-3°/-15°C WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2018 No 4 (142) www.astanatimes.com Kazakhstan adopts new version of Latin-based alphabet newspapers and other places,” he By Elya Altynsarina said. Several public figures have ad- ASTANA – President Nursultan dressed the latest amendment. Nazarbayev amended his Oct. 26, Minister of Information and 2017 decree concerning the transi- Communication Dauren Abayev tion of the Kazakh alphabet from expanded the reasons behind the Cyrillic to Latin script, which if amendment. kept, would have put into effect a “The experts working on the Latin-script alphabet with 32 let- matter had concerns over apos- ters including nine characters with trophes, because this mark is used apostrophes. The new amendment as a spacer or special shift-in; it replaces the apostrophes with complicates the web search, even diacritic signs and digraphs. The creating some financial complica- deadline to complete the switch tions,” he said. remains 2025. The president heard the call and The government previously pub- “this version [without apostro- lished an action plan detailing the phes] will be more effective,” he phased transfer to the Latin alpha- added. bet. According to the document, the Predicting the questions from three successive phases will cover the parent and teachers’ commu- 1) regulatory-legal framework nity, Minister of Education and (2018-2020), 2) issuance of official Science Yerlan Sagadiyev said the records including passports and IDs ministry is planning to hold open and trainings for teachers and the discussions with pedagogues and adult population (2021-2023) and will draft and pilot a new ABC 3) actual day-to-day use of Latin book. He stressed the switch to script in public and state offices, as Latin script will start with recep- well as publishing the state media tion grade pupils (a beginning in new alphabet (2024-2025). grade with 6-year-olds) Before switching to the Latin “Only then we can come to a alphabet (a modified variant for schedule for introducing the new Turkic languages also called alphabet,” he said. Yanalif) in early 1920s, the Ka- Nur Otan Party First Deputy zakh language was transcribed in Chairman Maulen Ashimbayev Arabic script. In 1940, however, expressed his support for the new along with other Turkic-speaking version, noting the decision to constituent republics of the Soviet switch to Latin script is an impor- Union, the country was ordered to tant step in modernising the lan- The government is hopeful the switch of the Kazakh language to Latin script will promote the nation’s integration into the international community and enhance the young generation’s opportunities to compete globally. adopt a version of Cyrillic, which guage and adapting it to the global due to incorporating Kazakh-spe- educational, scientific and infor- cific hissing syllables and distinct mation space. pervasive in areas related to basic vowels contains 42 letters. “The amendments make the Ka- needs, such as economic well-being, A public discussion to switch zakh language more practical and food security and health. Women are back to Latin script has long con- functional,” he said. “It is a strate- Kazakhstan supports latest UN 8 percent more likely to live in ab- tinued and grew bigger with Naz- gic decision aimed to work for the ject poverty in Central and Southern arbayev tasking the government in nation’s future.” Asia and 4 percent more likely to 2017 with drafting a plan to begin Capital deputy mayor and pro- live in starvation. Maternal mortality the transfer. fessional philologist Yermek report’s call for gender equality rate in the region reaches 170 deaths The public reaction to the Octo- Amanshayev told city residents the UN Women has an office in Ka- Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy and 100 per 100,000 births. ber version of the script deemed it transfer to Latin script is a system- By Meruyert Abugaliyeva zakhstan and its work is primarily Concrete Steps. Regarding gender equality, about equivocal, objecting, for example, ic work that engaged distinguished related to leadership and political The document goes further than a quarter of women reported expe- to the use of apostrophes as a non- Kazakh scientists and language ASTANA – Kazakhstan is com- participation, combating violence merely promoting SDGs, however, riencing physical and/or sexual vio- starter in the digital age. experts. mitted to the type of gender equality against women, national planning by advocating that sustainable de- lence from her intimate partner with- Anticipating the debate, Sen- “All ideas and suggestions on called for in the UN Women report and budgeting and intergovernmen- velopment can hardly be achieved in a 12-month period. High rates of ate Chairman Kassym-Jomart To- the matter will always be consid- published Feb. 14, UN officials said. tal support. without gender equality. The break- child marriages are registered in kayev warned those who began ered with due diligence. Today, we “Kazakhstan has also committed The recently released UN Women down of goals illustrates that gender Central and Southern Asia, as 16 hastily introducing the apostrophe- see a version that suits everyone. to implementing the SDGs (Sus- report calls for the need to ensure inequality, ubiquitous in all coun- percent of women marry below age based Latin script on outdoor signs But most importantly, it is crucial tainable Development Goals), along women and girls are not left behind tries, is related to all aspects of sus- 16 and 43 percent below age 18. and newspapers. for our people’s future,” he said. with the other member states of the in the organisation’s Sustainable De- tainable development and therefore Moreover, women in the region “The national commission has Tokayev’s recent tweet offered United Nations. Achieving gender velopment Agenda. essential for its fulfilment. are reported to do three times the un- not yet made its final decision on congratulations to fellow Kazakh- equality and eliminating inequali- UN Women, established to pro- The four main recommendations paid care and domestic work com- the transfer of the Kazakh language stanis on the brand-new alphabet, ties between women and men in mote gender equality and female involve adopting integrated policies pared to men. Females hold only into the Latin alphabet. Therefore, commending the amendment as a Kazakhstan will demonstratively empowerment, published “Turn- to achieve multiple goals simulta- 18.5 percent of parliamentary seats it is too soon to use apostrophes in historic event. boost Kazakhstan toward its goal of ing promises into action: Gender neously, producing more statistical and comprise a third of researchers. becoming one of the 30 most-devel- equality in the 2030 Agenda for data to assess the status of the female In Kazakhstan, female representa- oped countries in the world; in fact, Sustainable Development.” The population across all 17 SDGs, pri- tion in Parliament is approximately it may even be a game changer for report, based on the 17 Sustainable oritising gender-responsive invest- 23 percent. Kazakhstan, to propel it into the fu- Development Goals (SDGs), was ments and policies aligned with the Gender inequality is also pre- ture – now,” said UN Women Rep- approved by UN member states in 2030 agenda and ensuring a com- sent in other SDGs, such as decent resentative in Kazakhstan Elaine 2015. Half of the SDG targets are prehensive approach with gender as work and economic growth, quality Conkievich in a UN Women Ka- in congruence with Kazakhstan’s a focus. education, income inequalities and zakhstan press release. national objectives specified in the The issue of gender equality is peace, justice and strong institutions. Digitisation programme expected to produce five-fold return on investment, says official optic communication lines in rural The 4G technology covers all areas government website with a one-time By Zhanna Shayakhmetova areas. It will cover 1,249 villages with a population of 50,000 people password instead of an electronic by 2020 and the effort is considered and regional centres. In this regard, signature. The services to obtain a ASTANA – Implementation of one of the ministry’s most important the telecommunications committee birth certificate, benefits and kinder- the Digital Kazakhstan programme projects. in collaboration with the local bodies garten procedures will be provided is entering its active phase, said Ka- “Firstly, it will create a basis for will monitor the broadband quality in without an application. zakh Minister of Information and digitisation in agriculture. Secondly, these areas,” he said. Third parties, such as state bod- Communications Dauren Abayev there will no longer be a need for Approximately 200 start-up com- ies, can receive certificates if they at a Feb.16 extended board meeting people to go to regional centres to panies will be launched with the sup- receive confirmation from a citizen. of the ministry. The impact of the obtain services and purchase tickets. port of technoparks, incubators and The digital public service centre digital economy sector will create Thirdly, this allows reducing the gap accelerators, including 33 start-ups (PSCs or TsONs) for services with- additional value of approximately 2 between rural and urban schools in as part of the Astana Hub project. out the participation of operators was trillion tenge (US$6.2 billion), ensur- terms of access to knowledge, library The first incubation programme also recently launched in the capital. Kazakhstan calls for ing fivefold return on investment by and online lectures. The regional with 14 projects has already been The digital by default principle will 2025. state bodies will join the online docu- launched Feb. 7. provide the planning and subsequent “The President has set tasks for mentation system,” said the minister. The service provision system was provision of services in electronic- the digitisation of all sectors, includ- The country ranks 36th, rising five deemed successful at the end of the only form. The paper-free project roadmap with EU ing industry, agribusiness, transport, positions in the number of internet year as a result of well-coordinated will be implemented and citizens can and its member states. Kazakh construction, financial sector, educa- users according to the Global Com- work with other state bodies, the receive services without references By George D. Gleboff Foreign Minister Kairat Abdra- tion, healthcare and public adminis- petitiveness Index of the World Eco- public and market participants. from other state bodies. and Aigerim Seisembayeva khmanov presented the idea in tration. The ministry will develop a nomic Forum. About 34 million services were This year it is planned to open spe- Brussels Feb. 26 during the 16th start-up ecosystem, to stimulate de- This year, it is expected to increase provided online. The 761 services are cialised public service centres to reg- BRUSSELS – Kazakhstan has meeting of the Kazakhstan-EU mand for new technologies from the the proportion of internet users to 78 provided through e-government and ister cars and issue drivers’ licenses suggested developing a roadmap Cooperation Council, the highest non-financial sector at the legislative percent and the share of local content 621 services are available through in Uralsk and Atyrau. to implement the Enhanced Part- level dialogue platform between level and to create a smart city stand- in IT services to 26 percent. Government for Citizens. All regional branches will intro- nership and Cooperation Agree- the two. ard,” said Abayev. “The telecommunications market It is possible now to receive 30 duce digital skills learning and the ment (EPCA) between the nation The ministry is installing fibre- today has a high growth potential. government services through the e- e-government website activities. and the European Union (EU) Continued on Page A3

INSIDE NATION ECONOMY&BUSINESS EDITORIAL OPINIONS NATION&CAPITAL Aral Sea revival challenges Economy grows 4 percent in 2017 on Kazakhstan well on its KENZHEKHANULY: New humanitarian Competitive cheerleading gaining discussed in Astana A2 increases in manufacturing, non-extraction way to gender equality A6 knowledge under Fourth Industrial recognition abroad B1 industries A4 Revolution A7 EU wants to continue to be real partner for Mangistau eagle hunters to open Central Asia, says official A3 Alageum Electric expands YENSEBAYEV: Digital Kazakhstan: falconry school B6 export borders A5 transforming through modern technology A7

US$ 1 = 318.91 KZT € 1 = 393.63 KZT 1 = 5.70 KZT A2 NATION

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2018

NATIONAL Aral Sea revival challenges discussed in Astana NEWS IN BRIEF The economy grew 5 percent in the first years of independence and in above sea level. The salinity of the is party to many water manage- sea is being revived, it’s filling Aktobe region at the end of 2017, re- By Aigerim Seisembayeva the subsequent crisis years, Presi- North Aral Sea began to decline ment related treaties and conven- with water. On top of its status of ported Kazinform. Industrial growth dent Nursultan Nazarbayev has and constitutes 18 grammes per tions, he reminded that the eighth the first sea destroyed by human- totalled 5 percent. Production growth ASTANA – Kazakh government been paying much attention to litre. Today, 23 species of fish live session of the meeting of the par- kind, the Aral is close to attaining stood at a record 1.55 trillion tenge officials and representatives of the this issue. Measures were taken to in the saved part of the sea, where ties to the Helsinki Convention is a new one – the first sea revived (US$4.8 billion) compared with 1.2 United Nations Development Pro- mitigate the impact of the drying virtually all the fish had previously to take place in Astana in October by that same humankind,” he said. trillion tenge (US$3 billion) in 2016 gramme (UNDP) discussed miti- sea on the situation in the region, died. 2018, which will be the first time UN Permanent Coordinator and because of manufacturing industry gating the effects of the shrinking to solve the problems and to de- Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat the event is held out of Europe. UNDP Resident Representative in development at the level of 7.9 per- Aral Sea during a Feb. 19 sympo- velop the territory around the Ka- Abdrakhmanov, who also spoke at Abdrakhmanov also highlighted Kazakhstan Norimasa Shimomura cent or 527 billion tenge (US$5 bil- sium in Astana. zakh part of the Aral Sea… Over the symposium, stressed the Aral that Kazakhstan welcomes the re- said Kazakhstan has made pro- lion). Around $1.3 billion tenge of Over the past 40-45 years, the 70 international projects worth $6 Sea disaster was a result of hu- sults of the International Fund for gress in combating the negative investments were attracted to the re- level of the sea has declined 22 million have been implemented mankind’s thoughtless approach to Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) Execu- consequences of the desiccation of gion and 17,000 new jobs were cre- metres, the water volume has de- to revive the region,” said Kush- the environment and use of natural tive board’s session held Jan. 30 the Aral Sea. ated. “This year we set a task to keep creased tenfold and the salinity has erbayev. resources. He said the countries of in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, and “The most important task at pre- economic growth rate at the level of reached 80 grammes per litre, said He reported the economic situa- the region need more concerted is ready to participate in the de- sent is to reduce the destructive 5 percent. We need to develop and Kyzylorda region Akim (Gover- tion in the region is improving. To efforts to overcome the conse- velopment of the Aral Sea Basin impact of the Aral Sea crisis on introduce new technologies in indus- try, trade, agriculture, construction, nor) Krymbek Kusherbayev in date, there are eight fish process- quences of the desiccation of the Programme (ASBP-4), along with the environment and livelihoods small and medium business and oth- opening remarks. ing plants in the Aral Sea region, Aral Sea. other solutions to the Aral Sea ba- of millions of people still living in er sectors,” said Aktobe Akim (Gov- People inhabiting the region four of which have been built dur- “At the moment, the countries sin issue. the vicinity of the Aral Sea area. ernor) Berdybek Saparbayev Feb. 21 started emigrating due to a crisis ing the years of independence. The of Central Asia are at the begin- According to the Kazakh Vice- In order to promote this approach, at a meeting with population. in the fishing industry and health volume of fish catch has doubled ning of their cooperation efforts Minister of National Economy UNDP jointly with Mr. Kush- deterioration. The salty dust from in five years, volume of exports aimed at mitigating the negative Baurzhan Bekeshev, there is hope erbayev’s team has designed a The KazCentre of Housing and the dried lands spreads all over grew nine fold. Over the past five impacts of climate change and in- that the Aral Sea will be revived project that employs a mix of eco- Communal Services Company an- the continent from the Tien Shan years, more than 1.3 trillion tenge creasing the welfare of a growing thanks to projects implemented nomic, social and environmental nounced plans to develop E-Shany- mountains in the East to Scandi- (US$4 billion) of direct investment regional population. The countries by the Kazakh government with measures with the purpose of pro- raq, a single system of smart apart- navia in the West. Formerly the was attracted into the region. of the region are also developing the assistance of international or- moting sustainable human devel- ment management. “We will cover fourth largest body of inland wa- The construction of the Kokaral a new mutually beneficial system ganisations, such as the UNDP, the opment of the local communities all the apartments and cities. We will ter, the Aral Sea has shrunk to ten Dam, which separated the two re- of trans-boundary water use and Organisation for Security and Co- in the Aral Sea region,” he stated. also adapt this system for rural areas. percent of its original size, split- maining parts of the sea, in 2006 protection and are creating a moni- operation in Europe (OSCE), the The symposium also included We are now working with investors ting into the North Aral Sea and brought results that exceeded ex- toring and controlling mechanism World Bank and the Asian Devel- the showing of the film “Hello for further possible investments,” South Aral Sea. pectations. By March this year, the focused on maintaining water re- opment Bank, among others. from Aral to Astana” and an expo- said National Company Chairman “Despite the difficult economic level of the North Aral Sea will source quality,” he said. “The Aral Sea issue is still very sition of Aral Sea products, includ- Nursultan Dzhiyenbayev Feb. 22 at situation in the country during the rise and stabilise at around 40 km Having noted that Kazakhstan far from being resolved. But the ing local fish and Aral table salt. a briefing. The system aims to in- crease the transparency of business processes for all sector participants, especially residents of apartments. They will monitor all operating fees, savings for repairs, control the pro- cesses of management companies Investment Ministry to focus Prison population and monitor how much energy they consume.

Seven projects worth $296.4 mil- on manufacturing, exports drops dramatically lion were introduced and 1,119 jobs plying amnesties or other artificial were created as part of the map of By Yerbolat Uatkhanov measures to underestimate the indi- industrialisation initiative in the Ak- cators. On the contrary, during this mola region, according to the region- and labour productivity ASTANA – Kazakhstan has made period, measures to register crimes al press service. “The production of an attempt to create an ecosys- Within the Nurly Zhol pro- what officials called an “incred- were strengthened. However, the vaccines for farm animals worth 60 By Dana Omirgazy tem to introduce digital technol- gramme, the ministry will ible” leap forward on the prison in- overall crime rate in the country de- million tenge was launched due to ogy under the Digital Kazakh- strengthen control over the ef- dex, moving from the third-ranked clined over the period. the state support. It is the first step ASTANA – The Ministry for stan state programme. ficient and transparent use of country in the world in terms of When a decline in the prison pop- to create a biotechnological cluster Investment and Development “Some support measures will funds allocated for road con- number of prisoners per capita and ulation does not lead to an increase in Stepnogorsk with the support of will concentrate this year on be partially revised for a more struction and repair. Mecha- dropping to 71st place. The scale in crime, but rather makes living in the National Centre for Biotechnol- ogy. We have scientific and industrial manufacturing, focusing on ex- targeted stimulation of digitisa- nisms will be revised to con- and speed of the change is already the country safer, it confirms that port-oriented sectors and labour tion in terms of determining the tinue executing the Nurly Zher potential,” said Akmola region Akim making Kazakhstan a model for the chosen criminal justice reform (Governor) Malik Murzalin. productivity under the Acceler- types of costs when reimbursing programme. other prison reform projects. approaches worked correctly, the ated Industrial and Innovative enterprises, providing grants, “We have begun work to im- “The prison population is always expert noted. More than 627 million tenge Development programme, said etc,” he added. prove the national standards in measured in terms of the ratio to the “If you look from the research (US$2 million) has been allocated Minister Zhenis Kassymbek Kassymbek said the minis- architecture, urban planning and total population in the country. This point of view, Kazakhstan made an for special equipment at correc- during a Feb. 13 weekly govern- try will also concentrate on the construction,” he added. indicator is called a prison index,” incredible leap forward, being in tional schools. “The project covered ment meeting. third five-year industrialisation This year, commercial banks Operational Leader of Enhancing third place in the world and mov- 100 schools and more than 15,000 “To meet the tasks given by plan focused on the digital-era will grant real estate develop- Criminal Justice in Kazakhstan pro- ing to 71st place. The decline took children. However, our efforts and President Nursultan Nazarbayev industry to fulfil the tasks set by ers 125 billion tenge (US$382.5 ject Saule Mektepbayeva told The place in two large stages. From financial resources covered only during the Feb. 9 extended gov- the President in the state-of-the- million) in subsidised loans and 15 percent of the required amount ernment meeting, we will start nation address “New opportuni- 105 billion tenge (US$321.3 of assistance. More problems were working on the industrial pro- ties for development under the million) in mortgages. The raised when we met with teachers. jects to back export-oriented Fourth Industrial Revolution.” banking sector revival will in- … The socialisation of children is sectors and increase labour pro- “In general, the implementa- crease the annual loan volume the main result of the project,” said ductivity. This year, we plan to tion of scheduled activities will to 350 billion tenge (US$1.07 Samruk Kazyna Trust Foundation introduce 150 projects worth one increase the value of processed billion) and investors’ share of Official Representative Lima Dias trillion tenge (US$3.06 billion) exports by 10.3 percent (com- the House Construction Savings at a Feb. 22 seminar in Almaty. The and create 15,000 jobs,” he said. pared to the level of 2017), boost Bank to the economically active equipment provided will help cor- The next stage of industrial labour productivity of the manu- population up to 12 percent. rect speech, language and motor dif- expansion involves transitioning facturing industry by 6 percent “Planned measures are sup- ficulties and develop sensory motor to a new level of technological and attract investment worth one posed to increase housing con- skills during the educational process. There are 100 special schools, 39 development with key elements trillion tenge (US$3.06 billion) in struction volume 6-8 percent, special pre-school educational or- of Industry 4.0. Last year, basic fixed assets of the manufacturing or 11.2 million square metres of ganisations, 13 rehabilitation centres, industries were re-equipped in industry,” he said. housing,” said Kassymbek. Saule Mektepbayeva (C) receives the first prize at Russia’s Project Olympus contest in Moscow in December 2017. 173 offices for psychological and pedagogical correction and 68 psy- chological, medical and pedagogical Astana Times in an exclusive inter- 2001 to 2005 … and from 2010 to clinics in the country. view. “The trend of reducing the today. This happened without revo- prison population in Kazakhstan lutions or other serious political The toll road system will be intro- Tokmadi pleads guilty to has significantly increased since changes. That is why Kazakhstan duced on more than 5,000 kilome- the beginning of a project called is a miracle for many researchers tres, said First Vice-Minister for In- 10 Measures to Reduce the Prison studying the lessons of prison re- vestments and Development Roman Population, launched by the Ka- form here. In December last year, Sklyar Feb. 23, Zakon.kz reported. murdering BTA Bank chief in 2004 zakh General Prosecutor’s Office the 10 Measures project was care- The construction documentation is from Mukhtar Ablyazov, who Tatishev. In return, Ablyazov and other state agencies in 2013.” fully analysed by a group of evalua- underway. “We plan to reconstruct Staff Report within a few months after Tati- offered Tokmadi $4 million, a In Kazakhstan, there are now tors from Russia’s Project Olympus 179 kilometres of highways. An av- shev’s death overtook control write-off of the loan from the 194 prisoners per 100,000 people, contest and was chosen as the best erage repair will cover 1,544 kilo- metres of roads and 644 kilometres TARAZ – Muratkhan Tokma- over the BTA Bank and became BTA Bank and a new line of which puts the country on par with project of 2017,” she said. Poland. Poland is considered a suc- At the beginning of the 10 Meas- of which will be reconstructed using di, a former gang member turned its chairman. credit. According to Tokmadi, cold recycling technology,” he said. cessful country in terms of prison ures project in 2013, President of businessman, pleaded guilty In 2009, PriceWaterhouse- Ablyazov indeed gave him $2 This February the agreement on the Feb. 16 to murdering chairman Coopers auditors identified that million as an advance payment, reform. Experts in the field of crim- Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev construction of the Big Almaty Ring of the board of the BTA Bank from 2005-2009, Ablyazov si- which Tokmadi said he had spent inal justice believe the most accept- set a target and an indicator for the Road (BAKAD) project was signed Yerzhan Tatishev in 2004. phoned off more than $10 bil- for bribing law enforcement of- able prison index is 150 prisoners country’s exit from the group of 50 in Almaty. The project creates a The case into Tatishev’s death lion from this bank through a ficials in charge of the investi- per 100,000 people. countries with the highest prison modern high-tech bypass around the was reopened after Tokmadi’s network of companies he owned. gation into Tatishev’s death and “Usually, with such an index, index ratings. In 2015, after two city at the intersection of internation- confession to shooting Tatishev The alleged assassin’s paymas- forensic firearm examiners. He the state has enough resources and years, Kazakhstan left that list, fall- al routes. during a winter hunting trip in a ter fled to Britain the same year invested the remaining $2 mil- time to ensure that the prison sys- ing to 55th place. Then came an- KTK TV channel documentary after the bank defaulted on $10 lion in the glass factory. tem functions correctly. For the first other precipitous, nearly 20-place More than 300 events are sched- in October 2017. billion in debt owed to majori- Since then Tokmadi had time, thanks to the 10 Measures drop. uled to mark the 20th anniversary The owner of the Ka- ty-state-owned Royal Bank of worked meticulously to build project, we are approaching this “We should be very cautious of Astana in June in the Pavlodar zStroiSteklo glass factory, Tok- Scotland (RBS), Barclays, JP his image as a successful busi- ideal level of the index. For the first when comparing countries by their region, according to the regional city madi had originally been sen- Morgan Chase, PNC Bank NA, nessman, a philanthropist and a time, we see prisoners as an object total prison population … Here, administration. The National Mu- tenced in 2007 to one year in Bank of New York and others. triathlon enthusiast, even though of work, and not as a large subcul- the most numerous countries will seum will present the exhibition en- prison for manslaughter by neg- The fugitive banker, who is be- it was an open secret that in late ture. The proof is the closure of always be leaders, and vice versa. titled “Golden Man and a collection ligence in relation to the inci- lieved to live in France, is want- 1990s and early 2000s Tokmadi eight colonies in the country. When For example, the UK, Italy, Spain, of gold items” as part of the festivi- dent that occurred 14 years ago. ed in Russia and Ukraine and is led an organised crime group prisons are closed as needless, this Japan are always higher in this list ties. “The negotiations are currently underway to invite the Astana Opera This time he was indicted under convicted in absentia in London known as the Deputatsky Kor- is an occasion for pride – for the than Kazakhstan, simply because troupe. The concerts of the philhar- country, for the people who made the population there is higher, Article 96 of the 1997 edition for the contempt of court with a pus (Corps of Deputies), whose monic orchestra will be organised in of the Penal Code for a murder sentence of 22 months in prison members terrorised the business it possible,” explained Mektep- but not because their criminal or districts. The Sacred Centre – Astana conspired and carried out by a and in Kazakhstan to 20 years in community. bayeva. prison policy is worse. India ranks creative festival, an art exhibition group of individuals out of mer- prison for embezzlement. In June 2017, Tokmadi was In the history of independent Ka- fifth in terms of the number of and scientific and practical confer- cenary motives. Tokmadi told the court that arrested and later, after a plea zakhstan, this is the first time that prisoners, but India’s prison index ence will take place in June. A con- In his testimony to the Zhamb- back in 2004 he was under in- deal, convicted of racketeering, the prison index has fallen below is 33 prisoners per 100,000 people, cert featuring Kazakh and foreign yl region specialised inter-dis- tense pressure from Ablyazov illegal acquisition and storage 200 prisoners, and it has held steady making it 213 in the list of coun- artists will be held on July 6,” said trict criminal court, Tokmadi who threatened to kill him and of weapons, firearms, and ex- at this low rate for two years. The tries by prison index,” Mektep- Regional Culture Department Head said he killed Tatishev on orders his family if he did not murder plosives. rate is also calculated without ap- bayeva noted. Ardak Raiymbekov. A3 EURASIA&WORLD

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2018

EXTERNAL NEWS IN BRIEF Kazakhstan calls for roadmap with EU Kazakh Senate Chair Kassym- Zhomart Tokayev represented Ka- zakhstan at the recent annual Munich Security Conference. The conference gathered more than 500 participants, including world leaders, prime min- isters, foreign and defence ministers as well as security and defence ex- perts to debate cooperation between the EU and NATO, relations between the EU and Russia, the U.S. foreign policy and the situations in the Mid- dle East and on the Korean Peninsula, among other security issues. Tokayev discussed cooperation between Ka- zakhstan and the United Nations with UN Environmental Programme Executive Director Erik Solheim and congratulated Executive Director of the International Campaign to Abol- ish Nuclear Weapons Beatrice Fihn on winning this year’s Nobel Prize. Fihn praised Kazakhstan’s peace- Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov and Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov and EU High Representative building activities and stressed the Ekaterina Zakharieva. for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini. need for cooperation in nuclear non- Continued from Page A1 “The realisation of the EPCA’s Cooperation Council “also pro- Cooperation and Development light of Belgium’s bid for non-per- proliferation projects. potential meets Kazakhstan’s in- vided an opportunity to reinforce Neven Mimica was devoted to manent membership on the United The proposed roadmap would terests, since the document will political dialogue.” the on-going process of renewing Nations Security Council (UNSC) Ankara recently hosted a Kazakh- seek to ensure the EPCA is ef- contribute to the effective imple- “In view of security context we the EU Strategy for Central Asia, in 2019-2020, Abdrakhmanov Turkish women’s business forum fectively executed for both sides. mentation of the comprehensive discussed the importance of en- which is set to be adopted by the briefed the delegation on Kazakh- meant to boost political, economic The agreement, signed in 2015, modernisation strategy pursued by suring regional stability and se- middle of 2019. stan’s activities on the UNSC and and cultural ties. Participants, in- has so far been ratified by 21 of President Nursultan Nazarbayev,” curity [in Central Asia] while also According to the Kazakh Min- President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s cluding Kazakh State Secretary and 28 EU member states and was said Abdrakhmanov. protecting individual rights and istry of Foreign Affairs, Abdra- peace-making initiatives. delegation head Gulshara Abdykalik- ova, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister approved by the European Par- The EU delegation, which in- freedoms,” the Bulgarian minister khmanov stressed Kazakhstan’s Abdrakhmanov also met with Hakan Cavusoglu, Turkish Chamber liament in December. It has been cluded high-ranking European noted also adding the EU appre- readiness to take an active part in Foreign Ministers Carmelo Abela of Commerce and Trade Union busi- in force provisionally since May Commission and European Ex- of Malta and Simon Coveney of nesswomen council deputy chairper- 2016, after it had been ratified ternal Action Service (EEAS) The EPCA’s consistent implementation will Ireland. son Rukhsar Pekjan and Atameken by Kazakhstan and approved by representatives, was headed by Elsewhere, Euractiv, a European Businesswomen’s Council chair the European Commission, but Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister significantly increase the volume of trade, media platform, held the forum Lazzat Ramazanova, noted bilateral requires the ratification by all and Foreign Minister Ekaterina “What’s next for EU-Kazakhstan trade reached $2 billion last year, member states and consent of the Zakharieva, whose country cur- primarily through the sale of high-tech relations” the same day involving which is expected to grow five-fold. European Parliament in order to rently chairs the EU Council. They products, and generate new opportunities for Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Women run more than 40 percent of enter into force in full. EPCA, of- discussed the full range of Kazakh- Roman Vassilenko, EU Special small and medium businesses in Ka- ten called the second generation EU issues. economic growth and job creation. Representative for Central Asia zakhstan and would like to establish agreement will eventually cover The EPCA’s consistent imple- Peter Burian, members of the business contacts with their Turk- 29 areas of cooperation. mentation will significantly in- ciates Kazakhstan’s contribution developing the new document to European Parliament and high- ish colleagues. Head of the Turkish “The extremely rapid pace of crease the volume of trade, primar- to the development of a new EU ensure it is effective and takes into ranking EEAS officials. The -par Businesswomen Council Ruhsar ratification of the EPCA clearly ily through the sale of high-tech Strategy for Central Asia “espe- account the interests of all coun- ticipants noted the high level of Pekcan said the council seeks to help demonstrates the considerable in- products, and generate new oppor- cially in the context where we tries of the region. Cooperation in Kazakh-EU interaction and dis- women implement projects in the terest of the EU member states in tunities for economic growth and see willingness of Central Asian assisting Afghanistan, including cussed its growth prospects. service and textile sectors to boost the the dynamic development of coop- job creation, said Abdrakhmanov. countries to speak more and more in education, was also part of the The Kazakhstan-EU Coopera- competitiveness of women-owned eration with our country. This also “Strengthening trade and eco- with one voice.” discussion. tion Council is the highest inter- businesses. shows that Kazakhstan and the EU nomic ties is inextricably linked Abdrakhmanov held a num- Abdrakhmanov and European action body established under the share the desire to create a new with the free movement of citi- ber of additional meetings with Parliament delegation for Kazakh- EPCA. Kazakh foreign ministers Kazakh Ambassador to France Zhan and strong legal basis for deepen- zens. In this regard, starting ne- top officials, including with EU stan and other countries of Central and the member state holding the Galiyev recently met with France-Ka- zakhstan Interparliamentary Friend- ing cooperation on the conditions gotiations on facilitating the visa High Representative for For- Asia head Iveta Grigule discussed EU presidency meet annually to ship Group chair Pierre Cabaré in of global competition and taking regime as soon as possible has eign Affairs and Security Policy inter-parliamentary cooperation, review the agreement’s execution Paris to discussed ways to develop into account their economic and become an objective necessity,” he Federica Mogherini, where they including in the development of and discuss bilateral and interna- the Kazakh-French strategic partner- geopolitical interests,” said Abdra- added at a joint press conference discussed a wide range of in- legislation. tional issues. ship, which turns 10 years in June. khmanov. with Zakharieva, expressing hope ternational and regional issues, The meeting with Belgian Dep- The EU is Kazakhstan’s largest Cabaré confirmed his visit to Kazakh- The trade cooperation commit- that negotiations on the latter will such as the situation in Syria as uty Prime Minister and Minister of trade and investment partner, ac- stan this year at the invitation of Ka- tee and customs and energy, trans- begin this year. well as the implementation of the Foreign Affairs and European Af- counting for approximately half zakhstan, stressing the attractiveness port, environment and climate In her turn, Zakharieva told the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Ac- fairs Didier Reynders touched on of the country’s foreign trade and of Kazakhstan to French people, not change subcommittees are already media the EU welcomes “coopera- tion regarding Iran’s nuclear pro- prospects for developing bilateral direct investment. Kazakhstan- only as a reliable economic and politi- operating under the EPCA and tion with Kazakhstan in the imple- gramme. trade and economic cooperation EU trade grew 25 percent in 2017 cal partner, but also as a country with held meetings in March and July mentation of EPCA’s priorities.” The meeting with European and attracting Belgian investment compared to previous year, reach- rich and diverse culture located on the in 2017. She added that the meeting of the Commissioner for International and technologies to Kazakhstan. In ing $30 billion. Great Silk Road. Deputy Speaker of the French National Assembly Carole Bureau-Bonnard and Foreign Affairs Committee member Annie Chapelier, who also attended the meeting, com- mended Kazakhstan’s peacebuilding EU wants to continue to be real efforts, pioneering role in nuclear non- proliferation and emphasised the need to restore environment in the zones of technological disaster – the Aral partner for Central Asia, says official Sea and Semipalatinsk test site. Not- Burian noted the EU has been strengthening civil society, rule of al element of the economic foun- ing significant potential to strengthen By Assel Satubaldina supporting the independence and law and gender equality. dation of any country,” he said. bilateral ties, the French deputies also sovereignty of its Central Asian The EU also continues to The second proposal reaffirms welcomed Kazakhstan’s development ASTANA – The European partners since the beginning. deepen cooperation with each the region’s focus on improving in recent reforms. Union (EU) seeks to further ex- Significant potential for co- Central Asian nation through energy efficiency and last year’s pand its partnership with Central operation, the growing market its enhanced partnership agree- EXPO 2017 demonstrated “the A Kazakh delegation led by Ka- Asia and refine new cooperation within the region and geographi- ments, the first signed with Ka- strong interrelation between green zakh Vice-Minister for Religion and mechanisms to address existing cal location of Central Asia as a zakhstan in 2015. To date, 21 technologies, economic and envi- Civil Affairs Berik Aryn participated and emerging security challenges, “major gateway between Europe of 28 EU member states have ronmental cooperation and global Feb. 20-21 in the 13th Doha Con- ference on Interfaith Dialogue that said EU Special Representative and Asia” are among the reasons ratified the Enhanced Partner- security,” he added. gathered experts to discuss religious for Central Asia Peter Burian Feb. explaining the region’s importance ship and Cooperation Agreement Developing transport and transit freedom and practices, human rights, 22 during the international confer- for the EU, he said. (EPCA) with Kazakhstan, while potential and bolstering connectiv- religion’s stance towards human ence in the Kazakh capital mark- “We applaud the important pro- the European Parliament, too, ity mechanisms and processes are rights violations and human rights ing the 25th anniversary of dip- gress our partners in Central Asia has given its consent. EPCA, in of equal importance, noted Abdra- as envisioned in sacred texts. Aryn lomatic relations between the EU have achieved in building their force provisionally since May khmanov. The measures should presented the report on religious and Central Asia. new socio-economic systems, cre- 2016, will eventually cover 29 help the region evolve and achieve freedom in Kazakhstan, briefing the “The timing for this discussion ating legislative systems and de- areas of cooperation once it is in quality integration in global pro- delegates on the country’s experience is excellent and cannot be better velopment programmes and strat- full force, ranging from coopera- cesses, rather than serving as a in ensuring interethnic and interfaith since we have started consulta- egies for reforms and sustainable tion in space to public procure- “simple transit corridor for goods accord, objectives of the triennial EU Special Representative for tions involving our member states Central Asia Peter Burian. development,” he added, stressing ment procedures. and energy resources between Eu- Congress of Leaders of World and and partners on a new strategy for the EU’s important role as the big- Expanding cooperation with the rope and Asia.” Traditional Religions in the Kazakh Central Asia, which will be fully gest donor. EU is a “strategic foreign policy Kazakhstan’s fourth proposal capital initiated by President Nursul- “I am pleased to note that aligned with our global strategy Regional challenges are com- priority” for Kazakhstan, said entails bringing in EU expertise to tan Nazarbayev as well as Kazakh- through these 25 years our part- and which could better reflect new plex for nations to address alone. Foreign Minister Kairat Abdra- assist the region in digital transfor- stan’s efforts to develop a solid inter- nership has gotten stronger and realities in the region, ambitions, “The EU has identified the co- khmanov in his keynote remarks mation, which has topped the na- action between state and religion and matured and, in particular, in the priorities and needs of our part- operation with the Central Asian to the conference, emphasising tion’s agenda. strengthen secular principles. recent two-three years acquired a ners, strengthening their resilience countries on sustainable develop- the result of these 25 years is a Burian noted the region has new content and dynamism also as indicated also in the consen- ment and strengthening their resil- “solid foundation for the dynamic managed to preserve and reinforce Kazakhstan and India recently thanks to a very proactive atti- sus for the development agenda ience as one of the key priorities growth” of bilateral cooperation. stability despite many challenges, agreed to expand cooperation in agri- tude of our partners to inter- and for 2030,” he noted in addressing of EU-Central Asia strategy,” said The EU has been the largest including the challenging situa- cultural production, construction and intraregional cooperation,” he tractor equipment production and more than 150 delegates attending Burian. investor and trade partner, with tion in neighbouring Afghanistan, added. endorsed an updated roadmap on the the two-day conference. The EU projects contributing to Kazakh-EU trade accounting for economic slowdown and climate The conference, Burian noted, is development of trade, economic and EU-Central Asia relations the region’s development and pros- nearly 50 percent of the nation’s change. He went on to reaffirm the an essential part of consultations investment cooperation during a re- have strengthened with the 2007 perity have so far totalled more total external trade and more than important role of Central Asian na- cent Kazakh-Indian business council adoption of the EU and Central between the EU and each of the than one billion euro (US$1.2 bil- 6,000 joint companies working tions in achieving stability and se- meeting in Delhi. Kazakh Ambassa- Asia: Strategy for a New Partner- five Central Asian nations. lion) and though the assistance across many areas. curity in Afghanistan. dor to India Bulat Sarsenbayev noted ship covering a wide range of is- “Tomorrow we will have the continues, the main work should Abdrakhmanov also outlined “Improved security in Afghani- the countries’ economic cooperation sues, including priority areas of same kind of discussions with Ka- be done by the nations themselves, Kazakhstan’s suggestions to shape stan would benefit everybody and with more than 100 Indian compa- zakhstan and I remember clearly nies expressing interest in trade and tackling common security threats, he said. the new EU-Central Asia docu- in this respect, we commend Ka- economic ties with Kazakh business- promoting rule of law, education, your contribution to updating the Refining cooperation mecha- ment focusing on four priority ar- zakhstan’s initiative in actually es. The group also discussed the pos- environment protection and wa- strategy in 2015, where we felt nisms is also an EU priority, in- eas. organising the first debate in the sibility of opening a Kazakh freight ter management and incorporat- even more than previously that cluding increasing demand for “We would like to see the re- UN Security Council on regional terminal in one of the sea ports on the ing both a country-specific and you assume leadership and also more investments, advanced tech- vitalisation of joint work on the security and development and the west coast of India. The two coun- regional approach. The renewed ownership of the implementation nologies and trade and economic development of private entrepre- Uzbek initiative in convening a re- tries also discussed energy projects, document is expected to be ready of our strategy,” he said on the first cooperation, as well as increasing neurship, small and medium-sized gional conference on Afghanistan said Sarsenbayev. next year. day of the conference. private sector engagement and businesses – an important structur- in March,” he added. A4 ECONOMY

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2018

ECONOMY Economy grows 4 percent in 2017 on increases NEWS IN BRIEF Direct investment in the Kazakh economy reached 637 billion tenge (US$1.98 billion) in January, an in manufacturing, non-extraction industries 82-percent increase compared to the same period last year, reported provided support to 400 export- spection were proposed for exclu- trade structure changed signifi- trade agreement with Iran and on ranking.kz. The market attracted By Aigerim Seisembayeva ers and 192,000 business entities sion,” said the ministry. cantly in 2017, with an increase trade and economic cooperation 76 percent in additional invest- A new concept of state control in non-primary products and some with China. This will help increase were supported within the Business ment, as external money inflows ASTANA – The Ministry of Na- Roadmap 2020,” he noted. and supervision has also been pro- new export items. Export volume the volume of trade with these to new funds doubled compared tional Economy leadership outlined The ministry’s tasks for 2018 in- posed by introducing preventive increased 31.6 percent to $43.1 bil- countries in the future,” he said. to January 2017. In August, the Kazakhstan’s economic results for clude ensuring the country’s mac- control to replace selective inspec- lion compared to $32.7 billion in In 2018, the ministry plans to en- government published Kazakh- 2017 and shared its plans for the roeconomic stability, improving tions. The main tasks of preventive 2016. The share of non-raw materi- hance the access of Kazakh goods stan’s investment strategy until current year at a Feb. 12 press con- intergovernmental fiscal relations, control will be identifying the rea- als increased 22.1 percent. Kazakh- to wider markets. 2022, indicating specific target ference, reported the ministry press strengthening the tax policy, ex- sons and conditions for unlawful stan exported more than $14 billion “We are actively negotiating free benchmarks. The first task aims to service. panding the tools and approaches conduct, explaining the legal con- in non-primary products, which trade with Israel, Serbia and India. increase the inflow of foreign di- Kazakhstan’s gross domestic of public-private partnership and sequences of offenses and reinforc- represented 32.7 percent of the to- In addition, this year we will con- rect investment 26 times by 2022. product (GDP) grew 4 percent in effectively managing the country’s ing law-abiding behaviour. tal export volume. Export growth tinue working on the implementa- In January, the volume of external 2017, said National Economy First debt. In order to ease the burden on was seen in timber, paper and paper tion of the provisions of the treaty investments exceeded 185 billion Vice Minister Ruslan Dalenov. The “To date, 1,145,994 SMEs (small businesses of presenting various products, busses and medicine. with the EAEU and improving the tenge (US$577.2 million) - twice outcome was determined by the and medium-sized enterprises) are papers, information requirements Bekeshev also dwelled on the regulatory framework, as well as as much as January 2017. following factors: two-thirds of operating in the country, manufac- are to be reduced 30 percent. Cer- digitisation of the Eurasian Eco- removing obstacles in mutual trade the growth was provided by non- turing products worth 14.44 trillion tain new legislative amendments nomic Union (EAEU) economies in order to create favourable condi- No significant changes are ex- extractive industries, almost all tenge ($44.5 billion) and employ- have also been elaborated to im- that are Kazakhstan’s main trade tions for doing business,” he added. pected in the exchange rate this sub-industries showed growth (31 ing 3,118,448 people,” said minis- prove the business climate. partners. The key aspects have Vice Minister Aibatyr Zhumagu- year, said National Bank of Ka- against 22 in 2016), manufactur- try representatives. “Our long-term objective is to let been determined to implement the lov spoke about the ministry’s work zakhstan Chairperson Daniyar ing hit a five-year maximum (5.1 In the past year, the ministry de- the private sector take the leading union’s 2025 digital agenda, which on developing local self-govern- Akishev, reported dknews.kz. percent), the “desired” industries veloped systemic measures aimed role and increase the share of the primarily affect the speedy launch ment (LSG). According to the LSG “Currently, the situation is favour- showed a significant increase (e.g., at deregulating businesses, includ- SMEs in the GDP to 50 percent by of initiatives and project approach development law adopted in 2017, able both in domestic and foreign pharmaceuticals grew 41.8 percent) ing reducing the administrative 2050,” said the ministry. to executing the EAEU digital LSG budget and municipal proper- markets. In general, I expect the and non-primary exports and deep- pressure and significantly improv- Kazakhstan’s external trade agenda. ty have been introduced since Jan. current year to be very calm with- ly processed goods also grew. ing conditions for doing business. showed good results in all catego- Using the EAEU platform allows 1 in rural districts with a population out any risks for the economy of “The contribution to the coun- A full-scale audit of governmental ries in 2017, noted Vice Minister of expanding access to the markets of of more than 2,000 people. The rule Kazakhstan. Accordingly, I do not try’s economic growth in 2017 was bodies’ control and supervisory National Economy Baurzhan Beke- third countries through trade agree- will be introduced throughout the expect significant changes in the also made by the implementation of functions was carried out to reduce shev. ments, he said. country starting Jan. 1, 2020. Rural exchange rate,” he added in re- the Nurly Zher programme, due to and optimise them. “We observed a significant in- “For example, exports to Viet- district budgets have already re- sponse to citizens’ questions posed during the online conference. Aki- which 11.2 million square metres “To date, 114 spheres of control crease of 25.1 percent in foreign nam, with whom we concluded a ceived seven types of tax revenues shev also addressed the nation’s of housing were commissioned, and 18 spheres of supervision have trade turnover compared to 2016. free trade agreement in 2015, rose and five types of non-tax revenues. free-floating exchange rate. “This to $274.2 million in 2017, which is “The main peculiarity of LSG 4,000 kilometres of roads were re- been revised, with 25 control and In monetary terms, the 2017 indi- means possible fluctuations of the constructed within the Nurly Zhol three supervision spheres proposed cator amounted to $69.5 billion (in 25 times higher than in 2015 (be- budgets is the obligatory participa- exchange rate in one direction or programme and 120 projects were for exclusion due to duplication 2016, the indicator reached $55.5 fore the conclusion of the free trade tion of citizens in LSG budget and another, depending on many fac- implemented as part of the Industri- and lack of efficiency. In addition, billion),” he said. agreement). To date, we have also municipal property management,” tors. This is a new reality, in which alisation Map. The Export Strategy 17,654 requirements for SME in- He added Kazakhstan’s foreign completed negotiations on a free he said. the course can change every day. In these conditions, a society that has become accustomed to a fixed exchange rate still very acutely perceives any information about the exchange rate. This topic is Ministry to cut China’s Development Bank of great interest to the public and therefore there are a lot of experts and persons claiming such status,” public debt, boost registers at AIFC he said. development institutions, financial AIFC. Kelimbetov said a road- Five innovative projects worth By Zhazira Dyussembekova organisations are invited to partici- map for Kazakhtelecom’s IPO in 12 billion tenge (US$37.44 mil- pate. Ministries and city admin- 2018 has been approved. Similar lion) will be introduced in the tax to GDP ratio ASTANA – Astana International istration were instructed to assist roadmaps are set to be approved in Mangistau region this year, report- with the Ministry of Finance. Financial Centre’s (AIFC) Finan- with the ceremony. 2018 for Kazatomprom, Air Asta- ed 24.kz. All are part of the indus- By Meruyert Abugaliyeva “We will continue execution cial Services Regulatory Com- Prior to the official opening, the na and KazMunayGas. trialisation map. A large vegetable storehouse will be built in Aktau of the second five-year plan mittee recently registered the De- city will host plenary sessions on “We need trustful content and so and greenhouses will begin oper- ASTANA – Decreasing Ka- on industrial and innovative velopment Bank of China, which the strategic development of the the investors would want to come zakh public debt to 23.7 per- development. The manufactur- ating in three other districts. The makes it the 10th participant of the AIFC, including the 13th World to the country. Therefore, we em- projects will provide residents with cent by 2022 using eurobonds ing industry still constitutes 11 centre. It is expected that by the Islamic Economic Forum. Also, phasise the importance of the IPO local products, which is especially and Islamic Sukuk securities percent of the GDP due to the end of this year that number will the first international conference of national and private companies, important for the region, where 85 and other priorities for eco- overall growth of the econo- reach approximately 100. on legal issues will be held at the the localisation of the management percent of food is imported. The nomic development, including my. Therefore, comprehensive “The main news for today is the Nazarbayev Centre. companies of the National Fund, region’s main indicators of social privatisation, industrial devel- analysis in general is needed registration of the representation of “At the moment, all the neces- the introduction of investment res- and economic development during opment, an automated customs to assess the structure of the the Development Bank of China. sary infrastructure and bodies of idency and transport accessibility the past year are impressive, said procedure and new information industry and economics,” said This is a significant incentive for the AIFC have been created,” said of Astana. All this is the basis for Governor (Akim) Yeraly Tugzh- systems for tax collection, were Suleimenov. the flow of solid investors from the Kelimbetov, adding that within the the active and effective develop- anov. Mangistau ranks second in reviewed Feb. 12 by Minister of Sultanov reported on this People’s Republic of China,” said legal and regulatory framework of ment of AIFC as a regional finan- the country in the ease of doing National Economy Timur Sulei- year’s plan to execute the tasks AIFC Governor Kairat Kelimbetov the AIFC, a total of 30 general-pur- cial hub,” said Kelimbetov. business rating. Plants have been menov and Minister of Finance assigned by the President, add- at a Feb. 20 government meeting. pose acts and 17 financial services AIFC’s International Arbitration launched to manufacture expanded Bakhyt Sultanov. ing Astana-1, the informa- The official presentation of the regulation acts have been adopted. Centre already involves 18 inter- clay and steel products, shops pro- “As instructed by the Presi- tion system for electronic cus- AIFC will be July 5, during the AIFC has been working for a national arbitrators. ducing koumiss (mare’s milk) and dent at the Feb. 9 extended toms declaration, will be fully 20th anniversary of Astana as the while within the Comprehensive AIFC bodies plan to conduct a plant bottling camel milk have government meeting, we have launched in April. nation’s capital. Privatisation Plan, particularly to educational events and confer- been opened. More than 30,000 identified the main priorities for “Upon joining the WTO The governor said the event will bring the national companies of ences, including the participation new jobs have been created and 2018 in addition to those that (World Trade Organisation), take place in the building of the Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth of the Academy of Justice of the housing construction keeps devel- are contained in the national ac- Kazakhstan undertook to es- Expo Congress Centre. Leaders Fund to an initial public offering Supreme Court and national uni- oping. tion plan. First, we commit to tablish the system of tracking of major international companies, (IPO), which is expected to be at versities. working on tax administration goods using lower customs fees. Kazakhstan plans to trans- and tax policy improvements The ministry plans to launch port 100,000 tonnes of cargo by in order to increase the tax rev- the virtual warehouse module, sea this year, reported dknews. enue to GDP ratio to 25 percent which will count the inventories kz. “Over the past year, domestic by 2025. This year, we will car- of a taxpayer automatically and vessels transported 35,000 tonnes of cargo. In the current year, the ry out an economic analysis and next year track the goods from Oilfield service companies seek state planned volume of transportation the producer to the customer. propose suggestions to address is 100,000 tonnes; mainly, it will this issue,” said Suleimenov. Thus, the software will help be oversized cargo. On the Black The ministry will also take decrease the risk of operations Sea, two tankers of the Kazmor- strict control of the public debt. carried out without the provi- support to increase competition transflot company carry oil from Government borrowing and Na- sion of goods,” he said. for 75 percent of all the domestic cal companies to improve their the port of Novorossiysk to the tional Bank and local budgets The ministry is also taking By Zhanna Shayakhmetova oilfield service purchases. competencies as part of the joint Romanian port. Equipment for oil currently comprise 26 percent of measures to increase the number He noted the companies need ventures and consortia. and gas projects are expected to the GDP, which is a safe level, of users of the E-invoice infor- ASTANA – The Union of Ka- state support, as they currently “One of the conditions proposed be transported from the Baltic Sea he noted. That indicator can be mation system, which registers zakhstan Oilfield Service Compa- must compete in unequal condi- by the government is that the sub- to the Aktau port until 2022,” ac- decreased to 23.7 percent by all major taxpayers and 1,500 nies wants to increase the involve- tions with foreign enterprises that soil user provides the transfer of cording to First Vice Minister for 2022, according to the socio- international logistics provid- ment of domestic businesses and are exempt from import duties and knowledge, technology and expe- Investment and Development Ro- economic development forecast, ers, to 312,000. All VAT (value state support for the $45 billion in have access to finance. rience. The increase of local con- man Sklyar. He noted that thanks and measures will be taken to added tax) taxpayers will enter projects underway by Tengizchev- “Our oilfield service market is tent share through the participation to the agreement reached with exclude domestic borrowing the system beginning January roil, Karachaganak Operating profitable for foreign companies. of Kazakh companies in major oil the Russians, the permissive pro- from the public debt calculation. 2019. An information system Company and North Caspian Op- More than 20 out of the 100 largest and gas contracts is an important cedure for passage along that na- “A thorough analysis of state for VAT administration, current- erating Company, according to a contracting companies operate in part of bilateral cooperation,” said tion’s inland waterways has been support measures will be con- ly being developed using block- Feb. 13 press briefing. Kazakhstan. Domestic companies Zhaksylykov. simplified for Kazakh vessels. ducted with the Ministry for chain with IBM, PWC and the “Proper use of resources is an have been able to improve their Russia remains an important Investment and Development in innovative technologies park, essential task for all parties. In this competences due to competition market for Kazakhstan’s oilfield Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan will the first part of the year to as- will be presented in August. regard, the Union of Oilfield Ser- in the local market. At least 1,000 services. Domestic companies par- increase the number of jointly man- sess how effective those meas- The number of tax checks was vice Companies Union tradition- companies with a total number ticipate in the projects in Moscow, ufactured cars to 7,000 vehicles, ures were and how they can be lowered to 45 percent in 2017 ally acts as an important dialogue of more than 170,000 employees Sakhalin, Yamal and other oil and said 24.kz. The plans also include producing agricultural machinery improved to help competitive and the ministry plans to reduce platform for protecting the inter- work in the oilfield service indus- gas regions, providing construc- and buses. Kazakh Ambassador to export-oriented business enti- the figure to 37.5 per cent. ests of Kazakh companies. Do- try. Turnover of oilfield services tion, engineering and drilling ser- Uzbekistan Yerik Utembayev vis- “We will commit to decreas- ties,” he added. mestic enterprises face a number averages $7 billion per year in the vices. They also operate in Geor- ited the largest machine-building The ministry will monitor ful- ing the public debt as well. Last of challenges including low mar- subsoil use sector. The share of the gia, Iran, Iraq and Jordan. plant in Andijon. The car factory filling the Industrialisation and year, we prioritised domestic gins of service-based businesses, three large operators accounts for The active phase of the future produces five models, from eco- Economic Growth programme, borrowing to reduce depend- closed tender procedures, certain 77 percent of the oilfield services. expansion project at Tengiz field nomical small cars to large SUVs, one of the directions stipulated ency on foreign funds. The min- preferences proposed by foreign There are 66 oilfield service com- will start this year. Tengizchevroil as well as 75 percent of the neces- in the 100 Concrete Steps Plan istry now plans to work with companies and other things. They panies in the list of top 500 larg- has obligations that the share of sary auto parts. Most of the parts of the Nation. As the privatisa- Euroclear and AIFC (Astana In- believe that the effective measures est companies in Kazakhstan with local content should be at least 50 are exported to Kazakhstan. Local tion programme continues, its ternational Financial Centre) to will be taken to resolve all existing a total tax payment of 280 billion percent. The company purchased experts recently developed a new benefits for business, budget issue eurobonds denominated in disputes,” said union presidium tenge (US$868 million) by the end goods and services from Kazakh SUV model. If the project proves and the economy during the first Kazakh, Sukuk and Islamic se- chairperson Rashid Zhaksylykov, of 2016,” he said. suppliers for $494 million in the to be efficient, it will be a com- half of the year will be analysed curities,” added Sultanov. adding the three operators account Foreign investments enable lo- first quarter of 2017. pletely domestic product. A5 BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2018

BUSINESS NEWS IN BRIEF The Astana City Urban Planning Alageum Electric expands export borders Kazakh, French cooperation Council recently discussed the the most advanced equipment. The 20, 35, 110, 220 and 500-kilovolt construction of another Magnum By Yerbolat Uatkhanov launch is scheduled for the begin- substations and power lines. It has supermarket in Astana, accord- ning of the second half of this year. received awards such as Best Sup- ing to Yelorda Info. Chairman of ASTANA – Alageum Electric, one The plant will create 220 new jobs,” plier (2012), Best Business Partner produces cement plant the Board of Astana Social-En- of Kazakhstan’s major electrical en- he added. and Most Dynamic Company in the promises to generate substantial en- trepreneurial Corporation Nurlan gineering companies, offers a wide Bocharov noted the 17.5 billion Machinery Industry (2011). By Zhazira Dyussembekova ergy savings and represents the best Zhakupov said the Magnum chain range of products and services. The tenge (US$54 million) project, sup- Alageum Electric’s Ural Trans- practices for the environment. wants to start construction in the company not only provides power ported by the Development Bank of former Plant is one of the largest ASTANA – The Jambyl Cement Since its opening, more than 250 developing region this spring and transformers to the domestic mar- Kazakhstan, aims to export power enterprises in the West Kazakhstan plant near Mynaral in the Zhamb- direct jobs and at least 450 indirect to open by December. City Mayor ket, but also exports them abroad. transformers abroad. He added Ka- region, exporting more than 90 yl region, the first in Kazakhstan employment opportunities have Asset Issekeshev noted the impor- The new plant opened this year will zakh Invest supports Alageum Elec- percent of its output to Russia. The to use the dry method for cement been created for area citizens. tance of such projects and stressed strengthen its positions in the Kyr- tric to develop its export potential. facility has been recognised by the production, is currently the largest The company is investing heav- that Astana needs retail spaces gyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turk- With its own dealer network, Kazakh government as an export- facility in the category. The joint ily in recruiting and training local especially in new districts. Ac- menistan and Uzbekistan markets. specialised production bases and oriented, high-tech and science-in- Kazakh-French project, managed specialists, according to Kazakh cording to the city administration, “There was a demand for 20-kilo- warehouses in all Kazakh regions, tensive enterprise with a high pro- by Vicat Group, produces approxi- Invest, building apartments in the right now Astana has 34 shopping volt power transformers in Kazakh- the company aims to save consum- duction culture. mately 1.4 million tonnes of binder surrounding area which allow em- centres, 62 supermarkets, one hy- stan’s market. This niche of the mar- ers’ time and money, offering solu- High quality and reliable products per year to cover 15 percent of in- ployees to live closer to work. The permarket and 25 bazaars. Most of ket was filled by import suppliers, tions on a turn-key basis. Solutions are created using the most up-to- ternal demand and exports a portion move is in line with Vicat’s corpo- them are located on the right bank, because domestic producers had no include design, producing electri- date and high-tech equipment from to neighbouring countries. rate culture, a long-standing tradi- which creates a large load on traf- such products. Our specialists have cal products, supplying industrial LAE, Gasparini and Taiss (Italy), Plant construction began in 2008 tion dating to 1817 when French fic flows. successfully developed energy- equipment and service and wiring Huebers and Stolberg (Germany), and was launched three years later. engineer Luis Vicat invented artifi- saving power transformers with im- and commissioning services. Tuboly (Switzerland), Soenen (Bel- “In the strategy of internationali- cial cement. The Yandex Taxi has launched proved technical characteristics and Alageum Electric represents the gium) and Prima Power (Finland). sation, Vicat Group has been look- “Our group has provided not its services in Taraz. The average introduced them into production,” interests of the following domestic Alageum Electric has success- ing with interest at Kazakhstan only financial resources and techni- waiting time for a taxi in this city said exports department director manufacturers of goods and ser- fully finished projects at facilities since 2005 or earlier. Many prospec- cal skills for this project, but also is five minutes, reported Kapital. Yevgeniy Bocharov. vices with subsequent service and in the oil refining, non-ferrous and tive projects were examined and organisation, management culture kz. Customers can pay for the “Today, there are two enterprises warranty services – PromEnergo ferrous metallurgy, chemical and our technical and financial teams and international relationships,” trip by cash or credit card using a oriented for export in the structure Design Institute (power facilities nuclear industries. The company worked locally for a couple of years said Cala. smartphone app. The service co- of our holding, Kentau Transformer design), Kentau and Ural transform- has worked on the power supply at in assessing how to better set up our He noted the company’s objec- operates only with taxi companies Plant with a 36-percent export share er plants (transformer and electrical the Kazakh President’s residence first cement plant in Kazakhstan,” tives are related to proximity to and dispatch services. When dis- and Ural Transformer Plant with a product production), Almaty Elec- and Parliament building, construct- said Vicat Group Country Manager clients, reactivity, innovation and a tributing orders, the application share of exports reaching 96 per- tromechanical Plant (cabinet unit ed substations and the Kum-Kol- in Kazakhstan and Jambyl Cement strong sense of belonging. considers the driver’s rating based cent. We do not intend to simply manufacturer) and Electromontazh Akshabulak overhead line, North director Pietro Cala. “We think we make decisions on user feedback and statistics of dwell on this. We are already build- (electrical installation and commis- Kazakhstan-Aktobe region interre- In late 2007, Vicat Group became and we act having only long-term completed trips. Right now, more ing a new plant (Asia Trafo) for the sioning services). gional high-voltage line, Kenkiyak- part of a project to establish a ce- objectives in mind and we do care than 1,000 cars are connected to production of power transformers With this potential, the com- Kumkol oil pipeline overhead line ment plant in Mynaral, a village on about resources and sustainability. the service. In Kazakhstan, the in Shymkent. The plant will use pany constructs and maintains 10, and others. the shores of Balkhash Lake 400 It is not by chance that the group service already operates in Astana, kilometres from Almaty. The site has almost two centuries of history; Almaty, Aktobe, Atyrau, Karagan- was considered to be ideally locat- not many companies, nor many da and eight other cities. ed along the main Almaty-Astana of our competitors have the same route and, to date, has offered easy track record,” he added. The merger of Qazkom and Ha- access to the country’s main con- Vicat’s goal in Kazakhstan is es- lyk Bank will be completed by the NabasFabrik to export struction markets, he noted. tablishing a company which will end of this year, said Chairman of “At the beginning of 2011, the operate for at least a century and the Kazakh National Bank Dani- plant started operating and soon the contribute to national development yar Akishev during a Feb. 22 on- company stepped into the market and infrastructure. To that end, line conference. “Currently, the feathers to Europe by offering first-class products very Jambyl Cement must be financially process of merging the two banks visited the region last spring to study cluded and the terms for issuing appreciated by the most demanding self-sufficient and autonomous and customers. Very quickly, cement able over time to renew and im- continues. From the information By Yerbolat Uatkhanov the state veterinary system and deter- veterinary permits reduced. that was brought to us by the man- mine the willingness of slaughter sta- In particular, Batyrbekov said produced and sold by Jambyl Ce- prove its industrial tools, said Cala. agement, they plan to complete it tions to ship goods to the Chinese mar- inspections are performed on a ment became popular and covered “I look forward to the fact that a ASTANA – Kostanai-based Na- 15 percent of the country consump- French company like us operating by the end of 2018. We hope that basFabrik will begin exporting feath- ket under domestic products export. permanent basis to register Kosta- this schedule will be kept. But “Based on the results of the as- nai companies to export domestic tion,” he added. in Kazakhstan can be considered ers to European Union (EU) coun- The plant produces 400 and 500 this is a complex process; large sessment of the inspection work products to Eurasian Economic as a reliable partner for the country tries for the first time in the nation’s quality grade Portland cement us- financial institutions are merging. regarding the issue of permits for Union countries. To date, 235 re- and for its citizens. In this sense, history. The regional administration ing the dry method, according to It may take longer,” said Akishev. the export of meat to China, two gional enterprises have been in- having the two cultures closer and is doing everything possible to re- Vicat Group’s website. Compared The merger will be done after slaughter stations were included in spected and included in the corre- with more understanding of each duce bureaucratic red tape and reg- to the wet method, which is widely passing all necessary procedures, the register of enterprises that have sponding registers. other can be a good way to realise ister additional companies with the used in Kazakhstan, the dry method this integration,” he added. including appropriate coordination right to export to the EU and China. right to export frozen mutton to with regulatory bodies. Earlier “In June, as a result of inspec- China,” said Batyrbekov. Head of Halyk Bank Umut Shay- tions conducted and negotiations He added inspections are com- akhmetova noted that after five with the European Commission, pleted and a number of measures months of painstaking work with NabasFabrik fluff and feather, lo- have been taken to optimise the international consultants, it could cated in the Kostanai region, is process of issuing export docu- be confidently asserted that the po- included in the EU registry. This ments. Proposals were made to a tential of the deal is huge, both in gives the company the right to ex- number of regulatory bodies and scope and in terms of the impact port fluff and feather to the EU,” the number of legal acts through on the economy of Kazakhstan and said Kostanai regional veterinary authorised bodies was decreased. neighbouring countries. inspection head Urazbek Batyr- In addition, due to the support of bekov at a recent administration the Atameken National Chamber A plant to produce mixed fod- meeting, according to Kazinform. of Entrepreneurs a variety of nec- ders and premixes is planned to be Elsewhere, a Chinese delegation essary documents has been ex- built in the Martuk district of the Aktobe region, according to the press service of the region’s ad- ministration. The construction of AgroSoyuz M plant worth $17.7 million was discussed at a meet- Bank Astana introduces ing of Region Akim (Governor) Berdybek Saparbayev with Am- bassador of Slovakia Peter Juza. During the meeting, the parties loans for SMEs also discussed strengthening and the name. Nearly 700,000 cards expanding bilateral cooperation, By Assel Satubaldina have been issued and delivered increasing trade and implementing across Kazakhstan, said Zhum- joint projects. ASTANA – Bank Astana recent- agulov. All services are digitised, Around 2,300 rail cars of a new ly introduced microbusiness loans as they do not require a person to modification will be manufactured for entrepreneurs, reported Forbes. visit the bank, and the microbusi- in the Pavlodar region, according kz. The loans are up to 3 million ness product follows the same to inform.kz. “Last year, with the tenge (US$9,330) for a maximum mechanism. support of the government, the of 24 months. An entrepreneur can submit an issue on the resumption of pro- Kazakhstan’s one million indi- application online, including his duction at Kazakhstan Rail Car vidual entrepreneurs often lack personal identification number and Building Company was resolved, their due attention, said Bank contact details. Within a maximum which had been idle for the last Astana Managing Director Aidos of ten minutes, he or she can learn two years,” said Region Gover- Zhumagulov, as the bigger focus whether the business is eligible for nor Bulat Bakauov at a meeting is on large corporations and small a loan. with residents. “The launch of this and medium-sized enterprises. As If approved, the required docu- enterprise allowed to ensure the a result, the bank’s development ments are sent to the bank online, growth of the machine-building strategy encompasses microbusi- where bank officers confirm the industry by 1.2 times.” ness loans. business. The online committee “We are not launching the prod- then completes the process, which The first Volvo dealer centre has uct if all business processes have takes a total of one-two days. opened in Almaty. It is the first still not been worked out, starting The bank received more than one not only in Kazakhstan, but in from application submission to 8,000 applications worth 13 bil- Central Asia. “This is a new house giving a loan and subsequent ser- lion tenge (US$40.43 million) in for Volvo. This is a responsible and vices after the loan is received. We two weeks in January. Zhumagu- important step for us. We promise were all working last year on auto- lov noted with the “right approach our customers not only to sell, but mating the processes, developing a and work in digital format,” the also to provide service at Astana scoring model, integrating our sys- numbers show good potential. Motors. For this year, we plan tems into different platforms and “One of the benefits of a digital to sell 60-100 cars,” said Astana Group Head Nurlan Smagulov. implementing tablet solutions,” he approach is that we can target on- The new Volvo dealer centre offers told Forbes.kz. line traffic towards thousands of 3S services, which stands for sales, The bank tested the product in clients in regions based on product service and spare parts. As it was several regions to get preliminary demand. This means we no longer said at the presentation, Astana observations on quality and pos- need to go outside and give out Motors Company is confident that sible drawbacks to be ready to booklets. We manage Internet traf- Volvo will certainly win the hearts announce a full-scale launch this fic in real time. All of these pro- of Kazakh customers with its main year. cesses are due to the bank’s strong priority in the production of tech- “Global Finance” named Bank IT team, which enables us to build nological, innovative and progres- Astana as Kazakhstan’s best digi- and integrate these solutions. This sive cars, focused primarily on tal bank last year, and it has been is really important in the digital safety and comfort. making every effort to live up to era,” he added. A6 EDITORIAL&OPINION

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2018 Kazakhstan well on its YBYRAI Young Programmers’ way to gender equality League – first step in world ment, too, women are rightly taking the n the 12 months since International reins. The face Kazakhstan presents to the Women’s Day was last celebrated world is increasingly female. More than one across the world, we have witnessed of three officers in our foreign service are of high technologies sharp reminders of how far the world women who occupy over 20 senior diplo- opened. All IT classes are equipped with remainsI from true gender equality. matic positions. By Aziza Shuzheyeva the necessary number of computers and Campaigns to expose sexual violence The number of women in public life is a have access to the Internet. Children do and harassment in the work-place and end trend seen at the local as well as national In the digital era, the rapid develop- not need to have any special skills to be the injustice of women being paid less than level. It is one of the reasons why, as we ment of which we are now witnessing, enrolled in the programme; they only men have underlined how unacceptable pointed out last year, Kazakhstan was ranked everything is changing: the economy, need to be able to turn the computer on behaviour and attitudes remain in even the higher than both the United States and Japan the state system and even society. At the and off. most developed societies and high-profile in the global Girls’ Opportunity Index drawn forefront today are people who have the The Love to Code international edu- industries. up by Save the Children. skills of the future and who can easily cational franchise in the field of pro- Such unfair – and at times criminal – prac- While there are areas we must do better, navigate the digital world. Many coun- gramming has been chosen as a teach- tices cause great personal harm and suffer- Kazakhstan also scores well in terms of tries of the world at the state level sup- ing method at the YBYRAI Young ing. This would be more than enough reason overall employment and economic opportu- port the development of human capital, Programmers’ League public founda- for all of us, whatever our gender, to work to nity. In this category in the World Economic as they understand that a population tion. root them out. But such attitudes, of course, Gender Gap report, the country was ranked without digital literacy cannot enjoy all The training is designed for kids aged are also very damaging both to the strength 31st. Even more impressive is the progress the opportunities that the digital econo- 8-16 years. Courses take place in small of economies and the health of societies. being made to ensure women can play their my opens up for it. introduction of the Fundamentals of groups of up to eight children three More than ever before, the nations that full role in creating the businesses and jobs The level of computer literacy in Ka- Programming courses in the school cur- times a week. The duration of each succeed will be those who make the most of of the future. zakhstan for 2017 was 76.2 percent. Of riculum, starting from the second grade. lesson is one hour. The programme the potential of all their citizens regardless National figures show that women make course, for mass involvement of citizens This should contribute to the develop- currently includes three modules. The of gender or background. It is another reason up over half of our country’s individual en- of the country in the digitisation of the ment of children’s creative abilities and first module is the study of the Scratch why the fight for gender equality must be a trepreneurs and head four out of ten of small economy, there is a need to increase this critical thinking. free visual programming language and cause for everyone. and medium sized businesses. These SMEs number not only on a quantitative, but To unite the initiatives of the state and online community for children and the This is certainly recognised here in Ka- which already employ a third of the national also on a qualitative level. business in the development of the in- CodeMonkey online game that teaches zakhstan where gender equality is seen as workforce will be in Kazakhstan as they are Much attention is paid to teaching tellectual generation of Kazakhstan, as children how to code; the second mod- both a human and economic right. It is why in all countries the main drivers of job crea- children digital skills. Already in the well as to support the idea of forming ule is designed for kids over 12 years the government, for example, has worked tion and prosperity in the coming decades. primary classes across the country, chil- Digital Kazakhstan, a group of enthusi- old and for those who have passed the closely with UN experts to tackle violence It is why extra funding and support is being dren are acquainted with basic knowl- asts initiated the creation of the YBY- first module where they learn algo- against women through better education and provided at both national and regional level edge of modern information technolo- RAI Young Programmers Public Foun- rithms for CoffeeScript. In the third improved legal and social responses. to support them. gies. dation, which funds the Programme module, children will begin to study In the economy, removing barriers to The priority given to education to equip According to the Kazakh Ministry of Your Future social project. the basics of developing websites: gender equality is also seen as critical to our Kazakhstan’s young population with the Education and Science, in 2014-2016, Programme Your Future is the first HTML/CSS. Next, the programme ambitions to join the ranks of the 30 most- knowledge and skills they will need is also 14,500 educational grants were allo- project of the foundation, which en- will be expanded to include the study developed countries. Like countries across vital. Removing formal or informal barriers cated for training specialists in ICT (in- visions creation of a network of free of Python, a programming language, the world, there are plenty of obstacles to which stop talented women studying, seek- formation and communications technol- classes in Kazakhstan teaching children and the development of games for mo- overcome in tackling prejudice, modernising ing or advancing in careers in science and ogy) specialties and the output for the programming and IT skills. bile devices and computers. The dura- attitudes and putting in place the right rem- technology must be an important goal for same period was 94,000 people. The first such school for program- tion of one module takes an average of edies. But in terms of public and economic Kazakhstan. We have plenty of raw mate- Despite this, there is still a shortage ming for children was opened on June two-three months. From the first day of life, Kazakhstan is moving in the right direc- rial on which to build, as the success of the of IT specialists in the country, as dig- 17, 2017 by Bagdat Mussin, chairper- the course, children will start creating tion with policies designed to accelerate the all-female team of school pupils in winning itisation processes are developing much son of the committee on legal statistics games or animations. After the third speed of progress. Google’s global Technovation Challenge in faster than our requirements for training and special accounting at the Office of module is completed, they will design Women, for example, now make up more California in September shows. specialists are changing. the Prosecutor General, during the 60th and develop their own websites. than one in five of those elected to our While families enjoy the festivities of cel- The Digital Kazakhstan state pro- anniversary of the city of Ekibastuz in The YBYRAI public fund plans to parliament. Not good enough but better than ebrating Women’s Day here in Kazakhstan, gramme adopted in December 2017 Pavlodar region. replicate the Programme My Future the proportion in many other developed it is the serious issues of gender equality has set a whole new direction devoted In addition, today there are five more project throughout Kazakhstan, includ- countries and more than twice the number and how to provide a safe and supportive to the development of human capital, programming courses operational in ing in the rural areas. just a decade ago. Even more impressive environment where everyone can succeed, where many initiatives and activities to the cities of Kokshetau, Semey, and is that women now chair half of the Senate which must continue to be the prime focus increase the population’s digital literacy Zhezkazgan. More than 100 children The author is head of the YBYRAI committees. of our society. Scandals overseas underline are outlined. have received training in the first mod- Youth League of Young Program- Within the wider machinery of govern- why there must be no complacency. One of the initiatives involves the ule of the programme since the courses mers. Radicalisation, drug trafficking, environment are key EU-Central Asia security challenges, say experts and officials vulnerability of nations to exter- quires vast territories to produce By Assel Satubaldina nal threats and challenges,” he ex- drugs, said Robello. “These new plained. types of drugs, new target groups, ASTANA – Fighting terrorism This corresponds to one of Ka- new communication trends in soci- and extremism, including radi- zakhstan’s suggestions for the new ety, for example social media, de- calisation, tackling drug and arms EU Strategy on Central Asia ex- mand new approaches, new forms trafficking as well as environment pected to be ready in 2019 voiced of treatment and new prevention and water management issues are earlier the same day by Kazakh approaches,” he added. among key security challenges Foreign Minister Kairat Abdra- The environment is also on the faced by the European Union (EU) khmanov. security agenda for the EU and and Central Asia, according to ex- In his opening remarks at the con- Central Asia. Executive Director of perts who gathered Feb. 22-23 in ference, the minister highlighted Central Asia Regional Environment Astana for the international confer- the importance of transforming the Centre Iskander Abdullaev pointed ence marking the 25th anniversary region into a major transport and out environmental problems trigger of diplomatic ties between the EU transit hub with a broader goal of problems in other areas and this re- and Central Asia. achieving the region’s comprehen- quires bringing more stakeholders

Director of Sharq Research Cen- service EU delegation in Kazakhstan press Photo credit: sive integration in global processes. to address the acute problems, in- tre in Tajikistan Muzaffar Olimov Panelists from the European Union and Central Asia at the international conference marking the 25th anniversary Drug trafficking has long been cluding the EU. pointed out the Central Asian re- of diplomatic ties between the EU and Central Asia in Astana. on the security agenda of the region “Environment and water coop- gion is at the intersection of global and beyond and the EU has assisted eration platform, which the EU interests. plained by social reasons, he said. Krzysztof Strachota also brought the aged to maintain peace and stability the countries with its Central Asia chairs, is a very important platform “The region is located close to These include inequality, poverty, issue of terrorism up at the panel dis- throughout the most difficult period Drug Action Programme (CADAP) where five countries come togeth- a hotbed of instability and conflict discrimination, low level of educa- cussion. “The level of terrorism ac- in its history. Common willingness launched in 2001. “In this respect, er,” he added. bearing all negative processes hap- tion and of participation in the po- tivity is low in the region, but at the to maintain and promote stability the EU has a very strong interest in “All these problems, water chal- pening in the neighbouring region litical decision-making process and same time several terrorist attacks and sustainable development has the promotion of security and sta- lenges, land degradation, biodiver- and beyond,” said Olimov, refer- crisis identity common for labour across the world were found to be become a “more realistic goal than bility in Central Asia and establish- sity, degradation of environment in ring to the worsening situation in migrants. prepared by people coming from the ever before,” he added, and the ing reliable and mutually beneficial cities, air pollution, climate change Afghanistan and radicalisation pro- “All of these factors relate to Central Asian region,” he noted. agreement to hold the Central Asia partnerships with the countries in look like a vicious circle if you look cesses as main security challenges. Central Asian migrants,” he added. Similar to his colleagues, Deputy leaders’ meeting soon in Kazakh- the region,” said CADAP Regional from the point of a single country, The challenge for both the EU “It remains unclear what factors Director of Uzbek Institute of Stra- stan is a testament to that. Team Leader Ernest Robello. but as a region, there are a lot of and the five Central Asian nations, motivate potential radicals to com- tegic and Interregional Studies Bot- “Central Asia security is an in- Robello noted the project helps opportunities,” he noted, stress- Olimov noted, is in finding the bal- mit to violent extremism and terror- ir Tursunov emphasised radicalisa- tegral part of global security,” he countries develop drug policies and ing limited cooperation incurs sig- ance between the human dimension ism and accept violence as a means tion as a salient issue. added, yet impossible to achieve drug demand reduction, an issue of nificant costs. For instance, limited and security and, in particular, be- to achieve political goals.” “It has acquired a global dimen- and sustain without stabilising the “common concern.” cooperation in water management tween “fighting violent extremism There are, however, other factors sion that penetrates almost all so- situation in Afghanistan. Settling the “For instance, in Kazakhstan, cost $4 million annually and land and respect for human rights.” contributing to radicalisation, said cieties regardless of the level of long, protracted conflict in Afghani- we supported it in the develop- degradation between 2001 and “The problem is very evident in Olimov, including poor religious socio-economic development, cul- stan represents a “strategic opportu- ment of its 2030 national strategy, 2009 cost $5.85 billion. radicalisation of migrants. Over knowledge prompting people, es- tural religious affiliation of coun- nity” for the region to fully tap into drug programme in Kyrgyzstan The challenge, however, is grow- the past years, the assumption was pecially young ones, seek knowl- tries and regions,” said Tursunov, economic cooperation and trade po- adopted in 2014, national drug pre- ing demographic pressure in the formed that migrants are vulnerable edge outside as well as strong state stressing the problem demands a tential, according to Tursunov. vention programme in Tajikistan, region, which requires significant to religious radicalisation. Research control of religion that makes peo- constructive dialogue. Lack of transport and commu- the 2016-2020 national strategy in resources. Outdated infrastructure shows that more than 80 percent of ple hide their religious practices The definition of extremism and nication infrastructure is another Turkmenistan and the programme as well as outdated institutions and the Central Asian migrants were and affiliation. terrorism, he noted, is still unclear problem, according to the Uzbek of complex measures on countering policies, he said, also impede the pro- recruited while working as labour Head of Department for Turkey, serving as a fundamental obstacle to researcher. “This hampers the full drug abuse and illicit trafficking in gress in the field and the governments migrants,” reported Olimov. Caucasus and Central Asia at the finding the solution on a global level. integration into the structure of Uzbekistan,” he noted. should step up efforts in updating en- Radicalisation could be ex- Polish Centre for Eurasian Studies Tursunov noted the region man- economic relations increasing the Drug trafficking no longer re- vironmental laws and regulations.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2018 Digital Kazakhstan: transforming through modern technology vance of traffic rules. It was intro- system, providing fibre-optic novative ecosystem – also has of feed and the time of feeding. By Ruslan Yensebayev duced recently and is expected to communication lines to remote specific tasks identified. Those First, it reduces the costs for per- improve the observance of traffic settlements, increasing the transit include supporting innovative de- sonnel maintenance, and secondly, The Digital Kazakhstan state rules. When the system registers capacity and improving digital velopment sites, promoting tech- it increases production efficiency. programme was approved in De- a traffic offense, it automatically television and radio broadcasting nological entrepreneurship and There are also tangible results in cember 2017. It is an important generates a protocol and sends it to network. start-up culture, attracting venture healthcare: computer equipment programme that aims to improve the violator’s address. Another aim Developing human capital is financing and creating demand for in medical institutions constitutes the standard of living of every is to implement a project on creat- the fourth area. Its goal is to up- innovation. The Astana Hub in- 81.3 percent and access to the In- Kazakh citizen through the use of ing operational management cen- date the education system in ac- ternational start-up hub is a vivid ternet is provided to 55.6 percent digital technologies. The plan is to tres for Kazakhstan’s small towns. cordance with the best world example. It is expected to provide of medical institutions. implement the programme within Thus, not only large cities, but also practices. One of the projects to domestic IT specialists and start- An electronic health passport five years from 2018 until 2022 in mono-towns will be equipped with be implemented is on updating ups with an opportunity to start de- is being created for each patient, five key areas: digitisation of the new technologies, which will lead secondary education programmes veloping their projects today. which will allow the patient’s en- economy, transition to digital gov- optimal production processes, to a decrease in the level of crime by introducing new programming Only two months have passed tire medical history to be stored ernment, implementation of the monitors reagent consumption, and offenses. languages and STEM [science, since the adoption of the Digital online. First results of this and oth- Digital Silk Road, human capital reduces equipment downtime and The expansion of communica- technology, engineering and math- Kazakhstan programme. However, er initiatives are already evident development and creating an in- quickly identifies and eliminates tion networks and ICT infrastruc- ematics] elements. Elements of ro- our citizens are already observing despite the fact that the programme novation ecosystem. Within these emergency situations. ture, as well as strengthening botics, virtual reality, 3D printing, tangible results. There are new was adopted just two months ago. five areas, there are 17 specific Another area is the transition cybersecurity is the third and no among others, will be introduced means of navigation that help re- It is noteworthy that President goals and 120 projects. to digital government. We aim to less important sphere of the pro- to the curriculum. This area also duce the time spent on a trip and Nursultan Nazarbayev stressed In the economy digitisation digitise the activities of govern- gramme – the implementation includes a project on conducting choose the most optimal routes. that the implementation of the Dig- sphere, the aim is to increase pro- mental bodies, reduce paperwork, of the Digital Silk Road. From training courses for the population There are applications that help ital Kazakhstan state programme is ductivity in all sectors. Digital increase citizen participation in 2018 to 2020, 2,616 rural set- on developing basic digital skills. find almost any goods. the government’s main task. Mine is one of the most significant state governance and implement tlements will be provided with Retraining will allow our citizens There is a successfully operating projects – this information system the Smart City technology. One of broadband access to the internet. to meet professional standards and digital farm in the North Kazakh- The author is Chairman of the collects data through sensors in- the examples is Sergek (Vigilant), The initiative includes modernis- remain in demand. stan region, where a computer au- Zerde National Infocommunica- stalled on the equipment, provides a system for monitoring the obser- ing the satellite communication The final area – creating an in- tomatically calculates the volumes tion Holding. New humanitarian knowledge under Fourth Industrial Revolution and research apparatus, qualified telligence without understanding By Rauan Kenzhekhanuly teaching staff for the universities the linguistic problems underlying The selection, quality translation, substance- and professional translators. the formation of thought processes. In April 2017, a policy article President Nazarbayev’s initiative It is also impossible to use driver- wise and literary expertise, as well as “Course towards the future: mod- to publish best textbooks in the hu- less vehicles on the roads without organisation of effective introduction of new ernisation of Kazakhstan’s identity” manities creates a unique opportu- solving emerging ethical issues. All by President Nursultan Nazarbayev nity to accelerate the development this collectively leads to the idea textbooks into the educational process are was published. Among many, there of this branch of science in Kazakh- that technological development and is one specific project called New stan. the adequate use of its achievements extremely important tasks and the mission Humanitarian Knowledge. 100 Through the translation of the are closely related to the develop- of the entire educational and humanitarian New Textbooks in the Kazakh Lan- best of educational and scientific ment of the humanities. guage, which envisages the trans- literature, we are able to bring the At the same time, under the in- community. lation and introduction of the best content and level of discourse in our fluence of across-the-board dig- international educational literature distinguished scientists in the hu- classrooms to international levels in itisation and the fourth industrial into the programmes of Kazakh uni- manities were forced to leave the the shortest possible time. In turn, revolution, the importance of hu- functions inherent in the natural sci- ing causes of the economic, social, versities. country while those who stayed Kazakh teachers and researchers manities in the eyes of modern ences. cultural and moral degradation of a A special entity, the National faced repressions and persecution. will have a chance to join the world business and political elite seems Natural science and courses in society, or an emerging global envi- Translation Bureau, has been estab- Unable to resist, some backtracked scientific community. to have significantly receded. technologies cannot form such hu- ronmental catastrophe. lished to implement this important on truth and complied with the re- It is no secret that the modern Some authors, as well as education man qualities as patriotism, moral- Therefore, the task of the New project. gime. Subsequently, the humanities world is rapidly changing and all and science officials, often ques- ity, work ethics, etc. It is important Humanitarian Knowledge project Under the project, about 20 text- in the Soviet Union, including Ka- changes dictated by the develop- tion whether the humanities will not only to create technology, but goes beyond the scope of translation books on the humanities written by zakhstan, for many decades existed ment in engineering represent an survive in this modern world. also to understand for whose benefit and publishing. The selection, qual- distinguished authors and published in a vacuum, in isolation from the unprecedented challenge to the lib- But those pondering the opposite it is created. ity translation, substance-wise and by the world’s leading universities global humanitarian scientific pro- eral arts. Internet and social media, question sound more reasonable: The upbringing of a good person literary expertise, as well as organi- have already been translated and cess. virtual reality and artificial intelli- can the modern world survive with- and the formation of a good citizen sation of effective introduction of will be published soon. But the collapse of the USSR gence, unmanned military and ci- out the humanities? are impossible without the humani- new textbooks into the educational When setting the task for this and Kazakhstan’s subsequent in- vilian technology generate a whole Humanities are essential for an ties that take into account the spirit process are extremely important unique project, President Naz- dependence did not bring an in- complex of new philosophical, adequate understanding of the sur- of the times. After all, the formation tasks and the mission of the entire arbayev rightly noted that “for many stant boost into the humanities in psychological, ethical-moral and rounding world and for a healthy of an individual is not a technical educational and humanitarian com- years, our social and humanitarian our country. The consequences linguistic-cultural problems. Mod- development of the individual and task, but a task of a philosophical munity. knowledge had been constrained of “constraining the humanitar- ern humanitarian science is devel- society as a whole. The task for and moral order. Only by creating a strong spiritual within the framework of one doc- ian thought within the framework oping in search of answers to the the humanities is the formation of Humanities do not aim to create support and through realisation of our trine and one worldview.” of a single doctrine” turned out to questions and challenges of a new a full-fledged, morally developed profits or increase national wealth. own place in the history, can we think Indeed, one of the dire conse- be very profound. A quarter of a time. We must rise and become a person, capable of making respon- However, only the humanities can of reaching the heights where the hu- quences of the total unification of century has passed, yet we are still part of this process. This is where sible decisions and creating for the point to the possible negative and man has not yet set foot. science in the USSR was the de- in the process of creating our own we see the goal of the “New Hu- common good. sometimes destructive consequenc- struction of the entire system of mature national environment for manitarian Knowledge” project. The tasks of the humanities are es of scientific and technological The author is Director of the humanitarian knowledge. Many humanitarian sciences, conceptual One cannot build an artificial in- fundamentally different from the progress, determine the underly- National Translation Bureau. Linguistic taste of time of our communication, reaching opens up a possibility to get a good logical progress and people’s digi- of researchers. After a number of dence in the success of the future By Aizhan Kartayeva an agreement and the success of major. So, the reality of the day is tal communication. thorough linguistic studies, discus- enormous work. and Lyutsiya Abdullina cooperation – all are dependent on that if a language is in demand but Why is the switch of the Kazakh sions by authoritative researchers Both teachers and students at the how adequately we can communi- has not yet won the trust of the language into Latin script a seri- and methodologists-practitioners School of Kazakh, Russian Philol- Linguistic scholars rarely step cate our message to the world. consumer, it must be advertised so ous argument in favour of securing at various professional fora, a set ogy and Journalism understand the into the spotlight of the nation’s What is at stake for us then? We that the consumer can clearly see the nation’s spiritual unity? Even of specific tasks for further lan- full measure of responsibility for historic events. Their everyday have to make sure we are heard. the benefits of mastering and us- within a single Turkic language guage development on the national the ongoing processes. And the research work is routine and mo- Under market conditions, lan- ing it. family (in Turkey, Azerbaijan, scale has been formulated, namely very fact of everyone’s participa- notonous and may seem boring guage ceases to be simply a part of There are numerous cases of Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) we the development of rules for or- tion in the historical event of lan- and ordinary for an amateur: corre- a purely humanitarian or cultural Americans coming to remote ar- can understand each other when thography and orthoepy (rules of guage development is perceived lation of linguistic facts, language sphere, but a marketable good. eas of East Kazakhstan to learn speaking, but not when reading. correct pronunciation) of the Ka- with a corresponding emotional mechanisms and analogies based And like any other product pro- Kazakh and become an expert in It is quite natural that in light of zakh alphabet in Latin script; the upsurge. on archival materials, etc. At the moted on the market, it needs to be a rare skill. In a foreigner’s under- international economic crisis we development of teaching methods Are the political decisions cor- decisive stages of history, howev- Aizhan Kartayeva Lyutsiya Abdullina all are concerned about the cost and their gradual introduction into related with the logic of scientific er, a dialogue of experts turns into of this switch. But keep in mind the educational system; systemati- evolution? A number of renowned a large discussion platform. that any new product entering the sation of the terminological corpus linguists underline the necessity of Different opinions have been ex- competitive, attractive to consum- standing, “an expert in a rare skill” market requires investments in ad- of the Kazakh language in Latin building a new scientific paradigm ers and correspond to the current pressed about the transition of the is an “expert in demand” and as a vertising and promotion that some- graphics and adaptation of the with reliance on humanitarian Kazakh language from Cyrillic to situation. result a well-paid one. times represent a considerable Latin-based language to IT tech- technologies. Latin script, which can be viewed We have not yet forgotten the Economics is increasingly re- amount of resources. The return on nologies. These are all laborious Humankind is standing on the as evidence of the democratic time when the older generation ferred to as a branch of the human- investment starts showing up only and thorough processes which will doorstep of a new linguistics era spirit of the era. There were objec- saw an infringement of their rights ities. Kazakhstan’s programme of after years of the goods being sold undergo regular adjustments cor- that will give practical features to tions from the philistine based on because of the transition to a sin- multilingualism well meets the in the market. rected by linguists. the humanities not by abolishing, stereotypes and the inertia of the gle state language. And the youth, challenges of today’s time: only It is not for the first time that the Since 2003, East Kazakhstan consciousness: the old is correct more receptive to the “habitat” and by earning “linguistic capital” and young nation asserts itself through State University has carried the but by fully revealing their specif- by default. guided by pragmatism and the so- investing in a personal “language revolutionary and ambitious pro- name of a well-known linguist, ics. Linguists, in addition to highly cietal demand, took a quick shift basket” can one accomplish maxi- jects. The construction of the new Turkologist and one of the found- A humanitarian invention is technical issues, study the relation- and began to learn the language. mum success in a professional capital was mostly perceived and ers of Kazakh linguistics, Sarsen a new humanitarian idea which ship between language as a system One needs to study Russia’s ex- career. Modernisation of national assessed as an inexpedient and Amanzholov, who was also the includes the means of its imple- and language as an activity. perience: representatives of ethnic identity first and foremost means costly experiment. Yet today, Asta- developer and founder of Kazakh mentation in the form of cultural The language system itself in- groups that call it home speak and an “overhaul” of the mind embed- na is a national brand recognised grammar, alphabet and spelling, practices, intellectual movements, herently stores the representation study Russian. Today, however, ded in stereotypes that are framed by the international community. the basic principles of Kazakh ter- creative organisations and forms of an individual and his or her many of them are driven not only in persistent verbal formulas. What are the priority tasks as- minology and the foundations of of cooperation. ability to mentally perceive and by the desire to connect with the By recognising the Latin script signed to the nation’s linguists and Kazakh dialectology. Undoubtedly, the transition to process external information about cultural heritage the Russian lan- as “the main language of the digital researchers? First of all, each of us A dialogue platform created at the Latin script will give a new the world, the language and the guage preserves, but to gain a era of the world” and choosing for realises the degree of professional the university has provided a new impetus to promising scientific texts themselves. competitive advantage in career its own language a script already responsibility imposed by the time opportunity for expert discussions ideas for Kazakh linguists that will “A linguistic taste of time,” if options. utilised by many languages of the and by the state. Participation in with prominent national scholars. transform our nation’s identity. using an expression by a famous Experts from university schools world, Kazakhstan is making an- the development of a language re- A recent teleconference between linguist, is currently determined by where Russian is taught as a for- other civilisational breakthrough quires appropriate qualification and scientists and students from four The authors are professors its communicative approach. We eign language say that the pri- in order to be an equal partner in balanced explanatory work both regions of the country has filled of linguistics at Sarsen Aman- live every minute “participating in mary motivation to study it is an the space of advanced knowledge, among experts with professional the participants with a spirit of zholov East Kazakhstan State a dialogue” and the productivity economic one: fluency in Russian scientific achievements, techno- background and a new generation solidarity and professional confi- University. A8 EURASIA&WORLD

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2018 People are Kazakhstan’s greatest asset, says Lithuanian ambassador deported here after World War II. we intensified our relationship. Medical institutions have estab- transition to the Latin alphabet is By Dana Omirgazy We are very grateful to the Kazakh- The turnover of foreign trade lished effective mechanisms for not done at the expense of Cyril- stan people who saved the lives of reached $1.7 billion, much more sharing experience. Lithuanian lic. The tolerance of Kazakhstan ASTANA – Lithuania celebrat- our compatriots, including of my than Kazakhstan has with many doctors visit Kazakhstan to do people towards other religions and ed Feb. 16 its 100th anniversary of granddad who lived in Karaganda. neighbouring countries. Good sophisticated operations, espe- other national minorities is praise- independence restored after World So, even the best knowledge of ge- governance comes from freedom cially for those with heart disease. worthy,” he noted. War I. To highlight the date, Lith- ography and history would never of communication and connec- Professor Rimantas Benetis, an Lithuania opened two honorary uanian Ambassador to Kazakhstan replace the excellent model of re- tivity between two countries. We outstanding Lithuanian cardiac consulates in Almaty and Shym- Vytautas Nauduzas told The Asta- lationship between Kazakhstan and have good cooperation in trans- surgeon, has saved many Kazakh kent this year, raising the number na Times about the relationship Lithuania,” he said. port and logistics,” he noted. lives. within the country to eight. between the countries, prospects The ambassador focused on the The ambassador praised the Tourism will be enhanced be- “We cover all regions of Ka- for deepening cooperation and his cooperation between the countries country’s efforts on construction ginning May 27 with the expected zakhstan. Besides, we have the opinion on Kazakhstan’s develop- on the international level. of infrastructure for the Silk Way, launch of direct flights between embassy in Astana and general ment. “In 2000, Lithuania joined the East West Transport Corridor, Astana and Vilnius by SCAT air- consulate of Lithuania in Almaty. “A few days ago, Lithuania World Trade Organisation (WTO), Kuryk port and other facilities. lines. Additionally, we opened eight commemorated its 100th anniver- followed by the membership of Ka- “Thus, the country will dimin- “This will be very useful for honorary consulates, but I would sary of its rebirth as an independ- Vytautas Nauduzas zakhstan in the same organisation ish its economic dependence on both sides. I think it will attract not call them consulates but pow- ent country. The statehood of Lith- later on. In 2010, the Organisation just mineral resources, because people not only from Lithuania erful and reliable bridges between uania was established almost 800 international institutions, he said, for Security and Cooperation in Eu- transport and logistics could give and Kazakhstan, but from neigh- two countries. They are working years ago. Lithuanian kings and as well as to emerge from auster- rope (OSCE) was under the chair of at least 10-15 percent of the GDP. bouring Central Asian and EU efficiently,” he added. Lithuanian grand dukes together ity to prosperity, reach more than Kazakhstan, followed by the chair- During the few last decades, countries,” said Nauduzas. Nauduzas noted future plans are with Poland created Rzeczpospol- $18,000 in per capita GDP and be- manship of Lithuania in the same your region has dramatically and “High development is going on related to economic and trade co- ita, which included Belorussia, come the 19th most liberal econo- institution in 2011. In 2015, Lithu- fundamentally changed. It has everywhere in Kazakhstan. I am operation, transport and logistics, Ukraine, some regions of Russia my in the world. ania held the membership of the become much smaller, better in- sure that Shymkent will be the chemistry, oil chemistry and many and some regions of eastern Eu- Last year, Kazakhstan and Lith- United Nations Security Council terconnected, more comfortable largest city in the future. Demo- other sectors of the economy. ropean countries. Thus, Rzeczpo- uania marked the 25th anniversary (UNSC); today, Kazakhstan has the and environmentally friendly. graphic trends show that the great- “Kazakhstan is an incredibly spolita united an impressive part of diplomatic relations. Through same status,” he noted. Transport could deliver sustain- est increase of citizens is in Shym- rich country. I would say that Ka- of Eastern Europe in diversity for the quarter century, the countries Within a few months, Lithuania able rises, not crises of econom- kent precisely,” he added. zakhstan does not have any chance a long period. Nowadays, Lithu- achieved significant successes in is set to join the Organisation for ic development of any country. He also commented on the tran- to go bankrupt. Kazakhstan is so ania is in great favour of a strong, all areas of cooperation. The posi- Economic Cooperation and De- Daily transport delivery straight sition of the Kazakh language to rich, not only in mineral resourc- stable relationship with neigh- tions of both countries coincide on velopment (OECD). Kazakhstan to our homes is a modern quality the Latin-based script. es; it is also rich in grain, agricul- bouring countries. Actually, when many international topics. is also seeking to become a mem- of life in spite of borders between “I believe that the transition of ture, the metal sector, oil and gas, we speak about the jubilee, we “Speaking about Kazakhstan and ber and Nauduzas believes the ac- our countries. Lithuania, Poland, Kazakhstan to the Latin alphabet coloured metals and rare metals. should pay attention that a country Lithuania, I must say that Kazakh- tion will occur in due time. Latvia and Estonia might be very is a very correct, considered and However, the main diamonds of is as wise as its values, not only stan is not a next-door country to He once again congratulated useful, because you can more consistent step. For foreign tour- Kazakhstan are people. Here, peo- years,” he said. Lithuania, but Kazakhstan is not too Kazakhstan on the way in which easily realise the challenges of ists, to whom you have opened ple are well educated and trying to Freedom, democracy and hu- far away from ordinary countries to it organised and conducted EXPO the logistics,” he said. your borders and who can visit do their best. The rest Kazakhstan man rights were the reliable bases Lithuania because of historic rea- 2017. Lithuania’s Romas Jankaus- Relations are dynamically de- your country without a visa, it is people can get by opening doors for Lithuania to join the European sons. Kazakhstan became the sec- kas was appointed as the event’s veloping between universities, in- much easier to read and under- and trade much more with neigh- Union (EU), North Atlantic Treaty ond native country for hundreds of chief commissioner. cluding within the Bolashak Inter- stand the meaning of words in bouring and far away countries,” Organisation (NATO) and other thousands of Lithuanians who were “Last year, due to many things national Scholarship programme. Latin rather than in Cyrillic. The he added. Country joins Global TCO reaches record-high production Happiness Coalition in 2017, seeks to expand in 2018 The coalition was announced collaborate to achieve,” said Al pany produced its three billionth sour gas injection technology used By Zhazira Dyussembekova Feb. 12 during the sixth World Maktoum, according to WAM, By Assel Satubaldina barrel of crude oil. during the company’s previous ex- Government Summit (WGS) in the Emirates news agency. To date, TCO has contributed pansion project. ASTANA – Costa Rica, Ka- Dubai. The group will meet dur- He added the coalition is an ASTANA – Last year was a $125 billion to the Kazakh econ- “In 1992 and 1993, the focus zakhstan, Mexico, Portugal, ing the annual WGS to review opportunity for its members to milestone for Tengizchevroil omy, including salaries to local was on initial production, but by Slovenia and the United Arab achievements and exchange ide- exchange ideas and expertise (TCO), the Chevron-led joint ven- workers, purchasing $24 billion in then we were already considering Emirates (UAE) recently formed as that may help members im- and learn from UAE’s experi- ture operating the Tengiz oil and local goods and services, payments possible sour gas injection tech- the Global Happiness Coalition. prove policies and programmes ences, as well as show its vision gas field in Atyrau region, as the to state bodies and dividends to lo- nology. The questions we faced Initiated by the UAE, the coa- to ensure happiness is sustained. regarding the importance of hap- company achieved a record-high cal partners, as well as taxes and within this experiment included lition aims to ensure effective The agreement establishing piness as the ultimate goal for 28.7 million tonnes in oil produc- royalty to the national budget, said sour gas injection back into the international dialogue about the coalition was signed by Cos- any government. He suggested tion. TCO General Director Ted Etchison. Payments reached $8.5 reservoir, which on one hand is achieving happiness on a global ta Rican Minister of National investing in happiness promotes Etchison reported the 2017 results billion in 2017. good for the environment and on level, disseminate knowledge Planning and Economic Policy security, peace and coexistence and plans for 2018 during a recent “Oil prices drastically fell more the other will help boost produc- and exchange information and Olga Marta Sanchez Oviedo, between nations. press conference in Almaty. than three years ago, which re- tion. We launched this pilot project expertise to implement related Kazakh Minister of Informa- “Happiness is the opposite of TCO was formed by the Kazakh sulted in the decrease in payments in the mid-2000s and built what policies between member coun- tion and Communication Dauren hatred and extremism. We look government and Chevron Cor- to Kazakhstan starting in 2015. In we now call the second generation tries. Abayev, Mexican President’s forward to the Global Happiness poration in April 1993. Kazakh- 2017, however, the indicators were plant. The experiment turned out The world needs coalitions Office head Francisco Guzman Coalition laying the foundation stan currently holds a 20-percent much better,” he added. to be very successful from a tech- that work for people’s wellbeing Ortiz, Portuguese Minister of for a positive transformation in stake through the KazMunayGas The current production volume nical point of view,” said Etchison. and happiness, said UAE Vice Presidency and Administrative the world,” he said. national oil and gas company, is not the limit, he noted. In July Social responsibility remains President, Prime Minister and Modernisation Maria Manuel First held in 2013, the WGS Chevron owns 50 percent, Exxon- 2016, TCO partners announced vitally important for TCO, he Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed Leito Marques, Slovenian Min- has turned into an event of in- Mobil owns 25 percent and Rus- the launch of the Future Growth added. The company has invested bin Rashid Al Maktoum. ister of Development, Strategic ternational scale. The platform sian-American company LukArco (FGP) and Wellhead Pressure $3 billion since 2000 to decrease “The Global Happiness Coali- Projects and Cohesion Alenka is used to present innovation owns 5 percent. Management (WPMP) projects, negative consequences on the en- tion reflects the message where Smerkolj and UAE Minister of projects, with the hope of en- The company produced 27.56 which are expected to increase vironment and managed to achieve the United Arab Emirates’ aspi- State for Happiness and Qual- suring breakthroughs in sci- million tonnes of crude in 2016, crude oil production by 12 million a 70-percent reduction in carbon rations meet with the ambitions ity of Life Ohoud Khalfan Al ence and technology. More said Etchison, boosting oil produc- tonnes per year or 260,000 barrels dioxide emissions per tonne of of different nations around the Roumi. than 4,000 delegates from 140 tion by 4.1 percent the following per day. The cost of the expansion crude oil. world towards creating a better “We perceive people’s happi- countries, including the heads year. The figure included 1.38 mil- is estimated at $36.8 billion. The company will continue future for everyone. It is time to ness as a benchmark for govern- of international organisations lion tonnes of liquefied petroleum WPMP will provide for the full its social infrastructure projects, join efforts as governments to ment efficiency and an important and representatives of leading gas, 7.45 billion cubic metres of load of the Tengiz plants’ process- which to date total $1.4 billion in come up with new approaches indicator in assessing its poli- science and technology insti- dry gas and 2.49 million tonnes of ing capacity by decreasing flowing addition to the $25 million allocat- and mechanisms to achieve peo- cies and programmes. It is also tutions and global technology sulphur. wellhead pressures and boosting ed annually to its Igilik voluntary ple’s happiness and improve a common objective which both corporations, took part in this June 2017 marked another mile- pressure at the six existing pro- social infrastructure project, said their quality of life,” he noted. government and private sectors year’s event. stone in TCO history, as the com- cessing lines. FGP will incorporate Etchison. B Nation&Capital

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2018

PEOPLE CULTURE SPORTS Red Cross and Red Crescent Kazakh singer named most popular Skier’s bronze medal more conference slated in Almaty B2 singer of the year in China B3 than 20 years in the making B7 Competitive cheerleading Ski resort to be gaining recognition abroad built in Bayanaul

By Aigerim Sadykova

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s cheer- tourist zone leading achievements are mounting air for residents of small Karazhar and the sport is developing in the By Aigerim Sadykova village located near the moun- country, President of the country’s tain and while it has not opened Federation Union of Cheerleading ASTANA – Tourists delight in yet, they already have big plans. and Cheer Sport (KUC) Ruslan visiting picturesque and invigorat- Schoolteacher and blogger Zura Mammadov told The Astana Times. ing Bayanaul in the Pavlodar re- Zhusupbayeva, who noted the vil- Last year was a breakthrough year gion, where a ski centre offering lage is ready to welcome guests for Kazakhstan in cheerleading at the winter getaways will be construct- in all seasons, has started sewing international level. A Kazakh team ed on Myrzashoky Mountain. sports caps and bandanas with the became the first among Common- The government pays attention Myrzashoky Mountain logo. wealth of Independent States (CIS) to the region, especially to de- In addition to the cableway countries to win a gold medal in the veloping tourism, said Bayanaul and ski trail, Karazhar will offer U.S., the homeland of cheerleading, Deputy Akim (Mayor) Azilkhan a camping area and café. Vaca- in the International Cheerleading Union (ICU) World Championship. Abuov. tion season in Myrzashoky will be Kazakhstan’s cheerleading team “We didn’t dream of building year-round, where extreme sports also took the bronze at the Asia large complexes at the ski centre lovers can hang glide and para- Championship in Japan and returned 20 years ago. Having the beautiful glide. with silver medals from the South nature of Bayanaul, we should de- Bayanaul is also the place for Korean World Beach Cheerleading velop our tourism not only for our those who enjoy swimming and Open Masters. Kazakhstan’s athletes citizens, but for the whole world,” hiking. The region’s three main have gained experience at interna- he said. lakes – Sabyndykol, Toraigyr and tional competitions as an ICU mem- At 800 metres, Myrzashoky Zhasybai – attract visitors in the ber since 2009. Mountain is accessible only by summer. Zhasybai beach has a Continued on Page B3 Cheerleading and Cheer Sport team at the World Championship 2017, Orlando. cableway. The system, which will new pier, glowing fountain and have 70 seats, will stretch more sun lounger. than a kilometre and carry up to Local guides recommend visit- Centre and 10 other Kazakh institu- 500 people a day, he added. The ing Bayanaul National Park lo- tions were also on the list. centre will offer skiing, snow- cated in the small village of the The ranking also lists think tanks boarding and sleigh rides on a same name about 450 kilometres KazISS climbs seven spots in 55 nominations. In a list of top ski trail to be cleared of grass and from the capital. It boasts beautiful defence and national security think sharp stones to ensure safety. lakes, forest-filled mountains and tanks, KazISS in 91st place was the The ski centre will provide train- unique caves. only representative of Central Asia. ing facilities, as experts have de- The name of each lake or pass, in global think tank ranking The Kazakh think tank also took termined the mountain conforms mountain or cliff is connected to The Global Go To Think Tank In- institutions in the U.S., 512 in China 28th place among top energy and re- to the level that appeals to pro- legends based on real events and By Meruyert Abugaliyeva dex, produced by the Think Tanks and 444 in the United Kingdom. sources policy centres and 57th po- fessional athletes, said Bayanaul two versions exist about the origin & Civil Societies Programme at the Out of 28 think thanks in Kazakh- sition among the best government- Akim (Mayor) Orazgeldy Kairgel- of the name Bayanaul. One story ASTANA – The Kazakhstan Insti- University of Pennsylvania, aims to stan, KazISS was the only one to be affiliated institutions. dinov at last year’s press confer- claims the region was named in tute for Strategic Studies (KazISS), improve the performance of think ranked 140 among top global non- KazISS, founded by Nazarbayev ence. The town’s administration honour of Bayan-Sulu, the heroine the state institution providing re- tanks globally and raise awareness US institutions, compared to being on June 16, 1993, celebrates its resumed air travel a year ago to of the popular epic poem “Kozy- search and analysis to President Nur- about their role in governments and 147th in 2016. The leading positions 25th anniversary this year. The in- attract tourists. Korpesh and Bayan-Sulu.” Ac- sultan Nazarbayev and the Kazakh civil societies. were held by the eminent French stitute provides opinions on politi- Ski team member Adil Talgat- cording to another account, Bay- government, climbed from 147th The 2017 report, published Jan. Institute of International Relations, cal and economic issues as well as bek, 15, is anxiously waiting for anaul means prosperous hill, a place to 140th in the 2017 Global 31, is the programme’s 11th. It as- Bruegel and Chatham House. private analysis for authorities. Its the resort to open. Local junior stu- place of rich and blessed grazing To Go Think Tank Index Rankings. sessed 7,815 think tanks according The index also ranks think tanks main research areas include social, dents received a full set of equip- mountains. KazISS was ranked second among to 30 criteria, including quality of by region. Central Asia and the political and economic develop- ment for freestyle and ski racing Lake Zhasybai is associated with think tanks in Central Asia. management and staff; academic Caucasus region were combined, ments in Kazakhstan and beyond, lessons and he dreams of becom- 18th century period when the Ka- “The ranking is undoubtedly im- performance and reputation; and and KazISS was assessed sec- as well as international affairs and ing a great skier and snowboarder. zakh people struggled against the portant for KazISS. For years we have quality, number and reach of publi- ond among the 65 regional think foreign policy. Sponsors are supporting the pro- Dzungars. Zhasybai, a brave sol- been listed in separate nominations; cations. The index also considers the tanks ranked, after the Centre for The institute cooperates with local ject under the Tugan Zher (Kazakh dier, was killed by an arrow during an ambush and the people renamed however, only in 2016 did KazISS en- application of a think tank’s work in Economic and Social Develop- universities and think tanks in Kazakh- for “motherland”) programme. The ski centre is a breath of fresh Lake Shoinkul in his memory. ter the general top think tank rankings. policy making and the level, diver- ment (CESD) in Azerbaijan. The stan, Central Asia, Iran and the United We are happy that we managed to sity and stability of its funding. Economic Research Institute, the Arab Emirates and publishes academic move higher on the list in 2017,” said Around 7,800 think tanks are Centre for Strategic and Military and analytical journals in Kazakh, deputy director Madina Nurgaliyeva. working across the globe with 1,872 Research, the National Analytical Russian and English quarterly. Garage incubator selects 14 projects ahead of Astana Hub accelerator launch into the world of new ideas and up eco systems in London, Beijing first-hand experience with start- By Assel Satubaldina digital technologies, according and New York. But it is high time upers. to Kazakh Minister of Informa- to establish our own breakthrough Once the programme is com- ASTANA – The Kazakh capital tion and Communication Dauren product,” said Abayev. pleted, its participants will present recently hosted the launch of Ga- Abayev, who attended the launch. The project programme is in- their projects on Demo Day, which rage incubator seeking to provide a Speaking about the Astana Hub, tensive and lasts three months, is an opportunity for entrepreneurs platform for start-up development he noted it embodies key priorities according to the organisers, and to find investors. ahead of the upcoming launch set out by Kazakh President Nur- incorporates Steve Blank’s Lean Most of the projects selected for of Astana Hub accelerator pro- sultan Nazarbayev ranging from Start-up approach and experi- the incubator are software startups. THINGS TO WATCH & gramme in September. With more Eurasian integration to human ence of incubators in Singapore, For instance, the Kompra pro- than 150 applications, only best 14 capital development. Ukraine, Belarus, Russia and Ma- ject developed by Askhat Serga- PLACES TO GO were selected for the incubator. “For example, the High Tech- laysia. It empowers entrepreneurs zin allows checking the reliabil- Garage is a free start-up incuba- nologies Park in Minsk enables with basic needs to turn their idea ity of counteragents based on 40 BARYS ARENA tor offering developers and inno- Belarus companies to export IT into a minimal viable product, legal and financial indicators just March 1 at 7.30 p.m. HC Barys – HC Avangard Omsk vators business courses, a team of products worth up to $1 billion prepare them for the next devel- in three minutes. The projects, he mentors and advisers, assistance annually. Technological develop- opment stage acceleration pro- noted, solves the needs of business in development and marketing, ment in Estonia started from the gramme and attract private in- persons and security services as ASTANA OPERA workspace and a network of inves- creation of Skype in 2003. We vestments. well as prevents the risks of fraud tors and companies. could talk all the time about the Mentors are among the project’s and saves time. March 1 at 7 p.m. Music Will Touch The Strings The Garage incubator is a Silicon Valley, which hosts more key features, as they include cur- Automating and gathering the Of Your Soul, concert “small, yet very significant step” than 10,000 companies, or start- rent business people who can share data in one software is a signifi- March 2 at 7 p.m. La Bohème, opera cant pool factor attracting large companies in the quasi-public March 4 at 6 p.m. The Symphony of Spring, concert and banking sector, microcredit March 8, 10 at 6 p.m. Swan Lake, ballet organisations, companies and con- sulting agency, small and medium March 9 at 7 p.m. Invitation to Dance, concert enterprises and foreign companies as well. ASTANA ARENA One of the hardware projects March 4 at 3 p.m. FC Astana – FC Kairat, participating in the incubator is the JayBox mobile projector com- Kazakhstan Super Cup puter, which is portable and can be managed by gestures. Its mobility does not limit SARYARKA VELOTREK its functions. The computer is March 4 at 6 p.m. PBC Astana - BC Tsmoki-Minsk equipped with Windows OS, Intel Core processor, Full HD screen in a 10-100-inch range, Wi-Fi, ASTANA BALLET Bluetooth and a 3.5 mm jack for headphones. Target areas include March 8, 9 at 6 p.m. Awakening of Spring, ballet medicine, education, business to

Photo credit: techpreneurs.kz Photo credit: business and smart house. B2 NATION&CAPITAL PEOPLE

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2018 One of 100 New Faces introduces new Red Cross and Red breast cancer diagnosis, treatment methods Crescent conference such initiative on International By Zhanna Shayakhmetova Women’s Day, too,” she said. Breast cancer has ranked first ASTANA – Dana Bashibayeva, among cancer diseases in the slated in Almaty one of Kazakhstan’s 100 New country for a long time. It is also Faces, calls on women to put their third in terms of the mortality rate. By Aigerim Sadykova health first and has introduced new More than 400 new cases of breast methods of breast disease diagno- cancer are registered annually and ASTANA – The Kazakh Red sis and treatment. seven out of 10 women have mas- Crescent Society, which provides A supporter of preventive topathy. social and humanitarian assis- healthcare, she uses the power of Societal trends are one of the tance, first aid classes and training social media to raise awareness of reasons why the disease is wide- and prepping for natural disasters, women’s health. She currently has spread. A growing number of will hold its European conference about 50,000 followers on her Ins- women are involved in businesses May 2-4 in Almaty. The event is tagram account. and careers and delayed pregnan- an important one for the city, noted Bashibayeva started her career cies and shortened lactation peri- CEO Elena Kim. in the oncology department after ods are common. Infrequent sex “This year, the tenth anniversary graduating from a university in is also one of the factors causing of the European conference will

Almaty. mastopathy and breast cancer, a be held here in Almaty. We will weproject. Photo credit: “At this time, I learned a lot factor affected by the increase in receive 52 national Red Cross and Elena Kim about the breast diseases with si- the divorce rate. Red Crescent National Societies in lent conditions and a wide age “Women do not understand May,” she said. grammes for each region based range. I also knew that most wom- why I ask about their sexual ac- The International Committee of on their individual issues. Almaty en do not know the measures of tivity and I have to explain that the Red Cross (ICRC) is also seek- region and Almaty and Shymkent prevention. They did not under- all these factors are connected. I ing support from the Kazakh Red cities struggle with earthquakes, stand what kind of disease it was always raise this issue on social Crescent to help other members while others need to develop blood and what could have led to it. They media. At first, it was difficult to of the worldwide humanitarian donations or suffer from spring do not pay attention to the first promote my account. Our people movement. floods. With the support of Bulat early signs of the disease and do Dana Bashibayeva admire a beautiful and glamourous “At the last general assembly of Utemuratov Charitable Founda- not do the full check-up. There is a lifestyle. I proposed some famous ICRC, we presented the initiative to tion, the organisation has raised need to develop prevention meas- bloggers free screening to promote provide consultative assistance for funds to assist those who may be ures to lower risks,” she said. good results and, most importantly, started to promote myself through a healthy lifestyle challenge. None Central Asia countries,” she added. harmed by this year’s post-snow- She knew there was a shortage our patients are satisfied,” she said. my Instagram account because no- responded. It is important to raise “We are planning to change into melt floods. of breast physicians and special- Bashibayeva focuses on the di- body knew me there. As a result, awareness in society and that is a donor in 2020 with the help of “The funds have already been ists working with benign breast agnosis to avoid surgical interven- my account became widely popu- what I am doing daily,” she noted. IFRC (International Federation of transferred and will be set during diseases. Treating the diseases can tion because of “the emotional ex- lar. On the first visit, I examined Bashibayeva plans to implement Red Cross and Red Crescent Soci- an emergency,” she said. prevent breast cancer. periences of surgeons for women.” over 150 people in five days. I a strategy to fight the disease at the eties).” Red Crescent has 1,500 volun- “I understood the necessity to de- “I conduct all the stages of treat- knew that people were in need of state level because the issues are The Kazakh Red Crescent was teers in Kazakhstan, but has prob- velop this area. I had internships at ment, from the very first day to the these consultations. I also do con- urgent. initially a recipient, receiving fi- lems recruiting permanent mem- the First Pavlov State Medical Uni- post-operation period. I underwent sultations in Almaty,” she added. “I became a participant of the nancial resources from foreign bers. versity of St. Petersburg, which is retraining on radiation diagnostics. Bashibayeva initiated a free 100 New Faces project thanks to partners to provide humanitarian “Before becoming a member engaged in the prevention of breast I can perform ultrasound, biopsy breast cancer screening campaign my subscribers and patients who aid beginning in 1992. The emer- of the Red Crescent, you need to cancer. I try to bring new trends and surgery operations,” she said. entitled Pink October to coincide voted for me. I am very grateful gency, tuberculosis and volunteer understand what the organisation and approaches. For example, I Currently residing in the capital, with Oct. 19, the world day of the to them. I was the first who raised activity programmes were formed does. The main motive to come implemented the method of treat- Bashibayeva visits the South Ka- fight against breast cancer. this topic on social media. Now, I eight years later with ICRC assis- and stay is the credibility the Red ing purulent mastitis, which occurs zakhstan region every two-three “Last year, this campaign was would like to organise a flash mob tance. When Kazakhstan became Crescent achieves by transparency because of lactostasis (milk stag- months for medical appointments. held every Saturday. More than 50 to raise breast cancer awareness,” financially stable and took its po- and comprehension,” she added. nation), without surgery. We have “When I moved to Shymkent, I people were examined. I organise she said. sition in the international arena, Red Crescent has cooperated Red Crescent became partly self- with the Ministry for Religious financing. With the help of the and Civil Society Affairs and the Swiss Red Cross, it launched a Civil Initiatives Support Centre fundraising strategy in 2014 to at- which regulate and deal with so- tract citizens wishing to help. cial grants, demonstrating its abil- Cardiac surgeons conduct artificial heart transplant The organisation invests numer- ity to use government services to “This is not just the implantation said such unique procedures show Kazakhstan also attracts some for- ous resources in cooperation with prepare citizens for natural disas- By Dana Omirgazy of an artificial heart. It is about a high level of medicine in Ka- eign patients, particularly from In- the corporate sector. This year, it is ters or become involved in blood giving hope and an opportunity zakhstan. dia, the Czech Republic, Italy, the planning to negotiate with 50 com- donation. The organisation is now ASTANA – The specialists of the to patients who cannot receive the “The fact that Kazakhstan has U.S., the U.K. and China who rely panies. concentrating on finding perma- National Scientific Cardiac Surgery donor heart or who are no longer mastered this methodology, that on the experience of doctors con- “The people in Kazakhstan ac- nent donors to reduce costs and Centre conducted Kazakhstan’s suitable for heart transplant. The our counterparts from Kazakh- ducting complex operations. tively participate in the events that avoid risks. first artificial heart transplant Oct. artificial heart is very close to the stan have the opportunity to im- “I looked through the internet we hold. Become a donor and win A global humanitarian network, 19, 2017 for a 60-year-old Pavlodar normal physiological state of the plant artificial heart is a great about necessary treatment and de- the iPhone 7 project works in Asta- the International Red Cross and native, kazakh-tv.kz reports. body in its parameters,” Chairman achievement. I am happy for my cided to choose Almaty, because na, Almaty, Shymkent, Karaganda Red Crescent Movement has as- The innovative development of of Board of National Scientific Kazakh colleagues; they have local specialists have good expe- and Aktobe cities. Also, we have sisted those facing disaster, con- French bioengineers and the high Cardiac Surgical Centre Yuri Pya the opportunity to do this. This rience in conducting similar sur- charitable coupons for donation flict, health and social problems professionalism of Kazakh doctors said. is quite an expensive technology. geries. And, of course, the cost is that can be exchanged for a prod- since its creation in 1863. It con- was a breakthrough in cardiac sur- Chief Physician of Paediatric I hope that Kazakhstan will not affordable as well. The same op- uct from our partners,” said Kim. sists of 191 National Red Cross gery. In general, approximately 20 Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery stop at this, but will develop fur- erations in the U.S. or Korea will With its main office in Almaty and Red Crescent Societies and its similar surgeries are planned in the Scientific and Practical Medical ther,” he said. cost twice as much,” said Ameri- and 19 cross-country branches, emblems serve as protective and world within six months. Centre in Kiev Vladimir Zhovnir Experts say medical tourism in can tourist Farida Workman. Red Crescent establishes pro- distinctive signs. Entrepreneur inspires Kazakh teenagers Abzhanov noted his aim is to connected with their expectations help and support their children, By Zhazira Dyussembekova train 100,000 next generation lead- and demands. The seven-day criticise less, praise more, control ers by 2030. course also includes three train- less, trust more and give more re- ASTANA – Askhat Abzhanov, “Our mission is to enter the top ings for parents where we work sponsibility. an entrepreneur from Stepnogorsk, 10 most developed countries of with them on their physiological As for future plans, Zhana Ur- is the founder of Zhana Urpak the world by educating leaders of sets, limiting beliefs. They start pak expects to open divisions this (“new generation” in Kazakh) the new generation. Physically we understanding their children,” year in the capital and Aktau. Leadership School in Almaty. The cannot work with all school stu- said Abzhanov. “Also, we will definitely launch a school conducts various trainings dents of Kazakhstan, but we un- After finishing the programme Kazakh language programme. A lot for teenagers, but its most impor- derstand that if we choose a certain the school offers a community of Kazakh-speaking teens and par- tant feature is the seven-day camp- audience and will prepare them option, where teens can par- ents come to us, but our programme ing programme outside the city, for the future, they can be leaders ticipate in all events, including is built in Russian,” he said. where youngsters live without and could lead the people around sports activities, philosophy and Abzhanov also wants to launch phones and laptops and literally them. Then, we can say we have cinema nights, for free. a project focused on teenagers liv- awaken their motivation and build contributed to the development of “They communicate, share ex- ing in villages, as no such options confidence. our country,” he said. periences. As they say, the envi- currently exist in rural areas. “Our main idea is to help teen- The two-year-old school has ronment is 50 percent of the suc- “We have picked Mangistau re- agers become more self-confident, already been recognised by the cess. So we create such a format, gion and we would like to go there to teach them how to work in United Nations Educational, Sci- so they can be with successful with the team and conduct train- teams and improve relations with entific and Cultural Organisation people,” he added. ings in all villages of the region parents. At the camp, they work (UNESCO), receiving UNESCO  Abzhanov was engaged in for free. We want to select leaders with our trainers and instructors. club status. different businesses, including Askhat Abzhanov with potential and bring them to Teens leave our camp with glow- The Zhana Urpak staff consists IT companies, procurement, Almaty during the summer to our ing eyes, self-confidence and with of 10 people under the age of 30. an advertising agency and car seven-day programme, to give new friends,” said Abzhanov in an When training teenagers, Abzh- wash, from an early age. The schools, mainly public, were his was the fact the parents were not them confidence and a boost. Af- interview with The Astana Times. anov and his team use the coach- enterprises were not inspir- first challenge. ready to accept that they are re- ter they come back to the village The average student age is 15, ing method. ing, as “there was not a needed “We faced the fact that the sponsible for the future of their they can continue this develop- although the school welcomes eve- “Some methods say that it is groove,” he said. managements of schools feared kids, that they influenced and ment, to help their classmates and ryone from 13-17. The camps are necessary to resolve inner issues, “I was not ready to dedicate my something new, were afraid of caused the self-doubt and insular- schoolmates. Hopefully, it can at- organised during school breaks. while we talk more about oppor- life to those businesses. Then I letting people in. There was some ity of their children. We always tract sponsors; we hope business- To date, approximately 700 people tunities; we say ‘you are great, asked myself – what would I like kind of barrier. It was easier for say that to educate your child, people will support our project. from 15 cities have experienced everything is okay.’ We give con- to do my whole life? I understood them to refuse than to allow and you have to educate yourself first. We already have those who are the Zhana Urpak programme, fidence, look towards the future; that I found my mission in work- take responsibility,” he said. You have to be an example for willing to finance flights or ac- which has several modules. New- we don’t look back or to past is- ing with youth, in educating a Rather than address schools, your children,” said Abzhanov. commodations,” he said. comers usually begin with the sues,” he said. new generation of confident and Zhana Urpak started with parents “At the same time, we man- “We have visited Kuryk village awakening module; the second At the same time, it is very im- energetic leaders,” he added. by conducting master classes in aged to put the idea right and now in the Mangistau region, where seven-day module involves par- portant to work with parents. The initial step was visiting an office and putting advertise- we have a great connection with we saw those glowing eyes, hun- ticipants setting goals and learn- “We understand that most of schools, conducting free master ments on Facebook and Insta- parents. We are on the same team gry for knowledge, motivation ing to reach them through different the problems of the teenager classes and trainings and writing gram. with them,” he added. and training programmes,” he technologies. come from issues with the parents about them on social media. The “The second main challenge He feels parents should inspire, added. B3 NATION&CAPITAL CULTURE

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2018 Kazakh singer named Young dombra player among most popular singer those who inspire nation

By Dana Omirgazy

of the year in China ASTANA – Nineteen-year-old dombra player Alexey Lodoch- nikov has been named one of Ka- zakhstan’s 100 New Faces. An eth- nic Russian, the gifted educator at Kachirsky children’s home in the Pavlodar region speaks fluent Ka- zakh and sings Kazakh folk songs. “In April of last year, I learned about the 100 New Faces project at the session of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan. I did not seri- ously think about it. In the summer, the project organisers called me and suggested I participate in the pro- ject from the Pavlodar region. Of course, I agreed with great pleasure and waited for the vote to begin. The number of votes I got impressed me. Alexey Lodochnikov I am thankful to all those who voted tors to let me attend dombra classes. education institution. I also write Kazakh Honoured Art Worker for me,” he told The Astana Times. Gradually, I began to sing,” he said. my own songs and in the summer and composer Olzhas Suleimenov Lodochnikov has performed with Lodochnikov fondly remem- I plan to give solo concerts in the shared his impressions at the time many famous Kazakh singers. In bers his first teacher, Askar Erke- Pavlodar region,” he said. of the young man’s talent. 2016, he played with Dimash Ku- bulanov, who taught music theory. Lodochnikov had an opportunity to “I am very impressed. It is amaz- daibergen at a concert dedicated to While a student, he received dom- perform before President Nursultan ing. I wish him only prosperity. the 25th anniversary of the nation’s bra lessons from Medygat Man- Nazarbayev in 2014 and the next year Alexey, do not stop and go ahead. I independence and later with Farrukh apov and currently studies in the was invited to play in the Presidential wish for him to perform on the big Zokirov, an Uzbek and Soviet singer “Folk singing with dombra” de- Orchestra concert in his native city. stage!” he said, wrote khabar.kz. and member of Yalla folk rock band, partment at the College of Music “The Presidential Orchestra was The events motivated Lodoch- at the assembly’s 25th session. for gifted children in Pavlodar. in the Pavlodar region on a tour. nikov to new heights, as he subse- “I have played dombra since I “Now, I am a third-year student. Then, I was offered a chance to quently won regional and national was five years old. Then, I watched My teacher is Amangeldy Kozh- play and sing with the orchestra. music competitions. He now leads TV frequently and one day I saw a anov. I have many plans for the Many people were surprised to see the Zhas Otan youth wing at his musical instrument. I became curi- future. First, I want to graduate a Russian boy playing dombra and college and is studying hard to ous about it and asked my educa- from college and enter the higher singing Kazakh songs,” he noted. make his dreams come true.

Photo credit: Alpamys Sharimov Photo credit: Denis Ten participates Dimash Kudaibergen pride of Kazakhstan, he is known By Dana Omirgazy and loved in France. Kudaibergen fan club members dream to meet in Olympic Channel documentary ASTANA – Kazakh singer Di- with him. As planned, Kudaiber- the 2014 Games and overcame a can achieve in winter sports. His South Korea’s KBS channel mash Kudaibergen is gaining pop- gen will take part in the celebration By Aigerim Sadykova tough period under the pressure. speech, shown in the movie, indi- produced “Underneath the Ice,” ularity worldwide and was named of the holiday, and, perhaps, he “Everyone wanted me to win cated he was standing for thousands its own 50-minute documentary Most Popular Singer of the Year will perform the songs in French,” ASTANA – Kazakh Figure skat- for my country. When I was on the of young Kazakh athletes envision- about the Kazakh figure skater. for the second year in a row at the he said. er Denis Ten, the bronze medallist podium at the Olympic Games, I ing their own Olympic dreams. The film, released Feb. 6, tells the Feb. 9 Top Global Chinese Music The Kazakh singer is currently realised that the whole country Ten was the first Kazakh figure story of Ten’s career and family, as Awards. on tour in China and has signed a at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, was cheered me on. When I returned to “I love you very much, thank one-and-a-half-year contract with the first athlete shot for the Game skater to gain medals and recogni- his great-great-grandfather is on Kazakhstan, it was such fantastic you for your love,” Kudaibergen Chinese agency BG Talent to par- Breakers documentary series pro- tion at the World Championships, the list of the 12 most outstanding attention. I could see the birth of wrote on his page in Instagram. ticipate in the world tour, inform. duced by the Olympic Channel. Four Continents Championships, fighters for South Korean inde- the figure skating culture,” he said. He was also named Most Popu- kz reports. The film demonstrates the difficul- Asian Winter Games and Olym- pendence. Speaking at the 128th Interna- lar Foreign Singer at the Asian Aktobe-born and raised, Ku- ties he faced at the Games and how pic Games. The Olympic Channel Born in Almaty, Ten, 25, start- tional Olympic Committee (IOC) Music GaLa, received accolades at daibergen was the winner of his victory affected Kazakhstan’s titled the production “How Denis ed his skating path when he was the MTV music awards and, at the the Grand Prix of the Slavic figure skating culture. session, Ten noted his story is a Ten put Kazakhstan on the map five years old and won his first end of last year, was awarded Best Bazaar 2015 competition in “There is no perfect success real example of what Kazakhstan with an unlikely winter sport.” competition in 2003. He was Artist at the Global Golden Chart Vitebsk (Belarus) and the Peo- story. Ups and downs, injures, According to Ten’s Instagram trained by skating coach Tatiana Awards in Beijing. ple’s Favourite National Prize bad and good impressions – it’s a page, he has dealt with ankle, back Tarasova. Meanwhile, fans of Kudaibergen in Kazakhstan. He was awarded collection of everything. Nobody and hip injuries in the past two sea- Other Kazakh skaters are fol- in France are awaiting his perfor- the Certificate of Honour of the knows how many hours you have sons. He gained 70.12 points at this lowing Ten’s success. Elizabet mance at the spring International Kazakh President for helping spent training. Nobody knows year’s Games, taking 27th posi- Tursynbayeva, the nation’s 2016 Francophonie Day, said counsellor to unify the people of Kazakh- what is behind the curtain. On the tion. Although he did not advance Winter Youth Olympic bronze for cultural and cooperation affairs stan. In March last year, the Ka- ice, we are all equal. When you to the free skating programme, he medallist, will compete Feb. 21 at the French Embassy in Kazakh- zakh star won the top award at succeed, it’s a great reward for the wrote on his social media page that in the Games’ ladies single skat- stan Guillaume Kasperski. the China Top Music Awards in work you have done in the past,” his participation was an achieve- ing short programme. “We know that Kudaibergen the category Best Asian Popu- said Ten as part of the 10-minute ment. PyeongChang was his third The IOC launched the Olympic performs songs in the French lan- lar Singer for his outstanding documentary. Olympic appearance, as he de- Channel in August 2016 to gener- guage. The French Embassy is performances in the television He also confessed he was in a buted at the 2010 Winter Games in ate interest in the Olympic move- working with him. Dimash is the show “Singer 2017.” car accident just two weeks before Denis Ten Vancouver. ment. Competitive cheerleading gaining recognition abroad Continued from Page B1 poms, costumes, acrobatic elements, zakhstan. They enjoyed our presenta- and support and position rebuilding. tion at the embassy and even came to Mammadov said about 3,500 According to the KUC president, watch the practice. Our athletes eas- Kazakhs are involved in cheerlead- teams chosen as participants in cham- ily can get visas to the United States ing, with 90 percent of those fe- pionships demonstrated Kazakh cul- when there are championships,” he male. That ratio reflects cheerlead- ture, inserting national ornaments on said, confirming the participation of ing generally around the world. costumes and performing to music Kazakhstan in the 2018 ICU World Boys join cheerleading classes with elements of Kazakhstan’s tradi- Championship in Florida. after watching practices and realis- tional string instrument, the dombra, This year, KUC also intends to ing that cheerleading is not just a and Kazakh songs. ICU judges found defend its leading position, prepar- dance, it needs physical strength, this exotic and fresh, especially in re- ing a performance for World Uni- he added. cent performances in Japan. versity Cheerleading competition “Traditionally, cheerleading in- Mammadov thinks cheerlead- in October in Poland. cludes pyramids, tumbling and ing is good for complex education The federation generally invites dance as well as shouting cheers to especially at school because it has coaches from Russia, because there support hockey or basketball play- elements of acrobatics, gymnas- is no language barrier to overcome ers,” explained Mammadov. “How- tics and sports dance, and teaches with them. However, this year the ever, Kazakh teams do their best in emotional management When the ICU is going to send foreign trainers dance performances rather than in match of the century takes place, to explain how to judge and what it is traditional styles, as hip-hop culture the cheerleading team upholds and important to practice. Kazakh train- is developed in the country. They motivates sportsmen as well as en- ers in turn conduct master classes for also have good results in … perfor- tertains spectators, engaging them cheerleaders from Kyrgyzstan. mances with pompoms, and mixed to express support. And despite not Kazakhstan’s Federation Union of performances with sportsmen.” having a long history in the coun- Cheerleading and Cheer Sport dem- Kazakhstan’s Union of Cheerlead- try, cheerleading is developing. onstrated to the National Olympic ing takes on the role of mediator and Experienced coach and judge Committee of Kazakhstan that cheer- adviser, organising championships Olga Kurakina, Mammadov says, leading should be considered a sport in and master classes in 13 regions of is the first voice of cheerleading the country and finally got recognition the country. The federation demands in Kazakhstan. Her followers who certificates of a new sample last year. coaches follow the federation’s rules study abroad teach in the U.S. and The International Cheerleading and standards of cheerleading. While others from Eurasian and Naz- Union was established in 2004 and athletes prepare their shows individu- arbayev Universities recommend- accepted by the International Olym- ally, showcasing their strengths, there ed themselves as good trainers. pic Committee. It unites 105 national are mandatory elements: the appear- “The U.S. Embassy pays attention cheerleading federations spreading ance of the girls, the presence of pom- Ruslan Mammadov (C) and the team at the World Championship 2016, Orlando. to cheerleading development in Ka- cheerleading throughout the world. B4 NATION&CAPITAL COUNTRY

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2018 Precision agriculture technology, Phased plan to digitisation introduced to boost productivity transfer Kazakh develop an economic model for “We expect to ensure the in- come research institutions with By Zhanna Shayakhmetova introducing precision technolo- vestments in technology up to research institutes and farms,” gies for different types of farms 240 billion tenge (US$742 mil- said Shukeyev. ASTANA – The Kazakh Minis- and an entirely new system of lion) by 2021 with a gradual in- An effective system ensuring alphabet to Latin script try of Agriculture has presented subsidy. We will launch pilot crease of support measures. The epizootic, veterinary and sani- plans to focus this year on intro- projects in certain farms in co- renewal of agricultural machin- tary well-being will be devel- By Frol Leandoer ducing precision technology and operation with local executive ery will reach approximately 6 oped to increase the efficiency intensive irrigation, livestock bodies. The educational insti- percent in three years; now, it of state control and supervi- ASTANA – A draft action plan development and renewing agri- tutions, research institutes and stands at 2 percent,” he added. sion. Veterinary border control has been developed detailing the cultural machinery. The four key the world’s leading companies Measures will also be taken will be established and unified phased transfer of the Kazakh al- areas are expected to increase that are engaged in agriculture to rehabilitate irrigation. Water approaches developed in coop- phabet to Latin script by 2025. labour productivity in the agro- digitisation and development of supply will be restored this year eration with Russian and Kyrgyz Sacral Geography of Kazakhstan, industrial sector. technologies will assist in train- to 65,000 hectares. veterinary services to combat a special project within the Ruhani To increase technical equip- ing farmers,” said Deputy Prime The agricultural producers and transboundary animal diseases, Janghyru (Modernisation of Ka- ment, 5.5 billion tenge (US$17 Minister and Minister of Agri- processing enterprises will join monitor quality control of vac- zakhstan) programme, is also be- million) will be allocated to sub- culture Umirzak Shukeyev dur- as meat cooperatives to solve the cines at the World Organisation ing implemented. sidise the agricultural leasing ing the Feb. 13 governmental issues concerning processing ag- for Animal Health (OIE) labo- Vice Minister of Culture and Sports Yerlan Kozhagapanov re- primeminister.kz Photo credit: interest rate and raise the invest- meeting. ricultural products. Agricultural ratories and implement against Yerlan Kozhagapanov ment subsidy by 20 billion tenge The approach to cooperatives science aims to focus mainly on nodular dermatitis and foot and ported on the progress to execute (US$62 million) by reducing in- will also be revised to increase introducing new technologies mouth disease. President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s efficient subsidies. meat export. The action is ex- rather than inventing livestock January’s agriculture, forestry decree “On the transition of the duced with Latin graphics. A step- “We plan to introduce elec- pected to encourage cooperation breeds. and fishery gross output was Kazakh alphabet from the Cyrillic by-step office work transfer will tronic field mapping, accurate of small and medium-sized busi- “There are three universities 113.4 billion tenge (US$350 alphabet to the Latin script.” A na- also be completed in educational weather data and wireless sen- nesses with large feedlot sites to and 23 research institutes at the million), a 3.7-percent increase tional commission was established organisations. sors, space monitoring and other ensure marketing, technology ministry. This number will be re- compared to the correspond- to complete the project in the next The ministry is currently work- solutions to validate precision distribution, knowledge and ac- duced to 12 due to consolidation. ing month in 2017, reported the seven years. ing to establish Til-Kazyna, a agricultural practices. We will cess to financing. Agricultural universities will be- committee on statistics. The first phase covers 2018- translation coordination centre. 2020, when preparatory work and Sacral Geography of Kazakh- measures will be completed to im- stan includes the Kassiyetti Ka- prove the regulatory legal frame- zakhstan centre at the National work. Spelling rules will be devel- Museum. A list of sacred places, with 183 objects of national sig- Abai Arena multifunctional complex nificance and 520 of local signifi- The ministry is cance, was compiled in the last 10 months. The first volume of the currently working Sacred Kazakhstan encyclopaedia construction starts in Semey to establish Til- was published and an interactive Karagaily microdistrict as a paragon Abai Arena will be located on the completed and the internal finish- virtual map with detailed descrip- Staff Report of various forms of modern architec- bank of the Ertis (Irtysh) River near ing works are underway. Kazyna, a translation tions and 3D tours was prepared ture,” said East Kazakhstan region the pine forest. A kindergarten for 320 children, for each object. Together with the ASTANA – Construction has Akim (Governor) Danial Akhmetov. “This will be a beautiful mi- built under a public-private partner- coordination centre. BBC, four documentary films have started on Abai Arena, a complex The three-storey complex will crodistrict. We need to construct ship, will be commissioned later been completed for broadcast on with an entertainment and sports have a sports hall for 5,000 people, apartment buildings of about 12 this year. oped for the new Kazakh alphabet the Discovery, National Geograph- centre in the new district in Semey. five swimming pools, 19 rooms for floors around the complex. The Karagaily microdistrict will also and text-based IT programmes re- ic and Viasat History channels, the The facility is dedicated to the various sports activities, a gym, façade should be of bright colours include 98 apartment blocks, a school codified into the Latin alphabet. official said. city’s 300th anniversary. computer club, cinema hall seat- so that people will be pleased with for 1,200 pupils, 720-student intellec- During the second phase, from “Our next main task is to popu- “Abai Arena will set the trend for ing 30 and two cafés. Sports com- the microdistrict and the city as the tual school, two additional kinder- 2021-2023, passports, citizens’ larise Kazakhstan in the eyes of the the development of culture and sports petitions, swimming lessons, water whole,” said Akhmetov. gartens and hospitals. Wide roads, identity cards and other docu- world community and to develop in the city with its unique architec- aerobics and water polo will also be Two Semey construction com- pedestrian areas and parking lots will ments in the state language will the infrastructure of domestic and tural design and functionality. It will held in the facility. panies have been commissioned be built for the convenience of resi- be issued in Latin script. Semi- inbound tourism. For the first time, be possible to organise various events The complex will measure ap- for the first nine-storey residential dents. During construction, facilities nars, lectures and courses with the tourism sector was included in huge halls and use the swimming proximately 14,000 square metres. buildings, according to the regional for workers, including hostels for 200 philologists and linguists will be among the drivers of the national pools for both sports and recreation. The exterior will include aluminium press service. The brick cladding people and canteens providing four organised to train teachers and economy, into the so-called Olym- Construction will take place in the panels and a media façade. and window installation have been meals a day, will also be erected. the adult population. pic modernisation route 4.0,” said The final phase in 2024-2025 Kozhagapanov. will involve a phased-in transfer The ministry has set the ambi- words, to substitute expensive ingre- for office work in local and central tious task of increasing the tourism dients with cheaper ones. However, state bodies and state media, and share of the GDP from the current we refuse to do that, and have to printed publications will be pro- 1 percent to 8 percent by 2025. Venerable confectionery aims to compete with unscrupulous produc- ers who use flavours instead of milk and vegetable fats instead of choco- late,” said Sadykov. edge out imports with local sweets Despite the presence of major Production of chocolate bars simi- entities, in particular Kazakh Export local confectioneries like Rakhat, SEZs do not justify state By Meruyert Abugaliyeva lar to the world-famous Mars, Snick- and Kazakh Invest,” said Bayan Sulu Bayan Sulu and Ulker, half of Ka- ers and Milky Way was launched in President Timur Sadykov. zakhstan’s sweets are imported from ASTANA – Bayan Sulu, a Kazakh December, as was a line of glazed The confectionery buys input Russia, Ukraine and Turkey. confectionery based in Kostanai, cookies resembling Twix. The cost products such as flour, sugar and “We view local producers as part- support, need to be improved of the project, capable of produc- packaging, domestically. Howev- ners rather than rivals, since they produces 31 percent of local sweets work will be adjusted, following and is launching new products to re- ing 5,600 tonnes per year, is 1.5 er, since cacao beans are imported, also play an important role in the By Inga Seleznyova the results of two weeks work and place imports and boost exports. billion tenge (US$4.47 million), of there is a dependent relationship domestic food industry. Therefore, Since its establishment in 1974, which 1.2 billion tenge (US$3.73 between product prices and im- our only common rival is import,” we will be able to give proper in- Bayan Suly has prioritised stabil- million) came through a Sberbank ported ingredients. noted Sadykov. ASTANA – The Ministry for formation to the public,” the min- ity and taken a systemic approach to loan. A government subsidy through Currently, about 35 to 45 percent Bayan Sulu acquired equipment Investment and Development re- ister said. business development. This principle the Business Road Map 2020 pro- of total production volume is ex- for waffle products with the help of cently determined that special In total, the minister said, since allowed it to survive the harsh 1990s gramme provides for 10 percent of ported to Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, DBK-Leasing, a subsidiary of the economic zones are not justifying the creation of the special econom- and earn a third of the domestic the interest on the loan, leaving Bay- Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Development Bank of Kazakhstan, the state support they receive and ic zones, 165 projects worth more sweets market share, producing more an Sulu to pay 3 percent interest. China and Russia, importing almost in an attempt to increase its product has called for increased efficiency than 800 billion tenge (US$2.48 than 300 types of sweets and approx- “We currently primarily aim to 90 percent of all Bayan Sulu exports, range. Five production lines with within the zones. billion) have been launched, in ad- imately 50,000 tonnes of cookies, replace imported products with lo- according to Forbes.kz. the capacity of 700 kilogrammes “We carried out a major analysis dition, more than 13,000 jobs have candies and waffles per year. cal goods; however, we also seek “Most factories employ the same per hour cost the factory 1.85 mil- of the work of the special economic been created. Now, the company aspires to to boost exports. Fortunately, this is machinery and the same ingredients, lion euros, out of which DBK- zones. There are certain omissions, “This year it is planned to launch replace imported sweets with its made possible with the state support thus the only opportunity to lower Leasing provided 1.275 million shortcomings. A lot of money was 45 projects worth 171.7 billion products. of export-oriented manufacturing costs is to change the recipe; in other euros for nine years. invested in the infrastructure of the tenge (US$532.2 million) with the zones. We believe that to date 11 creation of more than 3,000 new zones that are created due to public jobs. In the areas of 115 projects investments do not give the result worth 100 billion tenge (US$310 that we expected. We conclude million) have been launched, about this analysis with the instruction of 8,000 new jobs were created. This Most counterfeit products sold in Kazakh President Nursultan Naz- year we also plan to launch infor- arbayev and we will make concrete mation systems for monitoring the proposals for further work with activities of the zones, which will each of these zones,” said Minister allow monitoring their effective- Kazakhstan advertised via internet for Investment and Development ness. In general, the main task in She added most of infringements Investigation teams work to authorities shut down product Zhenis Kassymbek during the ex- this direction is the approval of the By Aigerim Sadykova are related to DVD-ROMs, both in identify the import schemes for realisation and limit offenders panded meeting of the board of the draft law on the special economic distributing counterfeit games for falsified products and check ex- entering the market.” ministry.. zones and the implementation of ASTANA – The Kazakh state Sony PlayStation and 1C consoles press freight delivery. The process involves the legiti- “The government will consider the national investment strategy,” revenue committee investigation and computer programmes for ac- After the meeting, Ministry mate trademark owner initiating a each free economic zone, their Kassymbek said. department has determined the countants. The committee found of Justice intellectual property civil case in court or applying to largest supply channel of counter- nine underground facilities that rights department deputy direc- law enforcement, he added. feit products is the internet, report- manufacture discs. tor Beket Aligozhin reported 208 Kazakh legislation on trade- ed expert officer Elmira Kalygu- Counterfeit products that do not inspections were conducted, 168 marks, service marks and appella- lova at roundtable on combating meet the standards of safety and administrative offense protocols tions of origin claims that goods, counterfeit product distribution quality enter the market via the prepared and 157 lawbreakers re- labels and packaging with illegally issues. internet. Falsified food products, quired to respond. used trademarks are considered “We discovered illegal issues medical items and construction “The right holders determine counterfeit products. Accommo- that infringe upon trademarks in materials can influence people’s the damage. We have already dating, storage, importing, servic- the course of operational-search lives and safety. confiscated counterfeit prod- es and internet use are also a viola- measures. There are counterfeit to- Kalygulova noted 39 pre-trial ucts for more than 16 million tion of the trademark right. bacco products, soccer balls, alco- proceedings regarding illegal tenge (US$50,158),” he said. The main victims of counterfeit hol products and household chemi- trademark use were registered last “As you know, falsified prod- product realisation are world-fa- cal goods. Motor oil, drink, sport year, most by representatives of le- ucts come from China, our mous companies, as they lose not shoe and mobile phone manufac- gitimate suppliers, and 19 criminal main supplier. Therefore, we only profit, but their brands’ repu- turing was suppressed as well,” cases were registered as a result of take measures not only in the tation for producing high-quality she said. operational-search activities. state, but also abroad. Customs products. B5 NATION&CAPITAL SOCIETY

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2018 Labour and Social Protection Ministry to focus on self-employed workforce, digitisation pay taxes delayed introduction of project will envision mandatory Abylkassymova said the self- improving the quality of educa- digitising the social and labour By Assel Satubaldina a mandatory social medical insur- simplified registration of the self- employed population will be tion,” she said. sectors. ance system initially scheduled for employed workforce, among other trained and encouraged to engage Digitally transforming the econ- “Electronic labour exchange ASTANA – The Kazakh Min- last July. aspects. in productive employment. omy entails jobs offset in different was launched Jan. 1 and more than istry of Labour and Social Pro- He instructed the government “We will develop tax stimulat- Another priority of the minis- sectors. The measures regulating 200 employment centres, includ- tection will focus on formalising to address the issue and the same ing measures to move the self-em- try’s work is developing skills labour flow between the economic ing private employment centres the self-employed workforce and day signed a decree appointing ployed from the shadows and sim- necessary for a new digital econo- sectors will therefore be devel- and online platforms, have joined continue digital transformation Abylkassymova, then Vice Min- plify tax administration. The term my and creating quality jobs. oped with companies, she added. the system. We are planning to in the field in 2018, according to ister of National Economy, as the ‘self-employed population’ will be “Professional standards The ministry will continue double the number of people em- newly-appointed Minister Madina new Labour and Social Protection defined in all laws and normative and relevant educational pro- working on productive employ- ployed within this electronic la- Abylkassymova. Minister. She replaced Tamara and legal acts in accordance with grammes will be renovated to ment and a mass entrepreneurship bour exchange,” she said. The issue of the self-employed Duissenova. best international practices,” she increase the competitiveness of development programme. Other digital solutions planned population, which currently ac- Current legislation is not said. labour resources and their pro- “This year, 87 billion tenge by the ministry include a pilot counts for nearly one-quarter of equipped for self- and atypical The informally-employed popu- ductivity. A national qualifica- (US$268.83 million) is allocated e-HR system envisioning elec- the nation’s workforce, was raised forms employment. Abylkassy- lation needs to be engaged in the tion system will be set up which to the programme with a scope of tronic employment contracts, an during a Feb. 9 extended govern- mova reported the ministry will nation’s economy and its manda- will lay out the new approaches 571,000 people,” said Abylkassy- employment record book and an ment meeting. President Nursultan prepare a draft bill formalising tory social medical insurance sys- necessary for a digital economy. mova. electronic social services system, Nazarbayev criticised the minis- the self-employed and informally tem, she noted, and the ministry We will update the list of quali- The plan also includes measures which will enable a “proactive ap- try’s performance in this area and employed (workers not paying will present a road map including fications needed for the new to attract foreigners to work in key proach to providing social services noted failure to address the self- pension contribution or unregis- measures meant to help achieve economy as part of the fourth industries and economy sectors. and improve their quality,” she employed population that does not tered businesses) population. The the objective. industrial revolution, as well as This year, the focus is also on added. North Kazakhstan region to 2,800 HIV-positive cases last welcome 767 families from south year, prevalence remains low, ernment this year for employing Yakovenko noted 363 individu- By Meruyert Abugaliyeva one family. The funding will serve als are of working age and 167 to motivate employers to sign a so- were employed. Approximately 430 ASTANA – More than 3,400 peo- cial contract with employment cen- children attend kindergarten and says health official ple, or 767 families school. All families and 144 syringe outlets operate is very relevant for Kazakhstan,” of migrants and were provided with Staff Report in the regions financed from lo- said Baiserkin. “oralmen” (ethnic To ensure all the migrants are provided necessary support cal budgets. Anonymous counsel- He also noted that these are gen- Kazakhs who have with jobs, employers will receive a one related to employ- ASTANA – Last year, more ling is provided. And antiretroviral eral trends that are typical for the immigrated back to ment, housing and than 2,800 new HIV cases were therapy for HIV-infected people is entire post-Soviet space. The is- Kazakhstan since million tenge (US$3,100) subsidy from the subsidies. detected in Kazakhstan, though provided at the expense of the na- sues of globalisation concern not its independence), “As a result of the prevalence of HIV in the tional budget,” she added. only integration and interaction in will move to the government this year for employing one these measures, country remains low, said Vice Today, 29,980 people are regis- the field of trade and economic re- North Kazakhstan family. The funding will serve to motivate migration loss has Minister of Healthcare of Ka- tered in the Kazakh regional and lations, but also migration issues. region this year in a fallen for the first zakhstan Lyazat Aktayeva at a city centres of AIDS and in dispen- In this part, migration processes, government attempt employers to sign a social contract with time in several recent technical seminar on HIV sary records. which are increasing in the glob- to tackle the labour years. In 2017 the and migration in Central Asia Every year in Kazakhstan, about al world, are also related to the shortage problem. employment centres and migrants. net migration loss and Eastern Europe. 150-200 HIV-positive foreigners spread of HIV infection, which ac- “In order to re- was 5,537 people, “Over the past year, there have are identified, said General Direc- quires new features. locate people from excess labour tres and migrants. Nearly 60 fami- which is less than the 7,221 peo- been about 3 million HIV tests tor of Centre for AIDS Prevention “Unfortunately, in the former supply areas to those with labour lies will also be given a five million ple in the corresponding period of among groups in the country of and Control Bauyrzhan Baiserkin Soviet Union countries there is shortages, we have created a road tenge (US$15,500) bank credit to 2016,” he added. the population that are both vol- at the same event. no single document regulating the map and identified 224 settlements, start a business. Regional governor Kumar Ak- untary and mandatory testing. “To date, in the process of iden- prevention, diagnosis and treat- including 116 settlements showing The migrants include 77 oral- sakalov emphasised the need to A total 14 percent of the popu- tifying new HIV cases, we have ment of HIV-infected people; their considerable potential of economic man families (385 people), as the carefully select migrants by con- lation was tested last year, and about six percent of the contribu- legal status and the possibility of growth, 118 of moderate potential number of migrants moving to the sidering whether they are ready to more than 2,800 new HIV cases tion of foreign citizens to the sta- obtaining minimum medical ser- and seven district centres. There region this year has increased five- engage in gardening and agricul- were detected. Also last year tistics of the spread of HIV infec- vices are undetermined… In this are 828 housing facilities and fold compared to 2017. ture. more than 60,000 foreigners tion in Kazakhstan. This figure connection, I would like to note 1,282 vacancies available,” said Last year 188 families (847 “Few migrants who have moved were examined, and 0.2 percent determines that HIV transmission that we are testing about 61,000 North Kazakhstan region employ- people) from Almaty, Kyzylorda, recently work on vegetable grow- are positive. If you look at so- can spread through migration pro- migrants who enter Kazakhstan, ment coordination and social pro- Mangystau, South Kazakhstan and ing. We have plenty of land and cially vulnerable groups among cesses. This year we started the which is a very substantial load for gramme department head Sergey Zhambyl regions moved to the water resources and, above all, foreigners, the frequency is 9 project with the support of the the budget, healthcare expenses, Yakovenko. north. The region welcomed more attract people to grow crops and percent,” said Aktayeva, adding Global Fund. About 150-200 peo- and in order for these expenses To ensure all the migrants are migrants than East Kazakhstan, Ko- vegetables. Therefore, the mi- that the number of HIV cases in ple are diagnosed annually in Ka- to be effective, we need to deter- provided with jobs, employers stanai and Pavlodar regions, which grants should be obliged to take Kazakhstan grows about 10 per- zakhstan among the migrants. This mine in technical terms how these will receive a one million tenge attracted 128, 69 and 30 families training and only then move here,” cent annually. year, 150 people are to be taken on people will receive treatment, (US$3,100) subsidy from the gov- respectively. he said. She also said HIV prevention treatment and laboratory support, their registration in the dispensary programmes are in place in Ka- and new strategies will be devel- records, and how they will live zakhstan. oped for working with this cat- on the territory of the stay,” said Two new eco-friendly “Thirty-nine friendly clinics egory of the population. This issue Baiserkin. trams added to ‘tram Report summarises civil capital of Kazakhstan’ service reform results, defines made in 1980s,” said Pavlodar Tram Management Chairman Ait- uar Zhangazin. improvement priorities The 23 new trams were pur- A unique model based on the paratus is ensured. Today, the av- chased with a 13-year, $7.68 By Zhanna Shayakhmetova principles of meritocracy, efficien- erage age of a civil servant is 39. million loan from the European cy and accountability to society This corresponds to the current Bank for Reconstruction and De- ASTANA – The Kazakh gov- was created as a result of consist- OECD index, in which aging is velopment (EBRD) and a $2.84 ernment has approved a report de- ent reforms. clearly visible. In Kazakhstan, 55 million from the national gov- scribing the stages of development “Our country rose to 65 posi- percent of civil servants are wom- ernment. of the civil service in the country, tions in the World Bank’s World- en, a figure that stands at 50 per- “Trams will be delivered as analysing the current state of the wide Governance Indicators cent in Belgium, Italy and Spain. soon as they are manufactured system, and offering assessments (WGI) in terms of government The work on the further motiva- one by one. Up to date, three from international experts and effectiveness during 20 years,” tion of civil servants is underway. trams have been delivered from proposals for further improvement Shaimova said. “This year a new system of la- Minsk; two were launched last in the sphere. The second section of the report bour remuneration was launched. year and one will start working The stages of civil service devel- contains an analysis of the civil The pilot project is being imple- soon. The manufacturer Belkom- opment through the implementa- service for the entire period of in- mented in four state bodies. The munmash asks to extend the tion of Kazakhstan’s strategic pro- dependence. With the Diploma to the Village the length of tramways has in- deadline for delivery, however, grammes is discussed in the first According to the review, Ka- Project for employees working By Meruyert Abugaliyeva creased from 11 to 90 kilometres still promises to fulfil its commit- section of the “National Report on zakhstan’s civil service meets in- in rural areas will be continued to and now approximately 100 trams ment,” added Zhangazin. Civil Service,” presented by Civil ternational standards. The country increase the attractiveness of the ASTANA – Pavlodar Tram carry 45,000 passengers on nine The Public Transport Devel- Service and Anti-Corruption Af- avoided gender imbalances and civil service in the regions. Social Management recently put into op- routes every day from 5 a.m. till opment Strategy project was fairs Agency deputy chair Aigul issues related to an aging state ap- benefits for the purchase and con- eration in Pavlodar the first two of midnight. also launched by EBRD to im- Shaimova at a Feb. 20 meeting. paratus. struction of housing will be pro- 23 eco-friendly, climate-equipped However, 90 percent of the prove public transport services. “Three reforms were carried out A unified framework of com- vided for them,” she said. trams as part of Pavlodar’s ongo- trams are old and need to be re- Dornier Consulting International in this sphere during the years of petences was introduced in con- The report’s concluding chap- ing Public Transport Development placed. The new trams meet cur- GmbH with the Pavlodar city Kazakhstan’s independence. They trast to a number of Organisation ter outlines prospects for further Strategy. rent ecological, safety and energy administration, regional govern- all were directly related to the pro- for Economic Cooperation and developing the civil service, in- Trams have been an indispen- consumption standards. ment and other parties estab- cesses of state transformation and Development (OECD) countries. cluding identifying ways to help sable part of Pavlodar, which was “The new trams will satisfy lished the mission and objectives the formation of the public admin- It was successfully tested at the create professional employees often referred to as the tram capital all requirements; they will be of the project and conducted a istration system. The institution- competency assessment of the B in the state apparatus, as well as of Kazakhstan, since 1965. Such equipped with powerful heating thorough analysis of the system. alisation of this direction started Corps employees. tasks designed to help Kazakh- an eco-friendly way of transport is systems suitable for our climate There are plans to develop a fi- when President [Nursultan Naz- Now 92 percent of civil servants stan achieve its goal of being one particularly important for a heav- and the engines will consume 30- nancial model and detailed plan arbayev] signed the decree ‘On have higher education diplomas of the world’s 30 most developed ily industrialised city. Over time, 40 percent less energy than those to deliver the strategy. the civil service,’” she said. and the stability of the state ap- countries. B6 NATION&CAPITAL TOURISM

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2018 Mangistau eagle hunters to open falconry school They caught not only foxes, but By Zhazira Dyussembekova rabbits and saiga antelopes. “In old times, traditionally mu- ASTANA – Mangistau region’s sicians were engaged in hunting. berkutchi, or eagle hunters, plan After performing the hunter’s to open their own falconry school song and playing the kui, the ber- in Tushybek village in an effort to kutchi headed to hunt. This was preserve the ancient tradition, re- considered to be a good sign. We ported Kazakh TV. want to revive this ancient tra- “I want to promote the art of dition,” said local historian and hunting with birds among young Otpan Historical and Cultural people. Five-six people are train- Complex representative Kuralai ing now to become berkutchi (ea- Izimbergenova. gle hunters). We take part in com- While the country had only a petitions. We are planning to hunt few masters of the ancient art half with tourists. In the near future, a century ago, according to some we want to open a school,” said data the number has increased to organiser and berkutchi Mereke 100. Eagle hunting is becoming Otegali. more popular not only in Kazakh- Six years ago, Otegali mastered stan, but also abroad. Eagle hunt- hunting with a bird of prey and ers, sometimes called kusbegi, taught the art to approximately 10 want to preserve the customs of of his fellow villagers. He hopes their ancestors by holding annual to share his experience with oth- Kansonar competitions. Photo credit: ruh.kz. Photo credit: ers and contribute to preserving School organisers also plan to the national tradition. His eagle, Domesticating and training the hunter. The chick must get used to The village is close to the portant feature for hunters, he conduct excursions for tourists, 2-year-old Aksengir, can hunt not predator birds requires certain the person and then he can be tamed highest point of the Karatau- noted. who will have the opportunity to only for foxes, but also young skills and great patience. and trained. The process is quite Otpan mountain range. The In times of famine, one golden take part in hunting, as well as wolves. “It is not easy to become an eagle long and painstaking,” he said. entire steppe is visible, an im- eagle could feed a whole village. learn about its history. Ust-Kamenogorsk – major industrial Aksu-Zhabagly Nature and tourism centre Reserve – on the way power stations and five hydropow- tenge (US$15.50) per day. The see the confluence of the two riv- By Assel Satubaldina er plants. city is approximately an hour from ers, more commonly known as Locals and foreigners take ad- the nearest vacation zone, where Strelka (which can be translated as ASTANA – Ust-Kamenogorsk, vantage of the city’s setting near breathtaking scenery via steep confluence from Russian). to Great Silk Road a city in eastern Kazakhstan with a high mountains, rivers and lakes serpentine roads can add a bit of The city also boasts the Victory lowed tourists to take photos in the population of more than 300,000, during snowy winters and hot enjoyment and adrenaline to one’s Memorial and eternal flame hon- By Aigerim Sadykova field. is a must visit destination for summers, especially since the re- journey. ouring victims of the Great Patri- Visitors can see Tien Shan bears, someone starting his or her jour- gion has more than 40 percent of In winter, the region’s ski resorts otic War, where people continue to ASTANA – Picturesque Aksu- Siberian mountain goats, roe deer ney through the country. It offers the nation’s total water reservoirs and centres welcome visitors with lay flowers to pay tribute to veter- Zhabagly Nature Reserve has de- and endemic redheaded titmouse both historic insight and a pleasant including Bukhtarma, one of the their snowy hills equipped for be- ans and victims. veloped tourist routes and launched on the Kishi-Kaiyndy Gorge trial, vacation near the beautiful Rudny country’s largest. ginners and the more experienced. Ethno Park, on the left bank of a tulip festival as part of the Great where griffin vultures and berkut Altai Mountains, canyons and In summer, one can enjoy a Prices are relatively inexpensive the Irtysh, is another highlight, Silk Road cluster revival. Far from [golden eagle] fly overhead. Walk- beaches. pleasant vacation near sandy compared to the popular Shymbu- as it provides a glance into Ka- the urban bustle, travellers wit- ing on the dry meadow, a golden Located where the Ulba and beaches at good quality and decent lak Resort in Almaty. zakhstan’s history and its cultural ness the beauty of nature and rare eagle nest can be found on the op- Irtysh rivers merge, Ust-Kame- prices that are increasingly attract- Ust-Kamenogorsk itself has a and ethnic diversity. The park has breeds of South Kazakhstan. The posite bank of the Kishi-Kaiyndy nogorsk was founded in 1720 as ing tourists from abroad. Some variety of sightseeing options to a house and exhibits which be- first nature reserve in Central Asia, River. Bronze Age and Early Iron a fort linking the then-Russian guests own houses, while oth- offer its guests. Walking along the longed to different ethnicities who it has saved flora and fauna of the Age cave paintings are on the empire to Asia and decades later ers rent them starting from 5,000 river embankment is a “must” to once lived and continue to reside region since 1926. Boidaksai Lake Gorge-Peak Kask- became an important trade centre in Kazakhstan. One can visit a Ka- Two Belgian tourists, Jo abulak route. connecting the empire to Mongo- zakh yurt and Russian, Ukrainian, Devriend and Veronika Van Named for the Aksu and lia and China. The territory was Korean, German, Armenian and Acker, recently wrote of their Zhabagly rivers, the reserve was found to possess significant natu- Azerbaijani houses and yards. experiences at Aksu-Zhabagly created to protect their nearby flora ral resources, primarily non-fer- A Hollywood-like Kazakhstan and nearby Zhabagly village. and fauna. The former, a mountain rous metals including uranium, sign situated on Ablaketka Moun- They tasted Kazakh cuisine and river with a rapid stream, leads to lead, zinc, copper, gold, silver tain, 522 metres above sea level, is learned about kokpar, a tradi- a canyon. The Aksu Canyon is not and rare metals. another famous site. Many wed- tional game on horseback where only compared to the United States The city is now a major industri- dings and dates make a point of riders struggle for a goat’s car- Grand Canyon, it is also famous for al centre situated near key strategic visiting this charming spot and en- cass or skin. As it is a protected its ancient petroglyphs, carvings facilities, including the Ulba met- joying the panoramic view. area, all tours must be planned or painted images on a stone base. allurgy plant, which also hosts the Ust-Kamenogorsk has an inter- a day in advance and guided by The Aksu River turns the colour of IAEA low-enriched uranium bank national airport, so travel should a ranger. Van Acker noted their milk in the summer months, which launched last year; Kazzinc plant, not be a problem. Though at pre- tour included a trip to the nature explains its name; in Kazakh, Ak a leading zinc producer; Ust-Ka- sent the international network museum with animals added to is white and su is water. There are menogorsk titanium and magne- route includes only Antalya, Mos- the Red Book. also 114 glaciers; the largest, Bu- sium plant and Bipek Avto-Azia cow and Novosibirsk, regular “Our group of three tourists and gilitur, is popular among tourists Avto, Kazakhstan’s largest auto- flights and trains connect the city two locals visited this beautiful re- as many red deer live there. mobile company. The region also to the capital and Almaty as well serve for three days, each day hik- Guests can stay in Zhabagly,

hosts numerous thermoelectric alps.altay.kz Photo credit: as other Kazakh regions. ing a different tour. We were there where a hotel in the village pro- in late September and could not vides a room and three meals per see a brown bear or lynx. Never- day for each person. Should visi- theless, rangers led us to wildlife tors have preferences, the menu tracks and showed an excellent can be discussed with the adminis- knowledge of local flora,” she tration. One day in a deluxe room, Imantau: pearl of Blue Mountains wrote. entrance to the reserve and mu- The nomads of the Great Silk seum, horseback riding with the Road travelled on horses and Ak- ranger and minibus rent will cost su-Zhabagly provides riding along about $55 per person. in North Kazakhstan the foothills and lower mountain Tourists can reach the nature re- cial microclimate, providing habitat and covered with predominantly Kostanai lead to the village of the belt on the Taldybulak and Zhe- serve by train and bus from Almaty By Meruyert Abugaliyeva for elk, deer, wild boar, badgers and pine forest. The northwest is a sandy same name. Visitors are advised tymsai routes. Minibuses and cars or Shymkent. The Aksu-Zhabagly foxes. Angling enthusiasts appreci- bay and the other coasts are flat and to take a crossover or a four-wheel are also available. administration meets customers ASTANA – Imantau natural zone, ate the opportunity to visit Imantau covered with vegetation typical of drive vehicle. The reserve offers walks to the at the nearby Shymkent or Taraz in the North Kazakhstan region, is Lake, which is rich in carp, perch, the steppe. “We drove from Astana to Kok- hills where Greig and Kaufmann airports or delivers them to the ho- popular with tourists keen on fish- pike and crucian carp. Tourists can use the services of shetau and then went to Imantau us- tulips grow, species listed on the tel from the airport and Tyulkubas ing and camping. Its low mountains, The waterway, located 400 kilo- Visit Burabay (instagram @visit- ing GPS. Although the highway to Red List. Last spring’s festival al- railway station. beautiful lake and dense forests are metres from the capital, attracts burabay), a community which or- Burabai is good, the road to Imantau within Kokshetau (Kazakh for Blue tourists who enjoy spending a night ganises adventure trips throughout village is bumpy. So, you need to Mountain) National Park. in a tent in the mountain foothills. Kazakhstan. make sure your car is reliable. There The natural zone occupies a large The average depth is 5.7 metres, al- “Once you get to Imantau, you can are not many housing facilities, al- portion of Aiyrtau region, stretching though it reaches a maximum of 10 go straight to the foot of the moun- though there are a few houses avail- 70 kilometres north to south and 65 metres; it is 13.1 kilometres long and tain and see a camping site with able for rent, since people mostly kilometres east to west. The moun- 4.8 kilometres wide. The southwest numerous tents there. Although it is stay in tents. We made friends with tains, forests and lakes form a spe- shore of the fresh lake is steep, rocky difficult to climb the rocky moun- Russian tourists who come to Iman- tain and the wind is strong there, the tau every summer from Omsk and view from the top is spectacular. The Tyumen. They stay there for weeks scenery is completely different from living in tents and cooking food out- that in Burabai; there are no crowds side,” said Toleu. and the water is especially clean. So, Several nearby residential facili- I believe that the pristine nature of ties are available in addition to the Imantau is perfect for tourists who camp site. Solnechnoe, for example, want to go off the beaten track,” said provides different types of houses team member Assan Toleu. as well as traditional Kazakh yurts, The special feature of the lake is therapeutic services using horns and the 16-hectare, heart-shaped island. antler’s blood and guided tours of Juniper bushes grow on the outer the region. part, while the inner portion is filled Kokshetau National Park also in- with pine, birch, cherry trees and cludes Aiyrtau, Shalkar and Zerenda berries. Tourists can reach the unin- natural zones. Saumalkol and Zer- habited land by boat. enda lakes, like Imantau, are fresh;

Imantau zone is easily accessi- Shalkar Lake is famous for its salty aksu-jabagly.kz Photo credit:

Photo credit: yvision.kz Photo credit: ble, as roads from Kokshetau and water and therapeutic mud. Tau-teke Central Asian mountain goat. B7 NATION&CAPITAL SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2018 Skier’s bronze medal more than 20 years in the making who were doing this sport out of But this is the Olympics, this is a By Anuar Abdrakhmanov sheer enthusiasm. They trained a great responsibility, people expect great number of athletes. Today, you to win medals, so you should PYEONGCHANG – Kazakh there are those who achieve great be very careful. We chose the max- Winter Olympic Team Head success,” said Kruglykhina. imum programme that Yulia could Coach Yelena Kruglykhina said Galysheva’s medal was Ka- perform, considering her psycho- recently that Kazakh skier Ju- zakhstan’s first and only at the logical preparation, because physi- lia Galysheva’s Olympic bronze South Korean games and Ka- cally all the athletes are ready. medal in PyeongChang in the zakhstan’s first ever medal in Success is achieved only by those moguls was more than 20 years freestyle skiing. who are stronger psychologically,” in the making. Galysheva also won gold med- Kruglykhina believes. “This is the result of many years als at the Asian Games 2011 and Kruglykhina also noted that of work. Not everyone can win an Universiade 2015. Many felt she Galysheva received offers after Olympic medal, and you need to should have won a medal at the the Sochi Olympics to compete on be born that way. Fortunately, our Sochi Olympics and the athlete behalf of other countries but re- East Kazakhstan region, our city contemplated leaving the sport mained with the Kazakh team. is a favourable place for talents after the judges failed to award “Galysheva never wanted to such as Yulia Galysheva, Pavel her a medal at those games. But change the country, she only want- Kolmakov, Dmitry Reikherd and she changed her mind and worked ed support. Kazakhstan will not let Ayaulym Amrenova. Our entire with Kruglykhina and other coach- go of such an athlete as Yulia, who coaching staff is also from Ust-Ka- es to compete in Seoul. steadily wins medals at interna- menogorsk. The goal of achieving “We always prepare a few jumps tional competitions. We received such high results was set 20 years for the athletes. The more differ- support, thanks to which we man- ago by our first coaches Viktor ent elements you have, the more aged to win an Olympic medal,” Lemeshko and Vladimir Svetlov, chances to achieve great results. said Kruglykhina. 2014 figure Astana FC makes incredible comeback in skating medal Europa League match against Portugal’s Sporting made a perfect high cross from the fielder Patrick Twumasi scored a Sporting under great pressure. We By Anuar Abdrakhmanov wing, which Sporting’s forward Bas goal and a bit later defender Dmitry didn’t score and Sporting punished Dost headed into the net. Sporting Shomko made it 3-3 with a long us due to the individual classes of winner Denis Ten The return match of Europa continued to control the ball, but let ranger. players. But I think we played like League’s 1/16 round between Ka- Astana play and left free space for a The Kazakh champs finished any European team. Despite all zakhstan’s Astana FC and Portugal’s maneuver. Astana managed to win the European Cups with another our problems, we showed football Sporting ended in a 3-3 draw in Lis- back closer near the end of the first record, as the first of the nation’s at the level of the quarter-finals. I comes up short in bon on Feb. 22. half. Dorde Despotovic hit the bar, clubs to reach the Europa League wish Sporting good luck and may The fate of the two matches was but Marin Tomasov later scored on a playoffs. they win it,” said Astana head coach predetermined in the first game in corner kick to tie the game. “I am satisfied with my team’s Stanimir Stoilov after the game. PyeongChang Astana, when the Portuguese took Sporting found another loophole result. We came here to play foot- “We wanted to show our game in a confident 3-1 win, so very few in Astana’s defence to start the ball, to attack instead of playing in Portugal, to achieve a positive result. first athlete in the history ofKa- expected a satisfactory result from second half. Portuguese midfielder the defence, and did not think about We did it. An important thing was the By Anuar Abdrakhmanov zakhstan’s figure skating to win Astana. In addition, because of Yuri Bruno Fernandes made an accu- the score. We wanted to play open support of fans, both in Kazakhstan an Olympic medal. It’s a pity we Logvinenko’s red card in the first rate shot into the Kazakh net, then and score goals. Unfortunately, we and here at the stadium in Lisbon. PYEONGCHANG – Kazakh- still don’t have a growing genera- game, Astana lost its main defender followed a few minutes later with missed some goals as well… But if There were a lot of them today, so I stan’s Sochi Olympics bronze med- tion of men’s figure skaters, those for the away match. a second goal to increase the dif- you tie with Sporting, it is a great re- would like to thank our fans for their al winner Denis Ten found himself who could give me the chance to The Portuguese took the lead in ference to 3-1. The Kazakh team, sult. If we had realised our chances support, which we felt throughout the in 27th place here overall after his take a break for at least a year to the first minutes. Fabio Coentrao however, did not give up. Mid- in the first half, we could have put game,” said Shomko. figure skating performance at the heal the injuries. Injuries are like PyeongChang Games, failing to dominoes. One injury follows an- reach the finals after the short pro- other. It’s very hard. Sport means gramme and earning 70.12 points. daily stress for the human body. According to the skater him- Despite all the difficulties, I train self, the injuries that plagued him every day, and I had many oppor- throughout the season also affect- tunities to do something different ed his Olympic performance. Ten in life. That might be why I wanted ruptured his ankle ligaments in to finish my career after the Sochi August 2017, ahead of an ice show Olympics. But I still love sports in Korea. Doctors gave permission and I want to make all my fans for him to continue to train under happy,” Ten added. the supervision of specialists. The athlete stressed that in re- But this is far from Ten’s first in- cent years, Kazakhstan has made jury. The first time the skater was impressive achievements in sport. told he needed to rest and heal was “Kazakh journalists come to the after an unsuccessful performance Olympics. Our people are inter- at the 2016 World Championship in ested in figure skating, such major Boston, where he took 12th place. competitions as the Universiade However, Ten continued to work, 2017 are held in our country, and even though after the 2014 Olym- we competed for the right to host pics, other leading figure skaters the Olympics, so I can conclude decided to take a break to recover. that winter sports are developing “This was definitely not my in Kazakhstan. This is also thanks best performance. As I said be- to the efforts of our athletes such fore, this season was very difficult as Vladimir Smirnov, Yuliya Galy- for me. I am glad and proud that sheva, Yelena Khrustaleva. It’s I still managed to take part in the nice that Kazakhstan is known in Olympic Games in South Korea. I the world figure skating arena. I literally go to bed with pain in my am grateful to all the people of Ka- fca.kz Photo credit: legs every night and wake up hop- zakhstan for keeping an eye on my ing that a new day is a moment for career, for helping us move for- new achievements. Every day is a ward. This is the most important struggle for me. Unfortunately, not thing,” said Ten. everything worked out well, but Ten, who is of Korean heritage, this is not a reason for being up- is very popular in South Korea. A set. I will try to bounce back in the few days before the skating com- future,” Ten said after his Pyeo- petition kicked off, one of the local ngChang competition was over. TV channels showed a one-hour He said he intends to continue to documentary about his ancestors fight and return to the top ranks of and his journey to his victories at global figure skating again. the world championships and the “I am very happy to be the Olympics. B8 NATION&CAPITAL CAPITAL

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2018 ALZHIR museum displays artefacts from Soviet-era female political prisoners 1938. Keeping her letters, Ben By Aigerim Sadykova granted the museum permission to restore them. ASTANA – The Akmola Camp for The museum curator also shared Wives and Mothers of Traitors of the the story of prisoner Mariya Motherland (ALZHIR) museum has Minkina who wrote a letter on a put on display 44 certificates, pho- train on her way to the camp ask- tos and personal items belonging to ing her relatives to take care of her Soviet-era female political prisoners. children and not put them in an or- The ALZHIR camp was estab- phanage. lished in 1937 for wives, sisters Other restored items belonged and mothers of Soviet poets, po- to Gainizhamal Gaisina, Ger- litical and public figures, labelled trude Platais, Rakhil Turkina, enemies of the state. They were Tatiana Shakhova and Irina Shu- deprived of their surname, na- brikova. tionality and profession, known Shubrikova worked on a re- only as enemies and traitors of the search project on soil corrosion motherland. After two years, the in the camp from 1938. After the women were allowed to send cor- liberation in 1945, she decided to respondence, inquiring about the stay in Malinovka village. Award- fate of their husbands and children. ed with the Certificate of Honour Almost 18,000 women of 62 na- of the USSR State Farms Ministry, tionalities across the USSR were she received medals for her labour arrested and convicted as wives of in 1957. enemies and family members of Last summer and autumn, Presi- traitors until 1953. dent of Latvia Raimonds Vejonis The 44 items were restored over and President of Poland Andrzej the last three years and include Duda visited the museum. They more than 30 documents related thanked the employees for pre- to political repression and totali- serving the memory of these tragic tarianism victims in the 1930s, events in history that must not be according to the Astana mayor’s repeated. office website. The restoration ALZHIR museum was founded was part of the national Moderni- in 2007 and is in possession of sation of Kazakhstan’s Identity 15,000 artefacts. The museum is Photo credit: madeniet.astana.kz. Photo credit: programme, said Museum Curator located 30-minutes’ drive from Zhanar Yergeldina. oner Rosa Tsypkina underwent the ous certificates and letters to her Deported from Minsk to years, Tsypkina sent letters to her Astana in the village of Akmol and “Ten original documents of pris- restoration, including photos, vari- son,” said Yergeldina. ALZHIR and sentenced to eight son Ben from the camp in 1937- is open Tuesday through Sunday. Kazakh Agrotechnical University to be country’s centre for agro-sector digitisation Nazarbayev has set a national goal received government support 1.4 are in need of new ideas and pro- specific services are expected to of developing the agro-industrial times and provide 1.5 times more posals to implement in production. be installed at regional offices. Sci- sector using smart technologies. fertilisers,” he said. “We have high hopes for the entists are invited to take part in This cooperation is the first step in In addition, there is a positive memorandum and look forward to seminars and meetings dedicated implementing this initiative, said tendency in the growth of livestock the results of our cooperation,” he to agricultural development issues. Kurishbayev. and livestock production. Cattle said. Students now have the opportunity The university also intends to stock increased by 2 percent. Display stands with advertising to participate in internships during collaborate with the Ministry of Murzalin stressed that farmers materials and information about the harvest campaigns. Agriculture, as the Project Man- agement Centre will be located at the university. Labour productivity in the agro- industrial sector and export of processed agricultural products is expected to increase by at least 2.5 times within five years. Digital technology will help achieve this. L-R: University Rector Akhylbek Kurishbayev, Akmola region governor The university will participate Malik Murzalin and Executive Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture in the process of technological re- Yermek Kosherbayev. equipment of production. “We can control issues related to technologies and modern produc- land management in crop produc- By Zhanna Shayakhmetova tion methods. tion. Last year we won the contest “According to our proposal, and the university can monitor ASTANA – Seifullin Kazakh we will now choose two farms in harvesting in the northern regions. Agrotechnical University will be- the Akmola, North Kazakhstan, Our scientists can also help carry come the scientific and methodo- Kostanai and Karaganda regions, out selection and breeding work, logical centre for digitisation in the according for the lion’s share of large-scale breeding, artificial in- agro-industrial sector, university the country’s grain production, to semination of cows, boning live- rector Akhylbek Kurishbayev said demonstrate what the precision stock. Graduate students can take at a Feb. 16 press conference mark- technology is, what it gives and part in carrying out veterinary and ing the beginning of a new phase of how it decreases costs. This year, preventive measures throughout cooperation between the university two projects will be launched and the region as part of the Vetservis and the local government. each farm will be a smart technol- regional utilities. They will get in- The university and the Akmola ogy centre,” he said. valuable practical skills to become region akimat (local executive The collaboration will focus on highly qualified specialists,” he body) on Feb. 16 signed a memo- three main directions: the imple- said. randum on cooperation in the field mentation of innovation in agri- The university plans to organise of scientific and innovative devel- culture and the transfer of foreign training courses for regional spe- opment of the agro-industrial sec- technology, employment of young cialists in all directions on a regu- tor. The cooperation is intended to qualified specialists, and distribu- lar basis. benefit both sides: it will improve tion of knowledge among regional The agrotechnical university the quality of student learning manufacturers. has 20 partner institutions abroad. while farmers will receive new Kazakh President Nursultan The University of California in Davis is the major partner in run- ning educational and research sys- tems reforms. Akmola region Akim (Gover- nor) Malik Murzalin spoke about the current agricultural situation in the region. The region is one of the largest agricultural producers. It produces 25 percent of Kazakhstan’s cere- als, 7 percent of its milk and 6 percent of its meat. Last year, the harvest was 5.2 million tonnes of grain. Every year, the region ex- ports 1.8 -2 million tonnes. “Good results were achieved due to state support. Last year about 38 billion tenge [US$118 mil- lion] was allocated for subsidising the industry. More than 29 billion tenge [US$90 million] at minimal interest rates was provided through various financial institutions. This allowed us to increase the num- ber of agricultural producers who