+16° / +4°C WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019 No 20 (182) www.astanatimes.com Kazakh, Belarusian presidents agree to Kazakhstan moves up enhance long-term trade cooperation to 25th spot in WB Doing Business Report procedures, optimise state control By Nazira Kozhanova and oversight activities and im- prove the business climate,” ac- NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan cording to comments on Kazakh moved up three spots to 25th on Prime Minister Askar Mamin’s the World Bank Doing Business website. 2020 report, according to the re- The moving up in the ranking port published on Oct. 24. became possible as Kazakhstan Kazakhstan made improvements made starting a business easier by in issuing permits, ease of get- registering companies for value ting a loan and starting a business. added tax at the time of incor- However, difficulties in registering poration. Another improvement property and resolving insolvency was in the strengthened access to remain, according to the report. credit by automatically extending “Improving the position of Ka- security interests to the products, zakhstan in the Doing Business proceeds and replacements of rating was made possible thanks the original assets and by giving to the ongoing systematic work of secured creditors absolute prior- the government to reform existing ity during insolvency proceedings, legislation, improve the licensing states the ranking report. system, simplify business creation Continued on Page A7 Photo credit: akorda.kz. Photo credit: tripled over the last three years increased over the past three years politicians in the Commonwealth By Elya Altynsarina to $800 million in 2018 while the container rail transport service of Independent States (CIS) and Kazakh imports to Belarus have along the China-Europe-China noted they have met three times NUR-SULTAN – The Presi- increased 45 percent. He said mu- route almost 6.5 times. over the past six months. Country ranks dents of Kazakhstan and Belarus tual trade can be increased and The sides also noted the poten- The Belarusian President also oversaw the signing of five bilat- announced an agreement to de- tial for cooperation in IT through noted the positive state of bilateral eral agreements and held a joint velop a long-term plan, utilising Nazarbayev University, the Astana relations. press conference Oct. 25, con- the Eurasian Economic Union, to Hub, and the High-Tech Park in “I want to note that our rela- 55th in Global cluding a two-day official visit by increase trade and the quantity of Minsk, as well as in the field of tions with Kazakhstan are close, Belarusian President Alexander goods supplied. finance via cooperation with the our economies are mutually sup- Lukashenko to the Kazakh capi- The two leaders also discussed Astana International Financial portive, we always create new tal. Lukashenko’s visit was his strengthening industrial coopera- Centre. opportunities for each other. Competitiveness Index first to Kazakhstan since the elec- tion. The presidents also discussed Everything that we produce in moved to second place. Hong tion of President Kassym-Jomart “Currently, there are about 340 developing economic ties in the the country, is Kazakhstan needs By Assel Satubaldina Kong, the Netherlands and Swit- Tokayev. joint enterprises in Kazakhstan. region and hosting of a forum on it, everything that you produce zerland round out the top five. The sides discussed economic, Eight joint ventures are engaged in interregional cooperation. in Kazakhstan, we are ready to NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan Singapore ranks first in terms political, cultural and humanitar- the production of large industrial Tokayev said the visit will en- purchase with great pleasure,” moved up four spots to 55th out of ian issues. They also discussed and agricultural equipment,” the hance Kazakh-Belarusian strategic Lukashenko said, adding that the of infrastructure, health, labour 141 countries in the Global Com- foreign policy, including establish- Kazakh President said. and economic cooperation. Speak- state of relations is the result of market functioning and financial ing more trade and economic part- “If Kazakhstan is a gateway to ing at a joint press conference of years of cooperation. petitiveness Index published Oct. 9 system development. With the nerships. Asia, then Belarus is a bridge to the two leaders, he said the basis “Between Minsk and Nur-Sul- by the World Economic Forum. The city-state leading the ranking, the “We are interested in increas- Europe; our countries are part of for the countries’ strategic partner- tan, we have gained positive expe- report assesses drivers of productiv- East Asia and Pacific regions have ing the volume of trade between the Belt and Road Initiative, and ship was established by Kazakh- rience of interaction at all levels,” ity and long-term economic growth. become the most competitive in our states, strengthening ties in by implementing it we will give a stan’s First President, Nursultan he said. Kazakhstan, with a score of 63 the world, followed by Europe and the humanitarian sphere, and con- new impetus to our trade and eco- Nazarbayev and that Lukashen- The two leaders issued a joint points, is positioned between Uru- North America. tinuing active cooperation with nomic ties,” Tokayev said. ko’s visit is a continuation of that statement after their meeting, guay and Brunei Darussalam. Kazakhstan’s highest score was international organisations,” said The United Transport and Logis- partnership. which seeks to intensify coopera- The report, in its 40th year, or- in the shareholder governance in- Tokayev. tics Company, in which Kazakh- Tokayev added that Lukashenko tion and coordinate actions in the ganises 103 indicators, such as dicator in the institutions pillar. Tokayev noted mutual trade had stan and Belarus are shareholders, is one of the most experienced international arena. digital skills, inflation and social The country’s institutions, which capital, into 12 pillars – institu- were assessed across security, so- tions, infrastructure, information cial capital, checks and balances, and communication technology public sector performance, trans- (ICT) adoption, macroeconomic parency, property rights, corporate stability, health, skills, product governance and future government IAEA LEU Bank receives first shipment market, labour market, financial orientation, ranked 64th. system, market size, business dy- now established and operational,” realised at the initiative of the First LEU Bank Marta Ferrari said, ac- The nation ranks 67th in terms namism and innovation capability. By Yerbolat Uatkhanov IAEA Acting Director General President of Kazakhstan, Nursul- cording to the IAEA press release. of infrastructure and 44th in ICT Singapore, named the world’s Cornel Feruta said, according to an tan Nazarbayev,” the Ministry of Acquiring 90 tonnes of LEU from adoption, performing relatively most competitive economy, scored NUR-SULTAN – The Inter- IAEA press release. “It is the first Foreign Affairs of the country said two vendors is the IAEA’s largest better than the upper-middle-in- 84.8 points to overtake last year’s national Atomic Energy Agency time the agency has undertaken a in its Oct. 17 press release. single procurement in its history. come group average. leader, the United States, which Continued on Page A4 (IAEA) Low-Enriched-Uranium project of this legal, operational “Because of the long journey, it The project implementation re- (LEU) Fuel Bank in Kazakhstan and logistical complexity.” took more than four weeks to trans- quired many efforts, such as ne- received Oct. 17 its first shipment Owned by the IAEA and hosted port the LEU to the site. It required gotiating a legal framework with of low-enriched uranium. by Kazakhstan, the IAEA LEU coordination among many partners Kazakhstan and its operator – Ulba The LEU Bank is meant to be Bank is one of the agency’s most involved in the project. We have Metallurgical Plant (UMP), which a supply source of last resort for ambitious and challenging projects gained valuable experience, as well is situated in the East Kazakhstan IAEA member states who have had since it was founded in 1957. as confidence, that we can use this Region, – designing and building Nur-Sultan hosts a disruption in their access to fuel. “The international project to transport route in case a country re- the storage facility to IAEA safety “With the arrival of the first establish the IAEA LEU Bank in quests supply of LEU,” the IAEA’s and security standards. shipment, the IAEA LEU Bank is Kazakhstan has been successfully Acting Project Executive for the Continued on Page A3 UN urban tourism summit EU, UNDP and Kazakhstan launch education the frequent association of smart By Assel Satubaldina cities with the use of advanced technologies and innovations. NUR-SULTAN – Nur-Sultan Tourism should also become an programme to train Afghan women hosted Oct. 9-10 the United Na- integral part of the city’s develop- foundation training, hosted a re- stan, the students are to study at an will provide $2.2 million for the tions World Tourism Organisa- ment agenda as a means to make By Amir Khaidar ception in their honour with re- agricultural university in Termez. programme. tion (UNWTO) Summit on Urban tourism a true contributor to the marks from international and Ka- The United Nations Women will “It is our principled position that Tourism. More than 700 delegates development of cities. ALMATY – The European Un- zakh officials, as well as some of organise summer schools that will Afghanistan should not be viewed from 30 countries gathered to ex- Nur-Sultan Akim (Mayor) Altai ion, the United Nations Develop- the students themselves. train the women in entrepreneur- as a source of challenges but as a plore the definition of smart cities Kulginov said globalisation is a ment Programme (UNDP) and Between now and 2025, 50 Af- ship and networking to contribute source of opportunities,” Kazakh- and smart destinations and the role driving force to eliminate barriers Kazakhstan launched Oct. 18 an ghan students, including 10 wom- to their post-study employment stan’s Deputy Foreign Minister of tourism in the development of in mass tourism. education programme to train and en who will study in Uzbekistan, and economic empowerment. Roman Vassilenko said in ad- cities. “Cities need to be safe and com- educate several dozen Afghan will receive bachelor’s, master’s Building on its 10-year pro- dressing the Oct. 18 event. “It is, The two-day event, which also fortable to be attractive for tour- women in Kazakh universities and technical degrees in agricul- gramme to educate 1,000 Afghans therefore, critical to integrate the included the adoption of the Nur- ists. We are working on this at the over the next five years. ture, applied statistics and mining in its universities, Kazakhstan economy of Afghanistan with its Sultan smart city declaration, re- moment. We use the best practices The first group of thirty women in universities across Kazakhstan proposed in 2017 to the European neighbouring countries through affirmed the five key pillars that of Europe’s top cities and are de- were selected in September out and Uzbekistan. Union to launch a new joint pro- enhanced interaction and con- smart cities should develop in their veloping the concept of smart of 535 initial applicants. The se- The Kazakh universities partici- gramme to educate Afghan women. nectivity and investing in and de- effort to build inclusive, resilient city focusing on safety, logistics, lected women passed a three-stage pating in the programme include EU High Representative for For- veloping regional infrastructure, and sustainable cities. healthcare, education, housing and selection process that included an the Kanysh Satpayev Kazakh Na- eign Affairs and Security Policy trade, and transit transportation The pillars included sustain- public services,” said Kulginov. English placement test and an in- tional University, the Kazakh-Brit- Federica Mogherini announced in projects. To achieve this, Afghani- ability, accessibility, urban man- Kazakh Prime Minister Askar terview. ish Technical University and Almaty September 2018 in her video mes- stan needs professionally educated agement, innovation and technol- Mamin noted the significant con- On Oct. 18, the Almaty Manage- Managment University in Almaty sage to the regional conference in human capital, and we are privi- ogy. tribution of tourism to global econ- ment University (Alma U), where and the Kazakh National Agratian the Kazakh capital on empowering leged to be able to help.” The approach should be holistic omies. the Afghan students will get their University in Nur-Sultan. In Uzbeki- women in Afghanistan that the EU Continued on Page A3 and people-centred, going beyond Continued on Page B6

INSIDE NATION ECONOMY EDITORIAL BUSINESS NATION&CAPITAL One million trees to be planted Economy grows 4.3 percent in first nine Digitisation is improving lives, Kazakh, British companies, institutions sign UNFPA, activists promote “Qyzbolsyn” film as part of nationwide campaign A2 months of 2019 A4 businesses A6 agreements A7 to address women’s issues in society B1 Saryarqa pipeline finishes, completing first Payment balance develops $1.9 Carpets produced in Shymkent gain foothold Nur-Sultan, Almaty among 10 most popular stage of providing cities with gas A2 billion deficit A4 in int’l market A8 tourist cities in CIS B6

US$ 1 = 387.98 KZT € 1 = 430.31 KZT 1 = 6.09 KZT A2 NATION

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019

Ecological Organisations signed the memorandum that banned free plas- NATIONAL NEWS IN BRIEF tic bags at stores. The Kazakh offi- One million trees to be planted cials expect the move will reduce the plastic consumption by 30 percent, Almaty Akim (Mayor) reported the ministry press service. Bakhytzhan Sagintayev met with an Another large-scale environ- Almaty writers’ community repre- as part of nationwide campaign ment campaign preceded the tree sentative to award grants, reported an effort of good cause, needed planting in July, when a one-day, tengrinews.kz. The grants, deter- By Assel Satubaldina to protect nature. I thank all par- nation-wide volunteer effort to mined by the Kazakh Writers’ Un- ticipants of this event. Our capital clean parks, ponds, riverbanks and ion commission, totalled 500,000 NUR-SULTAN – One million should become more comfortable coastal regions collected 15,044 tenge (US$1,281). The grants are trees will be planted in Kazakh- and greener,” Tokayev wrote in his tonnes of garbage across 4,071 one of the ways the city akimat (ad- stan as part of the nationwide Twitter account. hectares of land. Approximately ministration) supports the writing environment campaign #Birge Nearly 740 trees were planted 197,000 people participated in the community and it also plans to re- #JasylQazaqstan (which means Oct. 12 at the two sites and close clean-up that also rallied in Twitter construct the writers union building Together and GreenKazakh- to 5,000 are expected to be plant- under the Twitter hashtags #Birge this year. “For us, as representatives stan). ed in Nur-Sultan as the campaign #TazaQazaqstan. of the people, it is important that the The campaign started Oct. 12 continues, eventually reaching one The Ministry of Ecology, Geol- akim hears us, which means that he and was initiated by the Ministry million nationwide. ogy and Natural Resources also knows the needs and aspirations of of Ecology, Geology and Natural Among the trees are pine, birch, organised Oct. 3 an environment the city’s people. For our part, we Resources and personally Minister ash, poplar, linden, lilac, ligature, hour in the Kazakh schools to will do our best to contribute to the Magzum Mirzagaliyev. maple and apple tree. commemorate World Nature Day. development of the urban commu- “We launch #Birge #Ja- Along with the tree planting, The government officials, akims nity,” said Kazakh Writers’ Union sylQazaqstan campaign. We or- volunteers organised Oct. 12 a (governors) and prominent public Chairperson Ulykbek Yesdaulet.  ______ganise a mass planting of trees Oct. Nagaibekov. Sergey Photo credit: campaign meant to encourage peo- figures told the children and young 12. It is planned that almost one ple to stop using plastic bags. people about the greater need to Beginning in 2020, electronic million trees will be planted across residents and high-level govern- the 25th anniversary of Kazakh- Kazakhstan recently commit- protect nature, save water and sort prescriptions will be mandatory the entire country,” Mirzagaliyev ment officials, including Prime stan’s independence. ted to ban the use of plastic bags in waste. and the purchase prices of medi- wrote in his Twitter account. Minister Askar Mamin, in the Diplomatic missions also joined 2025 and the Ministry of Ecology, More than 200,000 trees were cations covered by government Kazakh President Kassym Botanical Garden. The planting the Kazakh Foreign Ministry to Geology and Natural Resources, planted across the country as part insurance will be reduced, said Jomart Tokayev also took part in was also organised near the mon- plant the trees. Atameken National Chamber of En- of the environment hour, including Minister of Healthcare Yelzhan the effort Oct. 12 joining capital ument in the capital dedicated to “Making our country greener is trepreneurs and the Association of 2,500 in Nur-Sultan. Birtanov, reported tengrinews. kz. “A pilot drug labelling project was launched to identify counter- feit medicines. In 2020, electronic million, 276-kilometre pipeline prescriptions will become manda- in the Nur-Sultan – Kokshetau tory,” he said. Electronic prescrip- direction, followed by the $48.5 tions and drug labelling are used to Saryarqa pipeline finishes, completing million, 177-kilometre Kokshe- combat counterfeit drugs and pre- tau – Petropavlovsk pipeline. The scriptions and the pilot project has last stage will be constructing the shown a reduction in the number Temirtau and Zhezkazgan com- of complaints regarding medica- first stage of providing cities with gas pressor stations. Completion of all tions. The rules regulating prices nicipalities, serve 2.7 million peo- to gas, those in the central and mal power plants (TPP) 1, 2 and phases is expected in 2032. were approved by the ministry, By Galiya Khassenkhanova ple and create 190 new jobs. The northern regions did not. 3; private residential sectors Kok- Providing gas to the capital will with costs reduced 40 percent af- project cost $685 million, $261 “This [the building of Saryarqa tal 1 and 2; the Zheleznodorozhny decrease emissions by 34,600 ter the single distributors list was NUR-SULTAN – The last joint million of which was loaned by the pipeline] is one of the five initia- settlement and the South East mi- tonnes per year and reduce the air formed. of the Saryarqa pipeline outside Development Bank of Kazakhstan tives of First President Nursultan crodistrict. At the end of the first pollution index by 25 percent due ______the capital, also called the “golden and Eurasian Development Bank. Nazarbayev. The start was given phase, residents of 13,500 houses to the switch from coal and wood Nur-Sultan Akim (Mayor) Altai joint,” was ceremoniously welded AstanaGaz, a structural division of last December and the in-line part will be able to get gas at home,” normally used to heat houses. Kulginov met Oct. 23 with Kazakh Oct. 9, signifying completion of Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth was finished in less than a year. said capital Akim (Mayor) Altai “The citizens will feel more NGO representatives and offered the first stage to provide gas there Fund, will oversee the project. This is one of the biggest infra- Kulginov. comfortable as well. When you cooperation in improving the capi- and to other Kazakh cities, report- The pipeline was among the structural projects,” said Samruk The second phase also involves heat a house with coal, wood or tal’s KSK (apartment owners’ co- ed inform.kz. Five Social Initiatives announced Kazyna Chairperson Akhmetzhan the Family Village, Garden Vil- other solid fuel, it is tremendous operatives) and communal spaces, The 1,061-kilometre pipe- by First President Nursultan Naz- Yessimov. lage, Internatsionalny, Kuygen- work. Our citizens have such diffi- reported tengrinews.kz. The repre- line stretches from Kyzylorda arbayev in his March 2018 state- The next stage of the project is zhar, Michurino, Prigorodny and culties round-the-clock, especially sentatives raised problems of ac- through Zhezkazgan, Karaganda of-the-nation address. Since the providing gas to the capital, which Telman housing estates. The third if you consider our long winter pe- cessibility, employing those with and Temirtau, ending at the capi- country’s independence, he noted should be completed by 2021. stage will provide gas to the Ilyin- riod,” said Kulginov. “Only some disabilities and funding for shel- tal. Construction started in March gas extraction had increased from “Our objective is to distribute ka, Ondiris and Shubar residential technical work is left, which will ters of survivors of domestic vio- and was finished in a record eight eight to 52 billion cubic metres in the gas inside the city. The first areas. be finished in November. In De- lence. “I am very pleased that each months. nine regions. While nearly 50 per phase provides for gas supply to Pipeline construction will con- cember, the pipe will be full of speaker voiced specific proposals Gas is expected to reach 171 mu- cent of the population had access gas distribution networks of ther- tinue. Plans are to build a $123.6 gas.” and projects. Together, we can do more… Here, we can also work to- gether. I propose to work together to improve the work of KSK. After all, KSK is a local government or- ganisation. By using united action, Government estimates Nurly Zhol programme we can achieve significant results. We can also develop urban public spaces together,” said Kulginov. ______will cost $16.91 billion over next five years An earthquake was recorded Oct. Mamin instructed the govern- 2025, Nurly Zhol also envisages active stage of implementation,” kilometres of new railways, 25 in Almaty, according to ten- By Aidana Yergaliyeva ment to ensure approval of the new investment in fixed assets of Mamin said. modernised six runways at the grinews.kz. “Upon receiving infor- programme by the end of 2019. the transport industry to triple Over the past five years, -Nur airports of Almaty, Balkhash, mation, the Department of Emer- NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh The new agenda of Nurly Zhol to 3.4 trillion tenge (US$8.71 ly Zhol has created more than Kostanai, Petropavlovsk, Semei gency Situations of the Almaty government estimates 6.598 tril- will continue developing road in- billion). Government officials 400,000 jobs, labour productiv- and Uralsk. Region notified local executive lion tenge (US$16.91 billion) will frastructure. According to Atam- also expect rail transit to in- ity almost doubled, income from The capacity of Kazakh-Chi- bodies, the Ministry of Emergency be necessary to fund the Nurly kulov, the programme will repair crease from 18.1 million tonnes transit increased from 180 bil- nese border terminals has been Situations, the police department, Zhol state infrastructure develop- 27,000 kilometres of local roads, to 26.9 million tonnes and road lion tenge (US$461.26 million) increased to 40 million tonnes per the prosecutor’s office and other or- ment programme for 2020-2025, reconstruct 10,000 kilometres and transit to increase from 1.6 mil- to 782.4 billion tenge (US$2.00 year. The capacity of the port in- ganisations; the situation was clari- said Minister of Industry and In- repair 11,000 kilometres of nation- lion tonnes to 3 million tonnes billion), the share of transport in frastructure on the Caspian Sea has fied in the territories and there were frastructural Development Beibut al roads. per year. gross domestic product (GDP) been increased from 17.5 million no reports of destruction and casu- Atamkulov at an Oct. 22 govern- In addition, the government The government also discussed grew to 8.3 percent, total transit to 27 million tonnes per year. This alties,” reported the Almaty Depart- ment meeting chaired by Kazakh plans to modernise the Dostyk- the progress of the Nurly Zhol of containers tripled to 825,000 capacity growth was achieved with ment of Emergency Situations. Prime Minister Askar Mamin. Moiynty section and electrify the 2015-2019 programme, which re- containers in twenty-foot equiv- the Aktau port expansion and the ______“As Elbasy (Leader of the Na- Moiynty-Aktogay railway sec- ceived 5.8 trillion tenge (US$14.86 alent, the transit of goods in- Kuryk port construction. Kazakh driving licenses and iden- tion, the constitutional title accord- tions. The government also plans billion) to develop the transport in- creased from 1.3 million tonnes Engineering networks have tification documents will include ed to Kazakhstan’s First President, to build 16 airfields to develop dustry. to 1.8 million tonnes and the been elongated to 3,400 kilome- fingerprints beginning in 2021, re- Nursultan Nazarbayev) noted at a small air lines. “A stable transport and logis- number of air transit passengers tres. The freight traffic on inland ported the Kazakh Ministry of In- recent meeting of the Nur Otan fac- The government plans to build tics system has been formed. As increased four times to approxi- waterways has grown 86 percent, ternal Affairs press service. A chip tion, the new five-year plan of the and modernise 133 bus stations a result, Kazakhstan has become mately 1 million. from 750,000 tonnes to 1.4 mil- including the owners’ biometrical Nurly Zhol programme is one of and passenger service points. a transcontinental bridge between The programme built and re- lion tonnes. The navigation on information will be inserted on the the fundamental state programmes The new state programme Europe and Asia. Elbasy’s tasks in constructed 3,000 kilometres of the Irtysh River has resumed and back side of the ID document. The aimed at further developing the should create 551,000 jobs, of creating a regional transport and national roads, repaired 15,000 the quality of navigable water- press service also reported the min- country’s transport infrastructure which 48,500 will be perma- logistics hub and developing the kilometres of regional and dis- ways has been improved, say of- istry’s intention to make IDs from and transit potential,” said Mamin. nent and 502,200 temporary. By country’s transit potential are in an trict roads, commissioned 1,400 ficials. higher quality materials and use bet- ter technology in their production. The changes are intended to protect documents from being faked. ______As a result of the Stop Tuberculo- Fifteen countries join Green Bridge Initiative sis project, nine people in Nur-Sul- tan were diagnosed with the disease, non-governmental organisations Now, we need to talk about what money, to calculate his capabili- “We talk about two pillars – reported Inform.kz Oct. 25. The By Nazira Kozhanova also participate as members. The needs to be invested and to invest ties. We now have, in general, a energy efficiency and energy project, organised by the city akimat countries joined both to learn from enough to maintain the ecological slightly different approach for conservation – that constitute (administration), covered 14,000 NUR-SULTAN – Fifteen coun- the Kazakh experience and, more balance in our own country, there- people to [consider] their own the basis for creating a sustain- people. “In particular, shopping cen- tries have joined the Kazakh Green importantly, to share that knowl- by contributing to maintaining the pocket – it is very important to able model of economic devel- tres of the city, markets and housing Bridge green economy transition edge and experience with other ecological balance of the planet have a big SUV with big cubes, opment. Without these two main estates were examined. However, initiative, International Centre for countries. While technologies are and fulfilling our obligations un- and this, as they say, is evidence pillars, sustainability cannot be the priority is given to houses on the Green Technologies and Invest- generally protected, when it comes dertaken under international con- of status, indicates a standard of achieved… Work in this direc- outskirts of the city… As a result of ment Projects Management Board to green technologies, the commit- ventions and agreements, too,” he living to some kind of degree. tion is carried out by the state. the project, 75 people who showed Deputy Chairperson Gaukhar Bei- ment to reducing carbon emissions added. This consciousness should gradu- I think that we have a company, symptoms indicating tuberculosis seyeva told bnews.kz Sept. 30. obliges states to share their tech- One of the greatest challenges in ally change; people should very an organisation called KazEn- were found. After conducting spe- “We already have 15 countries nologies, he noted. transitioning to a green economy is consciously approach their own ergy; they are developing this cial examinations, nine people were joining the Green Bridge partner- “Ultimately, these states have in people’s economic and environ- expenses, their own capabilities,” policy and they are developing diagnosed with tuberculosis. Work ship programme. I can even list all committed to reduce emissions, to mental consciousness. said Beiseyeva. all these areas. We see our task in this direction will be continued. of them for you now – – Albania, reduce the negative impact on the “Yes, this is, first, culture, and She also highlighted energy ef- in attracting technology in this For those citizens who can no longer Belarus, Bulgaria, Finland, Geor- environment; therefore, in accord- second, consciousness, such as ficiency and conservation as two area, searching for investments; be examined on weekdays, inspec- gia, Germany, Hungary, Kazakh- ance with these obligations, it is al- the economic consciousness of pillars for creating the sustainable we are trying to fulfil our task tion and medical examination will stan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Mongo- ready important to talk about what the population. A person always model of economic development and we also attract international be organised on weekends,” said lia, Montenegro, Russia, Sweden is expensive, what is not expen- thinks from his own pocket; that and named the main organisations experience, experts to fulfil these city Public Health Department Dep- and Spain,” she said. A total of 16 sive – this time has already passed. is, a person must learn to count working on these two aspects. tasks,” she added. uty Chairperson Aliya Rustemova. A3 EURASIA&WORLD

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019

events are becoming more com- EXTERNAL mon. The Korean cultural centre is NEWS IN BRIEF “probably the most active among Kazakh-South Korean relations strengthen all cultural centres in Kazakhstan,” Kazakhstan advanced from 28th he noted. The centre’s director is to 25th place in the latest World also Kim’s cultural advisor. Bank Doing Business Report re- The Korean culture centre in leased Oct. 24. The report examined after top-level visit, says envoy the capital organises more than the changes in regulation in 12 ar- In other words, Kazakhstan is construction and, maybe even a 20 events and performances each eas of business activity, including By Aidana Yergaliyeva some sort of a testing board” that nuclear power station,” he added. year. business incorporation, getting a measures the extent of their suc- The two countries granted each “The centre shows all spheres of building permit, getting access to NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh-South cess or failure in the region’s mar- other 30-day, visa-free entrance Korean culture. It is cooking Ko- credit and protecting minority in- Korean relations have been grow- ket, he added. beginning November 2014. The rean dishes, learning Korean lan- vestors, across 190 economies. It ing at a dynamic pace since the Approximately 500 joint com- following year, more than 50,000 guage, culture and history. There noted starting a business in Kazakh- two countries established diplo- panies operate in Kazakhstan, in- Koreans visited Kazakhstan and are many events where Kazakhs stan became easier after the country matic relations in 1992. The bilat- cluding giants Hyundai, LG, Lotte more than 35,000 Kazakhs trav- can be introduced to Korean life- began registering companies for eral relationship was strengthened Confectionery, Samsung, SK and elled to Korea. style,” said Kim. value added tax at the time of incor- further following South Korean Highvill. Kim stressed such dynamic co- Kazakhstan and Korea have poration and obtaining a construc- President Moon Jae-in’s state visit The Korean President’s visit operation between countries lets more in common than it appears. tion permit also became easier by to Kazakhstan in April 2019, said also resulted in the Fresh Wind slip some “inevitable negative Kazakhstan, for example, is home streamlining the expert evaluation South Korean Ambassador to Ka- Kim Dae-sik agreement that set “the new tone moments.” The visa-free regime to more than 100,000 ethnic Kore- of the project and improving the zakhstan Kim Dae-sik. for cooperation.” opened the way for illegal workers ans. process for procuring a new water The state visit initiated a chain Kazakh data shows mutual trade “They started to strengthen more, to go to Korea, resulting in stricter “They are the connecting bridge connection. The World Bank added of visits between the countries’ was $4.29 billion in the first nine because in the new Fresh Wind pro- control at Seoul’s Incheon airport between the two countries,” he Kazakhstan strengthened access to officials, including trips to Ka- months of the year. gramme many new areas of coop- for Kazakh citizens. noted. “In 1937, they were all de- credit and improved access to credit zakhstan by Korean National As- “Kazakh and Korean statistics eration were signed such as health- “Many people say that because ported to Kazakhstan. Thus, many information. In resolving insolven- sembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang always differ a little from each care, medicine, smart factories, of these small problems the bilat- of them, unfortunately, lost their cy, however, all creditors still have and Foreign Affairs Minister Kang other for some reasons,” he said. smart farms, smart technology, IT, eral relationship suffers,” he said. knowledge of Korean language. to vote on the rehabilitation plan, re- Kyung-wha and trips to South Ko- The presidential visit also in- education, the fourth industrial rev- “But I think it cannot be judged But after we signed a diplomatic gardless of its impact on their inter- rea by Minister of Industry and In- creased Korean interest in Kazakh- olution and digitisation,” said Kim. considering only these small prob- agreement in 1992, there appeared ests, which inhibited Kazakhstan’s frastracture Development Roman stan. The cooperation offers enor- lems. These small problems should many areas in which the countries progress in that particular area. Sklyar, Minister of Foreign Affairs “Recently, people from Korean mous opportunity for new projects not affect the relationship between started to cooperate. In the end, it ______Beibut Atamkulov and Minister of television channels came to Ka- to grow and flourish in the future. the two countries. We need to look came that ethnic Koreans started Kazakhstan’s Samruk Kazyna Justice Marat Beketayev. zakhstan and shot a documentary “The bilateral relations could be more widely. These small problems to learn more Korean and get in- Sovereign Wealth Fund and Brit- The countries work continuously movie about Kazakhstan, near Al- stronger and better. In my view, happen with all countries… Never- terested in Korean culture and life- ish investment firm Da Vinci Capi- to expand their economic ties, and maty. Kazakhstan often appears there should be one big success- theless, I think that with constant style and many of them send their tal agreed to form a $100 million the increase in mutual trade is in- on Korean television, meaning the ful project between the two coun- dialogue and cooperation we can children for them to study.” private equity fund following the dicative of their effort. Kim has wit- Korean interest in Kazakhstan is tries,” he noted. eliminate all of these problems.” The Korean government is ea- Kazakh-British Business Coun- nessed the trade volume double dur- growing,” he noted. The project should be as big Kazakhs are also very familiar ger to welcome ethnic Koreans cil meeting in London on Oct. 23. ing his nearly three-year term as an Korean business circles recog- as the recent, although failed, with Korean culture, as it has been who serve as a bridge with their Under the agreement, the new fund envoy to Kazakhstan. According to nise Kazakhstan as a leading econ- Balkhash electro station project. well popularised through the K- historical homeland. It tries to will invest at least $40 million in Korean statistical data, the trade vol- omy in Central Asia and, therefore, “To talk about the spheres where wave. Many Kazakhs, especially provide more educational oppor- Kazakh companies working in ume reached $3.1 billion in the first “when Korean companies want to that kind of business is possible, it youth, listen to K-Pop music and tunities, as well as comfortable IT and digitisation. The meeting nine months of 2019 compared to enter the Central Asian market, is probably car assembling, hos- watch K-dramas. conditions, for them to study and was part of the Kazakh delega- $1.5 billion for all of 2017, he said. they start to try with Kazakhstan. pital construction, electric station In addition, Korean cultural work in Korea. tion’s visit led by Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko. The programme also included the Ka- zakhstan Global Investment Forum organised by the Financial Times, fDi Magazine, Samruk Kazyna, IAEA LEU Bank receives first shipment Kazakh Invest and the Kazakh Em- bassy in the United Kingdom. More Continued from Page A1 litical motives,” the Kazakh MFA ture has been established for the The LEU Bank is fully funded the IAEA LEU Storage Facility at than 200 business executives in the explained in its release, adding safe storage of the material at the by voluntary contributions from UMP, following an August 2015 manufacturing, agricultural, chemi- Also, the agency reached tran- that thanks to the investment Ulba Metallurgical Plant”, which IAEA Member States and other agreement between the country cal, mining, financial, metallurgy, sit agreements for the transporta- from both Kazakhstan and the has many decades of experience donors. In total, donors have and the agency to establish the fa- alternative energy, logistics and tion of the LEU to and from the IAEA, “the necessary infrastruc- working in this area. provided $150 million which is cility. digital technology sectors attended site with China and Russia. The enough to cover costs for 20 years In 2010, the IAEA decided to the forum and were briefed on the agency also concluded transport of operations. Donors include the establish the LEU Bank “as an as- extensive business and investment contracts with Kazakh and Russian Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), surance of supply mechanism of opportunities Kazakhstan can offer. railroad companies. a Washington-based NGO whose last resort for member states that As the country prepares to leave the The first LEU shipment, from co-chairman, Sam Nunn, first experience a supply disruption due European Union, UK Department France’s Orano Cycle, was trans- proposed the idea back in 2006 to exceptional circumstances and for International Trade Investment ported by truck to a French port, by backed by the financial support are unable to secure nuclear power Minister Graham Stuart MP noted ship to Russia, and by train to Ka- from Warren Buffet, as well as fuel from the commercial market, greater interest by British firms to zakhstan. The LEU was checked the United States, the European State-to-State arrangements or by contribute to Kazakhstan’s eco- by IAEA experts on the ground Union, the United Arab Emirates, any other means. It will be a physi- nomic growth and development. when it arrived at the facility. The Kuwait, Norway and Kazakhstan. cal reserve of 90 metric tonnes of ______IAEA expects to receive a second The latter contributed by hosting LEU, the basic ingredient to fabri- Prime Minister Askar Mamin LEU shipment from Kazakhstan’s the bank. cate fuel for nuclear power plants,” participated in the Commonwealth Kazatomprom by the end of the “I thank the donors for their gen- according to the release. of Independent States (CIS) Coun- year. erous contributions that made this There are approximately 450 cil of Heads of Government Oct. 25 “The LEU reserve is not a ra- project possible and Kazakhstan, nuclear power reactors in opera- in Moscow. The CIS is composed dioactive waste, does not rep- China and Russia for their valu- tion around the world and 52 more of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, resent a threat to the people or able cooperation,” Feruta said. are under construction. The cur- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, the environment and is meant to In August 2017, IAEA Director rent reactors supply approximately Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan be used in case IAEA member General Yukiya Amano and Ka- 10 percent of the world’s electric- (as an associated member state), states face the disruption of tra- zakhstan’s First President, Nur- ity and one-third of all low-carbon

Ukraine and Uzbekistan. The agen- ditional supplies of fuel for po- mfa.gov.kz. Photo credit: sultan Nazarbayev, inaugurated electricity, according to the IAEA. da included trade and economic cooperation between the member countries, including implementing the Free Trade Agreement signed in 2011 and discussing the Free Trade of Services Agreement within the EU, UNDP and Kazakhstan launch programme... CIS. The sides signed the concept Continued from Page A1 nical programmes in the Kazakh on digital development coopera- universities. tion, road map for its execution and Women are central to economic “We prepared a special pro- strategy on information security. On growth and sustainable develop- gramme for Afghan women which the same day, the Eurasian Intergov- ment, said EU Ambassador to Ka- includes entrepreneurship, leader- ernmental Council of the Eurasian zakhstan Sven-Olov Carlsson dur- ship, and communications course, Economic Union took place. On the ing the reception in Almaty. because we believe that every fringes of the meeting, a free trade “At the core of the common ap- woman can be a leader in Afghani- zone agreement between the EAEU proach between the EU, Afghani- and Serbia was signed. stan and when they come back to stan and Central Asia, is our firm ______their own country, they will create The Kazakh delegation joined conviction that investing in educa- new companies, they will be pro- representatives of 158 countries and tion by connecting three countries fessionals in different spheres,” international organisations gather- like Afghanistan, Kazakhstan and Alma U Rector Gulmira Kurgan- ing in Baku (Azerbaijan) Oct. 25-26 Uzbekistan, we can help strength- bayeva told The Astana Times. for the 18th Non-Aligned Move- ening the social and economic Kurganbayeva also explained ment Heads of State and Govern- linkages among them, thus also that her university is even going ment summit chaired this year by contributing to addressing com- as far as helping some of the stu- the host country. The movement, mon security challenges and pro- dents, who arrived in Almaty with the largest cooperative effort of 120 moting a more peaceful and pros- Afghan students and Kazakh and international officials post for a group photo at the Oct. 18 welcome reception in Almaty. their small children, with placing countries after the United Nations perous world,” said Carlsson. feat poverty and injustice. Women Partnership, said in an interview tive security situation in Kazakh- the kids in local kindergartens and (UN), was formed at the height of “Promoting women’s economic that are here are not ordinary peo- for this story. stan and its proximity to Afghani- schools. the Cold War and brought together empowerment, ensuring gender ple, they are extraordinary, these Bitimov said some of the almost stan as some of the key factors that The initiative is expected to help the countries that did not seek to equality, and facilitating easy ac- women are intelligent and bril- 900 graduates of Kazakhstan’s conditioned the EU’s decision to create new business and employ- formally align with either side, but cess to education are priorities liant, they know how to cope with programme to date now serve in opt for a joint programme. ment opportunities for the women rather remain independent and neu- the UNDP continuously works challenges, because coming here top positions in the Afghan presi- The choice of English, which and their communities in Afghani- tral in their decision making. The on around the world. Here in Ka- was not an easy part, they faced dent’s office, government minis- increasingly plays a bigger role stan. It is also expected that the organisation, which also has 17 zakhstan, we promoted education many challenges, but they never tries, the border guards and police, in Afghanistan, as the language of new programme will only be a first countries with observer status, in- opportunities for women from Af- gave up,” said one of the scholar- while others work as respected tuition, is also attractive to Afghan phase of a much larger cooperative cluding Kazakhstan, is an important ghanistan in the past as part of the ship recipients Muzhgan Hussaini. doctors, engineers and journalists. students in their training in Ka- effort between the European Union, platform for the nation to promote cooperation with the government “Kazakhstan’s $50 million edu- A retired general and former zakhstan, he added. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to assist its initiatives across key aspects of of Kazakhstan,” said UNDP Resi- cation programme has been suc- head of Kazakhstan’s intelligence Upon arrival to Kazakhstan, Af- Afghanistan in educating its people. the international agenda, reported dent Representative in Kazakh- cessful and it is gratifying that it service who spent 15 years in Af- ghan students participated in an ori- According to the 2018 UNDP the Foreign Ministry press service. stan Yakup Beris. The UNDP is a has now served as the foundation ghanistan between several tours, entation week at Alma U, where they Human Development Report, 11 The summit focused on issues such partner in implementing the pro- for this new joint programme with Bitimov highlighted the relative learned about the upcoming training percent of all adult Afghan women as the fight against terrorism, threats gramme on behalf of the European the European Union,” Omirtay low cost of education coupled with programme and toured the city. have reached at least a secondary to peace and security, UN reform, Union. Bitimov, former Kazakh ambas- its good quality, the accumulated They will now have an eight- level of education and only 19.5 climate change, sustainable devel- “We believe that education is sador in Kabul and current chair experience of running an educa- month English language course percent are employed, while these opment, economic governance and power, and we all believe that edu- of the Almaty-based AFGQAZ tion programme for Afghans since with the subsequent admission to numbers are 37 percent and 87 south to south cooperation. cation is the only tool that can de- Association for Development and 2010, as well as the overall posi- the bachelor’s, master’s and tech- percent for men, respectively. A4 ECONOMY

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019

ECONOMIC Economy grows 4.3 percent Payment balance develops NEWS IN BRIEF Kazakhstan has increased its gold reserves, reported the Tau- Ken Samruk national mining in first nine months of 2019 $1.9 billion deficit company press service. The state bodies and banks repaying obliga- balance sheet registered the Ga- By Aidana Yergaliyeva Staff Report tions on long-term loans and bor- garinskoye and Shokpar depos- rowings, as well as an increase in its as containing more than 21 NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan en- NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s foreign currency cash within the tonnes of gold and 135 tonnes joyed a 4.3 percent gross domestic current account payment balance population. of silver. Specialists from Shok- product (GDP) growth from Janu- developed a $1.9 billion deficit in As of July 1, reserve assets par-Gagarinskoye (a subsidiary ary to September, announced Min- the first half of 2019 and external (excluding assets of the National of Tau-Ken Samruk) completed ister of National Economy Ruslan debt was $158.3 billion, or 87.7 Fund) were estimated at $28.2 bil- exploratory assessments to ap- Dalenov at an Oct. 14 government percent of gross domestic product lion. prove the industrial conditions meeting, reported primeminister. (GDP), reported the National Bank The banking sector’s external and reserves estimation of the kz. Investments in fixed assets grew of Kazakhstan press service. liabilities decreased $79.9 million fields in Zhambyl Region. The 9.7 percent. “In the first half of 2019, the to $5.7 billion due to an increase state commission on reserves The growth mainly accounts for external debt decreased $467.6 in non-resident deposits and spot approved the Gagarinskoye an increase in output of light industry primeminister.kz. Photo credit: million. The state external debt in- contracts with foreign banks, field reserves in the C1+C2 cat- at 19 percent, manufacturing at 18.2 cators of economic growth, I would Minister – Minister of Finance creased by $323 million to $12.6 which were offset by repaying Ha- egories at 2.26 million tonnes of percent, metal ore mining at 16.1 like to note the positive work of the Alikhan Smailov, the state budget billion due to the growth of the lyk Bank Eurobonds and Develop- ore, 10,104.3 kilogrammes (kg) percent, construction at 13.5 percent, akimats (regional administrations) revenues grew 15 percent, national market value of sovereign bonds, ment Bank of Kazakhstan loans. of gold with an average con- trade at 7.6 percent, oil refining at 7.2 of the Atyrau, East Kazakhstan, budget increased 19 percent and lo- partially offset by the repayment tent of 4.48 gramme/tonne (g/t) percent and transport at 5.5 percent. Turkistan, Zhambyl, Pavlodar re- cal budgets increased 7 percent. The of government external borrow- and 84.2 tonnes of silver with The metal ore mining increased gions. This is a good example for assets of the National Fund totalled ing,” it said. The banking sector’s 37.31 g/t in average content. as a result of the 18.4 percent other regions. At the same time, 26.45 trillion tenge (US$67.86 bil- The current account deficit is The Shokpar deposit reserves growth of non-ferrous metal ores. some akimats show a decrease on lion), which is an increase of 15 due to a decrease in the trade bal- external liabilities were also approved in categories From January to August, foreign a number of indicators,” said Prime percent year over year. ance surplus against the backdrop decreased $79.9 C1+C2 at 1.55 million tonnes of trade turnover increased 1.8 percent Minister Askar Mamin. “At all levels of the budget, of the deteriorating external envi- ore, 10,952.9 kg of gold with an to $62.1 billion. Exports totalled The state bodies that oversee the high implementation of funds ronment in global oil prices, the million to $5.7 billion average content of 7.05 g/t and $37.6 billion, while import reached budgetary programmes failed to was achieved… The indicators of regulator explained. 51.5 tonnes of silver with 33.14 $24.5 billion. ensure the timely use of the budget- the reporting period show the op- Exports increased 0.8 percent to due to an increase in g/t in average content. “In September of this year annual ary funds, according to statements portunities available to complete $28.6 billion. The cost of export- non-resident deposits ______inflation was 5.3 percent and is in at the meeting. Akimats of Almaty the financial year at a high level,” ing oil and gas condensate (57.7 The United Kingdom has in- the planned corridor. In January to have not used 2.2 billion tenge Smailov said. percent of exports) decreased 6.6 and spot contracts creased its investments in Kazakh- August, real incomes increased 6.7 (US$5.64 million) of the funds, the The revenues to the national percent due to lower contract pric- with foreign banks, stan. According to results from the percent,” the minister said. Almaty Region – 1.1 billion tenge budget totalled 4.82 trillion tenge es. first half of 2019, the gross inflow There are positive growth dy- (US$2.82 million) and the Minis- (US$12.37 billion). The budget re- Imports grew 7.2 percent to which were offset of direct investments increased namics in the main indicators in try of Ecology, Geology and Natu- ceived 61 billion tenge (US$156.50 $17.2 billion. The growth was the 17.2 percent to $336.5 million. many regions. ral Resources – 1.5 billion tenge million), or 101.3 percent, exceed- result of an increase in importing by repaying Halyk In 2018, the figure was $593.1 “According to the results of the (US$3.85 million.) ing the plan, primarily due to the investment goods related to equip- Bank Eurobonds and million, an annual increase of nine months on the main basic indi- According to First Deputy Prime increase in the tax payments. ment purchase such as vehicles 11.1 percent. During the past ten and metal products to modernise Development Bank of years, the influx of direct invest- the fuel and energy complex, in- ment from the U.K. to Kazakhstan frastructure and other projects, Kazakhstan loans. was $8.8 billion. In 2018, trade including production capacity ex- between the countries was $1.3 pansion in the oil and gas sector. Corporate sector external debt billion, a 1.9-percent decrease PM instructs government to Foreign direct investments in to non-affiliated creditors re- per year. The main share of the the first half of 2019 decreased 2.8 mained virtually unchanged (an turnover is the export of Kazakh percent to $10.8 billion. More than increase of $99.8 million to $39.7 goods and services – 63 percent or half of non-resident income from billion), as the balance of pay- $793.9 million. prioritise development of PPPs direct investments was directed to ment operations (repaying Eu- ______clude $869 million for national pro- initiative, the ministry will spend finance subsidiaries of Kazakh en- robonds, paying external loans) The number of active small en- By Galiya Khassenkhanova jects and $543 million for regional $2.2 billion to build 16 large hos- terprises. was offset by an increase in the terprises in Kazakhstan reached projects. Approximately 638 more pitals across the country, seven of “The financial account (exclud- market value of Kazakhstan’s Eu- 160,200 by the end of Septem- NUR-SULTAN – Prime Minister projects worth $4.9 billion are in which started building already. ing operations with reserve as- robond issuers. ber, a 4.4-percent increase year- Askar Mamin directed government the planning and preparing stages. Minister for Education and Sci- sets of the National Bank) gener- Intercompany debt, which rep- on-year (yoy). At the same time, agencies Oct. 22 to prioritise the Approximately 547 projects ence Askhat Aimagambetov report- ated a net outflow of $3.7 billion resents 63.3 percent of external the number of newly established development of private-public part- worth $1.2 billion are under opera- ed that his agency is implementing due to the growth of residents’ debt, decreased $810.6 million to small businesses decreased 4.4 nerships (PPP). tion, of which 541 are regional and 558 projects totalling $2.1 billion. foreign assets. For direct invest- $100.2 billion due to large min- percent to 46,000. Almaty saw “The development of PPP is one are worth $738 million. Six projects Since January 2019, 98 private ments, the net capital inflow ing and transportation companies the largest number – 18,100 or of the priorities in the work of the are on the national level totaling schools have received a state order amounted to $3.7 billion secured repaying loans from foreign sister 39.4 percent. The top three re- government. The most significant $469 million. based on per capita financing for $15 by reinvestment of non-residents’ organisations. gions with the largest number projects belong to the transport, Sixty-eight projects worth $2.6 million. Forty-seven new private incomes and withdrawal by resi- For analytical purposes, exter- of new small companies also in- infrastructure, energy, housing and billion are in the investment stage schools opened at the beginning of dents of the capital of their for- nal debt separately distinguishes cluded Nur-Sultan (5,100) and communal services, education and and include 65 projects of local this academic year and 13 more will eign subsidiaries, as well as re- the external debt of organisations the Almaty Region (3,000). In healthcare sectors,” the prime min- significance that cost $936 million. open by the end of the year. payment by foreign affiliates of controlled by the state (banks and his Sept. 2 state-of-the-nation ad- ister said during an Oct. 22 confer- Big Almaty Ring Road, provision Mamin also instructed executive their debt obligations to Kazakh organisations in which the public dress, President Kassym-Jomart ence call with government officials. of broadband Internet access in bodies to cooperate with the Minis- enterprises, the Republic of Ka- sector directly or indirectly owns Tokayev stressed that small, and Mamin instructed the officials rural areas and a system to collect try of National Economy to develop zakhstan and other residents, as more than 50 percent of equity), especially micro-businesses, play to continue implementing major data about air passengers are three roadmaps for the development of well as the repayment of obliga- which was $21 billion as of July 1, an important role in the country’s infrastructure projects, including national projects worth $1.9 billion. PPPs in supervised sectors. They will tions by Kazakh banks and enter- having decreased by $1.7 billion in socio-economic and political life. transport, energy and utilities. Leg- Regional executive bodies signed present on the progress at meetings prises, which led to a net outflow the first half of 2019. Therefore, the state will contin- islative changes will also be neces- 127 healthcare related contracts of the Government’s Project Office. of portfolio investments of $4.2 Kazakhstan’s net external debt ue to support them. In addition, sary to accommodate the increased worth $151 million over the last “Overall, to ensure the sustain- billion,” according to the press was $47.7 billion, an $806.1 mil- a three-year ban on micro and focus on PPP projects. three years, reported Minister of able socio-economic development service. lion increase in the first half of the small business inspections will The government has signed 615 Healthcare Yelzhan Birtanov. Dur- of the country, we need to build an A net outflow of $3.3 billion was year. The state and banking sectors come into force in January. PPP contracts worth $4.1 billion. ing the current year, 21 contracts effective cooperation of the govern- provided for other investments by are net lenders to the rest of the ______This figure included $1.4 billion were signed totalling $59 million. ment and private partners,” he sum- an increase in residents’ assets in world, while the corporate sector From January-September, in attracted investments, which in- From 2019 to 2024, under the PPP marised. foreign accounts and government is a net borrower. investments in education in- creased 3.5 percent per year to 143.5 billion tenge (US$369.19 million), or 1.7 percent of the total investment in fixed assets. In 2018, educational invest- Country ranks 55th in Global Competitiveness Index ments decreased 22.7 percent to Continued from Page A1 infrastructure, skills, research and workforce and talent adaptability 204.9 billion tenge (US$527.16 development and support those left remains crucial as it “pays to en- million). The investments con- Kazakhstan received its highest behind are more successful com- able the workforce to contribute tinued to decline in the first half assessment in macroeconomic sta- pared to those which focus only on to the technology revolution and of 2019 to 75.5 billion tenge bility ranking 60th with 86 points. traditional factors of growth,” said to be able to cope with its disrup- (US$194.24 million), which The country, which was second World Economic Forum Chair and tions.” is 12.2 percent lower than the after Russia in most competitive founder Klaus Schwab in the re- The countries should strive to- same period of 2018. In the first economy in Eurasia, placed 95th port. wards a “new inclusive and sus- nine months, however, public in health, 57th in skills, 62nd in The gap between countries re- tainable pathway to economic private partnership (PPP) de- product market, 25th in labour mains significant and the uncer- growth.” It is also important for velopment has gained momen- market, 104th in financial system tainty is fuelled by the changing them to balance economic growth tum, especially in education. To strength, 45th in market size and geopolitical context and escalat- and environmental sustainability, date, 558 PPP projects are being 35th in business dynamism. ing trade tensions creating “grid- which experts note is possible, cit- implemented in the field, said Kazakhstan fell short in the in- lock in the international govern- ing Sweden, Denmark and Finland Minister of Education and Sci- novation capability pillar, where it ance system, which eventually as examples. ence Askhat Aimagambetov at a received its lowest score of 31 and hinders investments and increases “Accelerating climate change recent government meeting. ranked 95th. the risk of supply shocks,” he is already affecting hundreds of ______“Focusing on financial devel- added. millions around the world and it From January-August, lo- opment and innovation capability “Ten years on from the global fi- is likely that people under 60 will cal budget revenues increased would help the region (Eurasia) to nancial crisis, the global economy witness its radical destabilising ef- 18.4 percent to 3.7 trillion tenge achieve a higher competitiveness remains locked in a cycle of low fects on Earth. In parallel, rising (US$9.52 billion). More than half performance and advance the pro- or flat productivity growth despite inequality, precocity and lack of of the revenues, or 2.1 trillion cess towards structural change,” the injection of more than $10 tril- social mobility are undermining tenge (US$5.40 billion), are the said the report. lion by central banks. While these social cohesion with a growing Kazakhstan’s indicators. result of transfers, a 30-percent It noted the countries that invest unprecedented measures were suc- sense of unfairness, perceived loss integrate green energy solutions, happen in a vacuum. Some basic increase year-on-year (yoy). Most heavily in research and develop- cessful in averting a deeper reces- of identity and dignity, weaken- though the success is still contin- building blocks are required to transfers went to the local budg- ment, enhance the skills base of sion, they are not enough on their ing social fabric, eroding trust in gent on policy choices. jumpstart the development process ets of the Turkestan (409.8 billion their workforce, develop new in- own to catalyse the allocation of institutions, disenchantment with More sustainable growth can be and more are needed to sustain it. tenge or US$1.05 billion), Almaty frastructure and introduce new resources towards productivity- political processes and an erosion generated from countries’ open- In the current volatile geopolitical (191.7 billion tenge or US$493.20 technologies, are more likely to enhancing investments in the pri- of the social contract,” said the re- ness and international collabora- context, and with a likely down- million) and East Kazakhstan advance in the competitiveness vate and public sectors,” said the port. tion, carbon taxes and subsidies, turn ahead, building economic (179.6 billion tenge or US$462.07 frontier. organisation in a statement. Countries with greater inno- incentives from green research and resilience through improved com- million) regions. Tax revenues, in “The report shows that those Though some countries ad- vation capacity, stronger human development and green public pro- petitiveness is crucial, especially turn, totalled to 1.6 trillion tenge countries which integrate into their vanced significantly in technology capital and better developed infra- curement. for low-income countries,” said (US$4.12 billion), an increase of economic policies an emphasis on integration, the need for skilled structure are more likely to better “Economic growth does not the report. 7.2 percent yoy. A5 BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019

Wildberries shared their experience BUSINESS NEWS IN BRIEF of doing business at the centre. Student lectures and informational AIFC marks World Investors Week with events about the basics of investment FlyArystan, a division of Air Asta- were held to develop a financial and na and Kazakhstan’s first low-cost investment culture among youth. A airline, will launch its inaugural daily special seminar was also organised international route Dec. 13 from Nur- forum on doing business with centre for civil servants who study at the Sultan to Moscow. The flight will under the auspices of the Internation- Almaty Akim (Mayor) Bahytzhan benefits and procedure for register- Academy of Public Administration depart from Nursultan Nazarbayev By Yerbolat Uatkhanov al Organisation of Securities Com- Sagintayev and AIFC Governor ing with AIFC and its educational under the Kazakh President. International Airport and arrive at missions (IOSCO), involved repre- Kairat Kelimbetov delivered wel- programmes. IOSCO, an international finan- Zhukovsky International Airport. The NUR-SULTAN – The Astana In- sentatives from 80 countries. AIFC coming speeches. Kelimbetov noted AIFC speakers also touched on the cial organisation that unites na- airline has tried to adjust the schedule ternational Financial Centre (AIFC) is the Kazakh partner. joint use of the capabilities of the financial centre’s interaction with the tional regulatory authorities, is to make it as comfortable as possible and Almaty Akimat (administration) The event was organised as pres- Almaty and AIFC infrastructure is a regions through its site and expertise recognised as the global standard for tourists and business travellers. hosted the Almaty Financial Forum entations and information sessions good combination that the financial in implementing Almaty-based pro- setter for the securities sector. It One-way tickets will start at 19,999 as part of World Investors Week for the academic and business au- centre could offer the Kazakhstan jects. develops, implements and pro- tenge ($51), which, according to the (WIW). The event contributed to in- diences. It covered six Kazakh cit- business and global investment com- AIFC participants represent- motes compliance with interna- press release, is 60 percent lower than creased public awareness about con- ies – Aktau, Almaty, Karaganda, munities. ing large international corporations tionally recognised standards. The the current lowest fare. Tickets are sumer protection in financial services, Petropavlovsk, Turkestan and the Forum participants discussed such as China Construction Bank, organisation actively collaborates available on flyarystan.kz. the basics of investing and conditions capital – and reflected AIFC’s com- consumer protection, AIFC busi- the country’s largest bank; Ernst & with the G20 and Financial Stabil- ______for doing business through AIFC. mitment to the IOSCO standard for ness opportunities, the peculiarities Young; Sberbank, Russia’s banking ity Board (FSB) as part of global The rating agency QS World Uni- WIW, an annual campaign held consumer protection. of issuing green and Islamic bonds, and financial services company, and regulatory reform. versity Rankings has listed Almaty Management University (AlmaU) and its Graduate School of Busi- ness in its Global MBA Rankings 2020, reported tengrinews.kz. The university is ranked in the 151-200 Air Astana unveils first Start-up makes innovative portative range and is the only institution from the Commonwealth of Independent States. Among MBA programmes in Asia, AlmaU is in the Top 20, which Airbus A321LR aircraft preamp and amplifier to sell on Amazon creates a higher demand for its gradu- service on routes to Western Eu- ates and recognition of their diplomas efficient amplifier on the market. Pre- up on the Internet, but they all re- By Zhanna Shayakhmetova rope, Southeast Asia, Moscow, By Nazira Kozhanova around the world. The criteria for uni- amps and amps typically joined same- lied on super bass. I love instru- Dubai, Istanbul and Beijing,” versity rankings include employabil- class systems, which gave class A de- mental music, most of which is NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh na- said Air Astana President and ity, entrepreneurship and alumni out- NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh en- vices a unique sound but made them played not at low, but at medium tional air carrier Air Astana un- CEO Peter Foster. comes, thought leadership, diversity trepreneur Temirlan Aigozhin’s very energy-consuming and bulky. and high frequencies,” he noted. veiled Oct. 9 its first Airbus A321 The aircraft is configured with and return on investment. Champloo start-up is set to pro- “Class A tube amplifiers ex- Aigozhin developed the device Long Range (LR) aircraft at the 16 business class seats and 150 ______duce an innovative portative ist, but are manufactured by very shortly after completing his stud- Nursultan Nazarbayev Internation- economy class seats. The aircraft’s Kazakh Prime Minister Askar preamp and amplifier. The device conservative people. They use an ies and returning to Kazakhstan. al Airport in the Kazakh capital. cabin is equipped with a Zodiac Mamin and Mongol Prime Minister is made to sell in Kazakhstan and old fashioned design and are not At an alumni meeting he presented According to a company release, (RAVE) in-flight entertainment Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh participated the U.S., where an agreement has portable, while young people pre- his device to one of his professors, Air Astana is the first operator system, which is in common with in opening of the Kazakh-Mongol been reached with Amazon report- fer speakers that you can take with who approved it and agreed to of such aircraft in the Common- all other Airbus and Boeing air- Business Forum, reported busi- ed Forbes.kz Sept. 26. you to a party. As a result, class A sponsor his visa to further develop wealth of Independent States (CIS) craft in the fleet. It is equipped nessmir.kz Oct. 11. Mamin noted “It is important for me to create began to die out. There are sepa- it in the United States. and the company plans to lease an with the latest generation Pratt & Kazakhstan and Mongolia have a Kazakh audio brand that will be rate speakers, too, but there are no The device will be made to sell additional six Airbus A321LR air- Whitney engines, which reduce great potential for enhancing invest- respected for sound quality, design complementary preamps of such for $1,000, with low production craft from Aercap of the United fuel consumption by 20 percent, ment cooperation, especially in min- and for the fact that we do not for- a high level. No one will think of costs available due to Champloo’s States. The remaining six aircraft maintenance costs by 5 percent, ing, transport and logistics, construc- get the old school. Because after connecting such different equip- small development team. The first are scheduled for delivery in the carbon emissions by 20 percent tion and agriculture. He discussed the disappearance of class A am- ment to each other,” said Aigozhin. 500-piece shipment is to be sold in next 12 to 18 months, depending and noise levels by 50 percent his country’s investment climate, plifiers, especially tube amplifiers, The idea came to him because of Kazakhstan, while the second is on Airbus’ production capacity in compared with current generation urging business people from both na- humanity will lose the ability to his own experience as a DJ while slated for the U.S. market through Hamburg. of aircraft. tions to establish business contacts, listen to music that is close to live. completing his Bachelor’s degree Amazon. The American version The new Airbus A321LR air- Air Astana now has 19 Airbus create joint ventures and implement The voices of the departed singers in Engineering at Worcester Uni- will include a built-in Alexa Ama- craft will gradually replace the aircraft in its fleet, including eight mutually beneficial cooperation pro- and disbanded groups will be silent versity (U.K.). zon virtual assistant. fleet of Boeing 757s, which have A320, four A321, three A320neo, jects. More than 200 participants at- forever, because the equipment “I always wanted a class A tube “A friend of one of the Guns N’ been in operation since 2003. three A321neo and one A321LR. tended the forum, including business that is offered to us everywhere is preamp for myself, but I did not Roses guitarists once came to us from “The arrival of the A321LR The average age of Air Astana’s persons from both nations, national not able to accurately convey what have money for it and I was not acquaintances in the USA. He really represents another major step in fleet is 7.1 years, one of the lowest companies and economics-related they wanted to perform,” he said. going to spend $5,000-$6,000. At liked the sound and idea of the prod- the process of fleet modernisa- in the industry. Air Astana operates government agencies, and represent- The device is unique by combining the university, I also worked as a uct and he introduced us to Amazon tion, with the new aircraft offer- flights to more than 60 domestic atives signed eight agreements. a class A tube amplifier, which despite DJ and dreamed of a speaker that representatives. They liked the pro- ing the latest technologies, low and international routes from hubs ______its audio merits is usually large and would be loud enough, but fit in a ject so much that they even offered to emissions and noise, operational in Nur-Sultan and Almaty. The Atameken National Cham- expensive, with a class D, the most backpack. I looked some of them help financially,” said Aigozhin. efficiency and passenger com- The company also recently an- ber of Entrepreneurs and Atame- forts. The specification of the nounced plans to allocate $20,000 ken Academy have initiated the Business Class flat beds, Econ- to the National Board of Paralym- gratis online class Jas Kasipker. omy Class slim seats and other pics to develop Paralympic sports The class, with a capacity of 5,000 cabin amenities will ensure that Kazakhstan and train Paralympic students, will combine information passengers experience the very athletes participating in interna- on one platform for young people highest standards of comfort and tional sports events. who want to start their own busi- nesses. Prospective students need to complete a business plan as a part of their application. Video les- sons in Kazakh and Russian will contain ten modules, 20 lessons and online quizzes. Participants Oil companies to will learn how to open a business, the most popular business ideas, how to find funding, the basics of launch five renewable marketing and management and existing legislative regulations. At the end of the course, they will present their business plans in a energy projects competition where they can win $1,300 to develop their project. should attract about $1 billion to ______Staff Report Kazakhstan. WOW!HR, an international HR “These are investments that award, held a conference and award NUR-SULTAN – Major oil will create jobs, pay taxes and ceremony Oct. 7 in Almaty, reported companies plan to launch five generate green energy. In addi- kapital.kz. Companies receive the renewable energy projects by the tion, the effect of these invest- award for the best projects on per- beginning of 2020, Ministry of ments is the creation of a new sonnel management and external and Energy Department of Renew- industry and training of Kazakh internal communications. Fourteen able Energy Sources Head Ainur specialists. Both the KEGOC companies presented 16 projects Sospanova announced recently. (Kazakhstan Electricity Grid Op- in four categories and the audience She pointed out a trend of oil erating Company) system opera- and participants voted for the win- giants developing renewable en- tor and network organisations are ners. The digital solutions category ergy projects in Kazakhstan. involved here,” said Sospanova. presented projects on IT innovations “The oil companies such as A German investor recently that help business development, Shell, Eni, Total and Irena are commissioned a solar station with with the award going to Eurasian developing renewable energy a capacity of 50 megawatts in the Resources Group (ERG). OLX won projects, and as early as the next Karaganda Region. The company the award in the save category, where year they will be working in Ka- that invested in this project has long companies present cases to improve zakhstan. This is a good sign been developing renewable energy working conditions and employee for us; it shows that these stable projects in Kazakhstan. Similar sta- wellbeing. Transtelecom was named investors, which have 20 years tions have been commissioned in the best in motivating and educating of experience of working in Ka- two more cities in the region. its employees and Air Astana had the zakhstan in the oil and gas sector Eni will finish the construc- best project for working with stu- are willing to come to the renew- tion of the wind farm Badam- dents and young specialists. able energy sector. And we hope sha-1 near Aktobe. The capacity ______that a number of such investors, of the farm is 48 megawatts. For Spanish start-up courier service who know Kazakhstan and our the last two years, Shell has been Glovo, which began operating this legislation well, will come with providing Nazarbayev Intellec- summer in Almaty, is launching in open eyes and good knowledge tual Schools with solar stations Nur-Sultan. Glovo works in 202 cit- about Kazakhstan and will in- as part of a programme between ies in 26 countries serving 1.8 million vest in renewable energy,” said Shell, the Ministry of Energy and people around the globe. The unique Sospanova. the schools. feature of the app is the ability to or- Kazakhstan has 81 renewable Also, contracts signed between der absolutely anything that can fit energy facilities with a total ca- investors and the Settlement and into a Glovo box. A courier can de- pacity of more than 930 mega- Financial Centre are approaching liver items ranging from food, cloth- watts. At the end of 2019, 86 3,000 megawatts. For Kazakh- ing and medicines to documents and projects with a capacity of 980 stan, this is a significant amount. forgotten keys. The service proved to megawatts will operate in the Kazakhstan’s energy balance will be popular in Almaty, where 20 per- country. According to prelimi- gradually integrate these 3,000 cent of users enjoy the feature. nary estimates, these projects megawatts. A6 EDITORIAL&OPINIONS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019 Digitisation is improving Mahatma Gandhi, A Man of All Times From 2014, India has embarked upon a By Prabhat Kumar cleanliness mission, a cause very dear to Mahatma Gandhi. Called ‘Swachh Bharat’ lives, businesses India is commemorating 150th birth anni- or Clean India Movement, the goal is to he digital revolution has transparent and accountable – a major versary of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, have a clean and green India, where the transformed our world in priority of President Tokayev. better known as Mahatma Gandhi. Born citizens can enjoy a healthy life in a clean just a couple of decades. But Kazakhstan is not resting on these Oct.2, 1869, Gandhi overcame the ordinary environment. In our quest for development, It has increased economic achievements. The digital revolution, circumstances of his family, to become the sometimes we have ignored the damage be- Tproductivity, enabled new industries for example, is being extended beyond leader of the national movement of India for ing caused to the environment, which in fact to flourish, expanded consumer choice those industries traditionally thought freedom from the British rule. is already harming the health of our planet and put more power in the hands of of as hi-tech. In July, for instance, the The man, who practically invented peace- and our own health. Gandhi had realised citizens. But profound as the change Government announced nearly 200 pro- ful resistance and non-violent opposition, the problem, which we are now coming to has been, we are still in the early jects to digitise mining and metallurgy influenced almost every sphere of life of In- understand and had said ‘the earth provides stages of a transformation so deep it enterprises, which would generate, it dians and is an eternal inspiration not only enough to satisfy every man’s need, but not is hard for anybody to fathom its final was predicted, $5.7 billion in profits by for India but for the world. When asked every man’s greed.’ outcome. The challenge for countries 2025. Over half of these projects will be what message he would like to give to the India remains committed to the agree- and businesses is to ensure they are not completed by the end of this year. world, he said, “My life is my message.” ments reached at the 21st Conference of left behind. Farming, too, is seeing a fresh ap- Mahatma Gandhi practiced and trained the Parties of United Nations Framework Kazakhstan has been the regional proach. In April, it was revealed that the Indian freedom fighters in carrying out Convention on Climate Change held in leader in this important race. More more than 4,000 farms will benefit a non-violent struggle during a period when 2015 in Paris and is taking decisive action than 75 percent of the population, for from increased investment as part of a the most violent world wars engulfed us. to reach the targets set therein. To encour- example, have access to the internet, a larger initiative to digitise the nation’s He taught the people of India how to make age and promote the use of clean energy, figure well ahead of any other country agriculture sector. By helping increase political and economic progress through India, along with France, has also set up the in Central Asia. By the end of this yields and improve the use of resourc- practice of passive resistance, civil disobe- International Solar Alliance (ISA) which year, it is hoped that 80 percent of es, the initiative will help achieve the dience and non-cooperation, or Satyagraha, encourages the use of clean solar energy. government services can be delivered goal of doubling processed agricultural or truth-force, as he preferred to call it. The ISA agreement, which has been open digitally. State support and the talent product exports by the end of 2021. This teaching has gone a long way in In- for signature since October 2016, already and drive of young Kazakhs have com- At the same time, there has been a dia’s emergence as the biggest democracy in has 79 members. bined to produce an explosion of tech renewed emphasis on developing digi- the world. The practice of democracy has al- The life and work of Mahatma Gandhi start-ups in recent years. tal skills and infrastructure. Both are lowed the people of India to articulate their will continue to inspire India and the world But in a globalised economy, Ka- absolutely essential if Kazakhstan is to desire for development and progress through in the years to come. In this year of his zakhstan is not just competing with continue successfully modernising and peaceful means and by participating in regu- Nelson Mandela, civil rights leader of the 150th birth anniversary, India is not only its neighbours but countries in every diversifying its economy and raising lar elections to parliament and state assem- United States of America, Martin Luther commemorating this date but also taking region. If the increased economic living standards. Schools and colleges blies and choosing governments that would King Jr., and Lech Walesa of Poland, but and implementing several policy decisions competitiveness, rising prosperity are helping prepare young people for meet their expectations. The political parties, in many other spheres also as he articulated in accordance with his vision. This is the and improvements in quality of life the opportunities a digital economy which win the elections and form the gov- views on ecology and the environment, econ- real tribute to Gandhi. of the last two decades are to be is creating. Young entrepreneurs and ernments, therefore have the responsibility omy, education and health, which remains a The Embassy of India in Kazakhstan is continued, it is vital that Kazakhstan start-ups are being supported while all to implement programmes according to the guidance for India and the world. Gandhian also commemorating the 150th anniversary accelerates digital progress across parts of the country are being con- demands coming from the electorate. The views have left their imprint in areas as di- with several programmes to increase the the board. nected to the digital grid. electorate evaluates the performance of the verse as economics, philosophy and spiritual- awareness about Gandhi’s ideas and vision, This challenge was embraced by Despite Kazakhstan’s size, the coun- governments through endorsing or rejecting ity apart from politics and conflict resolution. which are universal in nature. Among the First President Nursultan Nazarbayev try has the best performing business- the political parties at the next elections. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote “If human- projects is Gandhi’s autobiography – The when he launched the ambitious Digi- to-consumer e-commerce market in the Gandhi is relevant today to the world not ity is to progress, Gandhi is inescapable. He story of my experiments with truth – in Ka- tal Kazakhstan programme in 2017. Central Asian region. This is the result only for the practice of non-violence, the ef- lived, thought and acted, inspired by the vi- zakh language, which will be released soon. It had a comprehensive agenda which of both public and private investments ficacy of which has been acknowledged by sion of humanity evolving towards a world covered the economy, government and helping to continue the growth of this many other big leaders of the 20th century, of peace and harmony. We may ignore him at The author is the Ambassador of India skills with the prediction that it could sector, with the share of business-to- including the great leader of South Africa, our own risk.” to Kazakhstan. help increase the economy by up to 30 consumer e-commerce in total sales percent by 2022. predicted to break 3 percent by 2021. Kazakhstan is already seeing the Kazakhstan is also working to keep rewards of this programme, which has up with global trend towards the intro- the full backing of President Kassym- duction of 5G. As a first step towards Jomart Tokayev who earlier this month a national roll-out, the infrastructure urged the country go further and faster. needed to support networks is al- Muhammad Haidar Dughlat, a representative The Government has, for example, ready being developed in Nur-Sultan, revealed that digitisation added $578 Almaty and Shymkent. The increase in million to the economy last year while capacity and speed is expected to spur tech hubs are providing a powerful new projects across the economy and of first generation of Great Mughals motor for job creation. For example, public services while making it easier day Southern and Southeast Kazakhstan zakhs and Uzbeks – were just beginning to the Astana Hub, Nur-Sultan’s inter- to deliver the ambitious smart cities By Bulat Sarsenbayev and Kashgar. More than once they suc- form as independent ethnic groups... national technopark of IT start-ups, initiatives. ceeded in elevating the Khans to the Mo- Paying tribute to the great man, in Janu- facilitates more than 260 projects Kazakhstan has heavily invested Central Asia is known as a crossroads of ghulistan throne, meeting their interests. In ary 2018 in the city of Srinagar (Jammu and involving nearly 1,000 entrepreneurs. in its own satellite communications various cultures, as a land of coexistence of gratitude for the faithful service, the Geng- Kashmir) the grand opening of the restored Its impact can also be seen in the system, KAzSat-2, enabling a dramatic civilisations. The ideas and artistic crafts- his Khan dynasty back in the 13th century, grave of Muhammad Haidar Dughlat and continuing improvement of public expansion of communications services manship of its peoples have always influ- during the life of Chagatai (second son of the Kazakh-Indian conference dedicated to services as digitisation helps improve to Central Asia countries. Thanks to enced other parts of the world, including Genghis Khan), transferred to the ances- his legacy were held. access across the country and reduce the work of the KazSat space system India. tors of Mirza Haidar Dughlat the territory Work on the restoration of the grave in the divide between urban and rural ar- satellites, services are provided to 14 Historical cultural ties between Central of Kashgar (in modern day China), where the cemetery of the sultans of the Mughal eas. Remote diagnosis and treatment is telecom operators, digital television, Asia and India originated in the distant they founded a new khanate. But the cousin empire “Mazar-i-Salatin” and the installa- enabling all to share in better healthcare broadband internet access and data past. Despite the mountains separating of Mirza Haidar’s grandfather won the fight tion of an information plate about him was and the skills of the country’s medical transmission throughout Kazakhstan. these territories, a large number of travel- for the throne. The loser was forced to leave initiated by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in experts wherever they live. Students are All this work shows Kazakhstan’s ers, refugees, traders, artisans, scientists for Central Asia with his family. India, with the support of the Archaeologi- benefiting as lessons and materials can determination to continue improv- and conquerors flocked to India from time Here, the father of Mirza Haidar, Moham- cal Survey of India, after my trip to Kash- be shared to help drive up standards. ing economic competitiveness, the to time. One of them was Mirza Haidar med Hussain, in approximately 1492-1493, mir in September 2015. Parents can now monitor their effectiveness and responsiveness of Dughlat (Muhammad Haidar Dughlat), a married Princess Khub Nigar, the third child’s progress in school online while government and the quality of life for representative of the first generation of the daughter of the ruler of Moghulistan, Yunus The author is a former Ambassador of the e-diary helps reduce the risks of its citizens. It is a sign of just how seri- Great Mughals. Khan. In 1499, she bore him a son, Mirza Kazakhstan to India and holds PhD in false grades. This is just one of the ously the country is taking the chal- The ancestors of Mirza Haidar were well- Muhammad Haidar Dughlat. The life of the History. ways that digitisation is helping make lenges and opportunities of the coming known aristocrats, leaders of the Dughlat future scientist and commander came at a public services more responsive, decades. tribe who lived in the territory of present- time when the present Turkic peoples – Ka- The full story is available online. New discoveries from Genghis Khan era found in North Kazakhstan (burial mound). In total, during half in the area and the previously un- cated in the administrative borders By Lyaili Ismagambetova a month, they managed to examine known cultural, political and sacred of the North Kazakhstan, Pavlodar and Irina Olkova 100 square metres of the territory. centre of the nomads who inhabited and Akmola regions. According to the scientists, the the steppes of North Kazakhstan. The project is aimed at develop- New scientific discoveries were representatives of the ruling house The evidence of developed sed- ing the body of knowledge on the made recently in the Ualikhanov of Genghisides from the dynasty entary farming may indicate the lo- history and culture of Kazakhstan, District of the North Kazakhstan of Jochi Khan (Zhoshi Khan) were cation of settlements and hill forts forming historical consciousness Region. The project that made the buried in the tomb of the medi- here, being one of the arguments in and patriotism of schoolchildren, discoveries is part of the national eval mausoleum, dating back to favour of academician Alkei Mar- students, as well as their labour Rukhani Zhangyru (Modernisa- the middle of the second half of gulan’s hypothesis about the exist- skills, and improving the scien- tion of Kazakhstan’s Identity) pro- the 14th century. In addition to ence of monuments of medieval tific, methodological and cultural- gramme. the monuments of cult-memorial urban culture in ancient times on educational level of specialists. On Sept. 12, students and teach- architecture during the archaeo- the territory of North Kazakhstan. In modern conditions, the role ers of M. Kozybayev North Ka- logical exploration of the area and Among the discoverers is NKSU and importance of national his- zakhstan State University (NKSU) the conducted analysis of satellite Professor Anatoly Pleshakov, can- tory has grown immeasurably. together with the representatives of images and aerial photographs, nu- didate of historical sciences, who The main tasks of the latter are the the Margulan Centre of Pavlodar merous traces of ancient irrigation called this discovery grandiose. preservation of historical memory, State Pedagogical University went in the form of dams and irrigation The archaeological expedition, the knowledge of the laws of social on an archaeological expedition to ditches were revealed as well as the seeking to study the nomadic herit- development and consolidation of the Ualikhanov District of the North fragments of ceramic wheels- ves- age of the Golden Horde, with the society in the framework of the Kazakhstan Region. There, in the sels of water-lifting mechanisms. support of the akimats of the North Rukhani Zhangyru programme. lower reaches of the Seleta River, According to the head of the Kazakhstan Region and Ualikhanov during the excavations, the ruins of L-R: Irina Olkova and Lyaili Ismagambetova. archaeological expedition Timur District, will continue its work in Lyaili Ismagambetova and ancient mausoleums with the rul- Smagulov, the presence of seven 2020. The exploration is to cover Irina Olkova are scholars at M. ers’ burial places and the remains of architectural decor was made, were jewellery, ceramic dishes and house- mausoleums of medieval rulers indi- the entire valley of the lower reach- Kozybayev North Kazakhstan workshops and kilns where brick and found. Bricks of various sizes, gold hold items were found in the mazar cate the location of nomadic hordes es of the Seleta River, which is lo- State University.

THE ASTANA TIMES Advertiser bears responsibility for the content of advertisements. The news- The Astana Times is published since November 2010. The Astana Times is Publisher: Svezhaya Pressa LLP paper does not answer the readers’ letters, does not mail them, does not re-registered by the Ministry of Communications and Information of the Republic News and Editorial: [email protected] consider copies the size of over 5 printed pages, does not review and does of Kazakhstan under the registration No. 14037-G of 20 December 2013. Editor-in-Chief: Roman Vassilenko not return the materials not ordered by the newspaper. Guest opinions do not The newspaper is typed and made into pages at the computer centre of “Ka- Advertising: +7 727 252 08 82 13 Dostyk Street, Office 427 necessarily reflect the newspaper’s opinion. For reprinting, permissions must zakhstanskaya Pravda”. Published biweekly, the size of 8 pages. Inquiries: [email protected] be sought and obtained first from The Astana Times, and reference must be Astana, 010000 made to “The Astana Times”. KazPost Subscription index: 64572 The Astana Times is printed at “Media Holding “ERNUR” LLP, 30 Sileti ORDER: 1927 PRINT RUN: 6,000 Telephone/Facsimile: +7 7172 78 00 08 Street, Astana. A7 BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019 Kazakh, British companies, institutions sign agreements including the European Bank for ister of State for Europe and the on “commodities-for-technolo- By Aigerim Seisembayeva Reconstruction and Development Americas Christopher Pincher MP gies-and-investment” exchange (EBRD), GlaxoSmithKline, Gap confirmed that Kazakhstan and the that is then to be followed by joint LONDON – Various Kazakh Insaat, Investcorp, Independent UK seek to strengthen the strategic ventures providing value-added and British companies and institu- Power Corporation, United Green, partnership in the context of the services. tions signed agreements and mem- Worley Parsons and International social and political processes tak- “Kazakhstan is precisely the oranda Oct. 23-24 during the visit Development Ireland, Ltd., among ing place in the two states, such as kind of rapidly transforming and of Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minis- others. Brexit and Kazakhstan’s political diversifying economy that our ter Roman Vassilenko to London. The third meeting of the Ka- transformation. companies in the UK are aiming Vassilenko also participated in the zakh-British Business Council, “Kazakhstan’s modern political for. This government stands ready sixth meeting of the UK-Kazakh- co-chaired by Baroness Nichol- system is transparent, reliable and to offer you the support you need stan Intergovernmental Commis- son and Yessimov, discussed stable and ensures constitutional to invest in this flourishing market sion. cooperation in the privatisation continuity of power in accordance to partner with Kazakh firms and The visit started with the Ka- programme for Samruk Kazyna’s with the legislation of the Repub- grasp the ripe opportunities that lie zakhstan Global Investment Fo- portfolio companies. lic of Kazakhstan. We pledge to ahead,” said Burns. rum 2019 organised by Financial Samruk Kazyna signed an agree- remain on the strategic course in The IGC session enabled its five Times Live, fDi Magazine, Sam- ment with Da Vinci Capital invest- Kazakhstan’s foreign and domes- working groups to proceed with ruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth ment company on the creation of tic policy,” Vassilenko said during more detailed discussions on co- Fund, Kazakh Invest National a $100 million joint private equity the meeting, according to a Ka- operation in oil and gas, mining, Company and the Embassy of Ka- fund. Under the agreement, the zakh MFA press release. healthcare, education and financial zakhstan in the UK. fund is to invest at least $40 mil- Pincher, in turn, praised the dy- services. Corporate management More than 200 business execu- lion in Kazakh enterprises in the IT namics of Kazakhstan’s political development at the AIFC, new tives attended the forum, which and digitisation sectors to facilitate modernisation and reiterated the Model Civil Aviation Regulations discussed business opportunities their development and subsequent UK’s commitment to developing introduction, the establishment of in Kazakhstan and the country’s IPO. the strategic partnership with Ka- public-private partnership projects latest political and economic trans- Chair of the Board of the Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund Akhmetzhan The fund also signed a co-in- zakhstan. He also said the open- in healthcare, technical and vo- formations. Yessimov. vestment agreement with EDP ing of the AIFC is a significant cational schools and other topics Some forum participants noted Trade Envoy to Kazakhstan Bar- sia. And today, the Astana Interna- Renovaveis, the world’s fourth achievement of bilateral coopera- have been tabled for the working the strategic location of Kazakh- oness Emma Nicholson, Chair of tional Financial Centre and many largest solar and wind power com- tion. groups discussion. stan between Europe and Asia the All-Party Parliamentary Group other institutions will show us the pany, on the joint implementation The sides discussed the new A specific reference was also could allow the country to become on the Belt and Road Initiative potential investment opportunities of renewable energy projects in draft agreement on strategic part- made to water management in an important commercial partner Faisal Rashid MP and the Presi- and perhaps give us more current Kazakhstan. EDP Renovaveis is nership and cooperation between rural areas, animal farming and for the UK after Brexit. dent of the European Bank for possibilities of the privatisation to implement a project to build a the two states, the signing of which waste management. “Kazakhstan is the largest econ- Reconstruction and Development programme of state-owned com- 250-megawatt solar power plant in is expected after Brexit. The IGC meeting was topped omy in Central Asia, accounting (EBRD) Sir Suma Chakrabarti. panies,” Baroness Nicholson said. Kazakhstan. Speaking about the situation in with the signing of a protocol that for more than half of the region’s Speaking at the plenary session, Yessimov said Samruk Kazyna The event also saw the sign- the Central Asian region, the sides secured the shared intention to join GDP. We are also widely consid- Stuart said the “UK is now one of approved a new strategy to diver- ing of two memoranda of coop- noted Kazakhstan’s efforts to help forces to push forward strategic ered to have the best investment the biggest foreign direct inves- sify income by investing in new eration. The first was between restore peace in Afghanistan, in- partnership in all areas of coopera- climate in the region, having at- tors in Kazakhstan, showing the industries. He noted that over the the QazIndustry Kazakhstan In- cluding the educational project for tion. tracted over $300 billion in foreign confidence our firms have in your next five years, the fund plans to dustry and Export Centre and Afghan women recently launched The meeting also saw the sign- direct investment since independ- dynamic economy. Hundreds of invest more than $38 billion in the International Development in Kazakhstan and funded by the ing of bilateral documents. Of- ence,” Vassilenko stated in his British companies have their li- those areas, where $32 billion will Ireland, Ltd. on assistance in at- European Union. ficials and executives signed a opening address. censes to operate in Kazakhstan be foreign investments of which tracting Irish investment projects They also discussed cooperation memorandum on financing in- He stressed that besides the busi- with total trade between our na- British companies are expected to worth at least 50 billion tenge in defence and security, cultural vestment projects in Kazakhstan ness climate, foreign investors are tions worth £2.7 billion (US$3.5 be a part. (US$120.3 million) to the terri- cooperation, education and sci- with the participation of Brit- attracted by Kazakhstan’s politi- billion) last year. Now, as the UK The AIFC, which operates on tory of Kazakhstan’s special eco- ence. ish businesses between Baiterek cal stability demonstrated, among prepares to leave the European the principles of English common nomic and industrial zones. The Holding and UK Export Finance other developments, by the smooth Union and become truly a global law, was said to be an important second memorandum was be- and a joint venture agreement be- transition of power and the elec- champion of free trade, we want platform for attracting investment tween the Ministry of Healthcare Sixth meeting tween Artex Construction, LLP tion of the new President Kassym- British firms to play an even more as it has the appropriate financial of Kazakhstan and the Gap Insaat and Independent Power Corpora- Jomart Tokayev, earlier this year. central role in helping Kazakhstan instruments and provides inter- company on the construction of a of Kazakh-British tion, PLC (IPC) to create a Clean They are also attracted by a well- grow and develop over the coming national level services. Investors 350-bed hospital in Aktau using IGC Energy power development com- educated workforce and access to decades.” operate in favourable conditions, financing provided by UK Export The sixth meeting of the Ka- pany focusing on a 250-megawatt a fast-growing regional market of Kazakhstan’s Oct. 24 improve- which include an independent reg- Finance. zakh-British Intergovernmental gas-fired CCGT project in Aktau. 500 million consumers. ment from 28th to 25th on the ulatory mechanism, a court and an The forum also included the Commission on Trade, Economic, They also signed a memorandum Vassilenko also added the Ka- 2020 World Bank Doing Business international arbitration centre that awarding ceremony of the Global Scientific, Technical and Cultural of understanding between Artex zakh Foreign Ministry, which was report serves as a testimony to the meet international standards. Free Zones of the Year 2019 prize Cooperation (IGC) chaired by Vas- Construction, LLP and IPC to cre- tasked at the end of 2018 with at- effectiveness of the efforts in im- Kazakhstan’s participation in annually awarded by fDi Maga- silenko and UK Minister of State ate a Digital Joint Venture to de- tracting investment into the key proving the country’s investment China’s Belt and Road Initiative zine to some of the 5,000 free for International Trade Conor velop a greenfield data centre in sectors of the economy, is working climate, officials noted. attracted attention in terms of the economic zones of the world. The Burns MP was the final event with- Aktau where clean, uninterrupt- to achieve that goal. “At the heart of Eurasia Ka- prospects of developing a tripartite Turkistan Special Economic Zone in the visit. ible gas-fired and renewable ener- The forum’s keynote speakers zakhstan’s GDP has expanded partnership between the United in the south of Kazakhstan won More than 50 British business gy is required to meet the needs of included the Chair of the Board four percent in the past two years Kingdom, Kazakhstan and China in three nominations: in the Asia- executives and representatives of Western Kazakhstan. Also signed of the Samruk Kazyna Sovereign and it provides a wonderful stable on the principles of combining the Pacific region for supporting small both countries discussed the IGC’s was an agreement between Ka- Wealth Fund Akhmetzhan Yessi- platform for which we are deeply British project management sys- and medium-sized enterprises, the progress over the past year and zgeology and Astra Mining on the mov, Governor of the Astana Inter- grateful for British companies to tem, Kazakhstan’s resources and Ones To Watch editor’s choice outlined areas for multifaceted co- exploration of three deposits in national Financial Centre (AIFC) access their neighbours in the Eur- Chinese investments. award and Best Marketing Slogan, operation, including in oil and gas, Kazakhstan. Representatives also Kairat Kelimbetov, UK Minister asian Economic Union, China and On the sidelines of the forum, “Honoring the past, creating the finance, education, technology and signed an agreement between Au- for Investment at the Department Uzbekistan. And Kazakhstan has Vassilenko met with top British future.” mining. rora Mining and RPA Inc. on the for International Trade Graham attracted the lion’s share of inward business executives and the leader- During the second day of the Vassilenko urged the two coun- provision of consulting services Stuart MP, UK Prime Minister’s investment into the heart of Eura- ship of international organisations, visit, Vassilenko and the UK Min- tries to develop a dialogue based in subsoil use. North Kazakhstan farmers SUEZ set to build two harvest first major soybean crop landfills in Almaty Region in the region. A highly profitable largest soybean area in the region, In July, First Vice Minister of smoke purification and producing By Yerbolat Uatkhanov culture will bring significant in- sewed 20,000 hectares this year Agriculture Aidarbek Saparov said By Zhanna Shayakhmetova useful energy. come to farmers. In the world mar- with the highly profitable crop. In soybean area will be increased up Almaty Region Akim (Gover- NUR-SULTAN – Farmers in the ket, one tonne of soybeans costs the future, farmers plan to increase to 1.5 million hectares to imple- NUR-SULTAN – French com- nor) Amandyk Batalov proposed North Kazakhstan Region have be- 150,000 tenge (US$380). Fifteen the soybean growing area several ment the programme in the next pany SUEZ and Kazakh Keremet building the landfills as the first gun harvesting the first major soy- centners of soybeans are equal times. They signed an action plan five years. Crop yields will in- Projects are planning to build two stage of the work. bean crop under Northern Soybean to 30 kilogrammes per hectare of with the Ministry of Agriculture crease to 25 kilogrammes per hec- solid waste landfills near Almaty “The first landfill will be built state programme. Kazakhstan cur- wheat. This year, according to the to implement the programme and and in the Almaty Region, report- on the basis of the waste facil- tare and gross harvest will reach rently imports soybeans from Rus- Northern Soybean programme, both sides have high hopes for ed the Almaty region administra- ity in Taldykorgan. In cooperation more than three million tonnes. sia, but thanks to the programme 15,000 hectares were sown. The cultivation in the region, reported tion press service. with your company, we will organ- the country will be able to cover its benchmark for 2020 is 150,000 Kazinform. The ministry, together with re- Keremet will oversee all stages of ise waste collection to this landfill needs in five years. hectares. Agro-diversification in- According to operational data gional authorities, completed the the project, including constructing from the districts adjacent to the Regional Akim (Governor) Ku- creases the profit of farms and, from the ministry, farmers in the preparatory work. More than 2.5 the landfills. SUEZ, represented in regional centre, the cities of Tekeli mar Aksakalov has repeatedly consequently, increases the in- region have harvested more than million tonnes of conditioned 80 countries, operates 100 munici- and Taldykorgan. We will get about highlighted the benefits of grow- come of the villagers,” he wrote 40 percent of the crop. The aver- seeds were prepared, which corre- pal solid waste landfills globally. 150,000 tonnes of waste per year. ing the crop. on his Facebook page. age yield is 7.2 centners per hec- sponds to 100 percent of the need SUEZ designs and constructs The second landfill will be located “Soybeans are being harvested The Taiynshinsky District, the tare. for the campaign. landfills considering all environ- on the area adjacent to Almaty. I pro- mental requirements, said Senior pose building it in the densely popu- Vice President for International lated Yenbekshikazakh region. The Development Timothée Cargill. waste will be collected from the Tal- Leachate neither seeps through the gar district, partly from the Ili district soil nor gets into the groundwater and Almaty. We will receive more Kazakhstan moves up to 25th spot and no harmful emissions enter the than 300,000 tonnes of waste per atmosphere. The company, which year,” he said at the Oct. 8 meeting. transforms waste products to pro- Plans are underway to create a duce various types of energy for group of SUEZ and Keremet rep- in WB Doing Business Report the state and local companies, can resentatives and local authorities Continued from Page A1 ties of doing business in Kazakh- pact on their interests,” states the Hong Kong. The World Bank an- also produce biogas and compost. to work out the project details us- stan remain unsolved or exacer- report. nually publishes the rating of 190 SUEZ specialises in waste seg- ing step by step technology. Kazakhstan also improved ac- bated by new policies, notes the In the new rankings, Kazakhstan countries on favourable business regation, or dividing it into two “We are interested in the construc- cess to credit information by re- report. is ahead of Iceland (26th place), conditions. The analysis involves groups – waste that can be pro- tion of landfills as the company cov- porting credit data from retailers, “Kazakhstan also made trans- Austria (27th place), Russia (28th 10 indicators, such as the time and cessed and converted into energy ers the entire process, starting with made dealing with construction ferring property more difficult by place), Japan (29th place), Spain money spent on starting a busi- and that which cannot be pro- the construction of modern landfills permits easier by streamlining the requiring additional proof of pay- (30th place), Armenia (47th place), ness, dealing with construction cessed. using special technology and tak- expert evaluation of the construc- ment of state duties. Furthermore, Belarus (49th place), Kyrgyzstan permits, getting electricity, reg- The company can process mu- ing into account all environmental tion project and by improving the Kazakhstan made resolving insol- (80th place) and other countries. istering property, getting credit, nicipal waste into renewable en- requirements, to waste processing process for obtaining a new water vency more difficult by requiring The top-ranking countries on protecting minority investors, ergy. The procedure involves in- and production of various types of connection. that all creditors vote on the reha- the Doing Business index are paying taxes and trading across cinerating waste that cannot be energy. I hope we continue to work At the same time, some difficul- bilitation plan, regardless of its im- New Zealand, Singapore and borders. processed, including mandatory in all these areas,” he added. A8 BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019 Carpets produced in Shymkent gain foothold in int’l market quality of Bal Tekstil products and looked. Materials are purchased ny’s business. Within six months, By Yelena Levkovich terms. from Bangladesh, India, Russia the figure reached 20 percent and With approximately 300 em- and Turkey. management expectations are for it NUR-SULTAN – Carpets from ployees working three shifts, Made with great effort, Bal to increase to 50 percent. Several Shymkent are gaining attention in the company manufactures more Tekstil carpets can be purchased years ago Bal Tekstil finalised an the internal market and entering than five million square metres throughout Kazakhstan, as the agreement with IKEA, making its the international one. of rugs annually, a significant company’s distribution net- rugs available to European home- Bal Tekstil, the country’s larg- expansion compared to its early work has more than 400 points owners. est carpet manufacturer, began op- years. Those figures are expected of sale. The names of the col- “We have more than 400 reli- eration in 2013 in the city’s special to increase, as Bal Tekstil will lections are easy to recognise able clients from Kazakhstan, economic zone. Its story began in introduce a third line of polypro- – Alatay, Astana Deluxe, Barys, Russia, Kyrgyzstan and even all 1994, however, when Talgat Ishak- pylene threads, the only compa- Khan Tengri, Leader and Turan. over the world. Our mission is hov started wholesaling foreign ny in the country to manufacture The company provides 500 dif- simple – make people happy, give rugs. such goods. ferent designs which clients them our high-quality carpets at a With hard work and focused Carpet production is partially may order. reasonable cost for more comfort- on his main purpose – founding kazsez.com. Photo credit: automated using modern equip- Exports of the domestic carpets able living,” Ishakhov said in an the local carpet industry – Ishak- investors. In the next 25 years, lent business reputation among its ment from Belgium, but the criti- began in 2015, initially represent- interview with Kazakh newspaper hov gained backing from Turkish the company has earned an excel- clients, who appreciate the high cal manual work is often over- ing only 12 percent of the compa- Yuzhnyi.

added tax (VAT) return for exports, among other measures. Promoting services to foreign mar- QazTrade unifies support measures for exporters kets will be possible by forming a once eliminated, it will reduce cludes information needed by The centre also plans to conduct country tourism brand and introduc- By Assel Satubaldina the impact of negative factors that current and potential exporters, a comprehensive review of all leg- ing a tax free system to attract more domestic producers and exporters including material on taxes and islative documents that oversee tourists and encourage purchases and NUR-SULTAN – QazTrade, es- face,” said Abenov. custom clearance and review of the export development and promo- a comprehensive analysis on the de- tablished in September under the Kazakhstan has targeted boost- Kazakh export market. tion, enhance time-saving logistic mand of the Kazakh education ser- recently created Ministry of Trade ing non-oil exports one and a-half “The website will also have the procedures and operation process- vices and interests of foreign students. and Integration, seeks to unify all fold by 2022 and two-fold by 2025, registry of Kazakh exporters cat- es, upgrade infrastructure through “We need to highlight some of support measures for Kazakh ex- bringing the volume in the category egorised based on the industries. its modernisation and technical the biggest problems exporters face; porters, said QazTrade Director Ar- to $38 billion. The country will focus Such service will allow foreign equipment and increase the traf- for example, the difficulty to refund man Abenov in an interview with on its priority export markets, includ- customers to find local contrac- fic capacity at border points with VAT. It takes years to return the The Astana Times. ing China, the Eurasian Economic tors on the website. There will also EAEU countries. multimillion-dollar funds of export- Formerly the Centre for Trade Union (EAEU) and Central Asia. be information about the Kazakh Marketing analysis, he added, ers and as a result, they have to face Policy Development, QazTrade, “Promotion of non-oil exports, trade offices abroad,” he said. also plays an important role in ex- a shortage of capital. Kazakhstan’s will tackle fragmented state sup- which are goods with high value Abenov noted online trading plat- port development. milling association raised the issue port, one of the main challenges QazTrade Director Arman Abenov. added costs and high-tech goods, forms serve as a new channel to pro- “The roadmap envisions the mar- regarding the increase in the import faced by exporters. is among the country’s priorities,” mote goods and services for export. keting analysis to study foreign quota of Kazakh flour in China. “The centre is meant to support United Arab Emirates, the United he added. “The current and potential ex- markets and determine which mar- Food industry companies emphasise exporters and improve the system Kingdom and Uzbekistan are also To boost export capacity, Qaz- porters can expand their geography kets might be interested in Kazakh the access of Kazakhstan’s salt to the of services, as well as build an ef- among the main consumers. Trade will soon launch an export of supply worldwide through the exports and create recognisable Chinese market,” said Abenov. fective interaction between export- Oil represents 61.9 percent of accelerator programme, where Internet, reducing their costs. The Kazakh brands in key markets, in- QazTrade is among the latest ef- ers and government,” he said. Kazakh exports. The country also companies will have the chance to distinct feature of these platforms cluding the single brand ‘Made in forts Kazakhstan has undertaken Central Asia’s largest economy, ships processed goods includ- expand their export development is that even small producers, who Kazakhstan;’ study preferences of to help its domestic procedures. In Kazakhstan currently sends 800 ing copper, ferroalloys, unalloyed opportunities. Programme partici- do not have extensive financial ca- foreign consumers and foreign re- April, the government announced products to 120 countries. The coun- steel flat products, oil products, pants will have access to compli- pabilities and competencies, can quirements for product labelling and it would allocate 500 billion tenge try exported $68.3 billion in goods wheat and sunflower oil. mentary intensive coaching from sell their products to the entire develop attractive, quality, environ- (US$1.28 billion) to expand finan- and services in 2018, a 24.2-percent The government adopted a road- experts and business consultants. world, thereby avoiding intermedi- ment friendly, functional and rela- cial and non-financial support for increase compared to 2017. map in September to boost the coun- “This is a completely new pro- ate structures,” he added. tively cheap packaging,” he said. domestic enterprises in the next The European Union is Ka- try’s non-oil exports in a broader gramme and its efficiency is proved The centre, he noted, is currently Exporters will also receive finan- three years. The Development Bank zakhstan’s largest trading part- effort to move away from the com- globally. It works in such countries working to help Kazakh process- cial support, including lower interest of Kazakhstan will receive 138 bil- ner, accounting for 51 percent of modity-based exports that have long as Canada, Australia, Russia, the ing industry producers enter the rates for export-oriented companies, lion tenge (US$353.6 million) to exports, 88.8 percent of which is supported its economic growth. United States and Germany,” said Alibaba Group platform, one of the cancellation of customs duties for ex- finance export-oriented projects in oil. Afghanistan, China, Japan, “The roadmap focuses on do- Abenov. world’s largest business-to-busi- ports up to 1,000 euros (US$1,114) 2019 and 41 billion tenge (US$105 Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Turkey, the mestic and external barriers and, The centre’s website also in- ness marketplaces. and a simplified procedure for value- million) annually in 2020 and 2021. Kazakh shoe dryer interests foreign investors documents left. From the start, I environment. Zima Clear Sole, By Galiya Khassenkhanova wanted for my invention to be as- however, is eco-friendly and even sembled in Kazakhstan and sold reduces water consumption by NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh en- around the world with the ‘Made 10-20 percent, said Nurlybekov. trepreneur Kairat Nurlybekov has in Kazakhstan’ label on it,” he “Many business centres have signed an agreement with Dutch added. the other kind of shoe cleaners, company KYLLA for a $5.6 mil- The idea came to Nurlybekov but they require additional care lion investment in his invention, a in 2015 as he considered the capi- – filling them with cream, chang- shoe dryer. He will be travelling tal’s long winters and abundant ing brushes. My device does not to the Netherlands to discuss the precipitation. In addition to toasty require that. It is easily transport- details of the agreement, includ- toes, the invention has a practi- able and needs to be wiped not ing the option of KYLLA pur- cal component, as it prevents more than once a day. It also saves chasing a share of the enterprise. footprints on floors and carpets time for the cleaning staff, deter- in cold, rainy weather when peo- gent and water. Plus, your shoes Preparations ple enter buildings in wet shoes. will be clean and warm, which is The dryer eliminates the unattrac- very important in the winter,” he are being made to tive look and need for the clean- added. ing staff to constantly wipe the Preparations are being made produce the device’s floor; slippery, dangerous condi- to produce the device’s fourth fourth model, which, tions that can cause injury and model, which, compared to previ- the constant accumulation of dirt ous versions, is lighter, faster and compared to previous that becomes a fertile ground for cheaper. The five-person com- infection. pany has received requests from versions, is lighter, Commonwealth of Independ- Canada, Spain and the U.S. anx- faster and cheaper. ent States citizens typically wear ious to see the new model. shoe covers which can be uncom- “We want to sell the best pos- fortable, especially for people sible version of our product, so “Aside from the Dutch, other with disabilities, senior citizens that the advertisement and recom- countries are also showing inter- and pregnant women. The plas- mendations would be good,” said est. It is a pity that here in Ka- tic covers are also harmful to the Nurlybekov. zakhstan, it [the device] does not invoke much demand. Investors here prefer the IT sphere where there is no need for large invest- ments,” said Nurlybekov. Zima Clear Sole is easy to use – the person stands on the device and strong currents of warm air blow on his or her shoes for 20-30 seconds removing water, dirt and snow. UV light helps remove light dirt. The dryer is installed in the entranceway or embedded in the floor, occupying a small, under- used space. “It basically works like a hair dryer,” he noted. Production will be centred at Alatau Innovative Technology Park in Almaty’s Special Eco- nomic Zone. “We have all the necessary sig-

natures; there are only several zima-cs.com. Photo credit: B Nation&Capital

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019

PEOPLE CULTURE SPORTS Pavlodar musicologist owns St. Petersburg Chamber Opera to Olga Rypakova wins gold at seventh world’s largest collection of perform at Astana Opera House CISM World Games in China gramophone records B2 B3 B7 UNFPA, activists promote “Qyzbolsyn” Uzbek ethno-cultural film to address women’s issues in society centre is growing Uzbek ethno cultural centre, in an By Zhanna Shayakhmetova By Aidana Yergaliyeva exclusive interview with The Asta- na Times. NUR-SULTAN – The United Na- NUR-SULTAN – The relevance The centre experienced accom- tions Population Fund (UNFPA) and of the Uzbek ethno cultural centre panying growth in those interested Nazarbayev University’s E.Quality in the capital continues to grow in contributing to its development. Talks club initiated “The Power of with the increasing number of In the early stage, only 15 people Girls: Independent and Unstoppable ethnic Uzbeks living in the city. volunteered, registering the centre on the International Day of the Girl The centre does its best to help on April 17, 2007. Today, approxi- Child” Oct. 11 in the capital. local Uzbeks, especially youth, mately 200 people are involved, A trailer for the upcoming docu- in preserving their ethnic iden- including public figures, private mentary “Qyzbolsyn” (“Let There tity through cultural activities and entrepreneurs, state organisation Be a Girl”), directed by Katerina events. employees and teachers and stu- Suvorova and UNFPA activist Ak- Ethnic Uzbeks comprise one dents at higher education institu- marzhan Kusherbayeva, premiered of the largest ethnic groups in tions. as part of the event. The authors Kazakhstan. At the beginning of Pulatov has led the cultural cen- wanted to learn more about the lives 2019, the Kazakh Statistic Com- tre for the last ten years. During of women and girls named Ulbol- mittee registered 590,993 ethnic his term, the centre has formed syn (Let there be a boy) at birth, Uzbeks, or 3.1 percent of the coun- two creative groups, the Poytakht which means the preference or wish try’s population. Of this number, vocal and instrumental ensemble for the birth of a son. The tradition is 10,581 live in the capital, a figure and Astana Gunchalari dance en- not unique to Kazakhstan and exists which has risen significantly since semble, which have been praised in Central Asian countries and other 1999 when there were approxi- by national and city level organisa- regions of the world. mately only 500 representatives of tions for their outstanding perfor-

“Our film gives an opportunity to in Kazakhstan. UNFPA Photo credit: the ethnic group. mances. hear the voices of women who, per- cation, gender-based violence and girls, wasting their talents and fail- to participate more fully and equally “The Uzbek ethnos show a In 2015, the centre opened Ziyo haps, have never been asked about self-esteem. Girls overcome bar- ing societies, too,” said KazRobot- in society,” she said. steady and noticeable tendency Sunday school for children where this. Their answer is very important riers posed by stereotypes and ex- ics Federation of Educational and Villanueva expressed hope that to increase. Currently, the Uzbek they can learn Uzbek language, and interesting to us, no matter what clusion, including those aimed at Sports Robotics President Aizhan “Qyzbolsyn” will grow into a larger group has the highest birth rates. history, traditions and culture. The this answer is like, because these children with disabilities and other Zhekeeva. project where everyone can make In addition, Uzbeks continue to capital akimat (city administra- names are the essence of the lives of vulnerable groups. Girls prove that Universal access to reproductive a contribution towards promoting migrate to Kazakhstan due to eco- tion) began supporting Ziyo two all of us as women of Central Asia,” occupations, pastimes, lifestyle, health and rights is one of the big- gender equality and girls’ opportu- nomic reasons,” said Sherzod Pu- years later by providing space and said Suvorova. decisions and ways of thinking, gest contributors to gender equality, nities. latov, Deputy Chair of the Assem- four qualified teachers at public The International Day of the Girl traditionally considered to be male noted UNFPA Regional Director for Kazakhstan has approximately bly of the People of Kazakhstan lyceum No. 53. At present, 57 stu- Child has been celebrated since pursuits, are equally interesting to Eastern Europe and Central Asia 75,400 women and girls named (APK) and Chair of the capital’s dents attend the weekly classes. 2012. Its purpose is to demonstrate them. Special Advisor Pedro Pablo Vil- Ulbolsyn and its derivatives, more Continued on Page B2 and find ways to solve the problems “Our future will be increasingly lanueva. than half of whom live in rural ar- that girls face and serve as a remind- more digital and centred around in- “When a woman or a girl can plan eas. The name has 294 variations er of the importance of expanding formation technologies. If we don’t her family, she can plan the rest of with similar meaning. their capabilities and protecting re-visit the way we look at tradition- her life. Protecting and promoting A slight decrease in the number of their rights. ally ‘male’ or ‘female’ professions, her reproductive rights – including women with such names has been Girls’ movements around the hobbies, lifestyles and other walks the right to decide whether, how observed in the past three decades Khan’s residence world are helping to tackle issues of life and don’t promote girls’ ac- many and when to have children – from 13,803 in 1990-1999 to 12,264 including unequal access to edu- cess to education, we risk failing is essential to ensuring her freedom in 2010-2019. gives a unique WB data suggests Central Asian poverty glimpse into history was seeking to colonise Kazakh Staff Report lands, it started by building forts on its southern frontier. The forts rate continues to shrink, pace slowing NUR-SULTAN – The residence of St. Peter was built in 1752 on the of Abylai Khan in Petropavlovsk ing much less quickly than be- erty rate reached its lowest point in rural and remote areas that Yessil River bank because of the in northern Kazakhstan offers a By Aidana Yergaliyeva fore. Rekindling inclusive growth in 2013, when measured with the lack closer integration with urban establishment of positive political unique glimpse into the history of should therefore be among the re- upper middle-income indicator of growth centres, according to the and economic relations between NUR-SULTAN – Central Asian gion’s most urgent priorities.” $5.50 per day, at approximately 6 recently published Poverty Maps medieval khans. the Russian administration and the poverty levels continue to de- All Central Asian countries had percent. Since then, the rate has for Central Asian countries. This is The museum opened in 2008 khan’s government. Consequently, crease, but the pace has slowed, been significantly reducing their been around 7 percent. especially true in Kyrgyzstan and and is unique because it is the only the Russian officials thought there reported the World Bank press ser- poverty rates between 2000 and The World Bank data found Tajikistan, where poverty rates are architectural monument in Ka- was a need for residence for the vice in conjunction with the Oct. 2002, but subsequently had a com- the Central Asian middle class is above 40 percent in most remote zakhstan related to the khan. khan, where he could hold discus- 17 International Day for the Eradi- mon slowdown. almost entirely concentrated in districts. Abylai Khan was a ruler of the sions with the empire and receive cation of Poverty. Poverty in Kazakhstan was low- and around big cities like Nur- From 2002-2009, the poverty Kazakh Khanate in the 18th centu- other guests. “The good news is that Central er in the early 2000s and declined Sultan and Almaty, Bishkek (Kyr- rate reduction slipped an average ry. His lineage is traced back to the A wooden cottage served as a Asia continues to make progress at a rate of 4 percent per year from gyzstan), Dushanbe (Tajikistan) of seven percentage points per founder of the Kazakh Khanate, residence for 56 years since 1765 towards eliminating poverty,” 2002-2009. In 2009, the country and Tashkent (Uzbekistan). This year in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; Khan Zhanibek, and further back before it, according to one version, said Lilia Burunciuc, World Bank had almost eliminated poverty creates a common regional chal- from nearly 70 percent, the rate to Genghis Khan himself. He was caught on fire. A two-storey man- Country Director for Central Asia, to just 2 percent, when measured lenge to ensure including all peo- fell to 25 percent and 20 percent, a talented politician, a diplomat sion replaced it in 1821. reported the press service. “How- with the lower middle-income in- ple in the dynamic labour markets. respectively. and a military general. He was able The residence, however, is cov- ever, poverty reduction is happen- dicator of $3.20 per day. The pov- Higher poverty levels are found Continued on Page B5 to keep the unity of Kazakh peo- ered in controversies, states mypi- ple when the Russian Empire and ter.kz, a website on Petropavlovsk China were pressing in from both history and culture. While the sides and Dzunghar tribes were building served as an infirmary, trying to wipe off the population. rumours circled around that it was According to Qazaqstan Tarihy once the khan’s residency. Experts adopt joint programme to address website, when the Russian Empire Continued on Page B6 land degradation issue in Central Asia THINGS TO WATCH & PLACES TO GO By Zhanna Shayakhmetova BARYS ARENA NUR-SULTAN – More than 70 scientists, politicians and experts Nov. 2 at 5 p.m. HC Barys – HC CSKA Moscow, from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, KHL Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmeni- stan and Uzbekistan developed a common programme to solve SARYARKA VELODROME problems related to biodiversity Nov. 4 at 7.30 p.m. PBC Astana - BC Zenit, VTB conservation, land degradation and league climate change at a regional tria- logue Oct. 9-11 in Almaty. Nov. 9 at 3 p.m. PBC Astana - BC Tsmoki-Minsk, Central Asia has arid and semi- VTB league arid areas characterised by serious transboundary desertification, re- ported the press service of the United ASTANA ARENA Photo credit: UNDP in Kazakhstan. UNDP Photo credit: Nations Development Programme Nov. 7 at 9.50 p.m. FC Astana – FC AZ Alkmaar (UNDP) in Kazakhstan. According to 8 percent of the forest land. It 18-65 percent of the population’s Combat Desertification in Kazakh- to preliminary estimates, 4-10 per- relates to cattle grazing or non- employment, which makes it de- stan Kairat Ustemirov. cent of cultivated land, 27-68 per- compliance with norms on grazing pendent on natural resources. De- One of the priority areas to solve ASTANA OPERA cent of pastureland and 1-8 percent areas, insufficient irrigation and ir- sertification affects 66 percent of environmental problems is to in- Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. Rigoletto, opera of forest land are subject to destruc- rational use of water. Kazakhstan the land in Kazakhstan. There is crease the efficiency of natural tive processes. The area of degraded is almost entirely located in desert an urgent need to take preventive resources and support the green Nov. 10 at 6 p.m. The Pearl Fishers, opera land in each country of Central Asia and semi-desert zones, so the land measures to prevent further land economy. Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. Kyz Zhibek, opera ranges from 40 to 90 percent. is very vulnerable. degradation and take measures to “Kazakhstan is pursuing a state In Kazakhstan, degradation “Economy of Central Asian restore and further ensure rational policy in the field of combating ASTANA BALLET problems affect from 4 to 10 per- countries are largely based on use of natural resources including land degradation, preserving bio- cent of cultivated land, from 20 agriculture, which makes up 10- land and water,” said National Co- diversity and climate change. Nov. 9, 10 at 6 p.m. Legend of Love to 60 percent of pastures and up 38 percent of GDP and provides ordinator of the UN Convention to Continued on Page B5 B2 NATION&CAPITAL PEOPLE

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019 Pavlodar musicologist owns world’s largest collection of gramophone records records issued on each continent He listened with pleasure to songs By Yerbolat Uatkhanov from the end of the 19th century on the gramophone his grand- to the middle of the 20th century. mother sang to him in his child- NUR-SULTAN – Musicologist It contains the sounds of nearly hood. At his initiative, the British Naum Shafer, who is also a profes- every nation, from folk music to Council in Kazakhstan published sor, literary critic, writer and com- classic symphonies. a booklet about Shafer’s house- poser, has assembled the world’s His archive of 1930’s Kazakh museum in English. A portion largest collection of gramophone music recorded on gramophone of the information was included records (not to be confused with discs is the largest in the country. in the encyclopaedia of Kazakh vinyl ones) in Pavlodar. The col- It also includes more than 10,000 museums, which the council also lection consists of more than vinyl records, in excess of 1,500 printed. 14,000 discs, some of which are tape reels and compact cassettes. Collectors around the world the only saved copy in the world. Shafer has written more than half a have repeatedly appealed to Shaf- “Don’t divide music into the million cards, one for every song, er to sell his collection, offering serious and frivolous. Music can allowing him to easily find each quite a bit of money for it, and only be good or bad. You can com- record. high-level representatives from pose a magnificent simple song With the help of local authori- many Russian cities have offered and trashy opera,” he likes to say. ties, the Shafer house-museum the best conditions for moving the The story began before Shafer was opened in Pavlodar in 2002. In museum. Each is prepared to allo- was born when his parents re- addition to the recordings, it con- cate a large building for the items ceived a gramophone and 30 re- sists of more than 17,000 books and make it the pearl of their urban cords as a wedding gift in 1930. and 64,000 newspapers and maga- area’s cultural life. At the time, the family was living in Bessarabia, in the then Roma- nia (now Chisinau, Moldova). As Shafer has collected more than 14,000 a child, he was more interested in the gramophone and records than gramophone records in 50 years, buying them toys. Vladislav Yermachenko Photo credit: in stores, corresponding with collectors from Soviet troops entered Bessarabia L-R: Vladislav Yermachenko and Naum Shafer. in 1940. The following year, eight many countries and exchanging discs with days before the war against fascist taken with the miracle of technol- collection. He also discovered doing!” He repeatedly appealed to Germany began in June 1941, the ogy, which was rare for the time. the composer within himself. As the USSR Ministry of Culture to them. His wife, Natalia Kapustina, has always Shafers were among many individ- Even as a youngster, Shafer re- a student, he performed his work create music libraries throughout provided tremendous support. uals deported to Kazakhstan. Rep- alised he might eventually find the “Evening Waltz” at an amateur art the country in addition to its many resentatives of the new govern- same gramophone, but perhaps contest, where the jury included book libraries. ment allowed each family to take not the records. He used the most famous Soviet Russian composer Shafer has collected more than zines since the 1930s. In excess of The Mikhail Glinka State Mu- no more than 100 kilogrammes of powerful of children’s weapons Yevgeniy Brusilovskiy, who was 14,000 gramophone records in 50 100 issues by Russian writers and seum in Moscow would like to luggage. – crying and tearful requests – to working in Kazakhstan at the years, buying them in stores, cor- poets, printed in the 19th century, acquire approximately 300 of The Shafers included the gramo- save his favourite things. Seeing time and was very fond of the responding with collectors from are the most valuable among the Shafer’s recordings of the com- phone and discs among their pos- this, one of the police officers country’s music. He appreciated many countries and exchanging books. poser’s works to help complete its sessions. Employees of the Peo- urged his colleagues to disregard Shafer’s abilities and provided discs with them. His wife, Natalia In 2008, Paul Brummel, Brit- selection and museums in coun- ple’s Commissariat for Internal the instructions and allow the him with individual, complimen- Kapustina, has always provided ish Ambassador to Kazakhstan, tries throughout the world would Affairs (NKVD), the name of the Shafers to take 100 kilogrammes tary instruction. tremendous support. The couple visited the Shafer house-museum. appreciate getting at least some of KGB in the early years of the So- of any luggage. Brusilovskiy was delighted agreed to use his salary for records He was pleasantly surprised by the recordings. Shafer loves Pav- viet Union, who evicted the family To this day, Shafer is grate- when he learned Shafer was col- and books and hers for everything the presence of English records in lodar, however, and wants to save tried to forbid them from including ful to the officer, as those 30 re- lecting gramophone records, not- else. the collection, which he had never his entire collection in the city for the items. Apparently, they were cords became the basis of the ing “you have no idea what you are The collection now contains seen even in the United Kingdom. future generations. Uzbek ethno-cultural centre is growing Continued from Page B1 stan – My Country national festi- ethno cultural centre in the country in 1995 and currently includes 12 developing Uzbek language and val, a concert as a part of the Alga opened in 1989 in the South Ka- centres. Forty-two other regional, culture, promoting the policies “The main highlight of the Kazakhstan 7th Asian Winter zakhstan Region. city and district level centres are in pursued in our state and uniting all school is that children of all na- Games, Ulkenge – Kurmet, Ata The three large centres in the re- operation. ethnic groups of the country into tionalities study here, not only the Zangdagy Mindet charity event, gion united under the Dustlik As- “The activities of all these cen- the united people of Kazakhstan,” Uzbek language, but also Kazakh, Alisher Navoi literary and cultur- sociation of Uzbeks in Kazakhstan tres are aimed at preserving and said Pulatov. Russian and English. The most al evening and Dostyk Cup futsal distinctive feature of this school is tournament. that the Uzbek language is studied An array of cultural events using Latin graphics,” he said. awaits capital residents. The cen- The centre is a member of APK tre plans to organise an exhibi- and operates as an independent tion of Uzbek national clothing, non-profit organisation. Similar to demonstrate national children’s many other ethnic centres, it works games and conduct master class- to preserve the integrity of local es of the finest dishes from Uzbek Uzbeks while protecting their po- Sherzod Pulatov, Deputy Chair of the cuisine. litical, social and other rights and Assembly of the People of Kazakh- An international literary evening freedoms. The capital centre also stan and Chair of the capital’s Uzbek dedicated to Uzbek poet, writer has contributed to the nationwide ethno cultural centre. and politician Alisher Navoi and Year of the Youth initiative. people in all ongoing events both Kazakh poet Abai Kunanbayev is “We focus on youth in order to by our centre and the Assembly also being planned, highlighted by pass on culture to the future gener- of the People of Kazakhstan as a a youth competition. The centre is ation and educate it in the spirit of whole. Our youth take part in all also making preparations for the Kazakh patriotism with high moral the events held by the assembly,” second national Dostyk Cup, as and ethical qualities,” he noted. said Pulatov. well as the traditional Sumalyak The centre encourages its young The centre’s youth also partici- Party and Pilau (Plov) Party – fes- members to participate more in the pated in the BIRLIK-2019 interna- tive events celebrating Turkic and activities of the centre and assem- tional summer camp and 100 New Uzbek national dishes. bly. Faces: How to Become Successful “Undoubtedly, we will continue “We do our best to motivate summer school in the East Ka- to work in the most active mode; young people in order to attract zakhstan Region. on the basis of continuity, we will them to social work, to convey Kazakhstan is proud of its continue to transfer the accumu- the culture of the ethnic group and multi-ethnic environment where lated experience to the younger experience in the association,” he all communities celebrate their generation,” he said. added. cultural differences and, at the Uzbeks are represented in all This year, the centre’s council same time, signify their unity. Kazakh regions, with the major- appointed four young people to The centres often unite in organ- ity (87.57 percent) of ethnic set- deputy positions in its education, ising festive cultural events. The tlements in the South Kazakhstan finance and culture departments. Uzbek centre has arranged large Region, where the two countries “Moreover, we involve young activities such as the My Kazakh- share a border. The first Uzbek Third 100 New Faces project looks for young, successful role models The pool, however, is expected va, Olympic champions Serik Sa- mation and Social Development Development Board Chair Kemel- citizens can and do a huge number By Aidana Yergaliyeva to grow, as the project is open to piev and Alexander Vinokurov, BTS Dauren Abayev at a Sept. 30 press bek Oishybayev. of amazing things for the develop- self-nomination. Previously, one Digital education department head conference in the capital, reported After the winners are announced, ment of the country,” said Abayev. NUR-SULTAN – The third an- could be nominated only if his or and public figure Sayasat Nurbek inform.kz. the rest of the agenda and tradi- The results of the project will be nual 100 New Faces of Kazakh- her merit was recognised by anoth- and musician and Dimash Kudai- The application form can be tions will be the same. announced in December at a pres- stan project has changed its ap- er person. Similar to past years, the bergen’s producer Kanat Aitbayev. completed and submitted on the “As before, we will organise a entation involving Kazakhstan’s plication requirements and revised participant must be a Kazakh citi- The last two years’ project win- new website 100janaesim.ruh.kz. meeting of the winners with the First President, Nursultan Naz- procedures to select the top 100 zen, although he or she can have a ners have joined the Bureau-100 “This is a new site, a kind of en- country’s leadership and success arbayev. individuals whose contributions residence elsewhere. initiative group that seeks new he- cyclopaedia that contains almost stories will be formed on the ba- “We want to show that Kazakh- to the country’s social life deserve In addition to selection through roes annually. all the participants of previous sis of documentaries and social stan is rich in talents in various fields. recognition. Application may be the most popular vote tally, pre-se- “This makes us very happy, be- periods. This year, the application videos. As before, we will hold There are so many success stories, submitted through Nov.1. lected jury members will finalise the cause, if any project initiated by process has been systematised. their meetings with schoolchildren but because of the daily turnover, we The project requires participants project winners’ list. The jury will the state, is picked up by initiative They will be taken in six direc- and students. Of course, we will do not always notice our heroes. Our to be under age 39 to find role mod- include renowned artists, athletes, groups and the public, this means tions – science, society, medicine, involve them in the implementa- task is to find them; we must show els among younger generations in public figures, writers and entrepre- it vastly touched the hearts of our business, culture and sports,” said tion of various projects. Most im- that you can be proud of these sto- support of the Year of Youth. neurs such as singer Roza Rymbaye- citizens,” said Minister of Infor- Kazakhstan Institute for Social portantly, we will show how our ries,” Abayev told express-k.kz. B3 NATION&CAPITAL CULTURE

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019 St. Petersburg Chamber Opera to perform at Astana Opera House a court jester, a hypocrite with a it runs at the Hermitage Theatre By Zhanna Shayakhmetova grudge against the entire world,” and we definitely choose ‘Rigo- he said, and he offers a new ver- letto’ for touring when we have NUR-SULTAN – The St. Pe- sion of the psychological drama an opportunity to present it at a tersburg Chamber Opera, the state where the court jester is neither a large venue. Therefore, Nur-Sul- chamber music theatre, will pre- hunchback nor an old man, but a tan’s stage, like no other, is suit- sent Giuseppe Verdi’s “Rigoletto” sarcastic, intelligent, angry indi- able for this production,” said Nov. 9 and Georges Bizet’s “Les vidual. Alexandrov. Pêcheurs de Perles” (“The Pearl According to the synopsis, “Les Pêcheurs de Perles,” based Fishers”) Nov. 10 at the Astana the hump and mask are noth- on a libretto by Eugène Cormon Opera House in the capital. ing but a clownish appearance and Michel Carré, takes place on The theatre will stage the pro- worn only at the duke’s court. the exotic island of Ceylon (now ductions with an unconventional Moral ugliness, however, can- Sri Lanka). In the centre of the interpretation of the stories, col- not be thrown away like a mask. plot is a love triangle – fisherman ourful, luxurious costumes and ex- An extraordinary man forced Zurga and head fisherman Nadir cellent acting and musical perfor- to endure constant humiliation, love the same girl Leïla, a Brahma mances, according to the theatre’s he entertains himself with in- priestess. release. trigues, willingly taking part in “The opera is a beautiful fairy “I have a special relationship all the dirty amusements of his tale for grown-ups, in which with Kazakhstan, as I have invest- lord and his entourage. The fate there is a place for love, heroic ed a lot of energy and effort in the punishes Rigoletto for his cru- deeds and self-sacrifice. I think development of national opera art. elty, making him kill his own that people of the 21st century I was directly involved in the open- daughter, Gilda. need such stories in both Russia ing of Kazakhstan opera houses “Despite the fact that St. Pe- and Kazakhstan. Our production and staged about 13 productions tersburg Opera is named a cham- turned out to be very colourful at various venues, including at the ber music theatre and its native and emotional and even despite country’s main opera stage – Asta- stage is very small, we do not the tragic ending (our version dif- na Opera. Your audience is very limit ourselves to works of small fers from the original libretto), in important to me and I would not Astana Opera. Photo credit: form. This is one of the rea- many countries where we brought want to disappoint them. I hope A scene from “Rigoletto” opera. sons why we can be considered it, the audience enthusiastically my own team will show its merit,” a unique team. ‘Rigoletto’ is a responded to the performance and said Director and People’s Artist of Verdi considered the plot of ated and Alexandrov emphases ter masquerade of life. The main truly large-scale production in left the auditorium in a very posi- Russia Yuri Alexandrov. “Rigoletto” to be the best he cre- the motif of the mask, the sinis- character is “an old hunchback – every sense. In St. Petersburg, tive mood,” he noted. Daneliya Tuleshova becomes Astana Ballet presents UNESCO Club ambassador night of one-act plays of my heart wish for the world to and goals and popularise its move- lome performed for Herod and has popular act of the four-act play By Galiya Khassenkhanova be more understanding and good,” ment. By Galiya Khassenkhanova been popularised by scores of art- “Impressing the Czar,” is present- she said. UNESCO Clubs started in Japan ists, sculptors and composers. ed as the second part of the even- NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh sing- To become a Kazakh UNESCO in 1947, subsequently spreading to NUR-SULTAN – Astana Ballet “Salome” astounded the audi- ing. Created in 1987 for the Paris er Daneliya Tuleshova has been Club ambassador, one must be more than 100 nations. The clubs theatre presented the one-act plays ence and press in London when it Opera featuring ballet stars such named one of the nation’s United a prominent public figure who are combined into national, regional “Salome” choreographed by Hon- was performed there as part of the as Isabelle Guérin, Sylvie Guil- Nations Educational, Scientific engages in social and public ac- and global federations, with the Ka- oured Worker of Kazakhstan Mu- theatre’s tour. lem, Laurent Hilaire and Manuel and Cultural Organisation (UN- tivities and whose opinion is im- zakh Federation founded in April karam Avakhri and “In the Middle, “It is a pièce de résistance, a Legris, the choreography is an ESCO) Club ambassadors. She portant to others. Tuleshova won 2009. More than 550 projects and Somewhat Elevated” by William stunning work, stunningly per- endless flow of movements that received a badge and certificate the fourth season of The Voice youth programmes involving 55,000 Forsythe Oct. 12, reported its press formed that could grace any in- seem to be made for mechanical to verify her status during the Ka- Kids in Ukraine, was a finalist participants from 35 countries have service. ternational stage with ease. It’s all muscles rather than a regular hu- zakhstan National Federation of and the audience award winner been organised in cooperation with Oscar Wilde’s unexpected and accompanied by a terrific original man body. UNESCO Clubs reporting confer- of New Wave Junior 2015 in UNESCO Clubs. Kazakhstan has shocking interpretation of the ence, noted inform.kz Oct. 9. Crimea and a Kazakh represent- 136 clubs in all regions with more famous biblical story inspired “I was surprised when I found ative on Junior Eurovision Song than 9,000 active members. Avakhri to create the play, which out about the intention to pro- Contest 2018, where she took Among its activities, the Kazakh was first staged in February 2018. pose my candidacy for UNESCO sixth place. federation organised The Planet The ballet uses a graphic plastic Clubs. I understand how important The ambassador’s mission is to of ART – 2019, an international style with elements of Orientalism that is and I am very honoured and spread UNESCO ideals, augment festival-contest aimed at teenag- and a variety of performance tech- interested. I share the ideals of the public awareness of the UNESCO ers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, niques, including dance on pointe organisation and from the bottom Club of Kazakhstan’s purposes Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan shoes and barefoot. and Uzbekistan. Tuleshova was in- The plot recounts the tale of volved in coordinating and partici- Salome, a stepdaughter of Herod pating in the event, which served Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee and to support and create better condi- Perea. Herod married Herodias, tions for gifted children from re- the former wife of his half-broth- mote regions and rural areas. er Herod II, and John the Baptist “I believe in the power of art and was imprisoned for criticising the I hope that as a holder of such high marriage. For his birthday, Herod status, I will be able to attract the asked his niece and stepdaughter attention of children like me and to dance for his guests and offered interest them in participating in her a reward of her choice should programmes of cultural and artistic she agree. Persuaded by her moth- Astana Ballet Facebook page Photo credit: education,” she said. er, Salome asked for the head of score by Turkish composer Fazil Forsythe’s is one of the geni- For the next two years, Tulesho- John the Baptist on a silver platter. Say, which draws from across the uses of modern choreography who va will be the official representa- Avakhri presents her play as a eastern world, its persistent phras- revolutionised ballet and his stag- tive of the Kazakhstan National constant fight of light and dark- es pulling to the inevitable conclu- ing makes spectators question the Federation of UNESCO Clubs. ness, but allows the audience to sion,” noted British ballet website existence of gravity. Astana Ballet The organisation currently is de- determine for themselves who was SeeingDance.com. is the first in Central Asia to stage a termining the projects and events victorious. It culminates with the “In the Middle, Somewhat El- play in accordance with his stand-

Photo credit: Inform.kz Photo credit: where she will participate. Dance of Seven Veils, which Sa- evated,” the second and the most ards of style and technique. B4 NATION&CAPITAL COUNTRY

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019 Ascension Cathedral reopens Almaty Mayor presents following major restoration city development the national budget, it noted. Al- By Yelena Levkovich maty city officials have prom- ised to refurbish the surrounding NUR-SULTAN – Almaty’s area. strategy through 2050 Ascension Cathedral reopened Kazakh architect Timur cities and we are not the exception,” in October following major res- Turekulov, who served as pro- By Yelena Levkovich he noted. toration started in 2017. ject supervisor, oversaw ap- Almaty, similar to other global Standing under the arches, the proximately 2,000 specialists, NUR-SULTAN – Almaty Akim megacities, could risk an urbanisa- Metropolitan of Astana and Ka- including local workers, Russian (Mayor) Bakytzhan Sagintayev re- tion crisis, he said. Sixty percent of zakhstan Aleksander congratu- artists and gilders and German cently presented the city develop- its annual population growth is due lated the clergy and lay people engineers and architects. The ment strategy through 2050 to an to migration, which leads directly to on the special occasion in the main challenge was damage to audience of Al-Farabi Kazakh Na- a social, engineering and transport city’s spiritual life and held the one of the pillars, which required tional University students. infrastructure reset. first divine liturgy for parish- foreign technicians to develop “On instructions of Elbasy (First To avoid such consequences, the ioners after presenting the Holy an engineering solution to avoid President Nursultan Nazarbayev), city needs proactive planning and Mother statue. disassembling the building. we’ve already finished the long-term projecting, a smart approach to so- The event attracted many Relying on old photos and city strategy called Almaty 2050. I lutions within the entire Big Almaty guests including the Russian documents, restorers added want to share my vision on our city agglomeration, said Sagintayev. Consul General and heads and early lost elements, such as the development, counting on your par- “City authorities consider that members of public institutions crosses painted on the cathe- ticipation and support,” he said. the optimal amount of Almaty in- and ethno-cultural communities. dral’s domes. They also renewed The younger generation should habitants shouldn’t exceed 3.5 mil- The reconstruction was the the main crosses, covering them be the epicentre of all the initiatives lion. To keep it at this level after first in cathedral’s 110-year his- with a layer of gold leaf. and the moving power following the 2030, we ought to develop the city tory. Specialists restored eve- The 56-metre cathedral, the change, he noted. City officials will be outskirts by creating jobs and so- rything from crosses and fronts world’s tallest wooden Russian helped in realising their ideas by creat- cial infrastructure and by loading to engineering networks, using Orthodox church, is one of the ing an appropriate innovative project mass public structure,” he added. up-to-date technical solutions to city’s and country’s main tourist ecosystem of youth entrepreneurship. Speaking earlier at the Kazakh- provide utilities and ventilation sites. Begun in 1904 and finished The first strategic priority is to stan Growth Forum, Sagintayev systems. They also replaced the a year later, the church witnessed convert the megapolis into a smart, noted “Almaty is the richest busi- window frames, installing ones many historical events. In 1927, global city. The bigger Almaty is ex- ness city in Central Asia, the busi- made from high-quality wood it ceased operating as a house pected to have a population of five ness capital with entrepreneurial while maintaining the historical of worship at the direction of million by 2030. initiative and private assets.” As nature of the cathedral’s facade. the Soviet government and sub- “Speaking about five million, we the largest city in the country, it is The work was completed with- sequently served as a museum, are considering only Almaty and home to 10 percent of the popula- out state budget funds, as donors exhibition pavilion and meeting its suburbs. Nowadays, three mil- tion and represents more than 20 assumed all expenses. Local ec- site for public organisations. The lion people live in Big Almaty, so in percent of the GDP. Almaty gener- clesiastics and restorers had ap- cathedral regained its religious 11 years there will be five million. ates 32 percent of state budget tax pealed to the Ministry of Culture significance in 1995 and re- The pressure on the local infrastruc- and non-tax revenues and approxi- and Sport for financial aid, but cathedral.kz. Photo credit: sumed public liturgies following ture due to population growth is the mately 15 percent of Kazakhstan’s such spending is excluded from Ascension Cathedral opened after major reconstruction in Almaty. certain repairs. global challenge for all developing external trade, he added. Kazakhstan makes MIA introduces distance learning, online shops important step towards and employment to improve convicts’ lives abilities, including 20 persons us- eration to allow longer visits for nal affairs agencies in 2019-2021. Staff Report ing wheelchairs and seven blind prisoners sentenced to life impris- Legislative measures include persons. They need assistance to onment, remove the video surveil- earned release time (one day of GRECO membership NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh get to public amenities such as the lance system from penal system detention for two days in a mini- “We have the opportunity to Ministry of Internal Affairs has healthcare unit, canteen, library administration control, create front mum security institution, one and By Nazira Kozhanova participate in a number of ex- improved prison conditions with and bathhouse,” he said. offices to ensure open and acces- a-half days in an average security panded agreements that allow us distance education, online shops Prisons will be equipped with sible services and provide good institution and two days serving a NUR-SULTAN – The Chair- to work together with Council and employment, reported Penal video surveillance cameras and conditions for lawyers and inmates sentence with restricted freedom). man of the Kazakh Anti-corrup- member states on issues of par- System Committee Acting Chair- staff will use video recorders. awaiting court dates. The time for prosecutors to file pe- tion Agency Alik Shpekbayev ticular interest. Cooperation with person Tenizzhan Dzhanibekov. “We also want to develop the A front office operating on the titions for court decisions on con- signed an agreement opening the GRECO demonstrates the com- “We launched a pilot project of programme on the employment public service centres principle victs’ complaints such as sentence way for the country to join the mitment of our country, as a full online purchases for convicts in of former convicts and their re- opened Oct. 11 at capital correc- execution has been reduced. (The Group of States against Corrup- member of the UN Convention Almaty and the Akmola Region. socialisation in the community. tional institution 166/1. Similar action was not previously provided tion (GRECO) in Strasbourg on against Corruption, to the funda- The maximum weight of one The efforts of interested state bod- front offices operate in institu- Oct. 15. mental principles of the Council package increased from 14 to 20 ies, non-governmental organisa- tions in the Almaty, Kyzylorda and and is proposed within 10 days.) “I welcome the signing by Ka- of Europe and our country’s in- kilogrammes. We also launched tions and the business commu- Pavlodar regions and will soon be Complaints and motions are sub- zakhstan of the GRECO agree- tention to improve anti-corrup- distance education of convicts at nity should be consolidated using opened in other facilities. ject to appeal within three days. ment. This is a very important tion measures. Joining GRECO higher educational institutions. public-private partnership mecha- Dzhanibekov noted work is un- “We will take all measures to im- event that makes Kazakhstan one paves the way for us to adopt the The work schedule of pay phones nisms. There is a need to improve derway to improve convicts’ legal prove the legal status of convicts, step closer to becoming a full best European anti-corruption was extended until 9 p.m., as pre- healthcare services. We are con- status. The 2019-2023 roadmap to conditions and order of detention, member of the GRECO. This is practices,” said Shpekbayev. viously it was until 6 p.m.,” he sidering transferring the healthcare develop the penal correction sys- protect the rights of convicts, hu- one of the most developed anti- said. service of the penal correction sys- tem was approved in September manise the prisons, improve the corruption organisations in the Orderlies have also been hired to tem to the Ministry of Healthcare,” 2018. The roadmap also provides process of execution of sentences world. We focus on the integ- The two main help convicts with disabilities. he added. measures to improve the peniten- and strengthen civilian control,” rity of the public sector, and our “We have 27 inmates with dis- Plans are also under consid- tiary system and modernise inter- he said. members agree on a common objectives of the assessment process and collec- GRECO are the tive pressure to improve their ability to fight corruption. Shar- improvement ing experiences will improve of methods of anti-corruption potential at both Karaganda-Balkhash highway to open in 2020 levels. This is mutually beneficial combatting and The Ust-Kamenogorsk Con- for Kazakhstan and the Council the exchange of By Zhanna Shayakhmetova denser plant plans to produce 11 of Europe,” GRECO Executive new types of items. KazElectro- Secretary Gianluca Esposito told best practices in NUR-SULTAN – The Kara- Mash company will launch the 24.kz. ganda-Balkhash highway will be production of high-voltage cable The Group of States against the prevention and opened in 2020 and this year, 40 from cross-linked polyethylene. Corruption, the Council of Eu- detection of cases of kilometres of the roads will be This type of cable is innovative rope’s anti-corruption monitor- opened, reported Oct. 8 Primemi- in the field of power supply. Pro- ing body with its headquarters corruption. nister.kz. The Karaganda-Temirtau duction is expected to begin this in Strasbourg, was established and Karaganda bypass projects year. in 1999 as an enlarged Partial will be completed before the end The Semei Engineering com- Agreement by 17 Council of Eu- A next step anticipated after of the year with the commission- pany plans to open a centre for rope member states. GRECO is the signing of the current agree- ing of 61 kilometres of roads. engineering and technical mainte- also open to non-European states, ment is Kazakhstan accepting Prime Minister Askar Mamin nance, repair and modernisation of and out of the 49 current mem- the Criminal Law Convention on also instructed to speed up the heavy military and civilian equip- bers 48 are European states and Corruption. construction pace of roads during ment. the 49th is the United States. “I am proud of the achieve- his recent visit to the East Kazakh- Mamin visited the Centre for “We expect a speedy ratifica- ments of Kazakhstan and the will- stan, Almaty and Karaganda Re- Oncology and Surgery, the Centre tion of the agreement by Ka- ingness to effectively cooperate gions. The quality of the created for Robotic Surgery, Angiosurgery zakhstan, which is entering this with the GRECO member coun- transport infrastructure is of great and Transplantology at the East prestigious initiative as the 50th tries. We will look forward to the importance, he noted. Kazakhstan Regional Specialised participant,” added Esposito. next steps, including your coun- “Next year, we should open the primeminister.kz. Photo credit: Medical Centre. Signing the agreement sig- try’s accepting of the Criminal roads along the Taldykorgan-Ust- Ust-Kamenogorsk-Taldykorgan Aktogai mine, one of the world’s The Interdepartmental Situa- nals Kazakhstan’s commitment Law Convention on Corruption,” Kamenogorsk and Karaganda-Al- highway in 2020. The reconstruc- largest undeveloped copper depos- tion and Investment Centre of the to fight corruption, Shpekbayev said the Council of Europe’s Dep- maty highways. The infrastructure tion of the Kalbatau-Maikapshagai its as part of the state programme East Kazakhstan region in Ust- told Forbes.kz. After the sign- uty Secretary General Gabriella projects will create additional op- highway is underway and 45 kilo- for industrial and innovative de- Kamenogorsk has the showroom ing and ratification of the initial Battaini-Dragoni, who co-signed portunities for the development of metres of roads will be completed velopment. for presentations of the investment agreement, signing of additional the agreement with Shpekbayev, the economy,” Mamin said. by the end of the year. Mineral resources of the field potential of the region and the de- agreements will follow. The according to Forbes.kz. The reconstruction of the eastern The prime minister also met are estimated at 1.7 billion tonnes velopment of digitalisation in the Oct. 15 agreement provides for The two main objectives of the section of the Ust-Kamenogorsk- during his tour with the manage- and the total amount of copper industry. the immunities and privileges of GRECO are the improvement of Taldykorgan highway and the ment of the Aktogai mining and in the ore is 5.8 million tonnes. Zhastar Time, the innovation GRECO officials as they make methods of combatting and the Usharal-Dostyk highway are un- processing plant, which is based in The plant’s capacity is 25 million centre, offers IT courses includ- visits to Kazakhstan, an impor- exchange of best practices in the derway. the Ayagoz district of the East Ka- tonnes of processed ore per year ing 2D and 3D graphics, program- tant first step for the eventual ac- prevention and detection of cases A road with a length of 763 zakhstan Region. The enterprise and it is planned to double this in- ming, video creation and other cession to the group. of corruption. kilometres will be built along the is responsible for developing the dicator beginning in 2021. courses at the centre. B5 NATION&CAPITAL SOCIETY

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019 Forum examines effective gender equality and sex education for youth ening Public Health of the Na- “In Kazakhstan, one third of ad- By Nazira Kozhanova tional Centre of Public Healthcare olescents had a sexual experience Kamila Tuyakbayeva, Head of the since they were 14 years old, so NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh public ZhastyqTalk Public Foundation it’s very important to talk to them health and family agencies and or- Balnur Sugіrgaliyeva, Thomson Re- about puberty and their sexual and ganisations recently sponsored an uters Foundation Consultant Dina unproductive health. This is the event in Nur-Sultan where adults Shaikhislam and other speakers. key to preventing so many prob- and young people discussed issues “In Kazakhstan, thousands of lems in adulthood,” said Tuyak- of gender equality and sex educa- teenage pregnancies, abandoned bayeva. tion. new-borns on the streets, and cases At the end of the event, actors “We held an important event of sexual and physical violence di- and volunteers of the Y-PEER in- where we gave our young peo- rected against children and women ternational network staged a theat- ple votes – people who see the are recorded every year. In such an rical production, based on real life, problems of modern society and environment, young girls and boys which aimed to show the audience themselves offer solutions. Sexual need to be able to protect them- how any decision could change education and gender education selves physically and emotion- their life. contribute to the formation of ally. They need sexual and gender The event was organised by non-discriminatory values among education in order to have safe sex the National Centre of Public young people, teach them critical life, make informed decisions and Healthcare, an NGO titled the thinking and informed decision- overcome stereotypes that do not League of Women of Creative In- making. Therefore, it is important allow someone to say the word itiative, the Uyatemes.kz project, to introduce these areas of knowl- ‘no’ and make someone deaf to the the Y-PEER Kazakhstan move- edge in all schools of Kazakhstan,” word,” said the organisers on the ment with the support of the Na- said UyatEmes.kz sex education event aims, according to the Na- tional Commission for Women website Founder and Researcher tional Centre of Public Healthcare and Family and Demographic Karlygash Kabatova, according to press service. Policy, the Ministry of Informa- liter.kz. The speakers emphasised the ur- tion and Social Development and The event featured the Deputy gency of having the conversation the Centre for Civil Initiatives

Head of the Centre for Strength- on these topics in Kazakhstan. Support. press-service. Centre Kazakh National Public Healthcare Photo credit: Senate proposes electronic hunting National library for visually impaired puts ground competitions in 2021 young minds to challenge specialised libraries librarianship youth,” said Baiuzak- graph, film, tactile, voiced, -elec Penalties include forfeiting To continue developing geod- By Aidana Yergaliyeva ov in his opening speech, reported tronic and relief-graphic editions. By Yelena Levkovich property where the offence oc- esy and cartography, they have bnews.kz. The library fund, with 248,410 curred and expelling foreigners or included additional provisions on NUR-SULTAN – The National Kazakhstan currently has 16 storage units, offers wide choices NUR-SULTAN – The Senate is stateless persons involved in the regulating operations involving Library for People with Blind- specialised libraries – nine re- of classical works by domestic and proposing e-format competitions accident from the country. modern techniques. ness and Visual Impairment gional, five city and two branches foreign authors, poems, science to secure hunting grounds and The new demands specify the Senate members also proposed gathered young librarians from of centralised libraries. The meet- fiction and fiction, as well as pub- fishery waters starting in 2021 to terms of water resource use by returning veterinary service con- all regional specialised libraries ing also addressed ways to achieve lications in several languages in all ensure the procedure is more ac- banning pesticide and fertiliser use trol to the approved body authority Sept. 26-27 for its first nation- better interlibrary integration. educational areas. It has approxi- cessible and transparent. near the water’s edge and requiring and altering the service’s structure wide meeting in Almaty. The “Each library works at its own mately 3,000 visitors per year. The chamber previously adopted notification of hydro-mechanical by creating a vertical subordina- session encouraged participants pace as usual, but the processes of The national library was recent- relevant amendments on agro-in- construction. Otherwise, owners tion system. Production control to share their success stories and book exchange and exchange of ly equipped with two audio studios dustrial sector management. will be subject to administrative department veterinarians would exchange experiences on devel- experience are somewhat lagging for people with blindness. It will To prevent the unlawful removal liability for “exploitation without focus on the notification policy. At oping library science. behind. We want to update all this soon also provide access to audio of flora and fauna, officials recom- dam safety declaration.” the same time, state veterinary san- The two-day meeting was com- work, discuss our problems with books in official languages. mend increased accountability for Deputies also made adjustments itary and quarantine phytosanitary posed of lectures, seminars and you and strengthen interlibrary re- “First, we will draw up an an- those who cut, destroy or damage aimed at enhancing control over control functions at automobile master classes for young librarians lations,” he added. nual plan taking into account the specific trees and woods, as well efficient land management through checkpoints across the Eurasian as part of the Year of Youth. The National Library for People demand for books, then we will as punishment for violating special space-based monitoring (remote Economic Union customs border Young people are apparently with Blindness and Visual Impair- create their audio copies in Ka- protected natural areas. sensing data), aerial photography, would be transferred to animal less interested in pursuing library ments has literature in dot-relief zakh and Russian,” said Baiuza- The measures will address is- ground survey and observations health and plant quarantine state science as a career. The national typeface and large print, phono- kov. sues of illegal hunting, fishing and especially on agricultural lands, authorities to strengthen veterinary specialised library organised the killing other water creatures and where the processes connected with and phytosanitary safety. meeting to change this thought and unlawful treatment of rare and en- soil fertility and transforming plant To enable hunting and farm- “to encourage and support young dangered plant species. cover feeding grounds are identified. ing growth, an opportunity exists librarians in their creative search to use forest fund lands and rec- for new forms of library services reational acreages for wild animal for people with disabilities and to breeding for up to a 49-year term. provide young librarians with the The list of harm compensa- opportunity to prove themselves in tion measures has also undergone the further development of librari- changes, as economic entities are anship in specialised libraries,” now entitled to choose compensa- Zakhra Makhanova, advisor to Li- tory events through infrastructure brary Director Askhat Baiuzakov, construction or reconstructing told baigenews.kz. existing fish stock complexes, as “It is no secret that today, most well as by scientific research fund- of the specialists are middle and ing or creating artificial spawning senior managers. Therefore, the grounds on flood plains and in the staffing problem is acute, but we

Photo credit: kazpravda.kz. Photo credit: marine environment. are trying to solve it by involving

Environment and Nature Conser- vation. Promoted by The Biodiversity Kazakhstan to introduce ‘blind’ Experts adopt joint programme... and Ecosystem Services Network Continued from Page B1 lem. Losses of the fertile soil layer continue to degrade. While by 2050, (BES-Net), the trialogue format is and nutrients negatively affect not we need to increase food production managed by the UNDP and aims to The UNDP supports the efforts only the state of natural ecosys- by 70 percent to ensure global food strengthen national capacities for peer review of textbooks of the Kazakh government to con- environmental conservation. tems, but also the quality of life of security, this could lead to hunger. In textbook quality in his state-of- serve biodiversity through more the local population. addition, the loss of productive land The forum gathered representa- By Yelena Levkovich the-nation address, noted Aim- efficient management of wetlands, According to United Nations’ drives forced migration,” said In- tives of three professional com- agambetov. As a result, the minis- pastures, steppe ecosystems and data, arid lands occupy 30 percent ternational Expert of UNDP Global munities, including governmental NUR-SULTAN – The Ministry try is taking specific measures to helps to prevent the threats of glob- of the earth’s surface in more than Centre for Policy and Promotion agencies, scientists and specialists of Education and Science is seek- provide schoolchildren with ap- al warming by promoting energy 100 countries where about two bil- Phillipa Francis Heylings. involved in agriculture and environ- ing to improve and renew the qual- propriate educational tools. conservation, rational use of land lion people currently live. When The event was organised by the mental issues in the Central Asian ity of school books through a sys- To facilitate the educational and water resources. Approximate- confirming the scenario proposed Kazakh Ministry of Ecology, Ge- region. According to the organisers, tem of blind peer review, reported process and decrease schoolbag ly 50 projects were implemented by the UN subject to the current ology and Natural Resources on the approaches used in the trialogue zakon.kz. weight, books for grades 1-10 and more than $60 million were rate of desertification, by 2025 the initiative of the UNDP in coop- ensure active interaction between Experts would not know the au- have been available on the min- allocated for these measures,” said every fifth inhabitant of the earth eration with the Intergovernmental the parties, allow participants to istry website since Sept.1 in in thor’s names, freeing them from UNDP Deputy Resident Repre- will live in land subject to drought. Science-Political Platform on Bio- talk about problems and share ex- undue pressure, said Minister EPUB (e-book) format. sentative Vitalie Vremis. “Currently, more than two billion diversity and Ecosystem Services periences of successful projects and Askhat Aimagambetov at the gov- Considering regular appeals Today, desertification and land hectares of productive land are de- (IPBES), the Pollinator Volunteer provide innovative prototypes for ernment meeting. from students, parents and even degradation are a global environ- graded around the world, and an ad- Coalition, in partnership with the best practices in the field of biodi- He criticised the existing sys- the teaching staff, officials support mental and socio-economic prob- ditional 12 million hectares annually German Federal Ministry of the versity and ecosystem services. tem of issuing school books and all efforts to minimise public criti- proposed a number of measures cism regarding the poor quality of including author training, reduc- school books. ing the size of educational manu- “We have to agree the majority cent of women and 13 percent of In terms of local income, hous- als and textbooks and blind peer of claims on book quality are jus- men aged 15-24 were unemployed ing in these cities is less affordable review. tified. The mistakes and problems in 2018. In Kyrgyzstan, 15 percent than in some of the world’s most WB data suggests... of women and 9 percent of men expensive cities such as San Fran- “In implementing the state pro- really exist; somebody can con- gramme, we have changed the ap- sider them just misprints or tech- Continued from Page B1 2009 through to today,” said the aged 15-28 were unemployed the cisco (U.S.), Sydney (Australia) proach to the school books’ peer nical errors, but the public has no press service. same year. and Vancouver (Canada). review and elaboration. Now, the interest in how it occurred,” he In the ensuing ten years, their The regional slowdown reflects Most people cannot afford to The World Bank recommends pedagogical community and ex- said. poverty rates have been even economic challenges, as well move to the bigger cities due to the policies that encourage faster wage perts are involved in discussion on The problem is systemic and the slower. On average, Tajikistan’s as difficulties for the vulnerable high cost of living. Residing in the growth, provide greater employ- textbooks’ layouts in the regions. main reasons are poor publishing poverty rate has been decreasing population segment to secure jobs capital is 190 percent more expen- ment opportunities for vulnerable All the books are placed in the expertise, lack of editors’ respon- one percent per year, from 25 per- with decent incomes. sive than the national average; Al- groups, remove legal restrictions public domain on the Internet for sibility and the small number of cent to a projected 13 percent in The likelihood of being unem- maty, 249 percent, and Tashkent, on domestic migration and expand process transparency,” he added. board members participating in 2019. Kyrgyzstan’s poverty rate ployed or receiving low wages is 550 percent. In addition, cities can the availability of affordable hous- Kazakh President Kassym- the adoption process, according to reduction dropped to nearly zero, higher for youth and women. In have legal restrictions that make it ing in growing and prosperous cit- Jomart Tokayev drew attention to state body data. “stalling at about 20 percent from Uzbekistan, for example, 25 per- difficult to move. ies. B6 NATION&CAPITAL TOURISM

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019 Nur-Sultan, Almaty among 10 most popular tourist cities in CIS kayev has said Kazakhstan could Considering the multiplicative By Yelena Levkovich become one of most inviting effect of the tourism industry, To- places for domestic and foreign kayev noted, the government, with NUR-SULTAN – The capital tourists while also developing as a the help of the Atameken National and Almaty are among the top ten global centre of ethno tourism. Chamber of Entrepreneurs, must most attractive tourist cities in the “We’ve already approved the attract businesspeople with new Commonwealth of Independent state sectoral programme. Its full guests houses, accommodations States (CIS), reported turstat.com. realisation will allow us to increase and food in the country’s recrea- The website ranks the most pop- the GDP tourism share up to 8 per- tion areas. ular destinations for autumn trav- cent. The number of inbound tour- National tourism growth is one ellers. The two cities, along with ists should grow up to nine million of Kazakhstan’s key priorities Dushanbe (Tajikistan), Minsk (Be- people and local ones to eight mil- and the closest goal is the capital larus), Tashkent (Uzbekistan) and lion. The tourism sphere involv- entering the 50 most competitive Yerevan (Armenia), are the most ing people ought to be increased and attractive global travel desti- frequently visited by CIS citizens. to 650,000,” he said at a tourism nations. In conjunction with the The capital appeals international forum in Ulytau in the centre of effort, the government plans to en- tourists as a shopping hub. The Kazakhstan last August. gage international companies and average tab for a 24-hour-stay, The President also noted the organisations to further promote including accommodations and need to provide access to the coun- tourism. food, is approximately $70. try’s tourist potential with the help Assistance is needed from the The country is becoming more of creative and innovation solu- legislative base for developing popular among foreign visitors. tions. Nur-Sultan and the government is Two Kazakh travel videos, which “It should be an integrated appli- addressing the matter, said Prime received an equal number of nomi- cation or a platform which could Minister Askar Mamin. Prelimi- nations at Russia’s third tourist provide visitors with all the need- nary estimates based on state festival, show the great interest in ed information about Kazakhstan measures project tourism will the country. and, first of all, about Ulytau and comprise 8 percent of the coun- President Kassym-Jomart To- The Botanical Garden in Nur-Sultan. other historical places,” he added. try’s GDP by 2025. Kazakhstan to introduce tax-free Salam Air to open direct flights between system, bed tax to lure tourists Omani capital and Almaty, Nur-Sultan combined effect of direct flights Kazakh President Kassym- included in the list of national ob- The bill also includes measures By Aidana Yergaliyeva between the two countries, the vi- Jomart Tokayev instructed at a ma- By Assel Satubaldina jects in the tourist map.” to improve the system that guar- sa-free regime and favourable cli- jor Oct. 8 meeting on Nur-Sultan’s The businesses that occupy these antees the rights of the citizens in NUR-SULTAN – Omani low- matic conditions during summer in development to increase the num- NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh territories and run tourism facili- outbound tourism. cost carrier Salam Air plans to Kazakhstan will increase the num- ber of international flights. Ministry of Culture and Sports ties will be eligible for investment A separate set of amendments open Almaty-Muscat direct flights ber of Omani tourists visiting the “It is important to connect the presented amendments to the law privileges, including tax breaks. deals with the development of with a frequency of seven flights country. on tourism Oct. 10 at the plenary The tourism map in the national hunting and support of farm hunt- capital by direct flights with the per week in March 2020 and Nur- Oman considers giving Kazakh leading cities of the world and in- session of the Kazakh Mazhilis tourism development programme ing entrepreneurship. Sultan-Muscat in autumn 2020. citizens a possibility to obtain (lower house of Parliament). The adopted by the Kazakh govern- Bisakayev said the current popu- ternational financial centres. It is Kazakh and Omani aviation au- electronic visas. In the near future, necessary to open the sky. This is bill includes 60 amendments, in- ment in May prioritises ten tourist lation of many rare species in Ka- thorities inked a memorandum of Kazakh citizens will be able to ob- my instruction to the government,” cluding the introduction of a tax- locations in Kazakhstan. zakhstan is stable. understanding Oct. 8 that gives tain visas to Oman at its airports he said then. free system and bed tax for foreign These include Alakol Lake, the The licensing of tourism activity the right for air carriers of both and other border points. tourists. Almaty Region mountain cluster, in inbound and outbound tourism countries to operate 14 passenger Kazakh Civil Aviation Com- Salam Air is based and head- The introduction of a tax-free Shchuchinsk and Borovoe resort is expected to switch to notifica- and 14 scheduled cargo flights per mittee Chair Talgat Lastayev and quartered at Muscat International system is meant to attract more areas, Bayanaul resort area in the tion only. week, reported the press service of Omani Ministry of Transport and Airport in Oman. It flies to many tourists, particularly from far Pavlodar Region, Imantau-Shalkar The Kazakh Tourism national the Civil Aviation Committee of Communication’s Air Transport international destinations such as abroad, stimulate tourist purchas- resort area, Lake Balkhash, develop- company, established in 2017 and the Kazakh Ministry of Industry Department Director Salim al- Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United ing power and encourage purchas- ment of historical and cultural tour- tasked with tourism development, and Infrastructural Development. Husseini signed the document. Arab Emirates, Turkey, Qatar, Ku- es within the country. Kazakhstan ism in Turkestan, the development will receive the competencies to Kazakhstan introduced a 30- According to the data from the wait, Iran, Nepal, Iraq, Georgia, studied the experience of Europe- of beach tourism in Mangistau, the implement the tasks in the bill that day visa-free regime for Omani Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Af- Bangladesh, Bahrain and Azerbai- an Union countries, Japan, South development of MICE (meetings, was developed in line with the citizens, along with citizens of 11 fairs, Oman invested $253.2 mil- jan. The airline operates 3 A320- Korea, Singapore and Turkey. incentives, conferences and exhi- instruction of Kazakhstan’s First other countries Sept. 30. lion in Kazakhstan between 2005 200s leased from South America’s Vice Minister of Culture and bitions) tourism in Nur-Sultan and President, Nursultan Nazarbayev, The committee expects the and 2018. LATAM Group. Sports Urken Bisakayev, who pre- development of the Baikonur tourist in September 2018 during the sented the bill, said the document zone at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. fourth session of the Kazakh Par- introduces the term of a priority The bill also legally defines liament. tourist territory that the bill defines terms such as medical tourism, so- The bill will be discussed by a as the “territory with a special po- cial tourism, hunting tourism and working group headed by Mazhilis tential for tourism development, tourism infrastructure. Deputy Taras Khituov. Khan’s residence gives a Photo credit: pennmedicine.org. Photo credit: unique glimpse into history Kazakh and Omani aviation authorities inked a memorandum of understanding on Oct. 8 Continued from Page B1 the Kazakh people] leader Ablai a books state that his son, Uali, lived wooden house.” in the residence. Several generations of histori- Documents had elaborate build- The museum that is now occu- ans searched for documents that ing plans, which historians and pying the residence has a lot more would prove that it, in fact, once renovators used to restore the resi- history to offer. They focus on Ab- Nur-Sultan hosts UN urban was a residence, while others tried dence and replicate the outside de- ylai’s life, his career as a politician to show that this particular build- sign and the inner structure. and the contribution he made to ing was not, that changes in mean- Discovery of these documents the unity of Kazakh people. Visi- ings of words over centuries made still did not solve all the controver- tors will be able to see documents, tourism summit Continued from Page A1 people misunderstand the location sies. Ablai Khan became a khan traditional clothing, weaponry and problems in the country, smart sys- what tourists you want to welcome of the residence. only 1771, though he had been a decorations, will learn about Aby- tem should be a significant part of at your destination, then plan and Tourism makes up nearly 10 per- Historians found documents in khan of the Small Zhuz, which in- lai’s journey to the leader of the planning,” he said. design, the key step. Then discover cent of the global gross domestic 2003 in the archives of the Russian cluded the Petropavlovsk Region. nation and see Abylai’s statue on “We border Russia and China where they stay, their profiles, what Ministry of Foreign Affairs, such For him living in this mansion a throne. product, seven percent of invest- and there are a lot of transport cor- they seek to focus on. You build as instructions from the Chancel- would be counterproductive to his The entrance to the museum is ments, ten percent of jobs and 5 ridors. We need to have the oppor- you marketing campaign based on lor of the Russian Empire to Sibe- political actions, he knew that liv- free of charge. It is located at 1b percent of tax payments. tunity to monitor how many tour- these three steps,” he said. rian and Orenburg governors “to ing in a house made by Russians Sutyusheva Street, Petropavlovsk “The Kazakh tourism sector has ists come, where they stay, so we Local engagement is equally build Kirghiz-Kaisak [this is how would not gain him points with and is open Tuesday-Sunday from grown, on average, by seven per- could plan our resources,” added important, said UNWTO Market the Russian Empire referred to steppe population. Some history 10am to 6pm. cent in the last ten years, which is Sadvakassov. Intelligence and Competitiveness almost three percent higher than in Chief Sandra Carvao. other sectors of the economy. Tour- Nur-Sultan stands “Community should be involved ism is also an important part of our in the tourism development. It diversification,” said Mamin. at the forefront of needs first to understand the im- Nur-Sultan stands at the fore- portance of tourism, not only its front of the country’s efforts to the country’s efforts economic impact but people to integrate digital and technological to integrate digital people contacts and cultural ex- solutions, he added. change. Tourism is a very horizon- The concept of a smart destina- and technological tal sector. It deals with every sup- tion starts from the very planning ply chain,” said Carvao. of a trip, said Kazakh Tourism solutions. Gastronomy could also serve to company Deputy Chair Kairat attract tourists to cities, said UN- Sadvakassov. Global Head of Advertising and WTO Secretary General Zurab Po- “We try to take care of it, when Tourism Organisations at Amade- lolikashvili. tourists plan the trip. We need to us Ramon Sanchez said the defini- “It is an important part of our use any technology to attract tour- tion of an ideal tourism destination travels. Many travel just to try lo- ists when they only plan or just varies across the country, but right cal food and try restaurants. We try think about trip, so they know what approach to planning might be a to create new destinations for gas- to expect. When they are here, solution. tronomy tourism, we do this also most important, apart from trying The smart city, he noted, capital- in urban tourism. Vice mayors and to make them happy, the country ises on three steps of identifying, mayors are those who think about

Photo credit: qazaqstan3d.kz Photo credit: should not get oversaturated with planning and discovering. it every day, because a lot of things The residence today. tourists. Sometimes tourists face “First, you should determine depend on tourism,” he said. B7 NATION&CAPITAL SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019 Olga Rypakova wins gold at seventh CISM World Games in China games is, too. This medal is really Rypakova thanked Tokayev for The Kazakh team secured four By Assel Satubaldina ours and the victory belongs to all his praise. gold, three silver and five bronze of us. Because without my fans, “I would like to express my grati- medals, placing the country 12th NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s without support and faith, it would tude to the head of state for his con- in the final medal ranking. Ruslan prominent track and field athlete be much more difficult for me. It gratulations. The appreciation of my Zhapparov won gold in taekwondo and London Olympic champion becomes easier not to give up when success from the President of Ka- in the 87-kilogram division. Olga Rypakova claimed gold in you know that the country believes zakhstan means a lot. It motivates The two additional golds came in the triple jump at the seventh In- in you. I share this success with each me to be even stronger, faster and boxing. 2018 Incheon Asian Games ternational Military Sports Council of you and once again I say thank more successful, because I repre- silver medallist Aslanbek Shym- (CISM) World Games Oct. 18-27 in you from the bottom of my heart,” sent our big country at all competi- bergenov, 26, won in the 69-kilo- Wuhan, China. she wrote on her Instagram account. tions,” she said. gram weight division and World Rypakova jumped 14.16 metres. President Kassym-Jomart To- Organised in 1995, the CISM Series of Boxing (WSB) team The silver medal went to Ottavia kayev offered his congratulations. World Games are held every four champion Temirtas Zhussupov in Chestonaro of Italy (13.78 metres) “Our famous athlete Olga Rypa- years. China hosted the games for the 49-kilogram division. Instagram account Olga Rypakova’s Photo credit: and bronze to Ana José Tima of the kova won a gold medal in the strong the first time with President Xi “I am so happy to win the gold Olga Rypakova during the games. Dominican Republic (13.54 metres). competition. Olga’s brilliant sports Jinping attending the opening cer- again,” said Shymbergenov, report- Originally a heptathlete, Rypa- career and her big triumphs can emony. ed Xinhua news agency. power, but I was able to score with final medal ranking winning 239 kova began competing in the triple only motivate and inspire. Only Nearly 8,000 athletes from 109 “I fought a very technical fight, straight punching combinations,” medals (133 gold, 64 silver, and 42 jump in 2007 with great success. forward!” he posted on his Twitter nations competed across 32 sports, just as my coach had asked me he added. bronze), followed by Russia (161) “Gold is ours! The win in the account. claiming 1,021 medals. to do. My opponent had a lot of The host nation was first in the and Brazil (88). Athletes win two medals at AIBA Figure skaters win bronze Women’s World Boxing Championship medal, secure spot in World came the best at the Kazakh Na- finals of the category up to 64 zym Kyzaybay, lost the first bout By Nazira Kozhanova tional Championship. Since 2016, kilogrammes, Safronova had a to Japan’s Namiki Tsukumi. As a the women’s boxing team has not wonderful competitive fight. The result, she did not get any medal in NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh ath- been able to secure the gold medal judges ruled in favour of the rival, the competition. Championship 2020 letes won two bronze medals Oct. at the world championship. Now, but we thought the opposite. We “In the weight up to 51 kilo- they skated very badly. That is why 12 at the International Boxing As- we are waiting for a (Olympic) sent a protest, which, unfortunate- grammes, Nazym Kyzaybay losing By Galiya Khassenkhanova I set the goal for them for Almaty: sociation (AIBA) Women’s World licenses tournament. Before that, ly, did not affect the decision made the first game was a disappointment no matter what, with blood, sweat Boxing Championship 2019 in we will work on the mistakes and earlier,” he noted. for many. She will now throw all NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh fig- and tears they have to perform both Ulan-Ude, Russia, reported Olym- make changes,” said Kazakh na- Dina Islambekova, (over 81 kil- her energy into preparing for the ure skaters Maxine Weatherby programmes clean. I had a plan to pic.kz. tional female boxing team head ogrammes), lost to China’s Xiaoli (Olympic) licenses tournament. and Temirlan Yerzhanov took the get enough points to qualify for the “We can’t say that we are satis- coach Erik Algabek. Young to take the bronze. There is a lot of work ahead, includ- bronze at the Denis Ten Memorial Four Continents Figure Skating fied with the performance of the Milana Safronova, competing “In the over 81 kilogramme cat- ing the selection,” said Algabek. Challenge, scoring enough points Championship and World Cham- girls, because at the world champi- in the 64 kilogramme weight cat- egory, Dina Islambekova, who not Kazakh boxers Akerke to participate in next year’s Four pionship 2020, because there is no onship we could not win the gold egory, lost in the semi-finals to It- so long ago moved from the junior Bakhytzhan, Alua Balkibekova, Continents and World figure skating saying how many pairs will be on medals. The team that performed aly’s Angela Carini. The fight had level competition, delivered the re- Aizhan Khojabekova, Dariga championships, reported zakon.kz the other tournaments. The guys at the world championship gath- a very close call and the Kazakh sult. At the world cup, she came in Shakimova, Fariza Sholtai, Rim- Oct 14. Their medal was the only one understood the importance of the ered experienced athletes who team filed a complaint about the third and I think that this is a good ma Volosenko and Dina Zholaman for the country at the event, which Almaty tournament and performed participated in competitions more judgement. result,” he added. also competed in the champion- closed Oct 12 in Almaty. well. There were mistakes, but we than once. In addition, they all be- “At the world cup in the semi- The team’s initial favourite, Na- ship. Weatherby and Yerzhanov par- scored more than we thought and ticipated in the Senior Ice Dance I think big results are soon to be category, where they were required seen,” said their coach Evgeniy Pla- to perform a rhythm dance and free dance. They scored 60.49 in the for- mer, a record for the pair, and 95.69 “I dreamed of Asia Track Cycling Championship in the latter, totalling 156.17. First place went to Germany’s Katha- performing in rina Muller and Tim Frederik Dieck Kazakhstan. Even with 173.07 and second to Adelina athlete brings 7 medals to Kazakhstan Galyavieva and Louis Thauron of the walls help when Artem Zakharov scored 127 with 135 points and Shin Dongin in women’s short track, with Hui France with 165.64. By Nazira Kozhanova points to capture the silver in the from South Korea the bronze with Shi from Hong Kong winning gold The scores will allow the Kazakh you’re at home.” omnium competition. Eiya Hashi- a score of 121. and Yuka Kobayashi from Japan pair to compete in the two events. NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh senior moto from Japan won the gold Rinata Sultanova took the silver earning bronze, reported hk.sports. To participate, pairs need to score tov, a two-time Olympic, four-time and junior athletes won one gold, appledaily.com. more than 33 points in rhythm World and three-time European three silver and three bronze med- Zakharov and Roman Vasilenk- dance and 47 points in free dance at champion. als Oct. 17-19 at the Asia Track ov received the bronze in the Mad- an official international tournament Weatherby and Yerzhanov have Cycling Championship in Seoul, ison competition. Athletes from in the current season. trained together for 14 months, for South Korea, reported Olympic.kz. South Korea won the race and a “I dreamed of performing in Ka- while working with Platov, he had Andrei Chugai took the gold pair from Japan took the silver. zakhstan. Even the walls help when been unable to find a suitable part- in the timed race, completing the Kazakh cyclists also won two you’re at home. I felt much calmer ner for two and a-half years. Weath- one-kilometre distance in 1.01639 bronze medals in team competi- and so did my partner. We were a lit- erby previously skated singles. minutes. He was followed in sec- tions. Juniors Alexander Bekenov, tle nervous in training. We are hap- “Temirlan inspired me to dance ond and third places by Malaysia’s Dmitry Potapenko, Dmitry Nosk- py with our performance. I hope we on ice; now, I understand that danc- Zonis Mohid and China’s Lu Tsi, ov and Bauyrzhan Zhaparuly took deserved the points we were given,” ing on ice is a wonderful discipline. respectively. Kazakh athlete Ser- third in the chase race, topped by said Yerzhanov. I am honoured to represent Kazakh- gei Ponomaryov was fifth, report- teams South Korea and China. The medal is their first. The pair stan,” she said. ed sports.kz. Similarly, Ulyana Sukhorebrik, previously participated in this year’s The pair will now prepare for Alisher Zhumakan won the sil- Kristina Titovskaya, Kristina Stu- Bavarian Open and Lake Placid Ice the Four Continents Figure Skat- ver medal in individual pursuit, zhuk and Akpeil Osim took bronze Dance International, where they fin- ing Championship, to be held in losing to Senhun Pak from South in the junior competition, topped ished eighth and 12th, respectively. South Korea in January-February,

Korea. Fellow South Korean Ken- Olympic.kz. Photo credit: by teams from South Korean and “The first two starts for -Temir and World Championship 2020 in ho Min was third. Roman Vasilenkov China. lan and Maxine were catastrophic, Canada in March. B8 NATION&CAPITAL CAPITAL

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019 President urges acceleration of Nur-Sultan development unacceptable situation. Allocated He also stressed the importance Tokayev instructed the Kazakh By Aidana Yergaliyeva sites should be with ready-made of involving more private partners government and the city akimat connections to all networks,” the in the construction of schools and “to set specific deadlines for the re- NUR-SULTAN – President President said. preschool institutions to eliminate sumption of work and the comple- Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined Tokayev also stressed that the shortages. tion of the first phase of the LRT, the most pressing challenges fac- share of non-cash payments of Tokayev also directed officials as well as determine the schedule ing the Kazakh capital and directed only 9 percent “not only causes in- to repair and build new sports fa- and mechanism for the implemen- city officials and other government convenience to residents and visi- cilities. tation of the second stage.” bodies to fix them during a major tors of the city, but also leads to the The capital should also develop In addition to this, he directed Oct. 8 meeting on Nur-Sultan’s de- growth of the ‘shadow economy’.” a “city without outskirts” prin- city officials to better manage the velopment. “The Ministry of Finance, to- ciple, he said. This would mean capital’s transportation system Tokayev said investment in Nur- gether with the city akimat, needs building and repairing roads, en- and to solve Nur-Sultan’s traffic Sultan has declined for the first to take under strict control the hancing central communications congestion problem. In particular, time in 10 years and instructed the presence of cash registers and card and ensuring street lighting on the he said the city needs to ease traf- Nur-Sultan Akimat (city adminis- terminals at retail outlets in the city outskirts of the city, including the fic congestion on Saraishyk and tration) and the Kazakh Ministry and the service sector,” he said. Michurin, Internatsionalnyi and Saryarka streets. He also urged of Foreign Affairs to intensify ef- In addition, he said, the capital’s Kuigenzhar residential districts. officials to build a bridge across forts in attracting the investment to food stores set high prices for gro- Tokayev also criticised trans- the Yesil River to Tauelsizdіk Av- develop the city. ceries, which “testify to the weak- portation within the city. The most enue. “Nur-Sultan should remain a ness of the infrastructure and food pressing problem is light rail tran- Nur-Sultan should also continue city with a favourable economic posed to be completed this year. prehensible question. How did belt of the city and the shortage of sit (LRT) construction, he said. to develop the availability of pub- and business environment. One of However, the completion date has this happen? 2.7 billion tenge trading places.” Although the President said in July lic services in English on the one the priorities is to attract invest- been pushed back several times (US$6.93 million) envisaged for Tokayev tasked the Nur-Sultan that the project has a high risk of window principle for foreign ex- ment. The capital has always been and design and estimate documen- this year will be redistributed to Akimat and the akimats of the burdening the state budget, the perts and investors, he said. a leader in attracting investment tation have become outdated dur- other regions. This is despite the nearest regions, Akmola, Karagan- LRT construction cannot be termi- “For this, the akimat needs to and should remain so,” he said. ing this time. The project cost has fact that you should first of all da and Pavlodar regions, to estab- nated at the point. use the resource and experience The President also noted infra- also risen to more than 40 billion think about the gas supply of the lish direct contact between produc- “The first thing that did not al- of the Expat Centre of the Astana structural problems that slow busi- tenge (US$102.62 million). capital, since in winter, you know ers and distribution networks. low suspending this project was International Financial Centre,” he ness development in the capital, The capital city’s lack of readi- what the picture looks like – the Tokayev also addressed the so- international obligations. The said. including a slowdown in housing ness to connect to the Saryarka gas city is in smog,” he said. cial well-being of capital residents, contracts are signed, there is arbi- Tokayev also instructed the construction, reported the Akorda pipeline is another example of de- Business development has also saying the capital’s population tration. Arbitration is already the akimat and government to exam- press service. To date, Nur-Sultan layed infrastructure, said Tokayev. slowed down with problems as- growth and influx of new resi- obligation of the state. The conse- ine building codes to improve the has 49 problematic buildings and The pipeline should have already sociated with connecting to utility dents are burdening current social quences will be much more serious safety of citizens. 13,500 stakeholders waiting for replaced coal as a source of energy networks. infrastructure as well as primarily in terms of financial obligations. “Since the beginning of this housing projects to be completed. and, as a result, improved the envi- “Often land is put up for auc- educational and healthcare institu- Therefore, we went for optimisa- year, there have been 14 accidents Tokayev also pointed to delays ronmental situation in Nur-Sultan tion without technical conditions tions, he said. tion, renounced a loan from the related to the fall of children from in the construction of energy facil- and along the pipeline route, which to connect to communications. Or The Central Railway Hospital, Chinese Development Bank,” said windows and balconies. I consider ities, including the thermal power runs through the Zhezkazgan, the previously prescribed technical for instance, has not been renovat- Nur-Sultan Akim (Mayor) Altay it necessary to strengthen spe- station No. 3. The facility began Karaganda and Temirtau regions. conditions during the construction ed in 60 years and is in urgent need Kulginov on the sidelines of the cific safety parameters in building construction in 2010 and was sup- “This is generally an incom- are changed to others. This is an of repairs, he said. meeting, reported tengrinews.kz. codes,” he said. ASA Charity Bazaar brings Kazakh capital spirit of goodwill munities and organisations and and organisations themselves to equipment. You can see those hap- astonishing,” said ASA President encourage people to recycle and to By Aidana Yergaliyeva help low-income families, as well connect with people and have a py faces when a child who was sit- and spouse of the Swiss Ambassa- make eco-friendly choices in their as institutions, fulfil their basic better understanding of their chal- ting on a wheelchair is now stand- dor Luzia Sebesta Schmid. everyday lives. We feel privileged NUR-SULTAN – Are you excit- needs. lenges. The trips represent the vol- ing thanks to this equipment,” said The ambassadors’ spouses have to contribute in this way to this ed about exploring new cultures? “We were happy to work in untary work that association mem- Charity Committee member and an average four-year term in beautiful country in which we live Do you like to help charities? The many different fields ranging from bers do in their free time. spouse of Czech ambassador Dáša the country; therefore, the char- for a while,” said Kivikoski. Association of Spouses of Ambas- daily basic needs to educational “I find that it is not always that Hyklová. “As Maria mentioned, it ity management rotates constantly. The annual bazaar’s “problem sadors (ASA) welcomes everyone ones which we pioneered,” Maria we are giving and they are receiv- is both ways; we got huge inspira- This, in turn, always brings new was always the plastic bags,” said to do both in one day Dec. 1 during Kivikoski, ASA Charity Commit- ing; it is two directions. We are tion from people who work in this ideas to improve its work. Schmid. This year, ASA will try to the 12th Christmas Charity Bazaar tee Chair and spouse of the Finn- also receiving a lot from them,” area, not only parents, but also “It is also about exchanging replace them entirely with cotton at the Radisson Hotel Astana in the ish ambassador, told The Astana she said. physiotherapists, nurses or volun- opinions. We can learn from (an or paper. capital. Times. “It is very rewarding to see par- teers.” analysis of) how they do it here, “Last year, we already had 800 The ASA’s annual event is a fest ASA members involved in the ents of handicapped children when “We come from these visits and how we do it back home and (how cotton bags that the British embas- where one can get a taste of the charity often try to visit families ASA can help them to buy some we are full of emotions. For new- it is done) in other countries,” said sy sponsored. This year, we will multitude of cultures represented comers, it is not easy the first time Kivikoski. get 3,000. The first ones who visit by the embassies in the country. you go and see these people. It is The charity committee also tries us will get a free bag,” she noted. The bazaar is accompanied by the very emotional, but also inspira- to encourage bigger projects that The Czech embassy initiated the Grand Raffle, where visitors can tional,” she added. bring change to larger communi- first Christmas Charity Bazaar in win prizes such as traditional bas- The seemingly simplest and ties. Kazakhstan in 2008. The idea was kets donated by embassies, jew- smallest things can be life chang- “Those projects are very inter- to start a tradition in the capital, ellery, watches, electronic appli- ing to many people. esting, [such as] when a teacher which has been present in many ances or restaurant gift certificates, “Two years ago when I was on asks for some kind of special de- European countries for many as well as trips to popular holiday the committee, it was so impressive vice and it will help more students years. destinations or even a car. for me. The association for people who use and develop through it. “The first charity bazaar was The bazaar’s main contribution who are blind and short sighted But we don’t judge if one thing very successful, also thanks to the is its help in improving the lives of asked for 80 pairs of glasses, but I is more important or not,” said big support of the Radisson Ho- everyday Kazakhs who find them- didn’t realise this made such a big Hyklová. tel… While there were 15 stalls selves in difficult situations. difference for the people. If you In addition, the association en- at that time, through the years the In 2018, the bazaar raised nearly don’t have money to buy glasses, courages people to be more envi- interest of different embassies to 38 million tenge (US$97,692) that you can’t cross a street. Just get ronmentally conscious. The com- participate in the bazaar has grown helped the association complete 50 glasses for your eyes and you are ing charity bazaar, in particular, to the current 50 national stalls and projects. The works covered small more independent and you can go will be as green as possible. 10 more from various schools and settlements, villages, towns and and do the shopping yourself; you “This year, we will make sure organisations. This is an opportu- other regional cities in tackling a can cross the street but without that our bazaar is as eco-friendly as nity to present their charity work range of typical problems. ASA re- L-R: ASA Charity Committee Chair and spouse of the Finnish ambassador these, you have to stay at home. possible. With this aspect in mind, and also to sell self-made prod- Maria Kivikoski, ASA President and spouse of the Swiss Ambassador Luzia directs funds to projects that solve Sebesta Schmid, Charity Committee member and spouse of Czech ambassador It made such a big impact; I was we are currently looking for pro- ucts. It earns additional money for challenges for individuals, com- Dáša Hyklová. impressed to realise. It is really jects which would, for example, their needs,” Schmid added. Astana Hub, UNICEF launch Social Innovation Lab to solve children’s social problems youth with access to governmental we have a legislative restriction gies we can track people’s move- Kazakhstan, we need to determine new ideas and opportunities in Staff Report services, attract their attention to that teenage girls cannot go to a ments and take preventive meas- what the exact problems are and this direction. Themes for future projects and give them a chance to gynaecologist appointment with- ures so that viruses will not spread. work on them,” he said. projects are not yet determined. NUR-SULTAN – Astana Hub express their national interests in out their parents. In such cases, the This is one of the examples when He noted children face many However, globally there are a lot and the United Nations Children’s forming public policies. girl can ask questions through an digital innovations and technolo- challenges in today’s world. of possibilities to help children us- Fund (UNICEF) have launched “While the start-ups will devise app or other digital means,” said gies can help children. Regarding “With Astana Hub, we promote ing technologies,” he noted. Social Innovation Lab, which will a prototype or modify their pro- Dossymkhanov. create favourable conditions for jects, our objective is to provide He gave another example of a supporting and developing pro- them with technical specialists and project that will collect data on jects aimed at children and their mentors who will educate them on child abuse and notify relevant interests. business matters. We appreciate government agencies. “The goal of the lab is to pilot Microsoft’s participation because “This is one of the solutions projects that will solve children’s they have the technologies and the that will help collect data from all social problems using IT innova- competency,” he noted. schools in one place and quickly tions. We focus on this. IT solu- The lab, which currently has 30 work on such cases. Children do tions allow broader coverage of partners, will allow them to incubate, not always call hot lines in such the issue because the main prob- develop and modify publicly avail- situations; they do not wish to dis- lem is people’s ignorance of social able products and services for kids close their identity. That is why support methods and children’s using a large amount of data. They it is important to keep it anony- problems,” said Social Innovation will also be able to use artificial in- mous,” he added. Lab head Asset Dossymkhanov. telligence, computer training, virtual UNICEF representative in Ka- The lab will give the govern- and augmented reality technologies, zakhstan Arthur van Diesen spoke ment, corporate and commercial block chain and other methods. about an epidemic that spreads sector partners, civic initiatives “We have a project that will pro- through social contact and provid- and scientific circles the opportu- vide consultations for mothers. ed reasons why it is important to nity to implement innovations and We can make a similar applica- track children’s movements. create user-oriented design. The tion for children and distribute it “Everything is online now; that UNICEF in Kazakhstan. Photo credit: projects will provide children and in schools. Moreover, for example, is why with the help of technolo- UNICEF representative in Kazakhstan Arthur van Diesen (C) with the participants of the event.