-16° / -13°C Wednesday, november 18, 2015 No 88 (22) www.astanatimes.com President Visits French Embassy Kazakh Muslim in Astana, Expresses Condolences Leaders Denounce Paris Attacks Nov.13. The people of Kazakh- By Malika Orazgaliyeva stan have expressed their condo- lences and support to the French ASTANA – The Spiritual Ad- people in a variety of ways, in- ministration of Muslims of Ka- cluding through media and social zakhstan condemned the terrorist networks. acts in Paris in a statement issued Chair of the investment com- Nov. 15, reported the official web- pany Smart Investments and for- site of the association. mer Vice Minister of Agriculture “We strongly denounce the ac- of Kazakhstan Marat Tolibayev tions of those who organised the wrote on his Facebook page: “I terrorist attacks in Paris. We ex- express my deep condolences to press our deepest condolences to the relatives of victims of the ter- the families, relatives and friends rorist attacks in Paris. I believe in of the victims. We pray for a the bravery and greatness of the speedy recovery of the injured,” French people who have survived the statement said. through many difficult moments “Islam, which calls upon all in their history. I am convinced mankind and representatives of that the terrorist attacks will not different confessions for peace undermine the determination of and unity, opposes shedding the France to be one of the strong- blood of innocent people. The holds of freedom and democracy Holy Quran teaches that killing an in the world, as well as one of the innocent person is equal to killing most active fighters against -ter all mankind,” the statement also rorism. Hold on, France! We are noted. with you!” According to the statement, According to The Guardian, the the association urged the interna- militant group the Islamic State tional community and the leaders of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has of world religions “together to do claimed responsibility for the everything possible to eliminate bloody wave of bombings and the illegal actions of individuals shootings across Paris that left President Nursultan Nazarbayev signs the book of condolences at the French embassy in Astana Nov. 16. hiding behind religion.” nearly 130 people dead and more Kazakhstan’s society was than 350 wounded. French Presi- shocked by the terrorist at- dent François Hollande deemed it By Malika Orazgaliyeva world culture and history. Con- the attacks in Paris and finds any of Nov. 13, including at a Cambo- tacks that took place in Paris on an “act of war.” sequently, the situation reflects manifestation of terrorism unac- dian restaurant, a Belgian bar, near ASTANA – President of Ka- gravely on us as well. These ceptable in a statement on Nov.14. the Stade de France stadium where zakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev actions do not only make us “We express our deepest con- France and Germany were play- visited the Embassy of France in feel distress and anger, but also dolences to the French people, to ing a friendly football match and Astana Nov. 16 and left a note in call on all humankind to fight the families and loved ones of in- at a concert by an American rock the book of condolences opened against them. Terrorism has no nocent people killed in the attacks, band at the Bataclan concert hall, New EBRD Report after the Paris terror attacks of Nov. 13. nationality and religion. This is and wish recovery to the injured,” led to the deaths of more than 130 Nazarbayev stressed that he a global disaster. At the recent the MFA statement said. people and the injury of more than came to express condolences on session of the United Nations, “Kazakhstan expresses firm 350 others. Predicts Lower Economic his behalf and that of the people I proposed to organise a forum support for the efforts of the in- Hollande immediately declared of Kazakhstan, especially taking called ‘Islam against terrorism,’ ternational community under the a state of emergency all over into account the close relationship as well create a worldwide net- auspices of the United Nations France and announced the sealing Growth for Central Asia between Kazakhstan and France work to combat this evil,” Naz- in the fight against terrorism and of French borders to stop the al- arbayev said. extremism and is convinced that leged perpetrators, those not elimi- other commodities,” the report’s and noting the respect rendered to By Michelle Witte the Kazakh delegation during the On Nov. 14, Nazarbayev sent a only through the joint efforts of all nated during the hostage rescue Central Asia section reads. “At the telegram of condolences to French humanity can we defeat this evil. operation at the Bataclan, where same time, [foreign direct invest- President’s official visit to Paris on ASTANA – The European Bank President Francois Hollande in One of the ways to achieve this most of the casualties occurred, ment] and financial support from Nov. 5–6. for Reconstruction and Develop- connection with the tragedy in goal could be the establishment from leaving the country. China and Russia, and to a lesser He noted that a large number of ment (EBRD) is predicting lower Paris. of a global anti-terrorism network According to official spokesman extent Western investors and [in- innocent civilians were killed as a growth for most of Central Asia in The Kazakh Ministry of For- under UN auspices,” the statement of the Kazakh MFA Altai Abibul- ternational financial institutions], result of the inhumane attacks. its most recent Regional Economic “Today, we are mourning eign Affairs (MFA) responded to also noted. layev, there were no Kazakh citi- are increasingly contributing to Prospects report, forecasting aver- growth and financial stability in with the people of France. This the tragedy and announced that A series of gun and bomb at- zens among the victims and in- age growth of 3.8 percent for this country is one of the centres of Kazakhstan strongly condemns tacks in Paris in the evening hours jured. the region. Growth in Kazakh- year and 3.9 percent in 2016, far stan, the largest economy in the below 2014’s 6 percent average. region, is sharply lower, due to Kazakhstan’s growth is forecast at the collapse of the oil price, and 1.5 percent in 2016 and 1.2 percent to a much lesser extent, the nega- in 2015, “sharply lower” than the tive effect of an influx of cheap 4.3 percent growth rate in 2014. imports from Russia on domestic Kazakhstan’s Largest Transport, “Growth and financial stability industries and spillovers of nega- in Central Asia in 2015 have been tive investment sentiment from the significantly affected by the reces- Russia/Ukraine crisis.” Logistics Centre Presented in Astana sion and currency depreciation in Russia and lower prices of oil and Continued on Page A5 “The creation of the TLC inter- By Zhazira Dyussembekova nal network in major cities of Ka- zakhstan will allow us to cover the ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s larg- needs of regions in modern storage est transport and logistics centre facilities at an international level (TLC) was launched with an offi- and to create distribution centres Tenge Devaluation Benefits cial presentation Nov. 12 attended covering the regions of neighbour- by city Akim (Mayor) Adilbek ing countries,” said Alpysbayev. Dzhaksybekov, Minister for In- He also spoke about the oppor- Major Kazakh Exporters vestment and Development Asset tunities of the TLC, which will Issekeshev and Kazakhstan Temir stan’s export-oriented companies provide comprehensive storage By Yerbolat Uatkhanov Zholy (KTZ) President Askar services with a full cycle of mul- have gone all out in support of this Mamin. The event was also at- economic measure, because it pro- timodal logistics. The facility has ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s switch tended by representatives of gov- vides equality of conditions. The dry warehouses with an area of to a free-floating exchange rate – ernment bodies, distribution and 29,300 square metres, climatic competitiveness of Kazakhstan’s brokerage companies and Kazakh and, thus, a weaker tenge – will products and proceeds from sales warehouses measuring 13,300 help Kazakh companies stay com- and foreign producers. square metres, a 25,000-square in foreign market has increased,” Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) petitive against Russia and China, he said in a Nov. 6 interview. metre distribution centre and an the nation’s biggest trading part- President Askar Mamin (L) Akim area for containers with 70,000 Lazarev used Kazzincmash, ners, exporters say. (Mayor) of Astana Adilbek Dzhak- square metres of available space. one of Kazzinc’s subsidiaries, as a Kazzinc sustainable development sybekov and Minister for Invest- The principle of multimodal model. director Andrey Lazarev is fully ment and Development Asset Is- transportation also applies to the “The company produces special Minister of Investment and Development of Kazakhstan Asset Issekeshev (L), supportive of the new monetary sekeshev at the launch ceremony TLC, as receipt and shipment of equipment and spare parts, and Akim of Astana Adilbek Dzhaksybekov and President of KTZ Askar Mamin policy, based on targeting inflation. for Astana’s new transport and at the launch of the new transport and logistics centre. goods from trains to cars and back as of today it is a profitable com- logistics centre. have been organised within the He noted the decision by the gov- pany. First of all, it is connected by TLCs are a combination of facili- our country,” said KTZ Vice Presi- ernment and National Bank was business competition with Russian “Today, we are witnessing one hub. Five kilometres of sidings ties for the storage, processing and dent Kanat Alpysbayev during the are directly connected to the ware- absolutely timely and a highly effi- companies. The products of Ka- of the important events for the de- cient anti-crisis measure in the cur- consolidation of products for indus- presentation. house. zzincmash were very competitive velopment of logistics competence rent situation of the world economy. trial purposes, as well as consumer According to the external and The automation of the infra- before the drop in the exchange rate goods. Located on Karaganda- in Kazakhstan. We have opened “The old monetary policy with of the ruble in the domestic market internal terminal network pro- structure accompanies the process Astana Highway, the class A TLC is our transport and logistics centre in real time. The use of advanced the present-day situation in the and foreign markets. But after the gramme, additional TLCs will be the biggest not only in Kazakhstan, here in Astana, the main goals and technologies will allow the facil- world economy would create an un- drop in the exchange rate of the ru- but in Central Asia. Its construction objectives of which are connected constructed in Aktau, Aktobe, Al- ity to significantly increase the even playing field for Kazakhstan’s ble, Kazzincmash products were no is an important stage in the devel- with the initiative of the President maty, Atyrau, Kostanai, Pavlodar, level and speed of the loading and exporters, and foreign producers longer competitive at all and Rus- opment of the country’s transport on the development of transport Semey and Uralsk. Shymkent unloading of goods and process would get more beneficial condi- sian producers increased the sales and logistics sector, and the centre and logistics competence and on TLC will be ready by the end of up to 1 million tonnes of cargo tions because of the devaluation of of their own products,” he said. will provide 850 new jobs. the development of a transit hub in this year. per year. their national currencies. Kazakh- Continued on Page A4

Inside NATION eurasia&world editorial&OPINION opinions Nation&Capital President Signs Five New Laws: Local Police Nazarbayev, Business Leaders Visit UK, Sport in Kazakhstan: Good for the Nation’s Carvalho: Biofuels and Climate Change: Astana Media Forum Holds Talks Forces to Be Established, Agricultural Lands Ink $5 Billion in Agreements A3 Heart and Wallet A6 Challenges of COP21 A7 on Complexities in Reporting on Ethnic to be Privatised A2 Issues B1 Nazarbayev Visits France, Improves Business IDRISSOV: The Great Gain Not the Great Akiner: Turkmenistan’s Diversified Health Technology Assessment to Promote Ties, Addresses 38th UNESCO Conference A3 Game: How Kazakhstan is Charting Export Infrastructure A7 EXPO 2017 Expands Country Participation More Effective Budgetting, Says Expert А2 its Own Course in the World A6 List B6

US$ 1 = 308.36 KZT 1 Euro = 331.09 KZT 1 Rouble = 4.67 KZT A2 NATION

Wednesday, november 18, 2015

NATIONAL President Signs Five New Laws: Local Police Forces news in brief Samruk Kazyna, Kazakhstan’s Sovereign Wealth Fund, and United Green Group recently signed an to Be Established, Agricultural Lands to be Privatised agreement to double the capacity of a solar power plant in the Zhambyl He also signed the law “On Affairs (MIA). The new service system,” Kassymov said, as re- matters and give local residents the region to 100 megawatts, at a price By Malika Orazgaliyeva amendments to some legislative will be incorporated into a unified ported by Tengrinews.kz. opportunity to manage municipal of $106 million, Bloomberg reports. acts of Kazakhstan on the results system of law-enforcement bodies, Kassymov further noted that property in the interests of all resi- The government has set a goal of ASTANA – President of Ka- of commercialisation of scientific and its employees will have the over the year, local police will be dents of their territory. getting 3 percent of its electric- zakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and (or) research and development same legal status. introduced in several cities as an The newly-signed law “On ity from renewable sources by 2020 signed five legislative acts as part activities,” which will bring the Kazakh Minister of Internal Af- experiment in order to develop the amendments and additions to the and last year set tariffs for renewable of the implementation of the 100- country’s legislation into compli- fairs Kulmukhanbet Kassymov final model. Land Code of Kazakhstan” will energy. The plant began electricity step Plan of the Nation that is the ance with the new law. said that the National Commission Local police chiefs will be ap- introduce the possibility of selling production this summer. vehicle for enacting the country’s Next is the law “On amendments on Modernisation is finishing its pointed by regional akims (gover- state-owned agricultural lands into five institutional reforms pro- and additions to some legislative review of the establishment of the nors) on the proposal of the MIA private hands and simplify proce- The Astana Pro Team cycling team gramme Nov.12. acts of Kazakhstan on the activi- local police. in coordination with maslikhats dures for changing land-use desig- has had its WorldTour racing license Nazarbayev signed the law “On ties of local police services.” The “We carefully studied the expe- (regional legislatures). nations. The law will introduce a for 2016 approved by the Interna- the commercialisation of scientific law provides for the establishment rience of foreign countries. There According to Chairman of the new mechanism for the transfer of tional Cycling Union (UCI), Velone- and (or) research and development of local police services and covers are different approaches. Discus- Committee for Administrative Po- agricultural lands to private owner- ws reports. Astana was among the 11 activities,” designed to improve the preventing violations, protecting sion of the proposed reform is lice of the MIA Igor Lepekha, local ship through first English-style auc- teams whose licenses were finalised efficiency of the scientific sphere, public order, preventing and sup- almost completed. Now we are police in Kazakhstan will start work tions and, if those don’t produce re- Nov. 9. UCI had requested that the raise the level of innovation and pressing criminal offences and do- working on the details. I believe from Jan. 1, 2016. Nazarbayev also sults, through Dutch-style auctions. team’s WorldTour license be sus- support the development of high- mestic crime, ensuring road safety that we will create our own Ka- signed the law “On amendments In an English-style auction, the pended for 2015 after a series of tech industries in the priority sec- and pre-trial investigations, report- zakh model of a local police force. and additions to some legislative winner is the person who offers the doping cases, then dropped its case tors of the economy by stimulating ed Zakon.kz. I would like to note that we are not acts of Kazakhstan on the devel- highest price. In a Dutch auction, for suspending the license on the the commercial use of the results According to Zakon.kz, local talking about full decentralisation opment of local self-government.” the auctioneer begins with a high condition that an appointed review of research and development ac- police services will be created by of our police force. It is essential Increasing local self-government is asking price, which is then low- board monitor the team. Following a tivities, and to attract private enter- optimising the structures of bod- to maintain the unity and integrity intended to expand citizens’ inde- ered until a participant is willing to four-month review by the Institute of prise to research projects. ies within the Ministry of Internal of the Ministry of Internal Affairs pendent decision-making on local accept it. Sport Sciences of the University of Lausanne (ISSUL), Astana received the necessary stamp of approval to race in 2016. Astana general manag- er Alexandre Vinokourov said it was “a good day” for the team, and that Health Technology Minister of Agriculture Proposes management, riders and staff had all worked hard to improve the team’s Measures to Protect Domestic Market structure and organisation. A Bulgarian construction consor- Assessment to Promote is sold for 20-25 tenge (US$0.06- profits of agricultural commodities By Zhaniya Urankayeva tium will build the ExpoTown hous- 0.08) in the store, meaning differ- producers at prime cost. ing complex near the EXPO 2017 ASTANA – The Mazhilis (lower ence in trade reaches 100 percent Incentive measures have been grounds following the Nov. 9 sig- More Effective chamber of Parliament) discussed and an agricultural commodity identified, including developing ag- nature of a cooperation agreement producer, having invested so much ricultural cooperation, promoting improving the efficiency of sub- between the Bulgaria-Kazakhstan in labour, has profitability of maxi- effective land tenure and new ap- sidisation in the agricultural com- Commerce Chamber and Expo- mum one tenge (US$0.003) from a proaches to financing agricultural TownSuccess housing cooperative, plex Nov. 9.. single egg.” infrastructure, establishing market Budgetting, Says Expert Minister of Agriculture As- the Focus Information Agency re- Therefore, he said, the country tariffs for water and attracting invest- ports. According to co-chair of the According to Kulkhan, it is much sylzhan Mamytbekov said strong- needs amplification measures to ment to the Public-Private Partner- By Zhazira Dyussembekova Bulgaria-Kazakhstan Commerce more efficient to carry out a com- er protection measures are needed. protect the domestic market, in- ship (PPP) Concessions programme. Chamber Ivan Dudin, the consorti- parative study as a starting point to “We consider deregulating prices cluding controlling and counter- Deputy Chairman of the Agrar- um will consist of several companies ASTANA – A meeting of the better understand which technolo- for food necessary. Unfortunately, acting counterfeit food products. ian Committee of the Mazhilis and is expected to collect around council of international experts gies work best, which are the most today we force agricultural com- The minister said one of the key Romin Madinov said per hectare $80 million for the project. There held Nov. 2-3 at the World Health cost-effective and under what modity producers to hold prices at reasons for weak growth is that subsidisation in the agricultural are currently three companies in the Organisation (WHO) headquar- circumstances. The study should the same level for various reasons, most of the subsidies – more than complex must be saved. consortium, but others are submit- ters in Geneva served as an op- also to assess a wide range of po- although the market there is quite 70 billion tenge (US$227 million) He said that in order to resolve ting proposals now, he said. The portunity to discuss the World tential benefits outside the clinical competitive and we completely do – do not directly stimulate agricul- these problems there is a need to housing complex is not expected to Health Assembly resolution on or therapeutic benefit, including not regulate import and trade,” the tural commodity producers to im- explore the possibility of attracting be fully commissioned by the EXPO the use of Health Technology monetary value, improvements minister said. “As a result, an egg prove their efficiency and profit- insurance companies for control- 2017 opening date. Assessment (HTA) for universal to the quality of care, quality of that came out of a factory cost- ability, as high proportion of those ling the distribution of subsidies in health coverage and reimburse- life, increased health care effi- ing 10-12 tenge (US$0.03-0.04) subsidies compensate for the lost agriculture. President Nursultan Nazarbayev ment systems. Kazakh Centre for ciency and greater opportunities of Kazakhstan signed the law “On Healthcare Standardisation deputy for labour activity after receiving public councils,” a mechanism of head Temirkhan Kulkhan was the medical care. If such studies show implementing the Plan of the Na- nation’s sole representative at the a positive effect on health care tion, Nov. 9, Kazinform reports. The council. costs, they can be used to inform law will support the 100 Concrete “Most of the recent technologi- policy makers of the Kazakh Min- Steps of implementing the country’s five institutional reforms project, cal advances in medical science istry of Health and Social Devel- specifically by strengthening of the allow health workers to diagnose opment, as well as research insti- and treat disease in a way that role of public councils in ensuring tutes and scientific centres. state policy on increasing account- was impossible before. Besides “Comparative research of effec- the obvious advantages, this de- ability among state bodies and en- tiveness and health technology as- suring participation of social institu- velopment in the industry leads sessment is used to support the im- tions and people in decision-making to an increase in expenses, which plementation of technologies that by state bodies at all levels. The full determines the critical impor- have a positive therapeutic effect text of the law has been made avail- tance of the analysis of that issue in practice and present reasonable able via print media outlets. in health policy, especially taking value for the money. On the other into account the limited budget for hand, the use of low-performing, A memorial plaque in honour these purposes,” said Kulkhan in a outdated technologies should be of famous pilot, Air Force Major recent interview with The Astana lowered by reducing their capitali- General Talgat Bigeldinov of Ka- Times. “In the context of the glob- sation or by restrictions on their zakhstan, who was twice Hero of al crisis, the document discussed use. It should be based on evi- the Soviet Union, was installed on has a strategic importance for the dence-based medicine, combining the house where he lived in Almaty effective and efficient financing financial incentives for providers Nov. 10, KazakhTV reports. Bigeld- of the health sector in developing and consumers which can signifi- inov died last year. Bigeldinov went countries.” cantly reduce the level of govern- to war in 1942, flying the IL-2 “fly- HTA refers to the systematic ment spending on reimbursement ing tank” and making more than 300 evaluation of properties, effects of medical organisations, if such combat flights. In May 1945, he was and/or impacts of health tech- incentives will support the in- in the ranks of those who marched nology, according to the WHO creased use of more cost-effective across Red Square in the Victory Pa- website. It is a multidisciplinary services,” said Kulkhan. rade in Moscow. process to evaluate the social, “It is important to carefully Kazakhstan’s first large-scale economic, organisational and monitor the impact of such policy curling championship was held in ethical issues of health interven- tools to keep track of the optimum the Baluan Sholak Sports Palace in tion or health technology. The financing of the industry without Almaty Nov. 8–14, the Organising main purpose of conducting an ignoring innovation. In addition, Committee for International Sports assessment is to inform a policy- such measures must not run coun- Events in Almaty reports. The Pacif- making decision. ter to other aspects of health poli- ic-Asia Curling Championships is a The National Centre of Health- cies and practices that divert a sig- qualifying tournament for the World care Development’s centre for nificant part of health care costs, Curling Championship in 2016 in healthcare standardisation com- including initiatives to support Switzerland. Thirteen teams from pared the technology costs, once healthy aging and improve the co- eight countries (Kazakhstan, Japan, implemented, with the benefits ordination of care for chronic pa- South Korea, China, Taiwan, Hong to the welfare of the population. tients,” he added. Kong, New Zealand and Australia) took part in the championship. The competition is held according to the rules of the World Curling Federa- tion. Chief technician for the prepa- ration of ice floes Mark Callan com- mented during a press conference that the quality of ice in the Almaty competition met Olympic standards.

President of the National Olympic Committee of Kazakhstan Timur Kulibayev met with head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach during Bach’s official visit to the General Assem- bly of the ANOC (Association of National Olympic Committees) Nov. 9, Kazpravda reports. The sides discussed the development of sport in Central Asia and in Kazakhstan in particular. A3 eurasia&world

Wednesday, november 18, 2015

external news in brief Nazarbayev, Business Leaders Visit UK, Pakistan and Kazakhstan have agreed to cooperate on energy and communications following a meet- ing of the Pakistan-Kazakhstan In- Ink $5 Billion in Agreements tergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Tech- Following the commission and nological and Cultural Coopera- By Malika Rustem meetings with business leaders, tion in Islamabad Nov. 5–6, with President Nazarbayev briefed a protocol signed by the Minister Kazakh President Nursultan journalists on the results of his of State for Petroleum and Natural Nazarbayev’s visit to London on meetings. According to him, at Resources of Pakistan Jam Kamal Nov. 3-4, resulted in agreements this stage of development of bi- Khan and Deputy Foreign Minis- worth more than $5 billion across lateral relations, the United King- ter of Kazakhstan Askar Mussinov. fields such as energy, pharma- dom has already invested $12 The sides also agreed to hold a ceuticals, aviation and financial billion in Kazakhstan and there Joint Business Council meeting in consulting. During the visit, the are more than 500 joint ventures the first half of 2016, The Nation President met with Her Majesty between the companies of the two reports. In particular, the potential the Queen, Prime Minister David countries. He also said that the of the China-Pakistan Economic Cameron and business leaders. business authorities accompany- Corridor (CPEC) for Kazakhstan The Kazakh President was ing him to the visit have signed was noted. Both sides also agreed greeted by Prime Minister Camer- agreements and memoranda to explore ways to increase con- on in front of the prime minister’s amounting to $5 billion and that nectivity to support trade and in- official residence at 10 Downing the agreements went beyond the vestment. Street and the sides discussed bi- commodities sector. lateral economic cooperation, the Kazakhstan has officially desig- On the first day of the visit, Syrian war, the conflict in Ukraine, FT.com ran an op-ed by President nated Daesh or the Islamic State as the refugee crisis in Europe and a terrorist organisation, Tengrinews Nazarbayev, in which he shared Kazakhstan’s progress on politi- reports, citing the Committee on his expectations for the visit and Legal Statistics and Special Re- cal and societal reform, including vision for areas of common inter- cords. The committee now includes creating a more permissive envi- ests with the U.K. 17 groups on their official list of ronment for nongovernmental or- “We have never forgotten that terrorist organisations: Al-Qaeda, ganisations (NGOs). Queen Elizabeth II of England and the Duke of Edinburgh greet President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Deputy Prime Britain was among the first coun- the Islamic Party of East Turkestan, Cameron pointed to deals in- Minister of Kazakhstan Dariga Nazarbayeva at the Buckingham Palace on Nov. 4. tries to recognise our independ- the Kurdish People’s Congress, the volving four new gas plants and ence. We value as well the major Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, a steel production facility in Ka- A number of agreements were In his speech, the President zakhstan’s National Bank and the role that British companies, big Asbat al-Ansar, Muslim Broth- zakhstan as key components of a signed during the meeting, includ- briefed the gathering on key as- European Bank for Reconstruc- and small, have played in help- erhood, the Taliban, Boz Gurd, widening partnership, suggesting ing an agreement between Ka- pects of modern Kazakhstan’s tion and Development (EBRD) ing modernise our economy and Jamaat Mujahideen of Central Asia, the latter could benefit the U.K.’s zakhstan and the U.K. on mutual evolution and current economic also signed a “landmark” memo- drive our prosperity,” the article Lashkar-e-Taiba, the Social Reform own crisis-hit steel industry. legal assistance, a memorandum policy. randum of understanding (MoU). reads. Society, the East Turkistan Libera- “By bringing together our two of understanding between Kazakh- Nazarbayev stressed that Ka- According to The CityUK, the Talking about strong links in tion Organisation, Aum Shinrikyo, diverse economies, broad inter- stan’s Agency for Civil Service zakhstan is entering a new stage of MoU, which covers all aspects of areas outside of trade and invest- the Islamic Party of Turkestan, Jund national cooperation and shared Affairs and Anti-Corruption and economic development, highlight- financial and related professional ment, which unite the two coun- al-Khalifah (Soldiers of the Cali- commitment to reform, I believe the Secretariat of the Cabinet of ing plans to create an International services, sets out for the first time tries, Nazarbayev wrote that Ka- phate), the Islamic State (Daesh) our relationship can become even Ministers of the United Kingdom Financial Centre in Astana. the ways in which the parties will zakhstan remains “a key ally for and the Al-Nusra Front. stronger,” he told the Kazakh leader. and an agreement on the partici- “I think that the participation of work to assist Kazakhstan’s inten- the U.K. and other coalition forces Nazarbayev said that Cameron’s pation of the United Kingdom of British companies in this project tions to develop Astana as an inter- in Afghanistan,” and “stands reso- Prime Minister of Kazakhstan visit to Kazakhstan in 2013 has Great Britain and Northern Ireland will be very important,” said the Ka- national financial centre. lutely together in facing down ex- Karim Massimov met Defence given a good impetus to the stra- in EXPO 2017 in Astana. zakh leader, inviting British compa- The Kazakh President also met tremism.” Minister of Azerbaijan Colonel tegic partnership of the two coun- In addition, the President of Ka- nies to participate in joint projects. with CEOs and chairpersons of On Nov. 4, Queen Elizabeth II General Zakir Hasanov Nov. 5 to tries. zakhstan awarded Cameron with “We are not begging for any- the world’s leading corporations and the Duke of Edinburgh hosted discuss bilateral military-technical the Order of Dostyk (Friendship) thing. What we are asking is just, cooperation, Azer News reports. He congratulated Cameron on based in London, including Ben President Nazarbayev and Deputy The day before the meeting, the the Conservatives’ victory in the of first degree. ‘come over, do business, earn your Van Beurden of Shell, Sam Walsh Prime Minister Dariga Nazarbaye- two countries signed a military co- last election. Following the meeting, both money together with us.’ We wel- of Rio Tinto, Said Darwazah of va, who accompanied the Presi- operation plan for 2016. “You have carte blanche now to sides participated in the opening of come the business and we are cre- Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC, dent as part of the delegation, for carry out completely new policy,” the second session of the Kazakh- ating exceptional conditions for Lakshmi Mittal of Arcelor Mittal lunch at the Buckingham Palace. Air Astana exhibited at the said Nazarbayev. “I hope that in British Intergovernmental Com- this,” he urged. steel group and Jacob Rothschild He briefed her on the state of bilat- World Travel Market at the Lon- this policy there is going to be mission on Trade and Economic On the same day, it was an- of the J. Rothschild Capital Man- eral relations and the results of the don ExCel Centre during the first some place for Kazakhstan.” Cooperation. nounced that The CityUK, Ka- agement. talks the previous day. week of November along with rep- resentatives from the Tourism De- partment of the country’s Ministry of Investment and Development, Travel Daily News reports. Air Astana promoted in particular its Nazarbayev Visits France, Improves Business new direct route to the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar, as well as its connections to London Heathrow and European destinations. Ties, Addresses 38th UNESCO Conference Chair of Bulgaria’s National As- By Malika Orazgaliyeva sembly Tsetska Tsacheva presented a traditional Bulgarian national Kazakh President Nursultan costume to the Assembly of the Nazarbayev paid an official visit People of Kazakhstan’s exhibition hall, the Focus Information Agency to France Nov. 5-6 to meet French reports. Tsacheva was in Astana as President François Hollande and part of a Bulgarian parliamentary hold talks with representatives of delegation to Astana. There are French business and political cir- more than 4,500 ethnic Bulgarians cles, as well as participate in the living in Kazakhstan, according to 38th session of the United Na- the report. Tsacheva said that Bul- tions Educational, Scientific and garia was proud to have representa- Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) tion in the APK in the form of APK General Conference. deputy Oleg Dymov. Dymov was Nazarbayev and Hollande dis- awarded one of the highest state or- cussed the main directions of bi- ders of Bulgaria – the Saints Cyril lateral cooperation and exchanged and Methodius State Order of 1st views on current international Degree, presented by Bulgarian issues. Nazarbayev stressed that President Rosen Plevneliev in May. Astana and Paris currently have great potential for cooperation in The introduction of a single cur- trade, economic, investment, cul- rency in the Eurasian Economic tural and humanitarian spheres, as Union (EAEU) is off the current well as the aerospace industry. President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev (L) meets President of France François Hollande in Paris with their respective delegations. agenda, Press Secretary of the On behalf of Kazakhstan, Naz- President of Kazakhstan Dau- ren Abayev said in response to arbayev awarded Hollande the in Kazakhstan worth more than $2 Nazarbayev noted the positive In turn, French company lead- understanding and peace,” he said. questions during an online brief- state award of the Order of Dostyk billion; 14 projects are in process impact of opening direct flights ers praised the ongoing policy for Addressing the gathering, Naz- ing Nov. 10,. The issue is not be- (Order of Friendship) of the first and 10 are planned to be imple- between Astana and Paris for in- building a favourable investment arbayev proposed establishing an ing discussed at any level of the degree. mented in the long term. In the vestment cooperation between the climate in Kazakhstan, noting the international academy under UN- trade bloc, Abayev said. Previous Following the talks, the sides framework of my visit, contracts two countries, which took place in country has established itself as a ESCO on maintaining peace and to these statements, Chairman of adopted a presidential joint dec- worth more than $5 billion will be March 2015, as well as the intro- reliable partner. sustainable development. the State Duma Committee on the laration, as well as a joint decla- signed,” Nazarbayev said. duction of a visa-free regime for The event was attended by rep- “Basing it on best international Commonwealth of Independent ration of the Kazakh Ministry of “France is among the leading short term visits for for French resentatives of companies such as practices, this academy could de- States of Russia Leonid Slutsky Education and Science and the economic partners of Kazakhstan. citizens as of July 2014. Airbus, Alstom Transport, Areva, velop progressive ideas and practi- said that work on a single currency French Ministry of Higher Educa- In spite of the difficult external He mentioned that contracts are the Rothschild Group, Soufflet, cal measures to maintain peace and in the union was underway. tion and Science. conditions, our mutual trade turn- being prepared between the two Veolia Asia and Vicat. ensure sustainable development,” The parties also signed an agree- over in recent years remains at countries’ business circles cover- Nazarbayev held separate meet- he said. “Of particular importance On Nov. 10, First Deputy Min- ment confirming France’s -par $6 billion. Over the last decade, ing important areas such as the ings with PSA Peugeot Citroën is the search for ways of early con- ister of Defence and Chief of the ticipation in the international spe- French business investment in our supply of uranium to France, the Chairman Carlos Tavares, Total flict prevention through the imple- General Staff of the Armed Forces cialised exhibition EXPO 2017 in economy amounted to about $12 automobile industry, water supply CEO Patrick Pouyanné, Aubert & mentation of the UNESCO Culture of Kazakhstan Colonel-General Astana. The two sides also adopted billion. One-hundred and thirty and waste disposal. Duval President Georges Duval of Peace Concept.” Saken Zhassuzakov met Admiral a declaration of intention to coop- French companies are operating in Nazarbayev also highlighted and economist Jacques Attali. Nazarbayev also mentioned his Jung Ho-sub, the Chief of Naval erate in space between the Aero- various industries of Kazakhstan’s Kazakhstan’s work on improving Nazarbayev spent his second nation’s international initiatives, Operations of South Korea in Asta- space Committee of the Kazakh market,” he added. the investment climate and imple- day in France attending the 38th such as the 2045 Global Strategic na, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of De- Ministry of Investment and Devel- The head of state mentioned menting five institutional reforms, session of the UNESCO General fence reports. The sides discussed Initiative Plan (a global strategy to how to strengthen cooperation opment and the French National successful joint companies such the 100 Step Plan of the Nation Conference. eliminate the root causes of wars between the naval forces of South Centre of Space Research. as Alstom Transport, Eurocopter, and Nurly Zhol programme, as “Kazakhstan supports efforts to and conflicts), the Universal Dec- Korea and Kazakhstan, focusing Speaking before the heads of PeugeotCitroën and Danone. In well as preparing for EXPO 2017. improve UNESCO’s efficiency laration on the Achievement of on training personnel from Ka- major French companies, the Ka- cooperation with Airbus Defence The Kazakh President invited and to strengthen its credibility, a Nuclear-Weapons-Free World, zakhstan at South Korean military zakh President underlined existing and Space, he noted Kazakhstan French businesses to actively par- modernisation and adaptation to which is currently making its way academies, training special forces trade, economic and investment has launched two satellites for ticipate in his country’s industriali- the challenges of our time. I am through the UN General Assembly, units at the training centres of cooperation between the two coun- Earth remote sensing and plans sation and planned privatisation of confident that UNESCO will con- and a common global network for South Korean naval forces and de- tries. to complete the construction of a large enterprises, as well as in the tinue to be an effective forum for addressing international terrorism veloping military cooperation be- “Twenty-four French companies spacecraft assembly and testing work of the planned Astana Inter- cooperation between states and and extremism under the auspices tween the countries’ naval forces. have already implemented projects complex. national Financial Centre. nations to promote enlightenment, of the UN. A4 economy

Wednesday, november 18, 2015

economy Kazakh Senate Passes Law Bringing Astana news in brief Investment in housing construc- tion across Kazakhstan reached a historic high of 528 billion tenge International Financial Centre Closer to Reality (US$1.72 billion) in January-Sep- tember, 17.4 percent more than in The centre will be under a special English and Welsh principles and will be the consideration and reso- Thus, our focus will be based on By Zhazira Dyussembekova the same period last year, accord- legal regime, which will result in rules of law and standards of the lution of disputes solely between [introducing] the principles of Eng- ing to Ranking.kz. Growth was the existence of its own legislation, world’s leading financial centres, AIFC participants, taking into ac- lish law, a preferential tax regime observed in 13 regions of Kazakh- ASTANA – The Kazakh Senate according to the Parliament web- in particular, the regulations of the count the centre’s acts and existing and an independent financial court. stan. The Almaty region remains passed a draft constitutional law site. The law will provide for the Dubai International Financial Cen- judicial precedents. We are confident that the Astana the leader in housing construction Oct. 5 “On International Financial formation of a special council for tre. The law also outlines goals, President Nursultan Nazarbayev financial centre will be the core of investment, and has attracted 109.3 Centre Astana.” The bill is focused the centre’s management designed objectives and principles of AIFC announced the proposal to estab- the financial infrastructure in Ka- billion tenge (US$356.76 million) on establishing the Astana Inter- as a permanent collegial body activity as well as its regulatory lish the AIFC during the Astana zakhstan and in the future [will turn in the first nine months of the year, national Financial Centre (AIFC), headed by the nation’s President. In principles and the definition of its Economic Forum in May 2015. into] a financial hub of the whole 15 percent more than last year. The which will be designedto provide addition to the council, AIFC will bodies and their powers. “We have held talks with repre- Central Asian region,” President area is also consistently ranked in a favourable and attractive envi- have its own committee to regulate The bill defines the legal status sentatives of the Dubai [Interna- Nazarbayev said at the time. the top three regions in terms of ronment for those entities working the activities of the participants, an of the AIFC court as independent tional Financial] Centre and agreed The bill now awaits the presi- commissioning after Astana and there and to turn Astana into a major administration and a court. and separate from the Kazakh judi- that their experience will be com- dential signature for it to become Almaty cities. Since the beginning financial hub in the heart of Eurasia. AIFC acts will be based on the cial system. Its exclusive purview pletely transferred to Kazakhstan. the law. of the year, 993,200 square metres of housing have been commis- sioned in the Almaty region.

The average monthly sal- ary in Kazakhstan in October Kazakhstan to Establish was 122,422 tenge (US$401.55), London Stock Bnews.kz reports, citing the coun- try’s Committee on Statistics. The unemployment rate among the eco- Islamic Financial Company nomically active population was 4.9 percent. Exchange to Help By Kseniya Voronina under the Ministry of Finance as investors under the lease as well as a limited liability partnership for providing tax benefits. In its November oil market re- ASTANA – A special Islamic issuing government Islamic secu- The relevant bill on ammend- port, OPEC projects Kazakhstan’s financial company is to be es- rities, granting the company the ments and other legislative changes oil production to fall by 20,000 bar- KASE Create Financial tablished in Kazakhstan to issue right to issue state Islamic securi- was approved by the Mazhilis (low- rels a day in 2015, to average 1.6 sukuk, Islamic bonds, according to ties,, providing the possibility of er chamber of Parliament) and sent million barrels per day, the Trend Interfax.kz. the transfer of selected assets of to the Senate. News Agency reports. September “The National Bank has devel- the authorised body for State Prop- The Ministry of Finance of Ka- production fell by 25,000 barrels Hub in Astana oped amendments to the legislation erty Management through contract zakhstan also informed that prepar- per day compared to August, to chapter for Kazakhstan’s capi- of Kazakhstan with provisions to sales with the possibility of using atory work for the necessary con- 1.49 million barrels per day, ac- By Kseniya Voronina tal markets and we are delighted improve the terms for issuing state the mechanism of direct targeted ditions for the issue of sovereign cording to OPEC. This is a three- to have been chosen to support Islamic bonds,” the National Bank sales allowing transmission of the sukuk is being carried out. year low for Kazakhstan and the ASTANA – During the offi- KASE in its expansion plans,” of Kazakhstan reported. company and selected assets under The National Bank previously in- third consecutive month of lower cial visit of the Kazakh delega- Rathi said. “With 17 Kazakh The amendments ensure the es- the lease to relevant government formed that the Ministry of Finance production, year on year. Output in tion led by President Nursultan companies already listed in Lon- tablishment of a Committee of authority, binding mechanism of may issue sukuk in 2015 or 2016 Kazakhstan’s Tengiz field, a major producer for the country, remained Nazarbayev to London on Nov. don, the agreement holds huge State Property and Privatisation income lease certificates holders, after proper legislation is adopted. 3, the Kazakhstan Stock Ex- below 0.5 million barrels per day potential for future business op- for the second consecutive month. change (KASE) and the London portunities between our two ex- Stock Exchange (LSEG) signed OPEC predicts a further decline in changes and reinforces London’s production for 2016, down 30,000 a memorandum of understand- position as the leading market ing (MoU) to promote access by Tenge Devaluation Benefits barrels per day for an average of place for global business. It also investors and issuers to the capi- 1.57 million barrels per day, due to reflects LSEG’s commitment to a projected lack of investment. tal markets of Kazakhstan and an open access approach, sup- Great Britain as well as to pro- Major Kazakh Exporters porting KASE, as it delivers on China has lifted restrictions on mote cooperation between the Continued from Page A1 mum effect. The company’s subdi- working on profit increase will en- its ambition to become a major wheat imports from Kazakhstan, two countries, according to the visions analysed all factors which able them to develop and increase regional financial centre.” the Hellenic Shipping News re- KASE press service. The director added that the new have an impact on income and the their efficiency. The really major “KASE recognizes LSEG ports. An agreement on the subject Areas of cooperation include currency rate enabled his company prime cost of its own goods. and competitive companies are dis- as one of the leading stock ex- was reached Nov. 6. Previously, Ka- attracting investors and profes- to regain its position in the market. Lazarev feels inflation targeting tinguished by their ability to plan zakhstan could export only sacked changes in the world. Closer sional participants of the securi- “We are optimistic and hope to will encourage local producers to their own activity for many years to wheat; now, China will accept ties market in order to improve connections and cooperation get new positions. I can say that the increase production volumes and come, and highly-efficient manage- wheat in grain carriers and trucks. the liquidity of Kazakhstan’s between both of our exchanges new monetary policy helps Kazzinс extend their own production capaci- ment,” he said. Limitations on soybean deliveries shares on the KASE and on the will support the sustainable de- to save our production and face all ties, which will lead to a saving or Kazzinc is a fully-integrated zinc were also lifted, and China is con- main market of the London Stock velopment of KASE in light of challenges with fewer losses than increase in jobs, tax revenue growth producer with considerable copper, sidering lifting quarantine restric- Exchange, as well as joint work the focus on development of the there could have been. But current and, of course, development of the precious metals and lead credits. tions for livestock products as well. on the development of activities International Financial Centre in economic conditions force Kazzinc domestic industry field. The company’s core operations are of the KASE in the framework of Astana,” Birtanov added. to cut costs. The saving has not had “Of course, it doesn’t mean that in Kazakhstan, most notably in the Kaspi Bank, one of Kazakhstan’s creating the Astana International The Astana International Fi- an impact on present production everything will be easy and clear, East Kazakhstan region. Established largest banks, has acquired the sta- Financial Centre. nancial Centre is expected to activity, safety technology, environ- but it is the best case scenario. in 1997, the controlling block of tus of a bank holding company, Ten- The memorandum was signed start its full operations in 2018 ment protection and staff salaries,” ‘Weak’ companies or companies stock was sold to the private sector grinews reports. The National Bank by head of the LSEG Nikhil after EXPO 2017. The tight co- he said. which don’t plan their own activ- and Glencore International AG, the of Kazakhstan granted Kaspi Bank the new status, and the Kaspi Joint Rathi and Chairman of the Board operation between LSEG and The collapse in prices for prod- ity will face big challenges in such company’s main investor. Kazzinc Stock Company became the indirect KASE will help international in- of KASE Yeszhan Birtanov. ucts manufactured by Kazzinc hap- conditions, but I consider that such has significantly increased produc- owner of about 90 percent of Kaspi “The MoU signed between vestment communities discover pened recently and the company has conditions are a good driver for tion capacity and output, seeking Bank. The company’s sharehold- the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange new opportunities for investment changed its plans for 2016, working growth and development. Observ- to have a stable position among the ers are currently Chairman of the and the London Stock Exchange in the Eurasian region, according on different adaptation measures ing financial discipline, monitoring world’s five lowest-cost zinc pro- Board of Kaspi Bank Vyacheslav Group heralds an exciting new to the head of KASE. and trying to ride the storm to maxi- and close control of expenses and ducers, according to kazzinc.kz. Kim, Kairat Satybaldyuly, Michael Lomtadze and Baring Vostok Capi- tal Partners, a leading private equity firm in the post-Soviet space.

Kazakhstan’s exports between Legalisation Campaign Seeks to Add Revenue January–September 2015 fell by nearly half, year on year, from $62.7 billion in 2014 to $36.4 billion, the Trend News Agency reports. Im- to National Budget, Reduce Shadow Economy ports also fell, from $32.1 billion rights, undermining the foundations opportunity to legalise property be- pened: 17 applications have been in criminal cases. And the third for the period to $25.7 billion this By Aiman Turebekova of constitutional law and national fore the introduction of an income filed on foreign assets, with only change is a tightening of standards year. Kazakhstan’s current account security, crimes against the govern- and expenditure declaration. Le- 14 of them regarding real estate be- and specifications of the current surplus for the period was $10.7 ASTANA – Kazakhstan launched ment and corruption cannot be le- galisation of property is a procedure cause buying property abroad is not criminal law to better protect those billion, 65 percent down from the property and capital legalisation gitimised. of recognition of rights to property prohibited by Kazakh legislation. who have made the legalisation. In previous year, when it was $30.6 campaigns in September 2014 that The concept of “legalisation” derived from a legitimate economic So the mere fact of the acquisition addition, the ban on the confiscation billion. This year’s current account are scheduled to run until Dec. 31, means the transition from illegal to turnover in order to conceal income of foreign property may not be il- of legalised property is introduced,” deficit for the first nine months of 2015. The campaigns include the legal status. Since the property was and (or) not executed in accordance legal. In addition, having bought the minister of Finance said when the year was $4 billion; last year, the figure was $6.1 billion. approval of a law “On amnesty of illegal, taxes for it were not paid. with the laws of Kazakhstan or pre- real estate abroad, its owner is not presenting the bill. Kazakhstan citizens, oralmans (re- “This measure will be the first pared by an improper person. Thus, required to pay taxes in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan held its first legalisa- The British Independent Power patriated ethnic Kazakhs) and per- step towards the introduction of in- the main goal is integration into the Therefore, the requirement to pay tion campaign in 2001. It resulted in manent residence holders in relation Corporation (IPC) has signed a comes and expenses reporting for economy of additional funds in the 10 percent to the state budget of Ka- a return of $480 million. The second memorandum of understanding to legalisation of their property.” all citizens of Kazakhstan. It will form of legalised capital. zakhstan is not lawful. legalisation held in 2006-2007 was Objects of legalisation include with KazTransGas of Kazakhstan help us fight the shadow economy Avoiding bureaucracy is one of The period to bring real estate more successful and brought in $6.8 money, securities, participation in- to invest $3.1 billion in the con- and bring us closer to the economies the benefits of the legalisation pro- and capital out of the shadows will billion. The United States has con- terest in the charter capital of a legal struction of 1,500-kilometre gas entity, real estate registered in the of developed countries in terms of cess. For instance, many property be extended for a year, until the ducted 62 legalisation campaigns, pipeline and four power plants in name of another person (except for transparency. The shadow economy owners expand their buildings or Dec. 31, 2016. The upper house of India five and Italy conducts legali- the Central Asian nation, Petrol space objects and the linear part of is a major enemy of sustainable eco- build new ones without government Kazakhstan’s parliament (Senate) sation campaigns regularly. Plaza reports. The project will help main pipelines), the title of which or nomic development,” said Kazakh permission because of officialdom; adopted the relevant bill on Oct. 22. The legalisation campaign is in- bring gas from the western part of related transactions are to be regis- President Nursultan Nazarbayev. however, they are not able to sell “In order to stimulate the legalisa- tended to raise short-term tax rev- the country to Astana and other in- tered according to legislation of Ka- “We have calculated and evaluat- them or to pledge the property as tion process and provide confidence enue, stimulate the repatriation of dustrial regions and bring power to zakhstan, buildings located within ed everything. The expected inflow collateral for a loan. Thus, this is a in the campaign, it is necessary to capital and transfer assets from the eastern cities like Karaganda and Temirtau. The gas project is one the territory of Kazakhstan that of money and property is 2.2 trillion chance to legalise capital and real take additional measures and safe- shadow economy as a means of ex- of many agreements signed during comply with construction rules and tenge (US$7.2 billion),” Minister of estate located within and outside the guards for the subjects of legalisa- panding the tax base. the visit of President of Kazakhstan regulations, as well as the intended Finance Bakhyt Sultanov said. territory of Kazakhstan to prevent tion,” said Olga Perepechina, depu- Some officials have expressed According to Finance Ministry problems in terms of how to man- ty of the Senate. concern that transferring cash to the Nursultan Nazarbayev to the U.K. use of occupied land plots owned by earlier this month. the subject of legalisation and real statistics, 63,039 applications for age them. “The first amendment concerns legal sphere will do little more than estate located outside the territory of property legalisation have been Many citizens of Kazakhstan guarantees for the subjects of le- create instant millionaires and bil- The number of individual ac- Kazakhstan. filed totalling 614,543,200,000 mil- wonder whether the legalisation galisation. Here we included in the lionaires. counts involved in transactions on The law was designed to help lion tenge (US$2 billion). In terms campaign will be prolonged be- banking and tax legislation rules Despite this scepticism, the eco- Kazakhstan’s stock exchange in- cut the shadow economy, attract of submitted applications, the Al- cause they understand the impor- regarding the prohibition of the pro- nomic impact of the campaign is creased by 10 percent in October funding and increase investments maty region and Almaty are leading tance and timeliness of the process. vision of information concerning clear due to the integration into the compared to September, Kazakh into the country. Property obtained the way, followed by the Aktobe Moreover, expectations in terms the legalised property. The second country’s budget of additional funds TV reports. At the end of October, through criminal practices, in- region. The Mangistau region is in of legalised capital have not been change is eliminating the possibil- in the form of legalised capital the Central Securities Depository cluding offences against a person, last place. met, and the legalisation of foreign ity of using information obtained through avoiding additional bureau- had more than 102,100 individual breach of the constitution or human The government is providing an real estate in general has not hap- during legalisation as evidence cracy. accounts. A5 Business

Wednesday, november 18, 2015

BUSINESS news in brief PetroKazakhstan Oil Products Modernisation The international innovation fo- rum “Kazakhstan – a new global in- novation hub” took place in Almaty Nov. 11–12, Kazakh TV reports. to Ratchet Up Eco-Friendly Production The forum began with a start-up contest in which about 100 of Ka- zakhstan’s inventors presented their developments in energy, informa- at Shymkent Refinery tion technologies, smart industry and new materials. The forum drew tonnes a year, licensor СРЕ, system and electricity supply, pro- thousands of guests, 40 interna- China cess control rooms and others. tional experts and representatives of 4) catalytic cracking – 2 million An important aspect of the Mod- 100 foreign specialised venture cap- tonnes a year, licensor UOP, ernisation Project is its ecological ital funds and investors and saw the USA component. debuts of hundreds of start-ups from 5) gasoline cut cracking hydro Sulphurous gas generated at a the region and far abroad. The team treatment – 1 million tonnes a number of refinery sections will that won the competition received a year, licensor Axens, France be recycled at the sulphur produc- prize of $25,000, and other start-ups 6) MTBE production – 244,000 tion unit into a commercial product got support from investors. tonnes a year, licensor Axens, - granulated elementary sulphur, France which reduces harmful sulphur A farm in the Karaganda region Once upgrade work is complete, compound emissions from the flare will export mare’s milk powder the number of processing units line to 99%. to the EU, Kapital.kz reports. The will rise from 9 to 15. Implementation of an airtight project, part of the Industrialisation A range of technical processes petroleum product wagon load- Map of the region, plans to produce will be introduced such as UOP ing system means wagon loading 10 tonnes of dry powder a year for licensed isomerisation, the alkali hatches will be sealed during the use in food, cosmetics and pharma- treatment of saturated and unsatu- loading process, removing hydro- ceuticals in Kazakhstan as well as for export. The farm currently has rated LPG Merox, RFCC catalytic carbon vapour to a recovery sys- 1,300 horses, whose milk will be cracking - fuel oil and vacuum gas tem. This also helps reduce pollut- freeze-dried on-site. oil cracking resulting in the gen- ant emissions to 450 tonnes/year, eration of high-octane gasoline and return any trapped hydrocar- Tele2 Group and Kazakhtele- components. UOP currently li- bons to the production process. com have announced that they will censes over 50% of all RFCC units New sealed structures will be combine their mobile business in worldwide. built above the ground as part of Kazakhstan, Businesswire reports. Likewise, construction and up- the upgrade of treatment facilities, The new joint venture will combine grade work will be carried out on which will help improve drainage Tele2’s existing operations in Ka- the following secondary and exist- quality and reduce harmful emis- zakhstan with Kazakhtelecom’s mo- ing sections/blocks/units: sions from treatment facility open bile business, Altel, which is rolling Crude Distillation Unit at the Shymkent Refinery. – the desulphurisation of satu- surfaces to 1,500 tonnes/year. out its 4G network in the country. rated and unsaturated liquefied hy- And, of course, a key objective The new business will have more By Ekaterina Volkova project to end underground water May 2014 visit to China, President drocarbon gases, alkali treatment of the Modernisation project is to than 5.6 million subscribers and a pollution has been started. Nazarbayev signed a Memorandum – single-point oil loading produce motor fuel that meets Euro- market share of around 22 percent. The transformations taking The Shymkent Oil Refinery with the Export and Import Bank – amine regeneration and steam 4 and Euro-5 standards and that President of Tele2 Group Allison place at PKOP as part of the Modernisation Project is a mas- of China to open a US$ 1 million stripping of acid waste water contains less harmful components. Kirkby noted that the combination Modernisation Project will open sive undertaking that will open a credit line to realise the Modernisa- – C3/C4 splitting and hydrogen For example, gasoline currently would allow their customers to gain up new possibilities, not only for new page in PKOP development. tion Project. treatment produced in Kazakhstan is Euro-2 access to Altel’s 4G network. Chair- the company itself, but for the The project was launched in 2011 As a consequence of the Project, – wet distillation, gasoline hy- standard and contains 500 ppm of man of the Management Board region and country as a whole. and is due to be completed by the of Kazakhtelecom Kuanyshbek the following six processing units drotreatment, naphtha splitter and sulphur, while the new Euro-5 fuel The production of ecologically end of 2017 when refinery output will be built at the refinery: diesel hydrotreatment will reduce that figure to 10 ppm. Yessekeyev said the new business friendly gasoline and diesel and would expand the range of services meets global standards. The goals 1) isomerisation – 600,000 In addition, PKOP will be build- The figures are similar for diesel available for their customers and the development of new petro- of the project are to: tonnes a year, licensor UOP, ing new refinery facilities such as (which is also currently at Euro-2 said he was glad to work with Tele2 chemistry products will have a • restore planned oil refining USA treatment facilities, water recycling, levels). As for benzoyl, the figures as they are “one of the industry positive impact on the ecologi- capacity to 6 million tonnes 2) sulphur production – 4,000 LPG storage, nitrogen production, should fall from the current 5% leaders in corporate responsibility cal situation in the region, meet per year from 5.25 tonnes a year, licensor СРЕ, air systems, chemical water and (volume) to 1% (volume) in the new and corporate governance.” Tele2 market requirements and have a • oil refining depth increase China vapour treatment systems, reservoir Euro-5 fuel. All of this means that will retain management control and knock-on effect in terms of the • improve output quality to 3) sulphur production – 15,000 parks, flare systems, a fire-fighting the air in our cities will be cleaner. as part of the transaction, will pur- development of related sectors in Euro-4 and Euro-5 in line with chase Asianet’s existing 49 percent South Kazakhstan Oblast. Customs Union technical stake in Tele2 Kazakhstan. The PKOP Modernisation is a regulations long-term project and has required • increase product range with The franchising market in Ka- significant investment since 2000. high added value products zakhstan has approached the $3 bil- With that in mind, one of the refin- such as propane-propylene lion mark, Kazakh TV reports. More ery’s achievements to reduce costs (petrochemical raw materials), than 490 companies are active in and improve refining performance elementary sulphur and MTBE the country today, including 90 Ka- thanks to its implementation of pro- (the high-octane component zakh projects, which employ about duction development programmes; of gasoline) 30,000 people. Catering, clothing upgrade current facilities and im- • reduce harmful atmospheric and footwear, trade, information plement state-of-the-art technology. emissions technology and service remain ar- In particular, a number of projects Refinery capacity has been ex- eas of focus for the industry. Presi- dent of the Eurasian Association of to improve petroleum product qual- panded to focus more on light pe- Franchising Beknur Kissikov said ity and range have been completed, troleum products. This is a good that Kazakhstan’s membership in for example the replacement of a way of replacing imports with do- the Customs Union and accession to reforming unit catalyser and pro- mestic goods, creating new jobs in the World Trade Organisation have duction equipment. Shymkent and further improving caused franchising in the coun- Increased repair intervals are key the ecological safety of the pro- try to grow, and that Kazakhstan’s and have warranted a number of duction process. large cities may soon be saturated projects to improve the reliability The PKOP Modernisation Pro- with franchises like major cities the of core refining facilities, meaning ject has been included in the State world over. The country’s Damu the refinery no longer has to close Programme for the Accelerated Fund, which supports entrepreneur- for annual maintenance. Every Industrial and Innovative Devel- ship in the country, is developing a year, PKOP upgrades fire and eco- opment of Kazakhstan and is due programme to launch next year to logical security.Monitoring under- to cost US$ 1.8 billion, which will support franchising in Kazakhstan ground water in inspection wells have to be funded from a number with the support of Kazakh banks, close to the refinery and at the Ak- of sources, including at the inter- Damu representatives said. dala evaporation pond were held. A state level. To this end, as part of his Modernisation will open a new page in PKOP development. Almaty has approved its Compre- hensive Plan for Attracting Invest- ments, which aims to draw private and the Baltic states are expected to and foreign investment to the city, see growth of 2.9 percent this year Kapital.kz reports. The plan’s goal and 3 percent next year, growth in is to attract 30 foreign investors to New EBRD Report Predicts Lower Southeastern Europe remains fore- the city by the end of 2016, accord- cast at 1.6 percent this year and ing to the press service of Almaty has been cut to 1.6 percent for next Akim (Mayor) Bauyrzhan Baibek. year, Eastern Europe and the Cau- The plan includes 28 measures in Economic Growth for Central Asia casus on average will contract by three sections: creating conditions Continued from Page A1 tion of the rouble and subsequent Overall, growth in the EBRD negative effect on Eastern Europe, 5.1 percent, much more than the 1.5 for investors, attracting investors influx of cheap Russian imports, region remains largely unchanged the Caucasus and Central Asia. percent predicted in May, but are and post-monitoring. It encompasses The EBRD predicts growth in and weakened investor confidence since the May forecast, the report Ukraine’s economy is expected expected to grow by 1.4 percent in measures to identify barriers to in- Kyrgyzstan of 5 percent this year as a result of the ongoing conflict in said. The current forecast has 2015 to contract by 11.5 percent in 2015 2016, more than the May forecast. vestment and conduct research into business opportunities in Almaty. and 3.9 percent in 2016; in Tajik- Ukraine, the EBRD said. The plunge as the fifth consecutive year of – more than predicted in May – be- The main drivers of this eco- Meetings with foreign investors are a istan, 5 percent this year and 4.5 in the price of oil is affecting gov- slowing growth over the EBRD’s fore growing again in 2016. nomic outlook are concerns about key mechanism of the plan. Over the percent in 2016; in Turkmenistan, ernment revenues and is expected to 36-country area of operations, from In contrast, growth in other areas growth prospects in China and in last three months, the akimat has held 8.5 percent this year – the fastest- result in a budget deficit of around 4.6 percent in 2010 – 2011 to 0.2 is projected to pick up, “as econo- emerging markets, expectations about 60 meetings with potential in- growing economy in the region – 3 percent of gross domestic product percent this year, the report said. mies benefit from lower commodity of monetary policy tightening in vestors from Switzerland, Poland, and the same in 2016; Uzbekistan, for this year, the report reads, saying A modest recovery to 1.6 percent prices and a recovery in the Euro- the U.S. and quantitative easing in Germany, Austria, Turkey, Romania, 7.5 percent this year and 7.2 per- the government will be relying for for the EBRD region is predicted zone supported by the quantitative the Eurozone, even lower prices Lithuania and other countries. cent in 2016; and Mongolia, 3.3 funding on the National Fund and for 2016. Acting Chief Economist easing programme launched by the for oil and other commodities, in- percent this year and 5 percent in the National Pension Fund. of the EBRD Hans Peter Lankes European Central Bank,” the report creased geopolitical risks related Kazakhstan’s Senate approved a 2016. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan’s The bank noted that the govern- said, “We may be looking now for says. The exception is Greece, which to conflicts in the Middle East and draft law ratifying a loan agreement predicted growth is slightly higher ment’s accelerated reform process something of an upturn in 2016 af- is predicted to have a recession this Ukraine and slowing global trade between the Kazakh government than the EBRD’s May forecast; and stimulus programmes are sup- ter five consecutive years of slow- year and see GDP fall in 2016. flows, according to the EBRD. and the International Bank for Re- the rest of the regional outlook porting growth and said that the down. But there are significant Growth in the Southern and East- The bank also counsels that the construction and Development to is cloudier than expected in the depreciation of the tenge follow- risks on the downside,” according ern Mediterranean region remains outlook is subject to major risks, improve business competitiveness in the country, Kapital.kz reported. spring. The report noted that high ing the Aug. 20 switch to a free- to a press release on the report. 4 percent for this year, with expec- including a sharper-than-expected The loan will finance a 11.5 bil- levels of dollarisation of debt in the floating exchange rate would not The report notes that the sub- tations for 2016 downgraded from deceleration in China, stronger- lion tenge (US$37.7 million) draft region make economies more vul- impact growth; however, the dif- regions of the EBRD are following 4.2 percent in May to 4 percent, than-expected increases in interest programme called “Improving the nerable to global market volatility ficult external economic environ- different trends, with the contraction based on external challenges. In rates in the U.S., increasing politi- competitiveness of small and medi- and changes in investor sentiment. ment will, they said, and growth as in the Russian economy (predicted at Turkey, predictions for growth this cal instability and geopolitical ten- um-sized businesses” that will also Kazakhstan’s lower growth pre- a result is not expected to recover 4.2 percent this year and 1.2 percent year remained 3 percent and have sions and uncertainty in domestic be supported with loans from the dictions reflect low oil prices, the much in 2016. Inflation is expect- in 2016, a slightly smaller contrac- been scaled back from 3 percent to politics in Greece, which could national budget. recession in Russia, the deprecia- ed to average 6.8 percent this year. tion than forecast in May) having a 2.8 percent in 2016. Central Europe cause turbulence in the Eurozone. A6 EDITORIALS

Wednesday, november 18, 2015 Sport in Kazakhstan: Good for The Great Gain Not the Nation’s Heart and Wallet the Great Game: The Astana cycling team has long been known throughout ear two thousand fifteen has been one of the most the world and has firmly established Kazakhstan as a nation successful years for sport in Kazakhstan. Thou- of cycling obsessives. Go outside on a summer’s day and sands of loyal fans have been cheering on FC see for yourself the increasing number of lycra-clad cyclists How Kazakhstan Astana as they have reached the unprecedented speeding along our roads. heightsY of competing in the main group stage of the UEFA This is just one demonstration of how sport in Kazakhstan Champions League. To play through several qualifying is far more than a purely spectator pastime. Our successes in rounds, beating all opposition for the right to play alongside sport are inspiring more of us to get involved. Whether it is is Charting its Own the likes of Bayern Munich and Manchester United has kids playing football at school or skiers heading to the world- firmly placed FC Astana on the European football map. class winter sports facilities near Almaty, the uptake of sport Holding well-established and world-famous clubs Gal- in Kazakhstan is apparent across the country. In fact, as of Course in the World atasaray and Atletico Madrid to draws in the Astana Arena are 2014, Kazakhstan had hosted more than 27,000 sports events, matches that will live long in the memory of those who were with more than 3.5 million people taking part. That represents between China and Europe. Modern rail and fortunate enough to attend. around a fifth of the population participating in organised road connections – linking to new port facili- It is not just on the football field, however, that Kazakh sport. ties on the Persian Gulf – are also providing teams are making their mark. The exploits of Barys Astana The exploits of our elite sportsmen and women provokes fresh opportunities for trade and new mar- and Kazakhstan’s other teams across the nation are watched a fantastic manifestation of national pride and support but kets to the south. by millions of ice hockey fans throughout Europe and Asia. despite the widespread coverage that they may receive, this is These developments form part of the $9 Up to 12,000 spectators are now able to see the action live in only the tip of the iceberg in terms of sport’s wider benefits. billion domestic investment in improved the brand new, state-of-the-art Barys Arena. There is strong evidence to suggest that regular physical connectivity that we are making through the We all cheer our world-beating elite sports stars on snow, exercise can help reduce a whole host of illness and disease. Nurly Zhol – or Bright Path – programme ice, road and grass. It is clear that their success brings benefits In fact, regular exercise has been found to reduce the risk of which, through major infrastructure spend- to our economy. Whether it is buying tickets at a sports arena, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, obesity, ing, is Kazakhstan’s version of the New purchasing a team jersey or encouraging global fans to visit mental health problems and musculoskeletal conditions. So Deal. More importantly, these connectivity Kazakhstan, the power of sport for economic advantage is playing sport brings far more than the enjoyment of being on lines will not only serve as transit “conduits” profound. Add to that the associated employment and adver- a football field, ice rink or other environment. between east and west, north and south, but tising endorsement deals, and the benefits of sport are more A fit and healthy population needs fewer visits to the doc- will come as life-lines for local communities significant than ever. A recent study has found that sport now tor, with less need for expensive medicines and, therefore, By Erlan Idrissov all along the way in terms of creating and accounts for more than 112 billion euros (US$120.1 billion) fewer days taken as sick leave. For Kazakhstan, the benefits boosting local markets, empowering local annually across the European Union. The potential for even of growing sports participation is a great opportunity to give a It is a sign of Central Asia’s and Kazakh- businesses and private sectors, thus promot- greater growth of this sector in Kazakhstan is clear to see. boost to our nation’s health as well as its wealth. stan’s increasing role and importance in the ing well-being and prosperity, peace and sta- world that more and more is written about bility in the entire area. our region. But what is striking – and at times The idea of Central Asia linking east and frustrating – is how reporting and analysis west and being at the heart of global trade is can be distorted to fit narratives which have not new. We have played this role for many little relationship to what’s actually happen- centuries. And it was one of the fathers of ing. modern geopolitics – Sir Halford Mackinder It has, for example, become increasingly – who spoke of our region as the ‘Heartland’ popular for journalists to see events in our and predicted as far back as the turn of the region through the prism of a revival of the last century that the old Silk Road would Great Game in Central Asia. It is through soon be revived “with a network of rail- this narrative of major powers fighting for ways.” influence that recent visits by the leaders of At that time, Sir Halford did not foresee China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Japan, as well the divisions in our world caused by war and as the U.S. Secretary of State, are seen. ideology, which put a brake on cooperation I can see why this makes a neat headline in the heart of Eurasia for decades. But as but that does not make it true. Kazakhstan is the divisions disappear, his predictions are not a silent by-stander in anyone else’s strat- finally coming true as the ancient Silk Road egy. We are a country successfully making is rebuilt and modernised. Our geography is its own independent way in the world. now an advantage, not a disadvantage – ena- We have purposely built good relations bling us not only to boost our economy but and strong economic ties with countries big provide a wealth of opportunities for the re- and small, to the east and west, south and gion and wider world. So, the common goal north. We have close links with both Rus- should be to turn Central Asia from being sia and China. Europe is our biggest trading landlocked into being land-linked and a con- partner and the U.S. our second biggest for- necting bridge between continents, cultures eign investor after Europe. and trade. This is not an accident but the result of our There is, of course, another common nar- multi-vector foreign policy. Our economic rative when talking about Kazakhstan and progress – which has seen our gross domes- Central Asia. It is one that ignores what our tic product rise 19-fold since independence citizens have together achieved and focuses – is also based on being open to trade, invest- instead simply on what more needs to be ment and ideas. This commitment contin- done. It is a view which suggests Kazakhstan ues, which is why, in the last year, we have somehow believes that after fewer than 25 helped found the Eurasian Economic Union years as an independent country, we believe and become full members of the WTO. we are the finished product. We do not and Far from being at the centre of a re-run of we are not. the Great Game, Kazakhstan is, if you like, We know there is a lot more to be done and at the heart of what could be a Great Gain for remain ambitious for the future, including in all in terms of regional and global stability our commitment to continue democratic re- and prosperity, and is adamantly promoting form. We do not claim, as should no country, this vision for all to embrace. This is why, to be a perfect Jeffersonian democracy. It in the last couple of months alone, Presi- would, however, be remarkable if we were. dent Nazarbayev has held extremely pro- Our young nation had no tradition of democ- ductive meetings with President Xi Jinping, racy or democratic institutions to build on President Vladimir Putin, President Barack and was starting from scratch. Obama, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe – and But we are determined to step up the pace has had very successful back-to-back visits of reform, as shown by the comprehensive to London and Paris as well as, for example, 100 Concrete Steps reform programme in- to Qatar. troduced by President Nazarbayev follow- These countries and their leaders all want ing his re-election in April. These measures to strengthen their relationships with Ka- focus on human capital development, the zakhstan – as we do with them – as a partner enhancement of good governance and the and friend. As Secretary Kerry explained, for rule of law, cementing transparency and ac- example, the U.S. is not pursuing a “zero- countability in all layers of the government sum game” in central Eurasia but believes and society. greater engagement by all will benefit all. Just as outside support has been crucial in This is a message which we wholeheartedly driving our economic progress, we want our welcome and which I hope all those watching international partners – both countries and and commenting on Kazakhstan will hear. nongovernmental organisations – to help us Curiously, at the same time, we can contin- build our democracy and build our nation. ue to see the focus, when discussing Central We will continue to be open to dialogue and Asia, on how remote the region is. It is again welcome all constructive dialogue and ad- a narrative which neglects how our world vice. has changed. For as economic power shifts But we expect in turn that the achieve- eastwards, bringing revived trade links, fast- ments of Kazakhstan in creating a prosper- growing markets and new areas of prosper- ous country from the wreckage of the Soviet ity, it is not our remoteness but our position Union and in building a harmonious soci- at the heart of the new emerging world which ety in a population of many different back- is most striking. grounds in an often-troubled region are not It is Kazakhstan’s size and unique geogra- overlooked. It shows, if nothing else, why phy which are enabling us to provide a land we are confident that our country will keep bridge linking the economic powerhouses to progressing. the east and west. It is an opportunity that, together with our partners, we are working The author is the minister of foreign af- hard to maximise. fairs of Kazakhstan. This article first ap- New road links will cut by more than half peared in The Diplomatic Courier on Nov. the time it takes goods to be shipped by sea 13, 2015.

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Wednesday, november 18, 2015 Biofuels and Climate Change: Challenges of COP21 emissions of more than 300 million between the environmental, eco- Further expansion of sugarcane tion and use, second generation By Demetrio Bueno Carvalho tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) into nomic, and social aspects of sus- plantation land is excluded. Much ethanol’s carbon footprint is 90 the atmosphere. Thus, the usage of tainable development. to the contrary: second-genera- percent lower than that of gaso- On the eve of the 21st session of biofuel derived from sugarcane al- It should be noted that the pro- tion ethanol or cellulosic ethanol, line per unit of energy generated. the Conference of the Parties (COP- lowed Brazil to reduce the emission duction and usage of biofuels in which is produced from sugar- In certain circumstances, second 21) to the UN Framework Conven- of CO2 in an amount equivalent to Brazil is environmentally-friendly. cane straw and bagasse, reached generation ethanol production tion on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the total annual emissions of Argen- The areas reserved for biofuels pro- commercial scale this year. The cycle may even result in negative to be held in November-December tina, Peru, Ecuador, Uruguay and duction in Brazil cover less than 10 introduction of second generation net CO2 emissions, as it captures 2015 in Paris, the debates on the Paraguay combined. These figures million hectares, which is equiva- ethanol will greatly increase pro- more carbon than what is released best strategies to mitigate climate are equivalent to the total annual lent to approximately 3 percent of duction per acreage, from about 40 into the atmosphere. change become more intensified. CO2 emissions of Poland. the country’s arable land, or 1.17 percent to an expected 250 percent It is not easy to overcome the The governments of more than 190 The Brazilian government percent of its total land mass, and when technology and production challenge of decarbonisation. countries will gather in Paris to agreed to publicly outline what promotes best practices in the without the expansion into lands methods are fully developed. The transport sector, in particu- discuss a new global agreement on actions they intend to take under production and sustainable use inhabited by indigenous peoples. Just to have an idea of what this lar, poses the greatest challenges climate change, aimed at reducing a new international agreement, of biofuels not only within its The Sugarcane Eco-Agricultural productivity jump would entail, in many countries. In the short global greenhouse gas emissions known as their Intended Nation- own territory, but throughout the Zoning (ZAECANA) programme those gains would allow ethanol to and medium terms, expanding the and thus avoiding the threat of dan- ally Determined Contributions (IN- whole world. Along with Italy, ensures the environmental sustain- replace 10 percent of total world uptake of biofuels, by harnessing gerous climate change. DCs). On its behalf, Brazil consid- Brazil co-chairs the Global Bio- ability of sugarcane acreage. The gasoline consumption by 2025, the enormous potential and effi- In this context, the issue of clean ers bioenergy, including biofuels, an energy Partnership (GBEP) and Zoning excludes sensitive areas, using less than half current global ciency of cellulosic ethanol, is one energy acquires special impor- important factor in reducing global the Food and Agriculture Or- such as those with native vegetation, sugarcane acreage. of the few clean, sustainable, and tance, and Brazil, as one of five greenhouse gas emissions that will ganisation of the United Nations the Amazon and Pantanal biomes, Cellulosic ethanol is efficient economically viable solutions for countries in the world with the form part of the Brazilian INDCs. (FAO), through which agree- environmental protection areas and both in terms of acreage and the that sector. And it will be a major highest percentage of renewable Referring to Brazilian experience, ments were reached on 24 indi- indigenous lands. Most of the land potential for mitigation of green- contribution in the fight against energy in its energy matrix, can in the past 12 years the blending of cators of sustainability regarding that is considered appropriate for house gas emissions. Studies climate change. make an important contribution to ethanol with gasoline (anhydrouseth- the production and use of modern sugarcane production is currently conducted in Brazil have dem- the upcoming debate. anol) or its use as a pure fuel for bioenergy, which were developed covered with pasture for extensive onstrated that, throughout its life The author is the ambassador All participating countries have automobiles (hydrated) prevented with an aim to achieve a balance cattle rising or is degraded. cycle of production, transporta- of Brazil to Kazakhstan.

rays that crisscross the galaxy. When fication “test cosmonaut” is conferred. these particles pass through the fun- Then there is training in a group of dus of the eye through the retina, specialisations to gain full knowl- Aidyn Aimbetov: Younger Generation it is possible to see flashes without edge of the Russian segment of the opening your eyes. It can only be ob- ISS. This stage lasts from two to four served in space. years. Only after that does one pro- ceed to training as a crew member to Still Interested in Space Exploration Many children say they dream of work on a specific space programme. cow time. Automated docking at the ronmental investigations examined becoming cosmonauts. Was it your It takes at least eight years to be- By Anastasia Prilepskaya ISS happened on Sept. 4. conditions of the Aral Sea. There dream too? come a professional cosmonaut. In People who work together on the was also an interesting experiment Yes, definitely, space was my my case, it took 12 years. Aidyn Aimbetov, Kazakhstan’s ISS usually come from different developed by scientists in Kazakh- childhood dream. When we were third cosmonaut and a colonel in the countries and have different atti- stan, the point was to observe the kids, all of us dreamed of being How has the world changed for country’s Air Force, travelled to the tudes and languages. Please tell us consequences of consuming differ- like Yuri Gagarin. He inspired us you after this spaceflight? International Space Station Sept. 2 what the relations among your col- ent types of food during space flight. and paved the way to space for the During spaceflight, many things as part of an international crew. He leagues were like. Results of the experiments will be whole world. Early on at school, I happen to us that might not be vis- remained in space for 10 days, con- If you take a look at our planet further analysed on Earth; there are firmly decided to become a cosmo- ible from outside. You are going ducting research. from orbit, you won’t see borders. still many aspects to complete. The naut. I started to make plans and through a re-examination of the true Our interview with him covers Kazakh cosmonaut Aidyn Aimbetov The same situation is among the ISS outcome of those experiments, par- found out that mostly military pilots value of life. Many parting wishes how flights to space impact the hu- crew: no separations exist. All of us ticularly on Coulomb crystals, may with good health travelled to space. from colleagues and relatives, some man body and what was actually hopes up concerning the flight. And felt a special brotherhood, despite prove useful in such areas as elec- I began to actively engage in sports ideas that seemed profound to me, done during his space travel. eventually we succeeded, thanks to differences in languages and behav- tronics, medicine or construction of to strengthen my health. In addition, all came to my mind. You start to re- the decision of our President. An iours. Actually, we used our own facilities for flying vehicles. I studied sciences. My favourite think all these things when you are Your journey was postponed sev- agreement with his Russian coun- “galactic language” which consisted school subjects were always phys- in space. eral times. Please tell us about how terpart, Vladimir Putin, concerning of technical terminology, English, Would you please share some of ics, mathematics and chemistry. After returning from the flight I your journey began. a Kazakh cosmonaut’s flight was Russian and Kazakh words. I re- your most vivid impressions from Of course, after graduation, I feel I became more tolerant. Along First of all, I should mention the reached on May 9 this year. member that when we came back the flight? never doubted that I would enrol in a with this, I’ve come to understand person without whom this travel On June 22, the Joint Commit- from ISS my first words were half Of course, the strongest impres- military school. I graduated from the that man is just a speck in the infinite would not have been possible: our tee of the Cosmonauts Training Kazakh, half Russian: “Assalama- sion is the view of the Earth from Higher Military School in Armavir, universe and we should be more tol- President, Nursultan Nazarbayev. Centre approved my candidature leikum, Zemlyane!” [“Greetings, the spaceship’s portholes. It is a Russia, with a degree in command erant of each other. His political will, great support and to be part of the crew on the Soy- Earthlings!”] truly magnificent spectacle to watch. tactical fighter aviation and was I was also glad to notice that careful attention resulted in the fact uz TMA-18M.So the preparation During the flight we conducted I would love to fly again and not qualified as a pilot-engineer. From young people in Kazakhstan are that Kazakhstan is one of nine coun- began. By the end of July, I got physical research. In particular, we only orbit the Earth. If there was a May 1993, I served in the Air Force seriously interested in the space in- tries in the world that have sent three the [necessary] medical assess- examined how zero gravity and ra- chance, I would love to help build of Kazakhstan. I mastered the L-39, dustry. They often ask me how to or more explorers to outer space. men. In August, I completed the diation influence the human body. lunar settlements. As you might be MiG-23ML, MiG-27MD, and Su- become a cosmonaut, where should In relation to my preparation for complex training as a main crew We also studied Coulomb crystals, aware, there is a Chinese lunar pro- 27 aircraft. they study for that, how to become a the travel, it took me more than a board engineer and after that our conducting experiments on the gramme, as well as similar U.S. and In 1993, I first applied to the cos- crew member. year. Initially the flight was sched- crew passed a crediting training features of plasma in a weightless Russian programmes. Through these monauts group. Then in May 2001, This makes me confident that our uled to happen on Sept. 3, 2009. on the special training device. atmosphere under the influence of programmes, moon settlements are I applied for selection into the first younger generation still has a serious However, it was postponed due to Eventually, we were sent to the magnetic fields. developed and new moon flights are group of cosmonauts in Kazakhstan. interest in this area, and in the future financial concerns caused by the space port of Baikonur to finish In another research project, we planned. So far Kazakhstan is not … Then there was the main medi- they will be motivated and drive Ka- world economic crisis. Negotia- our training. monitored atmospheric changes and part of these programmes, but in the cal commission in 2002, following zakhstan’s space programme. tions over including a Kazakh cos- The space travel started Sept. 2. conditions of the glaciers in eastern future I think anything is possible. which we were approved to to train monaut on the international space Our crew consisted of board com- Kazakhstan and studied their melt- Another unforgettable experience with a group of Russian candidates The article is published in a crew were constantly held between mander Sergey Volkov, board engi- ing speed. We also monitored pipe- was the shooting stars. … When you into cosmonauts, and general space shortened version. The full ver- 2009 and 2015. neer Andreas Mogensen and myself. lines carrying hydrocarbons and ex- close your eyes you can see a shower trainings at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmo- sion appeared in Kazakhstan- On Sept. 12, 2012, I was made Soyuz TMA-18M took off from the amined the Caspian Sea shelf where of light flashes, dots and dashes. This naut Training Centre. skaya Pravda newspaper. It is “cosmonaut researcher of Kazakh- launch pad Site No 1, also known as there are many suspended wells. effect is caused by heavy charged General space training lasts two translated and placed here with stan.” For all these years, I kept my Gagarin’s Start, at 7:35 a.m. Mos- A number of large-scale envi- particles that are part of the cosmic years. Upon its completion, the quali- permission.

pipeline complex was beginning to appear more feasible. The nuclear agreement concluded between Iran Turkmenistan’s Diversified Export Infrastructure and major world powers in July By Dr. Shirin Akiner The Turkmenistan-Iran pipeline would total 5 bcm, increasing an- posits are dotted around the country 2015 opened the way for the lifting was the first cross-border pipeline nually to reach 25 bcm within five – an area of over 488,000 sq. km. of international sanctions against Turkmenistan has huge mineral project to be implemented and, years. Total Turkmen gas exports The export pipelines carry supplies Tehran. This in turn meant that wealth, including reserves of natu- initially, was the Turkmen gov- to China by 2020 were expected to from particular fields to international the Turkmen-Iranian pipeline net- ral gas that are estimated to be the ernment’s favoured option for an reach 65 bcm per year. destinations. However, to realise the work could be extended to Turkey fourth largest in the world. How- export route. Construction of the An even more ambitious scheme full potential of the country’s gas and beyond, raising the possibility ever, when the country became first segment commenced in 1994 was the proposal to construct a pipe- resources greater flexibility was re- that Turkmen gas might eventually independent, it lacked an export and the pipe became operational in line linking Turkmenistan to the In- quired. The new East-West pipeline be transported to Europe overland infrastructure. The existing gas December 1997. In 2000, a second dian sub-continent via Afghanistan. would unite Turkmenistan’s main along this route. Finally, some 18 pipelines formed part of the Central cross-border pipeline, from Artyk In May 2002 the Presidents of Af- gas fields into a single gas transpor- years after the idea of a gas pipeline Asia-Centre network, which ran to Luftabad, was inaugurated and ghanistan, Pakistan and Turkmeni- tation system, thereby significantly from Turkmenistan to the Indian from Turkmenistan through Uzbek- in January 2010, a third, much larg- stan agreed to revive the project. increasing the country’s export ca- sub-continent had first been pro- istan and Kazakhstan to Russia and ularly in Afghanistan, would hinder er pipeline was launched, running The route of the pipeline, eventually pacity. In the future, it could ensure posed, the TAPI project seemed to the other Soviet republics. Conse- the transboundary transportation of from Dovletabat in south-eastern named the Turkmenistan–Afghani- stable supplies of gas to the proposed be making real progress. quently, in the early 1990s the main hydrocarbons. In the face of such ob- Turkmenistan (a field previously stan–Pakistan–India pipeline (TAPI), Trans-Caspian subsea pipeline. The chief success of Turkmeni- customers for Turkmenistan gas stacles, many commentators doubt- reserved for deliveries to Russia) would extend from Turkmenistan’s In the early 1990s, Turkmeni- stan’s pipeline strategy during these were still former Soviet republics. ed the feasibility of these schemes. to Khangiran. These three pipelines giant Galkynysh field (previously stan’s plans for creating a network years was to shift the country away Most of these new states, especially Yet the Turkmen authorities were together would, at peak capacity, known as South Yolotan-Osman) to of export pipelines seemed fanci- from dependency on the needs and Armenia, Georgia and Ukraine, not deterred: the new pipelines were enable Turkmenistan to make an- Fazilka on the Indo-Pakistan border ful: there were too many hurdles to whims of a single customer by de- were in the midst of a severe eco- vital to the country’s independence nual deliveries to Iran of up to 20 – a distance of some 1,800 kilome- be overcome. By 2015, the picture veloping a diverse range of export nomic recession and were fre- and to its economic development. billion cubic metres (bcm). tres. In August 2015, Turkmenistan’s was very different. Turkmenistan options. This proceeded in step with quently unable to meet payments, Moreover, the pipelines were a form Another vector of Turkmeni- state gas company, Turkmengas, was was now recognised as a major the development of massive gas thereby falling deeply into arrears. of ‘energy diplomacy’, strength- stan’s energy export strategy was selected to lead the TAPI consorti- source of energy supplies for inter- deposits at the Bagtyyarlyk terri- By the end of 1995, Turkmenistan ening ties with regional states and the construction of a Trans-Asian um. Work was scheduled to begin in national markets. Some large-scale tory, Galkynysh and Dovletabad. The was owed close on $2 billion. laying the foundations for strategic gas pipeline. This project got off to December, with a provisional com- pipeline projects had already been combination of these two approaches It was against this background partnerships. Thus, despite the frus- an early start: in 1992, languished pletion date in 2018. implemented, others were moving – pipeline construction and exploi- that the Turkmen government made trations of protracted negotiations, until April 2006. On Dec. 14, 2009, The fourth, and in many ways the towards the point when engineer- tation of hydrocarbon reserves – al- plans to create a multi-vectored net- memoranda of intent and feasibility in the presence of the Presidents of most challenging scheme was the ing works could begin in the fore- lowed Turkmenistan to respond more work of export routes to Europe, the studies that were mothballed, and Turkmenistan, China, Uzbekistan construction of a pipeline under the seeable future. The most impres- effectively to regional conditions, to Middle East and South Asia. It was the frequent hiatuses, slowly and and Kazakhstan, the formal valve- Caspian Sea to to deliver Turkmen sive achievement was the launch of global economic crises, and to shift- a bold, ambitious idea. The distance determinedly the Turkmens pursued opening ceremony was held. It was gas to Azerbaijan for on-shipment the Trans-Asian gas pipeline from ing patterns of global consumption. to world markets and the technical their objectives. The twists and turns the first phase of what would be- via Turkey to Europe. In November Turkmenistan via Uzbekistan and problems of constructing pipelines that punctuated this process mark come a major ‘gas corridor’ to the 2014, a framework agreement was Kazakhstan to China. At the time of The author is a lecturer in Cen- across difficult terrain would make the course of Turkmenistan’s pipe- east. Over the following years, ad- signed between Turkmengas and writing, it had already been expand- tral Asian Studies at London Uni- such projects inordinately costly. line strategy, but they also chart the ditional branches were constructed. the private Turkish firm Atagas for ed and upgraded several times. The versity’s School of Oriental and Moreover, political factors, notably complexities of regional relation- In 2015, the fourth branch, known the purchase and sale of Turkmen subsea Trans-Caspian pipeline was African Studies (SOAS). This is U.S. sanctions against neighbouring ships and the changing priorities of as ‘D’, was nearing completion; ini- gas destined for TANAP. still under discussion. However, the an abridged version of the full Iran, and regional instability, partic- international actors. tial shipments via this new pipeline Turkmenistan’s natural gas de- extension of the Turkmen-Iranian opinion posted online. A8 eurasia&world

Wednesday, november 18, 2015 Kazakh PM, FM Address Newly Established Astana Club, Stress Commitment to Win-Win Cooperation in Central Asia tions. I think this meeting gives seventh of the entire amount. By Michelle Witte some hope that – we cannot for- This will also open huge oppor- get about this – but we can shift tunities, he said. ASTANA – Prime Minister of strongly to economic topics and Gary Litman, vice president Kazakhstan Karim Massimov to economic cooperation and of Global Initiatives of the U.S. and Foreign Minister of Kazakh- common benefit.” Chamber of Commerce, said that stan Erlan Idrissov addressed Regarding economic develop- the U.S. would also be watch- Nov. 11 the closing session of the ment, Kazakhstan was lauded ing the privatisation process, first meeting of the Astana Club, for taking action to reform dur- and urged Kazakhstan to move a new neutral platform operating ing a period of low oil prices, quickly. While there will be a on Chatham House rules of priva- namely with its 100-step Plan of drawdown in the U.S. troop pres- cy for dialogue among business the Nation to implement the five ence in the region, “there will not and political leaders and experts institutional reforms Nazarbayev be a drawdown in the American on pressing issues in Eurasia. campaigned on in the spring. commercial presence. We are The two men addressed Ka- Answering questions, Massimov very encouraged by the promises zakhstan’s reform progress, the said the three most crucial steps of [investment] and privatisation role of China in the country’s would be enhancing the rule of processes. All of that will create economic development, plans law, developing the Astana Inter- opportunities for us,” he said. He for privatisation and other top- national Financial Centre and the said he hoped for more represen- ics. Massimov confirmed his privatisation of national compa- tation of Kazakhstan’s business country’s position on a number nies, for which it will shift to the community at the next session. of economic and political issues OECD classification of foreign S. Frederick Starr, chairman of and confirmed that Kazakhstan direct investment and make other the Central Asia-Caucasus Insti- planned to sign next month an legislative changes. tute and Silk Road Studies Pro- enhanced Partnership and Coop- During his introduction and the for Security and Cooperation in Much of the discussion focused This privatisation, he said, gramme of Johns Hopkins Univer- eration Agreement (PCA) with subsequent discussion, Massimov Europe (OSCE) Spencer Oliver on developing the economy of the would be done with the coop- sity said that Kazakhstan’s reform the EU. confirmed Kazakhstan’s view on noted the Astana Club’s value as Eurasian region. “It’s good to have eration of international financial project represents “commendable” “Here … we want to create a the Eurasian Economic Union, a chance for Russia, the U.S. and this unique place in Astana to talk institutions to ensure its fairness activity undertaken in a period of platform for cooperation on the which he said it sees as purely the EU to discuss their differenc- so frankly and openly about all and transparency. He also stressed crisis, supporting the security of vast space of Eurasia, a platform economic, its interest in bilateral es on a neutral ground. these global topics,” said Stefan that there would be no geographi- Central Asia by making it prosper- of joining efforts, of ensuring the and multilateral cooperation un- Remarking upon the 40th anni- Meister, head of the Programme cal limits or quotas on investors; ous. The project “is good for Ka- growth of our countries, both po- der the umbrella of China’s grand versary of the Helsinki Act, a 1975 for Eastern Europe, Russia and rather, he said, Kazakhstan will zakhstan; is good for the region,” litical and economic, ensuring One Belt, One Road project, and effort to improve relations between Central Asia of the Robert Bosch be looking for which potential he said. “It is good for each of our the welfare of our peoples,” said its hopes to deepen ties with the the West and the then-Communist Centre of Germany’s Council on partner can bring the best combi- countries and it is good for all of Idrissov, addressing the session. EU and continue its “special rela- bloc, Oliver noted that the crisis in Foreign Relations. “It could be nation of technology and exper- our countries together. So it seems “We would like to create a plat- tionship” with the United States. Ukraine and the ensuing stand-off really a brand which is needed to tise to the country. to me very, very important that form to join our efforts in coun- Massimov noted that Kazakhstan between Russia and the West made build this bridge between Russia, Commenting on Kazakhstan we each leave here and see what tering the threats that are common would sign next month the En- it difficult to consider the anni- Europe and Asia … I think this bridging East and West, Chair- we can do in our own countries to us … We choose cooperation. hanced Partnership and Coopera- versary a celebration, making the should continue.” man of the Pakistan-based Burki to advance this agenda. … It’s in [Next is] how to find ways and tion Agreement with the EU the dialogue ptalforms like the Astana Speaking to reporters after Institute of Public Policy Shahid our common interests, and it’s the mechanisms to ensure this coop- negotiations on which was con- Club critically important. “Forums the event, Meister said the eco- Javed Burki counselled partici- best way to build security. … We eration and overcome the con- cluded in Brussels last fall, which like this are an opportunity to dis- nomic focus of the meeting was pants not to forget to look south should all together be pushing in frontation mentality – that is a big President Nursultan Nazarbayev cuss our differences over those a positive sign. “I think the posi- to Pakistan, India and Afghani- that direction.” task and I believe that discussions alluded to in October. matters and to determine whether tive side of this meeting is that stan. There is a very large, very Idrissov noted that in its quest like yours can provide us food for In the final session, participants or not the funeral might actually we focused on geo-economics young population in that part for growth, Kazakhstan rejects thought on these matters.” praised the new club, asked about be a resurrection of some kind,” and not geopolitics, and that we of the world, he said, “and you the idea of competition within The inaugural club session Kazakhstan’s ongoing economic he said. Such gatherings “can really pointed out that there is a can expect the young to be both Central Asia. Kazakhstan, he gathered representatives from 16 and political development plans bring together a lot of ideas and a chance here, in Central Asia, to dynamic or disturbed. And it’s said, does not celebrate when its countries across Europe, Asia, the and made suggestions. lot of expertise and brainpower to maybe not to focus all the time going to matter for the world growth exceeds the rest of the Middle East and North America Western participants including try to address these problems, and on what divides us. As a Euro- which way South Asia goes, regions. “Our policy is to make for three days of discussion in Director of the Centre for Eura- hopefully in the future the Astana pean coming from Germany, we particularly Afghanistan.” Burki every state in Central Asia pros- Astana. Meeting topics covered sian, Russian and East European Club can become one of those fo- have at the moment this crisis also noted that Pakistan would perous and successful – that will Eurasia’s development, its impor- Studies at Georgetown Univer- rums where some solutions to the with Russia, Crimea, Ukraine receive the biggest chunk of make our region stronger, and tance in geopolitics, imperialism sity Angela Stent and Secretary- problems that exist can be found … I think that’s so much domi- Chinese investment in its mas- will make it more resilient to fu- and post-imperialism, geo-eco- General of the Parliamentary and that some differences can be nating all the relations, so much sive One Belt, One Road initia- ture challenges, and that is one of nomics and regional security. Assembly of the Organisation resolved.” dominating also economic rela- tive – nearly $50 billion, or one- our development priorities.” Afghan President Speaks with Kazakh Journalists before Visit to Astana period. We stand for a long-term for terrorist activities in Afghani- By Malika Orazgaliyeva peace. Permanent and stable stan. peace,” Ghani explained. “These people are not citizens ASTANA – Khabar Agency re- Regarding the narcotics trade of our country and have no prob- porters visited Kabul Nov. 16 to that plagues his country, Ghani lems with Afghanistan. They have interview President of Afghani- said development of Afghani- problems in their countries. So, stan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani stan’s agricultural sector, plus the problem can be solved only on the eve of his official visit to efforts to reduce demand, were through development of a com- Kazakhstan, discussing security, needed. “Afghanistan needs an prehensive regional plan,” he sug- the narcotics trade, his country’s agricultural revolution,” he said. gested. economic potential and ongoing Other avenues for economic Talking about his upcoming reform efforts. development include generat- visit to Astana, Ghani noted that the main goal of the two countries is development of comprehensive economy and trade relations. “For example, Kazakhstan is one of the major producers of wheat in the region. In the coming five years, unfortunately, we need to import wheat. Thus, signing of the medium-term contract on the purchase of wheat from Kazakh- stan is planned,” the Afghan Presi- dent said. “In addition, Kazakhstan is a major producer of steel. Steel is our main demand in the field of infrastructure construction. Be- sides, we are interested in Kazakh Mohammad Ashraf Ghani investments in Afghanistan. We may create conditions for coop- There are several major drivers ing energy, which Ghani says his eration in various fields with the of insecurity, Ghani said, includ- country has great potential for. Afghan state and private compa- ingtargeting by global and region- Regarding reform, the Afghan nies,” he added. al terrorist groups, and activities president said his government was Also, Ghani noted that Afghani- of the Taliban. continuing the reform programme stan is grateful to Kazakhstan for “Thus, when we have correctly he announced in December 2014, providing education to Afghans in identified the problem, we must following 100-day programmes. Kazakh universities. carefully consider the process, Concerning security, Ghani in- “I hope that my upcoming visit study it and develop appropriate formed, the Afghan government to Kazakhstan and negotiations plans,” he said. detained tens and hundreds of with Uzbekistan, will contribute “We hope that measures we citizens of Uzbekistan, Russia’s to achieving a common position have taken will change the situa- Chechnya region and Russia prop- on a wide range of issues,” Ghani tion in the country for the winter er, , Tajikistan and China accused said. B Nation & Capital

Wednesday, november 18, 2015

Culture SOCIETY capital Moscow Holds Abai Poetry Kazakh YouTube Channel Annual Diplomatic Christmas Readings B3 Gains Success B5 Charity Bazaar Opens Ticket Sales B8 Astana Media Forum Holds Talks on Almaty Tech Garden Complexities in Reporting on Ethnic Issues CEO Shares The important role of sharing experiences was underlined by Prospects for Kazakh Deputy Chair of the APK Yeraly Tugzhanov. “Today, the world faces cer- tain problems regarding ques- Startups at Tech tions of social accord … there- fore, [when] foreign journalists and countries turn to us for an Connect Forum exchange of experience, we ac- cept [their requests],” Tugzh- By Kamila Zhumabayeva hub of the former Soviet Union,” anov said. “Only in the past year said Nazarbayev in his address, ac- and a half, representatives of 15 ASTANA – Almaty Tech Garden cording to Bnews.kz. countries arrived in Kazakhstan CEO Sanzhar Kettebekov shared The startup battle and research including Italy, France and Chi- the prospects for developing Ka- exhibitions were held as a part of na. [People from] five countries zakh startup projects Nov. 12 dur- the large-scale conference attended arrived in the past two months ing TechConnect Astana, the first by over 2,000 participants, includ- [on such missions].” major tech forum in Central Asia. ing the founders of 150 local and “The main thing people should The event was held at the capital’s international startups, 45 speakers, be guided by is the ‘doing no Palace of Independence and Presi- investors and representatives of harm’ attitude, because speak- dent Nursultan Nazarbayev sent an venture funds. The ASTEX 2015 ing out is not shameful, but de- address to the participants. conference, held within the Tech- “This forum is a platform to fending your position and prov- Connect forum, gathered signifi- deepen cooperation, as well as a ing its objectivity is the main cant data experts from major inter- unique opportunity to attract the principle,” Chief Editor of the national organisations and research leading players of the technologi- Kultura Plus Azerbaijani tel- institutes like EMC, Microsoft, cal business community and a new SAP, national IT companies and evision channel Tofiq Abbasov impulse to develop innovation in noted. “Therefore it is necessary, state representatives, according to the country. I am sure that hosting the TechConnect Astana press re- first, to observe the principle of this event will allow Kazakhstan to lease. progression, and secondly, to Photo: Bnews.kz position itself as a key technology Continued on Page B4 Speakers at the Media Forum of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan (APK) on Nov. 12. strictly follow precision, objec- tivity and, in the end, lead your By Dmitry Lee Centre gathered foreign and lo- discussing reporting and blog- audience not in the wrong direc- cal mass media representatives ging and were led by leading tion but in the direction towards ASTANA – The second Me- and political analysts from eth- journalists and bloggers. justice.” dia Forum of the Assembly of no-cultural associations, includ- “It is important that the jour- An inter-ethnic journalism Media Executive the People of Kazakhstan (APK) ing experts from Azerbaijan, nalists who release informa- club was proposed to be estab- on Nov. 12 covered important Belarus, China, Kyrgyzstan, tion to the masses understand lished in Astana, among numer- issues regarding Kazakhstan’s Latvia, the United Arab Emir- responsibility for their words,” ous other proposals, in order to inter-ethnic unity and the quality ates, Russia and Turkey. Deputy Dean of the Journalism improve the qualifications of Says Freedom, and competitiveness of the local The event included an exhibi- Faculty of Lomonosov Moscow mass media representatives cov- mass media as well as the popu- tion of various newspapers that State University Petr Schultz- ering inter-ethnic beats. larisation of the Kazakh model are published in Kazakhstan, in- man said. “When the inter-con- The event was highlighted of public accord and national cluding the Korean paper Koryo fessional and inter-ethnic issues by the closing ceremony of Diversity of Talents unity under the slogan Culture Ilbo, which has been publishing are [reported] a simple mistake the Shanyrak (Top of the Yurt) of Peace and Consent. for 93 years. in a last name may cause scan- ethno-journalism contest held The capital’s Kazakh Media Three panel sessions were held dals and banal human losses.” throughout the year by the APK. Key for Society to be Creative Nauryz Taikazany Monument to be Constructed In the span of only a few years, By Lyazzat Shatayeva Corbett has built a media agency that has had a large number of How do governments encourage massive and highly-successful on Nazarbayev Street in Kazan, Russia creativity to promote innovation- campaigns. Whether it is an In- By Julia Rutz oriented policies? How do busi- ternet-controlled arcade game for or remembered for his conquests “We made a copy of the real-size The pedestal for the taikazan nesses advance in technology-driv- from India and Russia to the Medi- taikazan two years ago. It is made will be presented on the East Ka- Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob, live A monument representing a huge en economies? These questions are streaming interactive games for terranean Sea,” said Bakirov. of composite materials, which are zakhstan region’s day of culture, to frequently asked by Kazakhstan’s taikazan, or cup, may be construct- be held in Kazan next spring. As- MillerCoors, Facebook’s Mentions Kazan is a lovely city where the used in the production of small ar- private and public sector profes- ed on Nazarbayev Street in Kazan, architectural beauty never fails chitectural forms throughout the sembling the stand, a project to be App connecting celebrities with sionals in the aftermath of the ma- a large port on the Volga River to astonish any visitor, he added. world,” said the author of the pro- funded by the regional administra- their fans or a cool selfie-mirror, jor plunge in oil prices and amid and the capital of the Republic of Moreover, its wedding palace is ject. tion, will begin shortly. iStrategyLabs creative team has rising economic challenges. Tatarstan in Russia. The Nauryz designed in the form of a taikazan. After its creation, the monument Named for the Kazakh President, been able to combine inventive- Traditionally, media and en- Taikazany project is the concept of To date, the idea has been sup- was placed in the central square in Nazarbayev Street appeared in ness and technical expertise to de- tertainment is an industry that Kazakh architect Askhat Bakirov, ported by East Kazakhstan region Semey as a symbol of Nauryz, the June after the head of the Kazakh vise products that push the bound- stands at the forefront of techno- reported Tengrinews.kz. Akim (Governor) Daniyal Akhme- spring holiday celebrating abun- cultural autonomy in Tatarstan aries of what’s possible. logical and creative innovation. “The idea came to me when I tov, Semey Mayor Ermak Salimov dance and renewed life on Earth. Sagit Dzhaksybazev forwarded an iStrategyLabs was named Ad Media companies need to do was in Kazan on a working visit. and Semey chief architect Kaldy- The cup is expected to be present- official letter to Kazan city hall. Age’s 2014 Small Agency of more, however, than simply re- I visited Nazarbayev Street and bek Kokilanov. The Tatarstan par- ed to Kazan before next year’s fes- In his correspondence, he noted the Year, while Corbett has been act to today’s challenges. Change while there I thought that it could ty, represented by the deputy min- tival. The architect also expressed the mutually-beneficial economic named one of 100 Tech Titans by is happening quickly and across be a good idea to construct some- ister of culture, has also backed the his plans to re-design the entire al- and cultural relations between Ka- Washingtonian Magazine and one more dimensions, says Peter thing symbolising Kazakhstan. A initiative. ley around the monument. zakhstan and Tatarstan, saying the of the most influential Washingto- Corbett, founder and CEO of iS- good example appeared to be the The taikazan, with a height of “This gift expresses our grati- decision to re-name the street will nians under 40 by WashingtonLife. trategyLabs. Continued on Page B2 famous and the largest taikazan, 1.6 metres and diameter of slightly tude to the Tatar people for their contribute to the further develop- made in the 15th century by order more than two metres, has already respect and friendly relations with ment of friendly relations between of Amir Timur, a Turkic conquer- been constructed. us,” said Bakirov. the parties. Things to Watch & Places to go

Astana Arena November 21 at 3 p.m. Football, Cup of Kazakhstan, Astana VS. Kairat November 25 at 9 p.m. Champions League: FC Astana VS. Benfica

Astana Opera November 21 at 6 p.m. Romeo and Juliette, Ballet November 27 at 7 p.m. Abai, Opera November 29 at 6 p.m. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9

Astana Marriott Hotel November 27 at 7 p.m. Day of Wine by Arba Wine Nuovo Photo credit: ever.travel Photo credit: The kazan-shaped Wedding Palace in the city Kazan. B2 Nation&Capital people

Wednesday, november 18, 2015

and asked to play. We truly enjoyed Then was the victory in Moscow, match in Almaty against Ararat Ye- running on the real football field Segizbayev scored twice against the revan. With the score 1-2 in favour with a real goal with bars and mesh, Soviet capital’s favourites Spartak, of the Armenian guests, he equal- My Brother, Dias Omarov not two stones. The game was securing Kairat’s first notable vic- ised the game by hitting the Ararat watched by the talented trainer Ko- tory. goal with a header, even though he in People on 9 November 2015 zelko (I cannot recall his name and Dias, in turn, scored in Vilnius, was not the tallest player in the pen- patronymic). Pretty soon, he called hitting the net behind the famous alty area. Prominent Kazakh sports jour- Dias and another boy and drafted Lithuanian goalkeeper of the day, In 1965, Dias began working as a nalist Dias Omarov turned 75 in them into an extracurricular sports Jonas Bauza. I lived in Leningrad sports journalist on Kazakh televi- October. The Astana Times offers section. Later, I found out that the (St. Petersburg) at the time, work- sion and radio. In the course of his a short, firsthand essay about this second boy was Timur Segizbayev ing as a mechanic in a factory and work, he met and befriended many personality prepared by his brother, (a popular Kazakh player of the attending evening classes at the of TV’s best pundits. Among them Timur Omarov, a professor at Ka- 1960s). Then, they both went to Dy- university. My friends and acquaint- were famous Soviet TV anchors in- zakh National Technical University. namo Almaty coach Petrov. I have ances were very happy for me and In the late 1940s and early 1950s cluding Nikolai Ozerov, Vladimir often been to the stadium and heard congratulated me as if it was I who Maslachenko, Kote Makharadze. in Almaty and throughout the a disgruntled Kozelko saying that scored the goal. They gave me the big Soviet country, yard football Tengiz Sulkhanishvili and many the best players were simply taken Soviet Sport newspaper, where a others. Dias led the coverage of all (played in areas between residential away from him. report had been published about the buildings) was very popular. It was Kairat matches and the matches of At that time, we often went to match in Vilnius. the World and European Champion- the postwar period, when the coun- the Dynamo Almaty games in the I was also fortunate enough to try had not fully recovered from the ships. In 1980, he commented on namesake stadium. Even then we witness two of Kairat’s victories the field hockey tournament match- devastating effects of World War II knew our idols: Denisov, Karetnik- over the local favourites, Zenith and could not provide youngsters es at the Moscow Olympics. ov, Kotlyarov, Chen-Iron, Pisarev, in Leningrad. In the first match in Former Kairat players sometimes with the special conditions for a Vasin and others. Our favourite 1961, Kairat won 2-1 in front of met in our house and they knew our “happy childhood.” We had fun Dias Omarov movies were “The Goalkeeper,” a 100,000-strong audience. After mother well. Antoryan, who often with all sorts of children’s games, “The Substitute,” and a few other the match, residents of the city ap- visited our house, enjoyed spe- including, of course, football. There The second match was more memo- captain and pretty quickly scored a Soviet hits on sports. proached our players on Nevsky cial favours. Kaminski, who later was no problem with football pitch- rable, as it took place on a real foot- few goals, so they got angry. They A football life of Almaty had al- Prospect (St. Petersburg’s main es (fields), as we played directly on ball field at the Veterinary Institute. grabbed the ball and looking at us ready become a notable phenom- street) with kind smiles and con- worked as a coach in Barnaul, ad- unpaved streets. At that time, there I remember Omurbek Bekbosynov, 10-12 year olds offered a “deal:” ei- enon in the 1960s and through the gratulated them on their victory. mitted that the main thing in his life were few paved streets in Almaty who played brilliantly against us ther we accepted defeat with a score decision of the Soviet Football Fed- The second match ended with the was Kairat and his real friends were and even fewer cars, so almost noth- and later became a player for Kairat of 1-10 or they would take our ball. eration, Kairat Almaty was invited score 2-0 in favour of Kairat. My the Kairat players. ing disturbed our games. Almaty (Kazakhstan’s top club of The threat of losing the ball was to play in the top-tier league of the Leningrad friends shared the joy of The team drew big crowds and Our playground was located on the time which played in the top-tier stronger and we accepted their con- USSR championship. Both Kozelko the victory with me. brought much joy to the fans, among Zhambyl Street in the area between of the Soviet league). ditions. They were happy, passed selections, Timur Segizbayev and I remember very well the im- whom was our father. Once in a Tchaikovsky and Issyk-Kul streets, Dias was unquestionably the best the precious ball and left. We then Dias Omarov, were in the line-up. pression the stunning architecture meeting, when our forward failed later renamed Mira (Peace) which player in our neighborhood teams. called this pseudo-team “ten-one” I remember how happy they and of what is undoubtedly one of the to hit the target a few metres from now bears the name Zheltoqsan At the same time he also could act and often laughed, recalling how we other young players were. “We play most beautiful cities in the world the gate, he cried out, “There, even (December). The houses there were as a coach, defining player’s posi- humiliated them. for our own fun, we are given free made on the Kairat players. One Bulebai wouldn’t have missed.” built by the Soviet state railway tions on the field and identifying the The now famous (or infa- uniforms and meals, we travel by of the players, Stanislav Kaminski, Bulebai Issabekov, our neighbour, company and were home to our good goalkeeper in Lenya (Leonid) mous) Russian politician Vladimir airplanes and we are even paid sala- who walked for hours in Leningrad, a close family friend and my dad’s classmates, who with Dias made up Samoylenko. He said to me, “You Zhirinovsky took part in our games, ries!” they said. said, “I cannot stop looking at this colleague, was very plump and lived our neighborhood team. We mostly are a defender; your job is to hit the too, however he did not demonstrate In Kairat’s first season in the So- beauty.” They were intelligent guys an existence very far from sports. played among ourselves, but there ball away from the gates. Hit it with any football talent. viet top-tier league, Segizbayev ex- – Oleg Vodopyanov, Bulat Ishch- Dias has remained faithful to foot- were also “away” matches. your foot, cheek, tip, toe, just out In 1954, youth coaches focused celled in the 5th or 6th match of the anov, Segizbayev, Robert Antoryan ball. Despite his age, he participates I remember two of these matches, of bounds, but do not let it hit the their attention on those playing in championship, scoring two goals and Vladimir Kiselev. They knew in tournaments among veterans and one in the courtyard of the houses gates.” courtyards. All the enthusiastic boys in the away game against Belarus classical music well and many even recently won a bronze medal in the on Artillery Street (now Kurman- I remember a funny incident when were invited to Medik Stadium (lat- from Minsk. It was the first defeat murmured tunes from Mozart, Bee- veterans’ world championship in gazy Street) inhabited by families adult guys passing by invited us to er the Kazakh National University for Minsk that season and the first thoven and Tchaikovsky. Brisbane, Australia. of Academy of Sciences employees. play with them. We were led by our Stadium), divided into two teams victory for Kairat. Somewhat later, Dias “rescued” a Keep it up, brother!

what happened with World War II was probably the best thing that could ever happen for America. We Media Executive Says Freedom, Diversity took the best engineering minds of all time over to America in the for- ties and fifties. That set an incred- ible base for renaissance of techno- of Talents Key for Society to be Creative logical development that blasts even Continued from Page B1 ors, Nickelodeon and a few others. market ourselves is we invent pro- Is this your first time in Kazakh- today. The next thing you probably What we’ve seen is that if we com- totypes that would be exciting and stan? What are your general im- need is a big-enough market. You Corbett gave a master class in Oc- bine that real-time interaction with then we put them on the Internet as pressions? need access to capital and infra- tober to Kazakh journalists and me- some form of incentive, we gener- a video and usually a lot of attention I have been to 60 countries now. structure. As it turned out, America dia experts in Astana on producing ally have the opportunity to reach is given to them. I came from Turkmenistan; I had a had all of these things. There are creative media content and develop- millions of people. We built a prototype for some- culture shock coming to Kazakhstan very few places that had all of the ing products that offer both offline thing called a selfie mirror, which because it was so normal. Coming things. The places that had most of and online experiences for potential You said you have a creative is a mirror that when you smile, it to Kazakhstan felt great and I felt a the things often did not have big viewers and clients. Afterward, he team. How do you keep them crea- does a facial recognition and takes sense of relief. “Oh, this is recognis- markets. The Dutch are incredibly sat down with The Astana Times to tive and motivated? a picture automatically and posts able, this feels European. I under- creative. If you go to Amsterdam, share his success story and insight We try to find people that are self- it to your Twitter, Facebook and stand it’s got its touch of Asia.” I they have really great designers into global media trends. motivated. They want to do some- Instagram accounts. We filmed a think that the people here are really and great programmers, but not What do you think makes iStrat- thing. They are passionate about 45-second video and in about three sh`arp. The people I’ve talked to the biggest businesses in the world egyLabs stand out among other inventing, making a prototype for days 200,000 people watched it have a good grasp of the emerging because they are a small country. digital ad agencies? a device, designing the interface and about 5,000 people emailed technology and seem to be entrepre- Across Europe, the Europeans are I think it’s the focus on this in- Peter Corbett speaks in Astana. for a mobile application, produc- saying they wanted to buy one. neurial. There seems to be lots of still sort of the Germans only think- tersection of online and offline. We have this ‘killer’ combination and ing 15-second videos through ani- Now you might ask yourself how promise. Obviously, now the chal- ing about Germany, the Dutch only build Internet-connected devices that’s been our case and our differ- mation for Instagram. So it’s not you get 200,000 people to watch lenge is the devaluation of the tenge thinking about the Dutch, Finns and mobile and web applications. a matter of ensuring that they are this video. We know how market- and the oil-driven economy. entiator. thinking about Finland. So they’re But most digital agencies can build motivated, they already are; it’s the ing works. We know how social not always thinking about the glob- web and mobile applications and matter of making sure we have the media works. We inherently under- What does it take for a society to al context. Americans, especially During your seminar, you talked they can do social media market- right projects for them to work on. If stand the language of the Internet. be creative? American entrepreneurs, have this ing, but they have no idea how to do about creating campaigns that of- the project is there, then they just at- We’ve actually done big splashy I think the first thing is it has to natural inclination to think “I want something in the real world. Then fer a real-time experience. Why is tack it. So part of my job is to make campaigns for ourselves half a doz- have freedom. I know it sounds cli- the whole world to use my stuff, not there are agencies called experien- that so important? sure we have the right projects. en times. We usually get coverage ché saying that as an American. But I want all of New Jersey to use it, or tial agencies, or production compa- We live in real time. So if you in the world’s biggest publications, without freedom, creative activity all of America.” They think “I built nies; they know how to do things. really want to get someone’s atten- How do you create work oppor- including The New York Times, is not going to flourish. Then what Facebook; I want the whole world They can build a stage, they can tion, do something for them that tunities and make sure you have USA Today, The Washington Post you add is the diversity of perspec- to use it. I built Google; I want the build a set, they can make a device, they have to pay attention to right the right projects? and NPR (National Public Radio). tives, a diversity of talents. It turned whole world’s information to be but they are not that good with tech- now or they’re going to miss it. A lot We are really good at marketing, Then our potential clients call us to out that America had the freedom connected.” So there’s this mental- nology. So I thought if I did both of of our most successful campaigns that’s why clients hire us, and so say “You guys seem to be incred- piece, but it wasn’t the most diverse ity of “globalness,” rather than a these things which I was very pas- have been “real-time,” things we’ve we are very good at marketing our- ibly creative and inventive. Can we country in the world in the 1700s- mentality of “nationalness,” that is sionate about we would probably done for NBC Universal, MillerCo- selves. Some of the things we do to do a project together?” 1800s. It was mostly European. So very American. B3 Nation&Capital Culture

Wednesday, november 18, 2015

Gifts of the Terek River,’ ‘The to learn poetry in a form of a the- Sail’ and excerpts from ‘The De- atrical performance, feeling the mon’ are a few poems to men- emotions of the actors,” he said. Moscow Holds Abai Poetry Readings tion, in which the translation is People’s Artist of Kazakhstan above all others implemented in and Professor of Arts Tlektes By Staff Report the Kazakh language,” said the Meiramov appreciated the great Kazakh diplomat, citing Auezov. interest the Russian public had The Moscow House of Veter- Temirbayev drew attention to in Abai’s legacy and expressed ans of Wars and Armed Forces the fact that denoting 2015 as hope the tradition of holding cul- recently held “The Binding Time the Year of Literature in Russia tural events with the participation Thread,” a literary and musical marked a significant expansion of Kazakh artists will continue. evening dedicated to the 170th of literary contacts between the “I think cultural events like anniversary of the birth of Ka- two countries and the organised this are necessary not only to zakh poet, composer and philos- event is one of the milestones opher Abai Qunanbayuli and the bring the great heritage of Ka- in the sphere of cultural and hu- zakh culture to the Russian audi- 200th anniversary of the birth of manitarian cooperation. ence, but also to trigger greater Russian Romantic writer, poet Merited Artist of Kazakhstan convergence between Kazakh and painter Michael Lermontov, and director of the Mukhtar Aue- and Russian cultures,” said reported the press service of the zov Kazakh State Academic Dra- Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Af- ma Theatre Erlan Bilal noted the Meiramov. fairs. importance of such celebrations, The evening was attended by The festivities were opened especially for those who love veterans of the Great Patriotic by the Minister-Counselor of Kazakh poetry, among them Ka- War and representatives of the the Kazakh Embassy in Russia zakh compatriots living abroad. Commonwealth of Independent Viktor Temirbayev. He quoted “Today, the audience enjoyed States (CIS) country embassies Kazakh writer Mukhtar Auezov, a theatrical incarnation of the accredited in Russia, as well as telling the audience about the great works of Abai and Mikhail honorable Kazakh guests, uni- deep spiritual connection be- Lermontov. In my opinion, it versity and school students. tween the two great men of their provides a deeper understanding The event was organised by time. of the highest level of their poet- the Kazakh National Cultural “Abai used to translate Ler- ry. Of course, many people have Autonomy in Moscow and the montov’s poems with great care read poems of these two great Memory, two non-governmental and great love. ‘The Dagger,’ ‘I poets; however, for the younger organisations and supported by go out on the road alone,’ ‘The generation it is more interesting the Kazakh Embassy in Russia. Almaty Approves ‘Kazakh Khanate’ Series and Film to Be Construction Released during 2016 Nauryz Celebrations television and media outlets in tle scenes, legendary historical and archery especially for this role. By Kseniya Voronina Russia, where Nauryz is also cel- characters and other breathtaking “What had happened 550 years ebrated, are interested in airing the scenes are being shot in the Al- ago was a historic moment when of Modern Art ASTANA – The 10-episode “The series. Negotiations are also un- maty region. the Kazakh Khanate separated and Kazakh Khanate” cinematic series derway with Channel One (ORT), Crowd scenes included 300 formed a young state in very dif- and a motion picture based on the NTV and others. people and consisted of local ficult circumstances,” Production series will be released during the The 150 million tenge residents, military and stuntmen, Director Rustem Abdrashev told Museum spring 2016 Nauryz celebrations, (US$484,207) needed to begin however, according to historical the Khabar news channel Nov. 5. The Museum of Modern Art said Arman Asenov, producer of shooting “Kazakh Khanate,” was data, more than 200,000 people A team of writers and play- By Staff report Public Foundation was created by “Kazakh Eli,” at a recent Central raised through crowdsourcing. Ka- actually migrated. Therefore, the wrights, including Smagul a group of patrons and acts as a Communications Service briefing. zakh residents can help finance the director used computer multipli- Elubayev and Timur Zhaksylykov, ALMATY – Local patrons from nonprofit organisation aimed at “We think that a film about no- project through crowdfunding by cation of the image. Members of worked on the plot and artistic de- the Museum of Modern Art Pub- creating a modern art museum mads is ideally suited for Nauryz. going to qazaqeli550.kz. the camera crew said that a lot of tails. lic Foundation received approval in accordance with international Seventy out of 150 scenes have An unnamed large industrial time was spent on the preparation Historical and fictional litera- from the Almaty Planning Coun- standards, noted businessman Ser- already been filmed. Except ad- group is also going to sponsor the of horse ammunition, jewelry, ture, including the first part of the cil for the construction of a mod- zhan Zhumashov. The foundation justing for weather conditions, project with 500 million tenge weapons, 11 types of costumes “Nomads” novel by Ilyas Yesen- ern art museum in the Bostandyk hopes to attract one of the world’s shooting is going on with no in- (about US$1.61 million.) and the creation of the scenery, berlin, were used when writing district. The developers say the most renowned architects, Carlos terference. Apart from a 10-epi- Having undergone several cuts, khabar.kz reported. the script. The storyline begins goal of the project is to increase Ferrater of Barcelona, Spain. sode series, we are also planning the estimated budget of the project According to the director, stunt with the founding of the Khanate the city’s potential as an interna- The creator of the Office of Ar- to release a full-length version,” is 2.16 billion tenge (US$6.99 mil- men have a lot of work in this film. in 1465 by Kerey and Zhanibek tional tourist centre. chitecture in Barcelona (OAB), lion). For example, the girls who play khans and continues to 1512, when The building is proposed for Asenov said. Ferrater is known for his spec- He also said Al-Jazeera Arabic According to Khabar news, bat- amazons learned horseback riding Kassym Khan came to power. a 2.17-square hectare parcel ad- tacular approach to unique design jacent to the botanical garden in and implementing effective tech- the northern part of Al-Farabi niques using geometric shapes. Avenue. The council members His bureau has extensive experi- noted the museum might serve ence in developing museum and as a future entrance area to the cultural centre construction pro- garden, which currently does not jects. The company has complet- Karaganda Attracts International have access to the street, trigger- ed several successful buildings, ing the development of the park such as the Science Museum in as a whole. The developers have Granada (Spain), El Ter Indus- also been introduced to several trial Museum in Manlleu (Spain), Operetta Stars requirements the project should the Confluence Museum in Lyon initiate, such as establishing a (France) and the Conference By Julia Rutz school-studio of contemporary art Centre in Castellón (Spain). In within the museum. In addition, 1996, the OAB bureau received The Karaganda Theatre of Musi- the land will be leased without the prestigious V Bonaplata Prize cal Comedy was the host Nov. 1 for the right of redemption and its use from the Catalonia Association of DosStar, the fifth International Op- may not be changed. Museums of Science, Technology eretta Festival. The event opened Almaty Akim (Mayor) Bauyr- and Archaeology for its contribu- with a Russian burlesque perfor- zhan Baibek noted the signifi- tion to museum development. mance by the Omsk State Musical cance of the undertaking, which The council also approved con- Theatre directed by People’s Artist is to be executed in the frame- struction of the Jubilee land hous- of Russia Kirill Sterzhnev. work of the recent order of Presi- ing complex in the Medeu district The audience also enjoyed pres- dent Nursultan Nazarbayev to commissioned by Kumpolan De- entations by Belarusian artists. strengthen and develop Almaty’s velopment and designed by RSP “The True Story of Lieutenant status as a scientific, educational Architects Planners & Engineers, Rzhevsky” showed the other side and cultural centre, as well as cre- Singapore and KAZGOR. Great of the title character’s identity, as ate comfortable living conditions attention will be paid to vertical unexpected twists and psychologi- in the urban area. gardening in an effort to improve cal depth demonstrated the skills “It is very important for the the residential apartment build- of director Susanna Tsiryuk. city, which we want to make ings. The mayor noted the vital The gala and concert introduced modern and relevant to interna- role of international experience to a number of artists to the local pub- tional standards, to create good further Almaty’s urban develop- lic. Performers included interna- leisure conditions for its citizens. ment and stressed that each dis- tional competition winners Hannah We must revive the cultural life of trict should incorporate its own Okonsky and Lukasz Ratajczak Almaty,” said the mayor. unique architectural appearance. of Poland, Azerbaijani Honoured Artists Nargiz Karimova and

Farid Aliyev, Komi State Opera Photo: Karaganda Theatre and Ballet Theatre actors Helena Lodygina and Vitaly Gudkovskiy, Makarevich, who is also the win- year when the time comes to go to ecutes the intergovernmental pro- Stavropol State Operetta Theatre ner of the Golden Knight Award, the DosStar Festival we look for- gramme. actress Natalya Vinogradova, A. directed the Karaganda Theatre ward to meeting our dear friends,” “This programme was initiated Spendiarov State Academic Thea- orchestra in a variety of different she said. by the Ministries of Culture of Ka- tre of Opera and Ballet soloist and sounds, capturing the audience in Karaganda Theatre head Aman- zakhstan and Russia. We organise a international contest and festival the world of classical music. tai Ibrayev said cooperation with series of exchange activities for Ka- winner Abgar Sargssian of Arme- “I remember those days when foreign theatres will continue de- zakh and Russian teams according nia, Honoured Artist Igor Leven- we first met each other, when we veloping. to it. We have also started to work on ets and national and international were going on tours every year. “We have great plans for the fu- next year’s events programme,” said competition winner Valerya Tulis We were like a family. Therefore, ture; however, I am not going to fund representative Egor Fomin. from the Kiev National Operetta when this communication ended tell you about it. All I can say is Karaganda Theatre, which has Theatre, international competition for a certain period of time, it was that next year we are planning to presented more than 200 repertoire winner Victor Tsirkunovich, Bela- really hard for me. I am happy that bring a theatrical troupe from Hun- performances since its inception, rus Honoured Artist Margarita Al- we reunited again,” said Gaida. gary to the festival. There are no is the only theatre in Kazakhstan exandrovich and People’s Artist of Karimova noted Karaganda is boundaries in the world of art, so I to work in the operetta genre. The Belarus Natalia Gaida. her second home, as she received think we can do that,” he said. troupe has visited a similar num- The artists performed not only her first award in the city. The festival was also supported ber of cities while touring Russia,

Photo: Archdaily.com classical masterpieces, but national “We have all known each other by Festival of Arts, the Russian China, Ukraine, Belarus and Cen- The Science Museum in Granada. hits. Belarusian conductor Nikolai for a long period of time and every nongovernmental fund which ex- tral Asian countries. B4 Nation&Capital COUNTRY

Wednesday, november 18, 2015 Taiburil Scholarship Programme Supports Four Kazakh Talented Students, Plans to Expand Cities Join UNDP- able to use her free time to start By Julia Rutz learning a second foreign language. “Such programmes act as a good The awards ceremony for the Tai- motivator for students, as it reminds GEF Sustainable buril monthly scholarship winners us that there are no limits if you was held Oct. 31 in Almaty. The want to grow professionally,” she programme, supported by second- added. tier banks such as Kaspi Bank and Cities Project During Taiburil’s three-year ex- Kazkommertzbank, as well as pri- istence, the association has raised vate sponsors including prominent its foundation to 100 million tenge businessmen Kenes Rakishev, Vy- (US$353,258). The entire amount acheslav Kim and Aidan Karibzh- is allocated for scholarships, while anov, is aimed at supporting educa- advertisements and public relations tion, reported Tengrinews.kz. campaigns are funded on a volun- More than 1,000 applications teer partnership basis with support were received for consideration and each candidate was deserving, said from tengrinews.kz, forbes.kz, kur- Taiburil Public Association Chair- siv.kz, vlast.kz and nur.kz. man Olzhas Khudaibergenov. Only tengrinews.kz Photo credit: “I hope the Taiburil scholarship programme continues expanding in 270 grants, however, were avail- yourself with people who can teach dates may not be involved in any the future and those who received able this time. you useful things,” said Kaspi Bank other grant programmes in Kazakh- scholarships today will come back “We plan to increase the number Chairman Michael Lomtadze. stan or abroad. to us as good businessmen and re- of scholarships up to 500 for the The winners will receive a “This programme gives me the liable sponsors. This will be the pal planning, create NAMAs and coming spring semester by involv- monthly scholarship of 30,000 opportunity to fully concentrate on best approval of the viability of the By Michelle Witte decide on priorities, create and ing new sponsors,” he added. tenge (US$105.98) within five my studies and not think about ad- Approximately 80 percent of the programme,”said Khudaibergenov. strengthen local institutions and months of the fall semester. In order ditional earnings I need for living, scholarship winners are girls and The Taiburil Public Association ASTANA – The akims (mayors) facilitate financing for urban pro- the majority study technical profes- to participate in the competition, as I came from the regions and lack was established in 2013 to support of Taraz, Shymkent, Temirtau and jects by creating funding mecha- sions. the applicant should be a Kazakh financial support,” said Al-Farabi Kazakh students who are achieving Lisakovsk cities of Kazakhstan of- nisms, according to the UNDP. “Knowledge is the most impor- citizen and have a certificate with State University fourth-year stu- success but face financial hardships. ficially signed memoranda of un- The project as a whole will con- tant asset that you can ever have no criminal conviction. The indi- dent Kimbat Almaskyzy. In addition to the monthly scholar- derstanding with the UNDP-Glob- tribute to achieving Kazakhstan’s and nobody can take it away from vidual must also have completed at Scholarship recipient Madina Ra- ship, Taiburil offers full education al Environmental Facility (GEF) voluntary target of reducing green- you. That is why it is worth invest- least one semester at a university. sulova, a student at Almaty Techni- grants and research scholarships. project Nationally Appropriate house gas (GHG) emissions by 15 ing time in education in order to ac- The competition is fulfilled on the cal University, said that thanks to To date, 655 scholarships have been Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) for percent by 2020, while improving quire new experiences and surround national scale and potential candi- the Taiburil scholarship she was awarded. Low-Carbon Urban Development urban services and the quality of at a UNDP-sponsored conference life of the country’s citizens as per in Astana Nov. 5. the Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy. “Sustainable cities means plan- The project is the first effort in ning, designing and construction Kazakhstan to adopt a compre- with the aim to reduce the impact hensive approach to reduce GHG Packaging Producers Discuss Market Issues on the environment, reduce air emissions in cities, which project have relatively more opportunities of packaging,’ as well as problems in a shortage of state support both pollution and reduce greenhouse organisers note are among the By Yerzat Sergazin for the development of the industry with the provision of the production in terms of protecting the interests gas emissions,” said Director of world’s most GHG-intensive. and its promotion. No one argues with the necessary raw materials. of business and supporting invest- the Energy Conservation Depart- Alexander Belyi, coordinator of ASTANA – The conference of with that; the only issue is the price, Local businessmen note the high ment projects. ment of the Industrial Committee the project, noted that the Sustain- Kazakh packaging producers held which is too high,” she said. rates of the Common Customs Tar- Igor Smirenniy, chief editor of of Development and Safety of Ka- able Cities project relates to the ob- in the capital Nov. 6 included dis- Shakhanova added that although iff of the Eurasian Economic Union the Russian magazine “Tara I Upa- zakhstan’s Ministry of Investment jectives of the Nurly Zhol economic cussions by representatives of do- Kazakh enterprises are able to pro- on polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride kovka” and vice president of the and Development Olzhas Alibe- stimulus programme, which focuses mestic businesses who expressed vide packaging to the domestic and aluminium foil and the high de- Russian National Confederation kov addressing the conference. on infrastructure development as a dissatisfaction with the pricing market, there are a number of fac- pendence of Kazakh production on of Packagers, noted that Kazakh He also noted that, given low oil spur to economic development. policy for packaging products. The tors that impede implementing this Russian suppliers, reaching 70 per- businessmen have many of the is- prices and the overall challenging “One of the new challenges of conference was attended by the important task. cent, as well as problems with the sues as their Russian counterparts. economic environment, the timing the development of the global heads of 50 packaging companies, “One of them is the growing im- provision of regenerated paper and He drew attention to the fact that is especially good for working on community, including Kazakhstan, industry experts and competent ex- port of polypropylene packaging cardboard,” she said. the functioning of the Eurasian a new platform from which to at- is to make localities sustainable. perts from Russia. from China and noncompliance The managing director also noted Economic Union should change tract new, energy-efficient and en- According to the current economic “The price policy of Russian with quality requirements imposed the packaging industry is not cur- the situation. vironmentally friendly technology conditions, the Sustainable Cities companies that produce materi- by the technical regulations of the rently recognised as a separate cate- “The main issue is greed for to Kazakhstan. Project is very relevant. On one als for packaging is excessive and Customs Union ‘On the security gory of economic activity, resulting money. The problem is that today’s The project, also called the Sus- hand, it will lead to the provision in some cases does not match the economy is going through hard tainable Cities Project, aims to of global environmental benefits, quality,” said Polivest Director times and the owners of these enter- collect 11 cities in total for its pilot including reducing GHG emis- Bauyrzhan Zhussupov. prises are solving their local prob- programme in Kazakhstan and in- sions; on the other hand, it will Kaznex Invest Managing Direc- lems. They want to earn as much tends to support the cities as they lead to an increase in the quality tor Gaziza Shakhanova, represent- money as they can,” he said. identify, design and implement of life in cities and, in particular, ing Kazakh producers, talked about Pira International has forecast NAMAs to guide their develop- the quality of services provided in the current situation in the industry. that in 2016 the turnover of the ment. The NAMAs are expected housing, public transport and other “The capacity of Kazakhstan’s global packaging industry will to take the form of investments spheres of the urban economy,” packaging market barely reaches reach $820 billion, with an annual in infrastructure supported by ca- Belyi told conference participants. $700 million. Domestic packag- 3 percent growth achieved by pack- pacity building, awareness raising Following the plenary session ing producers hold no more than aging materials including card- and technical assistance, according and the signing ceremony, par- 35 percent of the domestic market; board and hard plastic. The biggest to the UNDP. The $71.3 million ticipants took part in sessions on the rest is imported mainly from packaging consumers are the Unit- project, financed mostly by the financing for low-carbon devel- China and Russia. For example, the ed States ($137 billion in demand), government of Kazakhstan with opment, best practices in urban Kazakh packaging market is about China ($80 billion) and India (de- contributions from the UNDP, sustainability in Central Asia and

25 times smaller than the Russian Photo: Kazpravda.kz mand will reach $24 billion in the GEF and other sources, is to help the world and field visits to low- market and our Russian partners Representatives of the packing industry meet in Astana Nov. 6. coming years). cities carry out integrated munici- carbon initiatives around Astana. Almaty Tech Garden CEO Shares Prospects for Kazakh Startups at Tech Connect Forum Continued from Page B1 mass of the companies that will vices to a neighbouring country, it which are changing the mental- self correctly. Forming an under- where people have work experi- grow at the cost of those centres, is easier for a startup to go out of ity of companies and an operating standing of a market is the goal ences from big corporations, we The Wipon Kazakh startup pro- we are starting the Startup Ka- a big company. Using the power of procedure.” of this event,” said Kettebekov. unfortunately don’t have [those] ject, one of 10 finalists from five zakhstan programme, which is transnational companies is needed, Demand was always there; the “There is a good mix of ages and here.” countries in the startup battle, won about attracting startups from Ka- as it is very difficult for a young task is to merely consolidate it, competence; for example, there He concluded by saying this dif- the main prize of the conference zakhstan and foreign countries to startup company to go out on its said the CEO. are 70-year-olds and first- and ference has to be complemented – $25,000 – provided by Cross these technology centres. Jointly, own,” said Kettebekov. “A city is a good demand. A second year-students in Almaty and compensated by the institute Border Angels, an international in- we hope it creates a wave of new He emphasised that the strat- startup that provides technolo- and this is a big and a little amor- of development, where startups vestment network, a press release companies,” said Kettebekov. egy on establishing new opportu- gies for a smart city is already a phous mass … The only thing, if and already-existing incubation reported. The end result should lead to nities for startup companies to go specific demand. Of course, these we compare it to Silicon Valley, companies play their roles. “We were attracting small and establishing 50 competitive new out in new markets is currently startups are required to produce medium businesses that are locat- companies. being built, as well as the level high quality products, in order for ed in Almaty, where about 4,000 “Almaty Tech Garden is a brand of competence itself. For exam- city residents to entrust their lives IT companies are located. By con- of the Autonomous Cluster Fund ple, in order to work with IBM to them, in some cases,” he added. solidating the entire mass, we want of the Park of Innovation Technol- companies, startups must be at “For a startup, networking and to create a new stream of projects ogies. If before we relied on the or- the right level. meeting other startup companies is that meets the requirements of ganic growth of these companies, “Having studied global expe- important. Most often one startup competitiveness and is capable of then today we say to accelerate the rience, we chose our own path, company cannot offer a resolution working both in Kazakhstan and development and the fulfilment of which will be constantly chang- to a big problem, but together in a beyond the country,” said Kette- goals which we have set, two or ing. This is dynamics and system. group they can offer and resolve bekov. three new directions that are capa- We have identified five directions quite big problems.” Forums can He described a serious pro- ble to make significant contribu- that we see a demand for in the be platforms for testing demand gramme to be created in 2016 tions to the country’s GDP should near future, such as new materials and trial and error explorations, he which will include establishing five be created. In this regard now, we and information technologies that said. technology centres in collabora- realised that we need to cultivate are based on fundamental indus- Almaty Tech Garden holds a tion with transnational companies startups, meaning to create the tries. This is our starting point,” startup day every three months, to raise the level of competence, environment where the growth of Kettebekov noted. “Unlike many where projects are presented. where selection of transnational these companies is stimulated,” he other countries where developed “There is nothing better than companies will be based on their stressed. markets exist, our approach differs to pitch an investor; that is, as a direct commercial interest. “When a startup company works seriously because we attempt to startup you understand what is “In order to ensure the critical with a big company that sells ser- stimulate demand for innovations, in demand and how to sell your- B5 Nation&Capital SOCIETY

Wednesday, november 18, 2015 Domestic Alcohol Excise Taxes to Increase by 15 Percent By Zhaniya Urankayeva of excise duty on alcoholic bever- to 1,380 tenge (US$4.45) per 1 li- ages for the next three years at the tre of 100 percent alcohol, which ASTANA – The Kazakh Mazhi- current rate, as has been done in is 15 percent more compared to lis (lower house of Parliament) Russia and Belarus,” said Mazhi- this year. In this case, we will approved on Nov. 11 changes lis Deputy Serik Ospanov. have a shortfall in local budgets,” made by the Senate to the Law Previously, the government did said Minister of National Econ- “On amendments and additions to not support that proposal. But omy Yerbolat Dossayev during some legislative acts of Kazakh- during consideration of the bill the introduction of the bill in the stan on the issues of taxation and in the Senate, the government re- Senate. customs administration.” The law vised its decision and proposed a He noted that the government has been sent to the President for 15 percent increase out of an esti- plans to consider in 2016 estab- his signature. mated 30 percent in the excise tax lishing rates of excise duties on “The Senate has made five on alcoholic beverages instead of strong liquor for 2017-2019, amendments to the bill, including the previously proposed 10 per- within the development of the one to revise the rates of excise cent. draft law on the reform of tax leg- duty on alcoholic beverages, ex- “In order to improve the com- islation. The reform of the system cept for cognac, brandy, wines petitiveness of domestic produc- of intergovernmental relations and beer beverages. It should ers of alcoholic beverages it is and further harmonisation of ex- be noted that during the consid- proposed to reduce the rate of cise rates within the Eurasian eration of the bill, the Mazhilis excise duty only in 2016 from the Economic Union (EAEU) is also

Photo: kazakhfirst.ru members proposed to freeze rates expected 1,600 tenge (US$5.16) planned for 2017. Kazakh YouTube Kazakh Symbol, the Golden Eagle, Channel Gains is Critically Endangered to keep birds as close to wild con- By Julia Rutz ditions as possible, so our raptor shelter is always quiet. Our foster- The golden eagle, the symbol lings also require a very high qual- Success of Kazakhstan, is critically en- ity of food. There are two ways scripts and assemble the videos dangered. Although the bird was By Zhazira Dyussembekova to release the birds into the wild: and he is responsible only for the included 30 years ago on the Red small species should be carefully voice over. List of Kazakhstan, an inventory put in the nest, while older birds ASTANA – Saspens, Kazakh- “It started very simply. I of threatened species compiled should be freed and then moni- stan’s biggest YouTube channel, opened video and audio pro- by the International Union for tored to estimate their integration is the creation of Andrey Burn- grammes, made a scenario and Conservation of Nature (IUCN), in the new habitat,” said raptor yakov. The 23-year-old from did my first video. I uploaded the number of birds continues to shelter head Ashot Anzorov. Karaganda launched his channel it, but nobody watched it. So, I steadily decline. According to Institute of Zoolo- in November 2014 and now has decided to develop it and make To save the predator, scientists gy representative Andrey Gavrilov, more than 840,000 subscribers, videos every day and with good have decided to breed the birds in two main factors were considered mainly children and teenagers quality. The channel gained sub- captivity. Employees at Sunkar, when choosing where to release from Russia, Kazakhstan and scribers very slowly in the be- Kazakhstan’s only national raptor the golden eagles: food availability Ukraine. ginning, but after some time the

shelter, recently gave four young and quiet surroundings. Photo: Rus-img.com Derived from the English word pace increased very quickly. Lat- golden eagles to colleagues from “Because of the critical situation A golden eagle. “suspense,” Saspens was ini- er, it became harder to deal with the Institute of Zoology to be re- and in order to protect the endan- tially described as a video blog the advertisers and scenarios. I leased in the coming days. The gered species, we don’t announce Zoology and the state wildlife bod- the wild. Fifteen golden eagles about science, horror stories and hired one cutter, later one script- birds have been trained in special the place where golden eagles are ies, to involve new technologies have been bred in the shelter and curious facts. The website has writer and one more cutter after enclosures how to survive in the going to be released,” he said. and enhance awareness concern- then returned to their natural habi- evolved into informative vid- some time. An advertising man- wild and now are ready to join Sunkar was established in 1989 ing biodiversity among students tat. While there are no guarantees eos on a range of topics, some ager was invited later as well,” their counterparts and increase the to save the endangered population who participate in biology classes these birds will survive, scientists mysterious and scary. The most he said. natural population, reported 24.kz. of falcon baloban (or falco cher- organised at the raptor shelter. hope for the best, pointing out that popular videos include the worst Burnyakov is not planning to “As we all know, birds of prey rug). The organisation cooperates To date, 635 different types of previous times the released species five schools in the world, five connect his life with YouTube, are breeding in remote areas far with German and Austrian col- birds, including falcons, vultures successfully adapted to their new mythical creatures that may ex- although for now it is his main away from cities. It is necessary leagues, as well as the Institute of ist, five worst teachers in the job and source of income. He and owls, have been released into homes. world and five craziest Japanese typically spends five hours a day shows. on Saspens, adding it is a hobby Burnyakov generates most of at the same time. Burnyakov: “I think that the reason Online Registration Opens of the success of my channel is that it is connected to modern trends and the for Almaty Marathon fact that it has a big part of the audience the rehabilitation centre Ardi for Also, as part of the Almaty with an ambulance. Earlier in By Dmitry Lee the construction of a mini-water Marathon, general sponsor of the 2015, the funds were spent on the in other Russian-speaking countries. area to accommodate children with event Astana Motors presented construction of a sports complex ASTANA – The Almaty Mara- cerebral palsy. In 2014, the raised the Oncology Department of the for special boarding school No. 9 People watch online videos because they thon, the annual charity mara- funds were used for the treatment Research Institute of Pediatrics for children with severe speech thon, which is to be held in Al- of three-year-old Darina Lik. and Pediatric Surgery in Almaty disorders. feel close to the people that create them. maty Nov. 21 starting from the Park of the First President and It feels like a friend talking to you.” finishing at the Central Stadium, has opened online registration at almaty-marathon.kz, Ten- the ideas himself and new videos “I think that the reason of are available almost every day. the success of my channel is grinews.kz reported. He has learned which topics are that it is connected to modern The event is a 42-kilometre and the most interesting to his audi- trends and the fact that it has a 195-metre marathon. ence and admits it does not take big part of the audience in other “Healthy lifestyle enthusiasts a lot of time to create new con- Russian-speaking countries,” of any age or gender or physical cepts. said Burnyakov. “People watch shape can participate. The event When the website was in its in- online videos because they feel aims to attract anyone who loves fancy, Burnyakov produced eve- close to the people that create jogging,” Saltanat Kazybayeva, rything on his own. Now, he has them. It feels like a friend talk- director of the organising commit- a team of people who write the ing to you.” tee, said. For younger runners aged 10-14, who have the privilege to partici- pate for free, there will be a dis- tance of two kilometres. For run- ners in the age groups 15 to 34, 35 to 49, and 50 and over, there will be a distance of 15 kilometres. All potential runners have to do is read about the terms of the marathon, register online and pay a 1,000 tenge flat fee. “All the collected funds will be spent on charity,” the official website states. “So besides the main goal, which is to popularise a healthy lifestyle and jogging, the Almaty Marathon also covers some of the important social func- tions, attracting the community to social obligations, giving every person an opportunity to make a contribution to a benevolent cause.” In 2012, the funds collected dur- ing the marathon in Almaty were spent on a programme of support and rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy. In 2013, the col- lected funds were transferred to B6 Nation&Capital Tourism Wednesday, november 18, 2015 EXPO 2017 Expands Country Participation List

First Deputy Foreign Minister and EXPO 2017 Commissioner Rapil Zhoshybayev (L) with Iranian Foreign Minister Rapil Zhoshybayev (second from left) meets with Secretary-General of the Jordanian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Mohammad Javad Zarif. Issa Gammo (R). By Aiman Turebekova Zhoshybayev and Yaseen dis- first countries in the Middle East to energy, attracting investments and troduce a direct flight from Riyadh and the opening of direct flights be- cussed a wide range of issues re- begin promoting the use of green participating in the exposition. to Astana to enable people from the tween the capitals of the two states A Kazakh delegation led by First garding the development of Ka- technology. “Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia kingdom and from Kazakhstan to were emphasised at a meeting with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs zakh-Jordanian cooperation and Gammo emphasised an interest have established strong relation- travel easily and in comfort,” said Deputy Head of the Iranian Cultural and EXPO 2017 Commissioner interaction between the Foreign in promoting tourism potential, in- ships that are open and mutually Zhoshybayev. Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Rapil Zhoshybayev paid a working Ministries. cluding creating tour packages and trusted on the whole range of bilat- In Tehran, Zhoshybayev had pro- Organisation Morteza Rahmani. visit to Jordan Nov. 2, Saudi Arabia “In terms of the development of the possibility of opening direct eral cooperation,” said Al Rabiah. ductive meetings with the foreign The parties focused also on imple- Nov. 4-5 and Iran Nov. 9-10, report- relations with Kazakhstan, which flights between the two capitals. “Saudi Arabia is going to take part minister and other senior officials mentation of joint projects on tourist ed the ministry’s press office. is the pillar of political stability and Two days later, Zhoshybaev in EXPO 2017. The country’s lead- on the development of economic group packages and popularisation Zhoshybayev met with Jordanian prosperity in Central Asia, Jordan met with high-level officials of ership attaches great importance to cooperation and tourist exchanges, of Kazakhstan’s tourism potential in Investment Commission Chairman promotes a special and trusting re- Saudi Arabia, including Minister the upcoming exhibition and the as well as with leading Iranian com- Iran. Rahmani said Iran has includ- Montasser Oklah, who is responsi- lationship established between the of Commerce and Industry Taw- kingdom has something to show the panies working with alternative and ed Kazakhstan in its list of priority ble for his country’s participation leaders of Kazakhstan and Jordan,” fiq Al Rabiah, Deputy Minister of world community on the subject of renewable energy sources. countries in the field of tourism. in the expo, Ministry of Foreign Af- said Yaseen. Foreign Affairs Prince Turki bin future energy.” During the meeting with Iranian At the Ministry of Industry and fairs and Expatriates Secretary Gen- At the meeting with Maabreh, Saud Al-Kabeer and Vice Presi- The technical issues of participa- Foreign Minister Mohammad Ja- Mines, the sides discussed bilat- eral Mohammad Yaseen, Ministry of Zhoshybayev spoke about the exhi- dent of the King Abdullah City for tion in EXPO 2017 and cooperation vad Zarif, the parties discussed the eral trade-economic relations and Energy and Mineral Resources Sec- bition’s theme and Kazakhstan’s de- Atomic and Renewable Energy in the sphere of alternative energy state and prospects of collaboration prospects of cooperation in green retary General Ghaleb Maabreh and velopment of green energy. In turn, Hussain Abulfaraj. He also met were the main themes of the talks between the two countries, bilat- energy. Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities the secretary-general shared infor- the leadership of the chamber of in King Abdullah City. The town’s eral political cooperation and the According to its national develop- Secretary-General Issa Gammo. mation about the construction of the commerce and industry and ex- leadership expressed its readiness development of trade-economic, ment plan, Iran intends to produce During the session, Jordan officially first nuclear power plant in Jordan, ecutives of tourism companies, to sign an agreement with Kazakh- scientific-technical, cultural and up to 5 gigawatts of electric power confirmed its participation in EXPO which is implemented in the frame- business structures and organisa- stan on cooperation in the sphere of humanitarian partnerships between with the use of renewable energy 2017 in Astana. The sides discussed work of the national programme tions that specialise in alternative peaceful use of nuclear energy and Kazakhstan and Iran. sources. The Iranian government organisational issues in detail and to develop renewable energy up to and renewable energy. The sides renewable energy. Tourism development issues, has allocated 500 million euros for initialed a respective agreement. 2020. Jordan was also among the discussed issues of cooperating in The kingdom has made a deci- visa regime simplification, the im- this sector from the National Devel- sion to completely stop using fossil plementation of tourist group visas opment Fund of Iran. fuels by 2040, incorporating solar energy and wind to replace coal and oil. As a result, $109 billion will be invested in projects to develop solar energy infrastructure. The prince noted Kazakhstan’s vigorous activity in international organisations, including the Organi- sation of Islamic Cooperation and United Nations structures. Zhoshy- bayev expressed his gratitude to the Saudi side for its support of Kazakh- stan’s candidacy as a nonpermanent member of the UN Security Council for 2017-2018. Given Saudi Arabia’s plans to de- velop alternative energy, the EXPO 2017 commissioner invited the country’s leading enterprises to take part in the exposition. At the end of the event, memorandums on coop- eration were signed between Astana EXPO 2017 and the heads of Al Taayar and Vega, leading travel companies in the region. Rapil Zhoshybayev (R) with Minister of Commerce and Industry of Saudi Ara- “Next year, we are planning to in- bia Tawfiq Al Rabiah. Kazakhstan Airlines Suspend Flights to Egypt results of the assessment, a high Nov. 17 to evacuate the travellers By Michelle Witte level of aviation security provision it brought on the Nov. 7 flight, ac- hazard was defined for Kazakhstan cording to the same report. Repre- ASTANA – Kazakhstan has air companies which are carrying sentatives from Scat also said they suspended tourist flights to Egypt out flights to Egypt,” the ministry had received a recommendation due to safety concerns following statement read. It noted that Rus- to suspend flights from the Civil the downing of a Russian passen- sia, the U.K., the Netherlands and Aviation Committee. ger plane that killed 224 people Turkish Airlines had grounded According to Reuters, Tez Tour Oct. 31. flights to Egypt. shared the communication they The Committee of Civil Avia- According to the ministry, had received from the Civil Avia- tion recommended last week lim- around 800 tour packages have tion Committee, which said the iting flights to Egypt and for tour already been sold with flights to committee “strongly recommend- companies stop selling packages Sharm el-Sheikh until the middle ed” that flights be suspended un- to the country following a meet- of January, and there are some 233 til the probe of the Russian crash ing with air and tour companies, people in the Egyptian resort area was completed and made public the Ministry for Investment and who arrived there via a Scat Air- because of the possibility that the Development announced Nov. 13. lines charter flight from Kazakh- Russian crash was the result of ter- “The committee has made an stan Nov. 7. rorism. assessment of the security hazard Tez Tour Kazakhstan said in a Director of the Kazakhstan level of Kazakhstan air companies statement to its clients that tourist Tourist Association Rashida Shai- which are carrying out the flights flights to Egypt had been stopped kenova told Reuters, “Many tour- to the airport of Sharm el-Sheikh Nov. 12 by an order from the Civil ists have already sold back their (Egypt) in accordance with a stand- Aviation Committee, Reuters re- holiday vouchers for Egypt. We’ve ard method of aviation security na- ported Nov. 13. Scat, the only already seen a 60-70 percent drop tional rules and risks management airliner from Kazakhstan offering in demand for tourist trips abroad. system of the International Civic charter flights to Sharm el-Sheikh, … The latest plane crash can make Aviation Organisation. By the said it would make a final flight things even worse.” B7 Nation&Capital Sports Wednesday, november 18, 2015 Barys Makes Progress as KHL Season Enters Second Half By Ilyas Omarov arena. Still lacking an official club’s history. Following that er, as in a Hollywood action film. ratively worth six points, there is row, four of which were played name, it has been nicknamed Bar- victory, Barys confidently de- Barys opened the scoring, but nowhere to retreat. Barys turned in the new arena. ASTANA – Having played 31 ys Arena by sport experts and fans. feated Dinamo Riga, 5-1, and Admiral struck back, making use up the heat, and Maxim Khudya- After 31 matches, the Astana games by last weekend, Barys Here, Astana’s team continued Finland’s Jokerit, 2-0. of a power play. In the second kov restored the draw. Finally, team is still out of the playoff Astana has crossed the half-sea- the triumphant march that began On Nov. 14, Barys hosted Admi- period, the guests took the lead, luck smiled on Barys, with Kon- zone and 10th in the KHL’s East- son mark in the eighth regular with their victory over current ral Vladivostok, which is in their 2-1. However, Astana’s Keaton stantin Pushkarev passing the ern Conference. However, the season of the Continental Hock- Gagarin Cup holders SKA Saint Chernyshev division and is a direct Ellerby equalised soon; then, a puck to Vadim Krasnolobdtsev, clubs are basically neck-to-neck ey League (KHL). Petersburg on Oct. 28. That suc- rival for a place in the playoffs. minute later, the hosts were over- who scored the winning goal, in the standings now, as Barys Only in recent weeks has Barys cess, fans hope, has ended what The initiative in the game taken again. Both sides under- making the score 4-3. stands only seven points behind begun hosting games in its new had been the worst start in the passed from one team to the oth- stood that in a game that is figu- It was Barys’s fifth win in a its second and third-place rivals.

Barys score against Admiral Vladivostok. Kazakhstan’s Top Skier FC Astana Fights to Eager to Start New Season Second Consecutive I was a child by giving me to a We asked the skier about his By Dmitry Lee good trainer, Alexei Nakonechny, inspiration during challenging who I keep in touch and work times in races. ASTANA – The International with back in Kazakhstan. I am re- “In times of hardships I think if Kazakhstan Championship, Ski Federation (Fédération Inter- ally lucky in life, because I get to I slow down and lose one to three nationale de Ski or FIS) World do what I love the most,” he said. seconds, then have I worked for Cup will begin Nov. 27-29 in Poltoranin is currently in the nothing since my childhood? This Ruka, Finland. On the threshold Finnish town of Muonio with his Beats Aktobe at Home 1:0 is why we are training, to fight for of the new season,The Astana group and the national Kazakh every second, for every place,” Times interviewed top Kazakh team getting ready for the start of he said. “My biggest rivalry was skier and three-time World Cup the new FIS World Cup season. in 2013 at the World Champion- winner Alexei Poltoranin. “My Estonian coach, Mati ship at a distance of 50 kilome- “In general, I feel good. Prior Alaver, who I have been work- tres, where I took bronze. It was to the World Cup, there will be ing with for two years and my a mass start and there were many an FIS start on Nov. 13-15, where sparring partner, 2002 and 2006 strong skiers that could win or many teams will participate. Olympic Champion Andrus Veer- finish third. During the race there Our team will also go through a palu, who I have been training were several crucial moments; I draft and we will see the level of with since the summer until the was behind by 15-20 seconds, preparation [of our athletes]. This last starts and who also happens but then I managed to get closer. year we are not holding World to be my serviceman and test pi- Two skiers were way ahead of Cup [stages], so I want to have a lot, are also in Muonio,” said Pol- the group and they had predeter- high-level stable season,” he said. toranin. The skier has had prospects As this article was written the mined the first two places, but at since his early years on the team was working on the basics, the last climb there were three of slopes. At the 2004 FIS Nordic like getting used to the snow on us left in the fight for the bronze. Junior World Ski Championships the skis, working on speed and At the finish line, I realised that I in Stryn, Norway, he and his keeping in good shape. could get the bronze and I did it. teammates took gold in the 4×10 “I have three favourite training It is important to believe in one- kilometre relay. Seven years spots: in the mountains of Ridder, self,” stressed Poltoranin. earlier, during the Asian Games my home town, at the high alti- Addressing his fans, he called hosted by Kazakhstan, Poltoranin tude ski base Ridderhutte where on everyone to watch the tel- won four gold medals at different I train two times a year and the evision and root for the national events in Almaty. He also partici- Estonian town of Otepää. It is a team. pated in the Winter Olympics in popular skiing resort, popularly “It helps us. I recommend eve- 2006 (Torino) and 2010 (Vancou- known as the ‘winter capital’ of ryone to start skiing, because it ver), finishing fifth in the individ- Estonia and where I spend almost is a healthy lifestyle. Your body game. The first half ended in a By Dmitry Lee lov saved his team twice after ual and team sprints in the latter. the whole summer, and the Swiss muscles are working, including scoreless tie. the heart, and most importantly 25-year-old striker Bauyrzhan “For me, skiing is my life. I am city of Davos, where I have my ASTANA – The Astana Foot- The second half started in final stages of the pre-season,” he it is not as traumatic as jogging,” Dzholchiyev attempted to take grateful to my parents that they ball Club (FC) beat Aktobe 1:0 the same fashion. In the 50th said. his goal with a header and Branko helped me find my destiny when said Poltoranin. on Nov. 8 to win its second con- minute, Astana Captain Tanat secutive national championship Ilić tried to break the tie off the Nusserbayev’s header was eas- in Astana. initial rebound. ily stopped by Pavlov. In the FC Astana bombarded Aktobe Numerous attempts were not 55th minute, Pavlov once again with attacks from the first min- successful as Astana players scooped out a tough header right utes of the game in front of the continued attacks but kept fail- from under the woodwork and 8,200-person home crowd in a ing due to a lack of communica- won the ovations of the opposing one-sided match, but managed tion – a few seconds too slow, team’s crowd as Astana’s Marin to get only one past Aktobe goal a few metres too wide, finish- Aničić was robbed of a goal and keeper Stanislav Pavlov. ing off the target or stopped by the 0:0 deadlock remained to be In the 13th minute, Pav- Pavlov, who was on top of his broken. Pavlov’s mission was far from over but he’d already established himself as the man of the night as he made tough saves one after an- other, stopping Dmitry Shomko’s attempt in the 73rd minute and, in the 79th minute, rejecting substi- tute Junior Kabananga. In the last minutes of the match, in the 87th, when Astana fans were exhausted by false promises of a coveted goal, but still hoped to celebrate a win, Kabananga lifted his team above Aktobe af- ter speeding into the box and re- directing Serikzhan Muzhikov’s ball past Pavlov. The struggle was over, the vis- iting team had a few attempts at counterattacks but the better Junior Kabananga celebrates an Astana goal during their victory over Aktobe team, FC Astana, that night got Nov. 8. what they deserved. B8 Nation&Capital capital Wednesday, november 18, 2015 Astana Residents to Choose International Association of Best Health Professionals Public Transport Opens Its health professionals and violations of medical ethics are analysed by the call centre staff using the Here Liaison Office in Kazakhstan and Now principle. At the end of recruiting a permanent staff to be lo- each month, the centre’s heads and By Zhazira Dyussembekova cated in Astana in Astana LRT prem- experts discuss the structure of the ises. The nominated Head of the Of- accepted complaints. ASTANA – Chairman of Astana fice Yussup Khassiev is still located “It is planned that the launch of LRT (Light Rail Transportation) in UITP headquarters in Brussels the call centre will help eliminate Talgat Ardan and Deputy Secretary but will be present in Astana every long lines in municipal polyclin- General of the International Asso- month for several days. The office ics and improve the quality of fur- ciation of Public Transport (UITP) is not operational yet but it should nished medical services. The infor- Mohamed Mezghani signed an be fully operational by 2016,” com- mational centre will help Astana agreement during the Oct. 30 Astana mented Mezghani to The Astana residents to check the presence of Invest Forum to establish a UITP li- Times. medicines in city pharmacies and aison office in Astana. Also during the investment fo- accept their complaints,” stated a “I’m extremely glad that the UITP rum, a new transport authority was representative of the Akimat (city office has been opened in Astana. presented for the planning, manage- administration). This is a great recognition for the ment and development of transport An analysis of the calls showed city. I thank everyone for the sup- in Astana under the name ASTRA, Astana residents complain about the port. Astana officially joins the club which stands for Astana Transport rude and neglectful attitude of the of cities where public transport de- Authority. It will supervise LRT, medical staff. A small quantity of velopment is given close attention,” buses, school buses, city taxis and complaints was also reported con- said Ardan, according to the UITP the parking system. cerning the quality of medical ser- official website. The office is open According to Zakon.kz, Astana vices. The information was present- but not yet operational. LRT presented five new transport ed at the Coordination Council for The office promises to ensure a projects for the city – urban taxi, Photo credit: dailynews.kz Photo credit: Nursing Care Development on Oct. better connection between public school transport, uniforms and tech- 28, where the problems of nurses’ transport peers in the region and nical solutions for the employees of By Yerbolat Uatkhanov The campaign started on Nov. 1 tional medical call centre (telephone advanced training were discussed. potential business partners globally. the transport control service. The and the Astana Health Administra- number 13-00 or 96-37-77) operates Thirty-four medical bodies cur- According to uitp.org, it will also second phase of the Citybus project ASTANA – The heads of Asta- tion press service reported that win- in the city, fielding calls and analys- rently operate in the capital, in- consolidate local knowledge, moni- was presented as well, including na’s Health Administration have ners will be determined in May. By ing individual requests. The centre, cluding two city hospitals, two tor developments, develop region- comfortable IVECO Urbanway bus- called on city residents to actively contrast, health professionals who launched Aug. 3, operates 8 a.m.-8 children’s hospitals and eight mu- participate in “The Best Doctor” specific activities and services as es equipped with an electronic fare have patient complaints will be dis- p.m., Monday-Saturday. nicipal polyclinics. The medical well as advocate for sustainable ur- and “The Best Nurse” campaigns. collection. ciplined. The administration empha- All complaints accepted from establishments furnish services al- ban transport in the region and be- UITP (Union Internationale des Citizens’ opinions will be crucial sises that it pays great attention to the capital residents concerning lines most free of charge. Private medi- yond. Transports Publics) is a major inter- to determining the best representa- zero tolerance principle in medicine, in hospitals, low-grade medical cal companies are quite developed “By opening this Astana office, national organisation uniting more tives of the profession in May 2016. which is why the single informa- services, improper treatment from in the city, too. UITP is supporting and accompany- than 1,300 urban and regional com- ing the rapid development of pub- panies from more than 92 countries lic transport projects in the Kazakh all over the world. It brings together capital and beyond. We shall provide transport operators of urban and sub- assistance, capacity building, infor- urban passenger traffic, rolling stock Annual Diplomatic Christmas mation on worldwide experience and manufacturers and research organi- business networking opportunities sations. It was founded in 1885 and and promote the promising local de- it is one of the specialised organisa- velopments to the wider public trans- tions of the UN. Also, the organisa- Charity Bazaar Opens Ticket Sales port community worldwide,” said tion participates in the development Mezghani, according to uitp.org. The of modern technologies for public ed projects in Pavlodar, Akmola, the Czech Republic. “We have maty and Temirtau; the Karitas association’s office will help facili- transport and gives recommenda- By Michelle Witte School; schools for children with Karaganda, Atyrau and Almaty. really good sponsors this year, tate international best practices and tions for their development and im- disabilities; homes for children; Organisations can contact the so it will be really interesting,” provide opportunities for growth. plementation, conducts research and ASTANA – Astana’s annual rehabilitation centres; and train- charity committee online, and the she said. “UITP is now in the process of training and programmes. Diplomatic Christmas Char- ing centres for women who have charity committee has also sent ity Bazaar will have more em- experienced abuse, Bakuridze request forms to embassies so- bassies than ever participat- said. Money was also donated liciting suggestions as to projects ing this year – 52 in all – and to pay for medical treatment and or individuals who are in need of hopes to top the 19 million educational fees for individuals support, Bakuridze said. Organi- tenge (US$63,490) it raised last in need, she said. sations can be local or interna- year through entrance fees, raf- The organisers have tended to tional, she notes, and all organi- fle tickets and sales, says chair focus on supporting the health, sations are vetted carefully by the of the organising committee for education and quality of life of group before they are funded. the bazaar Sophia Bakuridze, children, Bakuridze said. “We “The good thing is that our spouse of Georgian Ambassador have short-term objectives and we charity committee contains rep- to Kazakhstan Zurab Pataradze. have long-term objectives. The resentatives from [all regions of The charity bazaar, held annu- short-term objectives are about the world]; it’s very internation- ally in Astana’s Radisson Hotel, providing support to individuals al,” Bakuridze noted. “It’s very gathers the diplomatic community or groups who need urgent care transparent; the main thing is that to raise money for a variety of in- – about medical treatment, or it is very transparent. … We vote, dividuals and organisations around medication or assistance during we discuss the plusses and mi- the country through the 200 tenge the winter, like help with heating, nuses, we go, we see [projects], (US$0.65) entrance fee and sales food or clothes. The other direc- we see how they work.” of goods donated by the embas- tion, the long-term objectives, are Raffle tickets are already on sies, mostly representing their funding for educational needs, or sale and will be sold at Khan traditional products and strengths. we take care of special lessons for Shatyr Nov. 14–15. After that, Baskets of traditional goods put to- children with disabilities, or train- they will be available until the gether by embassies are a standard ing classes.” afternoon of the event. There are raffle prize, with larger items sold The charity committee of the 6,000 tickets for sale, and they at the different nations’ kiosks at group that organises the bazaar is hope to sell all of them. Baku- the bazaar. currently looking for recipients ridze is enthusiastic about the Last year, funds were distrib- for the new year, Bakuridze said. prizes, noting that in addition uted to 34 projects, Bakuridze “We are open for any proposals to the traditional baskets, they reports, including the Association about any charity or any charity include jewellery, electronic for Haemophilic Children, ac- project,” she explained. They are appliances like mobile phones, tive in Astana and other regions; looking in particular to expand restaurant gift certificates, and the Society of Diabetic Children; into the regions as much as pos- the major prizes like trips to SOS Children’s Villages in Al- sible. Last year, the bazaar fund- Georgia, Macedonia, Dubai and