0° / -6°C WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017 No 22 (136) www.astanatimes.com Kazakh President addresses global Nazarbayev, Putin discuss issues in Astana Club speech developing human capital at interregional forum “Experts forecast that by 2030, By Aigerim Seisembayeva about 60 professions in various spheres will vanish, and more than ASTANA – A number of inter- 180 new ones will emerge. Accord- state, intergovernmental, regional ing to the Human Development and commercial documents were Report, in the next five years, more signed Nov. 9 at the 14th Forum of than a third of knowledge and skills Interregional Cooperation between necessary for work will change. Kazakhstan and Russia in Chely- This is a serious challenge, and its abinsk. Visiting Kazakh President solution should become one of our Nursultan Nazarbayev and his cooperation’s top priorities,” he Russian counterpart Vladimir Pu- said, adding that it is important to tin also signed a joint statement develop human capital in educa- devoted to the 25th anniversary of tion, health and social protection. diplomatic relations between the “To date, more than 30 Ka- two states (Oct. 22, 1992). zakh universities conduct joint “Our interregional cooperation is scientific research with Russian the basis of economic interaction, universities. I propose to create President Nursultan Nazarbayev (C) speaks to the politicians and experts in Astana on Nov. 13, flanked by Parliament Senate Chairman Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (L) and Institute of World Economy and Politics Director Yerzhan Saltybayev. which, despite all the difficulties, is Kazakh-Russian scientific con- growing. In the past nine months, our sortiums in promising areas, such trade turnover grew 31 percent. Our as biological and information By Zhazira Dyussembekova stan’s diplomacy is focused on a phi- fuelling the international terrorism The second set of major global is- every meeting is a new milestone and technologies, energy and space, losophy of dialogue, compromise and extremism,” he said, adding that sues includes the growth of milita- [provides] a solution to some of the to name a few,” said Nazarbayev. ASTANA – Kazakh President and mutually beneficial partnership. the existing systems of regional and ristic sentiments, the development of biggest challenges. Today’s meet- He highlighted the possibility of Nursultan Nazarbayev addressed This can be seen in the examples international security do not meet the arms race and the threat of nu- ing will also be of great importance using the potential of such innova- the Astana Club, a neutral platform of mediation efforts on Syria, anti- dynamics of the pace of develop- clear weapons as well as the increase for developing cooperation,” Naz- tive clusters as the Nazarbayev Uni- to debate public issues based on nuclear initiatives, the contribution ments or offer enough sustainable in global tensions generally. arbayev said during a bilateral meet- versity, the Park of Innovative Tech- Chatham House rules, during its to the dialogue between cultures, solutions to old and new issues. “For many years and decades, ing with Putin prior to the forum. nologies in Almaty, the Skolkovo Nov. 13 third annual meeting. He the development of socio-economic “There is a formation of a new military operations in the Middle The forum, which was devoted to Centre in Russia and other research talked about global challenges and agendas,” the President said. trade world order by forming large East and Africa remain in active human capital development, gath- institutions. He also mentioned threats such as growing terrorism, One of the main issues Nazarbayev blocks around competing eco- phase. The situations in Afghani- ered the heads of the two countries’ the Astana International Financial military issues, economic situa- addressed was international terrorism. nomic centres. This may lead to a stan, Iraq, Ukraine, Nagorno-Kara- regions, ministries and departments, Centre, the International IT-startup as well as business executives, sci- tion, migration, as well poverty “The building of a new architec- reduction in the role of the WTO, bakh are in a limbo. The growth hub and the International Centre and lack of water and food. ture for global development takes an increase in protectionism. The entists and education experts. for Green Technologies and Invest- in global tension increases the Nazarbayev told the gathering that “We are trying to bring to the place in the context of a deepening threat to international trade and fair ments – the institutions currently demand for armaments. Military changes in the labour environment re- world something that it has been geopolitical, geo-economic and geo- competition comes from ‘sanctions being developed on the grounds of spending once again rose last year sulting from technology will be an im- lacking so much recently – unifi- ideological fault along the East-West wars,’ which under the pretext of recently completed EXPO 2017. and amounted to US$1.7 trillion or portant bilateral issue in the near term. Continued on Page A3 cation, cohesion and tolerance for line. Political repression, poverty, political pressure pursue economic 2.2 percent of world’s GDP. solving global problems. Kazakh- low level of education and health are goals and vice versa,” he said. Continued on Page A8 EU-Central Asia ministerial meeting AIFC, green tech centre reiterates mutual commitment to cooperation and IT start-up hub to begin protections, fundamental freedoms By Aigerim Seisembayeva and the rule of law in combating operating in 2018 extremism, terrorism and drug traf- the international IT start-up hub,” ASTANA – Participants in the ficking and responding to financial By Aigerim Seisembayeva said Kazakh Foreign Minister Nov. 10 13th European Union – and political challenges. The com- Kairat Abdrakhmanov to open the Central Asia Foreign Ministers’ muniqué also said the Dec. 7 meet- ASTANA – The Astana In- event. meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan ing of EU and Central Asian Min- ternational Financial Centre He noted considerable potential adopted a joint communiqué re- isters of Justice in Brussels would (AIFC), international centre exists for developing cooperation confirming mutual commitment to intensify discus§sion on the Rule for green technologies and in- with foreign governmental and jointly tackling economic, security of Law Initiative. ternational IT start-up hub are corporate partners. and governance issues. The communiqué also noted the expected to begin operating on AIFC, the first big project, was Foreign ministers from Ka- EU’s engagement with individual former EXPO 2017 premises in created at the President’s initiative zakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Central Asian countries and said 2018. The news was announced and will operate according to the Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, the involvement by Central Asian civ- during the EXPO 2017 legacy principles of English common law European Union’s (EU) High Rep- Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov signs the programme il societies will help deepen EU- presentation to the diplomatic with a preferential tax regime, in- resentative for Foreign Affairs and of cooperation between the ministries of foreign affairs of Central Asian States. Central Asia relations. corps Nov. 15 at the Kazakh dependent financial court, arbitra- Security Policy and Vice-President of See the story on A3. “Never before have we had such Foreign Ministry. tion and regulator. It is intended to the European Commission Federica an intense, positive and construc- “The President of the Republic become a financial hub for Central Mogherini and the European Com- recipient of aid but as an economic such as water and energy use as well tive EU-Central Asia cooperation. of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Naz- Asia, the Eurasian Economic Un- missioner for International Coopera- partner, with a market of 70 million as environmental protection. I would say that we are at the top arbayev, pays special attention to ion (EAEU), the Caucasus, West- tion and Development Neven Mimi- people, that, especially if reforms are Officials also discussed the secu- of our historical experience of co- this issue. It is not by chance that ern China, Mongolia and Eastern ca adopted the communiqué, EU and undertaken successfully, will become rity situation in and around Central operation, but we want to use this the head of state’s speech at the Europe. The centre will develop Central Asia: Working for a Safer and an attractive area for investments, Asia, including Afghanistan, and the not as a target point, but as a start- closing ceremony of expo included the key areas of capital market, More Prosperous Future Together. including from Europe. We believe security challenges facing the Euro- ing point,” Mogherini said. him highlighting the plans for the welfare management, private On economic relations, participants that we are facing challenges but that pean Union. Participants said in the In this regard, the five Central launch of the Astana International banking, Islamic finance and fi- agreed that strengthening the nexus there are a lot of opportunities that joint communiqué they welcome Asian foreign ministers welcomed Financial Centre, the international nancial technologies. between security, migration, climate we can make the most out of if we the support provided to Afghanistan the decision to adopt the new EU centre for green technologies and Continued on Page A5 change and sustainable development cooperate together,” said Mogherini by the EU and Central Asian coun- Central Asia Strategy by the end of could help strengthen economies. following the meeting. tries and called for continued joint 2019 that will lay the foundation “We are, as the European Union, Participants also discussed ways efforts to help that country. for further cooperation. and we will remain the first develop- to optimise Central Asia’s economic, They also stressed the importance The next EU-Central Asia For- ment partner of the region. But we see transit and transport potential and to of strengthening good governance, eign Ministers’ meeting will be in Central Asia more and more not as a better manage cross-border issues, including democracy, human rights Brussels in 2018. EBRD predicts Kazakh economy to grow 3.8 percent in 2017 By Yerbolat Uatkhanov rates over the longer term,” said Kazakh, British foreign ministers agree EBRD’s Chief Economist Sergei ASTANA – A recently released Guriev. European Bank for Reconstruction In 2016, growth was 1.1 percent, and Development (EBRD) report according to the multi-nation lend- to greater transit, Silk Road cooperation forecasts Kazakhstan’s economy er. The EBRD report notes that corridors and reviving the Silk ing terrorism, non-proliferation tegic Dialogue at the British For- will grow 3.8 percent this year and 2017 growth was also supported By George D. Gleboff Road corridor. of weapons of mass destruction eign Office. The bilateral agenda 3.5 percent in 2018. by stronger activity in construc- and Aigerim Seisembayeva They also discussed glob- and cooperation in Central Asia, for the upcoming months also In a Nov. 7 report, the bank at- tion, agriculture and transportation al issues, the Kazakh foreign among other issues. includes meetings of the Kazakh- tributes the growth to increased oil and says the country’s banking sec- LONDON – Kazakh Foreign ministry announced, including “Kazakhstan will be the first British Intergovernmental Com- production at the Kashagan field, tor problems are manageable. The Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov the priorities of Kazakhstan’s Central Asian nation to chair the mission, the Business Council current oil prices and a recovery in report predicts inflation at 6-8 per- and British Secretary of State chairmanship in the UN Secu- UNSC. Looking forward to fur- and other events involving the real incomes growth. “The broad- cent in 2017-2018. Kazakhstan’s for Foreign and Commonwealth rity Council in January 2018, ther cooperation on global secu- Samruk Kazyna National Wealth based recovery is a very welcome banking sector consolidation will Affairs Boris Johnson during the Astana Process on Syria, rity,” Johnson tweeted following Fund, the Astana International development. It also creates a win- also help clean up balance sheets a Nov. 20 meeting in London the situation in Afghanistan, the the meeting. Financial Centre (AIFC) and the dow of opportunity to carry out of banks with the largest non-per- agreed to expand cooperation implementation of the Minsk The discussions took place as Kazakh Invest national company. reforms that will ensure the sus- forming loans, it notes. on the trans-Eurasian transport agreements on Ukraine, counter- part of the Kazakh-British Stra- Continued on Page A3 tainability of the stronger growth Continued on Page A4

INSIDE NATION ECONOMY&BUSINESS EDITORIALS&OPINIONS OPINIONS NATION&CAPITAL Astana Club’s third meeting focuses on GE Digital CEO says digital transformation EXPO 2017 to benefit Kazakhstan and world NOROV: Role of new regional policy Cultural centre brings Kazakhstan and Japan viability of cooperation in Eurasia A2 transforms global industry A4 long term A6 of Uzbekistan in political and economic closer, promotes Japanese traditions, language processes in Central Asia A7 learning B1 Kazakhstan to start aviation fuel production in Kazakh-British investment forum participants CORNELL: Central Asia is not a breeding 2018, reducing dependence on Russia A2 sign agreements, enhance cooperation A5 ground for radicalisation A6 KETTEBEKOV: Innovation park supports Charity Bazaar to extend goodwill ahead of digital industrial transformation... A7 Christmas holidays B8

US$ 1 = 331.00 KZT € 1 = 390.32 KZT 1 = 5.59 KZT A2 NATION

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017

NATIONAL New Shymkent Astana Club’s third meeting NEWS IN BRIEF Four working groups will be cre- ated to oversee the switch to Latin- based script, said Kazakh Prime mayor appointed focuses on viability Minister Bakytzhan Sagintayev at a Nov. 16 national commission meet- Staff Report ing. The groups will develop spelling and orthoepy rules; work on methods ASTANA – Nurlan Sauran- of cooperation in Eurasia of teaching, learning and gradual in- bayev has been appointed new troduction into the educational sys- Akim (Mayor) of Shymkent, the By Zhanna Shayakhmetova tem; systemise the Kazakh language third largest city in Kazakhstan. terminological fund based on Latin He replaced Gabidulla Abdrakhi- ASTANA – More than 60 partic- script and adapt Latin script to IT mov, who was appointed Secretary ipants from 28 countries, includ- technologies. The transition will be of Kazakhstan’s ruling Nur Otan ing prominent politicians, scholars carried out in three stages in 2018- party. and leading experts, spoke about 2020, 2021-2023 and 2024-2025. Throughout his career, Sauran- global policy issues requiring res- bayev worked in national compa- olution, sanctions confrontations Central Asia’s first biogas plant nies, including Kazakhstan Temir and prospects of cooperation in the with a 0.5-megawatt capacity was Zholy, KazMunayGas, served as great Eurasian landmass Nov. 13- launched Nov. 17 in Shymkent, re- ported Kazinform. “The new tech- vice minister for industry and new 14 at the third annual meeting of Ortcom.kz. Photo credit technologies and deputy defense “I hope that as a mayor Nur- the Astana Club. nologies of the Hedviga Group, a minister, among other positions. lan Sauranbayev will make Kazakh President Nursultan of cooperation and the relations tions, we have been witnessing the Czech company presented at EXPO “As agreed by the Administra- every effort, use his knowledge Nazarbayev’s participation be- of Asia and Europe. Traditionally, growing activity of your country in 2017, were used. Thermal and elec- tion of Kazakh President and city and experience to further de- came a major highlight of the geographic distance was a barrier international affairs and politics,” tric energy is produced by cleaning maslikhat (city administration), velop the economy of the city event. and an obstacle to developing in- he added. sewage from the waste treatment Governor of the South Kazakhstan and drew particular attention to “The speakers raised the issues tensive relations. But today it is no David Chikvaidze, chief of staff facilities and extracting biogas from region appointed Nurlan Sauran- several issues that negatively related to nuclear disarmament longer a major problem. There are of the Director-General of the it. As a result, this technology sig- bayev as mayor of Shymkent,” the impact social and economic and protectionism in world trade. means to overcome that barrier,” United Nations Office in Geneva, nificantly reduces pollution and im- region’s press service stated. development,” added the gov- They expressed interest in the fur- he said. noted the intellectual and political proves the environment. There are South Kazakhstan region Akim ernor. ther vision of Kazakhstan on the He also spoke about the role of leadership that Kazakhstan imple- plans to implement 14 projects with (Governor) Zhanseit Tuimebayev Tuimebayev also gave instruc- Syrian issue, the Iranian nuclear Kazakhstan in international rela- ments on the world arena. a total capacity of 183.9 megawatts introduced the new mayor Nov. 7. tions to ensure implementation of programme, the investment policy tions. “I would like to note the coun- in the region, four of which have al- “You are a highly qualified spe- state programmes, increase rev- prospects and the country’s plans “Many people, especially most try’s role in mediation, conflict ready been implemented,” said South cialist, who served in different enues to the city budget, attract in- for economic cooperation in a of the political leaders, are very prevention and resolution. It is no Kazakhstan region Akim (Governor) fields of public service. You have vestors to develop small and medi- global and regional context,” said well aware of the significance of accident that the Syrian talks are Zhanseit Tuimebayev. a vast experience on managing po- um entrepreneurship and introduce Kanat Zhumabayev, executive di- Kazakhstan’s initiatives concern- held in Astana as a supplement to sitions,” Tuimebayev told Sauran- measures meant to develop infra- rector of the First Kazakh Presi- ing the de-nuclearisation of the the Geneva talks. Kazakhstan pro- A satellite for earthquake predic- bayev in front of the gathered city structure in settlements adjoining dent Foundation, at the Nov.14 country over 25 years ago and all vided a platform for this kind of in- tion studies is expected to launch in officials. the city. briefing. of the following initiatives con- ternational meeting due to impar- the country, according to the Minis- Astana Club meetings are held cerning the liquidation of nuclear tiality, equidistance and a balanced try of Defence and Aerospace Indus- according to Chatham House arms. That used to be a kind of approach to the issue. Kazakhstan try. The scientific and technological rules, which implies anonymity of traditional area of Kazakh activity. also plays an important role in the space system, composed of two sat- expert opinions expressed during But in the last ten years there were issues of disarmament and non- ellites and a ground control complex, the discussions. more initiatives presented by Pres- proliferation of nuclear weapons,” is in the final stage of development. Policy would optimise “The principle of anonymity ident Nazarbayev to the United he said. “The first satellite is designed to makes it possible to freely discuss Nations and other partners; for ex- “The Astana Club is a neutral develop a new satellite platform de- and express different opinions. ample, the problem of Syria where platform with no prejudices,” said veloped by a joint team of Kazakh This year, we also used the princi- Kazakhstan did a great service in Yerzhan Saltybayev, director of and British specialists. As a result, procedure for PPP projects ple of panel session,” he said. the kind of mediation which was the First President Foundation’s we will have an average resolution satellite of remote sensing and the gust. He noted it has been approved The rules do not, however, pre- difficult at the very beginning,” he Institute of World Economy and clude experts from speaking their said. Politics, which organises the club nanosatellite designed to develop the By Aigerim Bulambayeva by the Mazhilis (lower house) and methodology for predicting earth- is currently under consideration by mind to reporters outside of the Cimoszewicz noted the par- meetings. “Our task is to provide discussion hall. Former Polish ticipants were impressed by the a platform and to give an oppor- quakes developed by Russian scien- ASTANA – Kazakh Minister of the Senate (upper house). The draft tists,” said a ministry representative. National Economy Timur Sulei- law would optimise PPP processes Prime Minister Włodzimierz Ci- country’s modernisation plans, tunity to discuss many things. menov spoke about the current by excluding two of five stages (de- moszewicz used such opportunity including some elements which Astana secured its role as a global and noted there were “interesting are directly related to internation- neutral platform, where strategic Three projects worth 17.2 billion state of private-public partnerships tenge (US$52 million) and creat- (PPP) and resulting policy meas- debates and rich discussions” at al programmes and projects, the dialogues take place at the high- the sessions. launch of the Astana International est political level. This fact attracts ing 360 additional jobs are planned ures during the Nov. 7 government in the East Kazakhstan region by meeting. “It was the right decision to Financial Centre (AIFC) and the new participants to the club. The choose that kind of topic about role Kazakhstan wants to play in club has become a centre of attrac- the end of this year as part of the He presented statistics indicat- regional Business Road Map. “The ing 116 contracts worth 139.5 bil- Eurasia, because in the changing the One Belt, One Road initiative. tion for authoritative experts, poli- world when almost everywhere, “Considering the fact that Ka- ticians and diplomats from around oilseed processing plant with a pro- lion tenge (US$418.6 million) duction capacity of 200 tonnes per have been concluded in compli- everything becomes new unlike it zakhstan is a relatively young the world. The format proved its was before, it is the perfect time country and young independent relevance. Therefore, this work day will be launched in December ance with PPP mechanisms, 53 in Ust-Kamenogorsk. The welding of which worth 70 billion tenge to think in terms about the future participant of international rela- will be continued.”

Photo credit: primeminister.kz Photo credit: robot system for ship hull assembly (US$210.1 million) have already Timur Suleimenov is expected to be introduced at the been put into operation. Currently, Ust-Kamenogorsk reinforcement 63 facilities at a cost of 69.5 bil- veloping project concept and exam- plant. The Altai Ken-Baitu company lion tenge (US$208.6 million) are ining contract project) in develop- intends to increase the amount of ore in the construction phase. The work ment and approval. processing and the quantity of output is divided among 45 educational “In total, these changes will ena- Kazakhstan to start aviation at the gold recovery plant. The pro- complexes, 27 health care facilities, ble reducing the timing of the PPP ject costs 16.2 billion tenge (US$49 17 cultural and sports arenas, seven agreements from seven months to million),” said regional entrepre- service and procurement centres three months,” he said. neurship and industrial-innovative The Ministry is also seeking to fuel production in 2018, and three smart city energy and pas- development department head Mak- senger transportation projects. optimise the timing of PPP agree- sat Musapirbekov. Karagandy region is the leader ments by considering the policy with 21 signed contracts, followed regarding standardised documen- reducing dependence on Russia The Kazphosphate mineral ferti- by Kostanai and South Kazakhstan tation. New types of contracts for tion fuel from Russia and Europe. refineries, and the modernisation lizer plant plans to increase produc- regions with 17 and 13 contracts, road maintenance, medical equip- tion to 500,000 tonnes, according to respectively. Aktobe region and ment leasing, polyclinic trust Staff Report I would like to know, here you of these plants is nearing comple- create an ‘island’ of experience, tion. The two plants – Pavlodar and Kapital.kz. “The plant was recon- the city of Astana have attracted management and school mainte- structed in 2016 as part of the state the largest investments for project nance have been devised in addi- ASTANA – Three Kazakh oil re- which should involve foreign Atyrau – will complete their mod- fineries will start producing - avia banks, organisations, foreign inter- ernisation by the end of this year; industrial-innovative development costs, with the former garnering tion to the previously-developed programme. This year, 300,000 16.6 billion tenge (US$49.8 mil- 10 standard projects. Regions can tion fuel in the second half of 2018 est, and what if no one can come to the Shymkent plant will complete and are expected to be able to fully you?” he asked. modernisation in the second half tonnes of phosphorus mineral fer- lion) and the latter, 15.1 billion now refer to the specified docu- tilisers were produced, of which supply the Kazakh market. Bozumbayev confirmed that of 2018. After the completion of tenge (US$45.3 million). mentation as a model, which will 108,000 tonnes were sold on the “We expect that in the second Kazakhstan depends on Russian modernisation, all three refiner- In his report, Suleimenov also allow them to improve the timing domestic market,” said Kazphos- half of 2018, we will fully sup- fuel. According to him, the coun- ies will produce about 900,000 addressed the draft law improving to develop tender documentation phate general director Mukash Is- ply domestic market with aviation try used to get Siberian oil from tonnes of aviation fuel, which we PPPs submitted to Parliament in Au- and contracts. kandirov. Approximately 200,000 Russia that was light and con- will certify according to Western fuel, and we will be able to control tonnes are exported to Afghanistan, tained a small amount of sulphur. standards,” he explained, noting its cost and regulate it. I think that Argentina, China, Russia, Ukraine Currently, Kazakhstan’s Pavlodar that in January or February, high- by July, when the Astana Interna- and Uruguay. This year, six projects refinery receives heavier oil from quality fuel will be produced in the tional Financial Centre [AIFC] valued at 8.3 billion tenge (US$25 the Bashkortostan deposits, and Pavlodar and Atyrau refineries, but Flying minibuses to will be presented, we will fully million) have been implemented because of this the plant is not able it will take time to certify it and supply our country with aviation and 398 jobs created. Thirteen ad- to produce quality aviation fuel. kerosene,” said Kazakh Minister receive permission among aircraft ditional projects worth 18.8 billion of Energy Kanat Bozumbayev “Therefore, several years ago it engine manufacturers and airlines tenge (US$56 million) are planned, connect cities and villages during a Nov. 15 round table at the was decided to modernise all three that fly to Astana. creating 1,448 new jobs in the re- Staff Report be lowered if large number of air- Ministry of Foreign Affairs. gion. craft purchased at once. Discussing issues related to the ASTANA – Small passenger air- The Civil Aviation Committee opening of the AIFC, Ambassador Security measures in the Caspian planes will soon begin flying be- plans to open flights to the Alakol of the Netherlands Dirk Jan Kop Sea are expected to be strengthened, tween small Kazakh cities and vil- Lake, Kenderli, Beineu, Zaisan, asked how foreign investors will Kazinform reports. “The vessel traf- lages, according to the Facebook Turkestan, Zharkent, Kulsary, get to Astana, when the capital of fic intensity and the volumes of oil page of Acting Deputy Chairman Moyinkum, Arkalyk, Torgai and Kazakhstan cannot be reached by and fuel transported provide a po- of Civil Aviation Committee of other regional airfields in the com- air from all countries of the world. tential risk of water pollution. The Ministry of Investment and Devel- ing years. Implementation of small “I would like to say that in 2016 Transport Committee has begun opment Tota Amirova. aircrafts for air medical service is British Airways and Austrian Air- work to expand the legal and regu- “We are now working to acquire under consideration as well. ways stopped flying to Astana and latory framework for protecting the a large number of small new aircraft The government is develop- KLM stopped flights after several marine environment and preventing and have already called these aircraft ing domestic airlines and creating years. The problem is not a short- emergency situations,” said the Nov. affectionately minibuses. They will new air routes. Such companies as age of passengers: they had flights. 20 press release from the Ministry for fly between small towns and villages. Qazaq Air and Bek Air were spe- It happened because they did not Investment and Development. This Their capacity is 17-19 passengers,” cially created to boost the devel- have incomes, because the fuel year, measures were taken to prevent the Acting Deputy Chairman said. opment of domestic flights, mak- costs were twice as high as in Eu- terrorist attacks. Requirements for She also noted that an important ing them safer and cheaper. These rope. There are three refineries in port security assessment were intro- factor in implementing such flights companies have fleets consisting Kazakhstan that will start produc- duced. An emergency response plan is the cost of such small aircraft, of small aircrafts and offer the best ing aviation fuel only in a year, should be available for every port which has to be moderate and can quality / price ratio. and there is dependence in avia- and ship, the ministry said. A3 EURASIA&WORLD

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017

EXTERNAL NEWS IN BRIEF Central Asian nations agree to increase The Centre of Kazakh Literature and Culture opened in the Tokyo Central Library Nov. 15, reported the press service of the Kazakh cooperation within region and with EU Ministry of Culture and Sport. The met with Mogherini, as well as the centre was opened as part of the in- trust and cooperation will extend By Aigerim Seisembayeva to neighbouring countries and re- European Commissioner for Inter- ternational presentation of the coun- gions,” he said. national Cooperation and Develop- try’s “Modernisation of Kazakh- Abdrakhmanov noted some ele- ment Neven Mimica. The meetings stan’s identity” programme, and ASTANA – Foreign ministers ments of such a zone already exist, particularly focused on assistance to similar centres have been opened of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajik- including cooperation within the Afghanistan and Kazakhstan’s offi- in 11 countries: South Korea, Kyr- istan, Turkmenistan and Uzbeki- International Fund for Saving the cial development assistance projects, gyzstan, Finland, Hungary, Russia, stan signed Nov. 10 in Samarkand Aral Sea, the Nuclear-Weapon-Free which allocated more than $450 mil- Armenia, Malaysia, Turkey, China, a programme of cooperation be- tween the Ministries of Foreign Zone, the Central Asian Regional In- lion over the past several years. Georgia, and France. Kazakh Am- Affairs of Central Asian States for formation and Coordination Centre Another important event was the bassador to Japan Yerlan Baudar- 2018-2019. (CARICC) among others. signing by the foreign ministers bek-Kozhatayev, the director of To- The five ministers met on the In this regard, Kazakhstan offers of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and kyo Central Library and Director of margins of several events taking a comprehensive approach based Uzbekistan of an agreement on the the Kazakh National Library Umit- place in the ancient city simulta- on three principles: the security- area of the junction point of the khan Munalbayeva participated in neously, including the European development nexus, the regional ap- state borders of the three states. The the opening ceremony along with

Union – Central Asia ministerial mfa.kz. Photo credit: proach, and the coordinated efforts agreement is part of the completion prominent Kazakh scholars, mem- meeting and an international con- of UN agencies and institutions. of one of the stages of international bers of the Japanese intelligentsia, L-R: Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Erlan Abdyldayev, Kazakh Foreign Minister ference on security and sustainable Kairat Abdrakhmanov, European Commissioner for International Cooperation Abdrakhmanov also noted Ka- legal formalisation of the state bor- representatives of the Kazakh dias- development in Central Asia under and Development Neven Mimica, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs zakhstan supports the decision of the der between Kazakhstan, Turkmen- pora in Tokyo, students and school- UN auspices, titled “Central Asia: and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz European Union to update the EU istan and Uzbekistan and will cre- children. Kamilov, Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov, Tajik Foreign Minister one past and a common future, co- Sirodjidin Aslov. Strategy for Central Asia. The docu- ate a solid basis for strengthening operation for sustainable develop- ment is expected to be elaborated by mutual respect, sovereign equality Permanent representative of Ka- ment and mutual prosperity.” Abdrakhmanov said at the confer- curity and stability are interlinked the end of 2019 and establish priori- and the territorial integrity of the zakhstan to international organisa- The five-party document is in- ence. with sustainable development at ties for further cooperation. three bordering states. tions in Vienna Kairat Sarybai and tended to expand contacts and coor- “Since gaining independence the national and regional levels. In developing the new EU Strat- “Since the first days of inde- other members of Kazakhstan’s dination between the foreign minis- more than 25 years ago, President of Kazakhstan assumes stable models egy for Central Asia, Kazakhstan pendence, President Nazarbayev delegation participated in the 49th tries. Central Asian foreign ministers Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev of economic and social progress, proposes to focus on increasing paid close attention to the delimi- session of the Preparatory Commis- agreed to cooperate on international has been actively promoting the stable political institutions prevent the impact of the document, in par- tation of the state border. In fact, sion of the Comprehensive Nuclear- issues and within international and policy of regional integration that the spread of common threats and ticular, the preparation of projects this is a matter of responsible Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CT- regional organisations. takes into account the interests and challenges such as terrorism and with results that will strengthen re- state-building and security of the BTO) that was held in Vienna Nov. Along with the Central Asian expectations of all the states of the extremism, drug trafficking, organ- gion’s potential. country. The trilateral agreement 13 to 15. The diplomat elaborated foreign ministers, the heads of the region. Today, this process receives a ised crime, illegal migration and Speaking about the development signed today is largely historical on Kazakh President Nursultan foreign ministries of Afghanistan new impetus, as we observe a surge human trafficking. A joint regional of transit and transport potential, for Central Asia, since it finalises Nazarbayev’s initiatives on nuclear and Iran, the European Union High of regional contacts at all levels,” he approach helps overcome natural the minister noted that Central Asia the legal registration of the state disarmament and non-proliferation Representative for Foreign Af- stressed, noting that Kazakhstan wel- disasters and catastrophes, includ- should not remain simply a transit borders of our three states,” Ab- proposed during the opening cer- fairs and Security Policy Federica comes the initiative to hold regular ing the tragedy of the Aral Sea and region. The EU’s experience and drakhmanov said after the signing emony of inauguration of the In- Mogherini, heads of secretariats meetings of Central Asian leaders. the use of trans-boundary water re- assistance should be used to help di- ceremony. ternational Atomic Energy Agency of international organisations, sci- Such an idea was voiced by Uzbek sources, he noted. versify Central Asian economies and He also met separately with his (IAEA) Low-Enriched Uranium entists and NGOs took part in the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev as he “That is why President Naz- in-demand high-tech industries. Kyrgyz counterpart Erlan Abdyl- Bank, as well as the results of the conference under the UN auspices. opened the conference, and Abdra- arbayev proposed in his policy The meeting of the EU-CA For- dayev to discuss regional and bi- Conference of the Pugwash Move- Kazakhstan stands for the crea- khmanov said President Nazarbayev address to the UN Security Coun- eign Ministers in Samarkand re- lateral cooperation and integration ment of Scientists held in Astana. tion of a model of a regional zone was considering inviting his col- cil in early 2017 the creation of a sulted in the adoption of a joint com- within the Eurasian Economic Un- of peace, security and cooperation leagues to Astana for such a meeting model zone for peace, security and muniqué which outlined the mutual ion. They also affirmed their desire A Week of Kazakhstan’s Econo- in Central Asia and Afghanistan, during the Nauryz celebrations. cooperation in Central Asia and Af- vision of further cooperation. to strengthen bilateral relations and my in Germany was held from Nov. Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov stressed that se- ghanistan, from where the spirit of In Samarkand, Abdrakhmanov resolve trade and economic issues. 13 to 16 in Frankfurt am Main, Ka- zinform reports. On Monday, Nov. 13, a Kazakh delegation led by Vice Minister for Investment and Devel- opment Timur Toktabayev met with Managing Director of Possehl Spe- Nazarbayev, Putin discuss developing human zialbau Group GmbH Ottmar Rien- hoff-Gembus and Rainer Baumann of Baumann Holding to discuss is- sues associated with the implemen- capital at interregional forum tation of meat processing projects in Kazakhstan and the development Continued from Page A1 ed Kazakhstan’s contribution to the the business initiatives of Kazakh of necessary infrastructure. At the settlement of the Syrian conflict and Russian regions that mutual Monday round table, organised Nazarbayev also considered the within the Astana Process. trade has grown considerably since by the Kazakh-German Business possibility of opening branches of “Largely thanks to the Astana the beginning of this year. In Janu- Council for strategic cooperation, Russian universities in Kazakh re- talks, there appeared an opportunity ary-August 2017, mutual deliveries Toktabayev noted that Kazakhstan gions with an increased demand for to find an early resolution to the Syr- of goods and services reached $11 and Germany traditionally enjoy educational services. ian crisis and for Syrians to reach billion, a 30 percent increase com- mutually profitable cooperation in He highlighted prospects for coop- agreements on launching a political pared to the same period last year. spheres like engineering, subsurface eration in healthcare, healthcare dig- settlement process,” he said. “The accumulated Russian in- management, oil refining, energy itisation and common telemedicine Speaking about the forum, Putin vestments in Kazakhstan exceeded efficiency, development of trans- network development. noted interregional cooperation is $10.8 billion, and Kazakhstan’s in- port and logistics infrastructure, and “The work on digitisation has developing successfully and covers a vestment to Russia reached $3 bil- pharmaceuticals. He added that Ka- started within the EAEU [Eura- wide range of economic, social and lion. We must not stop here, that is zakhstan accounts for more than 85 sian Economic Union]. I suggested humanitarian issues. why we instructed our governments percent of Germany’s trade turnover holding a special EAEU forum on “The regions of our two countries and the intergovernmental commis- digitisation in Astana in the first are cooperating very closely. About sion to take additional measures to

with Central Asian countries. Akorda.kz. Photo credit: quarter of next year. Kazakhstan 400 agreements on cooperation al- remove barriers to the movement of and Russia should become locomo- Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev (L) and Russian President ready exist between the regions of goods, capital and labour,” said the A Kazakh delegation including Vladimir Putin. Kazakh Ambassador to Finland tives in this sphere,” he said. Russia and Kazakhstan… A com- Russian President. Murat Nurtleuov, Aigul Kuspan, the In terms of labour market and change,” he said. Nazarbayev also He also noted both countries sup- prehensive programme of Russian- Regarding the digitisation issue, Director for Europe of the Ministry social protection, the Kazakh said tourism had not been previ- port the China-Kazakhstan-Russia- Kazakh interregional cooperation Putin expressed hope that the forum of Foreign Affairs, and Almat Kari- President noted the dependence ously discussed at an interregional Europe high-speed railway project, for 2018-2023 has been elaborated would help establish interregional mov, the Director of the Container of labour mobility on the citizens’ forum. He thus proposed to devote which will positively influence co- for the forum. The document is cooperation in the introduction of Transportation Department of KTZ awareness about the demand and the next forum to the topic of “New operation between the two countries. aimed at enhancing the regions’ electronic services and products in Express took part in a ceremony in supply in the labour market. approaches and trends in tourism de- Putin supported many of Naz- interaction even more. Priority will municipal administrations, housing early November to mark the dis- “We need to work out the mecha- velopment in Kazakhstan and Rus- arbayev’s statements, noting Ka- be given to trade, economic and in- and communal services modernisa- patch of the first container train nism of creating a single integrated sia” and to conduct it in Kazakhstan, zakhstan and Russia are strategic vestment cooperation,” he said. tion, healthcare and environmental on the route Kouvola (Finland)- Eurasian electronic labour ex- in the city of Petropavl in 2018. partners. He particularly highlight- He emphasised that it was due to protection. Buslovskaya (Russia)-Altynkol (Kazakhstan)-Xian (China). This train is expected to complete the more than 8,000-kilometer route in 10 days. The new route is the fifth corridor established by Kazakhstan Kazakh, British foreign ministers agree to greater in cooperation with other Asian and European states in the framework of Kazakhstan’s Nurly Zhol eco- nomic stimulus initiative and Chi- transit, Silk Road cooperation na’s Belt and Road Initiative. Continued from Page A1 and Britain’s intention to deepen pean companies, including British wide-ranging cooperation. ones,” said Abdrakhmanov. Kazakh Deputy Minister of For- Abdrakhmanov and Johnson Abdrakhmanov’s meeting with He stressed Kazakhstan ranked eign Affairs Roman Vassilenko and also touched on meetings between Johnson was part of his visit to Brit- 36th in the World Bank’s Doing Busi- Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Kazakh President Nursultan Naz- ain during which the Kazakh Foreign ness report this year, while the Euro- of Bulgaria Yuri Sterk held politi- arbayev and British Prime Minister Minister also met with the leadership pean Union is Kazakhstan’s largest cal consultations Nov. 15 aimed at Theresa May, including at the G20 of Metalysis company, which is im- trade and economic partner and in- intensifying the countries’ entire summit in China in 2016 and Naz- plementing a high-tech project in vestor, which on average accounts for range of relations, including trade arbayev’s November 2015 London Kazakhstan, and TheCityUK, which up to 50 percent of trade and invest- and economic cooperation. Having visit which resulted in agreements is cooperating with the AIFC. ment into the Kazakh economy. noted the substantial growth in trade worth $12 billion. In addition, Abdrakhmanov at- The annual meeting of the ECFA turnover in the current year, the dip- “Kazakhstan will continue tended the annual meeting of the Advisory Council discussed the lomats of the two countries stressed strengthening its strategic partner- Eurasian Council on Foreign Af- conceptual approaches to the de- the importance of expanding coop- ship with Great Britain in order fairs (ECFA) Advisory Council. velopment of relations between Ka- eration in energy, investment, agri- to modernise the economy and The council was founded in 2014 zakhstan and other Central Asian culture, trade and tourism, as well increase investment and trade ex- and is an independent think tank countries with Europe and coopera- as the efficient use of the transit and change based on the agreements at of the six largest investors in the ain’s experience in creating AIFC studying Central Asian states’ de- tion in transport, logistics, energy and transport potential of the countries. the highest level,” Abdrakhmanov Kazakh economy with more than and thousands of Kazakh students, velopment and relations with Eu- financial technology. Participants The parties reached an agreement said, adding the United Kingdom $12 billion invested so far. Bilat- including Bolashak presidential ropean countries. stressed Kazakhstan’s geo-economic to increase cooperation in the afore- plays an important role in Kazakh- eral trade in 2016 was $1.2 billion scholarship holders, study in Brit- “Kazakhstan is working hard to location in the heart of Eurasia, its ef- mentioned areas with the active in- stan’s economic development. and more than $1 billion in the first ish universities. improve the investment climate fur- forts to develop transit and key role volvement of representatives of the Britain is one of Kazakhstan’s nine months of 2017. In turn, Johnson also noted Ka- ther and is interested in expanding for the implementation of the Belt two countries’ business circles. major trading partners and one Kazakhstan is also using Brit- zakhstan’s importance to the UK investment cooperation with Euro- and Road Initiative (BRI). A4 ECONOMY

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017

ECONOMY GE Digital CEO says digital transformation NEWS IN BRIEF Trade turnover between Kazakh- stan and Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries exceeded $12 transforms global industry billion from January-September, reported 24.kz. The hike represents to seize the opportunities created by and then bringing them together, so to evaluate the possible localisation a 30-percent increase compared to By Aigerim Bulambayeva the changes. As an example of suc- that we can drive greater productiv- of Predix-based digital solutions – the same period last year, noted the cess stories, he spoke about Uber ity and make them more efficient. from edge to cloud – which would Ministry of National Economy. The ASTANA – Bill Ruh, CEO of and Airbnb, both of which, not own- If you look at it, GE is doing this in help nurture the nation’s developer volume of exports to EAEU coun- GE Digital and Chief Digital Of- ing any assets, became very produc- the energy market, where through community in partnership with the tries reached approximately $4 bil- ficer (CDO) of GE, lectured at Naz- tive through digital technology. Ruh Predix we are connecting our elec- region’s leading universities. lion with the larger part of the trade arbayev University Graduate School suggested those in the audience, spe- trical grids. Already, about 4 percent Ruh shared his vision on the op- accounting for Kazakh imports. Ka- of Business Nov. 14 about the cifically the aspiring entrepreneurs, of the world’s electricity is running portunities of future cooperation. zakhstan exports mineral products, changes in the industrial due to the follow their lead. through Predix,” he said. “GE has been in Kazakhstan for metals and items made from them digital transformation and his com- GE Digital transforms industry, Predix is GE’s software platform 70 years (starting when the coun- as well as chemical industry and an- pany’s solution to the challenge. As bringing value to customers, he said. for collecting and analysing data try was a part of Soviet Union). We imal and vegetable origin products, part of his first visit to Kazakhstan, “We all understand how the digital from industrial machines. With Pre- have been investing, hiring people machinery and equipment, accord- and the Commonwealth of Inde- world and the Internet are changing dix digital solutions, industrial com- and creating jobs in this environ- ing to the ministry press service. pendent States (CIS) countries as a the consumer world, but what peo- panies can achieve higher business ment for a long time. Looking at the The nation imports machines and whole, he also commented on coop- ge.com. Photo credit: ple do not understand is that the in- results, effectively managing their future, we are working with Samruk equipment, mineral products and Bill Ruh eration between GE and the Samruk dustrial world is about to go through assets in real time, Ruh claimed. Kazyna on rethinking how we can chemical industry items. Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund. the same transformation that we saw Earlier this fall, General Electric help them operate their businesses, goods market fuelled by digitalisa- “The entire industrial world is be- in the consumer world. The energy and the Samruk Kazyna Sovereign become more efficient in energy, Kazakhstan’s index of industrial tion. The next set of companies to ing changed and people who will not arena is one of the first areas to em- Wealth Fund inked a preliminary mining, healthcare and everything production has reached 107.5 per- fall for the same reason, he believes, embrace the changes are going to lag brace digital technology and GE is agreement to explore opportunities they do. We are looking to how cent since the beginning of the year, are those in the industrial area. behind,” he said. leading this. What we are doing is for cooperation in sustainable digital we can collaborate, so that we can reported khabar.kz. The extraction One must not perceive those Ruh pointed to film manufacturer we are taking the physical world, systems for Samruk Kazyna indus- sell our joint products to the indus- of crude oil, natural gas, metal ores changes as strictly negative, how- Kodak, which collapsed due to the the machines that operate industrial trial enterprises and other Kazakh trial customers in the whole Central and coal and production of food ever, as this is also the perfect time pervasive changes in consumer systems, as well as the digital world companies. The companies agreed Asian region,” he said. products, oil refining and medi- cines have all increased. Production growth has been observed in 14 re- gions of the country, according to data from the Ministry of National Economy. Production of cigarettes, EBRD predicts Kazakh Shymkent hosts AgriTek 2017 rubber and plastic products, com- hectares of greenhouses belong- 25 percent-50 percent to purchase puters and electronic equipment has By Zhanna Shayakhmetova ing to 5,000 farms in the region, new equipment. To increase the ef- decreased. 17 of which are automated indus- ficiency of production, the special economy to grow 3.8 ASTANA – More than 50 com- trial greenhouses. In addition, new subsidies for high-grade seeds and After a drop in July, the aggregate panies from Kazakhstan, Russia, technologies are widely used in fertilisers are also taken into con- volume of second-tier bank (STB) South Korea, Turkey and Uzbeki- the dairy industry. Up to 7,000 li- sideration. Concessional loans at a assets is growing for the second stan exhibited products including tres of milk are received per year 2-percent rate are issued for spring consecutive month, reported rank- percent in 2017 agricultural machinery and equip- from every cow due to modern field harvest campaigns and loans ing.kz. The size of the banking sec- equipment. The production of at 6-8 percent rates for other areas. Continued from Page A1 ing a large influence on Kazakhstan’s ment, irrigation technologies, fer- tor decreased 2.6 percent to 24.4 poultry meat will increase up to State support is aimed at increasing economy, has now pulled out of re- tilisers, protective equipment for trillion tenge (US$73.27 billion) greenhouses, plants, seeds and five times as a result of the use of the productivity of agricultural prod- The EBRD tracks the economies cession after a cumulative contrac- at the end of September compared seedlings, livestock and veterinary digital technologies,” he said. ucts; that is, obtaining high quality of 37 emerging countries, financ- tion of 3 percent over the last two to the 19.3-percent increase to 25.1 ing their projects and supporting years. Russia is expected to see GDP technologies at AgriTek 2017, held Seven hectares of almond orchards, products,” said Tuimebayev. Nov. 8 in Shymkent. and 59 hectares of walnuts, have been The agricultural crop area reached trillion tenge (US$75.37) the previ- reforms aimed at sustainable and en- growth of 1.8 percent this year and ous year. The loan portfolio share in vironmentally-friendly market econ- 1.7 percent next year. However, the The event attracted about 1,500 planted. The drip irrigation method 818,000 hectares this year, an increase visitors, according to Kazinform. originally introduced on 7,500 hec- of 29,000 hectares compared to 2016. assets volume decreased from 61.7 omies. The recent report shows that report says that investment activity percent to 56.9 percent since the economic growth is observed in 27 in Russia is constrained by economic At the opening ceremony, South tares has expanded to 58,500 hectares. As a result, this year’s gross agricul- Kazakhstan region Akim (Governor) Greenhouse area in the region has in- tural output volume reached 376.5 beginning of the year. In Septem- emerging countries this year. Growth uncertainty, and signs of stress have ber, the STB assets portfolio grew in the region is expected to continue appeared in the financial sector. Zhanseit Tuimebayev noted agricul- creased by 1,294 hectares, accounting billion tenge (US$1.1 billion). ture in the region is becoming a new for an 80-percent share in the country. Farm machinery manufacturing is- 1.5 percent or 354.8 billion tenge in 2018 but at a more moderate pace, The bank believes the increase in driver of the economy. “It is difficult to achieve results sues and ways to produce agricultural (US$1.06 billion). according to EBRD. the oil price – compared with 2016 – “Modern technologies are used without introducing modern technol- machinery, equipment and tools were The report also says that the current has been a positive factor for Russia, in the crop sector due to state sup- ogies in agriculture. The state began discussed at a seminar within the ex- The EXPO 2017 legacy is ex- outlook is subject to risks, including and also for other commodity export- port. There are more than 1,300 to issue investment subsidies from hibition. pected to attract approximately $40 geopolitical tensions, persistent se- ers and countries in Central Asia and billion in foreign investments in the curity threats, the growing appeal of eastern Europe and the Caucasus that next 10 years, according to Astana populist anti-globalisation policies in rely on Russia for remittance flows or International Financial Centre advanced economies and a high de- as a destination for their exports. (AIFC) Governor Kairat Kelimbe- gree of concentration in the sources The gap in growth rates between tov, reported khabar.kz. He believes of global growth. the east and west of the EBRD region the AIFC, Astana international IT The Russian economy, being the is also expected to narrow, according start-up hub and Green Technolo- largest in the EBRD region and hav- to the report. gies Centre, which will begin their work as early as Jan. 1, will provide the main inflow of investments. “We expect that the international stock exchange will start operating Number of transit in the first quarter, where the pri- vatisation of Samruk Kazyna Fund companies will be conducted. The possibility of privatisation of Air flights through country Astana, Kazatomprom and other companies next year is being dis- cussed. We expect a correspond- ing decision of the government and increased by 5.2 percent Samruk Kazyna next year,” he said. approximately 30-40 percent of By Yerbolat Uatkhanov the total transit traffic between Eu- The ninth Baikonyr Invest fo- rope and Asia, with an average of rum dedicated to developing inter- ASTANA – The Civil Aviation 300-350 flights per day. national cooperation was held in Committee, which recently re- The main airlines using the Kyzylorda, according to the region- ported the number of transit flights country’s airspace are Uzbeki- al akimat (administration) press ser- (indirect flights with a connection) stan Airways (up to 200 flights a vice. Representatives of local and through Kazakh airspace has grown week), Turkish airlines (up to 130 international business communities by 5.2 percent, is working to attract flights), Russian Aeroflot (up to and heads of financial institutions, more air traffic through the nation. 130 flights), Russian Ural Airlines corporations and research institutes The committee noted 183,877 (up to 110 flights), Cathay Pa- from all regions of the country and flights were registered in Kazakh cific Airlines (100 flights), China abroad, as well as delegations from airspace in the first nine months Southern Airlines (100 flights) and countries including China, Iran, of this year. Almost 50 percent, Siberia Airlines (up to 100 flights). Poland, Russia, South Korea, Tur- 87,688 flights, are transit flights Air India, British Airways, KLM, key and Uzbekistan, took part in representing an increase of 5.2 per- Lufthansa, Pakistan Airlines and the symposium. Event participants cent compared to the same period Thai Airlines each carry out 40-80 organised an exhibit of investment in 2016. flights a week. projects and more than 30 memo- According to the committee’s Transit passenger traffic has randums and agreements on mutual report, its subsidiary organisation, grown more than 20 times in the cooperation were signed. Kazaeronavigation, negotiated with last seven years, from approxi- representatives of the International mately 20,000 in 2010 to nearly The Eurasian Economic Union Air Transport Association (IATA), 478,000 in 2016. Air transit is an (EAEU) Customs Code will en- airlines and air navigation service important component of the Ka- ter into force on Jan.1, reported providers to attract air traffic flows zakh economy, as every transit khabar.kz, as EAEU nation heads through Kazakh airspace. Corre- passenger leaves about $600 in have signed the corresponding joint sponding steps have also been taken Kazakhstan and $200-$250 with- statement. The new customs leg- to restructure the airspace man- out transportation costs. islation was developed taking into agement and increase the length The government is taking action account the current development of international air routes. Radio to increase these indicators. A 72- level of electronic technologies equipment has been purchased and hour visa-free regime for Chinese and contains many aspects useful experts are being trained according citizens travelling on Kazakh air- for entrepreneurs, according to the to international standards. lines through the Almaty and capi- Eurasian Economic Commission Most of the flights are made by tal airports had been in existence press service. The EAEU Customs airlines from Commonwealth of during EXPO 2017. A visa-free Code will replace the Customs Un- Independent States (CIS) nations regime is also in place for citi- ion Customs Code in effect since and countries beyond the region zens from the 45 countries of the mid-2010. The new document gives carrying passengers from Europe European Union, Organisation for powerful impetus to transferring and Russia to Southeast and Cen- Economic Co-operation and De- customs technologies to informa- tral Asian countries. The trans- velopment (OECD) as well as the tion lines and also eliminates many Asian network of routes passing United Arab Emirates (UAE), Ma- of the problems that have accumu- through Kazakhstan accounts for laysia, Monaco and Singapore. lated in law enforcement practice. A5 BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22 , 2017

BUSINESS NEWS IN BRIEF Kazakh-British investment forum participants sign The Mangystau region has pre- sented the Business-Kapital pro- ject, which will provide support for Zhanaozen entrepreneurs, ac- agreements, enhance cooperation cording to the press service of the regional administration. The pro- London and the London Stock Ex- the U.K. has become an important Kazakh Invest Deputy Chair- as possible in the region. He added gramme is financed by Damu Entre- By Aigerim Seisembayeva change to train and develop Astana trade and economic partner. He not- person Birzhan Kaneshev outlined Great Britain could be closely in- preneurship Development Fund and Stock Exchange personnel. ed the two countries have actively new investment opportunities for volved in implementing Kazakh- OzenMunaiGas. “This programme ASTANA – The Kazakhstan- The event, held in London, pre- cooperated on a number of priority sectoral and regional projects. stan’s privatisation programme. is the application of state support United Kingdom Investment Fo- sented Kazakhstan’s economic projects, including establishing and Kazakhstan’s national investment The event was jointly organised measures within the Business Road- rum became the venue Nov. 8 for modernisation with its compre- developing both the AIFC and the strategy has the U.K. as one of the by the City of London Corpora- map 2020. Everyone who wants to discussing Kazakhstan’s vast in- hensive privatisation programme national privatisation programme, priority countries for attracting in- tion, the AIFC and Kazakh Invest do business will be able to apply vestment opportunities and signing currently being implemented, new as well as projects within the One vestment, he said, adding coopera- and was supported by the Kazakh for the new programme. … Over 1 a number of documents between investment strategy and invest- Belt One Road Initiative. tion between the nations will con- Embassy in the U.K. Attendees in- billion tenge [US$3 million] will be the nations’ institutions. The items ment cooperation opportunities, as AIFC Governor Kairat Kelimbe- tinue to strengthen. cluded the U.K. Prime Minister’s allocated for projects of local entre- included a memorandum of coop- well as AIFC and Kazakh Invest’s tov noted the financial centre offers Lord Mayor of London Dr. An- Trade Envoy to Kazakhstan Bar- preneurs. These funds will be placed eration between Kazakh Invest and activity, reported the foreign min- a number of privileges for investors, drew Parmley highlighted the co- oness Emma Nicholson, head of in second-tier banks for subsequent the British Chamber of Commerce istry’s press service. whose contributions will continue to operation potential between the the EBRD representative office in financing of projects in Zhanaozen in Kazakhstan, a memorandum of In his speech, Kazakh Ambassa- create favourable conditions for at- U.K. and Kazakhstan both in terms Kazakhstan Agris Preimanis and on preferential terms. In fact, funds understanding between Kazakh dor to the U.K. Erlan Idrissov said tracting investment to Kazakhstan. of One Belt One Road and in de- heads and representatives of top from the local budget will not be Invest and the European Bank for that in 25 years Kazakhstan and “The AIFC has every opportuni- veloping the AIFC. In particular, he British transnational companies involved,” said Akim (Governor) Reconstruction and Development the U.K. have strengthened rela- ty to become the gateway to Eura- noted the City of London is ready such as Aggreko, ConnectIreland, Yeraly Tugzhanov. He stressed that (EBRD) and a tripartite agreement tions and created a truly strategic sia, providing trade and financial to provide the Kazakh capital with International Development Ire- the economy of Zhanaozen should among the Astana International Fi- partnership. As one of the largest flows between the countries of the as much support as needed for the land, Metalysis, Sentinel and Wil- be diversified through financial sup- nancial Centre (AIFC), the City of investors in the Kazakh economy, West and the East,” he said. financial centre to become as large liamHare. port to new facilities in production and services.

The Baiterek 4 company in the South Kazakhstan region has started exporting its products to China, ac- AIFC, green tech centre and IT start-up hub to open in 2018 cording to kapital.kz. The enterprise Continued from Page A1 He noted AIX is expected to green financing, which will en- ganisations and fintech start-ups The hub will be housed in a makes canned vegetables in the start operating in the first quarter hance the implementation of green will have privileges on corporate 10,000-square-metre expo pavil- amount of 1,500 tonnes per year. “The AIFC international pres- of 2018, adding partial privatisa- projects in all countries of the Cen- income tax (CIT) and individual Most are sold in Almaty and the ion. entation will take place July 5 tion of the Samruk Kazyna Sov- tral Asian region,” said Minister of western region of Kazakhstan. “The income tax. Non-financial organ- “Companies will be able to place next year, but we will start oper- ereign Wealth Fund companies Energy Kanat Bozumbayev. demand for our products is grow- isations and start-ups will have orders and invest in start-ups, ating Jan. 1,” said AIFC Governor will also occur on the exchange ing every day. I think consumers He noted specialised interna- tax incentives for CIT and social while accelerators and incubators Kairat Kelimbetov. platform. are happy and now we have started tional organisations, countries and tax,” said Minister of Informa- will provide expert and consulting exporting to foreign markets. Right The centre will consist of sev- “In the first five-seven years, we companies where the green sector tion and Communications Dau- support. The government will co- now, 20 people are involved in pro- eral components including the expect the AIFC to become a re- is currently developed are expect- ren Abayev. ordinate the legal basis to promote duction, and 40 people work during Astana International Exchange gional financial centre and within ed to become partners. The idea for the hub was out- innovation and universities will be summer,” said Deputy Director of (AIX), which is being created 10 years we plan to join the top 20 “I am sure that in the future, the lined in the Digital Kazakhstan a source of critical mass. One of Baiterek 4 Bakhytzhan Ospanov. with foreign partners includ- leading Asian financial centres,” new centre will contribute to the state programme, while the con- the main tools will be hosting all The products are also shipped to ing NASDAQ and the Shang- he added. global sustainable development ceptual vision was based on inter- sorts of hackathons of internal and the Sairam district of the South Ka- hai Stock Exchange (SSE), the The green tech centre, officially through the support of green tech- national experience. international scale,” he added. zakhstan region and to the markets number three and four stock the Future Energy International nologies,” he added. “After holding consultations The three projects will ensure a of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. exchanges, respectively, in the Centre for the Development of The Astana Hub international IT with a number of international $40 billion inflow in investments, world. SSE signed a shareholder Green Technologies and Invest- start-up park will offer a number companies, we worked out our noted Kelimbetov. A rice milling plant was launched agreement with the AIFC author- ment Projects, will be launched fol- of advantages for its participants, own action plan for creating and “For the first time in the post-So- in the Kyzylorda region through ity providing it with a 25-percent lowing AIFC. The centre will pro- such as tax preferences, developed developing a start-up ecosystem viet space, we are creating a plat- the Baikonur-Invest forum, accord- stake in AIX and opening access mote practical transition to a green infrastructure, affordable leases, and attracting a critical start-up form where investors’ rights will ing to the website of the regional to China’s investment liquidity. economy by creating a sustainable favourable legal and visa regime mass from around the world to be protected within the framework administration. The enterprise em- A technological agreement has framework necessary to advance and access to financing. develop a technological entrepre- of the legal system that is most fa- ploys 80 people, and plans to in- also been inked with NASDAQ, renewable energy, clean technolo- “The hub will be registered at neurship culture in Kazakhstan,” miliar to them, the common law,” crease that number to 100 in the providing AIFC with the services gies and sustainable development. the AIFC; therefore, financial or- he said. he said. future. According to Daulet Sarsen- of the most popular global trad- Nazarbayev announced the initia- bayev, head of the Abai Daulet ing platform. tive at the UN General Assembly’s plant, it processes seven tonnes of “We have strong cooperation, 70th session in 2015. grain per hour through a no-waste understanding and friendly rela- “The centre will ensure the in- production process. The region col- tions with the Moscow Stock Ex- teraction of countries, primarily lected more than 500,000 tonnes of change. They helped us develop a from the Central Asian region, in rice this year. Torem Hoshemi, an regional financial services hub and the transfer of green technologies Iranian variety of rice, was planted we will also develop new technol- and consulting, training and tech- in the region and an agreement was ogies, such as blockchain technol- nology demonstration, including signed at the forum to export Kyzy- ogy,” said Kelimbetov. expert examination and advice on lorda rice varieties to Iran.

The administration of the Kosta- nai Region signed a memorandum with Global Gas Group on the con- struction of a gas processing plant Fintech start-up holds in the region, reported inform.kz. According to Kostanai Akim (Gov- ernor) Arkhimed Mukhambetov, the investment agreement is worth its first global ICO 20 billion tenge (US$60 million). long run they will form the mar- “Here the company plans to imple- By Frol Leandoer ket of crypto-investment when ment three plants: the construction it becomes more mature. They and operation of the distribution ASTANA – LendEx financial- make a deeper analysis of the infrastructure for the supply of nat- tech (fintech) start-up plans to product itself, analyse the tech- ural gas, the construction of lique- initiate an ICO (Initial Coin Offer- nical part and management and fied natural gas production and the ing) using the Ethereum platform look at the team’s experience. organisation of a multidisciplinary based on block chain technology. Based on this, they make more enterprise for the production of the The investments will be used to informed decisions and under- Globalgasauto gas-engine system,” launch the LendEx P2P (peer to stand that they need to diversify he said. The gas processing plant’s peer) lending platform, which will their assets and they need to in- capacity will be up to 200,000 focus on online lending to clients vest in companies that have come tonnes per year. The gasification in Central and Southeast Asia. for a long time,” he added. of Astana and the northern regions “We are talking about a target The LendEx release will be held of the country is planned to be im- audience of 500 million people in two stages: the actual ICO and plemented through public-private which belong to the so-called un- pre-ICO, which will begin Dec. 1. partnerships. “At the same time, the banked segment or who do not “We plan to attract $20-$30 mil- cost of gas will not be more than 35 have access to financial products, lion for ICO in the next 12 months tenge [US$0.1] per 1 cubic metre. in particular, to loans. The LendEx and about $1 million for pre-ICO. Within the [public-private partner- online platform, built with the help During the pre-ICO, we will check ship], our company will invest a of block chain technologies, will the demand for our product from total of 77 billion tenge [US$231 provide crypto investors with ac- potential crypto-investors and million],” said head of Global Gas cess to the platform and will allow crypto-enthusiasts. These funds Group Oleg Goncharov. issuing microcredits for borrowers will be allocated for the devel- checked in national currencies,” opment and improvement of IT Kazakh residents trading online said fintech entrepreneur and start- infrastructure, marketing and ac- will be exempt from income tax, up author Alexey Sidorov. cess to other Asian markets,” said said First Vice Minister of the Na- During the ICO, crypto investors Sidorov. tional Economy Ruslan Dalenov will be able to buy LendEx tokens The LendEx team presented its during the presentation of a new depending on the type of loan port- start-up Oct. 19 at the FinTech In- tax code in the Senate. “The next folio and risk/return ratio (from A novation Day start-up conference amendment concerns electronic to F). in the capital. An international jury commerce. Today, mainly, the trade “The market is being dominat- selected the best ideas, entering of individuals and the self-employed ed by speculative types of inves- one of the gurus of venture busi- has ‘migrated’ to the web, the inter- tors which resell the tokens two, ness billionaire Tim Draper. His net, WhatsApp, Instagram,” he said, three times more at the peak of company, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, according to inform.kz. “We tried to popularity. The second type of is a world leader in venture capital give an impetus to electronic com- investors, which is not as com- investment in technology compa- merce by exempting from corporate mon but we think that the future nies and he is enthusiastic about income the individual income tax of is in them, is the classic inves- the prospects of the bitcoin indus- persons who deal exclusively with tors, who do not seek quick ben- try. The best start-ups selected by electronic commerce. This amend- efits and expect long-term invest- the jury will go this month to the ment will operate for five years and ments but who are close to the Singapore Fintech Festival, the will develop e-commerce, transfer it buy and hold approach. We are largest financial technology event into legal paths,” said Dalenov. betting on them, because in the in Asia. A6 EDITORIAL&OPINION

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017 EXPO 2017 to benefit Kazakhstan’s adaption to Kazakhstan and world long term changing world should he success of any major event is judged not technologies, which have become a major engine of only by the number of its visitors or how world trade, services and data exchange. well it is organised, but also by its legacy. While attracting investment to Kazakhstan was un- Major events can be a significant catalyst doubtedly an important element of organising EXPO help it succeed Tfor positive change, elevating the host’s global 2017, it is well known that one of the main aims of And these words should also sound stature and turbocharging its economic, political and the event was to promote sustainable development By Sturla Ellingvåg good both to people in the West and social development. A truly successful international and green energy. To ensure that the Astana EXPO the younger people of Kazakhstan: event can even have a positive influence far beyond can be considered a success, it will be important for President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s “Our future will be created in our the host nation’s borders. Kazakhstan to continue to push for development of a article “Course towards the future: classrooms” and “Nepotism has no Now that a few months have passed since EXPO green economy in the country and beyond. modernising Kazakhstan’s iden- place in such a system. This is the 2017, it is worth analysing the legacy of this ma- Steps are being taken in this direction already. The tity” is well written and should be way to build a career only in a failed jor event. While it is too early to comment on the establishment at the EXPO site of the Future Energy of great interest to many around and under-developed society.” successes of the long-term legacy of EXPO, it is International Centre for the Development of Green the world. He displays a clear and There are many lessons to be certainly possible to examine the near-future impact Technologies and Investment Projects will promote strong voice, and has obviously a learned from the current situation of the event on Kazakhstan and the world. the transition to a green economy by creating a great overview of history when he in Europe, with Brexit, the rise Firstly, it is most welcome news that the Astana In- sustainable framework to advance renewable energy, describes his thoughts on the past, of populism, opposition to ruling ternational Financial Centre (AIFC), the international clean technologies and sustainable development. The present and future in the article. on incorporating the Latin alpha- elites, new challenges because of centre for green technologies and the international IT establishment of this organisation will also lead to Kazakhstan and the rest of the bet in Kazakhstan, together with the migration crisis, terror attacks start-up hub are expected to start operating in 2018 partnerships and collaborations with other countries, world have indeed entered a new the importance of education for and much more. The apparent loss on the territory of EXPO 2017. Often, unfortunately, which will be beneficial not only for Kazakhstan, but period in history, which could of cultural and historical roots to the site of a major event ends up being unused after for our partners as well. leave the unprepared behind while Kazakhstan and the many in Europe has now back- the event has finished. This certainly isn’t the case In the long term, EXPO 2017’s legacy will be others more adaptable will be able lashed, and we are indeed facing a with EXPO 2017. judged on whether the event has managed to con- to take the front seat. The effort rest of the world have new future. Cultural and national Each of the organisations that will be located at tribute to global sustainable development. Many in this article is in my opinion of indeed entered a new identity are considered more im- the EXPO site will contribute greatly to Kazakhstan scientists are suggesting that the recent floods and great importance and deserves rec- portant now than in the past three and the region. For example, the AIFC will transform hurricanes in many parts of the world are a symptom ognition on a larger scale. period in history, decades. Those who will win, those Astana into a financial hub in Eurasia and help to of climate change. Unfortunately, global warming, To adapt in order to be better who are best prepared for the fu- attract more foreign investment and capital. In addi- through the release of carbon-dioxide pollution into equipped and prepared for the fu- which could leave the ture, will be the ones who are best at tion, its establishment will help to enhance interna- the atmosphere, will cause the seas to rise further and ture is certainly not an easy pro- unprepared behind adaption, and who are able to lean tional cooperation, as the financial centre will partner the storms to intensify even more. Now, more than cess, especially for one of the larger on the past while looking ahead for with the NASDAQ, Dubai and the Shanghai stock ever, it is necessary to take action to tackle climate countries in the world. It demands while others more the future. I acknowledge Presi- exchanges. change and adopt sustainable living and a green a great understanding and respect dent Nazarbayev’s attempt at exact- Meanwhile, the establishment of the Astana Hub economy. In the short term, EXPO 2017 has certainly for history, with its great many adaptable will be able ly this, and wish him and the whole international IT start-up park, which will also be contributed towards this goal. Hopefully, its long- learning lessons, and a clear sight to take the front seat. country of Kazakhstan the best for registered at the AIFC, is an important step towards term legacy will also lead to such necessary changes and orientation in many directions, the future with these plans. the development of information and communication not only in Kazakhstan, but also globally. all of which President Nazarbayev the young and focus on English displays at length in the article. language learning, all seem sound The author is famous founder And it requires good solutions and and well thought through. and expedition leader, historian means to see them through. These adaptations to a chang- and economist from Norway. He In short, his words on competi- ing world should indeed strengthen became well known for testing Central Asia is not a breeding tiveness, pragmatism, preserving Kazakhstan’s strategically impor- DNA both from the living and national identity, on knowledge, tant position in the world. And they the dead travelling to unique lo- evolution and having an open at- could also secure future generations cations around the world to de- titude will also cling positively to of people in Kazakhstan good and bunk historical facts and prove ground for radicalisation many in the West. And his ideas sustainable lives in a new world. historical myths. majority of fighters decided to gious tradition that could form a By Svante Cornell travel to Syria while labour mi- counterweight to extremism. grants in Russia. Over 80 percent Meanwhile, their societies are On October 31, a citizen of of Central Asians that traveled to changing at a furious pace. The Uzbekistan was arrested for the Syria were recruited there. As new states of Central Asia are try- terrorist attack in New York city the liberal Russian newspaper ing to develop new and compel- that led to the death of eight peo- Novaya Gazeta concluded, “the ling national identities; but that ple the same day. This drew par- road to ISIS goes through Mos- process takes considerable time. allels to the truck attack earlier cow.” this year in Stockholm, as well As a Kazakh research pointed as terrorist deeds in Istanbul and out to me, the big question fac- St. Petersburg. In all cases, per- ing the young generation is: petrators were of Uzbek origin. Who am I? What do I believe In addition, over two thousand in? Central Asians have taken part In Central Asia, governments in the civil war in Syria, fighting are rather effective at countering for Jihadi organisations like Is- extremist groups: a 16-year old lamic State or the Nusra Front. Is in Uzbekistan, thus, is not likely Central Asia a breeding ground to have easy access either to ex- for extremism? tremist preachers or websites. Both in Europe and the United But when they leave their home States, this argument is made countries to work in Russia, Tur- with increasing frequency. Fin- key, Europe or the United States, gers are being pointed at Central This means that if we truly they suddenly encounter groups Asian states, as connections are want to understand why Central that compete to fill their life with made between the radicalisation Asians are attracted to extremist meaning. A small minority of supposedly going on in Central groups, it is not enough to point them – again, just like in suburbs Asia and the authoritarian char- at the governance systems in the across Europe – appear to fall acter of these governments and region, or their economic situ- prey to the simplified and hate- filled worldview of extremists.

The Soviet legacy of atheism means Meanwhile, what is really go- ing on in Central Asia? that many young people in Central Asia, The region’s two largest coun- just like in suburbs across Europe, tries – Kazakhstan and Uzbeki- stan – have both in the past two did not grow up with a strongly rooted years introduced comprehensive religious tradition that could form economic and political reforms, which among other reduce the a counterweight to extremism. power of the presidents, provide for stronger parliaments and ju- dicial systems, and attempt to their economic problems. In oth- ation – even though these may fight the widespread corruption. er words, many appear to assume leave much to be desired. They may have long way to that repression and/or poverty It should also be pointed out travel on this road. But to point leads to radicalisation. that the field of research on vio- at the weaknesses of these states The problem with this analysis lent extremism does not provide is in no sense helpful to under- is that there is no evidence that any simple answers to why indi- stand why some Central Asians these individuals were radicalised viduals are radicalised. This is the in exile are drawn to extremism. in Central Asia. The perpetrators case especially in a world where in Stockholm and New York left far more European than Central The author is Director of Uzbekistan almost a decade ago. Asians have traveled to Syria. the Central Asia-Caucasus Neither showed any tendencies Migrants from Central Asia, Institute & Silk Road Studies toward radical views or behavior in fact, do share some common- Programme, a Joint Center in their home country. It appears, alities with the young citizens of affiliated with the American instead, that they developed such Europe that traveled to the Mid- Foreign Policy Council and the views while in Sweden and the dle East for Jihad: a quest for Institute for Security and De- United States, respectively. identity and meaning in life. velopment Policy. The Soviet legacy of atheism How about all Central Asians means that many young people This article was first pub- in Syria? in Central Asia, just like in sub- lished by TheDiplomat.com, Even here, the research that is urbs across Europe, did not grow reprinted with permission available suggests that the large up with a strongly rooted reli- from the author.

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22 , 2017 Role of new regional policy of Uzbekistan in political and economic processes in Central Asia tries have increased. As a result, proaches of the Republic of Uz- – to continue the comprehen- develop an appropriate response By Vladimir Norov we are observing an increase in bekistan on further strengthening sive assistance in Afghanistan’s to the Aral catastrophe. We con- trade and economic relations, and, cooperation in Central Asia de- integration into regional trade, sider it necessary to intensify the Vladimir Norov, former Minis- most importantly, a new impetus clared by the head of our state: economic, transport, communica- activities of all states of the region ter of Foreign Affairs of Uzbeki- has been given to the process of First, further development of tion aid energy links; in solving the problem of the Aral stan and current Director of the resolving long-standing region- trade and economic ties, creat- – to fight against extremism, Sea area and in order to attract Institute for Strategic and Interre- wide problems. ing favourable conditions for the paying more attention to the is- donor assistance to the implemen- gional Studies under the President All this gives grounds for as- growth of mutual trade turnover sues of countering radical ideol- tation of socially significant pro- of the Republic of Uzbekistan, serting that 2017 is really “his- and strengthening the cooperation. ogy, the influence of which often jects and programmes. participated in the Astana Club torical,” in many cases a “break- According to UN experts, effec- falls on youth. Central Asia is one Sixth, the important direction in meeting in the Kazakh capital on through” year for the people of tive cooperation of Central Asian of the “youngest” regions of the interstate relations is strengthen- Nov. 13-14. These are his remarks our region. Thus, our nations have countries could increase regional world in terms of the age compo- ing the cultural and humanitarian provided exclusively to The Asta- Central Asia is an integral and demonstrated their readiness and GDP at least twice in 10 years. sition of the population: young ties and contacts of friendship and na Times, edited for space and organic part of Eurasia, being lo- desire for cooperation and a re- A practical contribution to this people make up about 60 percent, good-neighbourliness between publication style. cated in the heart of the continent. sponsibility for a common future. task could be the creation of a Re- while in the world this figure does our states and peoples. Despite the fact that for the first Our region plays the role of an At the same time, at the interna- gional Economic Forum and the not exceed 20 percent. In our opinion, the idea of cre- time the representative of our in- important link connecting Europe tional conference “Central Asia: establishment of the Association The President of Uzbekistan ating a “Central Asian TV chan- stitute is participating in the meet- and the Middle East, South and one past and a common future, of Heads of Regions of Central previously declared a number of nel” aimed at covering the most ings of this platform, we are well East Asia. The ability of the Cen- cooperation for sustainable devel- Asian States, which will create initiatives in countering extrem- important processes which are aware of its high intellectual sta- tral Asian countries, in working opment and mutual prosperity” direct dialogue between the busi- ism from the UN platform and taking place in the states of the re- tus, which allowed Astana Club together, to ensure peace, stability in Samarkand on Nov. 10, Presi- ness communities of our countries other authoritative international gion will help our people get ac- to prove itself as an international and prosperity in the region will dent Mirziyoyev stressed that the and strengthen inter-regional ties. organisations, including the de- quainted closely with the history debate ground for discussing the Second, we need to use the tran- velopment of the Convention on of our countries and peoples. most urgent issues, which are af- sit and logistics potential of the the Rights of Youth and the adop- Summarising the above, I fecting the world as a whole and It is encouraging to note that today in Central region more effectively and en- tion of a special resolution on would like to express the opinion the Eurasia region in particular. Asia there is a qualitatively new dynamic in the sure the advanced development of “Enlightenment and Tolerance,” that there are no alternatives to In this sense, I would like to note the transport and communication the establishment of the Imam joint efforts in building a peaceful that Astana, the most northern development of interstate relations. Noticeably infrastructure. Bukhari International Research and prosperous Central Asia. capital in Asia, has confidently intensified political dialogue at the highest The poor development of trans- Centre in Samarkand and the The participants of the inter- declared itself as one of the cen- port and transit corridors and in- Centre for Islamic Civilisation in national conference in Samar- tres for holding representative fo- and the high levels and interdepartmental frastructure in Central Asia and Tashkent. kand on ensuring security and rums of international importance. the low level of their intercon- Fourth, there needs to be a swift sustainable development under This year alone the capital of and interregional relations of neighbouring nectivity negatively affect the de- and definitive completion of the the auspices of the United Na- fraternal Kazakhstan hosted many countries have increased. velopment of trade relations and process of delimitation and de- tions, noting the historical nature important events at a high level, restrain transit flows. marcation of state borders, while of its convening, welcomed the including the Summit of the heads In this regard, we believe that strengthening the confidence initiative of holding consultative of Shanghai Cooperation Organi- largely determine the dynamics of achieved first results are not a it necessary to develop and adopt measures along them. meetings of the heads of Central sation member states, the Inter- the most important processes in reason for complacency. We are a region-wide Programme for the Taking into consideration this Asian states to maintain a regular national Specialized Exhibition Eurasia. still “at the very beginning of the Development of Transport Com- issue, it is necessary to continue confidential dialogue and develop EXPO 2017, the first summit of Describing the core directions road.” munications. In order to organise coordinated and scrupulous joint coordinated approaches on topical the Organisation of Islamic Co- of Uzbekistan’s modern foreign It is naïve to believe that many a thorough discussion of this is- work to solve the complicated is- regional issues. operation on Science and Tech- policy, President Shavkat Mirzi- problems have already found sue, an international conference sues arising at the negotiations on This idea is also consistent with nology. In a short time, the new yoyev has confirmed that the re- their solution; still there is much “Central Asia in the System of the delimitation of state borders. Kazakhstan’s initiative to hold capital, which was born as the ar- gion of Central Asia is a main pri- joint work ahead to find reason- International Transport Corridors: I am sure that by taking into ac- regular five-side consultations chitectural masterpiece of the first ority and called this “a conscious able compromises on the way to Strategic Perspectives and Unre- count mutual interests on the ba- between foreign ministries of President of Kazakhstan, gained choice.” consolidate and to develop the alized Opportunities” is going to sis of reasonable compromises our countries and develop a pro- the status of a nationwide idea, “A peaceful and economi- reached achievements. In our be held in Tashkent in 2018. and equivalent exchange, we soon gramme for their cooperation. became a symbol of independ- cally prosperous Central Asia is opinion, it is time to work out the Third, countering the challeng- will be able to announce the so- It should be noted that the ex- ence and global success of the our most important goal and key priorities for joint advancement. es and threats of a transnational lution of this most important and pert community of the region put young state. task,” the President stated during We are strongly convinced that nature will be effective only in the sensitive problem. forward an initiative on the for- Uzbekistan welcomes Kazakh- the 72nd session of the United our main goal for the coming framework of bilateral and multi- Fifth, one of the key tasks in mation of a regional expert coun- stan’s foreign policy initiatives Nations General Assembly. He years should be the agreement lateral cooperation mechanisms the region includes resolving the cil, holding joint permanent meet- and active efforts of President has once again spoken of his read- of approaches to transform Cen- of the countries of the region. problems of equitably using water ings of representatives of leading Nursultan Nazarbayev, aimed at iness to reasonable compromises tral Asia into a territory of peace, We are deeply convinced that it resources based on international analytical centres in Central Asian strengthening regional security, with the countries of Central Asia good-neighborliness and prosper- is necessary to abandon the divi- legal norms, which take into ac- countries. enhancing the authority and role on all issues without exception. ity. sion of security threats into “our count the interests of all the states At the same time, it is impor- of Kazakhstan in the world arena. In this regard, it is encourag- We are facing the most impor- own and others” and continue to of tie region. tant to note that we are not talking The personal contribution of the ing to note that today in Central tant tasks – jointly eliminating adhere to the principle of “indi- Uzbekistan supports draft con- about creating a new international head of Kazakhstan in strengthen- Asia there is a qualitatively new the conditions and reasons, which visibility of security.” It is im- ventions developed by the United organisation in Central Asia or ing relations with Uzbekistan is dynamic in the development of fuel and provoke the conflict po- portant to note that in the final Nations relating to usage of water any integration structure with its invaluable. The acknowledgment interstate relations. Noticeably in- tential and ensure the matching of communiqué of the conference in resources of the Amu Darya and charter and supranational bodies. of this was the presenting to the tensified political dialogue at the national development prospects Samarkand, participants agreed Syr Darya river basins. This activity will be aimed exclu- leader of Kazakhstan of the high highest and the high levels and in- with the region-wide priorities. that the security of Central Asia is Without adequate consolida- sively at “checking the clocks” on state award of Uzbekistan, the Or- terdepartmental and interregional In this regard, let me once again an integral part of global security. tion, both at regional and inter- key issues of regional develop- der of “El-yurt Hurmati.” relations of neighbouring coun- outline the positions and ap- At the same time it is proposed: national levels, it is impossible to ment. Innovation park supports digital industrial transformation, cooperates with multinational companies has also been launched, aimed at opened in Silicon Valley and Rus- the critical mass of high-tech com- mand for this kind of solutions not By Zhanna Shayakhmetova developing domestic and attract- sia’s technoparks in Skolkovo and panies with an appropriate level of only in domestic market but in for- ing foreign start-ups to the country. Novosibirsk. competences. At the same time, we eign market as well. Thus, we form ASTANA – The Special Eco- Start-ups at the Tech Garden of- “This autumn, 10 companies should foster a cooperative culture an ecosystem where local develop- nomic Zone “Park of Innovative fice will participate in the accelera- took the acceleration training between major enterprises and do- ers can raise their competencies Technologies” (SEZ PIT) was the tion programme in Almaty and the programme at our Silicon Valley- mestic developers. We have an ef- and become part of a global supply Asia-Pacific category winner in Silicon Valley. The investment in based office. They were sector- fective tool that allows the subsoil chain,” said Kettebekov. fDi’s Global Free Zones of the Year start-ups will be up to US$100,000. lead companies, such as Yvision, users to transfer 1 percent of their The Tech Garden is working to 2017. Experts noted the investors “Overall, we plan to finance Orion M2M, Smart Pay etc. The income to test innovative solutions create competence centres in part- enjoy preferential tax rates, includ- around 500 innovative startups training programme included se- and this gives an opportunity for nership with multinational corpo- ing zero-percent property, corpo- by 2020 year. The key object is to ries of lectures, professional pan- tech companies to supply services rations including IBM, Autodesk rate income, social and land taxes. incubate at least 50 high-tech and els, business workshops and one- to subsoil users,” he said. and IntelliSense.io. The international programmes for export-oriented companies. While on-one meetings with mentors, The fund cooperates with ERG, “Multinationals provide exper- domestic and foreign start-ups Sanzhar Kettebekov this model of attracting startups to experts, business development Kazzinc, Kazakhmys, Voskhod- tise and half of the investments. based on venture financing were the market is a new experience for specialists and potential partners. Oriel and other companies. That proves that market is inter- also specifically recognised. under our guidance and leader- us it is widely used in developed According to the participants’ “As many as 54 projects like ested in our activities,” he said. The Astana Times interviewed ship,” he added. countries. Foreign startups are of- opinion, the training helped them production optimization, energy A laboratory for Industry 4.0 is Autonomous Cluster Fund CEO The total revenue of the com- ficially entering Kazakhstan and to take a completely new look at efficiency, geological explora- being created in partnership with Sanzhar Kettebekov to learn about panies has doubled since 2015 to hiring local work force that will the projects and make appropri- tion etc. worth 2.3 billion tenge IntelliSense.io, a British technol- the start-up acceleration, innova- 132.6 billion tenge (US$398 mil- lead to further development of en- ate adjustments to the business have been already funded under ogy company. The main task of tive solutions for subsoil users and lion). this model. We plan to introduce the centre is to introduce the best Industry 4.0 laboratory. At present, the technopark has a special information system to practices in processing, enrich- 66 members working remotely “With the help of government we opened automate the process of mining ment, metallurgy and training. As according to the extraterritoriality IT quarter in Almaty. The main goal of IT planning and 3D modeling at AK a result, 75 percent of the working Tech Garden’s activities principle, 46 of which are located Altynalmas JSC. As a result, we processes in the mining and metal- “The entry to the most prestigious in different areas of Almaty. quarter is to unite IT companies and innovative expect a 5 percent decrease in pro- lurgical company are expected to free zone ranking proves that meas- “With the help of government we duction costs, a 10-15% increase be digitised. ures implemented by the government opened IT quarter in Almaty. The startups in order to have a synergistic effect of in productivity, 100% downtime “We have been working in the and the fund in this area are effective main goal of IT quarter is to unite joint work.” removal,” he said. partnership with Metalysis, a and trustworthy,” said Kettebekov. IT companies and innovative start- British innovative metallurgical The Autonomous Cluster Fund, ups in order to have a synergistic company. Together we are creat- a managing company of SEZ PIT effect of joint work. By the end of trepreneurial culture and exchange model for entering new markets,” Challenges in attracting ing R&D Centre to examine the and Tech Garden Innovative Clus- this year 10 companies will join IT of knowledge and experience. Our he added. potential to make 3D powder out ter, was established in 2015. quarter, and next year up to 40 com- main focus is still on support and The Almaty Tech Garden also investment of domestic raw material and to “A new development strategy panies will join us as well,” he said. developing Kazakhstan startups. offers innovative solutions for sub- “The main function of Special implement demo projects of mak- for local companies has been re- Foreign startups are helping to soil users. Economic Zone “Park of Innova- ing metal powder. Development cently developed and it takes into Start-up acceleration achieve this,” noted Kettebekov. “We see high demand for in- tive Technologies” is serving as of this direction can make Ka- account new requirements to tar- He stressed the importance of novative solutions but domes- the ground for digitalization of the zakhstan a main exporter within get external markets. Currently initiatives establishing effective cooperation tic developers have low quali- industry. There are sample projects 4-5 years since there are still no PIT has 134 companies and 1/3 are The Startup Kazakhstan inter- with global innovation centres. ties compare to the foreign ones. for digitalization, model factories, leading countries in this area,” he new comers who joined free zone national acceleration programme Tech Garden offices have already Therefore, our objective is to grow lab complexes. We have high de- said. A8 EURASIA&WORLD

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017 President addresses global issues in Astana Club speech Continued from Page A1 Not so long ago in 2011, Hewl- sations around itself. And we feel ett-Packard Company set a goal very proud for a brotherly nation, The United States increased its to establish direct rail supplies which has become a platform for military spending to US$611 bil- between China and Europe. This making important international lion, China to US$215 billion, idea then looked like a real ad- decisions,” Gül said at a media Russia to US$69 billion, India to venture. Today there are about 40 briefing afterwards. US$56 billion, and this is a large transcontinental routes. … Over The central theme of this year’s part of the total national income the past two years, direct railroad Astana Club meeting was Greater of these countries,” said Naz- deliveries from China to Afghan- Eurasia-2027: Confrontation or arbayev. istan, Iran and the United King- Partnership and was meant to According to him, the increase dom were made for the first time. seek strategic solutions to global in military spending not only pos- All this allows us to re-position policy issues. es a threat to security and peace, the Eurasian region in a global The Astana Club, according to but is also ineffective distraction context. I am convinced that the its organisers, discusses regional of economic and human resourc- future rests on the broad integra- development trends, international es from real needs. He noted that tion based on the principles of issues, growing tensions, trade international terrorism has signif- equality, mutual respect and fol- and sanction confrontations, in- icantly spread over recent years lowing the principles of interna- and the world is on the edge of ternational terrorism and security, tional law,” he said. the world war. migration and ecology, integra- “Today, any place in the world Kazakhstan, having regained tion processes and economic co- can become the object of destruc- its independence 26 years ago, operation. tive strikes. Since the beginning strives to be useful for the whole “Astana has secured the role of of the third millennium, the num- world and to serve peace and co- a global neutral platform, where ber of terrorist attacks, as well operation and seeks mutual trust strategic dialogues take place at as the number of deaths, has in- akorda.kz Photo credit: in Eurasia, he ended. the highest political level. It is creased tenfold; terrorist attacks As the fourth issue, the Kazakh xenophobic sentiments. At the According to him, to solve this factor that has drawn genuine have occurred in 104 countries, leader highlighted uncontrolled same time, the expenditures for those issues, Eurasia is able to of- Astana Club interest and attracted all the new which are more than half of the global migration, noting that over refugees in countries such as Leb- fer a unifying agenda in the field participants of our meetings,” Ye- world. By geography and scale, the past 25 years the number of anon, Jordan and Turkey costs be- of security, economic growth and as a dialogue platform rzhan Saltybaev, director of Insti- we are, conditionally, in the state international migrants has dou- tween 1.5 to 3 percent of the GDP dialogue. The implementation of This year, the Astana Club tute of World Economics and Pol- of the third world war – a war bled and now exceeds 250 million of these countries,” he said. the Belt and Road Initiative, the meeting has gathered more than itics which organises the Astana against terror. And the attacks people. At the same time, limited The problem of uncontrolled Eurasian Economic Union, the 60 participants from 27 countries, Club, said prior to the event. are shifting from developing to food resources are particularly flow of people is often linked Shanghai Cooperation Organi- including politicians, diplomats According to participants, the developed countries. According relevant in the context of global with the issue of life support re- sation, Kazakhstan’s own Nurly and researchers from leading club has provided a way to share to Global Terrorism Index, 2015 population. sources and their inevitable short- Zhol infrastructure programme think tanks. opinions on today’s hottest top- was the worst year in terms of “Migration processes lead to age. The struggle for fresh water and other projects makes it possi- Turkey’s ex-President Abdul- ics. terrorism for OECD countries. a conceptual rethinking: there becomes a reason for interstate ble to create a fundamentally new lah Gül, Czech Republic’s ex- “There are many opportunities The number of attacks was 731. has not been such a significant contradictions, like in a situation geo-economic configuration in President Vaclav Klaus, Slove- here to exchange perspectives on At the same time, terrorist attacks demographic imbalance in the between India and Pakistan, said the Eurasian continent, he empha- nia’s former head Danilo Türk some of the most important is- occurred in 21 of 34 OECD coun- history of mankind. In the devel- Nazarbayev. sised. A broader conjugation with took part in those discussions for sues of the day, including assess- tries. Pseudo-Islamic sects ex- oped countries the population is “With the growth of popula- the European Union and ASEAN the first time. ment of the situation in the world pand the area of their influence, one billion people, in developing tion on the planet, the food cri- has a great potential for the de- “In my speech I noted how from President Nazarbayev, who aggressively penetrating the ter- countries it is 6.5 billion,” said sis in some regions of the world velopment of Eurasia, as well as Kazakhstan has become a cen- seems to be very well informed, ritories of many states. Despite Nazarbayev. is inevitable. There is a decline the whole world, he added. tre of independence, prosperity and wide range of issues from the the contradiction between the People move somewhere else in arable land. The fertility of “I think that the development and economic development, and Rohingya crisis in the South East world and regional powers, it was mostly because of poverty and soils is declining. According to of mankind is our future. It is the I think President Nazarbayev Asia to the migration crisis in possible to coordinate actions in wars, said the President. This the calculations of experts, in subcontinent of Europe and Asia serves not only his country, but Europe, opportunity to hear from the fight against the Islamic State leads to social tensions, crime the next 40 years it is necessary that, in cooperation among them- the whole region of Eurasia. … some prominent former states- in the Middle East. However, it and unemployment. to increase the acreage for grain selves, trading in a free space, The peace-making initiatives of men about their take on the situ- must be understood that defeated “The flows of migrants from the at least twice. It is important to can count on development. For the country made this region, es- ation,” said Senior Fellow and militants will begin to revive cells Middle East and Africa took Eu- identify the agriculture of the a long time, our region’s states pecially Kazakhstan, a centre of Director of Russia and Eurasia in other territories, and this is a rope by surprise. They provoked Eurasian countries, including Ka- were on the periphery of inter- stability. Astana has become a Programme at the Carnegie En- serious challenge for the whole of socio-political crises, as well as zakhstan as a major producer of national cooperation because of platform for Syrian talks; Astana dowment for International Peace Eurasia,” he stated. national-populist and, frankly, food products,” he added. the distance from the open seas. unites many international organi- Eugene Rumer in a comment. Saudi ambassador notes potential for Experts say Kazakhstan’s European increased Kazakh-Saudi cooperation aspirations merit support, recognition Saudi Araba is ready to finance the importance of Central Asia both tional view on Kazakhstan as an Asian By Assel Satubaldina Kazakh projects in these fields, he By Zhanna Shayakhmetova to international security and in terms state. At the same time, Dr. Cornell added. of continental trade. Meanwhile, the and Dr. Engvall highlight the issues ASTANA – Celebrating the 23rd During President Nazarbayev’s ASTANA – The issues of Ka- reform efforts currently under way Kazakhstan has to overcome in order anniversary of Kazakh – Saudi 2016 visit to Saudi Arabia, he in- zakhstan’s identity relating to how in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have to engage more with the EU institu- Arabian relations, Ambassador vited Saudi business people and it sees itself, its future and its place caught the attention of European ob- tions, for instance with the Council of of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia heads of leading companies to par- in the world are drawing increased servers, countering a long-standing Europe,” she said. to Kazakhstan Dr. Dahir Mootish ticipate in Kazakh infrastructure interest among scholars both within attitude towards the region in Europe Tskhay, who attended the presen- J. Alenaze discussed the state of development programmes, includ- the country and worldwide. that has been predominantly skeptical. tation of the report in Stockholm in cooperation and priorities for his ing a privatisation programme en- Is Kazakhstan part of Asia? Or is it The task will be for the EU to find ap- October, noted the uniqueness of the term in a recent interview with The visioning the sale of state-owned part of Europe? Or, perhaps, is it the propriate mechanisms for its engage- work as it covers all aspects of the Astana Times. Dahir Mootish J. Alenaze enterprises in metallurgy, oil pro- embodiment of Eurasia, whatever that ment in the region. The regular meet- country’s economy, politics, reforms Alenaze called the bilateral cessing, energy, transport and lo- may mean? The questions like these ings at the foreign ministerial level and society and points out similarities ties “friendly and based on mu- gistics. have been raised at least since the are a good start, but it appears there is with European states. tual trust,” noting numerous Saudi Arabia helped fund the The ambassador noted Kazakh world’s ninth largest country, strad- significant potential for the EU to be The report can also help profession- agreements signed during Kazakh construction of the building of efforts to improve investment cli- dling both Asia and Europe, became engaged on a more intensified level als and researchers in their studies, as President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s the Senate, an upper chamber of mate and attract potential inves- independent in 1991. But they came in the reform efforts currently under- there is a vast amount of literature on October 2016 visit to Saudi Ara- the Kazakh Parliament, part of tors. “Kazakhstan has offered sim- into much sharper focus when Presi- way,” he said. Eurasian identity and only a few touch bia. He also said such high-level the Osokarovka-Vishnevka high- plified tax procedures for business dent Nursultan Nazarbayev published Europe can also strengthen cooper- upon European identity. visits strengthen cooperation. way, the Children’s Tuberculosis people, eliminated administrative a programme article last April, titled ation with the country both institution- “Analysts and policy makers in Alenaze also said the two coun- Hospital in Semey, the Cardiology barriers, set up special free eco- “Course towards the future: moderni- ally and bilaterally. Europe and Kazakhstan can now tries can expand bilateral trade Centre in Astana and a mosque in nomic zones and this all is done to sation of Kazakhstan’s identity.” “The EU can make available to Ka- start thinking about Kazakhstan as that amounted to $11.8 million Petropavlovsk. The kingdom also boost business and improve invest- A recent report “Kazakhstan in Eu- zakhstan the processes of cooperation European and what it would mean. between January and July this year supplied equipment to the Scien- ment climate within the country,” rope: Why Not?” authored by Stock- it has made available to countries in The EU institutions and states could with Saudi exports accounting for tific Centre of Pediatrics and Pedi- noted Alenaze. holm-based Institute for Security and the Eastern Partnership, for example. think of designing new strategies and $3.13 million and Kazakh imports atric Surgery and the Maternity Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia Development Policy (ISDP) Director The Council of Europe can also open programmes to engage and bring Ka- its doors to Kazakhstan and support zakhstan closer. On the other hand, $8.65 million. and Childhood National Science are also cooperating within mul- Svante Cornell and Swedish Defence Research Agency analyst and ISDP Kazakhstan’s reform efforts with tech- Kazakhstan could think whether it “We need to note here that the Centre in Astana. tilateral frameworks, including in non-resident senior fellow Johan Eng- nical assistance. While Kazakhstan wants to utilise the potential of coop- growth of trade turnover is im- “I also plan to focus on deepen- the Islamic world. vall discusses the country’s place in has to meet the organisation’s criteria eration with Europe on the basis of its peded by difficulties in transpor- ing economic, science and techni- “Kazakhstan plays an important the European context and its relation for membership, the Council of Eu- European identity component,” she tation of commodities. The sides cal cooperation in oil, metallurgy role in the Islamic world through with the European Union (EU) institu- rope has yet to express an openness to said. are considering the possibility of and industry across all levels,” its membership in the Organisation said Alenaze, highlighting addi- tions stressing the European features Kazakhstan’s membership. If it does Establishing its identity as an es- establishing a special investment of Islamic Cooperation and the de- prevailing in Kazakh society and gov- so, it could boost Kazakhstan’s reform sential link between Asia and Europe fund that will fund joint projects in tional potential in nuclear and re- velopment of the Islamic Organi- newable energy, as both countries ernment. process while making available its gives Kazakhstan a certain place and Kazakhstan and this will probably sation for Food Security within the The report defines Kazakhstan as a experience in governance reform,” he role it could further exploit in its for- contribute to the increase in trade possess significant resources. OIC, which was established at the “Saudi business people are will- secular state with a civic conception of noted. eign relations. turnover volumes between the two initiative of Kazakh President and the nation based on an inclusive, citi- This is a timely report on a contro- “This is a unique feature of Kazakh- ing to cooperate in metallurgy and countries,” said Alenaze. which consists of 32 countries,” zenship-based understanding of mem- versial topic for European audiences, stan that it can combine both Asian mining and allocated $50 million A lack of direct commercial Alenaze asserted. bership in the national community. said lecturer of the Institute of Diplo- and European identities and define its for that purpose. If new fields are flights also impedes aspects of Astana also hosted the organisa- In a Nov. 8 interview for this story, macy of the Public Administration own vision of this mix in the concept discovered, Saudi Arabia is ready cooperation but, said Alenaze, the tion’s first ever summit on science Cornell noted European integration is Academy under the President of Ka- of Eurasian identity. Therefore, I think to build plants there, which will governments are trying to rectify and technology in early Septem- an important issue because the country zakhstan Aliya Tskhay. it is important to keep in mind that Ka- that. certainly have a positive effect ber, which, according to Alenaze, is embarking on far-reaching reforms “Brexit and the rise of populism zakhstan’s closer relationship with the Alenaze began his post last on economy and society and will featured a “good message” pro- of its politics and economy – even of and ultra-nationalism in Europe have EU will also depend on the commit- March and hopes to strengthen co- contribute to creating new work- moting the involvement of young its identity. challenged the meaning of European ments towards the Eurasian Economic operation and stimulate financing places,” he added. people in the Islamic world in sci- “For Kazakhstan to reach its goals values and essentially what Europe is Union (EAEU). Therefore, in line and support of infrastructure de- Agriculture is a field of particu- ence and technology. to be among the world’s 30 most de- today. Some 5,000 kilometres away, with Kazakhstan’s bridge identity be- velopment projects in Kazakhstan lar interest to Saudi Arabia, said The Saudi envoy also noted bi- veloped states, it will require consid- Kazakhstan is going through a period tween Europe and Asia, the suggestion through the Saudi Arabian Devel- Alenazi, as the kingdom intends lateral cooperation in education, erable development of the country’s in its history when it is trying to find of President Nursultan Nazarbayev to opment Fund. to import Kazakh mutton in large emphasising the need to promote institutions and governance,” he said. answers to similar questions –what develop cooperation between the EU Saudi Arabia is among the big- volumes, approximately 5,000 – exchanges among young people. Cornell added there is great poten- values do we hold, who are we and and EAEU seems a rather plausible gest investors in the Kazakh 6,000 heads per month. Currently, 26 Kazakh students tial for cooperation between Central where are we heading? Thus, such a idea that could overcome many obsta- economy and has funded numer- “This will certainly be useful study in Saudi Arabia, but Alenaze Asia and the EU. comprehensive study of European cles. Not only could this be a platform ous projects, he said, including the for Kazakhstan as well, as many said it is crucial to also attract stu- “Over time, the EU’s engagement identity in Kazakhstan and whether for a closer cooperation between two construction of socially significant Kazakh agriculture companies dents from Saudi Arabia to study in the region has grown, a trend that Kazakhstan could be considered as a entities, but it could also bring together facilities. need investments,” noted Alenaze. in Kazakhstan. is continuing. There is a realisation of European state challenges the tradi- its member states,” she said. B Nation&Capital

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017

PEOPLE SPORTS CAPITAL Kostanai teacher creates Kazakh wins gold at World Charity Bazaar to extend goodwill steampunk masterpieces B2 Sambo Championship B7 ahead of Christmas holidays B8 Cultural centre brings Kazakhstan Kazakh TV launches and Japan closer, promotes Japanese show covering traditions, language learning hottest trends in music by the Japanese Embassy in Ka- zakhstan, Kazakh Association of Japanese Businesspeople, Kazakh Association of Japanese People and Central State Museum. The programme included a demonstra- tion of Japanese martial arts, per- formance by the Oedo-Taiko drum group, Yosakoi-Soran dances, a tea ceremony, calligraphy, origami and other exhibits. “The annual event is aimed at strengthening cultural coopera- tion, developing ties and deepen- ing mutual understanding between Kazakhstan and Japan and intro- ducing local residents to the tradi- really wanted to make a show with tions and customs of the Land of By Yerbolat Uatkhanov Kazakhstan rock chart of the best the Rising Sun,” said Dautbayeva. rock bands, but it isn’t possible. If The centre is also welcoming ASTANA – Kazakh TV has I do, that will be a show presenting visitors to tea ceremony classes launched a new television show retro video clips,” said the HOT Q each Friday through the end of the covering trends in Kazakh music. anchor. year. Host Timur Balymbetov discuss- “Also, I would like to high- “We plan to celebrate our cen- es the hottest news from Kazakh light that we aren’t doing a tre’s 15th anniversary. We will show business, video clips and show for young people only. organise master classes and a con- concert performances. We cover many genres and that cert programme in December,” she “HOT Q means HOT Queue, is why this show can be inter- added. that is the queue of the best sing- esting for people of different Dautbayeva spoke warmly about ers with their best videos. Also ages,” he added. the “In Memory of Hiroshima and Q means Qazaqstan. Our show The format of the show is a “Our cultural department con- The centre also organises Nagasaki” exhibit, presented in strives to choose and present our caravan of videos and concert per- By Zhanna Shayakhmetova ducts master classes, a Study in Ja- business seminars and lectures Almaty and Semei in 2014 and viewers the best of the best, the formances by Kazakh artists with pan education exhibition, the Day by Suzuki Hajime with JICA dedicated to the victims of the hottest of the hottest! We present high quality graphics. The main ASTANA – This year Kazakh- of Japanese Culture, calligraphy support. 1945 atomic bombings. It featured the show every week and each themes are the Kazakh wave in stan and Japan are celebrating the and language courses and visiting The capital-based centre of- photographs showing the tragic episode is posted on our Youtube hip-hop, the best fusion ethno pro- 25th anniversary of diplomatic re- tea ceremony events,” said Daut- fers language courses and visit- consequences in the two cities, channel as well,” said Balymbetov jects, alternative music and synth- lations between the countries. The bayeva. ing classes at the National Li- video chronicles, documentaries in an exclusive interview with The pop, Top 10 best works of the year Astana Times interviewed Nazerke The team consist of approxi- brary. The one-semester course, about atomic catastrophe and the Astana Times. and the most viewed Kazakhstan Dautbayeva, manager of the Ka- mately 15 individuals with two- with classes held twice a week, is destruction caused by bombing, The “Hot Q”’ is a musical enter- clips. zakh-Japanese Centre for Human three freelance teachers, local available each year; the visiting diaries of survivors, “Voice of tainment show lasting 25 minutes. There are many promotion tools Resource Development, to learn specialists in Japanese language classes are given on Saturdays for Hibakusha” with eyewitness ac- The TV channel plans 16 series to for singers, but the video clip is about its activities and events. and culture and coordinators from approximately three months. The counts of the Hiroshima bombing be shown in Russian, English and undoubtedly one of the most prov- The centre was opened in 2000 Japanese organisations. course materials, programme and and paper cranes, the Japanese Kazakh. en and effective. And the better a as part of the agreement between “In addition to regular employ- teaching methods are provided by symbol of healing. “We try to cover all musical gen- video clip, the more dividends it Ryskulov Economic University ees, we are supported by other the Japan Foundation. The cost “I believe that this exhibition res of domestic music industry, but brings to a musician. and the Japan International Co- Japanese residents living in Ka- is 47,000 tenge (US$141.85) per became our most interesting pro- unfortunately some genres aren’t The show is on the air till Janu- operation Agency (JICA). It has zakhstan, such as teacher Onishi semester, which lasts about four ject. It was a large, one-time event. developed well. For example, Ka- ary 2018 and is available at www. since moved to Kazakh Economic sensei who works at Kazakh Na- months. The preparation took almost half a zakhstan rock musicians aren’t as kazakh-tv.kz. The channel’s insta- University (known as Narkhoz due tional University and conducts a More than 7,000 people gath- year and we tried hard to organise effective and popular as pop ones. gram page: www.instagram.com/ to the old acronym of its name) in course in Japanese calligraphy,” ered in Almaty Oct. 7 for the Day an important and symbolic event,” They don’t produce video clips. I kazakh_tv. Almaty. she noted. of Japanese Culture coordinated she said. Crown Agents brings its experience Global Shapers Astana Hub empowers youth to Kazakhstan Established in 2011 by World crossings and therefore expand By Assel Satubaldina Economic Forum founder and ex- By Zhazira Dyussembekova trade, Crown Agents identified bot- ecutive chairperson Klaus Schwab, tlenecks and physical and institu- ASTANA – The Global Shap- Global Shapers is a community of ASTANA – Crown Agents, one of tional needs to facilitate the crea- ers community empowers youth 6,930 self-empowered and self- the world’s leading experts in strate- tion of a single window network in and contributes to driving change organised individuals aged 20-30 gic decision-making for public sec- all countries of the Central Asian and action to address salient lo- who demonstrate potential and tor management which has been op- Regional Economic Cooperation cal issues. Former capital hub commitment to change and action erating for more than 185 years with (CAREC). Under this project, curator Aiman Yedigeyeva and to address pressing issues. The a presence in more than 100 coun- funded by the Asian Development current curator Kuanysh Taishi- millennial generation accounts tries, has come to Kazakhstan. In an Bank, CAREC countries have been bekov spoke about the organisa- for nearly 50 percent of the global interview with The Astana Times, able to use Crown Agents’ experi- tion’s history, goals and projects population and Schwab’s initiative company chair Marie Staunton ence in customs and trade facilita- in a recent interview with The came at the right time. talked about the firm’s projects and tion. We implemented the single Astana Times. Continued on Page B2 goals in the country and the region. window mechanism around the “We are an international company, world to optimise the flow of trade partner of governments, interna- and transport information, even be- tional organisations and the private fore the arrival of the goods to the THINGS TO WATCH & sector in the areas of healthcare, sup- border,” she said. PLACES TO GO ply chain management, governance, legislation in the implementation of sitions from state bodies and believes Crown Agents also conducted economic development and humani- frontier technologies, as local laws its expertise can help Central Asian monitoring global fund projects tarian action. We help countries re- are still prohibitive,” she said. countries build transparent and reli- in Georgia, Kazakhstan and Kyr- ASTANA ARENA spond to natural and manmade cri- As part of its work in Kazakhstan, able economies, as well as help state gyzstan. As a local agent of the November 23 at 10 p.m FC Astana - Villarreal CF ses, strengthen healthcare systems, the organisation is partnering with institutions work effectively. Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuber- improve citizens’ access to health- local company Batys Transit, draw- Crown Agents has been working culosis and Malaria (GFATM), it has care, develop the economy and im- ing on its years of expertise in im- in the region for 25 years in close co- monitored grants worth more than ASTANA OPERA prove financial management,” she plementing relevant projects across operation with governments, donors £175 million (US$229.2 million) al- November 26 at 7 p.m. Bravery of Song, Sadness of Art the country. and development partners. Its opera- located to control the fatal diseases said. Song, concert “We are delighted to be here in “Cooperation with local compa- tions began in 1992 and the office in in the three countries. Kazakhstan, working with local nies is not only an opportunity to Bishkek was launched in 2013. With the official assistance of November 29 at 7 p.m. Voice of the Steppe, concert contribute to the development of “All these years we have been partners towards the improvement the Japanese government, Crown December 3 at 12 p.m. Musical Diversity of Voices, of local economy,” she added. Kazakhstan’s economy, but also working in procurement and supply Agents is currently working on pro- Crown Agents hosted a panel dis- to provide support to efficient and chain management, providing vari- curement to develop Central Asia, concert transparent business that helps drive ous consulting and financial services cussion exploring the potential of as well as increasing trade effective- December 6 at 7 p.m. Karagoz, ballet frontier technologies to accelerate improved standards across the re- to our clients, including the Global ness with the help of single window economic growth at the seventh an- gion,” said Staunton. Fund, the Asian Development Bank, in Tajikistan. nual USAID Central Asia Trade Fo- Crown Agents helps governments the World Bank and the government “We hope to continue making ASTANA BALLET use resources more efficiently. rum, held in October in Almaty. of Japan. Our projects in the region important contributions to the dis- November 30 at 6 p.m. Arnau, dance concert “Our panel session gathered ex- “Through supporting public pro- deal with a wide range of topics, cussion on the potential of frontier perts from the United Kingdom, Ka- curement reform, we help save mon- including improving procurement technologies to accelerate economic zakhstan and Kyrgyzstan to discuss ey by finding the best solutions for systems, healthcare system develop- growth and have seen lots of inter- BARYS ARENA innovative solutions such as body the lowest prices. We also work to ment and supporting international est from both the private sector and December 3 at 5 p.m. HC Barys – HC Metallurg cameras and solar which may con- establish transparent systems, which trade,” said Staunton. state bodies. We look forward to the tribute to bolstering trade and eco- are important for foreign investors One of its long-term and broad opportunity of working with them to Magnitogorsk nomic growth across Central Asia and donors who need to be sure that projects is rationalising transport bring international experience to the December 5 at 7.30 p.m. HC Barys – HC Traktor through saving time, money and all grants are allocated properly,” and trade logistics to enhance trans- countries of Central Asia in order to improving security. We also high- she added. boundary trade in Central Asia. help the region realise its enormous Chelyabinsk lighted the importance of proper The company is open to all propo- “In order to accelerate border economic potential,” said Staunton. B2 NATION&CAPITAL PEOPLE

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017 Cosmonaut makes orphanage Kostanai teacher boy’s dream come true creates steampunk do everything you like. You need to eat well, do not have bad hab- its, do not smoke or drink alcohol! Most importantly, you must study masterpieces hard. Quite possibly, you will take the first expedition to Mars,” Aim- By Yerbolat Uatkhanov betov said. After a tour of the museum, To- ASTANA – Dmitry Govorkov, lik and Aimbetov went to the Earth a teacher at Kostanai Construction remote sensing centre. Tolik was College, has an interesting hobby. very surprised when he learned He creates carnival masks, notebooks that the planet can be observed and jewellery boxes in steampunk from space. style, using mechanisms from useless Shortly before arriving at the alarm clocks as ornaments for his National Space Centre, the capsule works, reported Khabar. in which Aimbetov descended to Creativity has always been a part Earth was brought from Russia. of Govorkov’s life. As a youngster, During their visit, the cosmonaut he painted pictures. decided to show the boy how it “I entered a university to become

looks. Tolik became the first child an architect, but now I work as a kstnews.kz Photo credit: to see it. The descent module im- teacher of special disciplines at Ko- Dmitry Govorkov pressed the boy: he looked through stanai Construction College,” he said. the porthole with great curiosity, The teacher has developed the un- trying to see how it was built in- usual hobby over the last four years He is continuing the back to the side. and his collection consists of dozens future movement and is currently When the tour came to an end, of parts. working on a new mechanical item. the modest Tolik and Aimbetov “In general, you can use any piece He will soon show it in an exhibition On the way to his destination, To- As Tolik put on the gloves of a had become such good friends that of any mechanism, but the gear is at a specialised art school. By Frol Leandoer lik was told that he was being taken real cosmonaut, Aimbetov told him he did not want to leave the Na- the symbol of this style. In general, “I think such products bring us to the heart of Kazakhstan’s space trivia about space. “Cosmonauts tional Space Centre and even be- you can use a lot of things. Basi- back to childhood and fairy tales and ASTANA – As part of the Be- industry, the National Space Cen- put on spacesuits through a spe- gan to have fun. cally the parts are mechanical, be- I find them very interesting. It takes a lieve in the Dream! Project, the tre. A surprise was waiting for Tolik cial hole in the suits. In addition, “Well, Anatoly, now we will cause steampunk is still based on the lot of time to make them,” said Var- Kazpravda.kz online edition team there: cosmonaut, Major General of all suits come in a standard size; to be good friends! I wish you good mechanisms. Here, I have the details vara Pinayeva, a student at the con- gave Anatoly “Tolik” Oleinik, a the Air Forces of Kazakhstan and adjust it to a cosmonaut it is spe- luck!” the cosmonaut told the boy. of alarm clocks. Actually, almost eve- struction college. boy living in an Astana orphanage, Kazakhstan Garysh Sapary Vice cially regulated. Also, a person can Aimbetov gave the young rything from alarm clocks is there – Originating in science fiction, a chance to move one step closer to President Aidyn Aimbetov. Aim- grow by about five centimetres in dreamer a model satellite build- gears, keys, different switches,” he steampunk is now a fashion and phi- his cherished dream of becoming betov personally took the boy on a space, this is because in a vacuum ing set; a book about Kazakhstan’s said. losophy in the Victorian style. The an astronaut. An excursion to the tour of the centre and told him what there is no force of gravitation and first cosmonaut, Tokhtar Aubaki- “You never have to think about reign of England’s Queen Victoria National Space Centre was organ- to do to become a cosmonaut. Hav- the spine becomes straight, so you rov; and an autographed picture of what to present to your friends and was marked by locomotives, airships, ised for Tolik, where he tried on ing met Aiymbetov, who flew to can still grow up when you go into the two of them together. relatives. For example, I made a reckless scientists and analogue dials gloves from a spacesuit, explored space in September 2015, earning space,” he told the young dreamer. “Thank you for such happi- steampunk casket for my spouse and and steampunk is symbolised by met- a descent vehicle, saw images of the honorary title of the People’s At first, Tolik was very reserved; ness, everything was cool, I liked presented on New Year’s Eve. No al, mechanisms and high aesthetics. Earth from space and made friends Hero of Kazakhstan, Tolik was over too shy to speak, he just listened everything! Now I am sure I will one else will have such thing,” he Govorkov usually looks for raw with Kazakh cosmonaut Aidyn the moon. to Aimbetov’s space stories. Still, become a real cosmonaut!” Tolik added. material at flea markets, turning old, Aimbetov. After the meeting, the cosmo- the cosmonaut and the boy did exclaimed. Govorkov’s wife supports his en- useless things into masterpieces. He Tolik lives in a capital city or- naut took the boy to the museum, not miss the opportunity to make Having taken a step toward his deavours and participates in photo has exhibited his work several times phanage with his older sister, Irina, where he showed him his own memorable photos. dream, the project team believes shoots, which he recently did in his at a charity fair, but doesn’t want to who has already benefited from the spacesuit from two years ago. “Most importantly, Anatoly, take that before too long, the whole favourite steampunk style. He deco- monetise his unusual hobby until the same project, becoming a chef and Aimbetov even allowed the boy to care of your health, do sports, no country will know the name of rates and processes photos, matching details of steampunk style become baker for a day. try on some of the equipment. matter what – you can run, swim, Anatoly Oleinik, cosmonaut. them to the design. more popular in the country. Global Shapers Astana Hub empowers youth, provides channels for action Continued from Page B1 “A person that can make one “We invited shapers from Networking with “amazing peo- her experience of enrolling in the As one of 60 winners of the project within a month will be able around the world to the expo. We ple in any place of the world” is Ivy League university with other Many Languages, One World The network spans 378 city to make a large project in a year,” welcomed them in Astana and they what members derive from being students. international essay contest, Nur- hubs in 156 countries worldwide noted Yedigeyeva. were really impressed. We also a shaper, according to Aizhan Ka- “We did a presentation and a kanova had a chance to speak with a common goal of making a “The hub has a mandatory meet- organised meetings with business pysheva, a Global Shapers alumna hundred people attended. Some of in the United Nations General positive change in their communi- ing once a month. We also have people and different organisations. and current graduate student at Co- them later sent their applications Assembly Hall this summer and ties. It “believes in a world where working groups that are involved We toured them around Astana,” lumbia University in New York. and got into graduate school; for present an action plan within the young people are central to solu- in different activities and they can said Taishibekov. “There is a global community instance, one person got into the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustain- tion building, policy-making and meet whenever they want,” added The Global Shapers community online and when I go to any city School of International and Public able Development. lasting change,” according to its Taishibekov. connects young people worldwide worldwide, I usually reach out to Affairs [at Columbia University],” Working as a team increases website. The hub’s most prominent pro- to the best things, noted Yedigeye- shapers from that local commu- noted Kapysheva. the efficiency of projects im- “Schwab realised that gathering jects are Global Talks and Shapers va, who stressed the significance nity,” she told the paper. Similar motives inspired Jamilya plemented by the hub, said Nur- world leaders [at the World Eco- Share events. of networking. Kapysheva joined the Astana Nurkanova, who is currently pur- kanova, who is involved in the nomic Forum] was not enough, “Global Talks is when we invite “Global Shapers for me is pri- hub in 2014. suing her master’s degree in politi- project seeking to launch an therefore he decided to gather distinguished politicians, business- marily networking and an oppor- “I wanted to join a group of cal science and international rela- empowerment summer school young leaders,” said Taishibekov. people and figures who are usually tunity to meet different people. young people who wanted to do tions at Nazarbayev University, to throughout orphanages by sum- “Global Shapers are people 20- not available to youth, so that they Wherever you go, it means new something positive in society. The join Global Shapers this year. mer 2018. 30 years old from diverse back- share their life experience and acquaintances. Secondly, when year 2014 was when Astana hosted “The primary reason why I “The beauty of Global Shap- grounds and working in different knowledge. We had a good turnout we visit different events [organ- the Shape Eurasia event and as joined Global Shapers was to find ers is that we brainstorm our fields for whom making a change recently with 1,500 applications,” ised by shapers], such as Shape the Astana hub shapers, we were myself in a community of young projects together, we think of is not only words, but a life motto. said Yedigeyeva. Europe, we have an opportunity organising the event, putting to- people who are driven by an un- the organisations that can jump They have experience in business The uniqueness of the plat- to get acquainted with politicians gether the programme for 70 par- paralleled zeal to contribute to on board and be interested in the and large-scale projects,” added form, however, is in its infor- and businesspeople, the opportu- ticipants,” she added. their society and try to change it implementation of our ideas and Yedigeyeva. mal lean-coffee format, noted nity otherwise you do not have,” She also participated in the for the better,” she said in an inter- we get to roll our sleeves and get The first hubs were launched in Taishibekov. he said. Shapers Share event, discussing view for this story. to work,” she said. New York, London, Tokyo, Johan- “There is no camera. Questions nesburg, Lagos, Riyadh, Geneva, are not sent beforehand. Different Amsterdam and Istanbul, subse- themes are discussed and different quently rapidly spreading across questions are posed from the audi- the world. The Astana Hub was ence. We try to put the person’s po- organised in 2012. sition aside and try to open up the As a rule, the Global Shap- person,” he said. ers board contacts inspiring and Recent speakers include promi- distinguished individuals in each nent businessperson and billionaire country who are capable of build- Alexander Mashkevich, former head ing a solid following of young of the Kazakh Finance Ministry’s people, said Taishibekov. The local state revenue committee Daulet Ye- network selected Sayasat Nurbek, rgozhin and the then Kaznex Invest then head of Kazakhstan’s Centre Chairperson Borisbiy Zhangurazov. for International Programmes. The Shapers Share is meant to in- community is represented in Asta- spire young people, as self-made na and Almaty, with more than 25 individuals tell about their experi- people in the capital hub. ences and achievements. “These are very different people The capital hub also organised with a common goal to make Asta- the Shape Eurasia forum in 2014, na better,” said Yedigeyeva. bringing 150 people from 55 coun- Taishibekov noted the capital hub tries to the city. Similar types of recently recruited new members. events are organised in each re- “We have selected seven new gion, with the hosting city chang- members just recently. We have a ing every year. difficult selection process. We re- Discover Expo, coordinated by ceived 50 applications,” he said. the capital hub, attracted shapers New members are on a one- from across the world to the city month probation period to test this summer to familiarise them one’s commitment. with the international exposition. B3 NATION&CAPITAL CULTURE

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017 49-year-old bas-relief unveiled Farleon: next in Arman movie theatre wave of electronic dance music

By Zhazira Dyussembekova

ASTANA – Armada Zouk, sublabel of famous Dutch music label Armada, recently compiled its list of the most talented acts under the banner ADE Talents 2017. Farleon (Sultan Karimov) made the cut with his track “Stop Signs” featuring Jason Gaffner. “Want to discover the next wave of dance music stars before anyone else? Immensely skilled but often overlooked, the talents of today are the luminaries of to- DJ Farleon morrow,” notes the description on the playlist. The stage name was created The nod is not the first time the when the producer was 16. Kazakh DJ, sound producer and “When I started to create in- beat maker has been mentioned strumentals, I wanted some kind by Western labels. Last year he of exclusivity. There were many had a record deal with Hexagon, ideas, but I stopped at this. In sub-label of Spinnin Records, and fact, my nickname means noth- reportedly was recently offered a ing,” he said. deal with Sony Music. Farleon’s inspiration comes at It all began when Farleon’s fa- different times in different ways ther bought a synthesiser for his – after a hike with friends in the siblings and him. mountains, a recently-watched “By the age of three, I could movie or the morning weather. play by ear every song I heard. Sometimes he gets ideas dur- During my school years, I often ing his sleep, sometimes while

Photo credit: vlast.kz Photo credit: participated in the creative ac- working. There is no unique tivities of the school. By the age recipe or ritual – it is all quite as an example of Soviet monu- Its designer, Second World War probably. However, we will ap- of 15, I realised that I wanted unexpected. By Dana Omirgazy mental art. Now it takes on even veteran Viktor Konstantinov, grad- proach the building as an institu- to create something of my own, “In short, I work on the track to greater value, as a phenomenon of uated from the Leningrad Higher tion of culture and art, not only not to play somebody’s music. I the maximum until I start to like ASTANA – A bas-relief mas- a bygone culture,” Shukenov told Industrial Arts School in 1958, as a movie theatre. We will try had a great desire, but I had no everything. If I feel that the track terpiece created 49 years ago was The Astana Times. then moved to Almaty. Many of to restore unique elements of necessary tools and understand- needs vocals, we look for vocal- recently unveiled in the Arman Architects Alexander Korz- his works have survived to this the façade and interiors. Now, ing where to start and how it all ists and discuss further work. Cinema in Almaty. hempo, Alexey Panin and In- day, including a decorative com- we are working on the design of works. After some time, a friend After the vocals are recorded, The work of art was discov- nokentiy Slonov designed the position in front of the Alatau Ho- these changes together with the showed me FL Studio, where I listen to them for several days ered by theatre director Baur- building in 1968. Korzhempo im- tel. He made several bas-reliefs authors of the building project,” your musical ideas can become and after that I can make the final zhan Shukenov when he watched agined the edifice as a splinter of in Arman Cinema measuring 220 he said. real,” he said in an interview with touches. But sometimes, those a black and white video about ice which had descended from the square metres. In advance of the cinema’s 50th The Astana Times. vocalists with whom I keep in the theatre’s opening. After re- mountains. The structure had an The building was renovated as anniversary, the administration Farleon needed almost two touch send me their ideas to re- playing the video many times, he interior summer courtyard with a a nightclub in 2000 and the man- intends to reinstate the building’s years of practice and experience make something, fix it as I see it. realised the bas-relief was hid- fountain, statue and rose garden agement removed the summer elevation and remove the entrance- exchange before his first track Usually, it ends up with me redo- den behind the drywall inside the and bas-relief with a small pool on courtyard, installed a glass roof way which appeared about 20 was released on a label. He has ing the whole track,” he said. building, according to vlast.kz. the second floor. and covered the walls with plas- years ago. mainly been influenced by French Kazakhstan may appear to be “I thought for a long time that I The bas-relief is surprising in its terboard. Seventeen years later, “We will also change a lot of electronic duo Daft Punk and at a country that has never been as- had to find the bas-relief. After all, beauty and greatness. The com- Shukenov wants to restore the things inside. Now, we need to different times was inspired by sociated with music, especially it was created to give the building position depicts a man holding a building to its original form. think about the restoration of this Justice, Wolfgang Gartner, Mord- electronic music, and the idea of its aesthetic value and uniqueness compass and a woman with a cup. “We won’t change the concept, bas-relief,” added Shukenov. Fustang and Deadmau5. earning a living by beat making “I like to create different mu- would seem impossible. Farleon sic; I cannot tie myself to a cer- says it is more than doable, how- tain direction. But because of the ever, with everything depending great love for funk and disco, I on the person and the number of often use the elements of these available platforms. At the same Sundet Baigozhin becomes Teatro genres in my music, whether it’s time, he admits it is hard to pre- an electro guitar, the sounds of dict the future of electronic music analog synthesisers and other ele- in the country. ments,” he said. “There is practically no club dell’Opera di Roma’s newest soloist “I do not want to stick myself scene in Kazakhstan, except for to one [style]; I like to create, Almaty. Our club scene is very B7 Dana Omirgazy play different music. I try to pay far behind Europe and the United great attention to melody. I love States. I hope that the appearance ASTANA –Astana Opera House when it’s beautiful, emotional,” of talented musicians will lead to principal soloist and Honoured he added. some positive changes,” he said. Worker of Kazakhstan Sundet Bai- gozhin will soon be signing a con- tract with the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, reported the theatre’s press service. The well-known opera singer underwent a rigorous audi- New sports drama tion process and will become the first Kazakh soloist to perform in one of Europe’s most famous op- era houses. to be unveiled Many talented baritones from around the world participated in the audition, but only five con- tenders reached the finals. The in December strict jury consisted of the opera always requires sacrifice, but the house’s artistic direction and fa- Staff Report protagonist of this film, in addition mous opera singers and teachers to physical tests, had to go through and Baigozhin was offered a two- ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s first psychological ones too. However, year contract. sports drama television series, his difficult fate did not break him, Jury member and renowned bar- about the challenging path of a but on the contrary, strengthened itone Domenico Colaianni noted young man in a professional cy- him,” the annotation to the series Baigozhin’s skills are in no way Sundet Baigozhin cling, was shot in the country, says. inferior to the artists of the legend- 24.kz reports. Though the series is about sports, ary Milanese Teatro alla Scala. As the producers note, the main its producers say it is still designed sity of popularisation of Kazakh “I need to prove myself, show winner of Italy’s Toti Dal Monte Baigozhin performed Count characters of the series, “Arman for a wider audience. art in the world cultural space. my best side. This invaluable ex- Almaviva’s aria “Hai gia vinta la International Competition for Op- Zholynda” (“Path of the Dream”) “It’s probably more family, be- causa” from Wolfgang Amadeus Part of this idea is a call for new perience is important for my artis- era Singers (Treviso) and Arena di were shot without doubles. To cause apart from cycling, fam- Mozart’s opera “Le Nozze di Fi- names of Kazakhstan, who would tic growth. In the future I hope to Verona Foundation opera singers’ make the show look as realistic as ily values are included in it. We garo,” Figaro’s aria “Largo al fac- become representatives of our please the classical art lovers with competition and others. possible, the actors mastered pro- have a grandfather who replaced totum” from Gioachino Rossini’s country, to appear on the theatri- new roles, new performances. It The artist has performed in many fessional cycling techniques and the father to the hero in the film; opera “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” and cal Olympus of Europe. I would is known that the dream of out- of the world’s celebrated venues, learned to reach speeds of up to a mother who brought up the guy Onegin’s aria from Pyotr Tchaiko- like to express my gratitude to the standing baritone Yermek Serke- such as Carnegie Hall in New 70 kilometres per hour, at least on who became the champion of Ka- vsky’s opera “Eugene Onegin.” Ministry of Culture and Sports bayev was to glorify the culture of York, the Berliner Philharmoniker mountain descents. zakhstan,” producer Ardager San- “I am a patriot of my country, I of Kazakhstan, as well as my Kazakhstan at the best venues in (Germany), Théâtre des Champs- “You have to keep your feet tybayev explained. love our opera house and I want colleagues and the opera house Europe. I would like to realise the Élysées in Paris and Wiener Konz- straight, you cannot turn fast, “Soul musical accompaniment, all my future achievements to management, for their support, dream of my idol, because Kazakh erthaus (Austria), as well as in Be- you have to bend your elbows. amazing landscapes and unexpect- benefit our motherland. It is ex- trust and the opportunity to per- opera art is worthy of being known larus, Japan, Jordan, Russia, South There are certain rules in terms ed angles give the film a dynamic tremely important for me to con- form in bright productions and all over the world,” he added. Korea, Turkey and Turkmenistan. of professional cycling. The and the right atmosphere. All 12 tribute to the Rukhani Janghyru concert programmes at home and Baigozhin is a laureate of many He has performed the leading parts coach was following us, I think I episodes are full of emotion,” the (Modernisation of Kazakhstan’s abroad,” said Baigozhin. prestigious international com- of Marcello in Giacomo Puccini’s did well,” Zhasulan Kopbergen, producers say. Identity) programme of Presi- The singer noted he will have a petitions, including the Interna- “La Boheme” and Figaro in “Il who plays the show’s main char- The series will be broadcast on dent Nazarbayev. The President’s great deal of work in the next two tional Vocal Artist competition of Barbiere di Siviglia” at the Teatro acter, said. the Khabar TV channel in Decem- message talks about the neces- years in Rome. Bibigul Tulegenova grand prix, the Filarmonico in Verona. “A professional sports career ber. B4 NATION&CAPITAL COUNTRY

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017 Criminal justice system to be digitised AI for healthcare the country as a pilot project. About and treatment with international pro- By Zhaniya Urankayeva 200 electronic sanctions have been By Zhazira Dyussembekov tocols. Thanks to information tech- received. IT-system developed by nologies, doctors will have the oppor- ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s crimi- the Prosecutor General’s Office re- ASTANA – Kazakhstan is plan- tunity to learn and adjust treatment,” nal justice system will be fully dig- quired no additional funds from the ning to launch a pilot programme in- said Birtanov in a July interview. itised by 2018, said Kazakh Pros- budget. The full transition of crimi- corporating artificial intelligence (AI) At present, Kazakhstan has 22 ecutor General Zhakip Asanov at a nal cases to digital format is to be in oncology treatment by the end of functioning online information sys- Nov. 15 Parliament’s plenary ses- completed by the end of 2018. this year. The technology will help tems, according to the Ministry of sion. The meeting was dedicated “The most important thing is that doctors identify key information in a Healthcare. They are designed to col- to the first reading of the draft law the digitisation will strengthen the patient’s medical records and look for lect statistical information and pro- on the modernisation of the proce- protection of human rights. This will relevant articles and treatment options vide funding for the healthcare sector. dural justice for law enforcement. provide transparency of investiga- to eliminate unnecessary care. Introducing AI is part of the large- “We plan to start the digitisation tion. Prosecutor’s control will in- “A memorandum of cooperation scale healthcare digitalisation project process in the criminal justice next crease and corruption will decrease. has been signed between the Min- implemented under the programme year. The process includes the receipt IT system will greatly facilitate the istry of Healthcare and IBM, which of the Third Modernisation of Ka- of application and covers all the in- work of both the investigator, the provides for Watson for Oncology, zakhstan: Global Competitiveness. vestigation, trial and execution of prosecutor, and the judges,” he said. a pilot introduction of artificial intel- The procedure claims to contribute to punishment. Each case starting from The official also spoke about ligence in healthcare. Currently, a increased productivity for healthcare roadmap for the pilot project is being workers and the population’s satisfac- the beginning of the criminal and pre- parlam.kz Photo credit: measures taken during the years developed within this memorandum,” tion with medical services. trial investigations to serving sen- of independence to improve the said Kazakh Minister of Healthcare The government is currently work- tence will be digitised,” said Asanov. talisation was carried out only in Our progressive experience allows criminal situation, including Yelzhan Birtanov at a recent govern- ing on several projects. By the end of The planned digitisation of pre-trial investigation in Saudi us to share this knowledge with toughening penalties, humanising ment meeting. the year, the ministry plans to imple- Arabia, Lithuania and Georgia. other foreign experts,” he said. criminal trials will allow Kazakh- punishments, reducing the prison Watson for Oncology will help ment a pilot programme in the Uni- But the digitisation of the entire Currently, more than 400 cases stan to share that experience with population and increasing enforce- doctors identify a timely qualitative fied Integration Platform, where each other countries. system to solve the problem in any have been transferred from paper to ment of particular crime catego- diagnosis, which will contribute to Kazakh citizen will have his or her “Foreign experts said that digi- case hasn’t been introduced yet. electronic format in six regions of ries. better treatment. The programme is own electronic health passport. To- able to study and analyse all data on gether with UNICEF, the government cases described in thematic literature. is also working to develop a Nurse In addition, the technology is able and Care for Young Children mobile to provide background information app, with introduction scheduled for based on analyses published in scien- December. Digital Kazakhstan programme tific journals. In 2018, a system of paperless Initial cooperation on the pro- healthcare will be launched in pilot ject started during Prime Minister mode in the Akmola, Karaganda, Ko- Bakytzhan Sagintayev’s working trip stanai and West Kazakhstan regions, presented at Web Summit 2017 to the United States last April, when as well as in a number of national level large IT companies and experts tracts developers in these areas and of technological innovations were he met with IBM management. organisations, according to Birtanov. By Zhanna Shayakhmetova also had opportunity to participate our country is becoming an active also on the agenda. “In the first stage, we plan to upload Starting Jan. 1, 2019, medical organi- in the implementation of this initi- participant in this process. This year, the Web Summit also anonymised data from the cancer reg- sations will completely switch to a ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s digital ative. We proposed unique mecha- “Being an infrastructure opera- known as the world’s best tech istry. In the pilot mode, we will check paperless format to manage medical economy development programme nisms for collecting and storing of tor, our company is implementing conference and Davos for geeks, how the programme will evaluate the records, including electronic outpa- and opportunities for IT activities proposals through pitches. Propos- the projects for the digitisation of attracted about 60,000 people from actions of our doctors and the compli- tient cards, electronic medical records were presented Nov.6-7 at the Web als were accepted for all sectors of the economy and we are paying more than 170 countries, 1,200 ance of their methods of diagnosis and electronic prescriptions. Summit 2017 in Lisbon. the economy, starting from manu- increasing attention to the integra- world-class speakers and 1,400 Deputy Prime Minister Askar facturing industry to the social tion of our services to provide end- tech investors. The event is held Zhumagaliyev met with the repre- sphere and from Blockchain tech- products for users. These products annually since 2009. sentatives of international Internet nology to Artificial Intelligence,” can be from the field of public, fi- The Digital Kazakhstan pro- companies, leading IT and Silicon Zhumagaliyev said, according to nancial services, smart cities, and gramme seeks to improve quality Valley-based experts and shared Kazinform. industry. We are starting to adopt of life and to increase the com- 700,000 to get vocational the plans for the digital transfor- Kazakhtelecom, a multi-service Big Data, Internet of Things, Ar- petitiveness through the digital mation of the country’s economy. operator, also demonstrated its so- tificial Intelligence technologies,” ecosystem development. Its main “We spoke about our plans for lutions for government, financial said Yessekeyev. directions include the digital gov- the sectors and technologies im- services and productions. The key technologies designed ernment, high technology digital education by 2021 plemented as part of the Digital According to Kazakhtelecom to change people’s lives, including infrastructure development, trans- process is optimised by eliminat- Kazakhstan programme. The start- Board Chairperson Kuanyshbek robotics, crypto-currency, cyberse- formation in economy sectors and By Zhazira Dyussembekova ing duplicating subjects, as well as up community representatives, Yessekeyev, the conference at- curity, blockchain, state regulation human capital development. changing the content up to 50 percent ASTANA – More than 720,000 cit- at the request of employers. By the izens will receive free vocational ed- end of this year, 32 standard curricula ucation by 2021, officials announced and programmes will be updated. at a Nov. 7 government meeting. Minister of Labour and Social “The project Free Vocational and Protection of Population Tamara Subsistence level, pension reform Technical Education for Everyone Duissenova highlighted another was launched in 2017. A total of 817 programme – that for the Develop- colleges are working under it, includ- ment of Productive Employment ing 473 state-owned and 344 private. and Mass Entrepreneurship for increases to be put into effect next year Also, within the State Programme for 2017-2021, under which the train- the Development of Education and ing of personnel with technical and 1998, taking into account the list of be a 2-percent premium on each The subsistence minimum Science for 2016-2019, the construc- vocational education and short-term By Aigerim Bulambayeva contributions to the pension fund. additional year. Going back to the structure will also be updated tion of four colleges for 2,900 places, vocational training is funded by the “For example, an individual is example, an individual with a 35- starting Jan. 1 to correspond construction and reconstruction of national government. ASTANA – Kazakh Vice Minister to retire next year. Work experi- year tenure will be granted pension with the population’s actual con- three dormitories for 520 places is In regions, over 60,000 people are of Labour and Social Security Svet- ence until Jan. 1, 1998, according payments equal to 100 percent of the sumer spending structure. To planned at the expense of local budg- on short-term training, she added. lana Zhakupova recently explained to the solidarity pension system, is subsistence level,” said Zhakupova. date, the figure is 24,459 tenge ets,” said Minister of Education and Also, mobile training centres are the upcoming changes in the coun- 20 years and for 15 years, this in- According to data provided by the (US$73.40) and the upcoming Science Yerlan Sagadiyev. present in a number of regions. They try’s pension system. dividual has transferred mandatory Ministry of Labour and Social Secu- structural change will increase According to government educa- train 1,500 people in five pilot re- Solidarity pension will rise by 8 pension contributions to the accu- rity, 2.139 million Kazakh citizens the subsistence level by 16 per- tion officials, 100,815 people have gions. Within the Bastau-Business percent and basic pensions, as well mulative pension fund without any receive basic pension payments. cent. The reform is expected to been admitted to the educational in- project, more than 15,000 people are as other types of benefits, by 6 per- termination. Thus, the total cumula- With the new methodology, 44.1 improve the quality of life for stitutions. The programme also pro- enrolled in training. cent. The increases will change the tive work experience for this person percent of those citizens will receive three million citizens who re- vides short-term courses. This year it “In general, by 2021, 500,000 methodology of assigning basic pen- is 35 years. In accordance with the twice as much as they receive today. ceive social benefits. is planned that 71,000 people will go people will be trained under this pro- sions. All citizens currently receive new methodology, 54 percent of the The policy reform will solve the Solidary pension payments are al- through that programme. gramme,” she said. an equal amount of basic pension subsistence level will be assigned to issue of pensioners who have long ways indexed 2 percent higher than According to the minister, about During the meeting Prime Min- payments regardless of their tenure. people with work experience of 10 work experience, yet receive less the inflation rate. 130 model curricula and pro- ister Bakytzhan Sagintayev pointed Starting July 1, that figure will rise years and less. In absolute terms, than average pension payment. The “If in past years, according to of- grammes have been revised, which out that the main goal of those pro- as tenure increases. this number will be 15,274 tenge change will result in a significant ficial statistics, the inflation rate was enable graduates to obtain up to three grammes is the provision of work, as Work experience will be consid- (US$45.80). When work experi- pension raise for them and restore 7 percent, then we indexed pensions work qualifications. well as an increase in the amount of ered both before and after Jan. 1, ence exceeds 10 years, there will social justice, officials believe. by 9 percent,” said Zhakupova. He also said that the educational allocated loans. B5 NATION&CAPITAL SOCIETY

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017 Altyn Zhurek award winners named Staff Report Charity Giver of the Year, Organi- sation of the Year, Contribution to ASTANA – The names of Ka- Health Care and Contribution to zakhstan’s newest charity givers Kazakhstan’s Development. were announced in October at Al- Nominations are open to com- tyn Zhurek awards ceremony at mercial organisations and indi- Abai State Academic Opera and viduals, with the exception of Ballet Theater in Almaty. non-governmental organizations, Charity and philanthropy de- carrying out charitable and social velopment among the Kazakhstan activities in Kazakhstan. Expert people have been gaining increas- and public councils composed of ing support in the last few years. 20 distinguished representatives of Business communities are also in- non-governmental organisations, vesting significant amounts to de- state authorities, mass media and velop socially-important projects. business select the winners. Despite the fact that, according to Entrepreneur Birzhan Kuzhakov some data, more than 40 billion was among those chosen. Despite tenge is spent annually on the na- his third disability group, he ar- tion’s charitable efforts, donors’ ranged the production of standing names are not often revealed to the frames – rehabilitation equipment public. for patients with the ICP diagnosis, The organizers of the Altyn creating jobs for dozens of people. Zhurek award set their minds on Rasima Temerbayeva received the breaking this mold and popularis- award for the Care for Veterans ing the idea of philanthropy and for the Free Lunches project. The charity. Established in 2006 by the two-year programme prepares ap- Bauyrzhan Public Fund, the award proximately 100 lunches a day for has no analogues in Central Asia pensioners and Great Patriotic War and the number of nominees in- (GPW) veterans. creases every year. Temirlan Shainussinov from The award is given in 11 cat- Akterek village in Almaty region egories: Help to Orphaned Chil- was announced as the charity giver dren, Support of Education, Care of the year. To date, the entrepre- for Disabled People, Support and neur has built 58 houses for village outstanding individuals and enter- litical analyst Dosym Satpayev, sored by the Altyn Qyran fund and zakhstan President Fang Jiazhong Development of Sports, Care for dwellers and repaired roads at his prises such as the 28 Stitches club; Magnum Cash & Carry LLP, Kas- PetroKazakhstan. In presenting noted its significance, as the award Veterans, Philanthropist of the own expense. Other award nomi- Yekaterina Yatsenko, who adopted pi Bank and many others. the statuette for Organization of enables people to know their he- Year, Informational Charity Giver, nees and winners included both and took care of 25 children; po- The award ceremony was spon- the Year to Kaspi Bank, PetroKa- roes. 14,000 babies born with IVF in Fifth Abai Keshi charity gala Kazakhstan in seven years dinner raises funds for education the guaranteed volume of free med- of infertile marriage is within 15 with physical disabilities in Cen- communicative and functional By Frol Leandoer ical care,” the vice minister said at percent. According to the World By Aigerim Bulambayeva tral Asia to skydive. skills” and “Teaching academic the ninth international congress of Health Organisation, this level of Foreign entrepreneurs, in turn, subjects to children with special ASTANA – Fourteen thousand the Kazakhstan Association of Re- sterile marriage is a public prob- ASTANA – The life and works were interested in exhibits Abai needs.” children during the last seven years productive Medicine in Astana. lem, since it affects demographic of Kazakhstan’s most famous donated to the Semey Museum of Abai’s poems that promoted love were born with the help of assisted The Kazakh Ministry of Health indicators,” Aktayeva added. poet were celebrated Oct. 29 as Local Lore in 1885. for all the humanity are known to reproductive technologies in Ka- believes that it is time to legisla- Since 2010, the in-vitro fertilisa- the Abai Social Trust Foundation The event was accompanied by have played an important role in zakhstan, Vice Minister of Health- tively form a register of specialised tion programme is included in the held its fifth annual Abai Keshi the orchestra of national instru- the modernisation and moral de- care of the Republic of Kazakhstan medical organisations and associa- guaranteed volume of free medical (Abai’s Evening) charity gala din- ments Naryn, songs and reading velopment of Kazakh identity. Lyazzat Aktayeva reported. tions with relevant requirements care and from year to year the num- ner in Atyrau. Approximately 170 of poems by Abai performed by Similarly, this event will play an “Approximately 4,780 fertilisa- and norms, as well as a register in ber of publicly paid procedures is guests, including entrepreneurs, famous Kazakh artists and cultural integral part in achieving the goals tion procedures were conducted which patients will be listed. increasing: nine times (from 100 to artists and sportsmen from differ- figures. The Onerpaz and AIKEN stated in Kazakh President Nursul- under the guaranteed volume of “Today, according to the statis- 900) from 2010 to 2017. ent parts of the country, were in fashion houses presented a fashion tan Nazrbayev’s article “Course to free medical care, to which the state tical reporting of the Ministry of “The state order for the next year attendance. show of modern clothes in the Ka- the Future: Modernisation of Ka- spent 3.8 billion tenge (US$11.4 Health, more than 14,000 women remains within the limits of 2017, The event began with an exhibi- zakh national style. zakhstan’s identity,” according to million). As a result, 1,532 children are in the infertility registry for in- that is 900 procedures within the tion organised by Zhidebai-Borili The evening’s programme has event participants. were born. Overall, the effective- fertility, more than one thousand limits of the same financing,” Ak- the State Historical, Cultural and traditionally included a charity “We are planning to hold Abai ness was about 32 percent within for men. In general, the frequency tayeva summarised. Literary Memorial Museum in auction, where five paintings by Keshi in Astana beginning of sum- Zhidebai, Abai’s motherland in contemporary Kazakh artists, do- mer in 2018. Next year, Abai Ke- Eastern Kazakhstan. The exhibi- nated by ARTIOS Art Advisory shi will also be traditionally held tion was named “All Mankind’s were sold. The organisers also held in Atyrau in October. We would Abai” and exposed showpieces a raffle. The lottery and the raffle like this initiative to grow into a that once belonged to the poet. enabled the fund to collect 4.475 nationwide cultural tradition fol- Preschool education promotes Among those were some unique million tenge (US$13,425). lowed in every Kazakh city. In this works. The funds raised by the event regard, we are open to share our “As a sportsperson, I found will be used to implement the experience and know-how with this togyz kumalak (national “Knowledge. Experience. Devel- the local NGOs. Our biggest aspi- early childhood literacy table game) interesting. I am opment” social project to train ration is to take the event to Lon- amazed by the way it is carved employees in correctional educa- don and Paris in a few years,” said out of wood,” said Gulmira Bot- tion sector in the Atyrau region. Lyazzat Shatayeva, member of the pankulova, a visitor from Oral, The programme includes 10-day Board of Trustees of the Social who is the first-ever individual trainings on “Development of Trust Foundation.

By Dana Omirgazy use a special programme to teach The educational programme in- foreign language. We also have cludes art and music lessons, phys- ASTANA – Early age education a speech therapist, paediatrician, ical education and dance. Children and preschool programmes affect music teacher, choreographer and learn English from the beginning a child’s future academic perfor- pre-school preparation courses,” with visits to the librarian, who mance and health. The number children’s centre director Aizhan reads them tales and stories. of children’s centres and kinder- Ramazanova told The Astana Gymboree Play&Music is gartens in Kazakhstan is growing Times. among the leaders in develop- every year and the government The centre also has Saturday ment programmes for newborns continuously encourages business- and Sunday groups with English to six-year olds. For more than people to open new kindergartens language lessons. The classes wel- 40 years, their specialists have and support them financially. come up to 20 children from one fostered creative abilities, curi- The capital offers numerous and half years to seven years. osity, literate and clear speech public and private preschool insti- Haileybury Kindergarten, based to form a child’s sense of self- tutions for children ages one-sev- on the British education pro- confidence. en. In general, the kindergartens gramme, offers a special course “Gymbo camp for children from focus on trilingual education, the of study including elements of the three-five years offers English- Montessori programme and physi- Montessori system and Steiner’s speaking lessons during four hours cal education. Preschool centres pedagogical theory. The curricu- every weekday. Children are in- with an English language focus are lum, along with academic devel- volved in music, art, sports, dance, becoming increasingly popular. opment, also covers social and yoga, fairy-tale therapy, role-play- Baby school kindergarten en- physical education and develops ing and table games in Kazakh and deavours to create a family-like at- creative thinking. Russian languages,” according to mosphere ensuring a child’s active “An individual approach to each the website. cognitive and creative activities. child helps him or her learn how Gymboree centres introduce “Our baby school kindergar- to cope with new tasks, cooperate world languages to kids in a ten offers pre-school education. and respect each other and comply fun way. The chain offers its train- Native English speakers conduct with the rules,” notes the kinder- ing programmes in 700 centres in lessons every day. Our teachers garten’s website. 33 countries. B6 NATION&CAPITAL TOURISM

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017 Aktau – city by the sea Expo pavilion reopens as showcase for green technologies Nazarbayev reiterated the plan national Financial Centre. The By Assel Satubaldina to turn the nation’s pavilion into centre will officially launch next the Museum of Future during the year, adapting best international ASTANA – EXPO 2017 ended EXPO 2017 closing ceremony in practices, including English law, in September but Kazakhstan’s September. The entrance on the with a goal to turn the capital city eight-floor, spherical national opening weekend of Nov. 11-12 into the financial hub of the re- expo pavilion remains open as will be free. gion. the Museum of the Future, show- “The infrastructure of the ex- The future energy theme of the casing alternative energy tech- hibition complex will function exhibition will also live on in the nology. fully after the end of the exhibi- International Centre of Green Beginning Nov. 11, the mu- tion. Our national pavilion Nur Technologies and Investments, seum presents exhibitions related Alem, several other pavilions which government officials hope to solar, wind, biomass, kinetic, featuring the exhibition theme will contribute to global sustain- water energy and other forms of will be preserved as the lega- able development and help Ka- green energy. cy of the expo, as the museum zakhstan transition to a green It takes approximately 3-3.5 which will be open to visitors, economy. hours to tour the 25-hectare fa- our country and our friends Among other major projects cility. from abroad,” said Nazarbayev is the establishment of an inter- The opening of the museum is in September. national technology park for IT part of the plan for the post-ex- Kazakhstan also plans to use start-ups attracting IT entrepre- hibition use of the expo’s facili- part of the infrastructure created neurs and investors from around ties. Kazakh President Nursultan for the expo for the Astana Inter- the world.

By Frol Leandoer The city itself was built from scratch – ASTANA – Aktau, one of Ka- completely scaled according to the master zakhstan’s youngest cities on the Turgai geoglyphs to host pilgrim Caspian Sea, offers memorable plan developed by the Leningrad beach resorts, theatres and night life. Design Institute, which developed  the nation’s new cities. international forum in 2018 the need to make the Turgai geo- Brief History By Dana Omirgazy glyphs part of a tourism investment Historian-researcher Known as Aktau from 1961- tury and those discovered more The city offers puppet and mu- project. Dmitriy Dey 1963, the name was changed recently. sic-drama theatres, cinemas and ASTANA – An international fo- “It can be a large-scale interna- to Shevchenko in honour of night life featuring many clubs and rum on developing Kazakh pilgrim tional festival that will attract many discovered the Turgai Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchen- cafes. tourism and popularising sacred tourists to the region,” he said, add- geoglyphs in 2007, ko, who was in exile in Kazakh- Getting to Aktau Aktau Open Fest has been held places is planned for next year near ing it should be connected with the Most people fly to Aktau Air- stan in the mid-19th century. annually since 2012. The three-day the Turgai geoglyphs, said deputy country’s sacred places. port, located 23 kilometres from which generated great The industrial city returned to event, usually on the beach in late head of Kostanai regional depart- Historian-researcher Dmitriy Dey the city centre. Air Astana and its former designation on Sept. August, features songs performed ment of entrepreneurship and indus- discovered the Turgai geoglyphs in interest among foreign SCAT Airlines offer flights from 13, 1991. by some of the most popular Com- trial-innovative development Roza 2007, which generated great interest Aktobe, Almaty, Atyrau and the archaeologists, The decision to use Aktau as monwealth of Independent States Goryannaya. among foreign archaeologists, sci- capital. Due to the taxi situation, it a host for an atomic power plant (CIS) singers. “At the Kostanai Invest 2017 Re- entists and the mass media. During scientists and the is best to prearrange ground trans- The city has a lighthouse in the was made by Soviet leadership in gional Investment Forum held in the past 10 years, Dey and a team of port to the city. fourth micro-district which has mass media. the early 1950s with the partici- September, the Ministry of Culture archaeologists and scientists made been working for more than 40 pation of the famous Ministry of Aktau does not have a railway and Sports supported our initiative 14 expeditions and discovered 344 years. It became famous as the Medium Machine Building and station. Visitors arrive at Mangy- to hold the forum on the territory of geoglyphs, or large elements pro- project; anyone from any part of the the leadership of then-Minister first lighthouse built on the roof shlak Station, 20 kilometres from the Turgai geoglyphs,” she said. duced on the ground. According to globe can take part in it through the Yefim Slavsky. According to this of a residential building. The city the city, then take shuttle bus num- Relevant agencies created a mas- the working hypothesis, the earliest Internet. Participants will receive as plan, Aktau was indeed home ber 105 or a taxi. also has a Soviet-era plane on a full information about geoglyphs in to a BN-350 nuclear reactor in pedestal. ter plan this year to develop tour- geoglyphs date as far back as 8,000 ism through 2022 focusing on the years. English as possible. To take part in 1973-1992, when it was decom- Aktau’s new mall in district a team of researchers, they can put missioned. region’s most promising areas of “It would be good if ancient eth- Where to Go, 16 includes an ice-skating rink, forward various hypotheses and The city itself was built from movie theatre and a wide range trophy-hunting and health, cultural nic music and songs were presented create a plan of assignments for scratch – completely scaled ac- What to See of shops. and social tourism. All events are at the forum. We deal with a very cording to the master plan devel- The city’s embankments and designed to increase the tourist and deep antiquity. We do not have a the summer – what we need to see, oped by the Leningrad Design beaches have recently undergone investment attractiveness of the re- clear idea, but presumably these eth- explore or shoot. As a result, the In- Institute, which developed the na- significant improvements. The Where to Stay gion. nic compositions belong to ancient ternet community will have some tion’s new cities. beach season lasts from late May to The city has a fairly large selec- “Its implementation implies the al- times,” Dey said in an interview for evidence or denial of some argu- Aktau does not have natural late August, when the water temper- tion of hotels. One of the first ac- location of financial resources from this story. ments. The goal is to attract massive sources of drinking water and is ature averages +18°C. Tourists typi- commodations, the Aktau Hotel, the national budget for the construc- He noted his team is about to interest. Raised funds will be used completely provided with purified cally stay near Aktau’s many mod- turned 50 in 2016. tion of an appropriate infrastructure launch the Turgai Geoglyphs large to invite foreign scientific institutes sea water. The infrastructure pro- ern recreation centres and beaches Visitors may also choose Re- that provides for the preservation international project announced two and researchers with the equipment vided decent living for people in a during the summer, as the sea is naissance Aktau, part of the Mar- of geoglyphs (fencing, observation years ago. which we unfortunately do not waterless desert. cold the remainder of the year. riott chain, as well as the five-star platforms, etc.),” she added. “In February 2018, we will launch have,” he said. Since the collapse of the So- Aktau is truly a city where the Caspian Riviera Grand Palace, Vice Minister of Culture and the crowdfunding platform with Dey was recently included in the viet Union, Aktau has largely streets have no names, for it is Grand Hotel Victory and Grand Sports Askar Batalov encouraged Kickstarter [the world’s largest list of candidates for the100 New become a centre of oil and gas divided into numbered micro-dis- Nur Plaza. The Holiday Inn Aktau developing cultural and educational funding platform] to start a great Faces of Kazakhstan project under fields opened in the 20th cen- tricts. opened in 2015. tourism. He particularly focused on programme. This is an interactive the Rukhani Janghyru programme. Atyrau – oil capital of Kazakhstan viet days, there was a misconcep- and is a distance from Astana portation costs are higher than accessed by ground or air. Rail- from 8,200 tenge (US$24.60) to By Aigerim Bulambayeva tion that the Ural River separated and Almaty. As a result, trans- to other cities. Atyrau may be way tickets from the capital vary 27,000 tenge (US$81.10), de- Europe and Asia and the city was pending on the train type and ASTANA – Founded as a small divided between the continents. length of time between book- fishing village, Atyrau has developed While all geographic societies now ing and departure dates. Prices into one of Kazakhstan’s biggest in- agree the Ural Mountains, not the surge as the departure date ap- dustrial cities and is now known as river, carve the combined conti- proaches, a trend which also an oil capital of the country. nental landmass in two, a beauti- applies to airline tickets. Book-  ful and rather sentimental tourist ing a seat a day before depar- attraction – a border sign with a ture will cost 77,000 tenge History small gazebo – remains. (US$231.20), whereas one can Atyrau was established on the The pedestrian bridge, the long- save half the price by reserving shores of the Yaik River, renamed the est of its kind across the Ural Riv- at least a month in advance. Ural by Russian Empress Catherine er, is another popular attraction. Atyrau Airport is international the Great after the Pugachev Rebel- The bridge has a place in the Guin- and has flights to Amsterdam, lion. The change liquidated any leg- ness Book of Records. Baku, Istanbul, Moscow and acy of the uprising and memories of Tbilisi. Stepan Razin, one of its leaders who Tourists craving aesthetic captured the city in 1667-1668. pleasure are encouraged to visit Uspensky Cathedral Imangali Mosque The city started to grow and Imangali Mosque on Satbayev Where to stay expand significantly with the de- Street. The main blue dome The five-star Renaissance Ho- velopment of the oil industry and measures seven metres wide and tel, on Satbayev Street in the heart construction of the first refiner- 23 metres high. The mosque is of Atyrau, promises a luxurious ies and oil equipment plant in the decorated with several 26-metre experience likely to meet the ex- country. The fishing industry – the tall symmetrical minarets and the pectations of any guest. The hotel occupation that attracted people to building can accommodate 700 offers an haute cuisine restaurant, the small city and gave it a boost – visitors at once. spa and lounge bar. never lagged, however, as Atyrau The Uspensky (Assumption) Those reluctant to experiment is also home to Kazakhstan’s big- Cathedral, another important reli- in terms of accommodations may gest fish cannery. The importance gious city landmark, was erected choose the Marriot Atyrau. The of fish and oil in locals’ life is sym- in the second half of the 19th cen- popular international chain, lo- bolized in the city’s emblem – two tury. The brick building has dis- cated in the centre of the city, is sturgeons and an oil rig. tinct gilded onion shaped domes. a five-minute walk from the main  attractions. For tourists on a budget, the Where to Go, Getting there city offers the Chagala Hotel, It is extremely important to Grand Hotel, and Victoria Ho- What to See plan one’s visit in advance, tel. Airbnb and apartment rental Atyrau is located in the Europe- as Atyrau is located in the far through the agencies are another an part of Kazakhstan. During So- western portion of the country City centre A small gazebo near the Ural River good option. B7 NATION&CAPITAL SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017 Madina Nurshayeva wins gold at ASBC Kazakh wins gold Asian women’s boxing championship at World Sambo other gold medal at the champi- By Anuar Abdrakhmanov onships, but Valentina Khalzova (69 kg) lost in the final and had to ASTANA – Kazakhstan won comfort herself with silver. In the Championship one gold, one silver and four decisive bout, the Kazakh, who bronze medals at the ASBC (Asian is the defending world champion, Boxing Confederation) Women’s lost to a Chinese boxer. Boxing Championships, held Nov. The four bronze medals for 2-8 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Kazakhstan came from two-time Ten fighters represented the nation world champion Nazym Kyzai- in all weight categories. bai (51 kg), Rio Olympics bronze The only Kazakh to claim the medallist Dariga Shakimova top of the podium was Madina (75 kg), 2015 Asian Champion- Nurshayeva, who captured the ships bronze medallist Moldir spot in the up to 64 kilogramme Bazarbayeva (81 kg) and cur- weight category. She defeated Dou rent world champion Lyazzat Dan of China in the final bout to kfb.kz. Photo credit: Kungeibayeva (over 81 kg). win her first medal at such a major Madina Nurshayeva Commenting on the national international tournament. team’s performance in Ho Chi “I did not succeed at the previ- This win gave me confidence and a Chinese athlete. When preparing Minh, head coach Vadim Prisyazh- ous Asian Championship. I lost helped in the following two bouts. for the fight, we, together with the nyuk was optimistic. to the Chinese athlete in the first Together with the coaches, we did coaches, watched her semi-final “This is just the beginning of Staff Report 2016. He was also a winner in the fight. I was winning in the course a great job to be in the best shape at bout where she knocked down a the Olympic cycle, so I think our 2016 World Cup and 2017 Asian of the fight, but since the tourna- this tournament,” said Nurshayeva boxer from India. We noticed that performance was quite good. I can ASTANA – Yesset Kuanov won Games. ment took place in China, the vic- on her success. my opponent, like myself, works say for sure that our girls showed a a gold medal in the up to 62 kilo- Sambo, a Soviet martial arts and tory went to my opponent. That is According to the boxer, the final a lot on counterattacks and felt it great desire to win in all the bouts. grammes (kg) weight category at combat sport, was developed by why I was very nervous this time bout was the most challenging. was right to box at a distance and There are still many serious tour- the World Sambo Championship the Red Army in the early 1920s when I fought against the repre- “I managed to recover well af- look for chances to catch her on naments ahead, such as the World in Sochi, reported Tass.ru. The to improve hand-to-hand combat sentative of the host nation again. ter the semi-finals. Our masseurs, the counter-actions. I think the Championships and the Asian event, held Nov. 9-13, gathered abilities. It merges the most ef- I gave all my strength to win with doctors and psychologists who correctly chosen tactics helped me Games in 2018. We will continue athletes from 93 countries. fective techniques of other martial a clear advantage and not to give were always with us helped me a win in the final,” she added. to train hard to improve our boxing “In the weight category up to 62 arts. any chance to doubt my victory. lot. My opponent in the final was Kazakhstan could have won an- and become stronger,” he said. kilogrammes the winner is Kazakh “Under the leadership of Sam- athlete Yesset Kuanov, who won bo’s forefathers Oshchepkov, in the finals over Russian Aslan Spiridinov and Kharlampiev, in- Mudranov. The bronzes go to digenous fighting styles from Vae Tutkhalyan from Belarus and regions including Japan, China, Georgian Tornike Chovelidze,” it Mongolia, India, Africa, Europe, Stanimir Stoilov reflects on noted. North America, the Caucasus and Armenian Grigor Mkhitaryan Russia were studied and blended took the top prize in the up to into what is now known as Sambo. 52 kg class, followed by Kyr- After generations of civilian and FC Astana’s 2017 success gyz Mukhmedali Yergeshev. The military refinement, Sambo has these years, especially in sum- to another team. Foreign newspa- First of all, we will talk about the bronze went to Tolmas Tukliyev evolved into an extremely formi- By Anuar Abdrakhmanov mer. We had many long trips and pers write that Stoilov is one of the team’s development,” he added. (Uzbekistan) and Bolatbek Raim- dable fighting art with principles many great emotions. If there had candidates to coach Turkish foot- On Nov. 23, Astana will host kulov (Kazakhstan). applicable to martial artists of any ASTANA – FC Astana head not been any difficult games in ball fan favourite Fenerbahce SK. Spanish favourite Villarreal CF. If Russian Daniil Voevodin (up to style. Sambo’s arsenal includes, coach Stanimir Stoilov is among Europe, we could have finished He said he had not decided on his the Kazakh club wins the match, 68 kg) won the gold by defeating but is not limited to, strikes, joint those who stand behind the team’s the championship earlier, but all further plans and intends to discuss it will be a historic achievement, Vachik Vardanyan from Armenia. locks, chokes, throws, ground achievements. The club, managed is well that ends well. It is always it with his current club. as none of the country’s football The bronze winners were Nurgeldi fighting and weapons. Like all by the 50-year-old Bulgarian, won hard to demand from the players “I have not received any propos- clubs has ever made it out of the Kiyalbekov (Kazakhstan) and An- fighting systems, Sambo continues the national championship this year to give it their all when they have als yet to extend the contact with Europa League group. toine Lefevre (France). to grow and evolve in both its sport for the fourth consecutive time. No such energy-intensive matches at Astana. I always said that when “We will prepare. I hope we can Kuanov, from Aktobe, captured and combat variants,” according to other Kazakh coach has managed European competitions. The guys developing the club, it is important help the players get in the right the bronze medal in 2015 and online sources. the feat. are great. It is not easy to play for the management to understand mindset. I am very worried about Astana demonstrated decent with such a tight schedule, but we which way we choose. If they need this game. Villarreal is a very play recently both in the domes- did it. This means we can do even me, we will sit down and talk. If strong team, but everybody here tic and international arenas, play- more.” we raise the team’s class, we can expects success from us. We play ing for the third year at the Euro- Needless to say, when a coach achieve better results. The team well at home and I hope we will pean club tournament group stage. secures great results each time he needs more strong players, so show a good game and deserve a Ruslan Kurbanov Atletico Madrid, Benfica, Celtic gets a lot of good offers to move sponsors need to understand it. victory this time,” said Stoilov. FC, Galatasaray SK and Olympi- The coach is counting on the acos are some of the serious oppo- support of the Kazakh fans in the nents who failed to beat Astana on home match. wins bronze at World at least one occasion. “Despite the fact that it is al- “I think the season was long and ready very cold in Astana, it will difficult,” said Stoilov. “How did it be warm at the stadium. You know differ from others? It is hard to tell. that Astana has not lost a single Fencing Cup stage Our team seems to have gained more match at home in the latest Eu- confidence with every year. That is ropean tournaments. This is, to why it gets easier to secure wins.” a large extent, thanks to our fans “The first season was the most who always root for us. The team challenging one,” the coach ex- needs the support of its fans. We plained. “After that, the team win together and we lose together. played better. I guess our sched- FB page Astana’s FC Photo credit: If the fans cheer for us, the team ule has been quite busy during Stanimir Stoilov (C) will do 120 percent,” he added. Kazakh native, New York policeman wins 13th boxing victory The pair appeared on the under- “I’ve had a good fight and I want lice officer assigned to Brooklyn. Staff Report card of the battle between Daniel to continue to shine. I want a big He trains in the morning under the Jacobs (33-2, 29 KOs) and Luis fight to make a name for myself. guidance of Ismat Niyazov, his fa- ASTANA – Kazakh native Di- Arias (18-1, 9 KOs). The fight Big things are ahead, watch out!” ther and one of his coaches. mash Niyazov, a boxer by day was scheduled as a six-rounder, said Niyazov in an interview with “The opponent was strong and and New York City policeman by but Niyazov defeated Mauras with Hit First Boxing. very stubborn. He had very good night, recently defeated American a TKO in the fifth, preserving his Unlike many boxers, Niyazov technique. I could see that he was Agustin Mauras, reported vesti.kz. undefeated status. has another job as a New York po- well prepared for the battle. Thanks to my coaches and their good tips on technique, I was able to find the right moment and knocked him out,” he said. sportvko.gov.kz Photo credit: Niyazov faced some difficulties Ruslan Kurbanov before the recent test. “I train after work. It is difficult By Anuar Abdrakhmanov nals, before losing narrowly 13- for me, because at night I work at 12 to Andras Redli of Hungary the police station. There is very ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Ruslan in the semi-finals and won the little time. I was sick for five-six Kurbanov won a bronze medal in bronze medal. days before the fight. I prayed and the Trofeo Carroccio Men’s Epee “We are very happy with the recovered in a couple of days. I World Cup in Legnano, Italy, on result. Winning a bronze medal dedicated this fight to all my fans Nov. 17-18, in which a total of 275 at the World Cup stage is a great from Kazakhstan and the USA, to athletes from all over the world achievement indeed, but we are all my police fans who came to see took part. already thinking about the next my fight, to support me. Thank you In the course of the tournament competition, about new results. all very much,” he said. Kurbanov delivered a 15-14 win We are now training hard for the Niyazov is a professional in law over Bardenet of France, 15-13 Qatar Grand Prix,” said Kur- enforcement and the ring and de- over Rezaei Tadi of Iran, 15-13 banov’s coach, Sergei Ananyev. spite his young age, succeeds in over Park Kyoungdoo of South Prior to the Qatar tournament, to both areas. He is a U.S. citizen Korea, one of the world’s high- start on Dec. 8, the Kazakh athlete who competes in the lightweight est ranking fencers from South will train in Almaty. Kurbanov is division and is 31st in the Ameri- Korea, and 14-11 over Yamada ranked 12th in the International can Boxrec ranking. Masaru of Japan in the quarterfi- Fencing Federation’s ranking. B8 NATION&CAPITAL CAPITAL

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017 Charity Bazaar to extend goodwill ahead of Christmas holidays airline tickets to such destina- and respond to the received ap- By Dana Omirgazy tions as Belarus, China, Egypt, plications as much as possible. Hungary, Italy, Macedonia, Po- All received applications were ASTANA – The Diplomatic land, Ukraine and the United divided by the charity commit- Christmas Charity Bazaar, initi- Arab Emirates, cruises through tee into three groups according ated by the Ambassadors’ Spouses Estonia and down the Nile River to their priority. The first priority Association (ASA), will gather the and more than 100 other valu- applications include requests for capital diplomatic community and able prizes in addition to the em- people’s essential needs such as city residents Dec. 3 from 11 a.m. bassies’ gift baskets. food, warm clothes and medica- till 6 p.m. for a shared moment of Raffle tickets will be available tion,” said Luzia Schmid, charity goodwill benefitting those in need Nov. 22-24 at the Radisson Ho- committee chair and wife of the through entrance fees, raffle tickets tel and Nov. 25-26 at Khan Sha- Swiss Ambassador. and sales. Celebrating its 10th an- tyr Mall at a cost of 1,000 tenge Committee members including niversary, the event has become a (US$3) per ticket. They will be Schmid and Zhanar Kulzhanova, tradition for the diplomatic corps, also available from 11 a.m. until wife of the Charge D’Affairs of Heba Osman, ASA President and the afternoon of the event or until the Portuguese Embassy, carefully wife of the Egyptian ambassador, they are sold out. study the applications and visit told The Astana Times. Sharifah Fadhlina, wife of the organisations for accurate evalu- “Fifty-four countries are par- Malaysian ambassador and tom- ation. Even after the bazaar, they ticipating in the bazaar this year, bola committee chair, noted all ba- do not stop following up with the shipping their national products zaar visitors will be eligible to take groups chosen for assistance. all over the world especially for part in the tombola lottery. Sponsors committee chair Slav- this event. All products will be “It is an instant lottery with less ica Psaltirov Brankovikj, wife of available for sale at the bazaar at valuable but pleasant gifts that all the Macedonian Ambassador, ex- very reasonable prices, so that all embassies kindly provide. We col- tended appreciation to all sponsors visitors may find some unique and lected around 600 gifts to be drawn that provided their support this precious gifts for the upcoming at tombola,” she said. year. holidays, meanwhile helping peo- L-R: Hitomi Shimomura, Megumi Kawabata, Sharifah Fadhlina, Luzia Schmid, Heba Osman and Slavica Psaltirov ASA receives numerous applica- “It is worth mentioning that the ple in need, as all proceeds will go Brankovikj. tions each year from organisations Astana Times and the ATOM Pro- to support charitable projects in and individuals requesting help, ject contribute greatly every year Kazakhstan,” she said. More than 30 spouses are in- and communication, charity, spon- UNDP permanent representa- but the assistance it can offer de- and participate as grand sponsors The bazaar has grown in popu- volved in preparing for the event. sors, raffle, tombola and public- tive) noted one of the main at- pends on the funds raised. of the Christmas Charity Bazaar. larity and is attended by thousands “We start our work on prepara- ity,” she noted. tractions is the grand lottery “We received quite a big num- Last year, we received a beauti- every year. The Radisson Hotel tions for the bazaar in September Raffle committee co-chairs raffle. An important fundrais- ber of applications from organi- ful painting by artist and honorary has offered a bigger space this year and for proper organisation we Megumi Kawabata (wife of the ing tool, this year it will feature sations that need our help and ambassador of the ATOM Project for the convenience of visitors and divided ourselves into seven com- Japanese ambassador) and Hi- many amazing grand prizes, in- we hope to collect a sufficient Karipbek Kuyukov as a donation,” contributors. mittees – floor plan, registration tomi Shimomura (wife of the cluding a mink coat, electronics, amount that will enable us to help she said. EXPO site to New Year Festive Tree will be host AIFC, located at exhibition grounds Tickets will officially go on is free for World War II veterans, “The cost of the underground Staff Report sale Nov. 14. The 1,500 tenge invalids of all groups, orphans, parking is actually very low. (US$4.50) fee for adults and 500 mothers with many children and The first three hours are abso- educational centre ASTANA – The capital’s main tenge (US$1.50) for children cov- youngsters under six. lutely free for all visitors and important professions for the indi- Christmas tree, as well as the ice ers entrance to the Nur Alem na- For visitors’ convenience, an un- every subsequent hour will cost By Frol Leandoer vidual are identified, which can be rink, will be situated on the expo tional pavilion, thematic pavilions derground parking lot designed for 100 tenge (US$0.30),” said Ye- most successful in the future. This grounds, said EXPO 2017 com- and best practices zone. Admission 1,000 vehicles will be available. rkimbaev. ASTANA – EXPO 2017 may is now a global trend in education, mercialisation department director have concluded, but that doesn’t a focus on life satisfaction,” he Daulet Yerkimbayev. mean the grounds have become a said. “We are opening a unique ice ghost town. Once the international Yessimov stressed this will be rink. Its area is more than 3,500 pavilions have been reconstructed, the first such centre in the Central square kilometres. It will be no the vacated premises will be occu- Asian region. ordinary shape. I can assure you pied by various organisations, said “Currently, the concept is being that there have not been such ice Astana EXPO 2017 national com- developed jointly with Nazarbayev rinks before in our country. In ad- pany chair Akhmetzhan Yessimov. University. An exhibition complex dition to this, the main Christmas “For residents and guests of the will be placed in the C-2 pavilion. tree is also to be relocated to the capital, an ice rink will be launched It will be created as a platform for expo territory. Both the ice rink with the necessary infrastructure various exhibitions and interna- and the Christmas tree will be lo- for rendering services to visitors. tional and domestic expositions. cated near the Nur Alem sphere. The city government is planning Regions of the country will be The ice town, beloved by the lo- the construction of an ice town, an able to demonstrate their achieve- cals and which used to be located ice maze and the installation of the ments and share their experience near Khan Shatyr [Entertainment country’s main New Year’s tree. on an ongoing basis. As part of the Centre], will also be moved to the This year, this tree will be here on implementation of the President’s territory of expo. This is being the territory,” he said. instruction on digitalisation of Ka- done in cooperation with the Asta- The changes will offer a wide zakhstan, an international technol- na Akimat (city administration),” range of winter activities for resi- ogy park for IT start-ups will be he said. dents and visitors, while other created on the basis of the corpo- The tourist zone opening will modifications are underway for rate pavilion. The work is carried be held Nov. 11, with promo year-round use. out jointly with the Ministry of days Nov. 11-12. Entrance will “Currently, foreign countries Information and Communication,” be free for all visitors on both are completing the dismantling of he said. days. their expositions. I think they will At the same time, the logistics finish this month and we will start centre will continue to operate as reconstruction in the new year,” a transport area to provide depar- said Yessimov. ture services for international par- He noted various organisations, ticipants, as well as reconstructing such as the Astana International the exhibition facilities. The com- Financial Centre (AIFC), will take munications centre will become a the place of the international pavil- media hub, as it has all the neces- ions. sary infrastructure and was effec- “This is the international finan- tive during the expo. cial centre, which is located in pa- “I want to stress once again that vilions C-3 and C-4. We received a expo has been one of the most project assignment from the AIFC important events in the history of and we are now starting to devel- Kazakhstan. It significantly influ- op the submittals. An educational enced the image of the republic centre will be established in the and became the driver of economic C-1 13.16 pavilion,” he said. development. All the constructed The main idea of the centre is to objects are unique in the architec- identify and develop the abilities tural plan and will always be inter- and potential of future specialists esting in content. They will be in from an early age. Such centres are demand and will undoubtedly be- already functioning in many de- come the property of the republic veloped countries of the world and and the expo itself will be a new have shown their effectiveness. business and tourist centre of Ka- “At the earliest stage, the most zakhstan,” said Yessimov.