-6°C /-2°C Wednesday, January 14, 2015 No 1 (67) www.astanatimes.com Kazakhstan Steps Up Efforts in EBRD to Lend 10 Billion Tenge for Search for Peace in Eastern Ukraine On-lending to Small Businesses in Kazakhstan, Damu Fund to Act as Guarantor by MSMEs outside the country’s By Michelle Witte urban centres. The loan will be the first action under the EBRD’s new GAITHERSBURG, MD – The $200 million Kazakhstan MSME European Bank for Reconstruc- Framework, which intends to in- tion and Development has agreed crease access to medium-term lo- to provide a five-year loan of 10 cal currency funding for MSMEs billion tenge (US$54.7 million) to in the country. Kazakhstan’s Bank CentreCredit The loan will be guaranteed by for on-lending to micro, small and the Damu Entrepreneurship Devel- medium-sized businesses in the opment Fund and accompanied by country, the EBRD reported on a technical assistance programme Dec. 23. At least 60 percent of the to build BCC’s internal capacities loan will be earmarked for busi- in the MSME sector. Funds will be nesses outside the country’s two channelled through local commer- main cities, Astana and Almaty. cial banks, microfinance organisa- Bank CentreCredit (BCC) is Ka- tions and leasing companies that zakhstan’s sixth largest bank, with focus on projects in rural areas, a network of 20 branches, and while technical assistance tailored works with micro, small and me- to each partner financial institu- dium-sized businesses (MSMEs) tion will be provided as part of the President Nursultan Nazarbayev (l) of Kazakhstan had an informal meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to promote bilateral cooperation as well as regularly. The loan is intended to package. discuss the situation in Ukraine in Berlin on Jan. 9. help improve access to financing Continued on Page A5

that is why I am ready to continue and impasse over the lingering ceded by two successive visits of By Zhanara Abdulova talking to leaders in both Kyiv and crisis. President Nazarbayev to Kyiv and Moscow, as well as in European Ukrainian President Petro Po- Moscow, during which the Kazakh ASTANA – Amid the ongoing capitals, in a bid to promote pro- roshenko was first to announce on leader discussed with his coun- Eurasian Economic pressure and sanctions between gress in negotiations over lasting Dec. 29 that a meeting in the so- terparts ways of overcoming the the West, Russia and Ukraine, peace in eastern Ukraine,” Presi- called Normandy Format will be Ukrainian crisis. President Nursultan Nazarbayev dent Nazarbayev maintained dur- held in the Kazakh capital Astana After the meetings, Nazarbayev Union Launches of Kazakhstan said recently that he ing his annual end-of-year news on Jan. 15. Moscow, for its part, again discussed the issue in his holds out hope for a chance to rec- briefing last December. confirmed Jan. 15 as a possible telephone conversations with oncile the opposing parties, bring- Despite mounting tensions, date for the meeting on Ukraine. President Poroshenko, President in Challenging Times ing them to the negotiating table to some of the opponents seem to The announcement of that date, of France Francois Hollande and By Michelle Witte the three countries saw their po- agree on a common stance. brighten up on hearing there still since then negotiated extensively Chancellor of Germany Angela sitions in the World Bank’s Do- “Both Ukraine and Russia are exists a push for peace in the but with no confirmation from the Merkel. The long-awaited Eurasian ing Business Report improve. It equally close to Kazakhstan and midst of widespread pessimism four participating parties, was pre- Continued on Page A8 Economic Union (EEU), the sin- is hoped that the new union will gle market for goods, services and continue that process. labour uniting Armenia, Belarus, EEU leaders have expressed Kazakhstan and Russia, has taken interest in making official trade effect, though dire conditions in contacts with potential partners the union’s largest economy may including the EU immediately, Government, National Bank Project 4-5% be dampening some enthusiasm and the union is currently in ne- for the launch. gotiations over free trade zones The EEU agreement went into with India, Israel, Turkey, Uzbeki- effect on Jan. 1 for Belarus, Ka- stan and Vietnam. Russian Deputy Economic Growth in 2015 zakhstan and Russia, with Arme- Foreign Minister Vasily Nebenzya political instability caused by the barrel at the end of June 2014 to will be aimed at mitigating the effects nia officially joining on Jan. 2. has said that some 40 countries or By Danna Bupezhanova conflict in Ukraine and consequent $63 per barrel on Dec. 22. of external factors to ensure social Kyrgyzstan is set to join in May, state groups have expressed will- introduction of reciprocal sanctions Kazakhstan’s economy grew 4.2 and economic stability in the country. and Tajikistan is in discussions ingness to create free trade zones ASTANA – The Government and by the United States and the Euro- percent during January-November, The communiqué highlights about joining. with the EEU, Sputnik Interna- the National Bank of Kazakhstan pean Union on the one hand and the document said. In January-Oc- three main directions, including The new union is organised into tional reported on Dec. 31. will seek to achieve real economic Russia on the other hand, resulted in tober, its foreign trade turnover de- conducting countercyclical eco- several governing bodies. Su- Unlimited access to the procure- growth in the country of 4-5 per- destabilisation of macroeconomic creased by 8.3 percent compared nomic policy through the imple- preme authority rests with the Su- ment markets of other member cent next year, the two organisa- situation, the communiqué stated. to the same period in 2013. Due to mentation of the state programme preme Eurasian Economic Coun- states is also a major benefit, as tions said in a joint communiqué on Accelerating growth of the gross the fall in world prices for oil and of infrastructure development cil, which is made up of the heads is increasing cross-border trade major directions of economic poli- domestic product (GDP) in the base metals and decrease in the Nurly Zhol for 2015-2019, in- of state of the member nations. across Kazakhstan and Russia’s cy for 2015 published on Dec. 24. United States and the completion volume of exports of oil, coal, fer- creasing the competitiveness of The Eurasian Economic Commis- long land border and attracting The document reviews econom- of the third round of the Federal roalloys, copper and aluminium, Kazakhstan’s economy and sup- sion (EEC) operates as its regu- foreign investors seeking access to ic situation in Kazakhstan in 2014, Reserve’s quantitative easing pro- Kazakhstan’s commodity exports porting small and medium-sized latory body, with an EEU court Russia’s larger market to take ad- underlining negative effects of ag- gramme led to the strengthening of decreased by 4.9 percent. Imports enterprises (SMEs). The priorities in Minsk and the EEU Develop- vantage of investment incentives gravating economic conditions in the U.S. dollar and rising interest of goods decreased by 14.5 percent also include maintaining macro- ment Bank in Astana. The new in Kazakhstan. Access to trans- the world and outlining plans on rates, which, along with the in- due to the reduction in imports of economic stability and ensuring fi- common market comprises more port infrastructure will be eased fighting consequences of their in- crease in the extraction of shale oil machinery and equipment, chemi- nancial stability through strength- than 170 million people and has and transport costs and timelines fluence in 2015. in the U.S., resulted in the decrease cal products and food products. ening the financial system and the a combined gross domestic prod- are expected to be lowered. With The general slowdown of eco- of the world price for Brent crude According to the statement, in recovery of the banking sector. uct, calculated reflecting purchas- new rail and roadways in progress, nomic growth and increasing geo- oil by 45.2 percent, from $115 per 2015, Kazakhstan’s economic policy Continued on Page A4 ing power parity, of more than $4 transport is hoped to become a trillion. major new sector of Kazakhstan’s The EEU, Kazakh leaders have economy. repeatedly stressed, is purely eco- For the union’s citizens, as this nomic. Writing for the European newspaper has noted, paperwork Council on Foreign Relations on requirements will be slashed, and Astana, Ankara Want to Grow Jan. 12, Dosym Satpayev, direc- accessing work permits and pen- tor of the Risk Assessment Group sions across the EEU should be as and co-founder of the Alliance simple as in citizens’ home coun- of Analytical Organisations of tries. Medical care and education, Mutual Trade to $10 Billion, Kazakhstan, noted that it was at including preschool access, is also Astana’s initiative that the un- to be available in all member coun- ion’s basic principles contain tries to all citizens of the union. language about respecting each The union has and continues to Strengthen Strategic Partnership member state’s political system, face criticism. Past criticism has framework of what is called Joint “The date for this visit will be Another session took place the which means that members do not often focused on the EEU as an By Altair Nurbekov Strategic Planning Group (JSPG) set in the nearest time, and it is following April in Almaty. have to make political changes attempt to recreate the Soviet Un- in the Turkish capital on Dec. 28- expected to take place in Febru- Idrissov’s meeting with Cavu- as a result of closer integration. ion, sentiments dismissed by both ANKARA – Calling their 29. ary of March next year,” Cavuso- soglu included discussions on Members of the union also have Nazarbayev and President Alex- countries strategic partners and Idrissov paid a visit to Ankara glu told the media. a wide range of issues about the a right to withdraw, a point lead- ander Lukashenko of Belarus. brotherly nations, Kazakhstan’s which also saw him being re- During the meeting with Er- state and prospects of bilateral and ers, including President Nursultan Indeed, Nazarbayev is credited and Turkey’s foreign ministers ceived by President Recep Tayyip dogan, Idrissov discussed the up- multilateral cooperation. The ne- Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan, have with first suggesting the idea of a announced their intentions to Erdogan in the new splendorous coming official visit of the Turk- gotiators expressed deep satisfac- repeated. greater Eurasian Union 20 years further deepen bilateral political presidential residence Ak Saray ish head of state to Kazakhstan to tion with the pace of cooperation Kazakhstan enters the EEU ago. Proponents of the union in and economic ties, including by (Turkish for White Palace). attend the second meeting of the development between Kazakhstan with economic goals that include Kazakhstan have gone to great reaching the mark of $10 billion Speaking to reporters at a High-Level Strategic Cooperation and Turkey, stressing their mutual increasing its overall competitive- pains to stress its economic and in annual trade. joint press conference at the Council. Established in 2012, the desire to further strengthen the ness and increasing the quality of non-political nature as well as the The two foreign ministers, Er- foreign ministry, Idrissov and first meeting of the council was partnership in bilateral and multi- its labour force. As this newspa- mechanism that allows for an exit lan Idrissov of Kazakhstan and Cavusoglu also announced that conducted during Kazakh Presi- lateral formats. per has reported, following their from the union for any reason. Mevlut Cavusoglu of Turkey, Erdogan would visit Astana in dent Nursultan Nazarbayev’s visit accession to the Customs Union, completed the meetings in the early 2015. to Turkey in October of that year. Continued on Page A3 the major precursor to the EEU, Continued on Page A4

Inside nation Economy & Business editorial opinions NATION & CAPITAL 2015 to be Year of Historic Anniversaries, New Enterprises Are the Answer to Economic Eurasian Economic Union Comes into Force Idrissov: Kazakhstan’s Campaign for UN Astana Dakar Team Crews Chase Success in Hard Work A2 Crises, President Says A4 Jan 1, Promising Benefits from IntegrationA6 Security Council: A focus on real issues A7 South America B1 Nation Introduces 10-year Strategic Plan to Almaty to Host Islamic Finances Ashikbayev: Kazakhstan Implements Eight Kazakh Universities Listed among Top Prevent Corruption A2 Forum in May A5 Millennium Development Goals A7 100 for Eastern Europe, Central Asia B1

US$ 1 = 183.55 KZT 1 Euro = 216.83 KZT 1 Rouble = 2.92 KZT A2 NATION

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

NATIONAL 2015 to be Year of Historic Anniversaries, news in brief The oldest existing dailies in this country, Egemen Kazakhstan and Kazakhstanskaya Pravda have Hard Work marked 95 years of their existence By Zhanara Abdulova Zhanibek’s act, President Nursul- ing many that were evacuated Twenty years ago, the people lations between East and West. in December. Having developed tan Nazarbayev noted on Oct. 22, from Soviet Union’s occupied Eu- of Kazakhstan adopted what is After 40 years, the Helsinki Fi- into the leading national publica- ASTANA – Kazakhstan will 2014: ropean section. called the Basic Law at a national nal Act remains relevant. One of tions, today they cover the broad celebrate several historical anni- “Perhaps, it was not a state in the Twelve Kazakh divisions that referendum, which proclaimed its main directions is the construc- spectrum of political, economic, versaries in 2015, including 550 modern sense of this term, within fought the entire war received hon- Kazakhstan a secular, legal and tion of a Euro-Atlantic and Eura- social and cultural aspects of years of statehood, 70 years since the present borders, and without orary titles. Five divisions have be- unitary state. The constitution laid sian community of common and everyday life in Kazakhstan. The the victory in World War II and the fame and prestige in the world. come guards, including the famous the groundwork for high econom- indivisible security, reflected in 20th anniversaries of the country’s But these words can be said about Eighth Guards Division named in ic growth and improvements in the Astana OSCE Summit Dec- Astana Times team sincerely con- constitution and the Assembly of all of the other states of that era. honour of Hero of the Soviet Un- the welfare of citizens of the new laration. Within this initiative, gratulates the colleagues in both the People of Kazakhstan. The important element is that the ion Ivan Panfilov. During the Great nation. The unity of the people, Kazakhstan proposed creating a newspapers with the jubilee and Other big events on the inter- foundation was laid, and we are Patriotic War, 497 Kazakh soldiers public and spiritual concord and platform within which various re- wishes them best of luck and grate- national calendar for Kazakhstan the followers of the great deeds of were awarded the title of Hero of political stability are set forth as gional organisations including the ful readership! include the 70th anniversary of our ancestors.” the Soviet Union. The last Hero of the fundamental principles of the OSCE, NATO, the Collective Se- the establishment of the United Though the first Kazakh state the Soviet Union title was awarded constitutional system. curity Treaty Organisation (CSTO) Amirkhan Amanbayev, the Nations and the 40th anniversary had roots in a particular ethnic on Dec. 11, 1990, (posthumously) Since its establishment, the and others can jointly and concert- Chief of the Department of Su- of the signing of the Helsinki Act, group, the Kazakhs, the people to legendary Kazakh commander APK has become a major civil edly address security issues in pervision and Legality of Pre-trial which led to the creation of the Or- that make the nation today have and writer Bauyrzhan Momyshuly. institution of the nation. The idea Eurasia. This is especially impor- Proceedings of the General Pros- ganisation for Security and Coop- worked out a century-old tradition Four citizens of Kazakhstan, at- to establish the APK was first an- tant given the deepening divisions ecutor’s Office, has announced eration in Europe (OSCE). of interethnic harmony, a hallmark tack aircraft pilots Talgat Bigeldi- nounced by President Nazarbayev in this part of the world following that Kazakhstan plans to establish The first mention of the “Kazakh of Kazakhstan over the years of nov, Leonid Beda and Ivan Pavlov in 1992 at the Forum of the Peoples the bloody conflict in Ukraine. It is state,” the homeland of the people a fund to provide assistance to vic- independence, in a society con- and fighter pilot Sergey Lugan- of Kazakhstan, devoted to the first hoped that implementing the Spirit from which the current republic tims of crimes perpetrated by ac- sisting of more than 130 ethnic sky, have twice been awarded the anniversary of independence. On of Helsinki, which helped tackle takes its name, is found in histori- cused persons who flee beyond the groups. The forthcoming anniver- Golden Star of the Hero of the March 1, 1995, the President is- the Cold War between the West cal sources describing events in reach of the state or are otherwise sary of statehood on this soil is in- Soviet Union. Two heroic Kazakh sued a decree on the establishment and East, can prove useful in pre- the mid-15th century, when during unable to be prosecuted for long tended to be a common celebration women, machine gunner Manshuk of the APK, which determined its venting a new one. a struggle between various groups periods of time. Similar funds that unites the people of modern Mametova and sniper Alia Molda- status as an advisory body under Conventional wisdom has it of Genghis Khan’s descendants Kazakhstan. exist in more than 20 countries gulova, were also awarded Hero the President. Later, the assembly that a storied past leads to a bright (Genghisids), two sultans (princ- The 70th anniversary of the of the Soviet Union titles, among was transformed into a constitu- across Europe, Asia and America. future. Kazakhstan’s Kazakh- es) from that dynasty, Kerey and victory over Nazism in WWII is many others. tional body. stan 2050 Strategy and the new Zhanibek, created a separate po- marked on May 9. The victory in 1945 is celebrated The year 2015 has been declared In March 2015, Astana will for economic policy Nurly Zhol, an- litical entity. Nearly 1.8 million people from as a victory of unity. A special plan the year of the Assembly of the the first time host a TEDx (Tech- nounced by President Nazarbayev Muhammad Khaidar Dulati, Kazakhstan fought in that brutal of activities has been worked out People of Kazakhstan. nology, Entertainment, Design) in mid-November last year, aim to a respected source on the his- war, and half of them did not re- to mark the victory over the year The APK’s responsibilities strengthen the country’s economy, technologies conference. The tory of Central Asia in this pe- turn. Several generations of Ka- ahead. On May 7, 2015, a military are set to increase. Last year, the Conference, in the TED format, riod, referred to this entity as a zakhs remember this victory as parade with participation of the President approved a plan for its improve the quality of life for citi- zens and ultimately pave the way will focus on using new ideas “Kazakh state,” (doulat-i kazak), one for which they sacrificed one a President will be held, before Pres- development up to 2020. Regional and unique technological devel- in his “Tarihi-Rashidi.” This unit for Kazakhstan to break into the scale few other nations match. ident Nazarbayev attends major governors have been given the task opments for practical purposes. must have represented a sizeable 30 most developed countries of the The citizens of Kazakhstan, as celebrations on May 9 in Moscow. of drafting programmes for local Larissa Pak, the curator of TEDx group of people, since according part of the Soviet Union, were in- Already, from Dec. 26 to Dec. branches suitable to their ethnic world. in Astana, said: “The mission of to Dulati, in the early 16th cen- volved in the war effort from its 30, 2014, an unprecedented na- composition. Friendship houses The priorities set out in the TEDx is to utilise worthy ideas. tury, a few decades after Kerey beginning in 1941 to its end in tional campaign in support of vet- in the regions will become centres President’s policy documents are and Zhanibek’s act, “the Kazakhs the spring of 1945 in Berlin. They erans was held across the country promoting social cohesion and ini- part of the country’s ongoing ef- Our task is education. We create numbered a million.” helped defend Leningrad and Stal- at the initiative of President Nur- tiatives. forts to strengthen regional and a unique experience and an op- “Tarihi-Rashidi.” describes the ingrad and liberate Ukraine, Bela- sultan Nazarbayev. The akims In the foreign policy arena, of global security. This year, Ka- portunity for people to gain new founding like this: “The begin- rus, Moldova, the Baltic nations (mayors) of the regions personally particular note this year is the zakhstan will continue with well- knowledge, ideas, inspiration, and ning of the state of Kazakh sul- and the peoples of Europe. visited each of the country’s 5,115 40th anniversary of the signing of established policy initiatives that a different perspective.” As not- tans (idtidai-yi-doulat-i salatin-i During the Great Patriotic War, war veterans and extended them the Helsinki Act, which led to the include taking a leading role on ed, the theme of the first confer- kazak) dates to the year of 870 as the war effort against Nazi the New Year greetings and gifts creation of the OSCE, and the fifth nuclear nonproliferation and disar- ence TEDx Astana will be “How (1465 – 1466 of the European Germany is known throughout on behalf of the head of state. anniversary of the OSCE Summit mament, practising interreligious Big is Big” or “How does big calendar).”Kazakhstan counts former Soviet republics, Kazakh- Also in focus this year will be in Astana. and intercultural dialogue through become “big.” Now the organis- this as the beginning of a Kazakh stan increased industrialisation the commemoration of the 20th In 1975, 35 states signed the hosting the Congress of Leaders of ers are searching for new ideas in state that lasted into the middle of and mineral extraction in support anniversary of Kazakhstan’s Con- Helsinki Final Act, which laid the World and Traditional Religions the sciences, social studies, archi- the 19th century (the last Kazakh of the war effort. Besides being stitution Day, which is celebrated foundation of the general concept in June and intensifying the build tecture, art, economics, and other up to EXPO 2017 in Astana. But Khan, Kenesary, died in a battle in an overwhelmingly agriculture- on Aug. 30, as well as the 20th an- of European security and a frame- spheres. It should be noted that the the country also intends to pursue 1847). And when on Dec. 16, 1991 based economy, Kazakhstan was niversary of the Assembly of the work for cooperation in three key first TEDx conference in Central the Parliament of Kazakhstan de- one of the main arsenals for the many new concepts, including the People of Kazakhstan (APK), the dimensions, or “baskets,” of the Asia was held in 2010 in Almaty clared the former Soviet republic front. From 1941 – 45, almost 500 state institution dedicated to pro- activity of what was then known development of the Organisation and became one of the first inde- an independent nation, it contin- plants, ore mines, individual pro- moting and harmonising intereth- as the Conference for Security and of Islamic Cooperation Food Secu- ued this tradition of Kazakh state- ductions and factories producing nic relations in the country. These Cooperation in Europe (CSCE). rity Organisation in Astana and the pendently organised in the world. hood into the modern age. machinery, weaponry, radio and two milestone events constitute a Its adoption was a historical event expansion of its own international Since then, four TEDx Almaty Sharing his thoughts on the other military technologies were single link in the country’s chroni- promoting the eventual end of the aid efforts through the new official were organized on various top- historical meaning of Kerey and established in the country, includ- cles. Cold War and normalisation of re- development agency, KazAID. ics: “The City 2.0”, “The Tipping Point”, “Extra – anew normality”, “Living the answers”. TEDx is a programme of local conferences around the world, focused on “ideas worth spreading” and held Nation Introduces 10-year Strategic in the TED format. The “x” means “independently organised event.” These Conferences have been held Plan to Prevent Corruption in the TED format in California, USA since 1984 and gather sci- forcement bodies; developing in- The new 10-year strategy notes The text also draws attention to services simpler and more trans- entists, politicians, entrepreneurs, By Zhanara Abdulova ternational cooperation in fighting that corruption is a problem ex- the fact that at the legislative lev- parent. In this regard, a number artists, musicians, engineers, and corruption; and monitoring the isting in all countries, differing el, violations of norms and rules of government functions will be other individuals with progressive ASTANA – President Nursultan progress of the programme. only in typical manifestations and of professional ethics have not gradually transferred to the pri- ideas. Nazarbayev signed a decree on In the meantime, Kazakhstan scale. been distinguished from actual vate sector and self-regulatory Dec. 26 introducing the new anti- has improved its standing in the “In determining the causes, corruption offences. This “dis- organisations. corruption strategy for 2015-2025 2014 Corruption Perceptions In- conditions and consequences of torts the real picture of propensity In addition, an institute of pub- On Dec. 29 Deputy Prime Min- initiated by the Nur Otan party in dex, rising from 140th to 126th corruption, such factors as local for corruption, prevents the con- lic control will be introduced. ister of Kazakhstan Berdibek Sa- July of last year. The document overall and gaining three points mentality, national and religious centration of state efforts on acute This requires not only the acti- parbayev chaired the meeting of mainly concentrates on measures on the previous score of 26. The differences [and] the level of le- directions in the fight against cor- vation of civil society, but also Commission on higher education preventing the conditions that fos- country also fares significantly gal culture should be taken into ruption and leads to an increase in the appropriate legal regulation. institutions. During the meeting, ter corruption rather than fighting better than some of its Central account,” it points out. corruption ratings of the country.” Adoption of the law “On public the participants were briefed about the consequences of corruption. It Asian neighbours. The document stresses that in- The document stresses that the control” will first create an inte- the reports on results of the Com- calls for an “eradication of legal Last year’s climb stems from tolerance of corruption should be- government will continue creat- grated system of civilian control mission’s activities and results of nihilism in society.” Kazakhstan’s efforts in imple- come the “civil position of every ing conditions under which the by establishing the basic rules of inspection of institutes. 127 of The strategy says the leading menting reforms, namely the citizen of Kazakhstan,” while use of official powers for personal its organisation and implementa- 136 institutions are involved in role should be given to a package 2011-2015 anti-corruption pro- honesty and integrity should be gain will be unprofitable and im- tion. the education sphere. Members of of preventive measures aimed at gramme, which contained a a “norm of behaviour.” In the ab- possible. The strategy stresses that an im- radically reducing the level of cor- the commission stressed the need number of measures aimed at sence of such a culture in society, For example, it is proposed to portant factor in a successful fight ruption by eradicating the causes for facilitating the spread of infor- improving the legislative frame- it will be impossible to eradicate provide gradual, regular wage against corruption is the ability and conditions that give rise to it corruption. Each individual and increases to improve the social mation of the Ministry of Educa- work, reducing the risks of cor- of citizens to participate directly in the state and society. The em- ruption in government bodies and every family should understand well-being of civil servants, serv- tion and Science of Kazakhstan in solving local issues. This will phasis is placed on eliminating eliminating the country’s shadow that fighting corruption is the task ing as an incentive for carrying on public awareness in moderni- be facilitated by the adoption of corruption preconditions and not economy. Key initiatives include of the whole society. out duties in a fair and equitable sation of the higher education in- a law providing for the empower- on fighting its consequences. the introduction of criminal li- “Only by nurturing anti-corrup- manner. stitutions. The commission took The document also aims at in- ability for illicit enrichment, as tion standards of conduct from Another important measure ment of local governance. the decision to withdraw two in- creasing cooperation with various well as the abolition of the Agen- the earliest age will we be able to envisioned is the obligation of The working group that elabo- stitutions of their license. There target groups within the civil sec- cy on Combating Economic and eradicate this social evil. It is im- public servants to declare not rated the strategy included repre- participants at the meeting were sentatives of the General Prosecu- tor and the business community, Corruption-Related Crimes and portant to bring up a child in the only their incomes but also their also informed about the activities tor’s Office, the Agency on Civil as there is a need to develop new transfer of its powers to the newly spirit of Kazakhstan patriotism spending. of a number of higher education Service and Countering Corrup- relations between the government, created Agency on Civil Service and rejection of corruption. Edu- In general, the principle of institutions for compliance with citizens and businesses based on and Countering Corruption (for cational anti-corruption courses transparency is a key factor in tion, the Senate, the Academy of Public Administration under the the educational standards and an equal and responsible partner- corruption-related crimes) and the should cover all educational in- the fight against corruption, and availability of material and tech- ship. An anti-corruption road map therefore the work on its imple- President of Kazakhstan, as well Ministry of Finance (for econom- stitutions, government agencies nical base. Following the meet- and specific action plans will be ic and financial crimes). and civil society as a whole,” the mentation will be carried out on as the National Chamber of En- ing, Saparbayev gave instructions developed for each five-year pe- In terms of legislative devel- document proposes. a regular, systematic basis, in- trepreneurs, political parties and riod. opments, a new Criminal Code However, this is still a massive, cluding by monitoring the quality nongovernmental organisations. concerning the improvement of The key goals of the strategy came into effect on Jan. 1, 2015. complicated task requiring the and accessibility of public service More than 900 suggestions and mechanisms of modernisation are forming an anti-corruption Among other measures, the code knowledge of professionals who delivery. The volume of services additions to the draft programme of higher education institutions, culture; fighting corruption in the introduces additional mandatory “can explain the mechanisms of provided to the public in an elec- were received from party mem- their optimisation, as well as the public, quasi-public and private sanctions for corruption-related obtaining public services, protect- tronic format will grow, including bers, experts and Internet users creation of mechanisms to moni- sectors; introducing the institute crimes, such as loss of rank and ing rights and lawful interests of the issuance of various permits. in the course of its development, tor the employment of graduates of public control; preventing cor- state decoration and a lifetime ban citizens in an accessible and qual- The strategy aims at making changing 40 percent of the origi- and improve the integration of ed- ruption in judiciary and law en- on holding public office. ified manner.” the procedure of obtaining public nal text of the draft programme. ucation, science and innovation. A3 eurasia&world

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

external news in brief Astana, Ankara Want to Grow Mutual Trade to The five former prisoners from the notorious U.S.-run Guanta- namo prison camp, who arrived $10 Billion, Strengthen Strategic Partnership in Kazakhstan on Dec. 31 have lodged asylum claims there, the Continued from Page A1 Kazakhstan has also played an im- helped expand areas of cooperation government says. A statement portant role in the foundation of between the two countries. from the Ministry of Foreign Af- The JSPG is working on plans the Cooperation Council of Turkic When Idrissov summarised the fairs on Jan. 5 said the former to expand a wide range of bilateral Speaking Countries (Turkic Coun- outcomes of Kazakhstan’s foreign prisoners arrived in Kazakhstan issues, including the status and cil) and the Parliamentary Assem- policy for 2014 during a major after being freed from Guanta- prospects of political dialogue, bly of Turkic Speaking Countries. press conference Dec. 26 in Astana, namo dueto “the absence of suffi- trade and economic, investment, The foreign ministers announced he noted that Kazakhstan attaches cient grounds to present them with military-technical and cultural and their intentions to continue the dia- great importance to strengthening charges of committing a crime.” humanitarian cooperation, inter- logue and consistently resolve all comprehensive cooperation with the The prisoners, identified previ- parliamentary relations and is- issues of bilateral relations based Republic of Turkey, which is based ously as three men from Yemen sues of cooperation in the security on the principles of brotherhood on the common historical roots and and two from Tunisia, had been sphere. and strategic partnership. cultural values of the two nations. in detention for over a decade, but “Over the past three years, bilat- “were identified as low-risk de- eral trade has seen a huge increase; EEU-Turkey Free Trade tainees cleared long ago for trans- it has more than doubled from $1.9 Ankara’s Support for fer,” Reuters reported. They have billion to $4 billion. As you know, EXPO 2017, Campaign Area to Be Worked on been granted the status of asylum President Nazarbayev visited Tur- According to the Kazakh for- seekers pending hearings, the for- key twice this year with working for UNSC eign minister, the creation of the eign ministry said. By law, a rul- visits. In June, he participated in Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) ing should be made within three the summit of the Turkic Council Non-Permanent Seat should be beneficial not only for and in August he participated in Kazakhstan’s preparation for months. Accepting the five former Foreign Ministers Erlan Idrissov (l) of Kazakhstan and Mevlut Cavusoglu of its member states, but also for their detainees could enhance Astana’s the inauguration of the first pop- the international specialised exhi- Turkey announced their intentions to further deepen bilateral political and partners. diplomatic credentials with Wash- ularly-elected president of broth- bition EXPO 2017 in Astana was economic ties, planning to reach the $10 billion mark in annual trade. “Our policy is that the EEU is erly Turkey, His Excellency Recep also discussed during the talks. of the open nature, open for eco- ington, which is pushing to resettle that it will contribute to strength- Today, Turkey is one of the most Tayyip Erdogan. It is a sign of The Turkish side expressed its nomic partnerships,” Idrissov told prisoners in order to meet a long- ening international peace and se- advanced and fastest-growing, particularly close and trustful dia- readiness to provide full support in the assembled Kazakh, Turkish standing pledge by U.S. President curity,” said highly-industrialised economies logue at the highest level between carrying out this event. and international media. “We are Barack Obama to close down the While in Ankara, Idrissov also in the Middle East and Eurasian our two countries,” Idrissov said at In addition to bilateral issues, initiating free trade arrangement Guantanamo camp. met Bekir Bozdag, Turkey’s Min- the press conference. the parties focused on international region. The country plays a lead- between EEU and Turkey. Turkey ister of Justice, to discuss bilateral According to the Kazakh minis- problems, including the situations ing role in the Kazakh construction is an important economic partner The 14th meeting of Inter- cooperation in the legal sphere and ter, Astana and Ankara have a full in Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine. industry. for Kazakhstan, Russia and Bela- governmental Commission on in fighting terrorism. political agenda in a multilateral Turkey fully supports Kazakh- In turn, Kazakhstan is one of Tur- rus bilaterally, and it is important Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan bilateral key’s most important political and cooperation held in Tashkent on format including the UN (United stan’s candidacy for the United to have a general agreement on a economic partners in Central Asia. Dec. 26. The meeting was attended Nations), CICA (Conference on In- Nations Security Council for free trade zone with Turkey.” Strong Ties Going Back The frequency of high-level bilater- by the First Deputy Prime Minis- teraction and Confidence-Building 2017-18, Cavusoglu announced at He added that similar trade fa- al visits reflects the level of relations ter of Kazakhstan Bakhytzhan Measures in Asia), OSCE (Organi- the press conference adding that Decades and Centuries cilitating arrangements are being between the nations and provides a Sagintayev and First Deputy Prime zation for Security and Coopera- his country is also ready to offer Turkey was the first country to sought between the EEU, which platform to exchange views on bi- Minister - Minister of Finance of tion in Europe), ECO (Economic practical support in the bidding recognise Kazakh independence on enters into force on Jan. 1, 2015 Uzbekistan Rustam Azimov. Dur- Cooperation Organisation) and campaign which is set to culmi- Dec. 16, 1991. The Turkish Embas- lateral, regional and international and which creates a common mar- ing the meeting the two parties OIC (Organisation of Islamic Co- nate in 2016. “In case Kazakhstan sy in Almaty was opened in March issues. Erdogan’s visit to Kazakh- ket of up to 200 million people, discussed issues of bilateral trade- operation). Together with Turkey, is elected, we have full confidence 1992 and later moved to Astana. stan in 2012, then as prime minister, and countries such as Vietnam. economic cooperation. In particu- lar, they also discussed aspects of Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan interac- tion in the water-energy sector, ag- riculture, industrial and gas sphere. Creation of EEU, Efforts to Pacify Ukraine among 2014 The two parties called for further expansionof partnership between the two countries aimed at increas- Foreign Policy Priorities, Will Remain in Focus in 2015 ing mutual turnover. shows that joint efforts bring long- especially the President’s working ratification of the Comprehensive stitutions in their home country. The project on establishing By Malika Orazgaliyeva term economic benefits, provide visits to Kiev and Moscow, dem- Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). According to Idrissov, special “Centre of Production and Logis- greater security and improve the onstrated Nazarbayev is an honest Idrissov also highlighted the rel- attention was paid this year to at- tics Azersun” LLP is implemented ASTANA – Minister of Foreign welfare of the involved nations. and impartial broker in an attempt evance of Nazarbayev’s participa- tracting further foreign direct in- in the territory of social economic Affairs Erlan Idrissov stressed the EEU is based on economic prag- to find common ground and reach tion Oct. 16-17 in the 10th ASEM vestment, promoting Kazakhstan’s zone “Seaport Aktau.” The initia- strategic importance of Kazakh- matism, respect of sovereignty, vol- sustainable agreements to resolve (Asia-Europe Meeting) summit in export to foreign markets, devel- tor of the project “Anadolu Invest- stan’s multi-vector foreign policy untary integration of equality in all the contradictions, Idrissov said. Milan. There, Kazakhstan officially oping transit-transport cooperation ment Company” LLP (Azerbaijan) as he summarised the outcomes of decisions and evolutionary develop- [On Dec. 29, President of Ukraine joined ASEM, a key forum for dia- and elaborating on projects in the plans to invest about 1 billion 463 the nation’s foreign policy work for ment, he explained. Petro Poroshenko announced he logue and cooperation between the energy sector, as well as implement- million tenge into construction. 2014 at a Dec. 26 press conference The union’s attractiveness was would be meeting with President of two parts for Eurasia. ing preparations for EXPO 2017. The warehouses will be 4-storey at the Central Communications Ser- confirmed during Nazarbayev’s Russia Vladimir Putin along with Turning to bilateral relations, the “As you know, in 2014 we vices. shelf-systems, designed for storing visit to Moscow on Dec. 23, as the German Chancellor Angela Merkel minister stressed that Kazakhstan launched a pilot project on a visa- Numerous events and activities different products on the pallets. heads of the EEU member states and French President Francois Hol- will continue to strengthen the stra- free regime with 10 countries that in the international arena, including The warehouses will have an air signed an agreement on the acces- lande in the Normandy Four format. tegic partnership with Russia in all are key investors in Kazakhstan. It meetings and visits at the highest conditioning system with an auto- sion of the Kyrgyz Republic to the The meeting is yet to be confirmed spheres of political, economic, trade was done in order to create a com- levels, reaffirmed the significance mated control system and asystem union. The original EEU treaty was by the other three parties although and cultural cooperation based on fortable environment and attract of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy pur- for using bar codes. The innova- signed by Kazakhstan, Russia and the office of the Kazakh President the Treaty of Good-Neighbourly more investment. The project was sued from the first days of independ- tive equipment, including refrig- Belarus on May 29, with Armenia confirmed “readiness to host the and Allied Relations in the 21st perceived very positively by inves- ence, he said. Idrissov noted that a erating equipment, climate control joining in October. meetings on Jan. 15-16 or any other Century. Nazarbayev and Putin held tors and our foreign partners,” Id- key role in advancing the nation’s system and deep freeze machines, Among other important achieve- convenient dates”.] 10 meetings in 2014 and landmark rissov said. foreign policy goals was played by are expected to be brought in from ments of the last year, Idrissov In the framework of ensuring events in bilateral relations were The minister mentioned the re- President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Germany and the Netherlands. On named successful completion of regional and global security tasks the Kazakhstan-Russia cross-border cent adoption of the law on official who made eight visits abroad and negotiations with the European before Kazakhstan, an important forum in Atyrau as well as Russian development assistance, a step to- Jan. 7, the United States Depart- received 16 heads of state. In total, ment of Energy’s National Nucle- Union (EU) on a new Expanded activity of the Foreign Ministry is Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s wards the creation of what is now 59 events at the highest level and 70 Partnership and Cooperation Agree- ar Security Administration (DOE/ promoting the nation’s candidacy visit to Ust-Kamenogorsk. conventionally labelled KazAID, in bilateral visits involving the state’s ment and bilateral negotiations be- as a non-permanent member of the NNSA) announced the removal of An increased number of bilateral which the mechanism of assistance most senior officials were held tween Kazakhstan and the EU in the UN Security Council in 2017-2018, contacts with China demonstrated will be established similar to US- 36 kilogrammes (approximately within the country and abroad. The framework of the country’s acces- explained Idrissov. The election of the interest of the parties in the AID. The law is designed to system- 80 pounds) of highly enriched ura- minister himself paid 18 visits to sion to the World Trade Organisa- Kazakhstan to the Security Council development of a comprehensive atise assistance to foreign partners. nium (HEU) spent fuel from the other countries. tion (WTO). would provide an opportunity to strategic partnership. Nazarbayev’s Thus, Kazakhstan is transforming Institute of Nuclear Physics (INP) Idrissov began by stating that the Idrissov noted with regret that draw international attention to the state visit to China in May was a from a recipient country to a donor in Almaty. The NNSA’s press re- complexity and multidimension- the past year was characterised by problems of the region, and help breakthrough for bilateral relations, country, Idrissov explained. lease reports that the HEU was ality of the processes in a modern confrontation between the West draw the focus to such issues as en- with 16 agreements signed in vari- He also stressed the generally transported in two air shipments world and emergence of a qualita- and Russia over the situation within ergy, food, water security, as well as ous fields. positive reaction internationally to to a secure facility in Russia for tively new geopolitical and geo- and around Ukraine, which led in non-proliferation issues. The four Idrissov also said that strengthen- the Nov. 11 state-of-the-nation ad- permanent disposal. This complex economic reality reflected in the general to the growth of misunder- issues are at the core of Kazakh- ing strategic partnership with the dress of President Nazarbayev in operation was the culmination of adoption of the Kazakhstan 2050 standings and negative perceptions stan’s bid for the UN body. United States is an important priori- which he outlined the Nurly Zhol a multi-year effort between the Strategy led to the elaboration of between the East and the West. In the context of regional secu- ty of Kazakh foreign policy. Mutual new economic policy. United States, Kazakhstan, Rus- a new Concept of Foreign Policy Talking about Kazakhstan’s po- rity, the minister also highlighted cooperation includes the spheres of At the end of his speech, Idrissov sia and the International Atomic until 2020, which was approved by sition on the crisis in Ukraine, the the importance of the fourth summit trade-economic, investment, ener- noted that maximum openness and Energy Agency (IAEA). “The re- Nazarbayev’s Jan. 29 decree. Ac- minister reminded that Astana sup- of the Conference on Interaction gy, technical and humanitarian co- accessibility to local and foreign moval of this HEU is yet another cording to Idrissov, one of the pri- ports peaceful initiatives aimed at and Confidence-Building Measures operation. Nazarbayev’s talks with mass media and the public are the example of how the international orities of foreign policy regarding the de-escalation of the armed con- in Asia (CICA), which was held President Barack Obama during the most important principles of the community continues to work the concept was the creation this flict in the Donetsk and Luhansk on May 21 in Shanghai and which Nuclear Security Summit also gave foreign ministry. For this reason the together to prevent the threat of year of the Eurasian Economic Un- oblasts. Kazakhstan has been and is signified the transfer of chairman- impetus to further development of ministry maintains an active pres- nuclear terrorism,” said DOE/ ion (EEU). working towards normalisation of ship in the conference from Turkey bilateral relations. ence on social networks, such as Fa- NNSA Deputy Administrator “The EEU means a common mar- the relations among Russia, Ukraine to China. At that event, Nazarbayev A few days before his Dec. 28- cebook, Twitter and others. In this Anne Harrington. “This coopera- ket. It will be a fundamentally new and the West and translating them put forward an initiative to trans- 29 visit to Ankara, Idrissov used respect the President of Kazakh- tion reduces the chance that such association of the 21st century that into civilised, internationally recog- form CICA into an Organisation for the press conference as a reminder stan’s Internet Association Shavkat material can fall into the hands of works on the principle of equality, nised frameworks. Security and Development in Asia, that Kazakhstan attaches great im- Sabirov commended the fact that terrorists,” she noted. According mutual benefit and consideration of “We are interested in seeing Idrissov noted portance to strengthening compre- Idrissov himself writes a blog, a tra- to the NNSA, approximately 10 the interests of all the participants. Ukraine remain a stable and inde- Another major event that shed hensive cooperation with Turkey, dition that he started when he was kilogrammes (about 22 pounds) of As the President stated, the political pendent state. For its part, Kazakh- light on Astana’s initiatives was the which is based on the common his- the nation’s ambassador in Wash- HEU fresh fuel was shipped to a sovereignty of our country is strong stan has been actively involved in Nuclear Security Summit in The torical roots and cultural values of ington DC. “The ministry actively facility in Russia from the INP in and unbreakable. The economic consultations to find ways to resolve Hague in March. Nazarbayev made the two nations. works in social networks and prac- September 2014. The HEU will be integration is developing in order the crisis with its partners both in a call to focus efforts on the most Kazakhstan continues to pursue tically all embassies and consulates downblended to low-enriched ura- to strengthen the national state- the EEU and the West. Largely due important areas, such as general a balanced policy towards Afghani- maintain Twitter accounts,” Sabirov nium (LEU). Over the next sev- hood and make it more sustainable to the active position and diplomatic and complete nuclear disarmament, stan too, with a focus on humanitar- noted stressing the importance of eral years, the DOE/NNSA plans through the strengthening of the efforts of our leader, Minsk hosted which is the only guarantee of nu- ian and economic assistance and what became known as digital di- to work with Kazakhstan, Russia economy,” he underlined. the meeting of the presidents of Ka- clear safety and eradication of nu- cooperation in the trade and eco- plomacy. and the IAEA to return approxi- At the same time, Idrissov added, zakhstan, Russia and Belarus with clear terrorism and its foundations. nomic sphere. Idrissov was glad to At the end of the briefing Idrissov mately 50 additional kilogrammes “no modern state can develop the the President of Ukraine (Petro) In addition, during the year, The note that in 2014 the first graduates answered a number of questions of HEU to Russia, thereby elimi- economy within closed borders.” Poroshenko and the EU high repre- ATOM Project carried out impor- of the Kazakh government’s special from the media, including those on nating all HEU research reactor International experience in advanc- sentative,” Idrissov reminded. tant work on fostering of broad in- scholarship programme for Afghan the Caspian Sea delimitation issues, fuel from Kazakhstan. ing regional integration projects The recent events of December, ternational public support for early youth began working in various in- visa matters and others. A4 economy

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

economy New Enterprises Are the Answer to Economic news in brief On Jan. 6, the Development Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK), an- nounced it would provide 25 per- Crises, President Says cent of the necessary funds for the economy since independence,” 100,000 jobs annually. While the lation increased by more than 50 and slabs produced in Kazakhstan modernisation of the Pavlodar pet- By Danna Bupezhanova Nazarbayev announced. manufacturing industry consumes percent,” the President stated add- will be rolled into titanium sheets rochemical plant. “DBK will pro- According to him, during 2010- 80 percent of professional servic- ing that currently more than 80 and pipes in POSCO enterprises vide about 25 percent of the neces- ASTANA – President Nursultan 14, 770 projects were commis- es, one job in the industrial sector percent of domestic demands were for subsequent use by the largest sary funding for construction and Nazarbayev, summing up the re- sioned creating 75,000 permanent creates three to five jobs in the ser- covered by food produced in Ka- shipbuilders in South Korea. The installation works in the form of a sults of the first five years of the jobs. Eighty percent of the projects vice sector, creating a multiplying zakhstan. goal of the project is to diversify loan over up to 10 years. The loan industrialisation programme on have reached the planned capacity. effect, he said. Therefore, the In- Referring to future goals, Naz- production and create new innova- will be in tenge,” the report stated. Dec. 25, confirmed that new indus- New companies have produced dustrialisation Programme should arbayev stated that by 2020, the tive production of titanium ingots According to the DBK, the total tries, import substitution and man- four trillion tenge (US$22 billion) establish annually from 30,000 to share of high-tech products was and slabs by electron-beam melt- value of the “turnkey” contract is ufacturing of products that have worth of goods and exported goods 50,000 high-quality jobs, the Pres- expected to increase from 1.5 per- ing. The use of POSCO’s modern more than $1.2 billion. The project not been produced locally before worth 628 billion tenge (US$4.9 ident said. cent to 5 percent of GDP, while rolled metal technology will en- is funded primarily by aclub loan would assist the national economy billion). Implemented Industriali- Reflecting the results of the first sector of professional, scientific able the joint Kazakh-Korean en- from Japanese banks. The project in dealing with economic crises. sation Map projects produced 12.4 five years, he stressed that they and technical services should terprise, POSUK Titanium LLP, aims to improve the quality of mo- “Expended costs have already percent of the total volume of man- gave the state a “priceless experi- grow from the current eight per- to become a major supplier of flat tor fuel produced at the plant, al- returned to the state budget in tril- ufacturing industry’s output (594.3 ence” of successful anti-crises re- cent to 20 percent on the basis of rolled titanium in the world mar- lowing it to meet requirements for lions of tenge. In fact, we have billion tenge, which is US$3.26 sponses to instability in the global the development of innovation in ket. environmental class K4 and K5, created a new model of production billion). In 2014 alone 150 new economy, which resulted in the the private sector. A science park The President also announced Euro-4 and Euro-5, as well as to and social and labour relations, projects were implemented. overhaul of manufacturing in- “Astana Business Campus” Naz- creating a large transport and lo- expand refining capacity of the en- responding to the 21st century The contribution of the projects dustry and the appearance of new arbayev University and the Alatau gistics hub on the border with demands. We have made a deci- terprise. As a result of modernisa- to GDP growth in the first nine fields, including automotive, rail- Park of Innovative Technologies China, with the Khorgos – Eastern sive step to change the structure tion, the plant’s capacity to process months of 2014 amounted to 0.79 way engineering, medical equip- will become platforms for these Gate dry port being the first stage of the economy. Diversification West Siberian oil will be increased percentage points (from the overall ment and wind energy. innovations. of this project. In the short term, in Kazakhstan began not only in from 5 million to 7 million tonnes “We have expanded the range The head of state also stressed the dry port’s processing capac- words but also in deeds. We have growth of 4.1). per year. According to head of ity is expected to reach more than ensured that the growth rate of the During the teleconference, Naz- of products in the chemical indus- the need to establish new manu- DBK Bolat Zhamishev, two of the volume of manufacturing industry arbayev reminded that due to state try, while in five years the share of facturing industries, setting a task 200,000 thousand containers. three existing refineries in Kazakh- is much higher than in traditional policies, “in the most difficult domestic construction materials to attract at least five major trans- The Khorgos – Eastern Gate stan receive long-term financing extractive industries,” President times of the 2007-09 crises, we did almost doubled: now we produce national corporations to Kazakh- special economic zone along with from DBK modernisation projects. Nazarbayev said during his annual not allow negative growth rate of almost 80 percent of the construc- stan for the construction of five with the Zhetigen-Korgas and “The first phase of modernisation national teleconference dedicated the economy.” tion materials [that we use]; in new manufacturing plants. He Zhezkazgan-Beineu railways, the of the Atyrau refinery is to be com- to the Industrialisation Day. “Now, when difficult times are comparison when we started, it highlighted the need to reconsid- Western Europe – Western China pleted with financial support from The teleconference examined coming again, I hope we will over- was only 15 percent,” he said. er the issue of building a new oil road corridor and the Aktau port, the bank. The total project cost is the preliminary results of the first come them together. In these dif- Among other fields, the Presi- refinery and a couple of large oil create a powerful cross-border $ 2.9 billion, with 45 percent of five-year of Kazakhstan’s State ficult conditions, labour productiv- dent highlighted pharmaceuticals, and gas companies, which would logistics distribution centre and the required funding provided by Programme of Accelerated Indus- ity in manufacturing has increased which was developing at a fast produce a whole range of chemi- ensure further integration of the the DBK. We and KazMunaiGas trial and Innovative Development by 60 percent, with each worker pace with the number of pharma- cal products, including gas, medi- country in the global trade and are pleased to make a contribution (SPAIID), presented 15 new pro- producing an annual average of ceutical products increasing by cines, clothing, and polyethylene. transportation links, the Kazakh to further developing high-quality jects of the Industrialisation Map $20,000 worth of more products. 500 units and production volumes He also insisted on a new copper leaders stressed. oil production in Kazakhstan, en- and showed how implemented New major economic sectors have tripling. Nazarbayev stated that in smelter in Kazakhstan with a full At the teleconference, the Presi- suring the energy security of the projects were already working in emerged, while world’s largest the mining and metallurgical com- cycle of cables. dent also formally gave permission country,” Zhamishev noted. the regions. industrial giants, namely Airbus, plex, production of long steel in- Talking with officials and work- for the launch of a bridge over the “The share of the mining indus- General Electric, Alstom, Euro- creased six-fold and production of ers in regions through video links, Syrdarya River, an A class ware- From the start of 2015, pensions try in the country’s GDP decreased copter, Toyota, Ssangyong, LG, pipes grew three times. Nazarbayev examined the work house in Astana, a gold processing in Kazakhstan have increased by to 16.5 percent. Over five years, have come to Kazakhstan,” the Among the advantages of Ka- of existing facilities constructed plant in North Kazakhstan region, 9 percent, with a total of 1,168.7 400 new products were mastered President added. zakhstan, he determined full pro- within the first five-year plan of a polypropylene granulation plant billion tenge designated from that had not been produced before- At the same time, the head of vision of energy, fuel, electrical industrialisation and gave permis- in Pavlodar, an industrial wind the state budget for pensions this hand in Kazakhstan. [During these state said that to ensure the future power and basic foodstuffs. “We sion for commissioning new pro- power plant (WPP) by VistaInter- year, according to the Ministry of years] the manufacturing sector re- six percent growth of the economy are gradually developing agricul- jects, including a new plant of a national LLP, a carpet factory in Healthcare and Social Develop- ceived almost 70 percent of all for- and implement the full industrial ture, so [in our farming sector] unique titanium ingots and slabs, South Kazakhstan region, among ment. Pension payments are an- eign investment in Kazakhstan’s potential, the state needed to create compared to 2010 the cattle popu- POSUK Titanium. Titanium ingots others. nually indexed at 2 percent above inflation, predicted within a- cor ridor 6-8 percent, with a possible further reduction to 5-7 percent in 2015. The average pension pay- Eurasian Economic ment, including base pension pay- Kazakhstan’s Government, ment (BPP), will be 50,549 (pen- sion benefits – 39,367 tenge, the size of the BPP is 11,182 tenge), National Bank Project 4-5% Union Launches the minimum size, with the BPP is 34,874 tenge. According to the Ministry, 1,053.5 billion tenge was in Challenging Times allocated from the state budget for Economic Growth in 2015 the pensions last year, with a total Continued from Page A1 port for agriculture in the frame- increase lending for the economy Continued from Page A1 imports of EU products, leaving of 1,909,597 claiming a state pen- work of the Agribusiness 2020 and recovery of the banking sector. their neighbour to handle for itself sion. Elaborating on the countercycli- programme. To enhance the role of the na- More recent criticism ques- the repercussions of the ongoing cal economic policy, the document To support the positive foreign tional currency, the communiqué tions whether, with its largest conflict in Ukraine. 12 projects with foreign compa- sets the goal of achieving real eco- trade balance and exports, the previews increasing guaranteed economy faltering, the EEU will Nazarbayev himself has con- nies are being implemented in the nomic growth of 4-5 percent next communiqué previews developing payout to depositors of Kazakhstan actually be of great benefit to its firmed that current economic con- “Seaport Aktau” special economic year. To support economic growth mechanisms for trade and export Deposit Insurance Fund on depos- smaller members, particularly ditions will impose challenges on zone, according to the Minister and employment in 2014-2015, at financing at rates not exceeding its in tenge from the current amount with Kazakhstan’s export-based the new union. “The instability of the instructions of President Nur- the rates applicable for exporters to of 5 million tenge to 10 million of Investments and Development economy. Kazakhstan’s exports to world markets, the policy of sanc- of Kazakhstan, Asset Issekeshev. sultan Nazarbayev, the Govern- the EU (2-3 percent in foreign cur- tenge (US$27,000 to US$55,000). Russia declined in the first half of tions, the deterioration of trust ment has already allocated one rency). This will be achieved by increasing Visiting the site, the Minister 2014, as did overall trade between between the leading world pow- commented “countries including trillion tenge (US$5.5 billion) from The start of the implementation the fund’s capitalisation, reducing the two countries. Trade between ers, the threat of aggravating mili- the interest rate on guaranteed de- Singapore, South Korea, France, the National Fund of Kazakhstan in of a new five-year plan of the State all three countries of the union de- tary and political situation – all of February 2014. Programme of Accelerated Indus- posits in dollars from 4 percent to 3 Norway, Italy, Azerbaijan are tak- clined between January and Octo- this will impact the processes for The second tranche in the amount trial and Innovative Development percent per annum and prohibiting ing part in “Seaport Aktau”. The ber of 2014, though Nazarbayev building the Eurasian Economic of 500 billion tenge ($2.75 billion) (SPAIID) is also of great impor- the practice of setting the prices for expected volume of investments will be allocated for additional con- tance while considering main eco- goods and services in foreign cur- noted in a December meeting with Union,” Nazarbayev said at the is 7.4 billion tenge. The produc- cessional lending to small, medium nomic goals of 2015. The second rencies, primarily the U.S. dollar. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry EEC Summit. Kazakhstan recently tion capacity is expected to reach and large businesses, rehabilitation five-year plan, which launches on To stimulate the growth of tenge Medvedev that though trade had announced that it will be dipping 45,000 tonnes,” According to the decreased in value, it increased in of the banking sector and construc- Jan. 1, 2015, will focus on devel- liquidity of banks, a temporary re- into its National Fund to finance minister, new measures introduced volume. major infrastructure and other pro- tion of infrastructure for free eco- oping manufacturing industry in duction of certain provisions of the by the President to give companies Russia’s current economic trou- jects in an attempt to maintain eco- nomic zones and the international certain priority sectors, taking into prudential regulation where neces- taxation and customs preferences bles and tumbling rouble, brought nomic growth and development specialised exhibition EXPO 2017. account regional peculiarities. sary will be considered. had helped attract the foreign part- on by low oil prices and Western amidst falling oil prices and other The Government will also be allo- The communiqué stated that To ensure recovery of the bank- ners. cating $3 billion annually from the macroeconomic stability will be ing sector the authorised capital sanctions, are being blamed for economic turbulence. achieved through coordinating of the Problem Loan Fund will downturns in some of Kazakh- For now, the countries of the National Fund to implement the More than 40 projects under the new economic policy Nurly Zhol, monetary and fiscal policy and be increased by 250 billion tenge stan’s industries. As Tengrinews new union are engaged in creat- Industrialisation Map are being which envisions further structural curbing inflation in the planned (US$1.375 billion), while mecha- reported on Jan. 2, quoting au- ing and refining the ground-level reforms of the economy. corridor of 6-8 percent. nisms to work with troubled assets, tomobile market experts includ- details of their union. Kazakhstan implemented in the Mangystau To further support business Inflation targeting is expected to including the organisation’s activi- ing magazine editors, the head of has confirmed that migrant work- region, according to Minister Is- activities in the country, the gov- increase the real yield savings in ties to manage non-performing as- the Automobile Union, the As- ers from within the EEU will not sekeshev, who visited the region ernment will be allocating 100 tenge, while lowering inflation ex- sets and tax issues (tax administra- sociation of Kazakhstan’s Auto need certificates and may sign la- on Jan. 9. These projects will cre- billion tenge ($550 million) from pectations. tion), will get priority. Business and others, the industry bour contracts in EEU countries ate more than 7 thousand jobs over the National Fund annually in To prevent sharp exchange rate In the field of regulatory policy, will suffer from a flood of cheap without exiting and re-entering the implementation period and just 2015-2016 for lending to small, fluctuations for the national- cur Basel III. new standards for capital Russian cars, while Kazakh au- the country where they wish to under 6 thousand jobs when fully medium and large businesses rency, measures to limit specula- adequacy of banks, will be gradu- tomakers are already resorting to work. The Ministry of Healthcare operation. The minister noted that through existing programmes of tion in the foreign exchange market ally introduced, which set softer slashing prices and spending and and Social Development does not 33 projects totalling 220 billion interbank lending of the Damu will be taken. In 2015, the National requirements for banks in terms of sending workers on unpaid leave expect a huge influx of labour tenge were launched between 2010 Entrepreneurship Development Bank jointly with the Government capital adequacy and capital com- to keep expenses down. from fellow member countries and 2014, creating an addition 5.2 Fund and the Development Bank will work to amend the legislation ponents the first stage of transition- There are also ongoing ten- and no threat to Kazakhstan’s la- thousand jobs in the region. increasing requirements for ex- ing. The National Bank will moni- of Kazakhstan. sions between EEU members over bour market, Trend.az reported Kazakhstan will also launch change offices in cash foreign ex- tor the implementation of the new issues related to EU sanctions on Jan. 8, quoting Deputy Health- Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, projects in the field of SMEs, change market. capital adequacy given the current against Russia, in particular over care and Social Development Karim Massimov, has held a meet- modernisation of housing and To reduce the burden on the state economic situation. ing with President of Tatarstan In general, the economic policy Russia’s ban on the import of some Minister Svetlana Zhakupova. communal services, road con- budget, the Government plans to Rustam Minnikhanov on Dec. 29. struction, development of electric attract external loans from inter- for 2015 will be aimed at mitigating Belarussian food products for fear The number of foreign labour- During the meeting the parties dis- power, renewable energy, and im- national financial institutions and the effects of negative external fac- of receiving re-exported EU prod- ers in the country is expected to plementing institutional reforms use mechanisms of public-private tors and, strengthening the stability ucts, and its ban on the transit of remain roughly the same as last cussed various issues, including- in the amount of $13.5 billion, partnerships for co-financing infra- of the socio-economic situation in Belarussian food to Kazakhstan year. In 2014, nearly 8,000 work- further strengthening of business with $9 billion expected to be fi- structure projects. the country. The main goals are to through its territory. Lukashenko ers from Russia came to Kazakh- partnership between Kazakhstan nanced by international financial Financial stability will be main- address recovery of the financial has complained that these bans stan, 560 from Belarus and 260 and Tatarstan. In particular, they institutions. tained by complex regulatory sector, maintain macroeconomic were enacted unilaterally and with- from Armenia. The 2014 quota considered prospects forexpanding SMEs will also receive support measures aimed at increasing the stability and competitiveness of out consultation, particularly at the for foreign labour was 63,000 cooperation in industrial sector, in- within the Business Road Map role of the national currency in the Kazakhstan’s economy through Dec. 23 EEC summit in Moscow. people, though only 29,000 regis- vestment and innovation spheres, 2020, including the expansion of economy, stimulating the growth of diversification of the economy, the Neither Belarus nor Kazakhstan tered, the ministry reported. The as well as in the sphere of military- leasing operation and financial sup- tenge liquidity of banks to further communiqué concluded. have joined Russia in banning the 2015 quota is 63,900. technical cooperation. A5 Business

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Business News in Brief “Modest” Modernisation Plans, Cost Cutting to “10 billion tenge to be allo- cated for personnel training in 10 higher education institutions within the State Programme of Offset Falling Prices, KMG EP Head Says Industrial and Innovative Devel- By Assel Kussainova million]. This is 14 percent less than deposit by EMG. We plan to start sible way to broaden the resource waste generation and the reduction opment (SPAIID),” Vice Minis- our planned capital investments for work in the OMG and Karazhan- base of our company. and liquidation of contaminated ter of Education and Science of In his state-of-the-nation ad- 2015 according to the business plan basMunay joint stock companies. lands and waste disposal. In partic- Kazakhstan Takhir Balykbayev dress, “Nurly Zhol: The Path to the set the year before. Expenses are to You announced the start of ular, we are talking about disposing said at a Jan. 9 media briefing Future,” President Nursultan Naz- be cut mainly with cuts to invest- Another important factor is large-scale production moderni- of and recycling waste in the con- arbayev said that falling oil prices at the Central Communications ments that don’t affect our level of stocks replenishment. How are sation in your main assets a few tracted territory of OMG. As you would lead to a decrease in budget Service (CCS). “The 10 billion production, expenses on infrastruc- things in that respect? Is KMG EP years ago. Have there been any know, oil deposit exploitation in revenues. CEO Abat Nurseitov tenge, allocated to institutions ture projects, as well as extending conducting any geological expedi- results? Uzen in the Mangystau region and of KazMunayGas Exploration & the deadlines for some of our long- tions at this moment? As part of our programme in in the Emba group’s deposits in the for the coming three years, is a Production (KMG EP), one of serious investment in the devel- term modernisation programmes. KMG EP is running an ongo- OMG, a department for diagnos- Atyrau region started in the last cen- the top three oil producers in Ka- ing and constant project aimed at ing and repairing our underground tury. Back then, too little attention opment of higher education and zakhstan, discussed oil production science,” Balykbayev stressed. One of the main indicators of ef- increasing oil and reserves and re- equipment was opened, as well as was paid to environmental damage, predictions for 2015 and how the fectiveness is, undoubtedly, meet- plenishing the raw materials of the an installation for preparing the flu- which led to the formation of vast, According to him, the public ac- economic downturn will affect his tivity of Kazakhstan’s scientists ing production goals. Is everything company by conducting geological ids for killing wells. In our Techni- oil-contaminated territories. By the company in an interview with the end of this year, in the OMG depos- has increased two times over for indeed going as planned? expeditions. We conduct seismic cal Transport and Well Maintenance Kazakhstanskaya Pravda newspa- Control LLC, we have put a new its, 400,000 tonnes out of 2 million the last three years. “Our task is Yes, by the results of the first explorations in prospective areas, per at the end of December 2014. manufacturing base of 250 units tonnes of waste will be eliminated, to increase financing to allow sci- nine months of this year, our com- we drill and test exploratory wells, pick and analyse core fragments of transport and specialised equip- in addition to the disposal of 52 entists and business to work to- pany exceeded our targets for The circumstances under which oil extraction. The consolidated and samples of rock layer fluid – ment into operation. A workshop is tonnes of contaminated soil with gether and implement certain re- KMG EP is working have signifi- amount, taking into account our we do the full spectrum of neces- being built for repairing oil-extrac- the use of energy-accumulative ad- sults of scientific developments. cantly changed since the start of shares in our subsidiaries, is 9.217 sary research to locate concentra- tion equipment and a service centre ditives based on humate-containing To achieve this goal, new grant the year. In February there was million tonnes of oil. Please note tions of hydrocarbons. Naturally, for 1,000 automobiles. There is also composite materials. Such disposal programmes will be developed,” a devaluation of tenge, thanks that our agreed target for 2014 was the intensity of the work conducted the reconstruction of equipment for technology is an invention of the the Deputy Minister said. to which KMG EP saw the high- 12.263 tons of oil, and we have depends on the perceived potential pumping water into rock layers. Bekturov Institute of Chemical Sci- est profits in its history. However, every reason to believe that it, too, of the region. It should be noted that This is all in the Mangystau region. ences, where the neutralised soil the second half of the year saw a “Enterprises that have taken will be achieved. In addition, de- growth in reserves replenishment is Installations for readying and trans- is planned to be used … to make fall in oil prices. How have these part in the state programme on in- spite certain hardships, this year being reported to the government’s porting associated gas were built substances for road-building. We events, in addition to the current dustrialisationare now returning a we launched trial exploitations of Commission of Reserves of Ka- at EMG at the East Makat and S. are also investigating international political instability in the world, profit”, according to Asset Isseke- zakhstan. The increase of extracted Balgimbayev deposits in the Atyrau technologies for waste disposal. affected KMG EP’s activities? a Novobogat SE deposit in the Li- shev, Minister of Investments and region. This list can go on. This year, we conducted a pilot test KMG EP received a profit of 242 man block. Very recently, we have resources in [proven reserves and Development. During his Jan. 9 We can already see positive re- of a hydrodynamic waste disposal billion tenge (US$1.32 billion) in started to exploit the Aksai deposit possible reserves] in 2012 was 3.6 working trip to the Mangystau re- of oil and gas at our joint venture, million tonnes of oil and in 2013 sults. In particular, there is a de- method, with positive results. … gion, he visited “KazAzot” LLP, the first nine months of 2014. These profits were partially offset by the KazGerMunay LLC. The amount it was 5 million tonnes of oil and creased rate of purchases of un- In regards to our other enterprises, a company that has undergone a of gas in that deposit will be of condensate. In 2014, the increase derground equipment: tubing and EMG, KarazhanbasMunay and Ka- reconstruction and modernization rise in customs fees, transportation costs and the increase of our wages great help in supplying the people in alleged extracted resources in pumping rods. By introducing a zGerMunay, by the end of the year, and consequently become more of Kyzylorda with natural gas, the [those categories] is expected to be well-killing department, we cut the 340 tonens of waste will be disposed competitive on the world mar- fund. As for the fall in oil prices on international markets, it is, of objective given to us by the Presi- around 9.3 million tonnes of oil and time it takes to make a well opera- of. We plan to dispose of almost 1.3 ket, expanding its export reach course, a significant challenge for dent of Kazakhstan. condensate. tional after repairs. Thanks to the million cubic metres of historical to include Russia, Ukraine, Kyr- our company, since it is not a secret Regarding geo-exploratory integration of global positioning waste in Uzen by 2021.OMG is gyzstan, Turkmenistan, Georgia, that our oil deposits have been used What modern technologies are works, the biggest event of this year systems into deposits, we have cut currently working on cleaning the Azerbaijan and Lithuania. “The for quite a long time. So we have used by the company to increase was the discovery of a new deposit fuel expenditures by 17 percent. tubing contaminated by radiation plant’s capacity has increased by to invest modestly into modernis- the coefficient of oil extraction? It in the Rozhkovskoe field. Also, This project paid off in two years. and other equipment, where radio- 50 percent. About 250 thousand ing our production, while carrying is no secret that KMG EP deposits initially the exploratory works in Overall, the modernisation let us active salts and dross are being de- tonnes of ammonia, about 450 heavy social obligations. are well past their primes. that field were aimed at locating stop the rise in controllable ex- posited. This equipment was stored thousand tonnes of nitrogen ferti- This is a very timely question, hydrocarbons in the Boribricov and penses, provided a stabilisation of in OMG’s temporary containment lisers were produced by the plant. Will there be any changes to since our deposits are actually quite Turneyev horizons, and the supply extraction in 2012-2013, improved landfills. … This year, a specialised Besides, the number of the people plans for oil production in 2015 as different in age, from 10 – 100 categorised as 2P [proven and prob- operational indicators, as well as contractor cleared 1,000 tonnes of working at the plant is growing. a result? years old. The mission to increase able reserves] in those horizons, helped in adhering to the demands radiation-contaminated tubing. Af- Presently, the plant’s staff in- The board of directors has ap- the coefficient of oil extraction set according to technical audits of in- of ecological legislation in the half- ter being cleaned, the tubes are sent cludes 936 people,” Issekeshev proved the 2015 oil production in February by the President at the ternational standards, rose from 5.4 urgent perspective. back into service for further use. noted. plan. We still expect a gradual in- expanded government meeting also million tonnes in 2012 to 7.9 mil- crease in the volumes of goods highlights the importance of the lion tonnes in 2013. However, apart You signed a memorandum in Does the company have plans During Minister Issekeshev’s produced by our main assets question. We mainly use secondary from those horizons, oil was also the middle of the year on coop- to expand operations by making visit to the West of Kazakhstan, [OzenMunayGas – OMG, and Em- methods of layer pressure support. found in deposits as old as Bashkir! eration between the then-Ministry deals with foreign corporations? he also took part in a meeting, baMunayGas – EMG] by 4 percent However, we also integrate new We plan to start exploiting that de- of Environment and Water Re- Yes, such plans exist. I can’t re- in Aktau on Jan. 9,to discuss the by 2018 (compared to the results of technologies. For example, on Ka- posit in 2017. sources, the then-Ministry of Oil veal any details, being bound by development of the transport 2013). Other expenses not directly zGerMunay’s Nuraly deposit in the We continue to search for ways to and Gas, KMG and KMG EP. Has the confidentiality agreement, but I and logistics potential of the re- related to production and existing Kyzylorda region, we started test- expand our geo-exploratory portfo- anything been executed through think that in the foreseeable future gion. The minister noted that the obligations were reassessed. In par- ing a new technology in June: poly- lio and we confirm our readiness to this deal? we will be able to announce our flow of cargo is growing, with ticular, capital investments in 2015 mer flooding. Similar technology invest funds into new exploratory The memorandum that you are new foreign partners to the invest- increased demand from the in- will cost 115 billion tenge [US$630 is being tried out in the Zarubenie works, since this is the only pos- talking about is aimed at preventing ment community. ternational seaport of Aktau and the “Bolashak”border terminal. In 2014, more than 10 million was transported through the seaport and 6.2 million tonnes of cargo Almaty to Host Islamic EBRD to Lend 10 Billion moved by railroad. Since the launch of the new railroads con- necting Zhezkazgan and Beineu, Tenge for On-lending to Uzen and Bolashak the volume of Finances Forum in May cargo traffic grown by 10 percen- tory and supervisory authorities, among regulatory and superviso- ton 2013 figures. Issekeshev said By Malika Orazgaliyeva Small Businesses in international financial institu- ry authorities, international inter- that a number of transport and lo- tions, financial market partici- governmental organisations and gistics projects were being imple- ASTANA – The 12th Islamic pants and representatives of sci- mented in the Mangystau region, market players. Financial Services Board (IFSB) ence and education,” the report Kazakhstan, Damu Fund in line with plans set out by Presi- IFSB is an international stand- summit will be held in Almaty on said. dent Nursultan Nazarbayev in his ard-setting organisation that pro- May 19-21, the National Bank of Hosting such an event in Ka- State-of-the-Nation address. motes and enhances the sound- Kazakhstan (NBK) announced. A zakhstan will promote Almaty as ness and stability of the Islamic to Act as Guarantor memorandum of understanding the Islamic financial hub in the financial services industry by is- The Ministry of Education and Continued from Page A1 to the local financial sector are signed between NBK and IFSB Commonwealth of Independent suing global prudential standards Science of Kazakhstan plans to on Dec.31 signified the coop- States (CIS) and Central Asia. the top priorities for the EBRD in increase grant funding to commer- and guiding principles for the in- At the loan announcement on Kazakhstan. We not only provide eration and commitment of both “I am delighted that the 2015 dustry, broadly defined to include cialise technologies, according to parties in ensuring the success summit is being held in Kazakh- Dec. 23, BCC CEO Vladislav Lee financing but are engaged in an ac- Vice Minister of Education and banking, capital markets and in- said the loan would strengthen the tive dialogue with the government of this important event, stated its stan,” said ISBF Secretary-Gen- surance sectors. IFSB also con- Science Takir Balykbayev, who Jan. 5 press release. bank’s position in the small busi- of Kazakhstan, Damu, the Nation- eral Jaseem Ahmed. “The IFSB ducts research and coordinates was speaking at a recent govern- According to NBK, the IFSB summit presents an important ness sector. al Bank and other stakeholders,” initiatives on industry-related is- “The Kazakhstan MSME ment hour held in the Mazhilis summit is an interactive platform high-level platform for the key Janet Heckman, EBRD director sues, as well as organises round- Framework will build on the ex- for Kazakhstan, said. (lower chamber of the Parlia- for key players in the Islamic fi- regulators, market players and tables, seminars and conferences tensive work the bank has done ment). “In Kazakhstan, 80-85 per- nance industry that will focus on thought leaders of the global Is- for regulators and industry stake- over a number of years in the local cent of the funding is allocated to the current development of Is- lamic Financial Services Indus- holders. The organisation con- MSME sector,” said Mike Taylor, Since early basic applied research, somewhere lamic finance in the world, regu- try (IFSI) to discuss issues per- EBRD director for financial insti- around 15 percent for experimen- lating the activities of Islamic fi- sists of 184 members, including 1990s, the EBRD tinent in steering the regulatory tutions for Kazakhstan, the Cauca- tal design work. In other parts nancial institutions, regional and 59 regulatory and supervisory direction of the industry, with the sus and Mongolia, announcing the of the world, they aim for 60-65 global cooperation in the fields authorities and eight internation- has invested mutual aim to further strengthen loan. “Our work will focus on the percent of the money going to the of financial stability and capacity al intergovernmental organisa- its resilience and stability.” promotion of finance in rural areas, over $4.8 billion development of the design. Our building, as well as the prospects “The National Bank of Ka- tions. NBK joined IFSB in 2011. approaches have been approved, Kazakhstan adopted the law on on local currency lending and on in the country’s and development plans of the in- zakhstan has been an associate technical cooperation programmes so we plan to increase funding Islamic finance in 2009, creating dustry. member of the IFSB since No- to help rebuild institutional capac- economy. for grants for commercialisation, the conditions for the functioning “The first summit of the Islam- vember 2011 and we are very ity in MSME lending. Bank Cen- including applying for patents,” ic Financial Services Board was happy to work with them in or- of Islamic banks, Islamic invest- ment funds and Islamic securities treCredit is a long-standing part- Balykbayev said. He noted that held in 2004 in the U.K. under ganising this twelfth edition of ner of the EBRD with a historical Since the beginning of its op- issue. In 2011, a law was passed the Ministry of Education is cur- the patronage of the Prince of the summit. We are especially focus and expertise in the MSME erations in Kazakhstan in the early providing the possibility of is- rently working in partnership with Wales. Subsequent summits were pleased that the summit will take area. We are pleased to launch our 1990s, the EBRD has invested over the World Bank to implement held in Qatar, Lebanon, the UAE, place in Central Asia – a region suing state Islamic securities, first project under the new frame- $4.8 billion in the country’s econo- 30 projects aimed at technology Jordan, Singapore, Bahrain, Lux- of emerging importance and po- as well as expanding the list of work with them.” my, with more than half of the total commercialisation, with 6 bil- embourg, Turkey, Malaysia and tential on the map of Islamic fi- originators of Islamic securities Lyazzat Ibragimova, chair of supporting projects in the private lion tenge allocated for the initia- Mauritius. The summit is held nance,” he added. issued by Kazakh residents. the Damu Fund, said that Damu’s sector. At the 2014 Astana Eco- tives. Of this number, 10 projects annually in May, with the sup- The annual IFSB summits aim NBK drafted a law on amend- participation as guarantor marked nomic Forum in May, the EBRD had been put into production. The port of central banks or regulator to bring together industry leaders ments and additions to certain a new stage in the fund’s history and the National Bank of Kazakh- Deputy Minister also announced countries as co-organisers of the and professionals from across the legislative acts on insurance and and indicated both the fund’s pro- stan signed two agreements to en- that Kazakhstan is developing a event. The summit usually gath- globe. In particular, participants Islamic finance to develop Islam- fessional development and the able the EBRD to source up to $1 draft law on the commercialisa- ers over 300 delegates from more of the previous summits have ic finance, insurance and leasing. EBRD’s trust in the institution. billion in tenge from the National tion of scientific, scientific and than 35 countries, including included key players of IFSI, es- At present, the draft is under dis- “Development of the MSME Bank to lend onward to Kazakh technical activities. high-ranking officials of regula- pecially members of IFSB, from cussion in parliament. segment and continued support organisations. A6 EDITORIAL&opinionS

Wednesday, January 14, 2015 Eurasian Economic OECD Launches Review of Central Union Comes into Administration of Kazakhstan By Saltanat Janenova Re-assessing the role and capaci- and retain the best and the bright- ties of Kazakhstan’s ministries, est. Force Jan 1, In his annual state-of-the-nation granting the greater autonomy and Improving Kazakhstan’s pub- address in 2014, President Nursultan involvement in the policy-making lic service performance and ac- Nazarbayev declared that Kazakh- process to support their ability countability system and reducing stan should seek to introduce living to deliver results and respond to administrative reporting require- Promising Benefits standards of the Organisation for citizen and business needs and to ments to improve management Economic Co-operation and Devel- enable the development of a pro- performance across the adminis- opment (OECD) member countries. fessional public service in Kazakh- tration and to strengthen ministe- Currently the OECD includes 34 stan. rial ability to focus on citizen and from Integration top developed countries which ac- Reviewing the functions and business needs. he treaty creating the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) took count for 60 percent of the world’s roles of central agencies to remove Vice-Minister of National Econ- effect Jan. 1, 2015, with economic borders between Armenia, GDP. Good governance has been remaining fragmentation and to omy of Kazakhstan Madina Ab- Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia becoming significantly thin- selected among top priority areas strengthen the government’s ability ylkassymova stated at the launch of ner. Kyrgyzstan is scheduled to join by May, according to the within the framework of the OECD to act as a collective body. the review that OECD’s recommen- Tdocuments signed in Moscow on Dec. 23. Kazakhstan Country Programme Strengthening transparency and dations would be beneficial for imple- Kazakhstan has been one of Eurasian integration’s biggest propo- for 2015-2016. citizen participation in policy-mak- mentation as the country was aiming nents. President Nursultan Nazarbayev first expressed the idea and According to a new Review ing, monitoring and evaluation to to strengthen its national competitive- rationale behind creating the EEU in 1994. of Central Administration which significant challenges to achieve support inclusive and participative ness and foster inclusive growth. After two decades of long negotiations and weighing the pros and was produced by the OECD and this objective, including growing decision-making processes. The The OECD will continue active- cons of the EEU, as well as much preparatory work, such as the launched on Dec. 18 in Astana, Ka- regional disparities in wealth distri- mechanisms for the protection of ly working with Kazakhstan within Eurasian Economic Community, Customs Union and the Common zakhstan has made remarkable pro- bution; a persistently high poverty citizens’ rights and dispute resolu- the framework of its 2015-2016 Economic Space, the leaders of Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus met gress since its independence and is rate, particularly in rural areas; lim- tion could also be strengthened. Kazakhstan Country Programme in in Astana on May 29, 2014 to sign a treaty establishing the EEU. now the most dynamic economic ited human capital; corruption; and Improving horizontal co-ordina- order to help it improve the quality “The document reflects all of the basic aspects related to interna- and political actor in Central Asia. the need to strengthen the rule of tion at the central level, including of its public governance and make tional organisations and follows all principles of the sovereign equality Over the past decade, the country law, democratisation and openness, through fostering working level further progress towards a modern of states. It also respects certain specific features of the member states’ made significant improvements in including citizen participation in collaboration across central agen- and efficient public sector. existing politics,” Nazarbayev told the audience that day. its allocation of resources, business policy processes. cies and ministries to strengthen Many ordinary people wondered how the EEU would benefit them. climate, human development and According to the new OECD Kazakhstan’s ability to address The author holds a PhD in so- However, as the union is becoming a reality, its benefits become more quality of public administration. review, which examined the struc- cross-cutting policy issues. cial policy and is instructor at the and more apparent. In view of this, Kazakhstan has the ture, functions and capabilities of Enhancing strategic human re- Nazarbayev University Gradu- According to Minister of Eurasian Economic Commission for ambition of joining the ranks of the Kazakhstan’s central agencies and source management and perfor- ate School of Public Policy and Economy and Financial Policy Timur Suleimenov, the EEU’s launch 30 most developed countries in the several line ministries, the follow- mance budgeting, including reduc- co-author of the OECD Kazakh- on Jan. 1 means that there will not only be a single market space for world by 2050. ing steps could help the country ing staff turnover to support the stan Review of Central Adminis- goods, but also for services. As he explained in an extensive interview Yet Kazakhstan must overcome face the challenges ahead: public service’s capacity to attract tration. with Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper, this means that citizens of all EEU member states will be able to travel, work, study and get medical treatment as easy as they do in their home countries. There will be notably less paperwork and formal procedures. constant water connections and the Tax regimes for EEU member state nationals who are residents in same level of service as any other another member state will be equal to the local population and busi- Singaporean. Place of Water in Today, state programmes in Ka- nesses. Education certificates, as well as other types of documents will be zakhstan emphasise the efficient legal and accepted everywhere necessary. use of water via tariff differentia- Citizens will also get equal access to medical services in member Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy tion, cost-efficient operation of en- states, as well as social services. Access to preschools is one of the terprises and covering investments “Singapore’s expertise is also percent. In some countries, such as most valuable advantages of the changes. By Leong Ching for the implementation of medium- All of this is expected to increase competition in labour markets, being used to help improve pub- Mexico, it is as high as 40 percent. and Karlygash Karamanova lic services, including education, In Kazakhstan, it is 22 percent. In and long-term programmes. But including in Kazakhstan. The country will also see an increase in the both drinking and irrigation water quality of its human capital. However, reaching this historical day and to modernise and diversify our Singapore, it is 4 percent. In other Kazakhstan is a country rich in economy, particularly in the field words, if Kazakhstan reduces its is still subsidised. wasn’t as easy as signing the treaty was. There were several steps oil and natural beauty. But to reach Kazakhstan will have to find its starting in the mid-2000’s taken to establish the EEU. The first step of chemical production and infor- leakage to Singapore’s level, it will its aspirations under the Kazakh- own formulation for pricing water. towards economic integration was the creation of a free trade zone. stan 2050 Strategy, it may be miss- But it must recognise that water has The second step was the creation of the Customs Union. The deci- ing one vital resource – water. sion to create the Customs Union was made at an informal summit an economic cost and its price must This is not an obvious limitation, reflect its value. of Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC) member states in especially in parts of the Almaty 2006. But only on Jan. 1, 2010, the Customs Union of three EurAsEC or East Kazakhstan oblasts, where member states – Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus – became a reality. water flows abundantly in rivers. On July 6, 2010, the Customs Code of the Customs Union came into Nudging Behaviour But when he outlined the Kazakh- Nudging, in behavioural econom- force. stan 2050 Strategy two years ago, Customs Union member states began closer cooperation and there ics and social psychology, is a light- President Nursultan Nazarbayev touch approach to behaviour modi- was a significant increase in mutual trade turnover, as well as improve- identified water shortages as a key fication – using the power of social ment in overall economic development. global challenge, with a special sa- In 2013, despite the ongoing turbulence in global economy, trade lience for landlocked Kazakhstan. norms or all-too-human emotions. turnover between the three countries increased, reaching $64.1 bil- A lack of high-quality drinking Some successful examples of lion. The structure of bilateral trade has also changed with the share water is severe in some regions, Leong Ching Karlygash Karamanova nudging have been the use of data of exported and imported raw materials declining and the volume of especially rural areas. By the end on electricity bills to lower con- technological products with high added value increasing. sumption. of 2013, according to Kazakhstan’s mation technology,” he wrote in an immediately increase its water sup- Since then, a single market for goods without tariffs was cre- Statistical Yearbook for 2009- opinion this year. ply by nearly 20 percent. In terms of regulating demand, ated. This has given Kazakhstan’s products greater access to a larger 2013, 93 percent of the households Another unglamorous but essen- At the moment, Kazakhstan’s wa- Singapore has public education market. The creation of joint ventures and cooperatives has intensi- in Kazakhstan’s cities were living tial public utility could be added to ter supply network is in poor condi- programmes. But it also has sev- fied, new jobs have been created and the range of social services has in premises with running water; this list: the provision of water in tion – some of its sections have ex- eral nudges among its water man- expanded. however, in rural areas, the figure cities. ceeded the standard operating term agement programmes, including Business conditions have improved noticeably. The members of the stood at only 25 percent. Many Singapore is one of the world’s of 25 years. In 2009, only 36 per- smaller flush cisterns, automatic Customs Union have seen increases in their rankings on the World households in remote areas still driest countries: 20th from last in cent of the water supply network push pipes and the publication of Bank’s “Ease of Doing Business” index. have their water delivered in water terms of fresh water availability. It was in working condition and 64 average consumption data in bills This was followed by the third step of integration – the Common tanks and kept in special reservoirs. used to rely on a larger neighbour, percent needed complete replace- to nudge high water users. Economic Space (CES). The CES is based on 17 international agree- By 2050, Kazakhstan hopes to Malaysia, for its water. Despite its ment or major renovation, accord- Such nudges decrease (or elimi- ments that were developed and adopted by member states in 2010 and have solved once and for all the poor endowment in water, Singa- ing to the Ak Bulak programme ap- nate) efforts needed to save water, entered into force on Jan. 1, 2012. problem of water supply. pore has a stable water supply and proved by the government in May or, in the case of bills, harness the The CES significantly enhanced the economic potential of member Globally, this is a familiar prob- management system today. 2011. The government is already power of social norms to change states. lem. Today, one billion people lack Under the Asian Development putting efforts toward rebuilding For Kazakhstan in particular, the establishment of the CES has ena- access to safe drinking water. By behaviour. Bank’s IDWA (Index of Drink- its water infrastructure. State pro- Appreciating every drop, price bled businesses to reduce transactional costs, consequently freeing up 2025, two-thirds of the world’s pop- ing Water Adequacy), Singapore grammes for water supply, like the recognition and nudging are all working capital to invest in business development. ulation will face water stress, and the scores full marks in four out of five Drinking Water Programme from measures that Kazakhstan can im- “CES countries can provide a model for a powerful union, capable situation will deteriorate by 2050. indices: access, capacity, use and 2002 – 2010 and the current Ak of becoming one of the modern world’s big economic forces as well Even worse, less than one percent of quality. There is universal provi- Bulak programme, acknowledge plement easily and at relatively low as acting as an effective link between Europe and the dynamic Asia- the world’s water is usable. sion of water to households and the need for better policies for ac- cost, especially in its cities. Pacific region,” Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan But these dire statistics need the cleanliness of its supply meets curately metering water use and Kazakhstan has big dreams, eco- Samat Ordabayev said in his article “Building an Eurasian Economic not apply to Kazakhstan. In this, a World Health Organisation stand- ensuring supplies for end users. nomically and politically, as befit- Union on Consensus, Mutual Respect and Benefit” published on May small island, as different from Ka- ards. Water in Singapore is safe to Such efforts need to be strength- ting a big country. It has both the 20, 2014. zakhstan as it is possible to imag- drink straight from the tap. ened, not just because Kazakh- wealth and the political will to The EEU has a total area of 20.2 million square kilometres. It is five ine, may offer a useful model. How did Singapore provide wa- stan’s population is increasing, but make regulatory and policy chang- times larger than the entire European Union and two times greater than Singapore is just over 700 square ter for both economic growth and because goals under the Kazakh- es that will make the revolutionary the area of China and the United States. The combined population of kilometres, whereas Kazakhstan is for drinking? How did it wean it- stan 2050 Strategy aimed at eco- transformations required. its five member states exceeds 170 million. The main contribution to 2.7 million. Singapore has no natu- self off heavy dependence on its nomic growth will require efficient We argue that these changes the combined GDP (with GDP calculated according to the purchasing ral resources, definitely no oil, and neighbour for its supply of water? water use and the recognition that ought to take place in water first. It power parity principle) of the EEU comes from Russia, with a $3.558 is an island one degree north of the Here are three ideas that could be each drop is precious. will lay the foundation for the in- trillion GDP, followed by Kazakhstan with a $420 billion GDP and equator. useful for Kazakhstan. credible developmental growth that then Belarus at $171 billion, Armenia at $24 billion and Kyrgyzstan – And yet, as Minister of Foreign $19.2 billion, according to estimates from the IMF’s World Economic Affairs of Kazakhstan Erlan Idriss- Price and Compassion will likely follow. Outlook for October 2014. ov has said, Kazakhstan has used Every Drop is Precious The pricing of water is a politi- Leong Ching is a senior research While the union promises to bring great benefits to respective Singapore directly as a model of One of the secrets to Singapore’s cally salient activity. In Singapore, fellow at the Lee Kuan Yew School economies, there should be no doubt that Kazakhstan and other EEU how to achieve success – its state success is an unglamorous engi- everyone who uses water is charged of Public Policy at the National members remain independent states free to pursue their own national asset management body, Samruk neering task – fixing the pipes. from the first drop. The Singapore University of Singapore. Karlygash interests. They only need to seek to expand their economic opportuni- Kazyna, is based on Singapore’s In most developed countries now, government has targeted support Karamanova is a teaching assistant ties by creating synergy and joint potential that would go beyond the Temasek state investment com- non-revenue water – leakage from that provides utilities subsidies for at the Graduate School of Public simple combined total of the member states. pany. source to end user – is about 20 the poor. Even the very poor have Policy at Nazarbayev University.

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Wednesday, January 14, 2015 Kazakhstan’s Campaign for UN Security Council: A focus on real issues impressive modern architecture hard to strengthen the nuclear paign – food, water, energy and of the Czech Republic, Dr Benita By Erlan Idrissov that has come to symbolise con- non-proliferation regime and nuclear security – but there has Ferrero-Waldner, former foreign temporary Kazakhstan. push forward the global nuclear been much more besides. We are minister of Austria and the ECFA’s It is a little over a year since But our EXPO, focusing on Fu- disarmament agenda. With our also continuing with initiatives first chair, Lord Lamont, former Kazakhstan formally announced ture Energy, is more than bricks partners in Central Asia, we have such as our proposal to establish Chancellor of the Exchequer of its candidacy for a non-permanent and mortar. It has transcended taken great steps towards estab- a UN hub for regional diplomacy the United Kingdom, and Franco seat on the UN Security Council in the merely physical to become an lishing the region as a nuclear free in Almaty and the launch of our Frattini, former foreign minister of 2017-2018. And it has been a year important feature of our interna- zone that has been recognised as first dedicated agency for of- Italy. of steady progress and sustained tional diplomacy. We hope that our such earlier this year by the five ficial development assistance, The ECFA aims to promote in- achievement. EXPO will both drive the energy nuclear weapon states. And, in KazAID. formed and unbiased debate on the Our diplomats have been work- agenda and produce real results partnership with the International We have also furthered discus- critical issues facing Eurasia, Cen- ing world-wide to take our foreign outside the Central Asian region Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), sion and debate on Central Asia tral Asia and Europe. It is my hope policy and international relations and across the world. we are working to establish a low- in the international community that through the ECFA, audiences to new frontiers. We have built Energy security is an issue fac- enriched uranium fuel bank in by providing support for a new, throughout the world will gain a new and exciting partnerships with Kazakhstan initiated and is now ing all nations, but it affects are Kazakhstan to promote the peace- independent think-tank, the Eura- greater understanding of the chal- countries in the South Pacific, Af- working with partners in the Or- felt most by those facing signifi- ful use of nuclear energy around sian Council for Foreign Affairs lenges, prospects and importance rica and Latin America – areas that ganisation of Islamic Cooperation cant development challenges. This the world. (ECFA). Its launch in Brussels in of Central Asia to the international in the past have been largely terra to establish the Islamic Organisa- is why we are providing resources community. incognita for my country. tion for Food Security, which will to 60 countries to enable them to “The Foreign Ministry of Kazakhstan has From its foundation in the af- Our ability to reach out to so be headquartered in Astana. take part in the EXPO – countries termath of World War II, the prin- many regions over the past year On water security, Kazakhstan, that would otherwise not be able had a busy and productive year with regard ciples, values and actions of the has shown that food, water, energy alongside its Central Asian neigh- to afford to do so. We are also United Nations have been the cor- and nuclear security – the issues bours, has been endeavouring to pursuing initiatives to support na- to the four pillars of our UNSC campaign at the heart of our UN Security develop common solutions to the tions facing acute energy prob- nerstones of international peace Council campaign – strike a chord acute and growing challenges of lems such as working with the UN – food, water, energy and nuclear security and stability. Kazakhstan is com- with audiences the world over. water supply in the region – one of Economic and Social Commission mitted to advancing the role of We have seen, in all the nations the driest in the world. for the Asia-Pacific Region to pro- – but there has been much more besides. the UN and supporting its efforts we have visited, diverse as they On energy security, we have vide funding for biomass energy to overcome the many threats and are – be it island states, develop- pushed forward with the develop- for nine small island developing We are also continuing with initiatives challenges facing the world today. ing nations, emerging markets or ment of our extensive traditional states. We are confident that our com- established global players – that resources as well as promoting Nuclear security is, of course, an such as our proposal to establish a UN hub mon efforts will help strengthen these issues are of the utmost im- new, clean and alternative solu- issue on which Kazakhstan has a this unique institution and help portance to everyone. Out com- tions through initiatives such as justly renowned record. Ever since for regional diplomacy in Almaty and the build a better, safer and more pros- mitment to these essential issues the Green Bridge and Expo 2017, our early days of independence, perous world for all. has been recognised in Samoa, which will be focused on the when we relinquished the world’s launch of our first dedicated agency for Kazakhstan looks forward to Ethiopia, Guinea, Brazil, Argen- theme of Future Energy. fourth largest nuclear arsenal and working with all our partners in tina, Chile, Mexico and the United I’m pleased to say that prepara- closed the Semipalatinsk nuclear official development assistance, KazAID.” the international community as we States alike. Kazakhstan, moreo- tions for EXPO 2017 are already test site (both inherited from the strive to achieve these goals. ver, has been playing an active role under way. The purpose-built USSR), nuclear security has been The Foreign Ministry of Ka- November was attended by some in addressing them in our region EXPO city is being constructed at the centre of Kazakhstan’s for- zakhstan has had a busy and pro- of Europe’s most prominent poli- The author is Minister of For- and beyond. on the outskirts of Astana’s Yessil eign policy. ductive year with regard to the ticians and statesmen, including eign Affairs of the Republic of With regard to food security, River’s left bank, alongside the We have continued to work four pillars of our UNSC cam- Dr Vaclav Klaus, former President Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan Implements Millennium Development Goals By Yerzhan Ashikbayev tion programme aimed at a radical tion of women’s rights. In this 2005 and at all levels of education grammes directed at the reduction try has provided various types of modernisation of all levels of edu- context in 2007, the government of by 2015. maternal mortality will be. development assistance to Central cation, from pre-school to higher Kazakhstan committed itself to the Nevertheless, the differences in Among the imperatives of the Asian countries and Afghanistan. education, is being realised. Due agenda MDG Plus, which contains positions of women and men in current moment, continued active Therefore, the need appeared of to our policy of long-term invest- additional targets based on the Kazakhstan still persist. There- work on MDG 6 should be allo- establishing the institute of devel- ments in human development, we analysis of national priorities, sta- fore the new challenges of goal cated to combat HIV/AIDS and opment assistance, which would formed the current generation of tistics and programmes, as well as 4+, adopted in 2007, include tuberculosis. Today, the reported systematise the activities of Ka- talented young people,” the Presi- the experience of other countries. such priorities as the adoption number of cumulative HIV cases zakhstan in this direction. On Dec. dent said. Today, Kazakhstan can speak and implementation of measures amounts to 21,602. Wherein, it is 10, President Nazarbayev signed The social policy of our coun- about the implementation of goals to increase the representation of aimed to retain the disease in its the law on official development as- try coexists in harmony with the one-five. women in state bodies, providing concentrated stage, i.e. below the sistance. Thus, in 2015 the official objectives of the international In particular, regarding goal one legislative and executive measures World Health Organisation (WHO) institution of Kazakhstan’s official community in solving the social (to eradicate extreme poverty and to prevent and eliminate violence recommended level 0.2 percent [in development assistance (ODA) to problems of all humanity. In 2000, hunger), the proportion of peo- against women, sustainable imple- Kazakhstan, 0.16 percent.] foreign partners, especially neigh- Kazakhstan was among 189 coun- ple living below the subsistence mentation of gender approaches in With regard to tuberculosis, bouring countries, will be created. tries in the world that signed the minimum was reduced by half. In national planning and budgeting the effective implementation of This will be the first organisation The Constitution of our country United Nations Millennium Dec- 2007, both tasks of goal one were process. a package of measures helped to of such kind in the CIS. defines Kazakhstan as a democrat- laration and committed to achiev- adapted to the national situation As to goal four (to reduce child stabilise the epidemiological situ- In a recent interview, UN Deputy ic, secular, legal and social state. ing the Millennium Development and are now formulated as follows: mortality), Kazakhstan has made ation of tuberculosis in the coun- Secretary-General Jan Eliasson From the first days of independ- Goals (MDGs) by 2015. to reduce the number of people liv- significant progress and achieved try. The indicator of incidences of spoke about the tremendous pro- ence the country’s leadership has The Millennium Declaration ing in rural areas with an income a two-thirds reduction in the tuberculosis amounted to 67.1 per gress in the development of our paid great attention to social sup- calls on countries to establish a below the subsistence minimum deaths among children under age 100,000 people in 2014 (the target country. “We are closely watching port. The realisation of this high new global partnership in order by half and halve the proportion of 5. In July 2013, the UN intera- level to be achieved in 2015 is 58). after the processes in this part of and noble purpose has been the to reduce the poverty level and people with no access to balanced gency team of experts conducted Relevant questions of environ- the world. We are very impressed key priority of the state’s long- defines the basic values and prin- nutrition. an independent examination, by mental sustainability remain in with the development directions term national development strate- ciples of development assistance. In its original formulation, to the results of which Kazakhstan MDG 7: application of the eco- of Kazakhstan that were defined in gies, such as Kazakhstan 2030 and On the basis of common key ensure the possibility for children, was positively assessed by the system approach in the design and the President’s address ‘The way Kazakhstan 2050, as well as “Nur- objectives, eight MDGs to be both boys and girls, to fully re- systematic measures carried out implementation of economic and to the future.’ The content of this ly Zhol – The Way to the Future,” achieved by 2015 were formulat- ceive primary school education by in the field of maternal and child social programmes and adherence document is important for your the Nov. 11 address by President ed. They are: 2015, goal two has been reached health. of the principles of integrated and country, but it also relates to the Nursultan Nazarbayev which set To eradicate extreme poverty in Kazakhstan. The conclusion Progress was also attained in sustainable management of the en- international efforts being made out the new economic policy of and hunger was based on the analysis of na- achieving goal five (to improve vironment in Kazakhstan. today in order to determine the fu- the country . To achieve universal primary tional policy priorities, statistical maternal health), as the maternal Nevertheless, Kazakhstan man- ture for the world. Lately, the UN Traditionally, special attention is education data, implementation of state pro- mortality rate fell from 55 per aged to improve the performance Secretary-General submitted to the devoted to social policy as a base To promote gender equality and grammes and taking into account 100,000 live births in 1990 to 12.6 of a number of positions designat- General Assembly the report on the in promoting social stability and empower women the experience of other countries in 2013. Thus, the maternal mor- ed under this goal. Specific meas- agenda of the MDGs after 2015. So harmony. In the December 2012 To reduce child mortality ures to improve the legal and regu- most of the aspects of future policy historic state-of-the-nation ad- To improve maternal health latory framework, optimisation of reflected in it match with the- tar dress , “Strategy Kazakhstan 2050, To combat HIV/AIDS, malaria “Kazakhstan is an active member of various the governance structure and man- gets that were established before a new political way of the estab- and other diseases agement processes in the field of your country in the address. Thus, lished state,” the President said, To ensure environmental sus- international organisations, biodiversity conservation and ac- your efforts at the national level are “The main criteria for me always tainability regional and international treaties tive participation in international part of international policy, hope- was and will be the nation’s qual- To develop a global partnership projects allow us to predict the fully leading to peace, prosperity, ity of life. For the last 15 years the for development and agreements. International partnerships achievement of the designated ob- respect for human rights and the income of the people of Kazakh- Overall, the MDGs are divided concluded by Kazakhstan fully support jective as long as positive dynam- rule of law,” he said. stan grew by 16 times. The number into 21 quantifiable goals, the ics of indicators are maintained. Kazakhstan is an active member of people with income below the achievement of which is measured and promote the countries’ development In general, Kazakhstan has made of various international organisa- poverty level decreased by seven in 60 indicators. significant progress in implement- tions, regional and international times, the number of unemployed Since 2000, Kazakhstan has is- goals. At this stage, the most active ties ing the stated commitments to treaties and agreements. Interna- has fallen by half. We laid the sued four reports on the imple- remain in the spheres of trade, investment, move towards sustainable devel- tional partnerships concluded by foundations of socially -oriented mentation of the MDGs. The first opment. At this stage, localisation Kazakhstan fully support and pro- society.” report was published in 2002 and finance, information technology and of challenges and expansion of mote the countries’ development President Nazarbayev also noted became the first such kind of re- communications, as well as regional and the list of environmental -sustain- goals. At this stage, the most active that Kazakhstan managed to make port in the region of Eastern Eu- ability indicators were held. This ties remain in the spheres of trade, significant progress in improving rope and the Commonwealth of international cooperation.” improves the objective assessment investment, finance, information the health of the nation and creat- Independent States (CIS). In 2005, of the changes, as well as gives the technology and communications, ing equal opportunities for educa- the second report was published possibility to optimise the combi- as well as regional and internation- tion. “To improve the efficiency on the MDGs, which presented an with emphasis on the quality of tality rate was reduced by three- nation of economic growth with al cooperation. of health care, its organisational, analysis and evaluation of achieve- education and enrollment of chil- quarters, i.e. the target level of environmental sustainability. Thus, we can say that a key fac- managing and financing systems ments at both national and regional dren with special needs from dis- 14 deaths per 100,000 live births With regard to MDG 8 (to devel- tor of successful achievement of were reformed. Over the past five levels. In 2007 and 2010 respec- advantaged groups. was reached. op a global partnership for devel- the MDGs in Kazakhstan turns out years, maternal mortality has de- tively, the third and fourth reports Promotion of gender equality Achieving the target of univer- opment), Kazakhstan continues to to be consistent implementation creased by almost three times and on the MDGs were published. and the empowerment of women sal access to reproductive health develop cooperation and partner- of the development programmes the birth rate increased 1.5 times. By the middle of the last decade, is one of the core aspects of the by 2015 of MDG 5 will depend ships at the international level (in- Kazakhstan 2030 and Kazakhstan Equal opportunities for education Kazakhstan had already achieved national social policy. Due to this, on how successfully the structural cluding trade, donor and financial 2050. are being created. Over the past some initial goals of development, Kazakhstan fulfilled goal three on reforms in health and education institutions) and within the pri- 15 years, spending on education such as poverty reduction, access abolition of the gender gap in pri- systems pass and how effective the vate sector and civil society of the The author is deputy foreign grew 9.5 times. The state educa- to primary education and promo- mary and secondary education by management and financing of pro- country. For many years, our coun- minister of Kazakhstan. A8 eurasia&world

Wednesday, January 14, 2015 Poland Eager to Expand Cooperation with Kazakhstan, Ambassador Says By Dmitry Lee businessmen count on the Kazakh in economic cooperation were land covers their expenses and the nai (700 kilometres) for instance. market and what’s important is touched upon during the visit, in teachers are working in schools Other than that I don’t feel other ASTANA – Poland is seeking to the two sides are integrating into investments, trade, exchange of and cultural centres. challenges in Kazakhstan. Another expand cooperation with Kazakh- the production industry with joint technology, green technology, in- thing we give priority to is to have stan in various fields, according to investments rather than just trade. frastructure cooperation, construc- The media reported that the honorary consuls in Kazakhstan Jacek Kluczkowski, Ambassador Businessmen understand that to tion sector, agriculture and so on. Polish government designated similar to many other diplomatic Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary have a reliable position in the Ka- Kazakhstan as one of the five missions here. These are citizens of Poland in Kazakhstan. zakh market they need to be here, There is a significant Polish most promising markets for Pol- of Kazakhstan that can aid and re- In his interview with the Astana they need to organise joint ven- minority in Kazakhstan. How do ish business? Times, the ambassador, who has solve some issues in the country. tures. What gives us hope is that you think they feel about Kazakh- First of all, Poland’s take on Ka- We are close to having at least two been posted in Kazakhstan since stan and Poland? How would you zakhstan is that Kazakhstan is an we see that there are about 160 such consuls in Kazakhstan. 2011, emphasised a few pivotal Polish companies in Kazakhstan evaluate the government’s lan- important economic partner. The points of his mission. A historian that have either joint ventures or guage and cultural policies in this goals of our embassy here are to by education, Kluczkowski spent subsidiaries and about 2,000 com- respect? closely cooperate with the minis- What are your personal impres- his early career as a journalist, then panies that are part of the bilateral We help the local 45,000-50,000 tries, national companies and gov- switched to the President’s admin- sions of work in Kazakhstan? trade. These are impressive num- in the Polish community in Ka- ernmental bodies that are actively istration and was posted as an am- I like Kazakhstan in general; Jacek Kluczkowski bers. Polish investments are not zakhstan to preserve the Polish lan- engaged in the economy of the bassador in Ukraine in 2005. when relatives arrive I take them huge, but mostly in small and me- guage and cultural heritage. Back country, promote cultural and edu- whole Eurasian space. In short, to Borovoye. I like the mountains dium-sized businesses; that is the in September 2014, I signed an ed- cational ties and be an active part How would you describe the Kazakhstan is about the third larg- in the southern parts of Kazakh- dynamic of the Polish economy, ucational agreement that stipulates of the large Polish community in achievements in almost twenty- est importer of Polish goods in the many educational programmes, Kazakhstan. stan, as there are places to be three years of relations between CIS and fifth in Asian countries. which keeps developing without seen. One thing is the winter is interruption. The Polish economy however one of the pivotal points Poland and Kazakhstan as two And for Kazakhstan, in my opin- was to support the Polish language What are some of the chal- not that exciting and not abun- independent nations, including in ion, amid European countries, is the only EU economy that has dant with evening city strolls. not undergone a recess; even dur- studies for Kazakh citizens of Pol- lenges, if any, that your mission politics, economy and business? Poland is not in the top five but ish descent. Thirteen teachers ar- encountered in Kazakhstan? Sometimes it is impossible to go In general, Poland and Kazakh- perhaps the sixth or seventh trade ing the 2008 and 2009 financial stan have vibrant bilateral rela- partner. crises our economy grew. What Kazakhstan happens to be one of the most important trade tions. Since 1992 when our dip- In general, our relations are also makes our economy different is lomatic mission was established, developing steadily in the humani- that it has an internal dynamic; partners, not only in the [Commonwealth of Independent there have been two presidential tarian field, where there is poten- we see that in many respects it de- visits of Polish presidents and two tial and opportunities. We have pends on small and medium-sized States] CIS member states but also in the whole Eurasian space. visits of your president to Poland, something to be complacent of. businesses that are more adept dur- as well as official visits of prime Poland’s exports to Kazakhstan ing times of crisis. In short, Kazakhstan is about the third largest importer ministers, foreign ministers and are mostly comprised of automo- parliamentary delegations, so in bile parts, mining gear, chemi- What were the outcomes of the of Polish goods in the CIS and fifth in Asian countries. this sense we have had very vi- cal products, make-up, furniture, recent visit to Astana by Polish brant relations. agricultural produce, fruits and Deputy Prime Minister Janusz And for Kazakhstan, in my opinion, amid European countries, As for economic relations, de- vegetables. I can say in the past Piechocinski? spite the fact that the countries are two years we have expanded this The visit in November 2014 Poland is not in the top five but perhaps the sixth or seventh located quite far from each other trade quite successfully, although of Polish Deputy Prime Minis- Poland adheres to the policy of in 2014 we did run into some chal- ter Janusz Piechocinski, who also trade partner. exporting goods to the east in gen- lenges with logistical issues with happens to be the co-chair of the eral and Kazakhstan happens to be some products via Russia. The de- inter-governmental economic rived from Poland mostly to north- One of the main challenges in out for weeks. For an ambassador one of the most important trade valuation of the tenge also made commission of Poland and minis- ern parts of Kazakhstan, including Kazakhstan is the distance. Some- it is not a problem, as mostly we partners, not only in the [Com- our products less competitive with ter of economy, boosted the eco- Astana and Karaganda, where the times our diplomats have to travel spend time in offices, cars and monwealth of Independent States] some others. Nevertheless, there is nomic ties between the two coun- Polish communities are prevalent to Kazakh borders and those are meetings, but the ambassador’s CIS member states but also in the no significant drop in trade. Polish tries. A wide range of questions in number. The government of Po- lengthy distances, like to Kosta- families might find it a little dull. Country Steps Up Efforts in Search for Peace in Eastern Ukraine Continued from Page A1 cussed the progress on Ukraine, istration of the Luhansk Oblast stressing the importance of joint received the aid in the presence As a result of lengthy negotiations, efforts by all stakeholders for a of Kazakh officials and local and it was agreed to appoint a prelimi- peaceful settlement of the crisis. international nongovernmental nary date for the Normandy Format On Jan. 12, the ministers of organisations, including the In- meeting, which was immediately Ukraine, Russia, Germany and ternational Committee of the Red made public by the Ukrainian leader. France gathered in Berlin, where, Cross and the Office of the United On Dec. 30, President Naz- among other things, they discussed Nations High Commissioner for arbayev confirmed his willingness the possibility of the meeting of Refugees. to host the next round of meetings the heads of state in Kazakhstan’s “Ukraine is experiencing a dif- between leaders of the Normandy Astana. ficult time ... and in this situation, Four in Astana, in mid-January “or Despite the uncertainty of a Nor- Kazakhstan cannot stay indiffer- at any other convenient time for mandy Format meeting in Astana, ent,” a senior official from the the parties.” Kazakhstan is continuing its efforts Kazakh Embassy in Ukraine said, However, numerous inter-par- to help stabilise the situation in explaining the motive for Astana’s ties negotiations have challenged Ukraine. “The fratricidal war has decision to send aid. further steps, calling into question brought true devastation to eastern Deputy Head of the Luhansk the agreed meeting Oblast State Ad- date. As part of its humanitarian assistance ministration Olga In the meantime, Lishik expressed another important to Ukraine, Kazakhstan has sent Ukraine’s gratitude step in a string of to the people of Ka- peacemaking ef- $400,000 worth of aid to Ukraine’s zakhstan for their forts was made af- assistance. ter senior diplomats southeastern regions to help ease the “This is seri- from Germany, crisis following months of military ous support for France, Ukraine us, including the and Russia met at conflict... Donetsk and Lu- the Federal Foreign hansk Oblasts, Office in Berlin The aid shipment included 127,875 cans where military ac- on Jan. 5 to discuss of meat, 40 tons of sugar, 150 tons of tion is taking place the possible resolu- and the civil popu- tion of the crisis. It buckwheat and 36,000 liters of vegetable lation suffers. We was announced af- are grateful that ter this meeting that oil, among other essential items. President Naz- senior diplomats arbayev initiated would continue their talks, as there Ukraine, and it is a common task the aid,” she said. were still some serious unresolved to stop the war there, strengthen The aid shipment included issues. Ukraine’s independence and secure 127,875 cans of meat, 40 tons As a follow up to the earlier pro- the territorial integrity of Ukraine,” of sugar, 150 tons of buckwheat gress, Nazarbayev had an informal said President Nazarbayev recent- and 36,000 liters of vegetable oil, encounter with Chancellor Mer- ly. among other essential items. kel in Berlin on Jan. 9. During the As part of its humanitarian as- In addition, in October 2014, talks, the parties discussed bilateral sistance to Ukraine, Kazakhstan Kazakhstan donated $30,000 to cooperation as well as the situa- has sent $400,000 worth of aid to the International Committee of the tion in Ukraine, the Akorda press Ukraine’s southeastern regions Red Cross’s humanitarian effort in service reported. At the request of to help ease the crisis following Ukraine. the German side, the Kazakh Presi- months of military conflict. While the final decision on the dent also received German Federal Railway cars carrying canned Normandy Four meeting will soon Minister for Foreign Affairs Frank- meat, sugar, buckwheat and veg- be clarified, Astana holds true to Walter Steinmeier. etable oil were delivered on Jan. 9 its aspiration to reconcile the two Later in the day, Nazarbayev to Severodonestsk, a town near the brotherly nations and is determined had a telephone conversation with Ukrainian-Russian border. to continue contributing its best ef- Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukraine’s State Service of Emer- forts to bring lasting peace and sta- during which the parties again dis- gency Situations and the admin- bility to Ukraine. B Nation&Capital

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Culture society Sports Kazakh-Spanish Film Named Best 2014 Kazakhstan Works to Improve Astana Arlans Kick Off World Boxing Documentary at California Film Awards Protection of Human Rights, Series with New Roster B3 Ombudsman Says B5 B7 Astana Dakar Team Crews Chase Eight Kazakh Success in South America Universities Listed By Dmitry Lee

Three crews in the car category and one crew in the truck catego- among Top 100 for ry are representing Kazakhstan at the Jan. 4-17 Dakar Rally 2015 in South America. The pilots/co-pilots pairs rep- Eastern Europe, resenting Kazakhstan are: in the category class T1 – Aidyn Rakh- imbayev/Anton Nikolayev, MINI; Bauyrzhan Issabayev/Vladimir Central Asia Demyanenko, Toyota Overdrive; tional University was founded in in T2 – Denis Berezovsky/Ignat By Malika Rustem 1934. The university has more than Falkov, Nissan Patrol; trucks – Ar- 19,000 students who study at 14 tur Ardavichus/Alexei Nikizhev ASTANA – Eight Kazakhstan schools devoted to science, engi- and mechanic Daniel Kozlovsky universities were included on the neering, humanities and the social on a Tatra. list of best universities in Eastern sciences. The university maintains As of Jan. 12, Rakhimbayev/ Europe and Central Asia, accord- close relations with leading uni- Nikolayev held 10th position, Is- ing to British company QS Quac- versities from around the world. sabayev/Demyanenko the 21st and quarelli Symonds’ December re- Every year, world-leading schol- Ardavichus/Nikizhev were in 19th port. The new university rankings ars including Nobel Prize winners position overall. Astana Dakar Crew Issabayev/Demyanenko during the race in South America. cover 30 Eastern European and such as John Forbes Nash, Finn Central Asian countries. Al-Farabi E. Kydland, Roger D. Kornberg, Kazakh National University was Christopher Pissarides and Murray ranked 14, while L.N. Gumilyov Gell-Mann deliver lectures to stu- Eurasian National University was dents. More than 500 international placed at 23 . professors from 20 countries teach Belarusians Find a Home in According to Head of the QS In- at the university. telligence Unit Ben Sowter, who is L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian Nation- responsible for managing all major al University (ENU) was Kazakh- QS research projects, Eastern Eu- stan’s second entry in the 2013/14 Kazakhstan ropean and Central Asian universi- QS World University Rankings. those considered enemies of the Valour medal by President Nursul- focus on the younger generation, ties are making significant contri- Founded in 1996 in the capital By Dmitry Lee people. tan Nazarbayev. We participate in because it is important they know butions to global higher education. Astana, ENU has about 13,000 “I remember in the 1930s our all venues hosted by the assembly. our past and cultural heritage.” ASTANA – Kazakhstan is home “Today, these universities are not parents would get all Belarusians in We not only focus on learning and “[In Kazakhstan] we are given students. Having set a mission of to more than 130 ethnic groups. just competing on the national or Kazakhstan together, socialise and preserving our own language, but becoming a leading Eurasian re- Millions perished in the vicious re- opportunities. We can open Sun- regional level, but they are enter- spend the evening together and I also are actively learning Kazakh, search and education centre, ENU pression led by then-Soviet strong- day schools if we like and lan- ing the international arena by stim- thought to myself, ‘why can’t we do as there are free courses offered at currently has 26 scientific institu- man Joseph Stalin in the 1930s that guage schools and we are given ulating innovation and promoting the same these days?’ And in 2001 the Akimat. At the upcoming con- tions, including research institutes, continued until the 1950s; howev- the opportunity to speak our own their strengths as never before. As we organised our own dancing cert our Belarusian singer will sing laboratories and science centres. er, Belarusians suffered a different language. We also can pay visits a result, they are becoming more classes, we established our com- in Kazakh. She is fluent in Kazakh, Other schools that made it into fate even earlier. to other communities; for instance, attractive to students from all over munity and are now a part of the but will perform in a Belarusian Top 100 of the ranking include the “The first Belarusians in the ter- recently we had a holiday within the world,” he said. Assembly of the People of Kazakh- national costume. We also have our Kazakh-British Technical Univer- ritory of Kazakhstan were sighted the Jewish community. Sowter also noted that the goal stan. I was awarded with a Labour young vocal band Alessya. I try to Continued on Page B2 sity (51-60), K.I. Satpayev Kazakh in the mid-nineteenth century,” said of their ranking is to provide uni- versities with a platform upon National Technical University (51- Alexandra Romanova, chairwoman 60), E.A. Buketov Karaganda State of the Belarus Public Association. which they can demonstrate their best features while at the same University (71-80), M.O. Auezov “They were exiled Belarusians South Kazakhstan State University from the 1863-64 coup d’état in time helping students compare and choose amongst many institutions. (71-80), and Abylai Khan Kazakh Belorussia that was unsuccessful. University of International Rela- Later, during [Pyotr] Stolypin’s re- During the study, QS examined tions and World Languages (81- forms some Belarusians were also 368 universities, 255 of them had 90). sent to Kazakhstan.” never been mentioned before in QS World University Rankings Stolypin, Russian Prime Minis- any ratings. Eight universities from is a prestigious annual ranking of ter and Minister of Internal Affairs Kazakhstan were included in the the best universities in the world from 1906 to 1911, was mostly re- Top 100. membered for his efforts to counter “We look forward to working and is perhaps one of the most rec- revolutionary groups and imple- with even more ambitious univer- ognised and respected ratings of its ment agrarian reforms. sities as the project progresses,” kind. QS Rankings are compiled “But the majority of us came Sowter noted. by experts from the QS Intelli- here during the years of the Virgin Russia takes the leading place in gence Unit (QSIU) in close coop- Lands campaign in 1954-65,” Ro- the ranking with 26 universities in eration with the International Ad- manova explained. “As for myself total; Moscow State University is visory Board, an organisation that and my family, I was repressed, listed at number one. The next two includes many leading scientists. because my father was exiled for countries with the largest number The rankings are widely used by anti-Soviet propaganda. There are of universities in the rating were prospective students and special- still photographs of my family at Turkey (10) and the Czech Repub- ists from universities and govern- the ALZHIR museum.” lic (10), followed by Poland (9) ments worldwide. ALZHIR, an acronym in Rus- and Kazakhstan (8). QSIU was formed in 2008; its sian for “Akmola Camp for The two top-ranked Kazakhstan main goal is to meet the increas- Wives of Traitors of the Mother- universities among those eight are ing public demand for comparative land,” is a former labour camp 35 respected and amongst the best in data on universities and organisa- kilometres from Astana. It is the the country. tions and the growing demand for most notorious in GULAG Archi- Al-Farabi Kazakh National Uni- institutions to develop deeper in- pelago, made globally famous by versity is one of the oldest univer- sight into their competitive envi- Alexander Solzhenitsyn, which sities not only in Kazakhstan, but ronment. It remains a distinct and was reserved for the spouses of Members of the Belarusian community in national costumes during Assembly of People of Kazakhstan venue in Astana. also in Central Asia. Kazakh Na- autonomous department. Things to Watch Sabina Altynbekova: Popularity Is January astana ROCK CLUB Both a Challenge and a Gift January 17 at 20:00 Old ‘New Rock’ her and expressing their admira- gruelling training. Our team has particular playing style, which snow park (central park) By Ilyas Omarov tion. long sought it, trying to show such cannot be confused with anything. January 18 at 11:00 World Snow Day Altynbekova, however, says she a result. Undoubtedly, our girls I think that our volleyball play- ASTANA – Sabina Altynbekova, remains a very modest person who proved to be great. At present, our ers should continue following this Fly Astana (koktal 13) 18, is a member of Kazakhstan’s is trying to use her unexpected national team is one of the most unique style and hone it so it will January 18 at 12:00 Extreme Rope Jumping women’s junior national volleyball popularity to promote Kazakhstan experienced ones in the world. Be- positively influence results in the team. and volleyball. lieving that this is not the limit, the future. KazNUI organ Hall She hails from the West Ka- The Astana Times spoke with the Kazakh team should perform even January 20 at 19:00 Brass Band Orchestra zakhstan city of Aktobe. She shot star last week when she visited the better in the future. In this respect, Who is your favourite player or to stardom in East Asia last sum- capital. undoubtedly, we should pay more idol? Alau Sports Complex mer, but not exactly because of her attention to the new generation of Since I started to play, my fa- January 23-24 at 10:00 Speedskating Championship volleyball skill. Rather, Chinese Last season, Kazakhstan’s Kazakh volleyball players, who vourite player has been and re- fans took notice of Altynbekova’s women’s national volleyball team tomorrow will replace the current mains a longtime captain of our DAULET Sports Palace natural beauty, which many of her made it into the second round of national team players, and that is team, Elena Pavlova, who was one January 25 at 10:00 Winter Jogging Cup Stage II new fans say evokes images from the World Cup for the first time what our management is focusing of the best volleyball players in Japanese anime art. In the last few in the history of independent Ka- on. the world. Choosing from existing ASTANA OPERA months, Altynbekova has become zakhstan. Is this a fluke, or is this volleyball players, I like the lead- very famous across Asia, and now the result of hard work? How would you describe Ka- er of the Russian team, Ekaterina January 28 at 19:00 Evening of Piano Music in the stands watching the Kazakh Indeed, this is a natural result of zakhstan’s volleyball style? Euro- Gamova. team’s performances are fans there our team’s performance, supported pean, Latin American or Asian? for the purpose of taking a look at by hard work and many hours of I think that we have our own Continued on Page B2 B2 Nation&Capital people

Wednesday, January 14, 2015 Belarusians Find Sabina Altynbekova: Popularity Is a Home Both a Challenge and a Gift Continued from Page B1 it is both a challenge and a gift of fate. However, most importantly, in Kazakhstan Why did you choose volleyball? people are going to learn more At first, I was invited to [play about our country. I have repeated- Continued from Page B1 population records, the Belaru- basketball], but I did not quite like ly stated that in Asia, for example, sian population in Kazakhstan is it. Later, having watched volley- many people take pictures with our They invited us and we went. steadily reducing. Today, there are ball for the first time, I felt that it flag and cheer for us. The Turkish community also had a about 67,000 left in the country, was my sport and made the right similar festival, so we also organ- with heavily-populated areas in the decision. If you get offers to play abroad ised an event [called] Bulbachka Kostanai, Akmola, Karaganda and from serious foreign clubs, what where we demonstrated Belaru- North Kazakhstan regions, while Volleyball is sometimes referred will your response be? sian cuisine and culture. Guests to as one of the most intelligent Why not? To play in a famous didn’t want to leave at the end of Today, there are sports. It is like chess for active foreign club another year or two, the event. We invited all the chair- people, where you have to move to gain experience and improve men of different ethnic groups un- around the court and at the same the quality of my game – in the der the Assembly, so guests were about 67,000 time think on the fly, taking in- future, it will contribute to the de- from different cultures. It was re- stantaneous decisions that affect velopment and growth of [Kazakh- ally, really interesting. We need to Belarusians left in the course of the game. Do you stan’s] volleyball and advance it to host another such festival soon.” agree with this assessment? a new level. With numerous connections in the country, with This is exactly the case. I com- her historical homeland and no pletely agree. Indeed, volleyball is How do you assess the level of political repressions since the col- heavily-populated one of the fastest sports, in which Kazakhstan’s sports journalism? lapse of the USSR, Romanova pre- it is necessary to think, make in- I find it difficult to draw any fers to live in Kazakhstan and has areas in the stant decisions and respond simul- conclusions, but I can express her own solid reasons. taneously, and the ability to do it my subjective point of view. As “My father was repressed in the Kostanai, Akmola, affects your future on the court. a representative of a junior team, 1930s and we didn’t have the right I believe that it would not hurt if to keep in touch with our relatives Karaganda and What do you think about beach reporters focus more on the issues back in Belarus. When my father volleyball? Do you like it? of youth sport. was 80, in his sleep at times he Well, I like volleyball in its clas- would scream out, ‘it was not my North Kazakhstan sical form more, when there is a ...volleyball is one of fault that we got deported, father, team and emotions are simmering. it was not my fault.’ His words wa- regions. In short, I prefer classic volleyball, the fastest sports, in tered our eyes. My parents were which has it all. sent out from Belarus in cattle cars in 2009 the population was 88,000 which it is necessary and in trains, but when I was taken and in 2005 totaled some 94,000. I cannot help but ask about the by our Akim to Belarus to celebrate According to community member immense popularity that came to think, make Minsk Day and when we were Halil Maslov, who wrote a thesis down upon you last year. How greeted there with flowers and all paper on Belarusians in Kazakh- do you and people close to you instant decisions formalities my soul shattered – my stan in 2009, such migrating ten- handle it? In what ways do you and respond parents were exiled from here and dencies mostly among the younger want to use this popularity in the I am met with honours and a red generation is explained by the future? simultaneously, and carpet and flowers. This is one of proximity of Belarus to Europe. The popularity has its advantag- the reasons [I never thought] about The younger generation is relocat- es. I mean, concerning only sport – the ability to do it moving back to Belarus and also ing to Belarus to be able to move representatives of various foreign because it is [unwise] to try and closer to Europe in the future and clubs have started to pay attention affects your future plant one tree twice.” some Belarusians move from Ka- to me. It really is a big plus. As for on the court. According to statistics and zakhstan to Russia. popularity in general, I believe that Sabina Altynbekova B3 Nation&Capital Culture

Wednesday, January 14, 2015 Kazakhfilm Supports Young Filmmakers, National Image programme in the national budget, “Mongol,” (2007) another big- By Michelle Witte the ministry noted. budget epic. Documentaries and at least one In 2010, the studio produced GAITHERSBURG, MD – Ka- occasional feature were made what became Kazakhstan’s high- zakhstan’s film industry is one of in Almaty in the 1930s, but Ka- est-grossing domestic film, “Tale the mechanisms the young country zakhstan’s film industry really of the Pink Bunny,” which fo- is using to define its own image on launched in 1942 – 1944, when cused not on ancient Kazakhs but the international stage. Through prominent Soviet filmmakers Vs- on young people in Almaty, raised scholarships and grants offered by evolod Pudovkin, Dziga Vertov in a newly-independent state. Be- the Kazakhfilm joint stock com- and Sergei Eisenstein were evac- tween 2008 and 2010, according to pany, the country offers support uated to Almaty during the Sec- a September 2010 Variety article, for some young actors and direc- ond World War. Thrillers, epics, the share of domestic films in the tors and helps bring their work to and, of course, propaganda, con- Kazakh market increased from 3 domestic and international audi- tinued to be produced after the percent to 7 percent. ences. Russians left, and Kazakh films Ten films were scheduled for Kazakhfilm, which operates out passed through several filmmak- release in 2012 and another half a of Almaty, has been responsible ing waves of changing subjects dozen in each of 2013 and 2014. for some of Kazakhstan’s biggest and ethos. “The film industry of Kazakhstan critical and commercial hits at The national film production shows good dynamics – a signifi- home and abroad, including recent company has existed all the while, cant rise compared to the previous award-winners “Harmony Les- first as Alma-Ata Film Studios in decade. This volume results from a sons” (2013) and “Shal” (2012) 1941, then renamed Kazakhfilm comprehensive process that occurs and the big-budget epic “Myn in 1961. After independence, the due to many factors, such as the Bala” (2011). studio initially struggled with success of Kazakh cinema, theatre Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Cul- the rest of the country, producing and cinema chain growth, increased ture and Sport discussed its sup- films but, lacking a comprehen- attendance at the box office, the ex- port for young filmmakers for a sive distribution structure, gener- pansion of infrastructure and film- Dec. 27 article in the Kazakhstans- ally failing to reach Kazakh audi- making services and more. Today, kaya Pravda newspaper. “Kazakh- ences, as Kazakh film critic and our film industry is emerging as a film provides all possible support researcher Gulnara Abikeyeva promising sector of the economy, to young filmmakers – financial, has pointed out. In 2005, this be- attractive for international coopera- technical, advisory and even edu- University, among others. [Abroad – directing, script and producer’s port from Kazakhfilm to create gan to turn around with the big- tion,” the Ministry of Culture and cational,” the ministry said in re- are] the Gerasimov Institute of courses, workshops, training – are their next production, “if there budget production, “Nomad.” Sport said, as reported by Kazakh- sponse to their query. “Thus, the Cinematography in Moscow, the held.” is a script on a socially signifi- While no box office success, the stanskaya Pravda on Dec. 21. studio collaborates with leading New York Film Academy, the St. Young directors’ films are cant theme,” the ministry told the investment in technology and tal- Shooting on a 20-part film about local and foreign universities of Petersburg State University of watched, the ministry said, and newspaper. Kazakhfilm supports ent – $37 million, according to the Kazakh Khanate is set to begin film and television. In Kazakhstan, Film and Television, as well as young Kazakh filmmakers who short films as well as feature multiple sources – seems to have this month, they said. Kazakhstan there are the Zhurgenov National other film schools where various receive top marks in interna- length productions. boosted the domestic film indus- will be celebrating 550 years of University of the Arts and Turan kinds of educational programmes tional film festivals may get sup- “National film production” is a try. “Nomad” was followed by statehood in 2015. Kazakh-Spanish Film Named Almaty Folklore Best 2014 Documentary at California Troupe Introduces Film Awards Kazakh Musical positive articles about Kazakh- stan’s gesture of friendship and the fates of families confined in Traditions to Egypt camps in Kazakhstan. a concert of Kazakh artists in cele- “Personally, I think this was By Malika Orazgaliyeva bration of Kazakhstan’s Independ- a moment of reconciliation be- ence Day. The performance was tween Spaniards and Kazakhstan Performers and bands from held in the Theatre of Arabic Mu- citizens. People from Kazakhstan Kazakhstan, India, Spain, Bang- sic of Cairo, an elaborate building and Spain communicated with ladesh, South Sudan, Egypt and with more than one hundred years each other on a human level, not other countries took part in the In- of history. through their governments,” Gas- ternational Folk Music Festival in par, president of the Asociacion the Egyptian city of Faiyum on Nexos-Alianza stated. Dec. 17-21. The event was sup- Suyіnbay Sazy’s “What is surprising is how they ported by the Ministry of Culture coexisted,” Gaspar said, adding of Egypt and the governor of the performance that the prisoners’ “goal was to sur- city. was well vive and return to Spain. As a re- Kazakhstan was represented at sult, they forgot their ideologies.” the festival by the ethnographic- received and Referring to the aim of the film, folklore troupe from the Almaty the creators also underlined ad- oblast, Suyіnbay Sazy. generated the vancing cultural relations between Suyіnbay Sazy’s performance interest of the the two states. This is “a work that was well received and generated seeks to fundamentally enrich the the interest of the Egyptian public, Egyptian public, ties between the peoples of Ka- media and diplomatic corps ac- zakhstan and Spain,” the president credited in Cairo. At the end of the media and of Agencia EFE said. concert, Ambassador of Kazakh- diplomatic corps Bilateral relations “do not only stan to Egypt Berik Aryn presented By Danna Bupezhanova the relatives and descendants of the The film reflected records of consist of official acts, ceremonial a dombyra (Kazakh national musi- accredited in Cairo. people who were in these camps eyewitnesses and elaborated on and political and economic issues, cal instrument) to the Museum of ASTANA – The Kazakhstan- and anyone interested in the recent the circumstances leading to the they also include very human and Folk Instruments, which is located The performances by Kazakh Spanish film “Los Olvidados de history of our countries,” said Ka- capture of the Spanish prisoners beautiful projects like the one we on the territory of the theatre. artists introduced the Egyptian Karagandá” won the title of best zakhstan’s Ambassador to Spain in KarLag (Karaganda Corrective are presenting today,” Dyussen- In addition, on Dec. 24, the Ka- public the musical traditions and documentary of 2014, receiving a Bakhyt Dyussenbayev. Labour Camps), which was un- bayev added. zakh Embassy in Egypt organised art of Kazakhstan. diamond award at the California The project emerged as a result known until now to the majority of Film Awards, an independent film of Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Spaniards. award. Rajoy’s September 2013 visit to Ka- Historically, the USSR sup- The 50-minute documentary zakhstan, during which Kazakhstan ported the Republican cause in “Los Olvidados de Karagandá” or President Nursultan Nazarbayev Spain’s 1936-1939 civil war. “The Forgotten of Karaganda,” di- presented him with a list of the Therefore, when Franco’s side rected by Yolanda Mendiola, tells names of 152 Spaniards who were prevailed, a number of Republi- the story of 152 Spaniards held in held in Stalin-era labour camps. cans and their families fled to the a Soviet labour camp in Kazakh- Thus, Kazakhstan became the first Soviet Union. At the same time, stan’s Karaganda region, who Soviet successor state to carry out some of the Francoist Blue Divi- despite having different political a formal transfer of archival docu- sion volunteers were captured by ideas, are united by the desire to ments to Spain. A project was im- the Russians while fighting along- survive. plemented with the assistance of side the Germans at the siege of “We believe that this story can Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry and Leningrad. The film showed ideo- be of great interest to researchers, the Asociacion Nexos-Alianza. logical enemies meeting in the same camp and becoming allies, forgetting their differences for the sake of personal and collective survival. The presentation of the docu- mentary film at the headquar- ters of Agencia EFE in Madrid on Nov. 18, 2014 received wide publicity. The event was attended by Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Spain Dyussenbayev, Head of Television Española Jose Ramon Diez, President of the Asociacion Nexos-Alianza Enrique Gaspar, Agencia EFE president Jose An- tonio Vera, relatives and descend- ants of camp victims and academ- ics. A number of authoritative Still from “Los Olvidados de Karagandá” documentary. media outlets in Spain published B4 Nation&Capital COUNTRY

Wednesday, January 14, 2015 New High-Speed Train Kazakhstan Increases Cuts 12 Hours off Astana- Use of Electronic Bracelet to-Kyzylorda Travel Monitoring Rather By Yury Lee

KYZYLORDA – The Passenger Transportation company launched Than Prison on Dec. 29 a new high-speed pas- and Germany. A number of les- rectional tool as well, particularly senger train that will cut the travel By Zhanara Abdulova sons learned from experience in helping people develop more time between Astana and Kyzylorda elsewhere were taken into ac- self-control over their lives and by one third. ASTANA – Remote electronic count when finalising the codes. comply with court-imposed re- “The train consists of 23 cars, monitoring of convicts is under- For example, in the United States strictions. However, electronic including two cars of grand class, way in Kazakhstan, as the new it is four times cheaper to use monitoring works best when sup- two of business class, 14 of tour- criminal and penal codes adopted electronic monitoring bracelets ported by trained probation ser- ist class, two dining cars and three in early July went into effect Jan. on convicts than to keep them in vices with the resources to pro- technical cars. The train will stop 1. prison. vide supervision and advice for at the following stations during the The codes were enacted against Similarly, the use of monitoring offenders. route: Karaganda, Sary-Shagan, the background of the nation’s bracelets in Kazakhstan will help Therefore, the mission of pro- Chu, Zhambyl, Shymkent, Arys-2 continuing efforts to humanise decrease the number of people bation service is not only to ex- and Turkestan. Time of the route to its criminal and penal legislation in jails and significantly reduce ecute non-custodial control, but Kyzylorda is 22 hours, 25 minutes through the wide use of non-pu- the budget. According to Deputy also to render social and legal as- and back – 23 hours and 22 min- nitive legal means. The action is Prosecutor General Zhakip As- sistance to probationers and help utes,” the company said in a state- aimed at positively influencing sanov, the government presently them obtain education, find a job ment, adding that the train would prisoners and helping them mend spends 580,000 tenge (US$3,167) and receive medical care. The as- run once every four days. their ways. annually to service one prisoner. sistance, in turn, is intended to The first passengers on the Kyzy- In line with the newly-intro- As national legislation in the secure their social rehabilitation, lorda platform were met by Regional duced penal code, electronic appropriate spheres was almost as well as prevent and reduce new Akim (Governor) Krymbek Kush- monitoring bracelets will be used completely revised, which led to crimes they might commit. erbayev, who gave his congratula- to track three categories of con- the adoption of new codes, it is When dealing with the probation- tions at the launch of the train. victs: those sentenced to restrict- hoped the probation system will er, officers look at the profile of the “The head of state has always ed freedom, given a suspended gain momentum. convicted offender, explain the sys- paid special attention to the devel- sentence and released from prison Kazakh criminal policy now tem of socio-legal assistance and opment of road infrastructure. One on parole. regards the idea of expanding obligations provided by the court example of this is the construction The list of electronic tracking humanisation to be of paramount and develop an individual pro- of the railway line Zhezkazgan- devices was approved by govern- importance and aims to reduce the gramme of socio-legal assistance. Saksaulsk and international trans- ment decree in November and number of persons condemned to As a result, probation officers coop- port corridor Western Europe-West- includes seven specifically-de- imprisonment through wider use erate with local municipalities and ern China. Launching a new route scribed types of tracking equip- of alternative forms of custodial have the right to establish job quo- will save [travellers] 12 hours,” ment. The procedure used with punishment. The expansion of tas for those on the probation ser- said Kusherbayev, emphasising that each device is also strictly defined probation services and introduc- vice list. In addition, state agencies this is one of the projects whose in place to allow discounts for ad- demand would change (from 44 to by the competent penal authority. tion of electronic monitoring are are able to support their work with implementation was accelerated by vance ticket purchases. Passengers 35 days before departure of the train Remote electronic monitoring seen as key developments in re- the assistance of non-governmental Kazakh President Nursultan Naz- who purchased tickets early re- the discount would be up to 35 per- is part of the probation system ducing the prison population and organisations through a system of arbayev’s recent state-of-the-nation ceived discounts of up to 35 percent. cent, from 34 to 25 days – up to 25 that was first introduced in Ka- further decriminalisation and hu- state social order. address. By the date of the departure of the percent, from 24 to 8 days – up to 15 zakh legislation in February 2012. manisation of the law, which con- Despite holding 31st place on Since October, a system has been trains, the ticket price depending on percent). In the context of overall liberali- stitute one of the major goals of the global prison population list sation and democratisation, the the government and law enforce- with 316 prisoners per 100,000 penal system faced the problem ment bodies. people, which is considered to be of introducing a new methodol- In 2013, 7,000 offenders were a rather high indicator, Kazakh- ogy of imposing criminal sanc- on probation in Kazakhstan. Au- stan has already made significant tions without isolating convicts thorities expect the introduction progress in reducing its prison from society. To enable the sys- of electronic bracelets to be worn population and plans to reduce it tem work properly, amendments by probationers will help signifi- still further by using more alterna- and additions were made to ten cantly improve the situation. With tive sentences. Thus, the number different laws. the new criminal code in effect, of prisoners has decreased almost In the following months, the the number of probationers is ex- three times since independence, General Prosecutor’s Office and pected to reach 50,000. dropping from 140,000 to 49,000. Ministry of Internal Affairs have As stipulated by the newly-in- Following the introduction of the continuously tried to expand the troduced penal code, probation is required legislative base, Kazakh use of non-custodial sentences in a set of measures of social and le- law enforcement bodies must still order to establish fairer and more gal nature enforced at the individ- decide where to buy the electronic proportionate sanctions. Experts ual’s place of residence. The of- monitoring devices and arrange a agree that probation is more ef- fender is ordered to follow certain proper procedure for allocation of fective than imprisonment for conditions set forth by the law funds for their procurement. less serious crimes, particularly in under the supervision of a police It has been reported authorities terms of its cost effectiveness. officer. During this testing period, are now planning to set up local While devising new codes, ex- an offender faces the threat of be- production of electronic bracelets tensive research was made into ing sent back to prison if found instead of purchasing the devices the European experience of using breaking the rules. abroad. In their words, it would be electronic monitoring, includ- Electronic monitoring has an more feasible and cost-efficient ing in the U.K., the Netherlands important part to play as a cor- for the state budget. New Greenhouse Complex Expected to Meet Pavlodar City’s Vegetable Demands ance delays as well as the onset of By Sergey Gorbunov winter. “The weather is windy and PAVLODAR – The launching of snowy. That strongly inhibits the a new greenhouse complex in Pav- workflow,” said Chief Installer lodar that is forecast to produce Radzhikumar Brahatanik. 1,600 tonnes of tomatoes per year, Installers, however, hope to along with other vegetables, is glaze the greenhouses in the next expected to nearly meet the city’s few days and complete the boiler vegetable demand and bring down room, which will allow the soil to prices in the regional market. be warmed to the desired tempera- The greenhouse’s establishing ture and seeds to be planted. Then company Pavlodar has partnered the young plants will be moved to with Dutch firm DALSEM Horti- where industrial production of to- cultural Projects B.V. to produce matoes will be conducted. Accord- a greenhouse complex utilis- ing to forecasts of the factory work- ing the latest equipment that will ers, somewhere in the beginning of withstand the test of time. In ad- May, the commercial network will dition to equipment, DALSEM receive the first tomatoes. has provided supervision and an “We expect to produce an aver- agronomist, who will organise the age of 12 tonnes of tomatoes a day. production of vegetables using hy- We will try to make the price lower draulic technology, which is unfa- by 30-40 percent compared to im- miliar to Pavlodar specialists. ported tomatoes,” said Baurzhan “[Approximately] 1.57 bil- Ospanov, director of the Pavlodar lion tenge were invested in the greenhouse complex. construction, and the construc- The production of tomatoes and tion completion was scheduled vegetables by the complex will for 2013 but then postponed until benefit from the stand-alone heat- spring 2015,” said Nikolai Dy- ing of greenhouses, the complexes’ chko, head of the Department of own wells for watering plants and Industrial and Innovative Devel- the purchase of electricity directly opment of the region. from the thermal power plant, Dutch experts attribute the de- without intermediaries, which is lays to delivery and custom clear- cheaper. B5 Nation&Capital SOCIETY

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

comes from his status as a guarantor of the Constitution and its first arti- cle, which proclaimed human rights Kazakhstan Works to Improve Protection a core value. The Nurly Zhol new economic policy includes unprecedented sup- port of social, labour, housing and of Human Rights, Ombudsman Says economic rights through the develop- exclusively represent the non-gov- the United Nations, in particular in to commemorate the adoption of intolerance and violence once again ment of production, improvement of By Ruslan Taukenov ernmental sector. It is a significant 2014 to the Human Rights Council the Universal Declaration of Hu- confirm the need to strengthen in- the banking sector, overhaul of trans- achievement of our country, practi- and the Committee against Torture. man Rights by the UN General As- ternational cooperation in order to port and logistics, industrial, energy, As the year 2014 drew to a close, cal demonstration of the commit- Members of these authoritative in- sembly in 1948. You have already solve related problems. housing and social infrastructure, we interviewed Askar Shakirov, Ka- ment to high human rights stand- ternational organisations commend- mentioned the international part- Military conflicts amass viola- utilities, networks and water heating zakhstan’s Commissioner for Hu- ards, indicator of the maturity of ed the results of the implemented nerships. Elaborate on this direc- tions of human rights. In addition, and creation of over 200,000 jobs. man Rights (Ombudsman), to talk the civil society and a sign of trust. commitment of our country in the tion of your work. they give rise to refugee flows that Kazakhstan has successfully about achievements and challenges Kazakhstan is the only [Common- field of human rights and we will In recent years, the Commission- could cause a humanitarian catas- overcome the first wave of the in this critical area and his plans for wealth of Independent States] CIS continue the work in this direction er for Human Rights in Kazakhstan trophe in the host country. We also global economic crisis and is now the future. country which established such a following the recommendations. has been consistently integrating should not forget about the possible using its experience as a preventive mechanism in full compliance with Referring to the human rights into the international ombudsmen threats to the sovereignty and terri- measure confronting a deteriorating As the main human rights advo- the norms and standards of interna- process in our country, the high community and has now become torial integrity of states, where mili- global environment. Our country cate of the country, how would you tional law. level of cooperation between gov- a full member of the universal hu- tary conflicts occur. describe 2014? has great potential to promote initia- Another event which reflected ernment agencies and NGOs should man rights movement. In 2012, we Equally disturbing are cross- tives for international cooperation in Speaking of human rights, it was Kazakhstan’s commitment to inter- be highlighted. A unique mediator joined the International Coordinat- border labour migration flows. The the field of human rights. President undoubtedly a landmark year. One national law priorities was a deci- role of the ombudsman in the legal ing Committee of National Institu- imbalance leads to an increase in Nazarbayev has repeatedly stressed of the most significant events was sion to establish the Ombudsman system, enhanced with the launch tions for the Promotion and Pro- crime, unemployment and social the need for joint action against the announcement by President for Children’s Rights. The state has of the National Preventive Mecha- tection of Human Rights and this tensions in the host country. This global threats and even greater use Nursultan Nazarbayev of the Nurly a positive working experience of es- nism, promotes the process. September joined the Asia-Pacific is a pressing issue for many states. of the potential of integration in Zhol new economic policy, aimed at tablishing specialised ombudsmen, We attract international partners, Forum of Ombudsmen. Today, we Nowadays, we see many countries the Eurasian space, broadening its the effective implementation of the including banking, investment, in- in particular in the framework of study the experience of other coun- tightening legislation in an attempt constitutional rights of the people of surance and corporate ombudsmen the implementation of joint projects tries, while they themselves are be- to cope with a wave of people seek- scope and format. Kazakhstan. of the Kazakhstan Temir Zholy with the OSCE Centre in Astana, ginning to consult us on such issues ing a better lot in a foreign land. Kazakhstan has clearly demon- New versions of the Criminal National Company and Samruk Ka- UN Children’s Fund, Office of the as children’s rights and violence in Even in the EU, the debate raises strated the possibility of disclosure Code, Criminal Executive Code zyna Sovereign Wealth Fund. UN High Commissioner for Human schools. sharp contradictions. of this potential during its chairman- and new Criminal Procedure Code Other important adopted legal Rights and Penal Reform Interna- In general, Kazakhstan partici- Another challenge is international ship in the OSCE and hosting the were adopted [this year] providing acts directly affecting human rights tional. The work of participants of pates in almost all major agree- unilateral coercive measures, so- OSCE Astana summit. The Con- humanisation of justice, expansion include the Law On Road Traffic, the National Preventive Mechanism ments in the field of human rights. called sanctions which, in addition gress of Leaders of World and Tradi- of alternative measures of punish- which controls the daily exercise and members of the civil society re- We are actively involved in human to political and economic aspects, tional Religions held in Astana also ment, strengthening the judiciary, of the rights of virtually every citi- ceives the support of the Prosecutor rights work within the UN, [the Or- have a negative impact on the rights gained international recognition. enhancing the principles of equality zen of Kazakhstan as a pedestrian, General’s Office, Ministry of Inte- ganisation for Security and Cooper- of ordinary citizens. During Kazakhstan’s chairman- of parties and fighting against such driver or passenger. rior Affairs and Ministry of Justice. ation in Europe] OSCE and [the Or- All of this suggests the need to ship, the Organisation of Islamic challenges as corruption, medical This year the Code of Administra- In particular, I would underline ganisation of Islamic Cooperation] intensify joint efforts and develop Cooperation was reformed and an crimes and attacks on motherhood tive Offences and the Law On Trade a recent open letter from the Com- OIC. We emphasise human rights mechanisms to counter global OIC Permanent Independent Com- and childhood. Unions were also adopted, while missioner for Human Rights to the issues in the agreement to enhance threats. Human rights could be the mission for Human Rights was es- The practical implementation laws against extremism and terror- Minister of Education and Science the partnership and cooperation ideological and conceptual basis tablished. The President of Kazakh- started of the Law on the National ism and domestic violence were on the issue of violence and other between Kazakhstan and the Euro- for such activities. An initiative of stan identified the prospects of joint Preventive Mechanism, established significantly amended. Kazakhstan violations of children’s rights in pean Union. This vector of our work states, which are perceived as unbi- increase of welfare of the peoples of in accordance with the obliga- ratified the international conven- schools. It raises specific problems with foreign colleagues reflects the ased and respected members of the the Islamic region, indicating that tions arising from the Constitution tions on the Promotional Frame- identified by monitoring and it fact that human rights today have international community, could give the OIC countries, which controlled and the Optional Protocol to the work for Occupational Safety and should be stressed that the ministry acquired a universal character. a definite impetus to the process. 70 percent of the world’s energy re- Convention against Torture. The Health, establishing a procedure for and its head personally responded, Currently, the objects of interstate sources, accounted for only 7.5 per- essence of this conceptually-new- determining the minimum wage and agreeing with our proposals. cooperation are not only virtually all The above-mentioned chal- cent of world GDP and 11.2 percent for-us institute of rights protection its protection. This dialogue, bringing together categories of human rights, which lenges and threats, in fact, are ex- of the global trade. is to create a system of independent efforts of the ombudsman’s office, previously were an exclusive com- tremely relevant. What place does Today, economic, political, en- monitoring of human rights obser- What contributed to such pro- government, civil society and in- petence of states, but also new chal- our country have or can it take in vironmental and any other interna- vance in closed institutions. ductive work? ternational partners, provided the lenges. For example, expansion of the process of addressing them? tional threats are already identified The mechanism introduces un- First of all, these achievements impetus for the development of the extremist ideologies. Recently, our In Kazakhstan, human rights are as challenges for human rights. restricted access of civil society to are the result of the targeted policies Interagency Action Plan to prevent society has been shocked by videos a key component of the state policy. Priority measures to prevent inter- such institutions for the first time aimed at improving the rights and violence and abuse against children spread about young Kazakh citizens Implementation of the initiatives national challenges to human rights in Kazakhstan, as its members, freedoms of Kazakhstan’s citizens. for 2015-2016. in the zone of the Syrian conflict. of President Nazarbayev is always are the key to the success of states, except for the coordinator and the Another important aspect is reports Such facts of child recruitment and aimed primarily at protecting the while late actions can lead to fatal Commissioner for Human Rights, to the international structures of Human Rights Day is celebrated brainwashing with the ideology of rights and interests of the citizens. It consequences.

the club that set up the conference itself). If someone feels they were unjustly insulted (i.e. the criticism Model United Nations Concept at hand has no factual basis) they 3D Printers to be can call for a Point of Order; if the chair recognises the point, the del- egate who made the insult is asked Produced in Almaty Evolves in Schools to retract their statement. national Conference on 3D print- By Babur Dombay the first one to do so, as the major who have travelled abroad to attend To discuss a topic, delegates en- By Malika Orazgaliyeva ing in Almaty. claimants are Harvard MUN, Berke- the conference. Before delegates gage in formal debate and moder- According to the website of the Many adults, especially parents, ley MUN and National MUN NY. physically attend the conference, ated and unmoderated caucuses. ASTANA – The Central Com- Ministry of Education and Science, want to educate their children about Recently MUN has spread to they are separated into committees In a formal debate, delegates stand munications Service (CCS) hosted today, as part of the grant funding politics, but most of them confuse many parts of the world, Kazakhstan and assigned to represent countries to speak by being appointed to the a briefing on key trends in innova- system, 1,933 projects and 86 sci- learning politics with induction included, with some conferences be- which are usually not the country speakers list by either raising their tive and technical development in entific and technical programmes into a political agenda or belief. Yet placards or sending a note to the ing set up to take in delegates (par- from which the delegates hail so Kazakhstan on Jan. 9. are being carried out. Total gov- there’s a difference between teach- ticipants) from countries other than as to promote learning of differ- chair. They make speeches and an- The briefing was attended by ing them how politics work, defin- swer questions to debate a topic or a ernment funding for research and its host’s homeland, such as Hailey- ent cultures. For example, Kazakh Deputy Minister of Education and ing diplomacy, etc. and making kids bury MUN and the aforementioned delegates to the Haileybury UK resolution/amendment while facing development reached 61.7 billion Science Takir Balykbaev, Deputy accept subjective statements (opin- Harvard MUN, and some are often 2014 conference were representing the entire committee and there is a tenge (US$336.7 million) in 2013; ions) along the lines of “that (insert hosted in different countries each the Dominican Republic, Canada time limit for speaking. This is the Chairman of the Board of the that figure has doubled over the a name of a politician) is (insert an year. Participants come from very and India. Once the delegations or default state of a committee, so if National Science and Technol- past two years. insult).” different countries and in a single groups of delegates from a single there are no further motions (propo- ogy Holding Parasat Lyazat Myl- As a result, the number of sci- It is normal for people to be bi- conference delegates from nations school or university receive their sitions to do something as a com- tykbayeva and General Director of entists nationwide has grown. In ased, but how can children learn such as the U.S., UK, Russia, Pa- country lists, individual delegates mittee that need a majority of votes the Centre for Technology Com- 2009, there were 15,800 scien- about politics while avoiding it? kistan, Kazakhstan and Turkey can are free to choose any country in to pass) the committee goes to this mercialisation Damir Yegizbayev. tists. Today there are 23,700. A good way would be to person- be present. In Kazakhstan, the idea any committee where the country state. In a moderated caucus, most ally experience diplomacy at work was first taken up some time in late is present, but there can only be one procedures are dropped and anyone but it is unwise to let children gov- 2000s but there is little documenta- delegate of a country per commit- can speak if recognised by the chair; According to the Ministry of Education and Science, ern a country just for the sake of tion to suggest which conference it tee. Then they are presented with here the time limit per speaker is today, as part of the grant funding system, 1,933 education, so the next logical idea was, the most likely candidate is the the topics which will be discussed shorter than in a formal debate. In projects and 86 scientific and technical programmes would be to create a simulation of Miras MUN as it was the largest one in their committee and are expected an unmoderated caucus, delegates a governing body. One such simula- at that time in the country. to conduct research on those topics. meet each other and discuss topics. are being carried out. Total government funding for tion is Model United Nations, also U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ste- Within Kazakhstan, students tend It is important to note that there are research and development reached 61.7 billion tenge referred to as Model UN or MUN. phen Breyer recalled his experience to discuss global topics, the same as a number of different variations of It is, obviously, a simulation of re- with MUN. “When I was an under- in the real UN. Topics vary widely MUN rules varying from confer- (US$336.7 million) in 2013. al-life UN (with slightly simplified graduate at Stanford, I was twice a depending on the committee, from ence to conference since there are At the briefing, while present- In order to promote the develop- rules) aimed at educating middle delegate to the Model United Nations the rights of the indigenous peo- few unified guidelines as to how ing several promising innovations ment of links between science and school, high school and univer- and once a member of the Secretariat ple in the Human Rights Commit- conferences should work; for exam- originating in Kazakhstan, Yegiz- business, the Ministry of Education sity students about diplomacy, the tee to the withdrawal of coalition ple, in Miras MUN the “moderated (when Stanford was the host). Stu- bayev announced that plans to pro- United Nations, its structure and dents are enthusiastic role-players. forces from Afghanistan in the Se- caucus” is in fact a formal debate and Science, with the support of aims and international relations in We had to learn how nations and their curity Council. Both, in fact, were MUN has been practiced for some duce 3D printers in the country are the World Bank, is implementing general, as well as nurturing skills representatives could work with oth- the topics in the Miras MUN 2013 time now in Kazakhstan, both on underway, Kazakhstanskaya Pravda a project focused on the commer- of public speaking and research ers. We learned about how the United conference which was attended by national and international levels. Al- reported. cialisation of technology. For these through first-hand experience. Nations (and international relations) students from across Kazakhstan. though there are no international con- “These innovative devices are purposes, the Centre for Technology Many educational facilities, includ- worked in practice. The experience After all preparations are done ferences hosted in Kazakhstan yet, becoming increasingly popular Commercialisation was established. ing ones in Kazakhstan, have taken was valuable, the conferences were and it is time to go to the confer- there are some nationwide confer- around the world, but consumers Today, the centre is working on 65 up the activity. Kazakh schools that educational and it was great fun. I ence, delegates are first greeted with ences, the most notable being Miras face big challenges with such ser- research and development projects attend MUN conferences include, am delighted to learn more than half an opening ceremony which tends International School MUN conduct- vices. Our 3DLAB developers offer and 16 innovative grants totaling 6 but are not limited to, Miras Inter- a century later the Model UN is still to promote local culture and nation- ed annually and receiving delegates a turnkey service, which includes billion tenge (US$32.7 million). national School (also a host of an going strong. I should think that in al heritage. For example, at the start from across the country from cit- production, training, maintenance The ministry has drafted the annual MUN conference), Arystan today’s great global conversation it of Miras MUN 2014 delegates were ies such as Shymkent, Astana and and constant software updates. Our law “On the commercialisation of Lyceum, Haileybury Almaty and offers ... students an even more valu- greeted by a couple of dancers per- Almaty (where it is hosted). Some price is 20-30 percent lower than research and development deliv- Kazakh-Turkish Lyceum. able experience.” forming a modernised version of the schools send delegations to foreign that of our competitors,” he said. erables.” The law provides for in- The idea of mimicking a world- Kazakh and worldwide confer- traditional “Kara Zhorgha” dance as international MUN conferences. For According to Yegizbayev, the centives for business entities that wide organisation stems from the ences are often set up by MUN well a “shashu,” a process of greet- example, Haileybury Almaty sent a Model League of Nations imita- clubs in their schools or universities, ing guests by throwing sweets in delegation to its sister school, Hai- first contract has already been commercially apply research and tions, a precursor to the UN Confer- often student-led (or with teacher the air as a gesture of good will and leybury UK, in March-April 2014 signed. Grantees purchased four development deliverables. The ences of MLN first held during the advisory) and serve as preparation hospitality. Inside the committees, and two delegates received com- 3D printers that will be used in the law also provides state support for 1920s before League of Nations’ to host a conference, which are usu- delegates are expected to remain mendatory awards for exceptional production of insulation materials research and development com- disintegration in the next decade. As ally annual. Preparations include relatively serious and at all times performance in their committees. in the energy sector. mercialisation. It will allow for an the UN was set up in 1945 the idea readying equipment (e.g. desks, be respectful of their fellow del- It was announced that Kazakh- increase in the effectiveness and was reinitiated in the 1950s, though projectors), spaces for committees, egates and the moderators known as The author, 17, is a student at stan’s 3D developments will be competitive ability of research and it is unclear which committee was food and accommodations for those chairs (they are usually members of the Haileybury Almaty School. presented on April 16 at the Inter- development projects. B6 Nation&Capital Tourism

Wednesday, January 14, 2015 Kazakh Medical Tourism Efforts Beginning to Show Results transplants at $20,000 are much enhancing substance among some By Michelle Witte cheaper in Kazakhstan than they athletes. The new medical centre are in Turkey, a country that itself anchors a tourism cluster in North- As Kazakhstan develops its attracts medical tourists. ern Kazakhstan, part of the coun- medical competence, with advanc- In addition to medical tourism, try’s efforts to develop pockets of es in bariatric, cardiac and neuro- wellness or health tourism is also tourism destinations in the regions. surgery in the last few years, as poised to grow. Kazakhstan’s new Kazakhstan has a long way to go well as laser eye surgery and gen- official tourism website, kazakh- before catching up to global medi- eral transplant surgery, a trickle of stan.travel, promotes traditional cal tourism hubs like Costa Rica, medical tourists are being drawn to cures like kumyss therapy, mineral India, Thailand and South Korea. the country. and other water treatments and Global statistics on the number of Until recently, it would have been traditional medicine treatments in- medical tourists worldwide are hard more likely to see Kazakhs travel cluding deer antler therapy. to come by, but the Patients Beyond abroad for medical care, and in- Pantotherapy – the therapeutic Borders website estimates that deed, countries like India, Malaysia, use of deer-antler velvet and ex- Thailand attracted up to 1.8 million South Korea, Israel and others are tract – is being developed as part medical tourists in 2013, and Ma- still courting the Kazakh market. of a tourism destination project in laysia 600,000 in 2012. India serves But travellers seeking treatment in Northern Kazakhstan’s Aiyrtau re- some 250,000 annually, it reports. Kazakhstan are also on the rise. In gion. A new medical centre there, Closer to home, Turkey is reported December, the Ministry of Health which opened in June, will use to have hosted 110,000 foreigners and Social Development announced velvet harvested from the maral, seeking medical treatment in 2012, that patients from a significantly in- a type of large deer native to Ka- and its wellness tourism industry of creased number of countries are be- zakhstan. The deer are farmed in thermal and mud spas attracts half a ing treated in Kazakhstan. the areas and the species is gener- million visitors per year. As Tengrinews reported on Dec. Subsidiaries of the country’s so it is unclear how many actually Low cost as well as increased ally widespread. Kazakhstan’s 800 or so patients 8, Director of the Medical Aid public-private National Medical travelled to Kazakhstan for care quality would seem to be a driver The antlers contain biologically- are, comparatively, a drop in the Management Department of the Holding have seen a rise in patients and how many simply chose to of medical tourism to Kazakh- active substances as well as female bucket. However, for a country Ministry of Health and Social De- from the United States, Japan and receive care in Kazakhstan rather stan. Per the Tengrinews story, sex hormones and have been used still in the early stages of devel- velopment Gulnar Kulkayeva said Italy, she said, whereas foreign pa- than leave. the Ministry of Health and Social in traditional eastern medicine for oping both tourism and high qual- the most popular services provided tients previously only came from Most foreign patients, 260, came Development reported that bone thousands of years. The antlers ity medical care, with new direct to foreign patients in 2013 were Russia and Kyrgyzstan. Eight from the U.K., according to the marrow transplants, at $51,000 are used to treat a variety of con- flights being added each season microsurgical removal of spinal hundred and thirty-two foreign ministry. The U.S. followed with in Kazakhstan, cost half as much ditions, including sexual dysfunc- and with the possibility of offering herniated discs, in-vitro fertilisa- nationals were treated in National 111, Kyrgyzstan with 51, Turkey as they do in Russia, and kid- tion, the effects of menopause, liv- better care than some neighbours tion, heart valve surgery and treat- Medical Holding clinics in 2013, with 50, Russia with 44, and oth- ney transplants at $16,000 cost er and kidney problems and a host and cheaper care than others, the ments for uterine fibroids and ad- she said. The number includes for- ers from Bulgaria, Sri Lanka, the less than half that in Kazakh- of others. Deer antler has recently sector would certainly seem to enomyosis. eigners working in Kazakhstan, Philippines and 23 other countries. stan’s northern neighbour. Liver been in vogue as a performance- hold some promise. Visa-Free Regime New Official Tourism Website to Yield Manifold Launched By Michelle Witte to click on the photos to learn more Kazakhstan has a number of of- the Tourism Industry Department, Increase in Kazakhstan, about each individual. ficial or semi-official online pres- seeks to provide free training for GAITHERSBURG, MD – Ka- The site, a project of the Tourism ences promoting its tourism po- citizens involved in tourism-relat- zakhstan launched a new official Industry Department of the Minis- tential. The Kazakhstan Tourism ed industries now or hoping to be, South Korea Travel tourism website, Kazakhstan. try for Investments and Develop- Association, a nongovernmental as well as serve as a platform for travel, in June, with information ment, comes as Kazakhstan begins association approved by the gov- dialogue on improving the industry in English, Kazakh and Russian on a major push to develop tourism ernment, has a portal on the Ori- and attracting more guests, Chair- the country’s culture, history and in five clusters around the country, ental Express Central Asia website man of the then-Tourism Industry geography as well as detailed in- part of the Concept on Tourism to and also operates Kazakhstan’s Committee Marat Igali told The formation on destinations in each 2020 approved last year, and bring Ecotourism Information Resource Astana Times in May. He said then of the country’s oblasts or regions. tourism as a share of gross domes- Centre, an online source of infor- that active work would be done to The website contains photos tic product from 0.3 percent to 4 mation about nature-based tourism attract tourists through online mar- and descriptions of games, food, percent. in Kazakhstan. Visitkazakhstan.kz keting activities and platforms like clothing and jewellery and other Photos and maps add visual is also an “official tourism website Google Earth, Trip Advisor, Face- aspects of traditional Kazakh cul- interest to the new site, and its of Kazakhstan.” book and Twitter. ture, as well as blurbs about mod- phrasebook and useful informa- More and more, the Kazakh gov- In June 2014, Kazakhstan initi- ern Kazakh society and religion. tion section are helpful resources. ernment is using online resources ated a one-year visa-free pilot pro- The ethnic diversity of the country An air ticketing page links to Air to develop its tourism industry, gramme for 10 countries identified is highlighted in a gallery of snap- Astana’s online booking system, not only reach out to foreigners, as major investors. Before that shots of citizens of different ethnic but the hotel booking section is not but to engage and train locals in- move, the country had improved backgrounds, including ethnic Ta- yet populated and information on volved in the industry. “Tourism is by five positions on the Competi- tars, Koreans, Ukrainians, Ingush accommodation around some des- Everyone’s Business,” a Facebook tiveness Index for Tourism from By Dmitry Lee the South Korean Ambassador to Kazakhstan Baik Joohyeon some and more. Site visitors are invited tinations is lacking. group created with the support of 2011-2013. ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s con- 40,000 Koreans visited Kazakh- tinued efforts to promote multi- stan in 2014. directional foreign policy by intro- “Fifteen thousand Kazakh citi- ducing a visa-free regime in 2014 zens visited South Korea [in 2014] with 10 countries which are big and about 40,000 Koreans visited Kazakhstan,” he stressed. Central Kazakhstan Tourist investors in its economy were not futile. In response, some of those Numerous international projects countries have facilitated their visa like the EXPO 2017 construction procedures and some even went sites, Highville, Apple Town and some of Kazakhstan’s renowned Attractions Named among World’s as far as cancelling visa-related constraints to boost the travel ex- five-star international hotels attract change. Korean businessmen and labour- South Korea was one of the na- ers, while tourists enjoy learning 100 Most Sustainable about Kazakh culture and sight- tions, along with Malaysia and By Natalya Ryzhkova the United Arab Emirates, which seeing. The visa-free travel between has completely abandoned the KARAGANDA REGION the countries will not be enough visa regime with Kazakhstan. As – The Kyzylarai mountain oa- a result, these countries are taking to stimulate investment inflow to sis and Shabanbai-bi Village in advantage of numerous economic Kazakhstan, said former Kazakh Central Kazakhstan were named benefits that the policy envisioned, diplomat Kazbek Beisebayev in among the world’s 100 most sus- such as medical tourism for South his interview with Deutsche Welle. tainable tourist destinations last Korea. According to Beisebayev, inves- year. The new visa free regime be- tors will seek other comforting tween the Kazakhstan and South terms for such purposes and a visa “The oasis and the village with Korea was introduced on Nov. is not an obstacle. Nonetheless, the guest houses have been nominat- 29, 2014, providing for a month- cancellation of visas “will increase ed as a single object. Kyzylarai long visa-free mutual travel for the number of visitors to Kazakh- mountains and Shabanbai-bi Vil- citizens of both countries. In his stan and will develop tourism,” he lage in the Aktogai area represent interview with tengrinews.kz, noted. a very promising place for the de- Korean medical tourism busi- At the 27th Plenary Session of velopment of eco-tourism,” said nessman Dong-Il Lim noted the the Foreign Investors Council on Vitaly Shuptar, head of the Av- number of medical tourists to June 12, 2014 President Nursul- alon Historical and Geographical South Korea is expected to in- tan Nazarbayev announced the Society which did the submis- crease fivefold, from 2,890 in upcoming introduction of a visa- sion. “In the heart of Sary-Arka 2014 to about 15,000 in 2015. The free regime with 10 countries there is everything that one may demand among Kazakh citizens which were the biggest investors need to relax: striking beauty for medical services in South Ko- in the country’s economy: France, of nature and unique historical rea has increased 24 times since Germany, Italy, Japan, the Neth- sights.” 2008, he told the media. erlands, Malaysia, South Korea, According to Avalon represent- According to statistics of the Ka- the UAE, the United Kingdom atives, the group established the zakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the United States. The pro- list of the most sustainable tour- the nation’s embassy in South ject, providing for a 15-day visa ist destinations to assess efforts Korea issued 8,334 visas in 2012, free entrance to Kazakhstan for to promote sustainable tourism 9,150 in 2013 and 6,237 in the first citizens of these countries, with around the world. Nominees were Kyzylarai mountain range. nine months of 2014 before talks no limits on the number of such determined by open voting on so- on the visa-free regime were an- visits, was given pilot status, with cial networks as well as the input in Central Kazakhstan, wander ments, including ancient cave office) note, it is worth visiting nounced. These numbers certainly the validity period from July 15, of 30 international experts. through beautiful pine forests, paintings, a Bronze Age necropo- these places to experience the don’t reflect the total inflow of Ko- 2014 to July 15, 2015 and the Kyzylarai offers a variety of visit the sacred cave Aulie and see lis and Turkic stone sculptures. boundless hospitality, friendli- rean citizens, but only those who possibility of prolonging at the tourist options. Visitors can hike wild sheep and elk. Visitors can As representatives of the Akto- ness and exceptional culinary applied from Seoul. According to expiration date. Aksoran, the highest mountain also see unique historical monu- gai district akimat (local mayor’s skills of Shabanbai-bi residents. B7 Nation&Capital Sports

Wednesday, January 14, 2015 Astana Arlans Kick Off World Karaganda Boxing Series with New Roster Football Coach the team’s champion title. Last year, the team reached the semis, but lost to the Baku Fires. This season the team is again hopeful Completes of bringing home the champion’s title. Astana Arlans roster for the Internship in Brazil 2015 season: 49 kilogramme category Mardan Berikbayev, Temirtas Zhusupov, Yerzhan Zhomart 52 kilogramme category Miras Zhakupov, Olzhas Satty- bayev, Azamat Isakulov 56 kilogramme category Madi Shulakov, Meirbolat Toi- tov, Nursultan Koshegulov 60 kilogramme category Yerzhan Musafirov, Roman Shegrinov, Zakir Safiullin 64 kilogramme category Askhat Ualikhanov, Samat Bashenov, Bekbolat Kuramyssov 69 kilogramme category Daniyar Yeleussinov, Madi- yar Ashkeyev, Aslanbek Shym- Astana Arlans confirmed 2015 roster. bergenov, Kanagat Maralov By Dmitry Lee the final roster for the fifth season. [my] country. Together with the 75 kilogramme category Berik Rakhimbekov “Anyone who understands box- coach’s headquarters we will deter- Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, Mei- On the threshold of the Rio ing knows the importance of the mine the work ahead of us.” yirim Nursultanov, Aidos Yer- Olympics in 2016 and as athletes forthcoming matches for the Arlans. The Arlans had an impressive bossynuly. By Dmitry Lee p.m. to 2 p.m., they get to rest. At vied for slots at the World Series We just talked about it while final- debut season in 2011, when the 81 kilogramme category 3 p.m., they start the second work- Shakhtar Football Club Second- of Boxing (WSB), Astana Arlans ising the roster. There were argu- new team reached the finals before Hrvoje Sep, Ali Akhmedov, out. The second session, however, Head Coach Marat Dzhakiyev ments regarding some candidates, losing to Paris United. The follow- Nurdaulet Zharmanov ary Coach Berik Rakhimbekov didn’t take place on a daily basis stated that the team’s ultimate goal no doubt, but opinions of respected ing year, the club lost to Dynamo 91 kilogramme category completed a one-year internship in but included a trip to the gym. is to “be useful to the country.” people were considered when they Moscow in the semis. In season Vasily Levit, Almat Serimov Ribeirao Preto, Brazil as part of the Then dinner and after dinner differ- The comment was part of a recent were making their decisions,” said three Arlans managed to put on a 91+ kilogramme category state-supported programme at the ent teachers came to teach school interview released by the club’s Dhzakiyev. “The team is my top show in a thrilling finale against Ivan Dychko, Ruslan Myrsa- Olé Brazil Academy. The club’s subjects. It is important to get an press service in conjunction with priority, but I want my work to help the Ukraine Otamans and snatched tayev, Filip Hrgovicё press service recently released an education for them as they’re still interview with him to learn about school kids.” his training. The coach doesn’t exclude the “I have the best impressions possibility that any of these kids from undergoing an internship in could become part of the Kara- a country where football is a reli- ganda club, however, he said this Almaty Submits 2022 Winter Olympic gion – it is a priceless experience. would depend on their perfor- First of all, I got the most impor- mance. tant thing a coach could get, the Rakhimbekov is also convinced experience. Also, what made me that Kazakhstan’s coaches are very Bid Report, Seeks Cost-Effective Ways glad was to find out that there is a capable. lot of competition. Each player has to battle for his slot on the roster “I have the best with the best of the best. The infra- to Host Games structure is at the highest level and impressions from Dossymbetov, Almaty 2022 bid to achieve societal benefits in the which, provided Almaty wins the football fields are almost perfect. undergoing an By Dmitry Lee board member Andrey Kryukov, future,” said Dossymbetov. bid, would reduce the expense of I once more was convinced that Director General of the State Foun- Amid the public pressure of those the much-anticipated winter event. football in Brazil is the number internship in a The delegations from Almaty and dation Ilya Urazakov and IOC & who oppose the pricey venture, Al- The IOC Evaluation Commis- one sport,” he said. Beijing, the 2022 Winter Olympic International Federations Bid Rela- maty is seeking cost-effective ways sion will travel to the former Ka- The coach didn’t travel to the country where Games candidate cities, presented tions Director Oksana Rizanenko. to host the Olympics while trying zakh capital Feb. 14-18 for a site academy alone, as young Kara- football is a religion their three-volume bid books in “This is our second bid for the to adhere to low cost and sustain- inspection. Both Almaty and Bei- ganda footballers also took part in Lausanne, Switzerland Jan. 6 for Winter Games because we believe ability. As the city is preparing jing will present their bids to IOC the internship. – it is a priceless consideration by the International it is time to build on what the Olym- to host the Universiade in 2017, members again in Lausanne in “Initially, three Karaganda foot- Olympic Committee (IOC). pic spirit has achieved in the past by many winter sports venues will June and the host city will be un- ballers got the opportunity to train experience,” said “Our 2022 candidature file is demonstrating its massive potential be constructed in advance of 2022 veiled in Kuala Lumpur on July 31. in Brazil. One of them, after a year Rakhimbekov a chance for the world to experi- of training in Brazil, joined the ence what we have always known: secondary Shakhtar roster. And “Kazakhstan’s coaches are in Almaty is a modern, beautiful city two Karaganda residents, Sergei no way inferior to foreign ones. In graced with real, pristine moun- Komarov and Ruslan Alimbayev, my opinion, in order to make a big tains and real, ideal winter weath- completed a full course of three leap forward, we need a well-de- er – it is a city perfectly suited to years,” Rakhimbekov explained, veloped infrastructure that would host an intimate, accessible Winter adding “they really want to con- allow us to expand our capabili- Games with lots of natural snow,” tribute their personal efforts into ties,” he said. said Almaty Mayor Akhmetzhan development of the sport in Ka- According to the Kazakh coach, Yessimov. zakhstan. They learned more than who happened to witness the World The proposal books, written in enough in Brazil.” Cup in Brazil, the country glowed English and French, were required Rakhimbekov noted that the with bright yellow and green col- to be a maximum of 360 pages young footballers are still in ours. Although he didn’t have the with details, maps and photo- school and education is a priority chance to attend any of the games, graphs of the venues. The reports while giving their best to become he said he could feel the city vibe included 14 various themes, such professional footballers. during the event. as vision, legacy, engagement, “By our standards, their day “I wanted to see our neighbour transport, accommodation, finance starts very early. They get up at Russia play in the final rounds, of and sustainability. 6:30 a.m., have breakfast at 7 a.m. course. But in general, Holland The Kazakh delegation was rep- and at 8 a.m. they start the train- showed a good game, Germany – resented by Almaty Deputy Mayor ing. The training lasts about an no need for words, but emotions. Zauresh Amanzholova, Secretary hour and a half with an emphasis The most important thing is that General of the Kazakhstan National on team tactics and coordination. the football was spectacular and Olympic Committee (NOC) Timur Kazakh delegation in Lausanne. Lunch is at 11:30 a.m. From 12 entertaining.” Nation’s 2014 Sports Highlights the interim World Boxing Coun- managed to get one bronze med- Astana Pro Team’s Vincenzo sports powerhouse during the all previous records in the history By Dmitry Lee cil (WBC) champion title on Oct. al. But it was the one medal that Nibali became the sixth man in Asian Games in Incheon, South of the country’s participation in the 18 by a technical knockout in the had turned a new page in Kazakh history and the first Italian since Korea. Kazakh athletes broke 14 Asian games. ASTANA – The year 2014 was second round. Golovkin has a 90 sports as it was the first bronze in 1998 to win all three of cycling’s world records and 28 Asian re- Zarina Diyas Makes the WTP full of memorable sports stories percent knockout ratio, which is country’s history at figure skat- major tours as he secured a vic- cords at the events in the country Top 50 involving Kazakh athletes. The the highest in the middleweight ing, as the 21-year-old Denis Ten tory in this year’s Tour de France of “Morning Calm.” The most Almaty born tennis player Za- Astana Times has chosen a few to division’s history. He has 31 wins, watched the Kazakh flag rise from on July 27. Nibali wore the overall memorable were of weightlifter rina Diyas saw 2014 as her break- highlight for our year-end sports 28 by knockout, and is on an 18- the podium on Feb. 13. leader’s yellow jersey for all but Zulfiya Chinshanlo in the weight through year in her career. On review. KO streak to date. He is to face Ilya Ilyin Becomes Four-Time two stages of the race after its first category 58 kilogrammes. She set Nov. 10, she managed to climb the Gennady Golovkin Stays Un- Martin Murray on Feb. 21, 2015 World Champion, Breaks New Re- day. He also won four of the race’s a new world record in the clean World Tennis Association (WTA) defeated in 2014 next. cord 21 total stages, the most for a tour and jerk (132 kilogrammes). rating and clinch the 33rd spot, The undefeated reign- Denis Ten Wins Bronze in Sochi At the Nov. 15 World Weightlift- winner since the U.S.’s Lance Swimmer Dmitry Balandin won ing World Boxing Association The Olympics in Sochi 2014 ing Championship in Almaty two- Armstrong won five in 2004. He gold in three distances (50, 100, where she is still ranked. In Au- (WBA) and International Boxing didn’t turn out exactly the Kazakh time Olympic champion, Kazakh eventually finished an impressive 200 metres breaststroke). The gust, she showed her best result in Organisation (IBO) middleweight way due to immense pressure after weightlifter Ilya Ilyin, 26, defeated seven minutes and 52 seconds women’s national team of Ka- Grand Slams at the U.S. Open as champion Gennady Golovkin, the success in the London Summer his opponents by totalling 432 ahead of the race’s runner-up, the zakhstan in shooting scored 203 unseeded Diyas advanced to the 32, continued his streak in 2014 Olympics in 2012, where Kazakh- kilogrammes overall (190+242) tour’s biggest margin of victory points and broke the record for third round but lost to 17th seed- by dropping Osumanu Adamain stan brought home seven gold, one to win the championship. Ilyin set since 1997. the national team of China (201 ed Ekaterina Makarova of Russia. the seventh round on Feb. 1. He silver and five bronze medals and a new world record and won his Asian Games Cements Kazakh- points) in teams events. In general, Diyas has won five singles titles on then knocked out Daniel Geale finished 12th overall in the med- fourth world championship. stan’s Status as Sports Powerhouse the Kazakh national team won 28 the International Tennis Federation in the third on July 26 and finally als tally. This time with less events Astana PRO Team Wins Tour Kazakh athletes yet again ce- gold, 23 silver and 33 bronze med- (ITF) tour to date and is very ambi- stripped Marco Antonio Rubio of to compete in Kazakhstan only de France mented their position as an Asian als, a total of 84 medals breaking tious about 2015. B8 Nation&Capital capital Wednesday, January 14, 2015 Free Ice Skating Draws Crowds in Capital By Dmitry Lee

ASTANA — Relatively mild winter temperatures this year in Astana have allowed city residents to enjoy the city’s outdoor ice skat- ing facilities. “We wanted to enjoy every [moment] of this winter. It is ab- normally warm for Astana,” said 30-year-old Yerbolat Uatkhan, who brings his family to the Row- ing Channel behind the Kazakh- stan Ice Hockey Arena, otherwise known as ‘Akbulak’ in Astana to skate every year. “I think if every winter were like this in Astana, the city would attract a lot more peo- ple; this would be great for small businesses, tourism and the city as a whole. But we [locals] know that in February, the snowstorms return to Astana,” he said. Here, anyone can rent skates for as low as $2.73 per hour and skate and glide until late evening; if one has their own skates, entry is free. “Yesterday, I went there [Akbu- lak] and skated for one hour with my daughter,” one of the visitors, who preferred to stay anonymous, said. “A one-hour skate rental costs 500 tenge (US$2.73). My Astana residents enjoy ‘mild’ winter. daughter got brand new skates! The changing room is warm and comfortable. Hot food and drinks ing skates on the ice and other the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014. in Astana but some sort of winter the view, we come here almost “We originally come from Almaty; [are] available [on the premises] amenities are also offered. “It is a good thing that we have sport? They [the administration] every day. We used to rent skates this is our second winter and it is and there are nice conditions for The popularity of ice skating in these activities available here in do a good job with the ice, almost here, but now we own our own.” very cold, they say it will get even small children. Everything is pret- Astana this year might also be at- the capital,” 27-year-old account- every day it snows and they always “I still think the weather is colder, I can’t get used to this.” ty well organised.” tributed to the success of Kazakh ant Anastassiya Ponomarenko said clean it up. I can see them at work harsh,” Ponomarenko continued But for now, it is just warm Food concessions, skate sharp- figure skating star Denis Ten, who while taking her 11 and 8-year-old every morning out of my window as she acknowledged of the chal- enough to enjoy a few spins around ening booths, benches for chang- brought home a bronze medal from sons out. “What else can we do overlooking the river. Because of lenges the Astana winters bring. the rink.

theatre the head of state stated, through the centuries to the fu- “a country which builds factories ture.” Founded in 1824, the main and roads creates a solid founda- hall of the Teatro Carlo Felice can Astana Opera to Tour Italy tion for the years ahead. A coun- hold up to 2,000 patrons, while a ly defeated by Roman Commander formances, to be conducted by Ka- and Ballet Theatre was founded try which builds schools and hos- smaller auditorium has 200 seats. By Danna Bupezhanova Marcus Licinius Crassus in the zakhstan’s honoured artist Aidar in 2013 at the initiative of Ka- pitals cares about the future of The theatre, situated at the Piazza first century B.C. Khachaturian, Abzhakhanov. zakh President Nursultan Naz- the nation for decades. A coun- de Ferrari, was named after Duke ASTANA – Performances of who composed the ballet in 1954, The Astana Opera State Opera arbayev. At the opening of the try which builds theatres looks Carlo Felice. “Spartacus” will highlight the first was awarded a Lenin Prize that appearance by the Astana Opera year. To this day, it remains one of ballet troupe at the Teatro Carlo the most spectacular and popular Felice, the ancient theatre and with audiences. principal opera house in Genoa, The Astana Opera press service Italy. The tour, which will also reports that the Italian public is include the “Gala Ballet,” will be looking forward to performances held Jan. 21, 23, 24, 25 and 27. by Kazakh artists, with all tickets “Getting an invitation from such for the ballet and the gala pro- a famous theatre is a great hon- gramme already sold out. It is our. We are facing an important challenge to honourably represent not the first foreign tour for the Kazakhstan’s art to the discerning dancers, as “Alem,” their inau- Italian viewer. We hope to gain gural performance, was a nota- new fans who would want to visit ble success both on the Kazakh Kazakhstan and our theatre in par- stage and during the world tour in ticular,” said Astana Opera Ballet Vienna, Paris and Seoul. Excite- Art Director Tursynbek Nurkali- ment around the touring theatre yev. is justified, as the national school “Spartacus,” with storyline and of classical dance is widely ac- music by Aram Khachaturian, will knowledged abroad. be staged by master choreographer Italian theatre Art Director Gi- Yuri Grigorovich. It is imbued useppe Acquaviva also stressed with dramatic feelings, artistic im- that the Teatro Carlo Felice would ages and romantic intonations. become a window to Europe for “Spartacus” follows the exploits the company. The troupe consists of the gladiator and leader of the of 85 people and members of the slave revolt known as the Third Genoa Theatre Symphony Orches- Servile War, a rebellion ferocious- tra will also participate in the per-