, I The sixth stage of the world the Feb. 9 International Ski Fed- was just a little tired. Plus, every- cup will took place Feb. 23-24 in eration (FIS, Fédération Interna- thing depended not only on me, Tazavako, Japan. The FIS World tionale de Ski) Ladies’ Moguls but also on the judges. However, Championship will determine its World Championship in Deer I do not blame them – [we] all winners March 2-3 after the final Valley, Utah (U.S.). [skied] in the same conditions on stage in Almaty. Kazakhstan is Galysheva earned 79.14 points the track. The weather conditions hosting the cup for the first time. on one of the world’s most also slightly affected [my perfor- Galysheva won a bronze in the challenging venues. The silver mance],” said Galysheva in an in- dual moguls at Kreischberg 2015 went to Australian athlete Ja- terview with the Kazakh National and a silver at Sierra Nevada kara Anthony who was just 0.15 Olympic Committee. 2017. points behind her; the bronze, Galysheva started the year The first moguls competition to France’s Perrine Laffont with ranked third at the Jan. 13 FIS was held in 1971 and has been 78.70 points. Freestyle World Cup Ladies’ Mo- part of the FIS World Cup Cir- On the last two days of cham- guls event in Calgary, Canada and cuit since 1980. Deer Valley has pionship, Galysheva scored 79.28 fourth in the general standings been hosting multiple world cup olympic.kz. Photo credit: in the small final of the Ladies’ with 323 points. Laffont leads events for more than 17 years. Yulia Galysheva Kazakh tennis player wins one Tursynbayeva wins silver leg of ATP Challenger Tour at ISU Championships tween the two. At the time of the last week for the Kazakh national flawlessly. Her free programme in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, and World By Saltanat Boteu game, Bublik was 172nd in the team, winning both matches, and By Saltanat Boteu score was her best of the season.“I Championships in Japan. ATP ranking; Marcora, 283rd. his team defeated Portugal to reach started working on the quadruple “We plan to participate in the ASTANA – Kazakh tennis This title was Bublik’s fourth on the final stage. The finals will be ASTANA – Kazakh figure skat- salchow a long time ago, but then Universiade, where we would like player Alexander Bublik won the Challenger Tour, bringing him held in November in Madrid. er Elizabet Tursynbayeva won the I stopped because of injury. Now, to re-show and perform the quadru- the 2019 Hungarian Challenger a career total 80 rating points. The According to the recent ATP women’s singles silver medal at I feel that I am already physically ple salchow. Then, we will partici- Open, an Association of Tennis first-place finish was his eighth ranking, Kazakh tennis player the Four Continents Figure Skat- ready. My coaches helped me pate in the World Championship. Professionals (ATP) Challenger tournament win, including the In- Mikhail Kukushkin improved his ing Championships in Anaheim, work on this jump and a couple We plan to make a good and serious Tour tournament, held Feb. 4-10 ternational Tennis Federation and position by two lines to 53rd place. California (U.S.). of weeks ago I began to success- statement about ourselves. We will in Budapest. ATP Challenger tours. After the Hungarian tournament, She placed sixth in her short fully perform it during training. I not stop training with the end of the Bublik beat Italian Roberto Mar- The tournament, held since Bublik improved to 144th and Ka- programme, but the 139.37 points included it in the programme only season. We will look for a new pro- cora in the finals 6-0, 6-3. During 2016, was previously won in sin- zakh player Alexander Nedovesov in her free programme gave her a two weeks ago. I will try it on and gramme, music and image, learn the 55-minute game, the 21-year- gle draws by Canadian Vashek from 190th to 188th. combined total of 207.46 points do it better. This is my goal,” she new elements and sew costumes old served five breaks and seven Pospisil (2018), Austrian Jürgen Novak Djokovic (Serbia) leads and the second-place finish. Japa- said. for new programmes. In the sum- aces, making just two mistakes. Melzer (2017) and Romanian the ATP ranking, followed by Ra- nese skaters Rika Kihira took the Tursynbayeva became the first mer, we will gather in Novogorsk,” Marcora, 29, made three aces and Marius Kopil (2016). This year’s fael Nadal (Spain) and Alexander gold with 221.99 points and Mai Kazakh athlete to win a medal at said team member Sergey Dudakov the same number of faults, report- prize fund was 64,000 euros Zverev (Germany). Mihara, the bronze (207.12), re- the International Skating Union in an interview with olympic.kz. ed sports.kz. (US$72,294). ported sports.kz. (ISU) championship, according to The ISU Four Continents Figure The meeting was the first be- Bublik debuted in the Davis Cup Tursynbayeva fell during her its website. Skating Championships have been According to the free programme while trying to Since May, she has been training held annually since 1999. Skat- perform a quadruple salchow with the team of renowned Rus- ers compete in singles, pairs and recent ATP ranking, (a jump with a take-off from a sian specialist Eteri Tutberidze. ice dancing. Twenty-four athletes Kazakh tennis back inside edge of one foot), but After the championship, she plans participated in this year’s women’s player Mikhail completed her seven triple jumps to perform at the 2019 Universiade singles championship. Kukushkin improved his position by two lines to 53rd place. After the Hungarian tournament, Bublik improved to 144th and Kazakh player Alexander Nedovesov from 190th to 188th.

Players who succeed on the in- ternational men’s ATP Challenger Tour earn ranking points to be- come eligible for the main draw Photo credit: informburo.kz. Photo credit: or qualifying draw entry at ATP Alexander Bublik World Tour tournaments. B8 NATION&CAPITAL CAPITAL

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019 Japanese chef treats Astana customers to his country’s home cuisine at Café Momo tionally Japanese ingredients, like (fermented soybean paste) is pur- By Dilshat Zhussupova anko (sweet red bean paste). It is chased in Japan because it is hard- one of the more popular types of er to find in Kazakhstan, he said. ASTANA – Café Momo chef bread right now,” he said. “Our menu is basically a home Daiske Kishigami has been giving Astana café-goers may try Japa- dish menu, the kind which many Astana locals a taste of Japanese nese sweets, as well as hot dishes, Japanese mothers prepare at home, cuisine at reasonable prices for at Kishigami’s café. Located at even nowadays,” the chef explained. four years. 5 Baitursynov Street at Highvill “Our dishes are ordinary ones that Born in Kobe, Kishigami moved residence Block D-1, Café Momo we eat daily, it is not a special kind to join his wife in Kazakhstan is open from noon until 9 p.m. of food. Sushi is considered a special in 2015. Living and working in throughout the week and closed on kind of food, since it is not a daily Astana since then, he also hopes Mondays. The café name refers to a kind of food that Japanese people to open a Japanese café in Almaty. peach in Japanese. eat… Sushi at reasonable prices, “My background is in the bak- “In Astana, there are very few Jap- such as at sushi train restaurants, ery industry,” he said in an inter- anese restaurants, and they are most- became very popular only maybe in view for this story. “I worked in a ly high-end, expensive restaurants the last 10 to 20 years in Japan.” Japanese bakery business for three offering sushi,” Kishigami said on Popular dishes at the café fea- years and moved to Dubai… where how the café came to be. “There are ture chicken katsu (fried chicken I was hired to work as a baker and no middle-range cafés where people cutlet), teriyaki chicken katsu- manager at a Japanese bakery for can eat Japanese food at a reasonable don (a bowl of rice topped with a almost two years, so my bakery price. I thought it would be interest- chicken cutlet with teriyaki sauce) background is five to six years.” ing to open a reasonably priced café and chicken katsu curry (fried “Bakery culture came to us from where Kazakh people can see what chicken cutlet with curry sauce). Germany and France. Now, we Japanese people usually eat at home.” The café’s Instagram (@caf- have more than 100 years of his- Kishigami serves food made emomoastana) and Facebook (@ tory in baking in Japan, and our from mostly local products, such cafemomo.kz) pages regularly fea- bakery style has become unique… weproject.kz. Photo credit: as chicken, beef and pork. Only ture its menu options and special Some breads are mixed with tradi- Daiske Kishigami curry sauce, green tea and miso announcements. Nonprofit coordinates transportation of Astana Akim 3,000 residents with disabilities per year discusses healthcare, services. More than 670,000 peo- Disabilities. Invataxi began receiv- portunity to use Invataxi,” Astana By Dilshat Zhussupova ple in Kazakhstan are registered as ing governmental support in 2011 Association of Parents of Children having a disability. and now coordinates the use of with Autism Chairperson Saltanat ASTANA – Kazakh nonprofit Invataxi began operating in more than 183 vehicles in 20 cities Yesmaganbetova told the city’s housing and other Invataxi coordinates the transpor- 2009 when the Saby Charity Foun- in the country. press service. “Today, people with tation of approximately 3,000 peo- dation purchased 14 vehicles for “Since 2014, people with visual disabilities can lead a more active ple with disabilities in Astana an- Almaty’s Society of People with impairments have also had the op- life and find work in public and issues with residents nually, including more than 1,000 private organisations.” children, reports the city akimat To use Invataxi services, in- Continued from Page A1 decrease the amount of harmful (administration) press service. dividuals must make a request emissions to the atmosphere and Invataxi acts as a dispatcher to to the company’s call centre be- Housing is also a concern ease citizens’ daily routine. coordinate free transportation for tween 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. and at among citizens and the city ad- The number of vegetation plan- people with disabilities in coordi- least a day before commuting so ministration is examining ways to tations across the city will increase nation with other nonprofits. The dispatchers may map out routes meet the housing needs of large by 500,000. Five squares and two vehicles are provided by those for efficiency and maximise the families. boulevards will be constructed by nonprofits and range from wheel- amount of accepted requests for “We will give apartments for the end of the year. chair accessible cars to modified rides. Passengers with disabili- rent to mothers of many chil- By 2030, storm sewers will be vans and minibuses with ramps, ties must also provide an applica- dren,” said the akim. “Not only installed in two-thirds of the reno- lifts and hoists. tion form, national identification rent but make it so that they have vated capital. A comprehensive Citywide, Invataxi is able to co- card copy, disability certificate, the opportunity to gradually buy plan has already been developed ordinate the use of five vehicles for No. 035/U certificate and an indi- an apartment. That is, the money to expand the storm sewer system. wheelchair users, seven vehicles vidual rehabilitation programme they earn will not be given to the The akim shared the statistics for people with visual impairments document to their local employ- apartment owners but invested to and changes planned to be imple- and 11 vehicles for children with ment and social services centre purchase the apartment.” mented in five years. The number disabilities. Among the organi- so that their details may be en- The work with equity hold- ers also continues. Currently, the sations whose vehicles Invataxi tered into the taxi service data- number of construction objects helps coordinate to provide trans- base. Invataxi coordinates rides that had complains from citizens portation are the Confederation of between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on reduced from 68 to 29. People with Disabilities, Meyirim weekdays. The organisation will The akim also said the shortage and Kazakh Society for the Blind. arrange to pick up individuals of kindergartens will be allevi- Drivers are often trained to assist and appointed time for transfer ated within two years. Currently, people with disabilities using their Mukhtar Zhirenov. Photo credit: to their destination. slots are available for 90 percent of preschool students age three to six years. “We strive to ensure that in 2020 this figure is closer to 100- per cent,” noted Sultanov. Construction to start in the second In the next five years, schools for 120,000 students will be built and Bakhyt Sultanov teachers’ wages will be increased to improve teaching quality. of wastewater treatment plants will quarter on first gastronomic market Based on the public-private grow from 14 to 26. The funding and Keruen Global. The market partnership, extended-day groups for the sphere will increase from will create 1,500 jobs in the city. will be created. They will be led 5 billion (US$13.29 million) to 7 “The project will provide the by volunteer students and special- billion tenge (US$18.61 million). city with a new conceptual vision ists on a paid basis. Such groups The catchment basin will grow of markets, where there is a greater will generally be available for from 13,000 hectares to 23,000. focus on fresh, high-quality prod- children from large families and Sultanov emphasised security in ucts and a wider choice of cuisines other privileged categories of citi- the city. Currently, 6,000 Sergek – a distinctive feature of the mar- zens. cameras (an intelligent video mon- ket will be its focus on organic, Youth policy will be linked to itoring, analysis and forecasting farm products,” said an Astana employment. In order to obtain system) operate in Astana. They SEC representative, adding that popular working specialties in in- are synchronised with each other. open-air concerts, seasonal fairs stitutions of technical and special- The Sergek system helped to im- and gourmet festivals with local ised education, more than 1,000 prove situations on the road de- farmers will be organised on the additional grants are provided. creasing the death rate in accidents territory of the unique market. Recent graduates will be able to and the number of crimes commit- Gastronomic markets are popu- find a job under the Youth Practice ted in the courtyards by half. lar in Amsterdam (Foodhallen), programme. Because of the iKomek urban Barcelona (El Nacional), Lisbon The city administration also centre and the citizen’s vigilance, (Time Out Market Lisboa), Lon- discussed healthcare services in the loss of 5,000 manholes were don (Borough Market), Moscow Astana during the meeting, in- identified last year. (Danilovsky Market) and Odessa cluding efforts to reduce mortality “At the akimat, the iKomek city (City Food Market). from diseases, create infrastruc- monitoring and rapid response Keruen Global operates Mos- ture to prevent diseases and estab- centre was created, where you can cow’s gastronomic market Da- lish a social package for medical call 109 and report any problem. nilovsky Market, which includes personnel. These efforts include Over the past year, a staggering Street. The 7,900-square-metre on the second floor. The space will eateries such as a Dagestani dump- the Doctor at Home project. The figure – and we received more By Dilshat Zhussupova building will be primarily devoted also allow for the filming of televi- ling shop, a Vietnamese pho-soup project aims to use the first floors than one million messages, – al- to the sale of fresh food and prod- sion programmes on nutrition. Out- kitchen and a French crepe bakery. of residential buildings as local most everything was solved,” said ASTANA – The capital’s first ucts from Kazakhstan and Com- doors, the territory will have 350 The market features its own labo- healthcare clinics. the akim. gastronomic market will be built in monwealth of Independent States automobile parking spaces, bicycle ratory, where food products are The issues of ecology were also During the meeting, which the second quarter of 2019, reports (CIS) countries. It will feature a parking spots and pedestrian and examined before sale for diseases raised in the report. The city’s lasted three hours, Sultanov was the city akimat (administration). farmer’s market, bakery, kiosks recreational areas. such as anthrax, actinomycosis Koktal-1 and Koktal-2 residential asked questions from 36 citizens. The Keruen Global gastronomic and seven-hall cinema on the first A construction agreement was and tuberculosis. Astana’s market areas and the Southeast microdis- After the meeting, he continued market will be located at the inter- floor and a fast food area, hardware signed April 27 by the Saryarka will operate a similar laboratory trict and the Zheleznodorozhnyi the personal reception of citizens section of Shabal Beisekova Street and electronics store, children’s en- district akimat, Astana Social En- and will be designed by Moscow- Village will be supplied with gas accepting 52 people for several and Shaimerden Kosshyghuly tertainment centre and office space trepreneurial Corporation (SEC) based company Zemskiy Group. by the end of the year. This should more hours.