-10° / -15°C WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2019 No 22 (184) www.astanatimes.com Kazakh, Swiss presidents discuss Nazarbayev’s book on cooperation opportunities Kazakhstan’s nuclear disarmament translated into Norwegian soil. This serves as a good example By Aidana Yergaliyeva for others,” Kjell Magne Bonde- vik, former Norwegian prime NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh minister and executive chair of the Embassy in Norway presented Oslo Centre, wrote in the preface, the Norwegian translation of First reported NTB Kommunikasjon. President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s This book is Nazarbayev’s “re- book “The Epicentre of Peace” flection on the progressive dan- Nov. 21 at the House of Literature ger of the dictate of power over in Oslo. Norwegians will be able reason, on the difficult search by to get closer to the history of the personkind for the formula of nu- closure of the Semipalatinsk nu- clear security,” as the author him- clear test site and Kazakhstan’s self wrote in the original foreword. renunciation of nuclear weapons. “The Epicentre of Peace” unveils “Knowledge and input that can the story of how the Kazakh peo- give new strength to the work of ple chose to rid the country of nu- clear weapons. The Soviet Union’s nuclear weapons removal are im- Semipalatinsk nuclear test site in portant. The experience from Ka- the East Kazakhstan Region was zakhstan that this book tells about the location for hundreds of nu- is in this respect useful. The coun- clear weapon tests that affected the try deserves recognition that after neighbouring cities, villages and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, environment. they removed all nuclear weapons and installations from their own Continued on Page A3 Photo credit: akorda.kz. Photo credit: L-R: Ueli Maurer and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan

Maurer during the joint press confer- world. Kazakhstan’s geostrategic stitution says that the strength of By Galiya Khassenkhanova ence after his talks with Tokayev. position between Asia and Europe a nation is measured in the well- to build fibre-optic link “We are interested in further allows it to function as a bridge. being of the weak. I agree with this NUR-SULTAN – Swiss Presi- strengthening our cooperation, “We are complementing each statement,” he added. dent Ueli Maurer and Kazakh which could use Kazakhstan’s and other in the work of international The presidents agreed to continue President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev Switzerland’s capabilities. Our platforms. We represent similar international collaboration. Tokayev under Caspian Sea discussed international and busi- meeting today is a proof of it. I am positions and have similar values. noted Kazakhstan is providing a ness cooperation opportunities sure that developing the cooperation I am convinced that small inde- space for Syrian peace talks, which their countries in trade, investment, Nov. 22 during the former’s visit meets the long-term interests of our pendent nations such as Kazakh- complement the Geneva talks. By Nazira Kozhanova transport and logistics, agriculture, to the Central Asian country. friendly nations. For Kazakhstan, stan and Switzerland should play a “During the meeting, I appreciat- space and cultural and humanitarian “The two nations have maintained Switzerland is an important strategic big role on an international field. ed the humanitarian component of NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh Prime work. international relationships for a long partner in Europe,” added Tokayev. In performing this role, our coop- Swiss foreign policy. Switzerland Minister Askar Mamin and Azer- Kazakh Minister of Digital De- time, both politically and economi- Maurer noted Switzerland is eration is important,” he added. initiated the adoption of this policy baijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov velopment, Innovations and Aero- cally. More than 40 Swiss compa- focused on working on global Tokayev noted Kazakhstan, like in September 2015 as the United officially launched construction of space Industry Askar Zhumagaliyev nies work in Kazakhstan and they platforms. The nation is home to the rest of the world, has acknowl- Nations’ goal. It was the first to a fibre-optic line between the coun- also issued a statement regarding feel comfortable here. We are happy many international organisations, edged Switzerland’s experience in spend millions to aid affected ci- tries under the Caspian Sea Nov. the launch of the links the same day, that our relationships are friendly, including the UN’s second largest democracy, a multiparty system vilians in conflict zones, including 19 in Aktau, Kazakhstan, reports estimating the potential revenue for open and transparent. I am grateful to office in Geneva, and involved in and foreign policy for centuries. Ukraine and Syria,” said Tokayev. primeminister.kz. Kazakhstan to reach $300 million, Kazakhstan for the invitation,” said humanitarian aid throughout the “The preamble to the Swiss con- Continued on Page A3 “It will allow you [Azerbaijan] reports the KazTAG news agency. to reach a higher level of develop- “This communication line con- ment of high-speed and secure data nects Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. transmission infrastructure, join the However, if you look more globally, leading Europe-Asia trunk routes this line will allow for the transit and take your rightful place in world of traffic from China through our Nur-Sultan’s embassies donate baskets of national data transit,” Mamin told Asadov countries to Europe. Why is it ben- about the project’s benefits. eficial to Kazakhstan? We expect The project is designed to be data transit revenue to reach $300 transcontinental and to create a digi- million. This process can be com- products to Dec. 1 Christmas Charity Bazaar tal telecommunications corridor be- pared to building a quality road: 6 p.m. in the Radisson Hotel Asta- wife of the British ambassador to its Grand Raffle. Tickets that sell tween Europe and Asia. The cable is freight traffic immediately increases By Aidana Yergaliyeva na, which has served as the general Kazakhstan, said. for 1,000 tenge ($2.60) can earn a projected to be 380-400 kilometres along it, budget revenues grow, sponsor of the event for 12 straight Visitors to the bazaar can sample lucky few prizes like a Lada Granta long. Kazakhstan’s Transtelecom roadside service develops, and so NUR-SULTAN – The Ambas- years now. The money from Char- the national food of 53 countries at car, a ferry cruise, trips to Abu Dha- and KazTransCom and Azerbaijani on,” Zhumagaliyev said of what sadors Spouses Astana (ASA) ity Bazaar sales will go toward the once. Participating embassies can bi, Istanbul, Riga and Sharja, as telecom operator AzerTelecom will Kazakhstan might reap from the association presented baskets of charity fund. introduce visitors to their culture well as to one of the three destina- lay the cable, which is expected to new data connection. products and goods donated by “Today’s event is an opportunity through their national products. tions to choose from those serviced be put into operation by the end of Investment in the project is esti- embassies and sponsors for the for all the ambassadors and their “This makes it unique – that by Air Astana, a spa visit and other 2021. It will allow the transmission mated to be approximately $60 mil- 12th Christmas Charity Bazaar at wives to deliver their baskets go- you can get, for example, original treats. Eighty-seven companies and of data with a capacity of at least lion, and the data link is projected the Basket Day event in Nur-Sul- ing to the raffle. Every basket con- Swiss cheese from Switzerland,” organisations are sponsoring prizes four terabits per second. to create up to 150 jobs. The final tan Nov. 25. tains food products of the country said ASA President Luzia Sebesta at this year’s bazaar. The list of Mamin and Asadov also dis- fibre-optic route will connect China, Fifty-three embassies have do- that they represent. It is just an Schmid, wife of the Swiss ambas- sponsors also includes The Astana cussed the current state of and Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, nated baskets for the bazaar, which occasion for us to give a little ex- sador. Times and The ATOM Project. prospects for cooperation between Turkey and Germany. will be held Dec. 1 from 11 a.m. to tra to the raffle,” Patricia Gifford, The highlight of the bazaar is Continued on Page B8 Yerzhan Maksim places second in Junior Eurovision Song Contest The composition is a call to nev- By Yelena Levkovich er give up and trust in the universe to open its doors. NUR-SULTAN – Yerzhan Mak- In his first interview after the sim, a young talent representing results were announced, Maksim Kazakhstan at the Junior Eurovi- said, “Second place is good! But, sion Song Contest 2019 in Gliwice, of course, first would be much bet- Poland, took second place in the ter! I want to thank all the Kazakh competition, scoring 227 points. people for their great support! To Maksim, 10th in the lineup on date I plan to give a concert in Po- Nov. 24, performed “Armanyńnan land. Then I will perform in Lon-

Photo credit: Kulpash Konyrova Photo credit: Qalma” (“Do Not Betray Your don, Moscow and other cities.” Members of ASA association at the Basket Day event in Nur-Sultan on Nov. 25. Dream”). Continued on Page B3

INSIDE NATION ECONOMY EDITORIAL&OPINIONS BUSINESS NATION&CAPITAL First eight months of Tokayev’s presidency Country to tighten hiring practice for First Presidents’ Day celebrates Nazarbayev, PetroKazakhstan commits to employ health UNICEF analysis finds progress in child put spotlight on gradual civil society, business foreign workers, counter wage imbalance A4 people and nation A6 and safety, environmental protection A8 mortality, education, gaps in inclusion, support and public engagement reforms A2 nutrition B1 Kazakhstan, EAEU to increase control TILEUBERDI: Kazakhstan’s economic Digital Bridge start-up competition judges PM reviews pilot project launching medical over dairy production in 2020 A4 diplomacy: on solid footing and with clear impressed with Kazakh start-up ecosystem A8 Kazakh Tourism, Almaty announce new joint insurance A2 goals in mind A7 mountain tourism officeB6

US$ 1 = 386.49 KZT € 1 = 425.68 KZT 1 = 6.04 KZT A2 NATION

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2019

NATIONAL First eight months of Tokayev’s presidency put spotlight on gradual NEWS IN BRIEF The number of Kazakh chil- dren with autism spectrum disor- civil society, business support and public engagement reforms ders (ASD) could reach close to 60,000, according to experts at the National Fund to support busi- “demands a more integrated conti- the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, By Zhanna Shayakhmetova nesses and the government will nental security architecture.” which implements the Autism. allocate an additional 250 billion He proposed transforming the One World for Everyone project. NUR-SULTAN – The first tenge (US$647 million) for the Conference on Interaction and Autism centres are located in Ak- eight months of Kazakh President next three years as part of the Busi- Confidence-Building Measures in tobe, Almaty, Kyzylorda, Nur- Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s term ness Roadmap. Asia (CICA) into a full-fledged re- Sultan, Petropavlovsk, Shymkent, have been marked by developing A three-year ban on inspections gional organisation for security and Uralsk and Ust-Kamenogorsk and and implementing new approaches of micro and small businesses will development when Kazakhstan as- more than 8,000 children have par- and solutions towards strengthen- come into force in January. sumes its chairmanship in 2020. ticipated in the support programme ing a socially oriented and busi- The President also addressed an The nation “is ready to support since 2015 to improve their qual- ness friendly state. issue of public concern, noting “our bilateral and multilateral actions ity of life. Approximately 7,200 He announced plans at the June 12 land is not for sale to foreigners.” aimed at finding viable peace and youngsters are now registered inauguration ceremony to continue He set the goal of increasing confidence-building solutions” re- and 3,700 have started the course. the strategies developed by Kazakh- teachers’ salaries two-fold over garding the situation in the Middle “Children just need more attention stan’s First President, Nursultan four years, and their salaries will East and proposes an inclusive dia- from specialists and parents. Au- Nazarbayev, including the Moderni- grow already by 25 percent in logue as a solution. tism is not a disease, but a special sation of Kazakhstan’s Identity and 2020. “Thanks to the Astana Process state of development of the child Five Institutional Reforms. To create equal opportunities for [on Syria], which complements the with gaps in communication, so- “Today, we are able to double individuals with special needs, the Geneva talks, the cessation of hos- cial interaction and behaviour. In the achievements of our independ- government will allocate at least 58 tilities has been reached. The de- most cases, these gaps need to be ence and to bring our country to a billion tenge (US$150 million) over escalation zones with conditions corrected,” said Asyl Miras Shym- qualitatively new stage of devel- three years, a programme included for a safe return of refugees have kent Centre head Sabina Umarova opment. We can achieve this by in Tokayev’s election platform. also been established. We all know at the Nov. 18 meeting in the city. maintaining the continuity of the Next year has been declared the that conflicts are devastating and policy of the leader of the nation Year of the Volunteer. give rise to terrorism and extrem- Bolt taxi service’s top destina- and through systemic reforms. As akorda.kz. Photo credit: “The urgent task is to expand ism. These can only be defeated tions in its two-month operation in you know, this was the basis of my President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivers remarks at the first meeting of the the participation of citizens, espe- by joint actions through a Global National Council of Public Trust on Sept. 6 in the Kazakh capital. Nur-Sultan include five shopping pre-election programme. At the cially youth and students, in vol- Anti-Terrorism Network under the malls (Asia Park, Keruen, Keruen moment, state bodies are doing the unteer activities, to instill in them auspices of the UN,” he said. City, Khan Shatyr and Mega Silk necessary work to implement it,” tion should be paid to work with Civil society’s involvement in the skills for an active life. This is Tokayev also shared the results Way), Nur Sultan-1 railway sta- said Tokayev Sept. 2 in his first social networks. shaping government policies is an important part of our work to of the Jusan special humanitarian tion, Narikbayev Kazakh State state-of-the-nation address. Tokayev established the Nation- a priority. The President also in- strengthen civil society,” he said. mission. Law University and Astana Medi- al Council of Public Trust July 17 structed officials to allow peaceful “Some 595 Kazakh citizens cal University, reported the com- to promote the concept of a “lis- public rallies. trapped by terrorist propaganda, pany press service. Taxi service Participation tening state.” Its main objective “If peaceful protests do not pur- Participation in major including 406 children, returned is popular among students, local in government meetings is to “formulate suggestions and sue the goal of violating the law international meetings back home from the war zones in residents and visitors who prefer Speaking at the July 15 govern- recommendations on the current and the peace of citizens, then they The President urged strengthen- Syria. We are ready to share our to go on business and personal ment meeting, Tokayev instructed issues of the state policy based on should be embraced and given ap- ing mutual confidence, constructive experience with other countries trips by rail and those who spend officials to provide immediate a broad discussion with the repre- proval to be carried out in the man- dialogue and interaction to ensure and urge them to take similar ac- some of their free time in shopping debt relief to some of the country’s sentatives of society, political par- ner prescribed by law, to allocate security and cooperation in the tions,” he said. centres. Approximately 90 percent most vulnerable groups – large ties and civil society,” reads the special places for this, and not in Shanghai Cooperation Organisation He noted Kazakhstan’s political of orders are made on weekdays, families and people with disabili- decree. the outskirts of cities,” he said. (SCO) space at the June 13 SCO structure is based on “a strong and the majority between 7 a.m.-9 a.m. ties. By the end of the summer, the Its list of members includes 44 A 25-percent reduction in the heads of state meeting in Bishkek. visionary president, an influential and 6 p.m.-8 p.m. A slight increase debt relief was effected, impacting public figures, civil society and number of civil servants and na- The SCO Action Plan for 2018- parliament and an accountable is observed from 12 p.m.-2 p.m., a the lives of more than one million human rights activists, journalists, tional company employees is ex- 2022 on long-term good-neighbour- government.” figure which decreases by the mid- people. children’s rights commissioners pected by 2024. liness, friendship and cooperation “My ultimate goal is to ensure dle of the workweek, then steadily He called for the government to and an ombudsperson to protect The President noted punish- needs to be fully implemented. that millions of my fellow coun- rises on Friday. conduct an audit of all agricultural entrepreneurs. After its initial ments for drug dealing, paedophil- Kazakhstan initiated forming trymen benefit from large-scale land and digitise the land registry meeting in September, the council ia, sexual assault and other serious the Global Anti-Terrorist Coalition reforms and enjoy an inclusive A digital inclusive laboratory system by the end of 2020 after the is expected to reconvene shortly to violations of the law should be under the auspices of the United society, robust economy, high- to develop programming skills Ministry of Agriculture reported take stock of the progress made so toughened. Nations (UN). Tokayev also noted quality education and advanced and creativity opened at Turan far in drafting reform proposals. on 16.5 million unused hectares. Reforming the law enforcement the importance of fighting cyber- healthcare. Kazakhstan will not University in Almaty, reported “Land is the main factor of pro- system is one of the most pressing related threats. become a success story in its so- Forbes.kz Nov. 22. The project is duction. Without efficiency and First State of the Nation tasks and the work of the Commit- “Terrorism is a global threat and cial-economic development unless supported by the Foundation of transparency, we cannot develop tee of Administrative Police is ex- requires additional efforts to en- profound political transformation the First President of Kazakhstan, our rural areas. We understand Address pected to be reorganised by the end sure cybersecurity. Establishing the is accomplished,” he said. ASBIS and Kazakhstan Marketing that this is a difficult job; here, you The state-of-the-nation address of the year. SCO Information Security Centre Tokayev’s vision is based on the Association. The courses, Every- need a harmonious interaction of focused on constructive public “The image of the police, as a would be an important contribution concept of different opinions, but one Can Code and Everyone Can the ministries of agriculture and dialogue as a basis for a stable and power tool of the state, will gradu- to the protection of the organisa- one nation. Create, developed by the Apple digital development,” he said. prosperous Kazakhstan. ally become a thing of the past; tion’s information space,” he said. “It is through dialogue that we Distinguished Educators (ADE) A theft investigation project will Tokayev instructed the gov- it will become a body providing The President reaffirmed the should move forward. Big chang- programme, are available for chil- be conducted on light rail transport ernment and legislators to help services to citizens to ensure their country’s commitment to a nu- es will affect all law enforcement dren, students and specialists in (LRT) construction in the capital strengthen civil society and social safety,” said Tokayev. clear-weapons-free world in his agencies and the courts to uphold various fields. “Apple Digital Lab to prevent poor quality and inef- security, support domestic busi- Effective small and medium- Sept. 24 address to the 74th ses- the rule of law in every sphere and is a unique opportunity for stu- fective project planning funded nesses and develop the economy. sized businesses are seen as “a sol- sion of the UN General Assem- the everyday life of our citizens. dents to create high-tech design with budget money. Political transformation “will be id foundation for the development bly in New York. He emphasised Populism is about mediocre poli- projects starting from the landing Functioning platforms for feed- implemented gradually, taking of cities and villages.” Approxi- Kazakhstan’s role as a mediator cy. I am not in a position of giving page to interesting video clips. back from the population are of into account interests of the state mately 100 billion tenge (US$260 on the regional and global scale empty promises, but pursuing con- Students will not only learn how great importance. Particular atten- and people,” he said. million) has been allocated from because Asia’s growing economy crete deeds,” he said. to communicate with the target au- dience, but they will also be able to create commercially significant projects,” said university senior teacher Elena Polukhina. PM reviews pilot project Mazhilis approves The Ministry of Culture and Sports is planning to create a single operator that implements a policy of providing physical education launching medical insurance stiffer sentences for and sports sponsorships, reported ganisations and the available re- will have to pay for or use voluntary Kazinform Nov. 21. “Its main mis- By Galiya Khassenkhanova sources for their improvement was health insurance to pay for. sion will be to ensure the sustain- part of the reason the region was “Currently, 88 percent of the able development of physical cul- NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh Prime chosen for the pilot programme. population is predicted to be in- sexual offenses ture and sports. As an operator, it Minister Askar Mamin reviewed With the experience of launch- sured. Among them 10 million liability for drug dealing. Mazhilis will be engaged in the distribution the results of the pilot implementa- ing the pilot, “Akimats [regional people belong to groups receiving By Yelena Levkovich deputies said severe punishments of extra budget funds for the devel- opment of physical education and tion of Mandatory Social Medical and city administrations] need to social benefits, 5.4 million are em- should be given for not only pro- sports. The operator will receive Insurance (MSMI) in Karaganda bring their medical information ployees, 0.7 million are individual NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh ducing or selling drugs, but also for funds through sponsorship from Region Nov. 18, according to his systems’ readiness indicator to 100 entrepreneurs, 0.2 million are Sin- Mazhilis approved Nov. 20 in first narcotics advertising. Deputy Murat Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth office. percent by the end of the year. The gle Aggregate Payment payers. The reading new amendments to the Temirzhanov proposed considering Fund and other sources not prohib- current one is 89 percent. In addi- remaining citizens, approximately country’s criminal code to stiffen the activity of the so-called stencil- “[Kazakhstan’s First President] ited by the legislation and aimed at 12 percent, will be able to become penalties for various crimes. The lers who promote different drugs by Nursultan Nazarbayev set the task tion, it is necessary to raise aware- implementing social projects for amendments follow Kazakh Presi- making notes on streets, sidewalks of ensuring complete readiness ness among the population using participants in the system as inde- the development of physical cul- dent Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s and walls, a type of aggressive prop- for the introduction of the MSMI. practical cases and ensure that all pendent payers,” said Birtanov. ture and sports,” said Minister of call for stiffer penalties during his President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev medical personnel pass a knowl- The government continues to aganda, to be punished seriously. Culture and Sports Aktoty Raim- in his state-of-the-nation address edge assessment,” said Minister of provide the population with basic Sept. 2 state-of-the-nation address. Nigmatulin noted that officials kulova at a Senate plenary meeting. noted that the issue of implement- Healthcare Yelzhan Birtanov, the medical services such as preven- Deputy Prosecutor Marat should take a comprehensive ap- ing social health insurance should prime minister’s website reports. tive vaccinations and medical ex- Akhmetzhanov presented the draft proach, also addressing members BBV presented its intelligent be treated with utmost responsi- A three-level medical care sys- aminations, patronage, pregnancy law at the Mazhilis plenary meet- of law enforcement who contribute transport system project at the Asta- bility. It should cover all citizens. tem, including a new model of the management and access to emer- ing chaired by Speaker Nurlan to illegal trafficking. na Hub, an international park of IT For this, medical organisations of Guaranteed Volume of Free Medi- gency care. Nigmatulin. The amendments also strengthen start-ups. The company’s Intelligent all levels must be connected to the cal Care (GVFMC) and the MSMI The nation’s health budget in The amendments are divided penalties for the illegal acquisition, Information Navigation Transport necessary information systems. package, will commence Jan. 1. 2020 will be approximately 1.5 into three sections. The first section transfer, sale, storage and trans- Network (IINTS) is an innovative The data on each citizen should be The first level is the new model trillion tenge (US$3.9 billion), in- eliminates conflicts and gaps in the portation of firearms, gas weapons project that develops and integrates updated,” said Mamin. of the GVFMC, which is now de- cluding more than 500 billion tenge existing criminal legislation. The with the possibility of shooting Kazakh digital signage software. On Sept. 1, the Ministry of fined by clear boundaries of state (US$1.3 billion) for the MSMI. second deals with sexual assault and with traumatic ammunition and It manages the traffic flow in large Healthcare launched a pilot project obligations and globally recognised Financing of priority medical care the third addresses extremism, ille- short-barrelled smooth-bore weap- cities, providing relevant informa- in Karaganda Region to test the international standard for universal types based on population needs gal cattle-rustling and other crimes. ons, as well as their cartridges. tion at the right time and place. The MSMI system and prepare for its coverage for basic health services. will increase, including medical One important change is the The legislative amendments also network is a digital media board full-scale rollout. In two months, The second level is the MSMI rehabilitation, the budget for which toughening of punishments for change the procedure of credit for managed with EYWA’s proprietary rehabilitation coverage in the re- package for the insured popula- will increase seven times next year sexual offences. Sexual violence time served by prisoners in certain software. BBV received the best gion grew by 42.2 percent. The tion, which ensures the avail- and up to 11 times by 2025. The sal- against minors, for example, now types of detention facilities. One digital-signage solution award at number of people taking expensive ability of medical care beyond the ary of medical personnel next year falls under the category of extreme- day inside the maximum-security the ISE 2018 exhibition of integra- examination such as CT scans and GVFMC. will increase by 30 percent among ly grave crimes and would be pun- facility would be equal to one and tion solutions in Amsterdam. The MRIs increased by 192 percent. The third level is medical services doctors and 20 percent among nurs- ishable by deprivation of liberty up a half days in a medium-security company has entered the top ten The extensive information sys- that are not included in the GVFMC ing staff. By 2025, it will double, to 20 years or life imprisonment. institution and two days in a mini- innovative companies and top ten tems of Karaganda’s medical or- or MSMI packages, which patients compared with current salaries. The bill also envisages criminal mum-security one. best start-ups in the country. A3 EURASIA&WORLD

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2019

EXTERNAL NEWS IN BRIEF Nazarbayev’s book on Kazakhstan’s nuclear The Kazakh capital will host Dec. 10-12 the 14th round of the Syrian peace talks, Kazakh Foreign Min- istry Spokesperson Aibek Smadi- disarmament translated into Norwegian yarov announced Nov. 25. The talks brokered by Iran, Russia and Tur- Continued from Page A1 “Kazakhstan was alone in mak- global civic initiative, for exam- key, in what has become known as ing the fight against nuclear weap- ple, has been contributing to main- the Astana Process, have been held “Nuclear weapons are meaning- ons a national hallmark, which has taining the dialogue to end nuclear in the Kazakh capital since January less weapons. Its use is impos- garnered respect and recognition weapons testing and create a nu- 2017. The platform proposed by sible without catastrophic conse- worldwide,” Sverre Lodgaard, for- clear-weapon-free world. Kazakhstan is meant to complement quences. Kazakhstan and its First mer director and senior researcher The ATOM Project Honorary the Geneva Process to facilitate a President Nursultan Nazarbayev at the Norwegian Institute of Inter- Ambassador, activist and painter peaceful resolution of the conflict are among those who realised national Affairs (NUPI), wrote in Karipbek Kuyukov participated in Syria that has entered its ninth this. ‘The Epicentre of Peace’ tells the preface. in the book presentation in Oslo year. Delegations from Iran, Russia why,” said Bondevik during the It is “a book of revelation, which and showed his paintings. Born and Turkey, the Syrian government presentation. I see as an open invitation to a con- without arms, he uses his mouth and the Syrian armed opposition The site was closed Aug. 29, fidential dialogue, disarmament and toes to paint and is one of the will be present as well as high-level 1991 by Nazarbayev’s decree, four and cooperation,” Nazarbayev 1.5 million Kazakhs who suffered representatives of the United Na- full months ahead of the dissolu- wrote in the prologue. from the effects of more than 450 tions, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq as tion of the Soviet Union and in de- Kazakhstan has continued its nuclear weapon tests at the former fiance of the Soviet leadership. In efforts to push for global nuclear Semipalatinsk test site.

observers. The agenda will include kommunikasjon.ntb.no. Photo credit: the situation in northern and north- 2009, the United Nations declared disarmament through, among oth- “The paintings help me show the western Syria, confidence-building Aug. 29 as the International Day clear testing and dismantling the clear weapons, ” said Ambassador er efforts, calls for dialogue and pain and express my view of the measures, including the release of Against Nuclear Tests. nuclear potential of Kazakhstan, of Kazakhstan to Norway Yerkin greater engagement by the public world as a victim of nuclear test- hostages and the search for miss- “The ‘Epicenter of Peace’ not but also invites the reader to think Akhinzhanov during the presenta- in this area. The Abolish Testing. ing and thereby awaken people’s ing persons, improving the com- only tells about the history of nu- about building a world free of nu- tion. Our Mission (ATOM) Project, a emotions,” he said. prehensive humanitarian assistance to Syria in return of refugees and internally displaced persons and the ways to advance the political pro- cess amid the recent launch of the Constitutional Committee. Kazakh, Swiss presidents discuss Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have agreed to facilitate bilateral agricul- tural cooperation, as the neighbour- cooperation opportunities ing nations signed a roadmap to Continued from Page A1 your partner, the way he or she ment has exceeded $24 billion “Considering Switzerland’s which provided the opportunity coordinate activities through 2024. thinks and lives, which could in the last 15 years. Heads of its status as one of the main interna- to discuss future cooperation in The document includes measures Kazakhstan’s Swiss partners play a positive role in economic large companies attending the tional financial centres, we think detail, and Kazakh partners will in science, production, certification, have appreciated the country’s relationships. People should get meeting demonstrated their in- that cooperation in the financial analyse the proposed initiatives. trade, digitisation, veterinary and achievements during its years of closer, get to know each other, terest in working in the Kazakh sphere would be beneficial. We In a subsequent business fo- farming. Kazakh Prime Minister independence under the leader- which is why we should open a market and the sides agreed the noted the possibility of coopera- rum the sides signed six business Askar Mamin noted the significant ship of First President Nursultan direct flight from Nur-Sultan to country will create all the neces- tion between Astana International deals including a management potential for increasing agricultural Nazarbayev. They noted it has Zurich,” said Maurer. sary conditions for their future Financial Centre (AIFC) and and franchise agreement between product supplies, implementing become a stable and dynamically Switzerland is known as a na- involvement. Trade turnover has Swiss financial centres,” said To- Aqbura Development and Swiss investment projects and accessing developing nation. tion with strong industrial in- reached $3 billion this year and kayev. Choice Holding to build a “Swiss markets in other countries. Bilat- Maurer and Tokayev agreed the novation, developed agriculture the attendees acknowledged di- He added Kazakhstan’s mem- village” in the Burabai resort area, eral agricultural trade has gener- main component of the Swiss- and one of the main financial and versification is needed to include bership in the Eurasian Economic a memorandum of cooperation on ated $770 million in nine months. Kazakh relationship is econom- banking centres of the world. Ka- products other than raw materials. Union (EEU), access to the huge “Development and implementa- Kazakhstan’s main exports in- ics. clude wheat and meslin, wheat and zakhstan, by contrast, is known Kazakhstan has experienced a Chinese market and possibility tion of a national system for clas- wheat-rye flour, sunflower seeds, “We do not want to exchange for its stable economic growth demand to create innovative en- to enter Central Asian markets sifying hotels in Kazakhstan,” a sugar, cattle and wheat waste. Uz- only goods; we also want to ex- and the best investment climate terprises and implement energy have always been attractive to memorandum of cooperation on bekistan mainly exports fruits, ber- change knowledge, experience in the region and Swiss business- sector, agriculture, medicine and partners. The country is ready to “Traceability Labelling System” ries and vegetables. and technologies. Kazakhstan’s es appreciate the opportunities pharmaceutical projects. Me- help Swiss investors interested in and memorandums of under- big plus is in its growing popula- opened by its market. The nation chanical engineering, chemical opening joint enterprises within standing between Astana Interna- Kazakhstan ranked 43rd in the tion; it differentiates Kazakhstan is the third largest investor in the and food industries, transport its borders to export the final tional Finance Centre (AIFC) and 2019 Women, Peace and Security from Switzerland, where the pop- Kazakh economy and one of the and logistics, tourism and envi- product to neighbouring markets. Swiss companies Blackfort Capi- Index published by the Georgetown ulation is growing old. Another country’s top ten trade partners. ronmental protection are also ex- Maurer was accompanied by tal AG, Clarus Capital Group AG Institute for Women, Peace and Se- important point is understanding The volume of Swiss invest- panding fields. a delegation of businesspeople, and Herculis. curity in partnership with the Peace Research Institute Oslo. The coun- try, positioned between Jamaica (42nd) and the United Arab Emirates (44th), ranked highest across Cen- tral and Eastern Europe and Central Kazakh-Italian cooperation offers immense Asia in terms of women’s paid em- ployment. Norway, Switzerland and Denmark top the list. The ranking examines 167 countries on women’s unexplored opportunities, says top Italian official equality across 11 indicators cat- “In Italy, we have a few big but it is also about business, cul- egorised in three basic dimensions By Aidana Yergaliyeva companies and most of them are ture, science and, in general, po- of women’s well-being – inclusion already based here. But the reality litical cooperation. And what you (economic, social, political), justice NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan is that more than 90 percent of our want is to make it periodic – every (formal laws and informal discrimi- and Italy can offer each other huge economy is made of small and me- couple of years, for example. So, nation) and security (at family, com- opportunities for growth – it is just dium enterprises. Small and medi- we want to create this conscious- munity and societal levels). a matter of time until the two build um enterprises, they cannot have ness in Italy to make companies stronger relations, said Italian Un- risks. They are not used to taking understand that the ‘stan’ coun- Kazakh director Adilkhan Yer- dersecretary for Foreign Affairs risks, because their budgets are tries are a huge possibility,” said zhanov won the Achievement in and International Cooperation not so big. When they try to work Di Stefano. Directing award for his “A Dark, Manlio Di Stefano in an exclusive abroad, they need to have a certain At the political level, this will Dark Man” at the 13th Asia Pa- interview for this story. framework of rules that protect also be a means of keeping Central cific Screen Awards (APSA) Nov. Kazakhstan is seeking ways to their own investment. That’s what Asia closer to the EU. 21 in Brisbane, Australia. It is Ye- diversify its oil-based economy, I am discussing with your govern- “We think that this is a good rzhanov’s second award following while Italy is looking for new ment to fix the procedure that is environment for everyone. You the APSA NETPAC Development cooperation opportunities in ar- not in the standard of the union ap- are straight in the centre between Prize in 2013, now the Young Cin- eas such as agribusiness, technol- proach in order to facilitate this,” Europe and Asia. So, we think that ema Award, for “Constructors.” ogy, cybersecurity and aerospace. he added. already now, but mostly in the fu- His feature “The Owners” pre- These can create a good match Another deterrent is the lack of ture, you can have a strategic goal miered at the Cannes Festival and and “we just need to choose where a general understanding of what for the so-called Eurasian connec- was also nominated for the APSA you want to add cooperation,” he Kazakhstan and the countries in tivity. So, the more we keep you Best Feature Film. “The Plague at noted. Italian Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Central Asian represent. For Ital- close to the European Union, the the Karatas Village” (2016) had The countries already enjoy “a Manlio Di Stefano. ian business circles, it is not the better it is, I think,” he added. its international premier at Inter- good framework of bilateral agree- fear of the “stans,” but simply the The first seed of business co- national Film Festival Rotterdam ments. Therefore, there is nothing 2.1 percent of the country’s gross vestment and, most importantly, lack of awareness about the pos- operation between the coun- where it won the NETPAC Award. huge to reform,” he added. domestic product (GDP), reported more experienced partner compa- sibilities of doing business in the tries came at the Kazakh-Italian The door to new opportunities export.gov. nies, Di Stefano noted. region. Business Forum Nov. 13 in the Abai Kazakh State Academic will open with the EPCA (En- “We are inter-domestically “This will obviously help the “I think that sometimes there capital. The session gathered ap- Opera and Ballet Theatre, Ka- hanced Partnership and Coop- pushing a lot on innovation, what management of all the relation- is no consciousness of what the proximately 200 representatives zakhstan’s oldest theatre, per- eration Agreement), an agreement we call Industry 4.0. It is like a ships with the local bureaucra- ‘stans’ are. We are talking about of business circles to discuss coor- formed the classic one-act ballets between Kazakhstan and the Eu- big set of reforms to have compa- cy administration and govern- the countries in terms of logistics dination possibilities in renewable “Chopiniana” and “Scheherazade” ropean Union (EU). nies digitalise and to be able to be ance. What we are trying now at – that are huge in some way and energy, petro chemistry, manufac- Nov. 17 to a full house at the Lon- “The Italian parliament just more interconnected at the global the [Kazakh-Italian Business] fo- are far away from Italy, but they turing and agribusiness. don Coliseum. Dancers Azamat approved the ratification of the level, then we are pushing a lot on rum is to match companies, Italian have a huge potential. We are try- Italian energy company GSE Askarov, Rakhim Dairov, Arisa EPCA. This is an agreement that cybersecurity and aerospace, for companies with local companies, ing with our government to create signed a memorandum of under- Hashimoto, Zhanel Tukeyeva, Ma- could bring some new opportunity example. But the reality is that and start some joint ventures,” he some consciousness about it,” he standing for cooperation with lika Yelchibaeva and Dinara Yes- for the country,” said Di Stefano. we are starting from a very small added. said. Kazakhstan’s AREK energy util- entaeva performed the principal The agreement is awaiting the company working on agriculture Di Stefano noted Kazakhstan While on his November busi- ity company. In addition, certain roles. The tour was supported by signature of Italian President Ser- and on to the defence industry; we is making an effort to provide a ness trip to Central Asia, Di Ste- businesses have already shown the Kazakh Embassy in the United gio Mattarella. are trying to innovate every pro- comfortable environment for for- fano intends to introduce Italian some interest in horse meat pro- Kingdom and Kazakh Ministry “This (agreement) obviously cess,” said Di Stefano. eign investors and companies. The businesspeople to the region and cessing. of Culture and Sports. Abai Ka- will boost and improve coopera- In recent years, Kazakhstan has government, however, still needs its many opportunities, he said. Cooperation between the na- zakh State Ballet Artistic Direc- tion between Kazakhstan and the initiated a plan to develop and to revise its legislation on the way The country’s business commu- tions has been strengthening each tor Gulzhan Tutkibaeva noted the European Union,” he added. “I digitise its farms and agricultural foreign business should operate nity will have a better chance to year since a strategic partnership troupe previously performed in think that now it is just the mat- investment support has increased in the country. The government become acquainted with every- was formed 10 years ago and France. “‘Chopiniana’ and ‘Scheh- ter of insisting and stressing on the every year. Investments in fixed needs “to create a domestic frame- thing Central Asia has to offer Italy is Kazakhstan’s second big- erazade’ are, of course, iconic bal- projects, because there is the de- assets nearly doubled to 263.7 bil- work of rules that are internation- at the Dec. 13 Italy-Central Asia gest trade partner overall. To date, lets that are known internationally mand; there is the market and you lion tenge (US$678.8 million) in ally recognised, that can protect government and business confer- Italy has invested $6.6 billion in and which continue to delight and need to just put them together.” the first eight months of 2019. the investment, and some simplifi- ence in Rome. the Kazakh economy and approxi- entertain audiences everywhere,” Agriculture is one of Italy’s key To grow its agroindustry, Ka- cation of the bureaucracy in order “What we want to have is a con- mately 270 companies using Ital- she said. economic sectors, accounting for zakhstan needs more foreign in- to speed up everything,” he said. ference that is not just commercial, ian capital operate in the country. A4 ECONOMY

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2019

ECONOMIC Country to tighten hiring practice for NEWS IN BRIEF Kazakhstan’s local budget rev- enues jumped 19.4 percent in the first nine months of 2019 to a re- foreign workers, counter wage imbalance cord 4.2 trillion tenge (US$10.89 cialists for one position was higher position for which you received billion). The revenue plan was By Galiya Khassenkhanova than that of Kazakh employees. permission,” he said. exceeded in all regions of the With regard to this, we revoked the The ministry also plans to return country except the capital. Local NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan permissions of 657 foreign work- to the compulsory practice of re- budgets’ own revenues exceeded will tighten the laws regulat- ers,” he said. placing foreign workers with do- 120 billion tenge (US$311.12 ing the process of hiring foreign He added the government bod- mestic specialists. million). Excluding transfers, the workers, after inspections led by ies issued 56 orders regarding vio- “You will get permission to at- revenues totalled 1.8 trillion tenge the Ministry of Labour and Social lations that revealed and imposed tract a foreign specialist for one- (US$4.67 billion), 119 billion Protection identified labour and 282 fines totalling 87 million tenge three years, but after the term ex- tenge (US$308.52 million) more migration legislation violations (US$224,000). piration the employee needs to be than in the same period in 2018. at 63 large enterprises, including The second inspection stage replaced by a Kazakh specialist. Growth is mainly due to taxes, as disproportionate salaries between checked 34 additional enterprises We have been attracting foreign tax revenues increased 7.5 percent the foreign and local workforces, and identified 135 labour viola- labour for 25 years. I think that to 1.7 trillion tenge (US$4.41 bil- reported tengrinews.kz Nov. 3. tions. Nurymbetov specifically time was enough to train our own lion). The sale of fixed capital and

The ministry reported on the tengrinews.kz. Photo credit: addressed Arabtec Consolidated specialists,” added Nurymbetov. non-tax revenues was 68.7 billion legislation violations, enterprise Contractors Limited Project Man- Saparbayev supported the minis- tenge (US$178.11 million) and inspection results and possible reduce the quota by no less than checking enterprises that attract ager John Campbell regarding ter’s proposals. 47.7 billion tenge (US$123.67 solutions during a meeting with two times and tighten the rules for more than 30 foreign workers. violations at the Abu Dhabi Plaza “If we invite a foreign worker, million), respectively. Deputy Prime Minister Berdibek issuing permits for the fourth cat- Nurymbetov noted 21,000 for- construction site. then after a certain time we must Saparbayev and heads of the Ak- egory (working specialties),” said eign specialists have permission to “For example, you provide three replace him with a domestic work- Investments in fixed assets tobe Region’s large enterprises. Minister of Labour and Social Pro- work at 2,400 Kazakh enterprises. meals a day for foreigners living er. We have enough universities sourced from bank loans declined The session considered compen- tection Birzhan Nurymbetov. “With the Prosecutor General’s in a hostel, the cost of which is up and enterprises. For a quarter of 64.4 percent from January-October sation, repaying wage liabilities, The plan involves introducing Office, we inspected 63 large en- to 3,000 tenge (US$8). The local a century we have been attracting to 227.3 billion tenge (US$589.30 labour conflicts, businesses’ social the employer’s responsibility and terprises. The inspection revealed staff, they dine separately, with foreign workers, but we are not million), falling for the first time responsibility and attracting for- obligation to create equal working 794 facts of labour legislation compensation payments of 800 preparing our own. Perhaps next in the past few years. The share eign labour. and living conditions for employ- violations, including 700 facts of tenge (US$2). In addition, your year we will exclude the issuance of loans from foreign banks does “We plan to tighten the rules for ees. The ministry will modify in- wage imbalance at 23 enterprises, company attracted foreign work- of permits for the fourth category,” not exceed 0.1 percent of Kazakh- recruiting foreign labour. We will dustry inspection criteria, annually meaning the salary of foreign spe- ers that do not correspond to the he said. stan’s total capital investments. At the same time, investments in fixed assets through foreign bank loans totalled 9.3 billion tenge (US$24.11), 58.7 percent less year-on-year (yoy). Capital expen- Kazakhstan, EAEU to increase control ditures from foreign bank loans are declining for the second year in a row. over dairy production in 2020 As of the end of September, and gradually implemented meas- of Agriculture is focusing on in- Kazakhstan regions. Twelve addi- The map was initiated by the tenge deposits represented 55.6 Staff Report ures to modernise and reform the creasing the number of organised tional milk reception points were Dairy Union of Kazakhstan and percent of all Kazakh bank depos- local dairy industry. However, Ka- dairy farms through its farming created with state support this supported by the United Nations its. The country’s bank deposits NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh zakhstan postponed the introduc- development programme. To pro- year. Food and Agriculture Organisation increased 4.2 percent year-on-year government will tighten controls tion of new requirements twice. vide the farms with succulent feed, To help farmers adapt, officials (FAO) and the Eurasian Develop- (yoy) to 8.8 trillion tenge (US$22.8 over dairy production starting Jan. “The delay was caused by objec- the authorities propose to irrigate are also offering to develop anchor ment Bank. It provides for the im- billion). The systematic growth of 1 as part of the new Eurasian Eco- tive factors. First is the underde- 120,000 hectares. cooperation in the dairy industry provement of laboratory facilities bank savings is accompanied by nomic Union Technical Regula- velopment of the raw material base In addition, Kazakhstan plans sphere and expand state support and quality control of raw materi- an increase in demand for the na- tion on the safety of milk and dairy – more than 70 percent of milk go- to build 244 family farms and 95 for the technical equipment and re- als and the preparation of suppliers tional currency, reported ranking. kz. Deposits have grown 15.5 per- products. ing to processing is produced at industrial dairy farms within five equipment of the dairy farms, as for the implementation of EAEU. cent in the past five years, which The requirements introduce new private farms. This milk is often years. well as to create training farms to That process is underway. reflects an increase in the popu- maximum quantitative indicators of low quality due to negligence To date, 10 family farms with a increase knowledge in the field of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agri- lation’s well-being. This is also of mesophilic aerobic and facul- regarding sanitary and veterinary total capacity of 989 head of cattle dairy goods manufacturing. culture has announced that Germa- evident from other indicators, such tative anaerobic microorganisms norms such as vaccination, proper are already in operation in the Ak- The country is also continu- ny’s Federal Food and Agriculture as a 12-percent per year average and somatic cells for raw milk, balanced feeding, improvement mola, Aktobe, Almaty, Zhambyl, ing with its road map on bringing Ministry will sign a joint statement wage increase in the third quarter skimmed milk and cream, and will of genetic potential,” the Kazakh on the milk project and two joint to 191,100 tenge (US$495.40). control their purity, acidity, den- Ministry of Agriculture press ser- declarations on the German-Ka- To date, 10 family farms with a total capacity Household incomes increased 10.7 sity, bacterial contamination and vice said. zakh Agrarian and Political Dia- percent in the second quarter to fat rates. It was previously reported that of 989 head of cattle are already in operation in logue Project in December. 579,000 tenge (US$1,501.10). The Eurasian Economic Com- approximately 90 percent of raw the Akmola, Aktobe, Almaty, Zhambyl, North An important element of this col- mission Council adopted the tech- milk coming to Kazakh milk laboration will be joint work in train- Kazakhstan has observed nical regulation in 2013 to improve plants from farmers did not meet Kazakhstan and Turkestan regions. ing staff in dairy cattle breeding. growth in industrial production for the safety and quality of milk and the EAEU technical regulation “The ministers will discuss the the second year in a row. Chemical dairy products produced for food standards. extension of the transition period industry products reached 386.4 purposes in the EAEU. To address this issue and raise North Kazakhstan and Turkestan Kazakhstan’s dairy products into up to five years for Kazakhstan,” billion tenge (US$1.00 billion) in To adapt to the upgraded condi- the quality of the industry’s raw regions. Two more industrial farms compliance with EAEU safety re- the Kazakh Ministry of Agricul- the first ten months of 2019 and tions, Kazakh authorities arranged materials, Kazakhstan’s Ministry operate in the Pavlodar and North quirements. ture said. the industrial production index was 102.3 percent year-on-year (yoy). Ukraine leads all countries in importing Kazakh mineral and chemical fertilisers; the share of fertiliser exports to the country is IMF statement notes Digital transformation 31.2 percent in quantitative terms and 32.2 percent in monetary terms. Kazakhstan exported more continuing economic growth has a $578 million than 85,000 tonnes (19.3 percent increase yoy) of fertilisers worth in Continued implementation of Problem Loan Fund or subsidised excess of $22 million, a 12.7-per- By Nazira Kozhanova business environment, govern- loans from an NBK subsidiary. cent increase yoy). ance and public administration This led to improvement of bank NUR-SULTAN – While Ka- reforms is critical for strong, sus- capital and liquidity indicators. positive effect Kazakhstan mined 92.8 mil- zakhstan’s economic growth re- tained, inclusive growth,” said the Corporate lending has been slug- year-on-year (yoy), reported rank- lion tonnes of coal, lignite and mains strong, its fiscal framework, statement. gish, although consumer loans Staff Report ing.kz. Organisations with Internet concentrated coal in the first ten monetary and exchange policy The projected trends for 2019 are growing rapidly, which war- access grew from 67.7 percent to months of the year, 2.5 percent should be strengthened, reported show economic growth and the rants close monitoring,” said the NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s 75.1 percent in 2018 yoy; those of- less than 2018. The industry had the International Monetary Fund unemployment rate remaining statement. digital transformation has had a fering Internet resources increased experienced growth in the previ- (IMF) 2019 Article IV Mission unchanged, at 4.1 percent and 4.9 The statement advised carefully $578 million positive economic ef- from 21.7 percent to 22.3 percent. ous two years. Coal and lignite Staff Concluding Statement on percent, respectively. At the same monitoring the planned redesign fect, reported the Ministry of Digi- Investments decreased 10.2 per- production reached 289.5 billion Nov. 13. time, the inflation rate is projected of the financial supervisory archi- tal Development, Innovation and cent to 46 billion tenge (US$118.8 tenge (US$750.56 million), while “Growth remains strong, fueled to increase from 5.3 percent to tecture. Aerospace Industry press service. million) yoy in the first nine the industrial production index by supportive fiscal policy, oil and 5.6 percent compared with 2018 “The relocation of the NBK As a result of the changes, infor- months of 2019. Investments in was 97.2 percent. Coal prices by gas sector investment and retail numbers. The general government to Nur-Sultan and establishment mation and communications tech- fixed assets has been use to re- month increased most noticeably lending. Risks to inflation have finances percentage of the GDP of an independent Agency for nology (ICT) costs have decreased place old equipment (15 percent), in Taldykorgan, Taraz and Turke- increased and the National Bank decreased from 22.2 to 20.9. Regulation and Development of 13 percent per year. expand production capacity to in- stan. Retail prices in October aver- (NBK) appropriately tightened Non-oil growth is expected to Financial Markets in Almaty car- Digital transformation is one of crease the number of subscribers aged 12,600 tenge (US$32.70) per policy in September. Additional remain strong going forward, with ries risks of reduction of supervi- the country’s main goals. The nation (11 percent) and introduce new one tonne, 1.2 percent higher than budget outlays have involved re- risks on the down side. sory capacity, which should be ad- adopted the Digital Kazakhstan pro- technologies (5 percent). in September, but 4 percent lower sources from the National Fund “Rising inflationary pressures dressed,” it added. gramme in 2017 to accelerate eco- The Kazakh government has compared to October 2018. and revision to the non-oil deficit prompted an increase of the poli- As for the fiscal policy and nomic development and improve estimated introducing digital tech- path. While medium-term fiscal cy rate by 25 basis points to 9.25 framework, a looser fiscal stance is people’s quality of life through the nologies will result in 2-10 per- Investments in financial and consolidation is envisaged sup- percent. Risks remain due to per- expected for 2019, due to stepped- use of digital technologies. cent annual productivity growth, insurance activity fixed as- ported by improved revenue ad- sistently strong demand, supported up social support and regional The programme is focused in five 3 percent field production growth, sets totalled 60.2 billion tenge ministration, there is a strong case by wage and social spending hikes development outlays and despite categories – digitising industries, 25-50 percent agricultural produc- (US$156.08 million) in the first to strengthen the fiscal frame- and consumer lending; further strong non-oil revenues. The Ka- transitioning to a digital state, im- tivity growth and a 10-20 percent nine months of 2019, a 38.7-per- work, including fiscal rules and action may be needed,” said the zakh government is also intending plementing the Digital Silk Road, decrease in production costs, re- cent increase year-on-year (yoy) transparency. There is scope for statement. to upgrade its fiscal policy frame- developing human capital and cre- ported primeminister.kz. and an all-time record indicator for strengthening the effectiveness of Efforts should continue to work, including the fiscal rules ating an innovative ecosystem. It According to International Data the period. More than 99 percent monetary and exchange policy as strengthen the credibility of the system. has developed 17 initiatives and or- Corporation (IDC), direct invest- of all capital investments, or 59.7 well, including enhancing NBK monetary and exchange rate Progress has been made regard- ganised more than 100 events. ment in digital transformation from billion tenge (US$154.78 million), independence and improving framework. Financial support to ing governance, but further gains Since Digital Kazakhstan was 2020-2023 will reach $7.4 trillion. attracted to the segment are busi- monetary transmission and com- banks from the government and are needed, noted the statement. implemented in 2018, information By 2023, the share of digitisation nesses’ own funds, a 39.3-percent munications. The asset quality re- NBK has contributed to stabilising “Kazakhstan has made several and communications investments costs will increase from the current increase yoy. Among other fund- view now underway is an oppor- the banking sector, but the need for high-level commitments to im- have grown 40.3 percent per year 36 percent to 50 percent of all ICT ing sources, bank loans grew 2.6 tunity to address long-standing close monitoring continues. prove governance and reduce cor- to 92.5 billion tenge (US$238.9 investments. percent during the year to 432.8 problems in the banking sector. “Over the past two years, sev- ruption risks, including in the 100 million). The greatest growth is forecast million tenge (US$1.12 million). The formation of a new, independ- eral banks received significant Concrete Steps and the 2015-25 The same year, the share of organ- in data analysis and analytics, as Financing from other borrowed ent financial supervisor should be state funds, either through the National Anti-Corruption Strat- isations using computers increased companies create competitive ad- funds decreased 32.6 percent to carefully managed to limit risks. purchase of bad assets by the egy,” it added. from 70.7 percent to 77.7 percent vantages based on information. 112.8 million tenge (US$292,448). A5 BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2019

BUSINESS NEWS IN BRIEF Kazakh, Turkish businesses ink deals worth $1.5 billion The Nur-Sultan Department for $6 billion. Kazakhstan and Tur- aging, paint and varnish products Investment and Enterprise Devel- By Assel Satubaldina key Business Council Chair Mert in Kazakhstan’s Aktobe-Gebze opment has devised a programme Sari indicated the growth was not industrial zone and start infrastruc- allowing large retailers to obtain NUR-SULTAN – Istanbul host- steady and noted the need for a ture development in Turkestan. soft loans in exchange for main- ed the Kazakh Turkish Business new trade model. The companies will also build taining prices on certain products, Forum Nov. 10, where companies Mamin and Oktay also par- university hospitals in Almaty and reported inbusiness.kz Nov. 14. from the two countries signed 18 ticipated in the intergovernmental Karaganda, multidisciplinary hos- Because the mechanism is aimed documents worth $1.5 billion to economic commission meeting pitals in Aktau, Aktobe, Atyrau, at stabilising prices, interest will develop infrastructure, industry, which ended with signing a joint Kokshetau, Kyzylorda and Taraz be 0.01 percent. Retailers using the transport and logistics, healthcare, action plan. The document in- and diagnostic centres in Aktobe loans would be required to preserve public and private partnerships and cludes 65 trade and investment, and Shymkent. prices on 19 socially significant the financial market. industry, transport, education, Mamin met with the heads of products such as milk, bread, eggs, Kazakh Prime Minister Askar healthcare and tourism measures, Turkey’s 40 largest companies. potatoes and beef. Soft loans have Mamin, as part of his official visit among other areas. Some have invested in Kazakh-

been in practice since 2017, pro- to the nation, and Turkish Vice primeminister.kz. Photo credit They also inked the intergovern- stan, while others are exploring the viding approximately 300 million President Fuat Oktay opened the L-R: Kazakh Prime Minister Askar Mamin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip mental agreement on international possibility of investing in Central tenge (US$776,000) in the past two forum by welcoming more than Erdoğan. combined goods transportation Asia’s largest economy. He encour- years and providing positive re- 500 Turkish and 100 Kazakh busi- and an action plan for the new syn- aged the businesses to contribute in sults, according to the department. nesses. Mamin also later met with First President Nursultan Naz- reached $2.3 billion in the first ergy joint economic programme developing Turkestan city in south- Turkish President Recep Tayyip arbayev and head of state Kassym- nine months of the year, 68 percent for 2019-2021. ern Kazakhstan as a cultural and The Digital Kazakhstan Associa- Erdoğan in Ankara. Jomart Tokayev consider Turkey more than 2018. The Kazakh Ministry of Trade spiritual centre of the Turkic world. tion and the Public Council over- “The cooperation between our one of the key and strategic partners The sides expect trade will ex- and Integration and Turkish Min- During his visit, Mamin also laid seeing the Ministry of Trade and countries has seen dynamic devel- of Kazakhstan,” said Mamin. ceed $3 billion this year, a signifi- istry of Trade will cooperate in flowers at the Ataturk Mausoleum Integration held a roundtable Nov. opment in all areas and there is a More than 4,200 companies cant growth from $30 million in developing Halal products. The and he and Erdoğan planted trees 4 about the draft law on consumer foundation to bring the bilateral ties with Turkish capital are registered 1992. The current pool of invest- countries also agreed to begin pro- as part of Turkey’s Breath for the rights’ protection, reported inbusi- to a new quality level. Kazakhstan’s in Kazakhstan. Bilateral trade ment projects is worth more than ducing corrugated cardboard pack- Future environmental campaign. ness.kz. Part of the draft law sets the priority for restoring and compen- sating for violated consumer rights. According to Committee for Con- sumer Rights Protection Deputy Chairperson Aizhan Bizhanova, ad- Kazakh-Italian business forum generates investment interest ministrative fines go directly to the Historically, Italy was among Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Af- products. If a company invests national budget and have no effect the first investors in Kazakhstan. fairs Ambassador for Special Pro- more than $12 million into pri- on restoring a consumer’s rights. Since the beginning of diplomatic jects Yerlan Khairov addressed ar- ority industries including chem- The committee developed and im- relations between the countries, eas of potential interest to Italian istry, oil chemistry, metallurgy, proved eight key areas, including the strategic oil and gas sector has investors. He noted the investment mechanical engineering or food the Institute for Self-Regulation, been the main attraction for in- climate is very important to Ka- production, the government will where a consumer can register a ternational investors. The Italian zakhstan; it is also very important exempt it from paying three complaint and choose a pre-trial company Eni has been present in that every investor that comes to types of taxes – corporate (up to settlement. Administrative liability Kazakhstan since 1992. the nation feels protected and com- 10 years of zero payment), prop- will be applied in four cases – un- “We have been here since the fortable and receives the help he or erty (up to $8 million) and land timely return or exchange of goods, 1990s, so we know the country she needs. (up to $10 million). failure to reveal goods’ properties, (Kazakhstan) pretty well. The Khairov spoke about the benefits “I am sure that today’s business providing goods and services with- company is well placed here. We of investing and working through forum will give impetus to the de- out relevant documentation and in- are a differentiated company; we the Astana International Finance velopment of economies and busi- stances where the entrepreneur has are in the construction business and Centre (AIFC) and Kazakh In- ness relations between the coun- not responded to a consumer com- mfa.kz. Photo credit: infrastructure as well as oil and gas vest. He listed several areas where tries. We have great opportunities plaint within ten days. The last case L-R: Italian Ambassador to Kazakhstan Pasquale D’Avino and Kazakh and hotels and hotel management. Italian investment or technology to expand trade, economic and in- was of concern to businesspeople, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador-at-Large Yerlan Khairov. We are so diversified we have to could be applied, such as privatis- vestment cooperation,” said Italian who said not every type of business follow the different news taking ing oil and gas projects, transport, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs could process complaints within company GSE signed a memoran- place in the country. Our customers communications, agriculture, food Manlio Di Stefano. that time frame. They noted the By Galiya Khassenkhanova dum of understanding to cooper- are also present at this forum. So, production, logistics, mechanical During his visit, Italian busi- committee did not analyse the draft ate with electric utility company looking at what our customers are engineering, public-private part- nesspeople working in Kazakhstan law’s effects on businesses. NUR-SULTAN – The Nov. 13 AREK, said Italian Embassy in doing is an interest for ourselves as nerships (PPP), field exploration, shared their experiences, adding Kazakh-Italian Business Forum Kazakhstan Attaché for Commer- well. We are here also to establish the digitisation programme and they found the conditions among The Information and Accounting demonstrated the interest among cial and Cultural Affairs Emilio contacts and relationships with po- future economics. the most comfortable for invest- Centre (IAC) proposed introducing Italian businesspeople in investing Sessa. tential customers,” said Renco Ser- The government is ready to ment. This prompted the possibil- BidaiCoin in April for grain pur- in the Central Asian country. From 2005-2019, $6.6 billion vices Division Technical Director help interested investors by re- ity of looking deeper into Kazakh chases, reported inbusiness.kz Nov. “I am very happy that the Ka- in Italian investments were made Federico Cangioli. moving customs duties on their investment. 13. The buyer will convert tenge zakh business community is very into the Kazakh economy and 275 into BidaiCoin one to one on qol- attracted by the Italian economy, joint enterprises began operation, dau.kz and instantly pay the grain by Italian businessmen and busi- reported the Kazakh Invest press farmer for his product. The method nesswomen. Today, we were so service. Foreign trade turnover is intended to secure farmers from successful to have more than 100 with Italy was $6.7 billion in the instances when buyers do not pay representatives of different com- first eight months of 2019. or banks have money problems. The panies, corporations and public “Kazakhstan has tremendous contract with qoldau.kz will be fi- offices and institutions. I really be- potential for the agribusiness. It nalised only if the buyer has enough lieve that Kazakhstan needs Italian is amazing what the country can BidaiCoin and the transaction occurs technology and Italian technology achieve with that business. Geo- immediately. IAC is waiting for the needs its Kazakh counterparts for graphically, it is located close to legislation to be prepared by the Ag- the great natural resources, for the the biggest market in the world riculture and Digital Development great professional talents of Ka- with a high demand for vegetable ministries and hoping to implement zakh businesspeople, for this time and meat proteins – that is China. the coin in the first half of 2020. of great opportunities the Kazakh We in Italy have technologies that government is offering to foreign can increase the productivity of More than 70 companies from investors and partners. We believe the land with agricultural machin- Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Uzbeki- that we have to work hand in hand ery. We also have the technology stan received awards from Nation- to do much, much more than this. to keep the fruits and vegetables al Business Rating in a ceremony We will do another business forum fresh for a long time. We have a in Nur-Sultan, reported inbusiness. with the commitment to quality few things that we can put together kz Nov. 13. The awards, given to and productivity,” Italian Ambas- with Kazakh friends,” said Italian leading companies in industries sador to Kazakhstan Pasquale Agency for the Promotion Abroad such as oil and gas, agriculture, D’Avino told The Astana Times. and the Internationalisation of Ital- financial services, trade, construc- The results of the forum have ian Companies Commissioner to tion, manufacturing, advertising been realised immediately. Italian Central Asia Salvatore Parano. and hospitality, are based on an analysis of business performance indicators, signs of financial suc- cess and reputation among custom- ers. Uzbek Ambassador Saidikrom Niyazkhodjaev and Duslyk Ethno- EBRD to finance Kurty-Kapshagai cultural Centre Deputy Chairper- son and Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan member Hassan Sharipov attended the ceremony. highway reconstruction with the project,” said KazAv- Kazakh businesspeople speak- Staff Report toZhol Chair Ulan Alipov. ing at the third Young Presidents EBRD is actively involved in Organisation (YPO) forum Nov. NUR-SULTAN – The Euro- financing Kazakh infrastructure 18 talked about developing busi- pean Bank for Reconstruction projects. It previously provided ness using digital technologies, and Development (EBRD) and $322 million for two road indus- reported kursiv.kz. More than KazAvtoZhol have signed a 34.5 try projects as part of the Western 700 individuals hoping to become billion tenge (US$89 million) loan Europe-Western China Interna- businesspeople attended the event. agreement for the Kurty-Kapsha- tional Transit Corridor – the 102- The invited speakers represented gai road project. The signing cer- km Aktobe-Martuk and Tashkent- prominent Kazakh businesses such emony was held at the Ministry of Shymkent highways. as BI Group (construction) Board Industry and Infrastructural De- KazAvtoZhol has also imple- Chairperson Aydin Rakhimbayev, velopment. mented several projects. The com- who initiated the forum; Bilim Authorities plan to use the funds pany signed a $196-million loan Media Group (digital education) to reconstruct the 67-kilometre agreement for the construction and founder Rauan Kenzhekhanuly; (km) section connecting the two installation work is now underway Chocofamily Holding (e-com- settlements. The road is a part of on a 143-km portion of the Kurty- merce) co-founder Ramil Muk- the Centre-South corridor, the ma- Burylbaytal highway. horyapov and Freedom Holding jor project linking the country’s The company also inked a Corp. (retail brokerage and invest- north and south regions. 103.7 billion tenge (US$ 268 mil- ment banking) head Timur Turlov. “The Xinjiang Construction lion) loan agreement this year to They spoke about how their busi- Company will be the project con- renovate a 243-km section of the nesses grew and the way digital tractor. The contract has already Atyrau-Astrakhan highway near technologies and working online been signed on the results of the the Russian border, including the help them achieve their goals. tender, so we are ready to proceed Atyrau northern bypass. A6 EDITORIAL&OPINIONS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2019 First Presidents’ Day SIPRI Director: Water management celebrates Nazarbayev, must take priority in Central Asian cooperation people and nation governments have not yet an- hen First President’s Day was – left many to question Kazakhstan’s future. But By Nazira Kozhanova swered. In fact, most governments celebrated across Kazakhstan last thanks to Nazarbayev’s leadership together with have not expressed a position on December, the country had no idea the hard work of the Kazakh people, such ques- NUR-SULTAN – Water man- whether they should be controlled of the historic events which lay just tions have long been answered. agement should be the focus of or not. Indeed, most governments Wahead. Just more than three months later, Ka- Three decades later, Kazakhstan is not only Central Asian cooperation, par- don’t have a definition of autono- zakhstan’s First President, Nursultan Nazarbayev by far the largest economy in Central Asia but ticularly in the face of climate mous weapon systems that allows announced he was stepping down from a post he is now among the top 50 developed countries in change, Stockholm International them to get into a discussion, that had held ever since the country gained its inde- the world. Its flourishing open market economy Peace Research Institute Director allows them to develop a position, pendence. His decision was a major moment for continues to attract investment and business Dan Smith said Nov. 12. that allows them to negotiate with a country that had known no other leader since partners from every continent, which will provide “Climate change is happening others. So, the development of independence, a turning point which outside a powerful springboard for continued growth and and it will have a different impact thinking in the government policy observers had warned was a potential threat to Ka- prosperity. on different places in the world… dansmithsblog.com Photo credit: is lagging way behind the technol- Dan Smith zakhstan’s hard-won stability and progress. It is a record of sustained success which has For countries like those in Central ogy and it needs to accelerate,” he been shared by the Kazakh people. Unemploy- Asia, the issue is more like that of Nowadays it can be on a much explained. Three decades later, Kazakhstan ment is low and the numbers in poverty have been the Middle East, which is water bigger scale. This is why strategic As for the Central Asian region, slashed. Living standards and public services, management,” Smith said in an dams are important and can be im- Smith said it’s better to stay out is not only by far the largest such as health and education have been trans- exclusive interview for this story portant for downstream countries of the military technology race, to economy in Central Asia formed. The new generation of Kazakhs on which while attending the fifth annual in particular.” avoid provoking its neighbours. the future rests are the best educated and most Astana Club meeting here. “So, Another area of international “Well, I hope the region is able to but is now among the top entrepreneurial in the country’s history. as rainfalls change and as glacial policy yet to be addressed by inter- stay out of the future military tech- 50 developed countries Under Nursultan Nazarbayev’s leadership, too, runoff means the annual supply of national cooperation mechanisms nology race, because the risks will what had sometimes been viewed as weaknesses water from the glaciers and moun- is the use of new military technol- be huge… You have two great pow- in the world. Its flourishing have been turned into positives. Kazakhstan may tains declines over time, these ogies, particularly lethal autono- ers: Russia on one side and China be landlocked but, through major investment in countries are facing increasing mous weapon systems. on another. And if Kazakhstan gets open market economy continues modern road and rail routes, it now successfully pressures on their water supplies itself involved with military build- to attract investment and business links markets to the east and west, north and and that slow onset of the prob- A lot of water sources up and forms an alliance with one south. Our diverse population has turned out to be lem is going to build over 20 to 30 side or another, it will be seen as a years into something that is almost partners from every continent, a strength at home and helped Kazakhstan bolster are shared. So that is challenge from one side; if it will unmanageable. So, I would say, if friendships across the world as well as providing not form an alliance with neither, it which will provide a powerful the question is what can the gov- the beginning point; will be seen as a challenge by both. an example of a tolerant, healthy society. ernments of Central Asia, what can And I don’t think that’s the future Kazakhstan’s growing economic strength has to set up cooperative springboard for continued growth the people of Central Asia be doing you want,” said Smith. been matched by its increased global influence about this thing – then they have to arrangements, Overall, said Smith, growing and prosperity. and stature. The First President’s staunch personal be working together. A lot of water global military budgets would be commitment to peace, dialogue and international sources are shared. So that is the institutions between better spent addressing climate With hindsight, the announcement can be seen co-operation has helped foster close relationships beginning point; to set up coopera- the governments of change. as another example of Nursultan Nazarbayev’s with neighbours and countries in every conti- tive arrangements, institutions be- “I think they reflect a distorted sound judgement as the country sailed through nent. Just as Kazakhstan’s territory is proving tween the governments of the re- the region that make sense of priorities. Military spend- what might have been a stormy time. To his list of an essential bridge between trading blocs so it is gion that make practical solutions practical solutions ing is increasing, not by a dramatic achievements can be added the seamless and suc- helping ease tensions and bring countries together. possible to handle the problem.” 10 or 15 percent, but by a couple of cessful transition to a new democratically-elected Thanks largely to Nursultan Nazarbayev, the Water management, if not regu- possible to handle the percent each year. It stands now at President who, in a short period, has already dem- country is seen as a force for good in the world as lated properly, has a chance of $7 trillion. There is enough of the onstrated his own leadership qualities and deter- the historic election to the UN Security Council becoming a flashpoint of tension, problem. killing power in the world to sat- mination to build on his predecessor’s legacy. underlined. as it has already in Iraq, Smith isfy any maniac at the moment. So, And this legacy, seen in the quality of life of For all these reasons – and many more – Ka- pointed out. “I think that within the interna- couldn’t we just – a few hundred Kazakh citizens and the country’s standing in zakhstan is rightly grateful to its First President. “If you look up the fighting in tional system there are all capabili- billion out of that – spend on ad- the world, has been remarkable.As we have said Without his vision and tireless efforts over three Iraq over the last few years, you ties and capacities, but they have dressing the climate change prob- before, Kazakhstan has come so far come under decades, it is hard to believe the country would be will see that one of the sets of stra- to be activated. I will give just one lems?” its First President’s guiding hand that it is easy to as stable, prosperous or have such a strong voice tegic objectives of the so-called example – robotics has come into Smith was a participant in the forget from where the country started in 1991 and in the world. As we said last year, the Day of the Islamic group – Islamic State at the military sphere, so we now fifth annual Astana Club forum the obstacles it had to overcome. First President is a chance for all Kazakh citizens that period – one of them was to have what I call as lethal autono- held in the Kazakh capital Nov. 11 These challenges – a landlocked country sur- to celebrate his remarkable role and, in doing so, take control of the water supply, mous weapon systems. These are and 12. This year, the Astana Club rounded by more powerful neighbours, an ethni- to reflect on the modern, successful and forward- coming down to two rivers. So, the weapons that fire themselves… gathered professionals and experts cally diverse population which could have been looking country they have built together. There control of the water supply, actu- But the question of what control to discuss new models for cooper- a recipe for tensions and run-down industry and can hardly be a better reason for this national ally going back to medieval times, should there be of lethal autono- ation in what is termed as Greater public services seriously starved of investment holiday. has always been a tactic in war… mous weapon systems is one the Eurasia. UN Women adopts action plan to localise Central Asian gender equality commitments country made in the Beijing Plat- because we do have evidence subject to violence, they can re- “Globally and regionally, we By Zhanna Shayakhmetova form for Action by being 27.4 from Fortune 500 that when you port this easily and at no cost, she are conscious of truthful youth percent in the lower house and have more women CEOs, when explained. engagement and them being at the NUR-SULTAN – Central Asian around 10.2 percent in the Senate. we have more women in leader- “They are not going to be dis- leadership position. In Kazakh- countries adopted a joint action The target is at least 30 percent. ship positions, in the private sec- criminated or victimised further. stan, we are focusing on increas- plan to accelerate progress on In this area, it’s still lagging be- tor companies, that companies They are not going to be wait- ing that young people join the gender equality targets across all hind. If you want to gain progress become much more productive,” ing in line for years for them to regional and global voices so that Sustainable Development Goals in different areas of the coun- she noted. have justice. Addressing vio- they can say no to violence and (SDGs) at a Nov. 13 expert meet- try, women’s agencies, women’s Kazakhstan, as well as other lence against women requires a inequality and help with chang- ing in Almaty. The plan is expect- voice and women’s participation countries, is experiencing many multi-sectorial, holistic approach. ing the shifts of social norms on ed to give new impetus to interre- in decision-making roles – it is a challenges related to violence Working with male actors is also inequalities,” she said. gional synergies to tackle gender core priority,” she said. against women. UN Women has important,” she added. In advance of the 16 Days inequalities in the region. UN Women for Europe and Central Having women in decision- been working in the area to ad- UN Women is engaging a lot of Activism against Gender- “I was excited to participate Asia Deputy Regional Director Blerta making roles benefits communi- dress the issue. with a number of young people, Based Violence campaign, Cela in this meeting. I was impressed Cela. ties. Women adopt more policies Statistics and figures are stag- because not only are they the fu- shared her message to women with the Kazakh government’s and take more actions to assist gering, said Cela. One third of ture of any country, “they are at the and girls. commitment to the sustainable the stakeholders. They also com- families and societies, she noted. all crimes are committed against forefront of the solution towards “I like the beautiful Kazakh development agenda. The pur- mitted that they will be further re- Women’s economic empower- women and 15 percent of women achieving equality,” said Cela. expression that women rock the pose of the meeting was to con- fining this action plan and looking ment is a priority, but not only in believe it’s tolerable for them to “We have launched a big cam- cradle with one hand and they vene all the various actors and see at how each action will be imple- issues related to the gender pay be beaten by their husbands. paign, which is called Genera- rock the world with the other what actions we can undertake to mented. Also, as part of our SDG gap and labour force participa- “We need to deal not just at the tion Equality: Realising Women’s hand. Women are champions. implement the SDG agenda,” UN programme that we have with the tion. There is a need to ensure policy level, but also more with Rights for an Equal Future, which Many women live in a not equal Women for Europe and Central Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Af- women are not concentrated in the cultural and social norms, in- will be a defining moment for the position. They are burdened dis- Asia Deputy Regional Director fairs, we will continue making the informal, lower productivity creasing confidence in the secu- next year. The next year coincides proportionally with taking care Blerta Cela said Nov. 15 in an ex- sure that many of these commit- sectors. rity of women, making sure that with the 25th anniversary of the of families and communities… clusive interview for this story. ments are translated to actions,” “We’ve seen incredible efforts these crimes are not acceptable,” Beijing Platform for Action. We yet they manage to be incredible The plan was developed in a she said. and figures in terms of women’s she said. will organise many events to com- champions. Be confident, believe consultative and inclusive man- Cela noted Kazakhstan’s pro- computer literacy to be above 80 The country can’t progress memorate this important document, in yourself, because you do rock ner with the participation of dif- gress in achieving SDGs as the percent, which is fantastic, and economically and socially when which we consider a blueprint for and you are amazing. You do ferent stakeholders not only from country has made significant ad- also women’s involvement in sci- a significant part of the popula- gender equality,” she noted. major achievements that we all Kazakhstan, but also from the vancement at the health, educa- ence, technology, engineering and tion is subject to violence, she Young people were also the should be proud of. The same whole region. They identified tion and policy levels. mathematics (STEM) and entre- posited. What actions should be highlight of the recent regional message goes to the government the core priorities that need to be “There is still much lacking in preneurship initiatives. Women taken? It is important to ensure intergovernmental consultations – if you want to achieve your am- addressed to accelerate actions these areas, especially in wom- should be able to access new tech- women have all the services they in Geneva. Throughout 2020, UN bition to become one of the most on the sustainable development en’s political empowerment. It nologies and upgrade their skills need. Women should have access Women will be launching events developed countries, include agenda. remains far from reality and far into the higher sectors. We need to justice services. Women need and campaigns focused on their women in economic, political and “We will be following up with from the commitments that the to involve women more as CEOs to feel confident that if they are voices. social spheres,” she said.

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2019 Now is the time to accelerate gender equality in the Asia-Pacific survivors are increasingly common. removing the barriers of negative tation of the Beijing Platform for By Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana and New partnerships are underway norms, stigma and stereotypes of Action and the five-year milestone Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka challenging stigma and stereotypes, women in politics and as leaders. of the 2030 Agenda for Sustain- working directly with boys and Third, economic empowerment able Development. Investments Great strides have been taken men. However, more investment is remains key. Only half the women and financing for gender equality to empower women and girls needed to prevent violence, and to in our region are in paid work, com- need to be fully committed and re- in the Asia-Pacific region since ensure all women and girls who ex- pared with 80 percent of men. Ours sourced to realise these ambitious the Fourth World Conference on perienced violence will have access is the only region in the world where targets and commitments. Our Women in Beijing adopted an am- to justice and essential services. women’s labour-force participation is hope is that the Asia-Pacific Min- bitious global agenda to achieve Second, women’s political rep- decreasing in the past 10 years. Two isterial Conference for the Bei- gender equality 25 years ago. resentation must be increased in out of three working women are in the jing+25 Review will help provide Gender parity has been achieved Asia and the Pacific. Our region’s informal sector, often with no social the necessary momentum. Now is in primary education. Maternal representation rates are behind the protection and in hazardous condi- the time to craft priority actions for mortality has been halved. Today, global average. Only one in five tions. Legislative measures to deliver change and accelerate the realisa- the region’s governments are com- parliamentarians are women in equal pay and policies to ensure the tion of human rights and opportu- mitted to overcoming the persistent Asia-Pacific. Despite governments recruitment, retention and promotion nities for all women and men, girls challenges of discrimination, gen- Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka committing to gender parity in de- of women must be part of the solu- and boys. Let us remain ambitious der-based violence and women’s cision making 25 years ago in Bei- tion, as must supporting the transition in our vision, and steadfast in our unequal access to resources and perative to accelerate progress in violence against women. This is jing, the region has seen the share of women from informal to formal determination to achieve gender decision-making. the coming five years. progress on which we must build. of women in parliament grow at work sectors. Digital and financial equality and women empower- The Asia-Pacific Ministerial First, we must end violence against The Association of Southeast Asian just 2.2 percentage points annu- inclusion measures can empower ment in Asia and the Pacific. Conference for the Beijing+25 women, such a severe human rights Nations (ASEAN) in 2015 adopted ally over the past two decades. We women to unleash their entrepreneur- Review will meet in Bangkok this violation, which continues to hinder the Convention against Trafficking must, therefore, look to where fast- ial potential and support economic Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana week to explore how more Beijing women’s empowerment. As many in Persons, Especially Women and er progress has been made. In sev- growth, jobs and poverty reduction. is Under-Secretary-General of Declaration commitments can be as one in two women in the region Children, and a Regional Plan of Ac- eral countries, quotas have helped Action has been taken in all these ar- the United Nations and Execu- met to improve the lives of women have experienced physical or sexual tion on the Elimination of Violence increase the number of women in eas by individual countries. They can tive Secretary of ESCAP and and girls in the region. Asia-Pa- violence from an intimate partner Against Women in 2018. Free legal parliament. These need to be fur- be given scale by countries working Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka is cific governments have reviewed in the last 12 months. Countries in services, hotlines and digital appli- ther expanded and complemented at the regional level. Under-Secretary-General of the their progress and identified three the region have adopted laws and cations to report violence and emer- with targeted, quality training and Next year will mark the conver- United Nations and Executive priority areas where action is im- policies to prevent and respond to gency shelters and safe spaces for mentoring for women leaders and gence of the 25 years of implemen- Director of UN Women.

WTO. On July 24, 2018, during the meeting of the WTO General Coun- cil, an application of Kazakhstan for Kazakhstan’s economic diplomacy: on solid hosting the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC-12) in Nur-Sultan was approved. For the first time the WTO Ministerial Conference will footing and with clear goals in mind be held in the country that joined the stock and price collapses. Ratings Multilateral cooperation in the councils with more than 20 coun- WTO after its founding in 1995, and By Mukhtar Tileuberdi and forecasts of international agen- transport and logistics sphere by en- tries. These platforms are an effec- for the first time it will be held in the cies, as well as assessments of repu- hancing the transit potential of Ka- tive mechanism for the interaction of Central Asian region. Trade minis- Our country pursues a peaceful table experts, are also crucial. zakhstan, forming alternative routes, Kazakhstan with foreign partners. ters from 164 member countries and and friendly foreign policy towards Failure of the above-mentioned strengthening the legal framework, The enhancement of cooperation 20 WTO observer countries will take all states with which it has estab- preconditions to fully comply with informing foreign partners about the of Kazakhstan with international part in the work of MC-12. Mean- lished diplomatic relations. There modern requirements is often condu- possibilities of Kazakhstan remains economic organisations and finan- while, visits of the heads of at least are no substantive contradictions in cive to problems in the implementa- an important factor in promoting the cial institutions remains an important 20 foreign countries are possible. the area of political cooperation with tion of foreign economic policy. In foreign economic interests of our and determining factor in the foreign The total number of participants in any of them. Moreover, we have the this context, both highly developed country. This point has gained par- economic policy of our state. the event will exceed 8,000 people. same or similar views on most is- countries and emerging economies ticular importance in the light of ef- In this context, it should be noted The foreign ministry works close- sues of bilateral interaction and in- are trying to maximise the benefits of forts to combine the new economic that there is constructive interaction ly with leading international rating ternational agenda. cooperation with international eco- policy of Nurly Zhol and the China’s between Kazakhstan and the OECD, agencies (Fitch Ratings, Moody’s, Kazakhstan also sets ambitious nomic organisations and financial in- within the Eurasian Economic Union Belt and Road Initiative. WEF, WTO, international financial Standard & Poor’s). In this regard, economic goals. In particular, our stitutions, including rating agencies. (EAEU). In order to promote the transit and institutions (World Bank Group, along with constant monitoring of country plans to become one of the The world economy is now suf- One of the priority tasks of the transport potential of Kazakhstan, IMF, EBRD, ADB, CAREC), inter- current ratings, our ministry has es- 30 most-developed countries in the fering from turmoil caused by trade Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the work is on-going to monitor and national energy organisations (En- tablished work through its missions world by 2050. Achieving such a wars between the world powers. An field of export remains the promo- analyse risks in this area, including ergy Charter Treaty, International to provide relevant information on daunting task requires intensive eco- economic confrontation between the tion of the defence industry of Ka- the full functioning of existing and Energy Forum, OPEC, GECF, World the current socio-economic develop- nomic contacts with foreign coun- U.S. and China, the U.S. and Russia, zakhstan to foreign markets. In gen- the launch of new cargo transpor- Petroleum Council, International En- ment of the country for its appropri- tries and international organisations. the EU and Russia, Japan and Korea eral, work in this direction is focused tation routes. There is a practice of ergy Agency, etc.). ate reflection in the ratings. Howev- Therefore, an active foreign eco- contributed to the revision of global on the implementation of memo- conducting targeted events in the With the assistance of the Minis- er, there is an urgent need to establish nomic policy plays a leading role in economic growth forecasts from 3.6 randa, roadmaps and joint activities most priority countries with the try of Foreign Affairs, Kazakhstan is constructive cooperation with Euro- Kazakhstan’s diplomacy. percent to 3.1 percent. There are with the participation of the Min- presentation of transit and transport actively participating in multilateral pean and Asian rating agencies in or- This vision is consistent with inter- risks of new stock market shocks istry of Foreign Affairs, Atameken capabilities of Kazakhstan. Current- economic cooperation, especially in der to ensure balanced assessments. national experience. One of the ma- and unstable commodity exchanges, National Chamber of Enterpreneurs, ly, cooperation with international cooperation with international finan- For several years, Kazakhstan has jor trends in world diplomacy is the which are fraught with negative con- KazakhExport, Kazakhstan Industry organisations in the field of trans- cial organisations, where the interests been conducting a focused work economisation of foreign ministries’ sequences for the global economy. and Export Centre and other govern- port has been intensified within the of our country are represented. This on the formation of its own system activities, meaning strengthening the Kazakhstan’s priorities in foreign ment bodies of Kazakhstan. Thus, framework of international transport content is of particular importance in of official development assistance focus on economic affairs such as economic policy include a number active preparations are underway for corridors (Organisation for Coop- connection with the upcoming par- (ODA). Namely, in Kazakhstan, the promoting exports and attracting in- of factors that are essentially aimed the sixth international exhibition of eration of Railways, TRACECA, ticipation of our country’s leadership Law “On Official Development As- vestments. This is most evident in the at achieving the complex objectives armaments and technologies KA- etc.). in the World Economic Forum in sistance” and a number of regulatory experience of countries such as Aus- of economic diplomacy. They are the DEX-2020, which will be held May In order to diversify and modern- Davos (WEF) in January 2020. legal acts have been adopted, human tralia, Austria, Canada, South Korea, following. 28-31 in Nur-Sultan. ise the economy, it is necessary to Overall, the Foreign Ministry pro- resources have been formed, and co- Sweden, etc. In the case of Kazakh- – Comprehensive support of Ka- In general, all measures to sup- deeply study and attract international vides the necessary assistance to the operation with donor organisations is stan, the main subject of negotiations zakh business abroad. In this re- port exporters will be undertaken best practices in economic sphere. state bodies of Kazakhstan in coop- developing. with foreign diplomats is usually gard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the one-stop-shop repre- This applies primarily to the devel- eration with the World Bank Group, Currently, the work on creating a trade and investment cooperation. (MFA) and its foreign missions have sented by QazTrade. This work will opment of the non-commodity sector the International Monetary Fund, national operator in the ODA field in In order to successfully imple- developed and introduced systems coordinate the state policy of pro- of the economy, attracting FDI in the the European Bank for Reconstruc- a form of the KazAID Agency con- ment the objectives of Kazakhstan’s of institutional support measures. In moting Kazakh exports. It is impor- processing industry, the introduction tion and Development, the Asian tinues. The issue of institutionalising foreign economic policy, it is nec- particular, they provide comprehen- tant to ensure proper interaction be- of innovative technologies, the de- Development Bank and the Asian KazAID is still unresolved, which essary to meet mandatory require- sive support across the entire range tween the main actors of the foreign velopment and effective use of spe- Infrastructure Investment Bank. Al- is associated with a number of ob- ments, which, in turn, are divided of mutually beneficial cooperation, economic policy of Kazakhstan in cial economic zones. In this context, most all of these organisations have jective circumstances. Nonetheless, into internal and external. including political, economic and le- practice (MFA-Kazakhinvest-MTI- the experience of Japan, South Ko- representative offices in our country. Kazakhstan began to implement Internal prerequisites. These in- gal aspects. Coordinated by the For- Qaztrade). rea, Indonesia, Singapore, as well as We are welcoming the opening of the first projects under the auspices clude, first of all, the macroeconom- eign Ministry, Kazakhstan’s diplo- At present, our cooperation with the EU countries that do not have a the IMF Regional Technical Support of the national ODA system in col- ic environment. It is problematic to matic missions are addressing issues MTI is also being conducted within sufficient raw material base but have Centre for the countries of Central laboration with the United Nations establish strong mutually beneficial of strategic interest to Kazakhstan’s the framework of opening 11 trade achieved high indicators in building Asia, the South Caucasus and Mon- Development Program (UNDP) and contacts with foreign partners if the business community in their receiv- missions of Kazakhstan abroad, in- a smart economy, is of great interest golia in Almaty in the near future. other donors. country experiences certain eco- ing states. cluding in priority sales markets of to our country. Prior to the formal initiation of the Improving the legal framework of nomic difficulties. For instance, the – Promotion of non-resource ex- Russia, China and Central Asian According to the forecasts of some procedure for Kazakhstan’s accession economic cooperation with foreign high volatility of the national cur- port of Kazakhstan. The focus is on countries. Special attention is paid to researchers and leading analytical to the OECD, high-quality homework countries remains an important com- rency is a serious obstacle to the the implementation of agreements the promotion of Kazakh brands on publications, the planet’s hydrocar- should be carried out in all areas of ponent of successful implementation development of mutually beneficial at the highest and high levels on the the target markets. bon resources will be practically concern. The interaction with the of the foreign economic policy of our trade and foreign investment. development of trade and economic One of the primary tasks of our depleted by 2050. This means that structural units of the organisation is state. Currently, a number of treaties The fact that there is a legal frame- cooperation with foreign countries. foreign economic policy is attract- the global economy will gradually enhancing. Currently, Kazakhstan is and agreements need to be amended. work for economic cooperation and, After the creation of a line minis- ing foreign direct investment (FDI) “switch” to new alternative energy participating in 34 working bodies of In this regard, we are carefully study- most significantly, its unconditional try (the Ministry of Trade and Inte- to achieve the goals of diversifying sources. In this regard, many coun- the OECD. Such a gradual approach ing the existing legal framework of enforcement are of paramount im- gration of Kazakhstan, or MTI), the the country’s economy, developing tries of the world are already actively will provide us with stronger and economic cooperation between Ka- portance. This means the mandatory Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through innovative technologies in priority developing renewable energy tech- more convincing positions for the ac- zakhstan and various countries with implementation of bilateral agree- its foreign missions, remains active sectors, maximising the participation nologies to achieve the maximum in- cession negotiations. a view to its possible improvement. ments on economic cooperation. We in arranging expert negotiations, of foreign investors in the privatisa- dicator of renewable energy produc- The Foreign Ministry’s work on In general, foreign economic in- should not merely “sign,” but also searching for business partners, es- tion process, creating new jobs and tion in the overall energy balance. increasing the participation in the dicators are laid down as the deter- scrupulously observe the letter and tablishing long-term contacts and addressing socio-economic issues. This also applies to the development OECD is primarily aimed at improv- minants in the entire spectrum of spirit of the adopted instruments. monitoring the implementation of The attraction of FDI is one of the and use of environmental technolo- ing the perception of the country’s activities of the Ministry of Foreign Minimising corruption plays a priority projects. It monitors foreign most competitive fields in the world gies, which are closely interlinked image in the global community. Ka- Affairs. The foreign ministry acts as special role in this area. It is not only markets of goods and services and market. At the same time, further and governed by obligations under zakh missions in the OECD member an important link between domes- about fighting it, but also about cre- analyses the ways of increasing Ka- building a comprehensive three- the Paris Agreement. states are being actively involved tic business and external partners ating conditions that make it unfa- zakhstan’s non-resource export and tier ecosystem for attracting invest- Currently, Kazakhstan has cre- in the outreach with the receiving in promoting economic diplomacy, vourable. It is these criteria that are the list of promising foreign coun- ments, expanding the list of priority ated a solid institutional network countries, as well as with the organi- attracting foreign investment, sup- used by a number of foreign coun- tries for establishing trade missions countries in order to open foreign designed to strengthen and expand sation’s relevant committees, provid- porting domestic exports, interact- tries that have or seek to obtain high and developing export there. trade missions of Kazakhstan and bilateral trade and economic cooper- ing positive assessments from trust- ing with international institutions of scores on the Transparency Interna- In this regard, our country is in- using the experience of foreign inde- ation at the state level. There are 133 worthy resources. To increase the economics and finance, increasing tional’s scale. terested in the cooperation with pendent partners can serve as tools structures, including 60 intergovern- interest of the OECD member states, tourist attractiveness, analysing and External prerequisites. They are China, the U.A.E., Iran, Vietnam, the for attracting FDI. In this context, in mental commissions, 22 sub-com- Kazakhstan should more openly forecasting the global economy. We mainly reduced to the situation in countries of Central Asia (export of line with the instructions of the lead- missions and more than 50 working share its experience, both positive will continue and enhance this mul- international commodity, financial agricultural and livestock products), ership of the country, special atten- groups for cooperation with foreign and unresolved. tifaceted work. and credit markets; negative con- European Union (EU) countries (ex- tion is paid to increasing investment countries in a number of industry The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is sequences of world crises and con- port of chemical and metallurgical cooperation with the United States, areas. The business community of carrying out active work within the The author is Minister of For- tradictions between leading players; products), as well as collaboration Japan and Germany. Kazakhstan has established business framework of cooperation with the eign Affairs of Kazakhstan. A8 BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2019

The refinery implemented a corporate rewards programme for employees who report poten- PetroKazakhstan commits to employ health tially dangerous situations. The programme’s aim is to create a correct attitude to safety, improve awareness and instil safe behav- ioural skills to identify risks and and safety, environmental protection prevent accidents at the work Safety Day, during which the vice place. As a part of its Aman pro- By Galiya Khassenkhanova president and the rest plan how to ject, the company held an art implement health and safety meas- competition among employees’ NUR-SULTAN – PetroKa- ures. The company gives refinery children, called “A safe parent – a zakhstan Oil Products (PKOP) employees bottled drinking water, happy child!” reaffirmed its commitment to the dairy products (such as milk, kefir The company has received priz- safety and health of its employees and fermented milk) and special es for its work on worker safety as well as to protecting the envi- meals to strengthen their health. and environmental protection. ronment, putting these outcomes For safe movement around the re- In 2016, First President of Ka- among its top goals in a conversa- finery, PKOP installed illuminated zakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, tion with The Astana Times. The road signs, safety signs and infor- awarded PKOP the Paryz ecology company shared its efforts and mation boards. It also introduced prize for winning the country’s an- achievements in these fields. cycle lanes and provided bicycles nual business social responsibility Environmental issues are con- for employee use. Electric cars competition. In April, the compa- cerning the world more and more transport employees between re- ny took first place in the Exempla- each day. Big companies across finery divisions. ry Safe Enterprise category among the globe are trying to minimise PetroKazakhstan demands high Shymkent enterprises. National their footprints, and PKOP is safety requirements from contrac- Company KazMunayGaz CEO not falling behind. The company tors working on the refinery site as Forums have recognised the com- spends more than $2.6 million on well. Before starting, they need to pany’s high level of safety with a environment-related events every provide safety and labour protec- number of certificates, including year. tion compliance documentation. “20 years without a death.” The company has implemented many projects as a part of its Mod- ernisation Programme. In Decem- ber that year, they commissioned a new, 4,000-tonne-per-year sul- phur production unit to recycle acid gases. The unit, while keep- ing sulphur purity at 99.9 percent mass, was able to decrease sulphur portant step for Kazakhtstan ecol- helped not only decrease water is its employees. PKOP ensures dioxide emissions by 21 percent. ogy overall, because K4 and K5 consumption, but also return some safety by systematically teaching A spot loading unit for light pe- standard fuels significantly reduce used water into fire-fighting sys- every employee safety basics, in- troleum products, commissioned sulphur anhydride emissions. tems. This saves 30 percent of the cluding that occupational safety is in 2017, reduced hydrocarbon A treatment works upgrade fresh water resources previously the foundation of every job, and emissions during loading and re- improved industrial wastewater used for fire extinguishing. The that safety should be everyone’s duced their share of volatile hy- treatment efficiency from 76 to 97 company has reduced water con- primary goal. Every employee of drocarbons by 7 percent. In the percent, and ensuring its equip- sumption by 9 to 12 percent de- the company, from workers to de- same year they launched an Isom- ment was tightly sealed reduced pending on the locale. partment directors, is undergoing erisation unit to produce K4 and emissions into the atmosphere to  Another resource the safety of occupational safety monitoring. K5 standard fuel. This was an im- 32 percent. Several projects have which PetroKazakhstan cares about Every six months, PKOP holds a QazTrade to launch website supporting exporter such as Kazakh Invest. To broaden prehensive analysis of foreign trade barriers and develop propos- ucts seeking potential exporters or Uzbekistan (6.3 percent), the By Yelena Levkovich its functions, officials are expand- industry and markets, said Qaz- als to eliminate them. domestic goods suppliers,” said Netherlands (5.8 percent) and Tur- ing access to its services. Trade Trade Policy Develop- In addition, the developers plan Egemberdiyeva. key (4.4 percent). They consume NUR-SULTAN – QazTrade will The website will support en- ment Centre Deputy Chair Assel to post an inventory of Kazakh Kazakhstan’s foreign trade was approximately 60 percent of pro- launch export.gov.kz in December, terprises by providing proce- Egemberdiyeva. exporters-suppliers and their out- $70.4 billion in the first six months cessed goods made in the country. a website providing a wide range dures such as an independent The website will contain all put to enable foreign customers to of the year, 1.5 percent higher than Kazakhstan’s main export of services for local and foreign assessment of their export po- the necessary data for exporters, easily find their Kazakh counter- for the same period in 2018, ac- growth stems from Canada, China, businesspeople, reported primemi- tential and products and analysis including information on com- parties. cording to the Ministry of Trade France, Indonesia and Uzbekistan. nister.kz. of a potential importer’s market modities of interest to Kazakh ex- “This will be a resource for feed- and Integration. Total exports for The nation has been shipping cer- The QazTrade centre operates and product promotional cam- porters, the most attractive sales back from exporters where they the period were $42.7 billion tain new goods, such as windmills, on the one window principle, serv- paign, as well as assistance in markets, statistics, advertisements can apply for support measures. The main consumers of Kazakh railway and tram cars, freight wag- ing as the platform where entrepre- preparing documents for goods and other content related to export The website will also be interest- processed goods are China (24.8 ons, radiators and their cast iron neurs can interact with institutions and services export and a com- activities. It will also help evaluate ing for importers of Kazakh prod- percent), Russia (18.8 percent), parts. Digital Bridge start-up competition judges impressed with Kazakh start-up ecosystem Ergul has also been paying at- tions and conglomerates to start in- porate experience, Fayette noted By Nazira Kozhanova tention to the Central Asian mar- vesting in technology and innova- start-up teams need to centre on ket, waiting for ecosystems such tion in order not to stay behind the their competitive edge to attract NUR-SULTAN – Although they as those supported by Astana Hub curve. I currently work with CVCs investments. face financial challenges, the fu- to start entering the market. in different industries like media, “There are some obvious ar- ture of Kazakh start-ups is bright, “We have been looking at entering oil and mining, hospitality, travel eas, like market-size and quality noted judges at the Digital Bridge Central Asia for the last five or six or tech and enjoy the way that big of team, but most frequently, our start-up competition. The panel years and started conversations with corporations can add substantial decisions come down to long-term included Angel Labs investor ac- Kazakh officials a few years ago. value, industry expertise and vali- defensibility. Very few businesses celerator Founder Tugce Ergul We needed the ecosystem to be at a dation to young companies who have any real defensibility to their and ACME Capital Principal Alex certain place to be able to come and are disrupting their industries and technologies or business models. Fayette. work on the ground and this year has fixing problems that the big guys We at ACME get most excited “Kazakhstan’s tech is still ma- felt like the right time. We met the are not able to on their own,” said when we talk to a founder who turing, but it is much better than it great folks behind Astana Hub and Ergul. is architecting a business that can was three or four years ago. Newer some governmental institutions and Fayette suggested Kazakh start- successfully compete both with communities of people are being we are in talks with them to strat- ups should prioritise their skills the incumbents in a market and formed and the young Kazakh pop- egise on how we can work together and concentrate on larger prob- also win against new competitors ulation is extremely entrepreneur- to foster innovation and build a more lems. that will inevitably try to copy ial. However, I think for most of inclusive ecosystem,” she said. “I think there are two main les- their success,” he added. the start-ups, the challenges which What she found particularly in- sons that have been learned from Regarding her current plans, Er- are faced are primarily related to teresting is the country’s recent the most successful start-ups gul hopes to work closer with Ka- the financial aspect and the lack of green path. coming from emerging innova- zakh corporations and investors, as a strong investor community. To “It is very exciting to see Ka- tion ecosystems. The first is to well as the government. carry on a start-up in the long run zakhstan on a greener trajectory play to your strengths. If a na- “Currently, our plans are two- and scale it up, it is quite essential more focused on technological ad- tion were land-locked, it might fold. We hope to work with Ka- to find the right investors and men- vancement and less reliant on the not necessarily have much of an zakh corporations and investors tors and have customers who keep country’s oil and gas reserves. The advantage in starting companies that are interested in getting in- coming back,” said Ergul. push from the government to be- in the shipping space. Building a volved with venture capital, but At the same time, the current come forerunners in digital econo- start-up is hard enough, so found- also with the Kazakh government level of involvement and interest my is getting great feedback from ers should focus on where they to put the country on the digital in- is impressive. the local entrepreneurs, which has already have some sort of unique novation map globally,” she said. “I will be the first to admit to not also facilitated the development of edge or insight. Kazakh founders Given Kazakhstan’s resources being deeply familiar with the cur- an active local tech and innovation should reflect deeply on where and state support provided to en- rent state of innovation-culture in ecosystem,” she added. their own personal talents and trepreneurs, the country’s start-up Kazakhstan, so it was incredibly While the Kazakh start-up net- national capabilities can best en- future looks very exciting, she exciting to see the level of engage- work has started to emerge, the able innovation in a differentiated noted. ment and activity both from the Digital Bridge forum. Photo credit: idea of corporate venture capital is way to other countries. Second, “With an abundance of oil Kazakh start-up ecosystem as well L-R: ACME Capital Principal Alex Fayette and Angel Labs investor accelerator still largely absent from, yet defi- focus on a problem much larger wealth and a government that has as from the government and corpo- Founder Tugce Ergul. nitely needed by, the market. than Kazakhstan. Find a problem so strongly provided its support rate partners,” said Fayette. “I think the initial step that we to tackle that will help people and behind improving Kazakhstan’s The increasing activity among deploy much of our investment remains under the radar for much need to see take place in Kazakh- businesses in Kazakhstan, but that status as an international techno- Kazakh start-ups, many of which capital within the USA, we re- of the global VC (venture capital) stan is the idea of corporate ven- can also be transformative solu- logical player, the future looks were previously undiscovered, at- main very open-minded to oppor- community and I was particularly ture capital (CVC). The concept of tions for other countries as well,” very exciting for young companies tracted ACME Capital’s attention. tunities globally. Kazakhstan is an excited to learn about the new de- CVC currently does not exist in the he said. and entrepreneurs in the country,” “While we at ACME Capital emerging investment market that velopments here,” he added. country and we need big corpora- Drawing from his personal cor- she added. B Nation&Capital

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2019

PEOPLE CULTURE SPORTS Bashkir Ethno-Cultural Centre Hvorostovsky Krasnoyarsk Theatre AVANGAR defeats Syman Gaming promotes Bashkir culture to perform for first time in cyber athletes at WESG Central B2 Kazakhstan B3 Asia, both qualify for WESG Asia B7 UNICEF analysis finds progress in child mortality, International composers contest discovers young talents education, gaps in inclusion, nutrition oured artists from Russia, Ukraine, By Aidana Yergaliyeva France and Greece. The contestants participated on- NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh line and presented more than 210 capital drew 115 composers under musical scores. The scores were 35 years old from 24 countries to then made anonymous for judging. compete in the first New Music “The submitted works were of a Generation international com- very high level. It is possible to say posers’ competition in Zhambyl that, at the moment, considering Zhabayev Hall at the Kazakh Na- the competition’s scale, the qual- tional University of Arts Nov. 15 ity and the quantity of the works, to 19, according to the university. the competition is one of the big- “Any competition of compos- gest and the most prestigious in ers is a huge event in the world of the world,” Abdyssaginsaid in an art,” New Music Generation Artis- interview for this story. tic Director Rakhat-Bi Abdyssagin “I believe that this put the Ka- told Kazakh TV. “Our competition zakh National University of Arts is a landmark event not only within and the city of Nur-Sultan on the our country, but also for the entire map of international competitions, cultural community of the world.” because it is one of the first major Abdyssagin was among the high-level events,” said jury mem- judges of the competition. The ber Martin Loridan. panel of judges comprised hon- Continued on Page B3

Photo credit: UNICEF Kazakhstan. Photo credit: Air Astana to launch flights UNICEF Representative in Kazakhstan Arthur van Diesen and children from high schools at the presentation on Nov.19 in Nur-Sultan.

try’s achievements, including pro- niversary of the Convention on the We also highlight the work that between Almaty and Paris By Zhanna Shayakhmetova gress in reducing child and maternal Rights of the Child and the 25th remains to be done. On the side of mortality; increasing enrolment in anniversary of Kazakhstan’s rati- the achievements we highlight, for executive of Air Astana, told rusa- NUR-SULTAN – The Unit- education, including preschool; and fying this convention. On this day example, the fact that infant and By Nazira Kozhanova viainsider.com that the company emphasises maintaining a multina- ed Nations Children’s Fund creating conditions for inclusive we are launching an analysis on the under-five mortality has reduced NUR-SULTAN – Air Astana tional team. (UNICEF) presented its analysis education. It also reveals gaps and situation of children in Kazakhstan, greatly since independence,” said will launch direct flights between “I think that the reason for Air of the situation of Kazakhstan’s issues that require special attention. in which we recognise progress UNICEF representative in Kazakh- Almaty and Paris in June, the com- Astana’s success lies in an ex- “Today is a special day for us Kazakhstan has made in terms of children Nov. 19 in Nur-Sultan. stan Arthur van Diesen. pany announced Nov. 25. tremely effective management The analysis observes the coun- because we celebrate the 30th an- protecting the rights of children. Continued on Page B2 Air Astana will use the Airbus team. We have a genuinely mul- A321LR long-distance carriage tinational team that has been in for this flight, the first time that place for many years. This team model will be used in the Com- is permanent and includes people monwealth of Independent States, with so much experience from so Air Astana noted. many countries. Different cultures FameLab Kazakhstan accepts applications “Flights will operate on Wednes- and experiences complement and days, Fridays and Sundays, depart- contribute to the development of ing from Almaty at 14:15 and ar- the airline. This, I think, is the key riving in Paris at 18:00 local time. to our success,” he said. from talented science enthusiasts Departure from Paris at 19:20 and Foster also said that what dif- arrival in Almaty the next day at ferentiated his experience working 06:35 local time. The total flight for Air Astana from his other work time will be seven hours, 15 min- was the Kazakhs’ attitude towards utes and seven hours and 45 min- decision-making, which is slower utes on the way back,” said the an- and more deliberate than what he nouncement. encountered in Europe. Tickets are already available. “I have learned a lot from work- The cost of a round-trip flight ing in Kazakhstan for over 14 will start from 191,000 tenge years, starting from a management (US$493) in economy class and culture that is significantly differ- from 944,000 (US$2,438) tenge in ent from the Western one. Here business class. decisions are not made hastily, Direct flights from the Kazakh but more carefully than in Europe. capital, Nur-Sultan, to Paris began in When I graduated from the univer- 2015 and run three times per week. sity and entered the airline indus- Air Astana signed a letter of try in 1982, it was inconceivable intent to purchase 30 Boeing 737 that I might end up running an air- MAX aircraft at the Dubai Air- line in what was obviously then in show Nov. 19 as part of efforts to the Soviet Union. The experience expand its short-haul network. The has opened my eyes in terms of list price for the order is $3.6 bil- culture, history and customs, all of lion, reports simpleflying.com. which continue to fascinate me,” Peter Foster, president and chief said Foster.

THINGS TO WATCH & PLACES TO GO ASTANA ARENA Nov. 28 at 9.50 p.m. FC Astana - Manchester United F.C., Europa League

ASTANA OPERA Photo credit: British Council Facebook page. Photo credit: Nov. 28 at 7 p.m. Musica d’accordo Astana, concert Applicants should be age 21-40 The best science communica- To date, more than 10,000 sci- Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. Prince Igor, opera By Aidana Yergaliyeva and participants should engage a tor is awarded 750,000 tenge entists and engineers have been live audience with his or her con- (US$1,926), while second and part of the contest. Dec. 1 at 5 p.m. Raymonda, ballet NUR-SULTAN – FameLab Ka- tent and delivery. third place each receive 350,000 “This is a really amazing com- Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. Turandot, opera zakhstan is looking for smart, cre- FameLab is a chance to explore tenge (US$898). petition for making international Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. The 250th Anniversary of Beethoven, ative and charismatic individuals new, more fascinating ways to “I gained many important in- links. As the world moves forward, who can explain seemingly com- look at science. Many partici- sights when I was preparing for we are seeing that our problems concert plex scientific concepts in a clear pants and alumni note FameLab the FameLab Kazakhstan final. are becoming more global, so our and easy way in just three minutes. had a big influence on their lives After my first not very success- solutions need to become more RADISSON HOTEL ASTANA The national winner will represent and was an interesting experi- ful speech, I decided to improve global. Engaging people in envi- the country at the FameLab Inter- ence. and applied again the following ronmental science has never been Dec. 1 at 11 a.m. ASA Charity Bazaar national Final in the United King- “I think that FameLab is im- year and I succeeded! It was very more important – thank you to dom in June and be a step closer portant because it lets one stretch rewarding, both psychologically FameLab for helping me learn how BARYS ARENA to global opportunities in science one’s own boundaries, learn and financially. Moreover, this to do it,” said 2019 international communication. how to speak in front of an audi- event is a great place for net- winner Tim Gordon, reported the Dec. 1 at 4.30 p.m. HC Barys – HC Dinamo Minsk Cheltenham Science Festivals ence and make the talk not only working, where participants are British Council press service. Dec. 4 at 7.30 p.m. HC Barys – HC Jokerit Helsinki organised FameLab in 2005. The clear, but interesting to listen to! lucky to meet some wonderful, The council organises FameLab partnership with the British Coun- FameLab also builds a network of ambitious people in the area of in Kazakhstan in partnership with cil in 2007 made FameLab an in- scientists in Kazakhstan, because science and communication. Fi- Chevron Kazakhstan, the Ka- ASTANA BALLET ternational competition with par- even though the competition is nally, one of the best experienc- zakh National Science Fund and Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. The Heritage of the Great Steppe ticipants from nearly 30 countries over, we, the finalists, are still in es I gained by being a FameLab OYLA Magazine. FameLab Ka- including Australia, Bangladesh, touch with each other,” said 2019 alumni was hosting the FameLab zakhstan will accept applications Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Re- alumna Salima Davlidova. final last year!” said Tomiris until Jan. 11. For more informa- SARYARKA VELODROME public, Egypt, Germany, Greece FameLab Kazakhstan also has Atazhanova, who participated in tion, one can contact famelab@ Dec. 7 at 3 p.m. BC Astana - BC Nizhny Novgorod and Kazakhstan. generous prizes for its winners. the event in 2017 and 2018. oyla.xyz. B2 NATION&CAPITAL PEOPLE

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2019 Bashkir Ethno-Cultural Centre promotes Bashkir culture

L-R: The centre’s guest, Azamat Ryskildin, Kaniyet Arykova (participant of the Youth Forum from Kyrgyzstan), Ural Aznabayev, Azamat Bairasom (speaker at the An artist from Bashkortostan Sibai philharmonic society performing on Youth Forum from Bashkortostan) and Zakir Bikmukhametov. Yiyin celebration.

(big gathering) this year in Ufa, its own brand – the Yiyin (gath- example of young, not old,” said and inviting youth of different na- app this year to teach children By Galiya Khassenkhanova Bashkortostan, Russia. ering) celebration. The inaugural Aznabayev. tionalities, including Bashkirs, to his language, then Ingush, Kirgiz “The delegation from Ka- Yiyin was organised this year on The key is to create a bond the centre. Bikmukhametov’s gen- and Bashkir. When he came to the NUR-SULTAN – Akbuzat zakhstan, with 13 members, was the 100th anniversary of Bashkor- among the generations. eration, said Aznabayev, is losing centre for help with translations Bashkir Ethno-Cultural Centre the biggest among foreign del- tostan and 35 invited singers and “There is a young generation, its language due to assimilation, and pronunciations, members put in the capital, though relatively egations. Eight of them were from dancers performed in Zhetisu an older generation, but the one which is why they are trying to at- him in touch with the Bashkir new, is active and motivated to Akbuzat. I insisted on sending Park. It has been held twice and in the middle is not so involved. tract as many young people as pos- Language Preservation Fund. The promote its culture and traditions, activists from our centre to moti- the centre hopes to make it an- The most important thing is to pro- sible and offer master classes and app is expected to launch soon and especially among the youth. In vate them, because we have only nual. The event went international vide the connection between gen- language courses. the centre would like to present it an exclusive interview with The been working for two years and this year, as Bashkirs from Altai erations,” said Azamat Ryskildin The centre teaches Bashkir Dec.14, the Day of Bashkir Lan- Astana Times, Chairperson Ural we need to carry on. The Kurultai region, Moscow and Ufa attended from Almaty branch. classes every Sunday, where capi- guage. Aznabayev talked about the cen- appreciated our centre as the most and the organisers hope more will In the future, Akbuzat would like tal residents can learn from teach- “What is the most amazing and tre’s events and activities and how active centre among the ones in participate in 2020. to participate in the Youth Forum ers in Bashkortostan using video of which I am proud is that a Ka- they attract the younger genera- foreign countries. No one outside Since 2017, the centre has or- in Bashkortostan. Next year, they chat. The classes are made possi- zakh contributed to the develop- tion. Bashkortostan works like we do,” ganised a Day of Bashkir Culture, want to send children to Bashkir ble with the help of the Bashkorto- ment of Bashkir language. It means Although just three years old, said Aznabayev. usually held close to the Oct. 11 summer camp, so they can enjoy stan Ministry of Education and to a lot to us,” said Aznabayev. Akbuzat has become part of the While Bashkirs are often in- Bashkortostan National Day. This the atmosphere and soak up some date, 20 adults and three children The centre also coordinated a Assembly of People of Kazakhstan cluded in the Tatar-Bashkir Cen- year’s event included kurai (flute), language and tradition. Aznabayev have attended. Bashkir Dramatic Theatre perfor- and moved in July to Friendship tre, Akbuzat is the second purely kobyz (violin) and dance mas- acknowledges he was able to main- Next year, the centre is plan- mance in Almaty and traditional House, where similar centres are Bashkir centre in the country. The ter classes and a choreographer tain his language skills only by liv- ning to open classes in Friendship archery master class, the latter located. It works hard to promote first, founded in Aktau in 1990, and multi-instrument player from ing in a village of Bashkirs and he House. Bashkirs from Moscow, sparking individuals to develop its culture and distinguish itself. will celebrate its 30th anniversary Bashkortostan. wants the same for the children. who have developed a methodol- sufficient skills to participate in an Akbuzat is a leader among next year. The initial chairperson “We invited young professionals Zakir Bikmukhametov, a ogy for teaching the language to archery competition. One school Bashkirs. The Kazakh delegation was Aznabayev’s father. on purpose this year, because it is Bashkir and Deputy Chairperson small children, will train others has agreed to open a space where of Bashkirs was the biggest at To differentiate themselves from the youth year in Kazakhstan. We of the Friendship House Youth Di- who will later teach youngsters. the centre will teach archery to the International Bashkir Kurultai Tatars, the Bashkir centre created want to interest our youth by the vision, is responsible for finding A Kazakh native developed an children.

cussions, semi-structured inter- views and consultations with government officials, field visits UNICEF analysis finds progress... and personal stories were used as Continued from Page B1 The situation analysis is the first the leading causes of adolescent ing data quality and availability data and studies on children and sources. step in developing a country pro- mortality in the country. Mental for effective policy development, women in the areas of health, nu- Children from high schools spoke Almost every child also now has gramme with the Kazakh govern- health disorders and challenges in- monitoring and evaluation meas- trition, education, HIV, water and about preschool education, inclusion, a place in primary school and pre- ment for 2021 to 2025. The analy- cluding depression and anxiety are ures, and improving legislation sanitation, the environment, child nutrition, polluted air and participa- school education has also expanded sis presents the government with linked to suicidal behaviour. and cross-sectoral coordination and protection and social protection tion in public life at the presentation. dramatically. UNICEF’s priorities for the coming UNICEF also provides a list of management mechanisms. and participation in public life us- They expressed hope that their con- “But there are challenges ahead years. recommendations to address the The analysis was based on a ing state and international sources cerns can be heard to improve issues as well,” noted Diesen. “There’s The country has maintained con- challenges. They include ensur- comprehensive review of existing and statistics. Focus group dis- related to their lives and future. still ways to go to make Kazakhstan sistent levels of investment in the truly inclusive society. When we health, education and social sectors look at children with disabilities, but they are lower than the averages it is still difficult for them to fully for member countries of the Organ- realise their rights and to have a ful- isation for Economic Co-operation filling role in society that starts even and Development (OECD). with education. We still see, even The infant mortality rate or the though more and more schools are number of deaths of children un- accessible, that not every child can der one year of age decreased from find a place in a regular school to 45 to nine per 1,000 live births be- study and prepare for adult life.” tween 1990 and 2017, according to Nutrition is also a problem. Ka- the analysis. The maternal mortal- zakhstan is facing what has been ity rate has fallen dramatically from dubbed the double burden of mal- 92 deaths per 100,000 live births in nutrition – when undernutrition ex- 1995 to 14 deaths per 100,000 live ists at the same time as a growing births in 2018. number of young people are ob- “Many parents do not know how served to be overweight, and micro- to prevent health problems caused nutrition deficiencies, such as iron by poor hygiene or malnutrition deficiency, are also observed. that increase the risk of child mor- UNICEF plans to conduct a study bidity and mortality. Home visiting of obesity among children in 2020. If nurses tend to focus on medical the current trend toward obesity is not problems and lack skills to iden- altered, children born in 2050 may tify social risks and needs and take have shorter lives than children born children’s and families’ individual today. Obesity could become one of characteristics into account,” reads the two main causes of mortality. the report. “It will be conducted in 170 Mother-to-child transmission of schools among children from eight HIV was practically eliminated. to 10. The study will be conducted Injury remains a leading cause of jointly with UNICEF, [the World death and hospitalisation among Health Organisation] WHO and the children. In 2017, 4,189 children National Centre for Public Health- sustained injuries due to road acci- care. It is the second round of the dents and 193 children died. study, which is carried out every The number of children living five years. Anthropometric studies in poverty has fallen dramatically will be used to measure children. since 2000. Some 15.6 percent of Parents, teachers and school man- children live in households in the agement will also be interviewed,” lowest income decile and inequal- said UNICEF Kazakhstan Health ity among regions in terms of child and Nutrition Programme Coordi- poverty is significant. nator Kanat Sukhanberdiyev. Death by suicide remains one of B3 NATION&CAPITAL CULTURE

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2019 Hvorostovsky Krasnoyarsk Theatre to perform for first time in Kazakhstan production with a huge number Jean de Brienne, the son of a Hun- By Zhanna Shayakhmetova of soloists. It features diverse garian knight, and Saracen knight choral scenes and ballet perfor- Abderakhman. She accepts de Bri- NUR-SULTAN – The Hvoros- mances, including the Polovtsian enne’s proposal who then goes on a tovsky Krasnoyarsk State Opera Dances and “Fly Away on the long campaign. Raymonda dreams and Ballet Theatre will present Al- Wings of the Wind” performed she is in the fairy tale garden with exander Borodin’s opera “Prince by the choir. her beloved, when de Brienne Igor” Nov. 29 and Alexander Gla- Borodin worked on the opera for suddenly disappears and Abdera- zunov’s ballet “Raymonda” Dec. 1 18 years, yet didn’t finish it. After khman appears. She awakens up to at the Astana Opera House, report- his death, Glazunov completed his learn her nightmare has become a ed the theatre press service. teacher’s work. The libretto, writ- reality. Abderakhman is trying to “Borodin’s monumental classi- ten by Borodin and Vladimir Stas- kidnap her, but de Brienne arrives cal opera ‘Prince Igor’ is a major ov, is based on the epic poem “The and kills him. production for the Krasnoyarsk Tale of Igor’s Campaign.” The ballet is based on Marius Opera and Ballet Theatre. The “Raymonda,” choreographed Petipa’s choreography, with Ana- theatre opened its first season with by People’s Artist of Soviet Union toly Chepurnoy as musical direc- the premiere of this opera. After and Honoured Worker of Kazakh- tor and conductor. The ballet pre- many years, the opera remains stan Yuri Grigorovich, is based miered at the Krasnoyarsk Theatre popular with the audience and is on a medieval legend about a girl Nov. 7, 2018. one of the main productions of the waiting for her beloved’s return The Astana Opera House per- theatre. The opera was staged for from battle. He creates the atmos- formed Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s opera the first time Aug. 12, 1978 on the phere with the help of classical “Eugene Onegin” at the Krasno- day of the 350th anniversary of dance moves and Spanish-Arabic yarsk Opera and Ballet Theatre Krasnoyarsk. This opera’s version and Hungarian motifs as part of Oct. 23 and 25 and a symphonic premiered in June 2013 and was the complex production. concert Oct. 24 at the Krasnoyarsk dedicated to the 35th anniversary The ballet tells the story of a Regional Philharmonic as part of

of the theatre,” it added. Krasnoyarsk State Opera and Ballet Theatre. Photo credit young girl who received two mar- the First Dmitri Hvorostovsky In- The opera is a large-scale A scene from “Prince Igor” opera. riage proposals in one day from ternational Festival. Three Kazakh films featured International composers at Asian World Film Festival contest discovers young talents and forming Kazakh statehood. relates the story of Kanat, a Staff Report The film is based on “The Dia- 40-year-old bank employee un- Continued from Page B1 demic music. Italian composer An- tor her diploma on behalf of the mond Sword,” the first novel in dergoing a midlife crisis. Realis- nachiara Gedda won the grand prix embassy and we will let her have NUR-SULTAN – Three Kazakh Ilyas Yessenberlin’s trilogy “The ing he has neither dreams nor ex- The competition is unique, as it of the competition. it as soon as possible,” spectator films, “The Golden Throne” by Nomads.” “The Golden Throne” pectations, he decides to attend has three nominations, symphonic “I enjoyed the concert and I and First Secretary of the Italian Rustem Abdrashov, “The Guard- has been nominated in the 2020 personal development training music, chamber music and vocal think that promoting such inter- Embassy in Kazakhstan Matteo ian of the Light” by Yermek Tursu- Oscars’ Best International Feature where a coach teaches him how music, at once, he added. national competitions for young Petrini told The Astana Times. nov and “The Secret of a Leader” Film category. to achieve success and become All jury members gave lectures composers is an excellent idea… “This result confirms the im- and shared their insights, experi- by Farkhat Sharipov, were fea- “The Guardian of the Light” a leader. Kanat tries to change I am particularly happy about the portance of a good partnership ence and piano techniques during tured Nov. 6-14 at the 9th Asian tells the story of a soldier returning himself and his view of life, but performance of Italian compos- between Italy and Kazakhstan in the first four days. World Film Festival in Los Ange- home from war. He has a portable his fate suddenly makes a sharp ers: five took part at the competi- the musical field, both for sharing The competition is a chance for tion and all of them received some performers and for training: every les (U.S.), reported Kazinform. projector and some films, both turn when he meets Daniyar, an young talents to present their best prize from the jury. One of them, year our musical academies re- “The Golden Throne” is the gifts from an old German man old acquaintance. The film won work and a contribution in popu- Miss Annachiara Gedda won the ceive more and more Kazakh stu- film version of the second season who saved his life. The film had its the grand prix at the 41th Mos- larising classical and modern aca- grand prix. I received from the rec- dents,” he added. of “The Kazakh Khanate” TV se- world premiere earlier this year at cow International Film Festival ries. It focuses on the history of the Shanghai Film Festival. and the 15th Eurasia Interna- the struggle for the Great Steppe “The Secret of a Leader” tional Film Festival. “The Guardian of the Light,” “The Secret of a Leader” and “Tomiris” have been nominated for the 2020 Golden Globes’ Best Foreign Language Film award. Each movie was shot at the Ka- zakhfilm studio named after Shak- en Aimanov by an order of the Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Sports. Asian World Film Festival is organised with the support of the city’s Asian communities for those interested in foreign and independ- ent films. Films from more than 50 countries such as India, Japan and

Turkey were featured in this year’s qaznui.com. Photo credit:

Photo credit: Asian World Film Festival. Asian World Photo credit: event. Rakhat-Bi Abdyssagin

yazhinski Prize for best camera work at Russia’s Kinoshok Film Festival. The existential drama “The Secret Three films included in of a Leader” follows 40-year-old Yerzhan Maksim places bank clerk Kanat. His midlife crisis hit him hard and he realises he has no dreams and cannot achieve anything Golden Globe Awards long list in life. He opts to attend a personal second in Junior the sixth century BC Saki queen with an old film projector. It was the growth training where he learns how By Galiya Khassenkhova of the same name. She united Saki gift of an old German man whom he to become successful, but the real NUR-SULTAN – The Hollywood tribes against Persian invasion, then rescued and the soldier always kept change comes when he meets his old defeated and killed Persian king it. The world premiere was held at friend Daniyar. The film was the first Eurovision Song Contest Foreign Press Association (HFPA), which presents the Golden Globe Cyrus the Great. The film, a story of the Shanghai International Film Fes- in Kazakh cinema history to receive Awards, recently published its long bloodshed, deceit and revenge, had tival and the movie will open in Ka- a grand prix at the 41st Moscow In- Continued from Page A1 list in the Foreign Language Film earned 480 million tenge (US$1.2 zakhstan early next year. Lead actor ternational Film Festival and was category, reported Kazinform. The million) by the end of October and Muratzhan Mukazhanov received also awarded a grand prix at the XV Maksim’s mother, Gulmira list includes three Kazakh films – was screened more than 800 times a Special Diploma “For creating a Eurasia International Film Festival. Alibek, also thanked the people “Tomiris” by Akan Satayev, “Shy- throughout Kazakhstan. poetic image of the cinema art at- “Shyraqshy” and “The Secret who voted for her son. raqshy” (Guardian of the Light) by “Shyraqshy,” also known as the tendant” awarded by the Venice Film of a Leader” were entered in the “I want to express our gratitude Yermek Tursunov and “The Secret “Keeper,” tells a story of a soldier Festival grand jury. Cameraperson Asian World Film Festival Nov. to all of you who support Yerzhan. of a Leader” by Farkhat Sharipov. who returns home from World War II Martin Sechanov received the Kn- 6-14 in Los Angeles. I think not only Kazakh citizens “This year, 96 Foreign Language voted for him, but also people Films (from 65 countries) were eli- from foreign countries. We love gible for Golden Globe considera- everybody, thanks a lot to you all,” July. Maksim comes from Oral and tion. That made for an intense view- she said. started singing at the age of five. ing schedule… as well as for one of Kazakh President Kassym- In 2016, at age 12, he took first the greatest privileges of the year,” Jomart Tokayev congratulated place at the Batumi Dolphin Fest. according to the HFPA website. Maksim via Twitter. The next year, he came in second To qualify for the award, a film “Yerzhan Maksim took second at the Slavianski Bazaar and last must be a drama, musical or comedy place in the prestigious Junior Eu- year came second in Kazakhstan’s with at least a 51 percent non-Eng- rovision Song Contest. It is a great national final for Junior Eurovision lish language dialogue track. A film success! I congratulate you, your Song Contest hopefuls. for the upcoming award must have parents and your teachers on this This is only the second time been released in its production nation significant victory. I wish you suc- Kazakhstan has participated in from Oct.1, 2018 to Dec. 31, 2019. cess in future. Alga!” (“Onward!”) the Junior Eurovision Contest. HFPA will announce the short list wrote the President. Last year, Daneliya Tuleshova in the category Dec. 9. The 77th an- Maksim was picked by Kazakh performed “Ozine Sen” (“Believe nual ceremony will be held Jan. 5 in broadcaster Khabar TV as Kazakh- in Yourself”) in two languages Los Angeles, California. stan’s representative for the 2019 and came in sixth place with 171

“Tomiris” recounts the story of brod.kz. Photo credit: Junior Eurovision Song Contest in points. B4 NATION&CAPITAL COUNTRY

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2019 Almaty city authorities present urban Government to greening draft master plan allocate almost $13 level along the roads by 40 percent, Staff Report as well as decrease the dust level by 75 percent within one kilometre billion to support NUR-SULTAN – Almaty Akim of the green areas. A large number (Mayor) Bakytzhan Sagintayev of recreational zones, squares and reviewed a draft master plan on ur- parks will positively affect the citi- ban landscaping Nov. 13 based on zens and create comfortable condi- teachers the results of expert studies. tions for urban life,” reported the will rise by 25 percent next year,” The plan involves planting mil- akimat (city administration) press By Yelena Levkovich Kazakh Minister of Education lions of trees and shrubs in the city service. Askhat Aimagambetov told an ex- in the next three years to provide To prevent greenery reduction, NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s panded meeting of the Nur Otan citizens with fresh air and well- city officials plan to impose a ban new draft law on the status of Party’s board Nov. 14. maintained recreational zones. on removing trees covering build- teachers envisages the allocation Nur Otan First Deputy Chair “All the works on the city ing and business façades. They of 5.2 trillion tenge (US$12.9 bil- Bauyrzhan Baibek agreed with the greening should be carried out in will also tighten control over com- lion) for wage increases, bonuses minister and said the approach is a single way, without spontane- Almaty Akim (Mayor) Bakytzhan Sagintayev. pensatory planting and increase for pedagogical skills and class- the result of a “consistent policy” ous planting or tree pruning,” said the number of trees required to re- room management, leave pay- followed by Nazarbayev and To- Sagintayev. place removed ones. ments and other incentives for kayev. The landscape designers deter- metres per capita. The reduction is “The estimates indicate the ef- Sagintayev urged officials to members of that profession over Baibek noted that more than half mined the city currently has 894 attributable to urban construction fect of planting will be noticeable finalise the master plan by clari- the next five years. a million Kazakh citizens work hectares of green space, or 4.8 and population growth, noted the soon. Green spaces will produce fying the theoretical portion and The new draft law provides 10 in the field of education, and 81 square metres per person. Accord- experts. about 18 million kilogrammes of setting specific measures such as additional protections for teachers’ percent of them are women. In ad- ing to available data, the figure has More than 130,000 trees and oxygen and the city’s landscaping tree nursery capacity, common rights, including fines for demand- dition to raising their wages, the decreased twofold since the 1970- shrubs have been planted in Al- area grow up to 5,000 square me- approaches and greenery plant- ing illegal overtime work from government needs to address the 80s, when it was nearly 10 square maty in the last three years. tres. That will diminish the noise ing. them. problem of attracting and retaining The bill was developed on the qualified teachers at schools, es- instruction of Kazakhstan’s First pecially in rural areas, as up to 35 President, Nursultan Nazarbayev, percent of them tend to leave the given at the beginning of the year, profession. by a working group consisting of “Despite the annual mass pro- President calls for abolition of scientists, teachers, lawyers, depu- duction of specialists, there is a ties and labour union representa- constant need for teaching staff. tives. Over a year, the group held And this is just a part of the issues meetings throughout the country we need to address,” he said. mandatory registration of foreigners and received more than 8,600 pro- Baibek also recalled that during istration of foreigners at migration formation systems. The appropri- data for the authorities, carrying out posals from citizens. In August, the years of independence more By Yelena Levkovich offices. In addition to inconven- ate legal acts will require amend- migration control,” said Kabdenov. the draft law was approved at a than 1,800 new schools and al- iencing foreign visitors, the reg- ments and alterations,” noted First Kabdenov also noted the com- government session chaired by most 900 kindergartens had been NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh Presi- istration is a source of corruption, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs mittee plans to amend Kazakh- Prime Minister Askar Mamin. opened throughout the country. dent Kassym-Jomart Tokayev which negatively affects the state’s Marat Kozhayev. stan’s law on migration, extending The draft law meets the tasks The salaries of Kazakh teachers called for the country to end its re- reputation,” Tokayev said. Kazakh Ministry of Internal Af- the period requiring compulsory set by President Kassym-Jomart have increased 17-fold since 1997. quirement that foreign visitors reg- Passing through Kazakhstan’s fairs Migration Service Commit- registration from five to 30 days. Tokayev on developing the sec- “Approximately 30 percent of ister with migration authorities, say- border controls should count as tee Chair Murat Kabdenov said To date, citizens of nine foreign ondary education system and im- Nur Otan members are teachers. ing at an Oct. 29 meeting in Almaty registration, the President said, and authorities want to facilitate entry countries have to register with the proving the quality of knowledge, The party will keep that matter un- that the government should address the government should take action into Kazakhstan. Kazakh migration police within Mamin said. Its implementation der special control. The task is to the issue by the end of the year. before 2020. “Border registration already ex- five days of entering the country. is intended to raise the status of expand the rights of the teachers The procedure, he said, is a “We received the President’s as- ists, but just for 57 overseas coun- “Thirty days are enough to see teaching as a profession, protect and improve their social status by source of corruption. “If we re- signment; the implementation is tries and five neighbouring ones. the country. If the visitors decide teachers’ honour and dignity and creating material and non-material ally want to increase the invest- underway. I suppose it will entail Now, the state bodies plan to make to extend their stay, they can ap- create a system of social guaran- incentives for teachers and condi- ment and tourism attractiveness integrating information systems, it affordable for all tourists arriving ply through the E-gov website, tees for them. tions for creativity and effective of the largest cities and the entire the National Security Commit- to Kazakhstan. First, we have to with the migration service or even “One of the most important pro- work, as well as protecting from country, we should get rid of such tee’s system in particular, which is modernise the system, so that the at any hotel for an extension,” he visions of the draft law are mate- unforeseen inspections and unre- anachronisms as compulsory reg- responsible for our border and in- border guards enter all necessary said. rial incentives. Teachers’ salaries lated functions,” said Baibek. Baikonur modernisation Earthquake risk map to highlight projects step closer vulnerable areas in Almaty their seismic resistance. But of By Yelena Levkovich particular concern are the brick buildings of the 308 series, which to fruition NUR-SULTAN – Almaty city do not meet the current regula- tor investments, Mamin added. authorities have examined the tion requirements and should be By Yelena Levkovich To date, Kazakh enterprises and city’s buildings to create a risk reconstructed. These construc- state bodies are actively interact- map to let people know which res- tions will represent much greater NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan ing with Arabian, Chinese, Japa- idential buildings can and should danger than recently built ones in is open to industrial cooperation nese, Turkish and many other be renovated or redesigned to min- the case of a major earthquake,” in producing telecommunica- countries’ space organisations. imise earthquake consequences. Akhmedzhanov noted. tion satellites as well as com- Collaboration on ERS data ex- The map will be released in 2020. Another issue to be addressed, mon commercial projects at the change, as well joint manufac- “We plan to release a risk map and one raised frequently by Al- Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakh turing and commercialisation of next year, which will clearly define maty residents, is the high build- Prime Minister Askar Mamin ERS satellite constellations, is on what impact an earthquake could ing density of the city and the dif- have. We have already carried out ficulty of evacuating if there is a said during the Nov. 12 opening the way, as is a Russian project to the certification of all city structures disaster. ceremony of the Space Days in build an environmentally friendly and we conducted certification of the seismic micro-zone map the second half of the last century, ac- “We are controlling the process. Kazakhstan astronautics interna- space rocket complex, dubbed all apartment houses in Almaty city is generating, the mountain- cording to Almaty Akimat (city Construction underway now is to tional forum. Nazarbayev Launch, which will built between 2001 and 2010. The ous part of Almaty Region lies in administration) data. Some of replace dilapidated housing. To “First President Nursultan Naz- be run soon. newer ones are not subject to cer- the 10-point risk zone and the city them are considered vulnerable to date, our goal is to reduce the den- arbayev and President Kassym- At the forum, Kazakhstan, Rus- tification yet,” said Almaty Urban centre is also in a high-risk zone. earthquake damage. sity and height of buildings. One Jomart Tokayev pay special at- sia and the United Arab Emirates Planning and Urbanism Depart- In case of a nine-point earthquake, “We have a lot of old houses more significant problem we have tention to the development of agreed to sign by the end of this ment head Almaskhan Akhmedzh- more than half of Almaty’s build- from the early 1970s that were already tackled is illegal building the Baikonur Cosmodrome’s year an agreement to modernise anov at a Nov. 12 briefing. ings could be destroyed, the ex- built during the Soviet period of in parks and squares. Now, the ap- infrastructure and its modernisa- the Baikonur Cosmodrome’s first Almaty is located in a seismi- perts note. Nearly 85 percent of mass housing construction. These propriate law bans building there,” tion in accordance with advanced launch site, also known as Gaga- cally active zone. According to Almaty’s buildings date from the buildings have already confirmed the official added. standards,” he said at this year’s rin Start. forum, dubbed “Baikonur: Cradle “The document on the Gagarin of the World.” Start is at the finish line. Now we The head of the Kazakh gov- are discussing what procedures ernment noted the world’s first will be required for interstate ap- cosmodrome is now on the eve proval of the instrument. We have Ministry of Finance, banks discuss of a new stage of its develop- arranged with our Kazakh and ment, requiring joint work by all Arabian colleagues to do every- the forces, ideas and partnerships thing to sign this document by taxing cashless payments that exist within its framework. the end of the year,” Roskosmos “Through the cooperation of State Corporation Director-Gen- lieve that an increase in non-cash Berik Sholpankulov spoke to re- father in a one-time transaction, Kazakh and French enterprises, eral Dmitry Rogozin told forum By Nazira Kozhanova payments should be accompanied porters Nov. 7 after the Senate this is not your case. A risk man- the creation of a spacecraft assem- participants. by an increase in budget revenue. determined frequent transactions agement system will be set up that NUR-SULTAN – The Ministry bly and testing facility complex is The first Space Days in Ka- That’s natural,” he said. from various senders will be moni- will track all these flows and put of Finance is in negotiations with Talks are underway between the tored to ensure their payments and this person in check. If you drop in the final stage. Its launch will zakhstan forum in Nur-Sultan the Kazakh banking community ministry and banking community resulting income are received. payments – pay your bills or help allow the assembly and testing of took place in 2013. The forum regarding taxing cashless pay- representatives and Dossayev em- Each case must be considered in- your loved ones – this will all be satellites of different purposes. has become a dialogue platform ments, said National Bank Chair- phasised the proposal would in- dividually. considered individually; we do This project will support stable for discussing more efficient use person Yerbolat Dossayev Nov. volve the entire banking sector. “This applies to all transactions. not think that all payments (are and long-term Kazakh-French in- of the Baikonur Cosmodrome 13, reported Zakon.kz. The system “This was a proposal of the Min- There is a source – the recipient of taxed),” he said. dustrial cooperation,” the prime and the development strategy of should increase budget revenue. istry of Finance and currently it these funds, they will be monitored As of Nov. 18, cashless pay- minister told forum participants. the Kazakh space industry. More “I believe that the Ministry of is being discussed with the bank- by a tax account. For example, ments represent 51.7 percent of The Kazakh government plans than 600 participants, including Finance is not going to tax the pay- ing community. This applies not there are payments from differ- monetary transactions in the coun- to allocate $300 million for representatives of space agencies ments, but wants to see that taxes only to payments of any particular ent individuals. Why did someone try, with the balance made in cash. space-based communication sys- and 200 foreign delegates from are paid from these payments. On bank; therefore, this applies to the start to get 1,000 tenge (US$2.58) In December 2018, the ratio was tems and Earth remote sensing 25 countries, attended the forum this issue, we are working together entire banking sector,” he added. from everyone? It is clear that they 25.53 percent cashless and 74.7 (ERS), including private sec- this year. with the Ministry of Finance. I be- First Vice Minister of Finance create income. If you listed your percent cash. B5 NATION&CAPITAL SOCIETY

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2019 Fourth version of Kazakh Latin script will preserve language purity, linguists say for example, should be written as In the new version, linguists also vis] stand above the consonants. By Aidana Yergaliyeva “suw.” added four characters borrowed Some vowels are umlauts,” said “This is the correct spelling. If from Russian. Kazhybek, according to inform- NUR-SULTAN – Scientists we simply write the letter y (the “We still cannot get rid of sam- buro.kz. from the Baitursynov Institute u sound in Russian), then we will ples of Russian words. Many peo- These new marks in the new ver- of Linguistics and specialists in- lose this sound. Therefore, it is ple simply cannot break the habit. sion of Kazakh Latin are, in fact, volved in the working group on necessary to add ұ. For the younger They ask, for example, how to from a long-forgotten old version script transition presented the generation, all this may seem wild. spell the word futbol [football], of the written language. fourth version of the Kazakh al- However, you need to get used vagon [carriage]. Therefore, in “We proposed this option 20, phabet in Latin script to the gen- to it. This is required by the law despair, I had to add four letters. 30 years ago. The Institute of Lin- eral public Nov. 6. of language. There were already These are h, c, f, then h,” said guistics conducted research, wrote The new version is another step three versions of the alphabet that Zhunisbek. books, monographs and every- in the country’s plan to transition to were not accepted, all due to the The alphabet uses the same set of where this alphabet was offered. Latin script by 2025. The updated fact that the purity of the language 32 letters as Latin scripts. The new The Turkic Academy offered it at version has incorporated sugges- was not preserved,” said philology Kazakh script employs diacritic the beginning of the 20th century. tions made by Kazakh citizens and forbes.kz. Photo credit: Professor Alimkhan Zhunisbek. marks such as umlauts, brevis’ and In 1991, 2012, we always talked criticism voiced by Kazakh Presi- and ease the translation of words a consonant,” said Baitursynov In- “If this alphabet is approved, the cedillas to replace digraphs. about this option: linguistics for dent Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, its borrowed from Russian. stitute of Linguistics Chief Yerden problem will be solved. Because “In the old alphabet, conso- such an alphabet. What was dis- developers say. “In Russian, some sounds are Kazhybek, forbes.kz reports. w is being introduced. It replaces nants and vowels are indicated cussed before was proposed by According to the experts, the not marked because [the Russian The new Latin script might still the sound y in the word tau. Then by an acute accent. This is wrong, people who do not understand the new version will regulate the law language] didn’t have that sound. confuse Kazakhs who are used to we can solve the problem by sepa- because the accents are not writ- language, do not know its laws. of syngarmonism (the law of vow- For example, w. At first, they the Cyrillic spelling of the lan- rating the consonant letter and the ten with consonants. Instead, Our option will be the most con- el harmony) of the language, cor- wrote it as v – Kokchetav – then as guage. According to linguists, the vowel u,” said philology Professor in our version, the diacritical venient and easy for the popula- rect the mistakes made in Cyrillic u. They said it was a vowel, then word “su,” which means water, Anar Salkynbai. marks in the form of wings [bre- tion,” he said. Naming children after events PIAAC releases is trend, say researchers results of survey by that name. Nazarbayev’s presi- children born during the holiday 56 girls named Aziada, Russian By Galiya Khassenkhanova dency also led to increased popu- month. Eight of ten parents chose for Asian Games. Following the larity of the suffix and postfix Nur; it during the sacred period, a name Organisation for Security and NUR-SULTAN – Researchers names that previously existed on which did not make the top 20 in Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) of adult skills curious about trends in Kazakh their own changed, for example, to the remaining 11 months. Rama- summit in Kazakhstan, 66 boys and skills. The PIAAC has clearly baby names have determined na- Nurzhamal or Nuraina. dan fell on May this year, and, ac- were named Samit (as transliter- Staff Report demonstrated what imbalance in tional events play a significant role “When people find out what my cording to statistics, Ramazan was ated from Russian) and 16 girls, qualified personnel we have to- when parents make their choices, name is, they joke that Nursultan the most popular name during the Samita. EXPO 2017 produced a NUR-SULTAN – The Pro- day,” said Kazakh Vice Minister reported factcheck.kz. lives in Nur-Sultan. But serious- 30-day period, then quickly faded. boy named Baidybekspo. gramme for the International As- of Education and Science Sholpan Using data from the Statistics ly, the name helps me. Everyone Cultural events are no less im- “I always wanted to name a son sessment of Adult Competencies Karinova at a Nov. 18 briefing. Committee of the Ministry of Na- thinks I am very responsible. I am portant. In 1995, Kazakhstan cel- Baidybek, after the historical lead- (PIAAC) published Nov. 15 an Unskilled workers in OECD tional Economy, they concluded proud of my name,” said Nursul- ebrated the 150th anniversary of er and the region where we lived update to its 2013 report as the countries have the same skills as cultural, political and religious tan Yegenberdiuly. famous national poet Abai Kunan- before moving to Astana. After results from the third round of its in Kazakhstan, with the difference events in the past 30 years have The country’s independence is bayev and his name was the top the opening of the international Survey of Adult Skills in “Skills between the two being statisti- been quite influential. The research- also reflected in fewer Slavic names one of the year, said researcher exhibition and as part of spiritual Matter: Further Results from the cally insignificant. However, the ers who discovered the trend pre- and an increase in Kazakh or Arab Aslan Seit. The nation honoured modernisation, we added the word Survey of Adult Skills” and in gap doubles as soon as a citizen sented their results at the American and Persian ones. Slavic (and other writer and political figure Alikhan ‘expo’ to this name,” said father OECD Skills Outlook 2013. New of an OECD country begins to ac- University of Central Asia summer European such as German) prison- Bokeikhanov on his 145th an- Meirambek Raimov. data is included for six countries, quire qualifications and becomes institute in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. ers and families who were deported niversary in 2011 and, to no sur- Even the Nurly Zhol (Hallowed including Kazakhstan, which con- a chasm between skilled workers, According to their data, the most or sometimes forcibly resettled prise, his name grew in popularity. Path) state programme on infra- ducted the study for the first time, who in the OECD score 16 times popular girl names changed from during the Soviet era were able to Alikhan has a religious connota- structural development gave rise and the United States, which had higher than their Kazakh counter- Aigerim and Aidana in the 1990s return to their homes in Russia, tion as well, combining the name to Nurlyzhols. previously collected data as part of parts. to Aruzhan in the 2000s and Aiaru Ukraine or other nations, taking of the prophet Ali with khan, the Naming newborns after life the study’s first round. and Aizere in 2010s. Boy names their cultural names with them. word for ruler. events is not new or surprising The survey assesses the profi- moved from Alexander in the Independence did not go unno- A generation of girls named for Kazakhs. Even during Soviet ciency of adults from the ages of The survey was 1990s to Abai, Dias and Yerassyl ticed to those in the country, as it Medina was born in 2018 after mu- times, some parents named their 16 to 65 in literacy, numeracy and conducted in three in 2000s and Alikhan in the last gave rise to names such as Mangi- sician Jah Khalib released a song boys Sovet (Russian for Soviet). problem-solving in technology- five years. lik (Kazakh for independence). of the same name. Medina, derived Today this is traceable through rich environments, reads the re- rounds with the When Kazakhstan gained its The fall of the Soviet Union from Arabic, is the city where the patronymics, because it is always port. These skills are key informa- participation of 39 independence in 1991 and Nur- also resulted in more people re- prophet Muhammed was born. a derivative of the father’s name. tion-processing competencies that sultan Nazarbayev became the turning to their religion and with Any big event in Kazakhstan Researchers remind future par- are relevant to adults in many so- countries and regions. first president, it triggered a wave the renewed practice of Islam, re- finds its place in the hearts and sub- ents that no matter what is hap- cial contexts and work situations, of boys named after the head of lated names reappeared. Ramazan sequently names of its citizens. In pening in the country, a name is a and necessary for full integration The data for each state. More than 45,000 Kazakhs, (another rendering of Ramadan) 2011, after Almaty held the Asian lifetime commitment – or at least and participation in the labour round was collected in the population of a small town, go became extremely popular for Winter Games, the world gained until the child comes of age. market, education and training, as well as social and civic life. different years but the The survey was conducted in three rounds with the participation results of all rounds of 39 countries and regions. The are comparable. The data for each round was collected in different years but the results of list of six countries Russian, Kazakh and US scientists all rounds are comparable. The list of six countries participating in the participating in the third round of data collection in- third round of data cludes Ecuador, Hungary, Kazakh- publish study on electricity saving stan, Mexico, Peru and the United collection includes News. Corona discharge mainly The simplicity of the anti-corona ion beam material processing, States. Staff Report occurs in wet weather and total coating technology will allow its including very low energy ion- “The third round of the survey is Ecuador, Hungary, losses are estimated to be up to use in many areas of electrical en- solid interactions. He developed distinguished by the fact that most Kazakhstan, Mexico, NUR-SULTAN – Russian, Ka- $3 billion per year. This discharge gineering, where reducing corona cluster ion beam interaction of the participating countries (four zakh and U.S. scientists published has posed a problem since power losses is required. simulation programmes based on out of six countries) are above-av- Peru and the United a joint study on the causes of elec- lines were invented, but has not In the subsequent research, sci- molecular dynamics and Monte erage income countries according tricity losses Nov. 14 that aims to yet been completely resolved. entists plan to expand the scope of Carlo methods. He has also pre- to the Organisation for Economic States. save up to $3 billion per year on According to the study’s au- the study and include developing dicted a new lateral sputtering Co-operation and Development’s electricity costs. thors, their work will provide a both existing power lines and en- phenomenon that is a driving international report. In general, “We were able to reduce losses significant economic effect when terprises that produce electric ca- force behind the efficient atom- most of the PIAAC countries are “The gap between unskilled on corona discharges by 20-40 using existing high voltage lines, bles for power lines. istic smoothening mechanism of high-income countries. The third and qualified personnel in Ka- percent due to the application of a which will not need to be replaced Insepov’s research focuses surfaces irradiated by large gas round allows comparing the skills zakhstan is three times smaller hydrophilic porous nanocompos- during their 20-40 year lifetime. on the fundamental physics of cluster ions. of adults in Kazakhstan with coun- than in OECD countries. It turns ite coating containing carbon na- tries with a similar income level,” out continuing education courses, noparticles on aluminium wires. reads the report. trainings and other available infor- The micro plasma oxidation Being a middle-income coun- mal education mechanisms work method, which is distinguished try, Kazakhstan is placed between poorly in Kazakhstan. They do by its simplicity and manufac- these two groups of countries in not boost competence. Either adult turability, helped us in this pro- the third round. The proportion citizens are not motivated to build cess,” said one of the authors of adults in Kazakhstan scoring at up their skills or they do not have of the research and Professor at the highest levels in literacy, nu- the opportunity,” she said. MIFI National Research Nuclear meracy and problem-solving skills Karinova noted that in this con- University Zinetulla Insepov. fell below than of Hungary and the text it is necessary to take into ac- The university was established United States, but above the share count the specifics of work. For in 2008 based on the famous in Ecuador, Mexico and Peru. example, the recent OECD in- “MIFI” – Moscow Engineering Overall, Kazakhstan performs at ternational study of teaching and and Physics Institute, – a key in- the study’s Level 2 in both literacy learning, TALIS, shows that more stitution in the Soviet Union’s nu- and numeracy, and the proportion than 90 percent of teachers have clear programmes, both peaceful of the population scoring at Level completed continuing education and military ones. 1 and below is close to the OECD courses in the past year. The main electricity loss from average. “We see the growing role of power lines is currently associated “A new economic policy cannot universities in disseminating best with corona discharge, an inde- be implemented without human practices and skills. It is necessary pendent discharge of electrodes resources with high-level skills. to study the content and organisa- with a significant surface curva- Human resources should be com- tion of training courses. They have ture in the air in strongly inho- petitive in the international labour everything necessary for this,” she mogeneous fields, reported RIA News. RIA Photo credit: market with advanced knowledge said. B6 NATION&CAPITAL TOURISM

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2019 Kazakh Tourism, Almaty announce new joint mountain tourism office strategies were adopted – it is By Nazira Kozhanova time to focus on their imple- mentation! It is necessary that NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh the effect of the implementa- Tourism company and the aki- tion of the state tourism devel- mats (administrations) of the opment programme is felt both city of Almaty and the Almaty by the tourist and the whole Region announced Nov. 22 that country, and for this, it is neces- they will launch a unified moun- sary for the cities, regions and tain tourism project office. The national parks to join forces. office is meant to coordinate the A striking example of the first implementation of the national step in this direction will be the tourism programme in Almaty’s creation of the first regional mountains as well as help tour- project office, and Almaty pro- ism companies implement and posed to launch it already this fund mountain tourism projects. year,” said Yerkinbayev. “Today, Kazakh Tourism, to- Kazakhstan’s national tourism gether with the akimats of Al- programme was approved May maty and Almaty region, agreed 31. Its first result was the launch to create a unified project office of the E-visa project, which de- located in the akimat of the city. creases Kazakh visa processing The main task of the office is to time from 14 days to three to coordinate the implementation five days. In addition, the coun- of the state programme on the try accepted the Open Skies re- Almaty mountain cluster and gime at 11 Kazakh airports. The help the tourism business in the regime allows foreign airlines implementation of projects and to use Kazakh airports without the search for investors,” head prior registration. of Kazakh Tourism Yerzhan Ye- Another focus area of the rkinbayev told tengrinews.kz. programme is building sanitary Yerkinbayev added that af- facilities across Kazakh tourist ter the initial stage of ratifying locations. By the end of 2019, a documents was complete, the toilet map is planned to be cre- focus would shift to implement- ated, and before the start of the ing programmes to develop summer tourist season of 2020, tourism. with the involvement of private “We have every opportunity investment, approximately 100 to make the Almaty region a units of new sanitary facili- very attractive destination for ties in the most popular tourist tourists, we only need to join destinations in Kazakhstan are forces! Serious documents and planned to be installed. iStock/Mathias Rhode. Photo credit:

the tour, tour operators shared grimage sites. Although the des- their experience with the region tinations are not easy to reach, in developing and potentially those who do have the chance 22 tour companies take part in simplifying routes, improving to see a landscape stunning in services, training guides and its diversity. promoting the region. This is The participants also attended the value of these tours,” said B2B meetings with local tour informational tour of the country the company. companies to build new part- In Taraz, an ancient city nerships and exchange ideas on By Assel Satubaldina known for its rich historic and ways to improve tourism in the cultural heritage, the partici- region. The sessions concluded NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh pants visited Ryskulbekov Park by signing 132 agreements. Tourism, which oversees the and Zheltoksan Alley, the loca- The tour operators noted the nation’s travel industry, has tions of the country’s highest, cities on their route, which in the made another push to bolster 220-metre fountain and Podvig past were along the Silk Road, domestic tourism. Its second Memorial Complex. may generate interest among information excursion ended They also saw some of the both foreign and local tourists. Nov. 9, reported the company nation’s most popular tourist They also drew attention to press service. and pilgrimage sites, including some recurring problems no- The tour, which started Oct. Aisha Bibi, Babadzha Khatun, ticed during their travels, includ- 30, was part of a cycle of simi- Dautbek, Karakhan and Khoja ing the lack of English-speaking lar trips conducted in an effort Ahmed Yassawi mausoleums. guides and the need to develop to stimulate and tap into the While in Turkestan, they par- infrastructure to ensure more potential of seeing one’s own ticipated in the Turkestan: One comfortable conditions and or- country. It involved 22 tour Way – One History interna- ganise entertainment events. operators from the capital and tional investment forum, shar- The first trip in May involved Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest ing their vision for developing tour operators from four regions city, who travelled to Aktau, the city that has been the centre in western Kazakhstan. They Saryagash, Shymkent, Taraz of the region of the same name travelled to the capital, Almaty, and Turkestan. since 2018 and attracted signif- the Almaty Region, Burabai “The main goal is to show icant national attention. area, East Kazakhstan Region, the potential and opportuni- The tour operators also trav- Saryagash and Shymkent. ties of each region for compa- elled across the Mangystau Nearly 800 agreements were nies involved in the develop- Region which, located on the signed as a result of the tours. A ment of domestic tourism to service. press Kazakh Tourism Photo credit: shores of the Caspian Sea, of- third trip is slated to the Bura- develop tour packages. During Tour participants in the Mangystau Region. fers numerous historic and pil- bai area at the end of the year. B7 NATION&CAPITAL SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2019 AVANGAR defeats Syman Gaming cyber athletes at WESG Central Asia, both qualify for WESG Asia to our land,” said Qazaq Cyber- sport Federation (QCF) President and Kazakhtelecom Board Chair Kuanyshbek Yessekeyev at the competition. The national telecommunication company organised the event with support from the championship’s general partner, Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund. The online audience on gaming day exceeded 30,000. StarLad- der expert Igor “SL4M” Sopov and Kazakh commentator Nurlan “Tsunami” Abayev provided the commentary. AVANGAR is now in the top ten of the CS:GO world ranking. The win was its second against Syman Gaming. The Kazakh teams met in Sep- Photo credit: qcf.kz. Photo credit: Photo credit: AVANGAR Twitter page. Twitter AVANGAR Photo credit: tember at the StarLadder Berlin AVANGAR team. Major 2019 World Champion- Electronic Sports Games (WESG) take place Jan. 2-5 in Kuala Lum- ship in Germany. AVANGAR By Aidana Yergaliyeva Central Asia 2019 in Almaty. Both pur. mine the best two teams of 16 to “You know that the traditions reached the final, but lost to finalists qualified for the Asian “One more trophy added to our play at the CS:GO World Finals in of e-sports in our country have Denmark’s Astralis to take the championship. collection. On to the next tourna- China in March. developed over decades, but to- second place. NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh Six teams from Kazakhstan, ment – CS:GO Asia Champion- Kazakhstan hosted the Central day a new page has been written WESG, organised by Alibaba AVANGAR cybersport club won Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmen- ships 2019,” said the AVANGAR Asian e-sports tournament for the in this story. Our country is host- Sports, is an international e-sports Counter-Strike: Global Offen- istan and Uzbekistan received Twitter page. first time as part of Kazakhtele- ing a major international tourna- championship with several quali- sive (CS:GO), defeating Syman one million tenge (US$ 2,584) With $1 million at stake, the com’s digital development pro- ment for the first time and we are fying stages. It is based in Shang- Gaming at the Nov. 16-17 World and advanced to WESG Asia to Asian championship will deter- gramme. pleased to welcome its participants hai. Football team beats San Marino Kazakhstan wins Davis Cup in EURO 2020 qualifying game, doubles match with loses to Scotland Netherlands, loses to UK opponents from scoring in the sec- half, I got a little hooked, but I ander Nedovesov and Andrey Gol- thing so that their jitters quickly By Nazira Kozhanova ond half. note that the main goal – three By Nazira Kozhanova ubev with Kukushkin and Bublik. disappear. They definitely won’t “I think that we played well in points – was achieved. Some “Why did Mikhail Kukushkin feel like this is a regular visit by NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh the first half. Scored three goals, teams struggle there. The team NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh ten- and Alexander Bublik replace Al- the fan club,” Alexander Oleinik, football team defeated the team constantly attacked. In the sec- from Scotland scored the second nis players Alexander Bublik and exander Nedovesov and Andrey Kazakh tennis team fan club mem- from San Marino 3-1 Nov. 17 in ond half, we did not have the best goal only at the end of the match. Mikhail Kukushkin won the first Golubev? Everything is simple. ber, told imformburo.kz. the Union of European Football game. Somewhere (we) relaxed, Therefore, it cannot be said that doubles match against the Nether- We always say that each of our ten- Kazakhstan’s team this tour- Associations (UEFA) EURO 2020 made mistakes. Missed a goal. In San Marino is a weak opponent,” lands at the Davis Cup in Madrid, nis players, if necessary, should be nament was Kukushkin, Bublik, qualifying game. addition, we had few moments in said Bilek. Spain, Nov. 20, reports Olympic. ready to play in a doubles match. Nedovesov, Golubev and Dmitry “First of all, I want to note the the second half. We will analyse On Nov. 19, the Scottish team kz. So, today, it just happened,” Popko. significance of this victory. The the game to play better in the fu- beat the Kazakh team 3-1 in a “It was a great match,” said Doskarayev told informburo.kz Alexander Bublik and Mikhail weather led to adjustments to the ture,” he said. game that again began with the Kazakh Davis Cup Team Captain about replacing Nedovesov and Kukushkin also lost Nov. 22 to game by both teams. I liked how The team achieved its main goal visitors scoring the first goal in the Dias Doskarayev. “This is the Da- Golubev. Jamie Murray and Neil Skupsky we played in the first half. We of the game, said Bilek. first half but then conceding the vis Cup, here any athlete can show The Kazakh team was accompa- from the United Kingdom with were able to score fast and, just as “He (Schetkin) told them that three in the second half, includ- a good result, regardless of his nied in Spain by its fan club from a score of 6:1, 6:4. Thus, the Ka- importantly, beautiful goals. In the you need to play the same way ing one in the stoppage time. In rating. I am just glad that we won Kazakhstan, who came to express zakh team finished second in the C second half, there was a certain as in the first half – actively, con- March, in the first qualifying game this time against tennis players of their support for the team. group and was not selected for the decline, as a result of which the trol the ball and score the goal if of EURO 2020, Kazakhstan beat such a high calibre. I must admit “For our part, we will do every- tournament play-off. team did not score and conceded possible. At the end of the second Scotland 3-0. that (Dutch player Robin) Haase a goal into their own net,” said demonstrated an incredible game Kazakh team head coach Mikhail against Alexander Bublik. Alex- Bilek. ander, in turn, gave all his strength Kazakh midfielder Baktiyer Zai- in his match. Before the doubles nutdinov scored the first goal at the meeting, we were the underdogs sixth-minute mark, followed by of the tournament. This victory is defender Gafurzhan Suyumbayev very important for us, a difficult in the 23rd minute. Striker Alexei match with the United Kingdom Schetkin scored the final goal in team awaits.” the 27th minute. Bublik and Kukushkin beat Right winger Filippo Berardi Haase and Jean-Julien Rojer from scored San Marino’s only goal in the Netherlands 6:4, 7:6 (7:2). the 77th minute. The Kazakh team’s makeup was

Despite the win, Schetkin noted the result of a last-minute decision Olympic.kz. Photo credit: the team will work on preventing by Doskarayev, who replaced Alex- L-R: Alexander Bublik and Mikhail Kukushkin. B8 NATION&CAPITAL CAPITAL

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2019 Unique English language school teaches through music education, but they don’t have By Zhanna Shayakhmetova any wish to play. That’s very up- setting,” he said. NUR-SULTAN – Scott’s Mu- Scott finds Kazakh music sic Room, a unique English lan- beautiful and especially likes guage school based in the capital, the sound of the kobyz (a two- offers interactive classes deliv- stringed instrument) and zhety- ered by British music teacher and gen (a seven-stringed zither). founding director Joe Scott. “Music has plenty of benefits. Preston-born Scott opened the It helps children to listen atten- school with his wife Gaukhar in tively, behave well, learn lan- 2018. There are no extra require- guages and mathematics, devel- ments to enjoy the classes, as the op coordination skills, improve lessons are designed for all ages reading, enjoy themselves, be and abilities. part of a team and other skills,” “Most people accept the fact he said. that music and singing affect lan- Most importantly, Scott be- guage development, but perhaps lieves music lessons from a na- they have not seen how this can tive speaker also help children be done in the way that we do. develop a deep connection with We use Instagram to show par- the English language and learn ents what’s going on in the class pronunciation and vocabulary. and how the activities work. Peo- He noted the challenges of ple have expectations that their running a business in Kazakh- child will improve their English stan are similar to those in other and pronunciation. We also rec- countries. ognise this is what the parents re- ally want and we try to make sure that our approach meets their ex- “We run the centre pectations,” he said in an inter- as a family business, view for this story. The couple, who started with which helps to a small number of students, has seen the business steadily grow make our customers as more people hear about the feel welcome and classes. “Most parents are surprised by comfortable. our lessons because they are very different than the music lessons It is important that they had in their own childhoods. music and This is why we opened a class L-R: Gaukhar and Joe Scott teaching English through music. for adults – it is never too late language education to make music part of your life! native speaker and, of course, our customers feel welcome and “I have always believed that versity of Cambridge in 2009- happen in a friendly People have such busy lives and music is very highly valued in comfortable. It is important that music should be enjoyable and 2011. He has a teaching degree I respect anybody who takes the Kazakhstan. We speak English music and language education also that the best progress can be (PGCE) from Buckingham Uni- environment.” time to learn an instrument and during the classes. There are happen in a friendly environment achieved when children first de- versity, which allows him to also support their child’s musical chances that children can be con- and we teach through interac- velop a love of music,” he added. teach in different countries. education,” he noted. fused, but it’s important to sup- tive games, songs and activities. Scott’s family lives in north- “I have been interested in mu- “My wife takes care of the If he were teaching in England, port them. English is the target There are many instruments in west England near Manchester. sic since childhood. My parents business side of things and she parents would not be as interest- language,” he added. our music room for the children He has played piano, violin and were not pushing me – I just re- also supports the children in the ed in improving their child’s pro- Scott began working as a year to play,” he said. trombone since childhood and alised that I wanted to play and lessons. One particular challenge nunciation, but they recognise one teacher at the Haileybury The centre offers special class- later focused on composing, im- they supported my choice. I be- is that the format of our classes what Kazakh parents want. Astana School in 2011. Later, es on recorder (blokfleyta) and provisation, ukulele and oud, an lieve that for a child to become is quite unique in Kazakhstan, so “We want to help people make he became the head of the junior ukulele for older students. A Arabic stringed instrument. a musician, they have to choose we have to take extra time to ex- their children confident in Eng- music programme. Now he en- feeling of energy and excitement At 14, he began studying at music themselves. They can’t be plain the benefits to our custom- lish. A lot of parents in Nur- joys the life of an entrepreneur. pervades the room during group Chetham’s School of Music in pressurised. Otherwise, they find ers. I am so grateful to be able to Sultan are looking to boost their “We run the centre as a family lessons as the children love mak- Manchester, then continued at themselves in the situation where live in Kazakhstan and I feel very children’s English level with a business, which helps to make ing music with their new friends. Cardiff University and the Uni- they can have a fantastic music welcome here,” he said. City hosts True or False Nur-Sultan’s embassies donate Media Championship baskets of national products to Dec. 1 Christmas Charity Bazaar Continued from Page A1

The number of participants in the raffle grows every year. For the 12th Charity Bazaar, the ASA printed 10,000 tickets, Gif- ford said, noting that she’s seen a lot of interest in the event. “We seemed to have a good response,” she said. In 2018, the bazaar raised nearly 38 million tenge (US$97,692). The association used the money raised there to complete 50 pro- jects helping small settlements, villages, towns and other regional cities tackle a range of challenges, including building rehabilitation

Photo credit: bilimdinews.kz. Photo credit: centres for children, buying equip- ment for schools and helping low- ods of arranging and providing week trainings, divided into six income families. By Yelena Levkovich information and news. Youth groups by age category. organisation heads, deputies and “We received more than 300 NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh public activists were also among applications within a week after Visitors to the capital hosted the True or False the visitors. The winner received the project was announced. The bazaar can sample Media Literacy Championship the main prize of 300,000 tenge candidates had to take a test con- Nov. 16, reported the akimat (US$775). sisting of 10 questions. Then, we the national food (city administration) website. The first True or False Project chose those who got the minimal The project, aimed at improv- was held in 2018 as part of the number of correct answers; that of 53 countries at ing young people’s media litera- Rukhani Janghyru (Modernisa- is, the people who need our train- L-R: Radisson Hotel Astana General Manager Gaukhar Dikhanbayeva and once. Participating ASA President Luzia Sebesta Schmid. cy, began in the city in mid-Octo- tion of Kazakhstan’s Identity) ing more than others,” said Zhas ber and involved 150 individuals programme. This year, the pro- Ulan Organisation Chair Dinara embassies can “The whole reason we do this is event. Many embassies, for ex- aged 14-29. ject was initiated by the Zhas Sadvakassova. introduce visitors to support charity in Kazakhstan. ample, decorated their baskets in Fifty contestants participated Ulan National United Child and Eight leading experts in IT, cy- I think it is absolutely fantastic non-plastic wrapping. The British in the championship, conducted Youth Organisation and sup- ber security and communications to their culture because none of the money goes embassy will provide 3,000 cot- in the brain ring format. They ported by the Eurasia Monitor held trainings and lectured on to us, even though we work very ton bags for shoppers at the ba- competed in areas such as fact Analysis Centre and the capital’s critical thinking and cyberspace through their national hard. Every penny goes to the zaar. checking, fake news, propaganda Social Development Department. analysis skills. products. charities. Some of the charities Raffle tickets will be sold Nov. and data hygiene, all of which Applications were filed in Sep- “Our young people should be are in Karaganda, mostly in Nur- 27-29 in the lobby of the Radis- are directly connected with im- tember and October, then the ready for speed, which the con- Sultan. There is one in Almaty. I son Hotel Astana from 12 p.m. to plementing media research. board determined approximately temporary information moves at, “Every year the sum gets big- am not sure this year, because it 3 p.m, as well as during the day of Famous journalists, blog- 300 candidates, 229 of whom and technology development. We ger. [People] learn more and more changes every year. It’s all very the Charity Bazaar. gers and experts presented TED were students and high school- launched this project considering about the bazaar,” said spouse of worthwhile,” said Gifford. For updates, follow the Charity (technology, entertainment, de- ers. Of the applicants, 180 were the issues’ relevance,” noted the the Spanish ambassador Janna Bu- The ASA also wants to reduce Bazaar’s Instagram pages @chari- sign) Talks outlining their meth- chosen to participate in three- organisers. gaeva. the use of plastic during the tybazaar2019 and @bazaar.astana.