-5°C / -2°C Wednesday, january 15, 2014 No 1 (44) www.astanatimes.com Bitumen Plant Commissioned in Aktau, Becomes NTI Report Notes New Link Between China and Kazakhstan Progress in Security of Global Nuclear Materials, Says Major Challenges Remain By Artur Abubakirov “We know that terrorists would only need enough highly enriched ASTANA – The 2014 NTI Nu- uranium to fit into a 5-pound bag clear Materials Security Index, of sugar or an amount of plutonium which assesses nuclear materials the size of a grapefruit.” security conditions in 176 coun- The index, Nunn said, was cre- tries and which was released on ated to respond for this sobering Jan. 8 by the Washington-based set of facts. “I view the Index as Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), a framework—grounded in solid reported progress in global efforts data which should help inform to reduce and secure nuclear mate- our priorities globally in terms of rials while noting main challenges securing nuclear material and pre- that remain in this area such as cre- venting catastrophic terrorism.” ating a unified global system for The second edition of the NTI monitoring all nuclear materials. Index assesses progress states have “World leaders at the third Nu- made in improving nuclear materi- clear Security Summit in the Neth- als security conditions. The analy- erlands in March 2014 can point sis in the report was based on six to measurable progress toward the factors: quantities and sites, secu- goal of reducing and securing the rity and control measures, global materials needed to build a nuclear norms, domestic commitments and bomb,” the report said. capacity, and risk environment. The report, developed together According to the report, seven with the Economist Intelligence countries—Austria, Czech Repub- Unit (EIU), was released at a press lic, Hungary, Mexico, Sweden, The new plant is capable of processing one million tons of oil and producing about 400,000 tons of high-quality oxidised bitumen. conference in the U.S. capital Ukraine and Vietnam—have re- headlined by former U.S. Senator moved all or most of their stocks of and NTI Co-Chairman Sam Nunn By Rufiya Ospanova men and 120,000 tons of modified which built and owns the plant, is former is the subsidiary of KazMu- weapons-usable nuclear materials and NTI President Joan Rohlfing. from their territories. The number bitumen officially opened in Aktau one of 34 sites on the regional In- nayGas national oil and gas com- “We know there is nearly 2,000 AKTAU – A bitumen plant capa- of nations with appreciable fuel for on Dec. 20. President of Kazakhstan dustrialisation Map. Caspi Bitum is pany and the latter is the subsidiary metric tons of this material spread atomic bombs also lowered to 25 ble of processing 1 million tons of Nursultan Nazarbayev took part in 50-50 percent owned by Kazakh- of CITIC (China International Trust across hundreds of sites in 25 coun- from 32 since the first report was oil and producing about 400,000 the opening via teleconference. stan Petrochemical Industries JSC and Investment Corporation) Group. tries, and we know much of it is not issued in January 2012. tons of high-quality oxidised bitu- The Caspi Bitum joint venture, and CITIC Kazakhstan CJSC. The Continued on Page A4 effectively secured,” Nunn said. Continued on Page A3 Kazakh Expat Gains Presidential Astana Dakar Experience, Advocates for Team Chases Adventure in Home Country Abroad South America By Alex Lee road race Dakar Rally – Dakar faced plenty of challenges. On day 2014. two, one of the Kazakh crews lost While most of Kazakhstan is The 13-stage Dakar 2014 race their vehicle. A tire on Bauyrzhan covered with snow and fighting being held Jan. 5 through Jan. 18 Issabayev and Gabdulla Ashimov’s gusty winds, the Presidential Asta- runs through Argentina, Bolivia Toyota ignited at 150 km/hr and na Dakar Team races through dust, and Chile and offers plenty of within moments had engulfed the mud and sand on the other side of adrenaline and adventure. vehicle in flames. Issabayev and the planet in South America as a The Kazakh team is holding Ashimov barely escaped the fire. participant in the prestigious off steady in the race standings, but has Continued on Page B7

Raushan Makhmutova, one of the growing number of Kazakh expatriates, finds a lot of good feelings in Africa.

By Jan Furst in Kazakhstan,” she said. “It’s in 2006. She first worked for the my homeland. But I will seri- company in Kazakhstan, then got ASTANA – While more and ously think of that when I get an offer to work in the Democratic more foreigners are moving to Ka- enough experience to be useful Republic of Congo from one of her zakhstan, tales of Kazakh expatri- in my country, and after I have former colleagues. ates abroad are still rare. Astana travelled enough. I am still full “At that time, I was working as native Raushan Makhmutova, of ideas of new places to visit; an interpreter back in Kazakhstan. who has been working abroad I still have too much desire to But in Congo I started my first job since 2006, is one of Kazakhstan’s explore the world. I love getting as a document controller. Later, relatively small number of global to know places I had only seen when the project was over, I started workers and travellers. in books or movies, tasting new working as project coordinator in There are dozens of pins on cuisines and learning new cus- Ghana for a Canadian gold mining Makhmutova’s personal map toms. I love meeting new people company called Kinross. I always of travels, marking places from and learning how our cultures are work [monthly] shifts. I gained a Western Europe to Southeast Asia alike and how they are different,” lot of experience in construction, to South Africa. Though she has Makhmutova said. though I do not have any special worked abroad for years now, she She started working abroad education in it. International com- still plans to bring her experience when she got a job with Bellzone, panies value experience and your back to her home country. a company that develops iron ore will to work and learn.” The Presidential Astana Dakar Team races through dust, mud and sand in South America as a participant in Dakar Rally “I have thought of working and mineral assets in West Africa, Continued on Page B5 – Dakar 2014.

Inside

Nation Economy & Business editorial opinions NATION & CAPITAL New Emergency Hospital Opens in Semey, Joins Oil and Gas Production Set to Increase A4 Growing Global Nuclear Power Industry Suleimen: Energy Cooperation between Winter Fun: Skating on the Open Ice B1 Other New Medical Facilities in Region A2 Requires Tighter Regulations A6 Kazakhstan and China A7 Businessman Gives $100,000 in Grants to Sixth Winter Charity Masquerade Raises More New Laws on Taxation and Social Benefits Startups A5 Konyrova: 2013 Brought Advancements to Than 13 Million Tenge B8 Come Into Effect A2 Kazakh Oil and Gas Industry A7

US$ 1 = 154.60 KZT 1 Euro = 211.30 KZT 1 Rouble = 4.67 KZT A2 NATION

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domestic New Emergency Hospital Opens in Semey, news in brief The implementation of the Bal- apan state programme will be ex- tended until 2020, pursuant to a Joins Other New Medical Facilities in Region government resolution released By Aigul Bidanova built more than 500 health facili- on Jan. 9. Balapan was adopted in ties. Fifteen years ago we could Kazakhstan in 2010 on the instruc- SEMEY – An emergency hos- only dream about this. The new tion of President Nursultan Naz- pital with the capacity to treat 325 building is equipped with new arbayev. Implementation of the patients officially opened in Semey technologies, CT scans and other programme, which sought to in- at the end of December in a cere- modern medical devices,” Bayz- volve 70 percent of Kazakhstan’s mony attended by East Kazakhstan hunussov said at the ceremony. children in preschool education, Oblast Akim (Governor) Berdybek The vice minister also noted that was expected to be completed in Saparbayev and Vice Minister of the Semey region is one of the most 2014. The extended programme Healthcare Eric Bayzhunussov. promising for healthcare due to its will seek to enroll 100 percent of The new medical facility was developing nuclear medicine and the nation’s children in preschool built through the 100 Schools, 100 oncology services. During the So- by 2020 as well as ensure that 100 Hospitals programme. It was de- viet times, the region hosted the percent of children aged 5-6 have signed to care for 325 patients and Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, and preschool training and expand the its clinic to handle 500 visits per while this created huge problems network of preschool education day. The hospital and clinic cost in terms of higher cancer rates, the institutions in the country. Pro- 10.8 billion tenge (US$69.9 mil- former test site is now used as a gramme financing for 2014-2020 lion) to build and the equipment centre of peaceful nuclear research. will reach 190.5 billion tenge installed cost over 2.8 billion tenge The region built 13 major medi- (US$1.2 billion). Over 41.2 bil- (US$18.1 million). cal facilities and 11 rural health lion tenge (US$266.9 million) is “Despite the global crisis, over stations in 2013 in an effort to planned to be allocated from the the past 10 years, Kazakhstan has provide oncology services and national budget and 149.3 billion (US$966.1 million) from the local budget. The government resolu- tion comes into effect on the day of its signing and is subject to manda- tory promulgation.

In preparing for EXPO 2017, Astana will become a greener and more environmentally friendly A new emergency hospital in Semey has the capacity to treat 325 patients. city. About 40 percent of the capi- tal’s territory is slated to be oc- reduce cardiovascular morbidity (US$84.2 million) will be com- settlements. Through the Sala- cupied by urban forests by 2017. and maternal and infant mortality. missioned soon. matty Kazakhstan (Healthy Ka- “The territory of the city is 71,000 A children’s tuberculosis hospital A family outpatient clinic zakhstan) programme, 74 million hectares. In November 2013, a funded by Saudi Arabia (at a cost opened in Prirechnoe village on tenge (US$479,057) was allocated project to plant urban forests in the of 1.3 billion tenge; US$8.4 mil- the same day the emergency hos- to build the new clinic this year. city was initiated. It will be imple- lion) is nearing completion. Sapar- pital opened. It will take patients Today, 16 specialists are work- mented as part of the general lay- bayev said that a medical services from the local village as well as ing there, including doctors and out of the city. Urban forests and centre worth about 13 billion tenge the nearby Muzdybay and Zharkyn nurses. parks will be created within the project. Some of them already ex- ist in and around the city. We plan to turn forests outside the city into urban forests and parks in the ter- Year in Review New Laws on Taxation and ritory of Astana,” Head of the De- partment of Architecture and Town Planning of Astana Vitaly Siletsky said. According to Siletsky, green Poll Shows Social Benefits Come Into belts will run between seven main avenues of the city, reaching as far as the bank of the Yessil River. Planting parks and urban forests is Curious, Proud Effect the main trend in developing and By Alina Usmanova amending the general layout of the issues of taxation,” raising Astana. excise tax rates on alcohol and to- ASTANA – A number of new bacco products. The amendments Nation laws came into effect on Jan. 1, will provide for a gradual increase Some service members of the a decline of confidence in local including laws raising taxes and in the rate of excise tax on strong armed forces of Kazakhstan and By Raushan Shulembaeva governments. Respondents say increasing social benefits. alcohol products from 500 tenge their families celebrated the new they fail to address acute social Owners of expensive, high- (about US$3.24) per litre to 1,600 year in new apartments. On the ASTANA – According to a re- problems such as the creation of engine-capacity vehicles will pay tenge (US$10.36) per litre. threshold of the holiday, the Min- cent opinion poll by the Institute of new jobs, employment for people more in taxes in 2014. Cars with Excise taxes on tobacco prod- Pensions for many recipients istry of Defence provided the fam- Philosophy, Political Science and with disabilities, housing and other engine capacities of more than ucts will be increased from 1,550 will increase by 9 percent this ilies of 16 servicemen in Ayagoz Religious Studies under Kazakh- problems. 3,000 cubic centimetres produced (about US$10) tenge to 5,000 year. and 80 servicemen in Taldykorgan stan’s Ministry of Education and or imported into Kazakhstan after tenge (US$32.37) per 1,000 units Social disability and loss of bread- military reservations with hous- Science, the citizens of Kazakh- What are the poll findings con- Dec. 31, 2013, will pay a new rate or annually between 2014-2016. winner benefits will also be increased ing. The Ministry of Defence pays stan today perceive themselves as cerning Kazakhstan’s interna- based on monthly calculation in- The base rate for assessing according to changes in the cost of close attention to the living con- living in a full-fledged, self-suffi- tional standing? dex (MCI) on their cars according property tax has also doubled, living. Special benefits from special ditions of officers and soldiers in cient state with a sound economy Firstly, all the respondents men- to engine size. increasing from 30,000 tenge lists one and two and the monthly cities and military reservations. In and political system. tioned our country’s participation The rates for vehicles with en- (US$194.25) to 60,000 tenge allowance for child care will also 2013, military men in different re- One main trend in 2013 is a in the G20 summit in September gine volumes of 3-3.2 litres are (US$388.50) per square metre increase due to the increased size of gions of the country were provided surge of public interest in national 2013, in which Kazakhstan re- 35 MCIs; from 3.2-3.5 litres, 46 in Astana and Almaty and from the MCI. As of Jan. 1, MCI stands at with housing. The ministry built history. This is attributed to Presi- layed the experience of the Astana MCIs and from 3.5-4 litres, 66 18,000 tenge (US$116.55) to 1,852 tenge (US$12). houses and dormitories with a to- dent Nursultan Nazarbayev’s pro- Economic Forum and countering MCIs. The monthly calculation in- 36,000 tenge (US$233.10) per A temporary, six-month ban on tal floor area of 27,189 square me- gramme, The People in the Flow crises in the world economy. dex at the end of 2013 was 1,731 square metre in regional centres. the export of certain types of pe- tres and purchased 245 apartments of History, part of his Kazakhstan It should be noted that in May tenge (US$11.20). Properties worth 150 million tenge troleum products was also intro- with a total floor area of 14,653 2050 Strategy. 2013, along with the regular Asta- As of Jan. 1 of this year, cars (US$971,250) or more will see duced on Jan. 1. square metres in order to provide Sociology Professor Zarema na Economic Forum, our capital with engine volumes of 4-5 litres their tax rates double, to 2 percent. “In order to prevent a critical servicemen with housing last year. Shaukenova, director of the Insti- hosted the first UN World Anti- will be taxed at 130 MCIs and of Earlier, this rate ranged from 0.05 shortage and price increase for Repairs were conducted on 113 tute and a member of the National Crisis Conference. Kazakhs are more than five litres at 200 MCIs. percent for properties with an as- petroleum products on the do- apartments. Academy of Sciences of Kazakh- proud of this, and they appear to be The tax exemption for war veter- sessed value of up to 1 million mestic market, the government of stan, tallied up the findings of the well informed about these events. ans or the equivalent for cars with tenge (US$6,475) up to 1 percent Kazakhstan decides to introduce poll and the respondents’ attitudes According to the responses, [these engine volumes of more than four for property assessed at over 120 a six-month ban on the export of A group of scientists from Step- about the past year. events] improve Kazakhstan’s in- litres has now been abolished. million tenge (US$777,000). light distillates and products, kero- nogorsk have developed a project ternational standing, increasing its On Nov. 21, 2013, members of Land intended for housing or sene, gas oil and other petroleum to introduce a biotechnology for What significant events of the chances for membership in the UN the Senate adopted the law “On other buildings that is not being products, except for special petrol breeding a virus-free, elite breed past year did respondents name? Security Council. amendments and additions to some used for that purpose will see taxes and home heating oil,” the govern- of planting potatoes. The idea of The poll showed a high public One of the major steps in this legislative acts of Kazakhstan on increase tenfold. mental decree said. the group, headed by Candidate of interest and trust in the President direction, respondents said, is the Chemical Sciences Daniyar Bal- and in what he said. The respond- December 2013 decision by the apanov, was among 350 projects ents especially liked his criticism Parliament to approve a bill to recommended by foreign experts of the government over the fail- send Kazakhstan’s peacekeeping for implementation and financing. ure of pension reform. President officers, under UN auspices, to in- The grant competition is part of a Nursultan Nazarbayev definitely ternational areas of tension. People larger project on commercialisation associated it with the failure of its think this will be important both in of technologies run by the Minis- information policy—insufficient terms of the operational experi- try of Education and Science and work with the media, poor coordi- ence that our military would gain supported by the World Bank and nation of outreach activities. [They and for boosting Kazakhstan’s the Government of Kazakhstan. also liked] his part in the expanded geopolitical image. The first batch of this new sort of meeting with the government in potatoes will be grown next year, October. Do the respondents believe Ka- The authorities of Stepnogorsk In this harsh criticism, he largely zakhstan will be among the 30 also supported this project, allo- relied on the support of the popula- most developed nations? cating an area for its implementa- tion, for whom these reforms were In this respect, we have asked tion. It is also relevant in terms of initiated. People have more confi- how relevant the idea of the Uni- ensuring the food belt around the dence in the policy, since the prob- versal Society of Labour is. Most capital city,” the statement reads. lems have been openly exposed in respondents believe that the per- Potato yields are a problem in Ka- their true colours. The share of re- ception of the value of work zakhstan, where they are 2-3 times spondents strongly supporting the should be key in ranking the 30 lower than in the West, primarily state policy rose from 30 percent most developed countries. But the due to a lack of high-quality seeds. to 39 percent. The share of those value of work and its efficiency New biotechnological methods inclined to approve of the political need strengthening, they believe. like this will promote the produc- course is up too, from 82 percent That’s the task for 2014, to be at- tion of new potato strains in the to 86 percent. tained through further social mod- Akmola region, rather than the im- However, the survey showed ernisation. The Kazakh Senate in session port of other seeds. A3 eurasia&world

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external news in brief NTI Report Notes Progress in Security of As of Jan. 1, Belarusian com- panies may participate in public procurement in Kazakhstan. Their participation is regulated by the Global Nuclear Materials, Says Major Dec. 2010 agreement on public procurement between the Customs Union member states. For Belarus and Russia, this agreement came Challenges Remain into force on Jan. 1, 2012. Informa- tion systems ensuring the process Continued from Page A1 of conducting public procurement in an electronic format have also With one being the most posi- been introduced, Belarusian infor- tive ranking, Kazakhstan was mation agency BELTA reported. ranked 15 among the 25 states Since Jan. 1, the national regime with weapons-usable nuclear ma- of conducting public procurement terials with 73 points. [While the in the Common Economic Space authors of the report say Kazakh- will have another member in Ka- zakhstan and business from all stan’s ranking remains unchanged three members of the Customs Un- from the previous report, the 2012 ion may participate in each others’ report actually had Kazakhstan at public procurement processes. All the 22nd position with 71 points.]. business entities of all Customs The report also noted areas Union member states will have the where Kazakhstan can improve. same rights. According to BELTA, “Although Kazakhstan im- the new status is expected to in- proved its score by becoming a crease Belarus’s export potential. member of the G-8 Global Part- nership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Nurlan Nigmatulin, Chairman Destruction, this improvement is of Mazhilis (the lower chamber offset by the fact that Kazakhstan of Parliament) met South Korean now transports weapons-usable Ambassador to Kazakhstan Baik nuclear material domestically,” Joohyeon on Jan. 9 to discuss ways to expand bilateral ties, including the report noted without explain- in the parliamentary dimension. ing how this affects the security of They emphasized the strategic materials or the rankings since the character of bilateral relations and transportation has been done to underscored the contributions of the highest security standards and President Nazarbayev and Presi- no incidents were ever reported. dent Park Geon-hye to their devel- “In the future, Kazakhstan’s nu- opment. According to Nigmatulin, clear materials security conditions developing inter-parliamentary could be further improved by re- ties would be beneficial for pro- ducing its materials quantities, ductive realisation of agreements strengthening its laws and regula- reached by the two heads of state. tions for the physical security of During the 2012 visit of then Pres- materials in transport to reflect ident of the Republic of Korea Lee the latest IAEA nuclear security Myung-bak to Kazakhstan a num- guidelines, publishing an annual ber of significant agreements had report about nuclear security, and been reached, as the presidents re- making public declarations about viewed on-going projects and dis- Presidents Nursultan Nazarbayev (c) joined U.S. President Barack Obama and then Russian President Dmitry Medvedev at a ceremony at the Seoul Nuclear Secu- cussed potential for cooperation in its materials stocks,” the report rity Summit in March 2012 to announce the completion of works to secure the former Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site. a wide range of spheres from in- said. Its authors also highlighted vestments, technology, and energy what they consider Kazakhstan’s • Become parties to the nuclear holding countries accountable.” the international panel of nuclear the report, Eben Harrell, an asso- to trade and culture. uncertain political situation, gov- security treaties that govern nu- Such calls support and build on security experts and a number of ciate with MTA, and Pulitzer Prize ernance challenges and corruption clear terrorism and physical se- the general thrust of the discus- technical advisors, developed the winning author and Washington among public officials as adverse- curity. sions at the second Global Nu- framework and priorities that de- Post reporter David Hoffman tell On Jan. 9, the third meeting of ly affecting nuclear materials se- • Strengthen voluntary mecha- clear Security Summit in Seoul fine effective nuclear materials how dedicated scientists and engi- the Kazakhstan-Iranian working curity conditions. nisms such as the IAEA’s Nuclear in March 2012, including the re- security conditions. neers in three countries overcame group on trade and economic co- The NTI Index encourages gov- Security Fund and the World In- marks made there by Kazakhstan Eliminating weapons-usable suspicions, secrecy, bureaucracy operation took place in Astana. ernments to take actions to reduce stitute for Nuclear Security. President Nursultan Nazarbayev. nuclear materials is seen as the and logistical obstacles to secure Implementing agreements reached risks and to provide assurances • Secure military and other non- In particular, he called for the most significant step a country more than a dozen bombs worth at the previous meeting was on the about the security of the world’s civilian materials to the same unification and codification of can take toward ensuring that ter- of plutonium that had been left be- agenda, as were the prospects of deadliest materials. or higher standards as civilian. accumulated international experi- rorists can’t get access to the ma- hind at the Semipalatinsk test site bilateral cooperation in the sphere “The NTI Index reveals posi- About 85 percent of global stocks ence in developing the peaceful of trade and economy. “The issue terials needed to build a nuclear in Kazakhstan after the collapse of is the cooperation of Kazakhstan tive developments in a host of of weapons-usable nuclear mate- atom with a view of adopting le- bomb. the Soviet Union. and Iran in the industrial and min- countries, reflected in their im- rials are outside civilian programs gally binding standards of nuclear Since 2012, Kazakhstan has re- The former Soviet Union con- ing sectors, agriculture and the proved scores, when it comes (a) (because they are either military safety. He also called for transpar- duced its stock of weapons-usable ducted underground nuclear tests agro-industrial complex, transport to decreasing quantities of materi- or other non-civilian programs) ency and quick reaction to any in- nuclear material. This decrease at the Degelen Mountain Complex and logistics and tourism and cul- als; (b) to strengthening physical and are not covered by IAEA cidents at nuclear facilities with a was made possible, in part, by from 1961 to 1989. In 1991, even ture,” Director of the Department protection measures; and (c) to guidelines or the physical protec- view of developing clear mecha- several steps and operations im- before independence from the of International Cooperation of the passing new domestic laws and tion treaty or its 2005 amendment. nisms of rapid reaction to emer- plemented in previous years. USSR, President Nursultan Naz- Ministry of Economy and Budget regulations aimed at better se- At the report launch, NTI Presi- gencies; as well as equality and Thus, Kazakhstan took a step to arbayev closed down the Semipa- Planning of Kazakhstan Kairat curing materials at facilities and dent Joan Rohlfing said govern- trust, meaning equal rights for all eliminate 33 kilograms of high- latinsk nuclear test site, one of the Torebayev said. Co-chairman during transport, which is when ments should make it a priority to states to access peaceful nuclear enriched uranium at the Institute largest in the world, making Ka- of the meeting representing Ka- materials are most vulnerable to build a global nuclear materials technologies. of Nuclear Physics in Almaty by zakhstan the first country to do so. zakhstan was Deputy Minister of theft,” the report stated. security system. NTI and the EIU relied on the down blending the material into After independence in 1991, Economy and Budget Planning of Recommendations about the “As the Index findings make International Panel of Experts Kazakhstan Timur Zhaksylykov low-enriched uranium at the Ulba Kazakhstan voluntarily re- need to ensure greater transpar- clear, right now we have no to shape the current NTI Index. Metallurgical Plant in Ust-Kame- nounced the world’s fourth largest and Co-chairman representing Iran ency and accountability were ba- shared global system for nuclear The group included experts from was Deputy Minister of Industry nogorsk. nuclear arsenal, returned to Rus- sically provided to all countries security,” Rohlfing said. “That Argentina, Australia, China, and Mines of Iran Valiullah Afkha- In addition, Kazakh, U.S. and sia the nuclear weapons it inher- mi. As a result of the meeting, with nuclear materials. Generally, means no common international France, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Russian agencies successfully ited from the former Soviet Union the protocol of the third working the Index recommends that states: standards. No governing body Pakistan, Russia, South Africa, completed a complicated project and joined the Nuclear Non-Pro- group meeting was signed. • Build confidence in the effec- with the mandate and resources Sweden, the United Kingdom, known as the Degelen Project, liferation Treaty as a non-nuclear tiveness of their security practices for proper oversight. No expecta- the United States, and Vietnam. which ensured permanent safe weapon state. through reassuring steps such as tion for states to take actions that Among the panelists were a repre- storage for hundreds of kilograms Over the past 22 years, Ka- All labour migrants will have participating in international peer build confidence in the effective- sentative from the World Institute of nuclear material that had re- zakhstan has remained a strategic to pay taxes amounting to over reviews, publishing relevant regu- ness of their security practices. for Nuclear Security and a former mained in Degelen Mountain tun- partner in some of the most im- 44,000 tenge (about US$284) per lations and declaring inventories. And finally, no mechanism for IAEA official. NTI, together with nels on the former Semipalatinsk portant nuclear security and non- year in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan nuclear test site in Eastern Kazakh- proliferation efforts worldwide. has simplified the procedure for re- ceiving permits for labour activity stan since the Soviet nuclear tests. Kazakhstan is cooperating with for foreigners. The only condition The once-secret project at the the world community to make the is the upfront payment of individu- Degelen Mountain Complex world safer from the threat of nu- al income tax, Kapital.kz reported. took 17 years to complete and clear terrorism by converting and Foreigners arriving in Kazakhstan involved hundreds of kilograms removing nuclear materials that should apply for an individual of weapons-usable nuclear mate- may be attractive to terrorists, se- identification number (IIN) at a rial—both plutonium and highly- curing nuclear material at produc- taxation body in the area where enriched uranium—that had been tion and storage facilities, as well they will be living. Every month, secured in sealed tunnels. Scav- as combating the trafficking of il- a payment should be made in the enger activity in the area raised licit nuclear materials. amount of two monthly calcula- the threat that some of the mate- In addition, Kazakhstan has tion indices (MCI), which amounts rial might be stolen and used for proven its commitment to pre- to 3,704 tenge (about US$24). For dangerous purposes. The tunnels venting the proliferation of nucle- a permit covering a whole year, the payment will be 44,448 tenge were reopened, filled with special ar weapons and is working togeth- (about US$288). These funds will cement that rendered the nuclear er with other states to continue go to the state budget. Employers material unusable for weapons reducing the proliferation threats will not have to pay taxes, but sim- purposes, and then resealed. associated with nuclear materials, ply sign employment agreements This collaborative effort, an- technologies and expertise. to hire foreigners. All tax pay- nounced at the 2012 Nuclear Se- In 2011, NTI chose President ments will be made by foreigners curity Summit in Seoul by the Nazarbayev among the 10 ma- themselves. On Dec. 10, 2013, the presidents of Kazakhstan, the jor public figures from Australia, President of Kazakhstan signed the United States and the Russian Britain, Germany, Norway, Rus- law “On amendments to several Federation, was unprecedented in sia, the United States and the legislative acts regarding issues of its actions to combat the threat of countries of the Middle East, to labour migration.” The document nuclear proliferation and nuclear be recognized with an award. can legalise labour migrants. “The terrorism. According to NTI co-chairmen adoption of this law will also re- duce the factors allowing corrup- In August 2013, Harvard Uni- Sam Nunn and Ted Turner, whose tion to develop, working within versity’s Belfer Center’s Project original contribution made NTI the framework of the law, and thus on Managing the Atom (MTA) re- functioning possible, President foreigners will be taken out of the leased a report called “Plutonium Nazarbayev was chosen for his shadows,” Deputy Head of the De- The Degelen Project team from Kazakhstan, Russia, and the U.S. celebrate its completion in October 2012 on the site at Mountain: Inside the 17-Year Mis- significant contribution to nuclear partment of Migration Police of the former Semipalatinsk nuclear test site in Eastern Kazakhstan which ensured permanent safe storage for hundreds of sion to Secure a Dangerous Lega- disarmament. Almaty Aidar Belgibayev noted. kilogrammes of nuclear material which remained there after several hundred underground tests. cy of Soviet Nuclear Testing.” In [See also editorial on Page A6.] A4 economy

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economy Oil and Gas Production Set to Increase news in brief By Kulpash Konyrova tons; the share of KMG Explora- Enterprises that are part of the In- tion and Production in this volume dustrialisation Map in the Zhamb- It is estimated that Kazakhstan will be 2.5 million tons. More than yl region manufactured products had produced 82 million tons of 39 million tons is expected to be worth 38.5 billion tenge (US$249 “black gold” in 2013. produced in the same period at the million) in 2013, Primeminister. Experts believe oil production Tengiz deposit, of which nearly 8 kz announced. According to the in Kazakhstan is set to increase million tons will belong to KMG information, 29 industrial projects year on year. Last year, all oil EP. Karachaganak will produce 7.7 are currently underway in the re- companies in the country, both million tons with KMG’s share to- gion; 19 of them are functioning at domestic and foreign, produced talling about 800,000 tons. 60 percent capacity. This allowed 82 million tons of crude oil; in “As for the Kashagan deposit, the creation of more than 4,000 jobs. In total, 40 projects totalling the future, this figure will reach it is too early to speak about any 553 billion tenge (US$3.6 billion) 83 million tons. Growth in the resumption of production. Pre- were part of the Industrialisation production of the country’s main liminary reports of diagnostics of Map in Zhambyl. 178 projects re- export staple will be achieved the Kashagan pipeline after a leak ceived state support in the form of through geological exploration in related shutdown are expected by subsidies with interest worth 22.9 which oil companies will invest mid-January 2014. Then we will billion (US$148 million) as part substantial amounts. be able to give more specific infor- of the Business Road Map-2020 According to the plans of the mation,” Salimgereyev said. national oil and gas company Ka- Programme. Besides, 40 projects zMunayGas (KMG), in the next received state support for the de- five years, about 700 billion tenge According to the velopment of production infra- (US$45.3 million) will be invest- structure reaching 6.5 billion tenge ed in exploration, almost half of principle of (US$42 million). Moreover, the which will be for the development region is drawing in investments of mineral resources in the Cas- diversification from Russia, the Czech Republic, President Nursultan Nazarbayev Japan, France, Germany and Iran. pian Shelf. This was announced by KazMunayGas national oil and gas company plans to increase production volume in the next five years. the managing director of Samruk has repeatedly said that Kazakh- Kazyna, Malik Salimgereyev at stan, as an oil-producing coun- try, strictly adheres to a policy of “The volume of private invest- an end of year press conference in transportation by marine routes years. In the meantime, the repub- ments made in Astana has in- Astana. diversification of export routes. totalled 8.8 million tons, of which, lic has to import almost 30% of its People’s IPO Judging by the results of this year, creased two times over the past 15 “The share of the state owned 1.8 million tons was funnelled to- high-octane gasoline from Russia. KazTransOil (KTO), which is years,” Akim (Mayor) of Astana company, KazMunayGas, in the the country remains true to this wards the direction of the Black According to domestic producers, a part of KazMunayGas, was the principle. Despite the fact that Imangali Tasmagambetov said at total volume of oil production in Sea, an additional 1.8 million tons after modernisation, dependence first launch in the “People’s IPO” a CCS media briefing on Dec. 27, Kazakhstan in the past year (82 most Kazakh oil is exported to the to the Mediterranean Sea and 2.9 will disappear. programme. According to official world market through Russia and 2013. “In total, 4.8 trillion tenge million tons), will reach 22.6 mil- million tons went from Aktau to “The volume of processed oil, reports, this debut was a success. (US$31 billion) has been invest- lion tons. This is slightly more trade has been flourishing with Makhachkala (Russia) and 2.3 including the share of KazMu- The value of KazTransOil shares China, the Caucasus corridor re- ed in Astana’s economy since it than 20%, or one fifth of the total million tons flowed from Aktau to nayGas for 2013, will be 16 million placed as part of the programme became the capital city. About 2 volume. The national company in- mains key. Baku,” the managing director of tons (Atyrau Refinery, Pavlodar by December 2013 increased by According to Salimgereyev, last trillion tenge (US$13 billion), or tends to produce the same volume Samruk Kazyna said. Petrochemical Plant and Shym- 21%, exceeding 880 tenge per 40 percent of it was public funds. in the next year,” Salimgereyev year, more than 61 million tons of The oil is carried by the NMSC kent Refinery and Petromedia in share. Kazakh oil was exported. In 2013, The share of private investments said. Kazmortransflot fleet, which con- Romania),” said Salimgereyev. “In July 2013, KazTransOil paid increased from 38 percent in the According to him, over the next more than 28 million tons of this sists of eight tankers, two of which According to him, oil refining in dividends for 2012 worth 28.8 bil- “black gold” will have been deliv- 1990s to 66 percent. This had a nine years, it is planned to nearly operate in the Black and Mediter- the next year is expected to grow lion tenge (US$186.2 million), positive impact on industrial out- double the volume of proven re- ered to the world markets through ranean Seas and six tankers in the to 17.5 million tons thanks to the of which, 2.9 billion ($US18.7 the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, put, which increased from 110 coverable reserves of oil and gas Caspian Sea. December 2013 commissioning of million) were bought by minor- billion tenge (US$711 million) in which runs through Russia. Over condensate of KazMunayGas As for natural gas, Kazakhstan’s the Aktau bitumen plant. ity shareholders,” Salimgereyev 2008 to 230 billion (US$1.5 bil- 15 million tons of domestic oil was from 789 million tons to 1.4 bil- second most important export He added that the experts from stated. lion) in 2013. Production in the transported in 2013 along the sec- lion tons. In this regard, projected commodity, 109 billion cubic me- KazMunayGas will be engaged However, he announced that Ka- SME sector increased almost two- ond pipeline through Russia, the production figures will increase ters were transported. next year in the development of a zMunayGas does not intend to go fold and reached 1 trillion 100 bil- Atyrau-Samara. too. Thus, in 2022, KMG plans to “This corresponds to the volume feasibility study for the construc- into the securities markets in the lion tenge (US$7.11 billion) this In total, about 11 million tons of produce more than 35 million tons of gas exported in 2012,” added tion of the fourth refinery in Ka- near future. year,” Tasmagambetov informed. crude oil was transported through of oil and gas condensate. Salimgereyev. zakhstan. “KazMunayGas is amongst the “These facts are backed up by Answering journalists’ ques- the Kazakhstan-China pipeline to- When will gasoline nirvana be “Accordingly, information about third tier companies (in the Peo- the internationally recognised tions, the managing director of wards China in 2013. Nearly nine reached? the opening of the refinery and its ple’s IPO programme), its shares Moody’s. According to a recent Samruk Kazyna also gave the fore- million tons will be delivered to In order to meet the demand for raw material sources will be made can be placed after 2015. As of Moody’s survey, the credit rating cast for the balance of three major the world market through the Cau- petroleum products, the country available in 2015,” Salimgereyev late, neither the government nor forecast for Astana was changed projects in the country: Kashagan, casian corridor that runs through modernised three major refiner- said, adding that after modernisa- the Samruk Kazyna Fund have from stable to positive,” he added. Tengiz and Karachaganak. Pro- the Caspian Sea and then through ies. Under a plan established by tion of all three refineries, the need made the decision to place shares duction at the Kashagan field in the Trans-Caucasian republics. the government, the project should for a fourth plant may arise some- on the securities markets,” the 2022 is expected to reach 14,876 “In 2013, the volume of oil be accomplished in the next 2-3 time after 2025. speaker said. According to a Dec. 30, 2013 report of BNews.kz, industrial en- terprises in the North Kazakhstan region manufactured goods worth 136 billion tenge (US$879 mil- Kazatomprom Bitumen Plant Commissioned in lion) over the first 11 months of 2013. This is 104.9 percent against the levels from January – Novem- ber 2012. “The processing industry Becomes Shareholder Aktau, Becomes New Link and gas, electricity and steam sup- ply and air conditioning account for the majority of the industrial of Caustic Between China and Kazakhstan output structure – 75.5 percent and 19.2 percent respectively,” acting By Sergei Gorbunov Continued from Page A1 of the Aktau Bitumen Plant. The his visit to Astana in September head of the regional industrial-in- Aktau Bitumen Plant could not 2013, Chinese President Xi Jin- novative development department PAVLODAR – State company The plant was launched on Dec. have come into operation smooth- ping and Nazarbayev reached a NAC Kazatomprom acquired 40 Marat Iskakov said. The actual 8 and is currently employing about ly without the support and atten- broad consensus on further deep- volume index in the processing in- percent of the ordinary shares of 80 percent of the total staff it will tion of the Kazakh central and lo- ening the China-Kazakhstan com- Caustic per President Nazarbayev’s dustry was 105.8 percent from Jan- orders on the creation of a high- eventually need. cal governments, especially Akim prehensive strategic partnership, uary – November 2013 against the grade chemical cluster in the Pav- that the participation of the national “We have a lot of young spe- (Governor) Alik Aidarbayev, and which gave a new impetus to the corresponding period of the previ- lodar Free Economic Zone. atomic company as a shareholder in cialists who have just finished the hard work and dedication of development of bilateral relations ous year. Production in the chemi- Several import-substituting com- Caustic is huge for the plant and the college or other programmes the construction workers of both and cooperation in all fields. In cal industry increased by 23.8 panies will be organised at NAC development of Kazakhstan’s chem- this year. We hope that they will countries. Here, please allow me to particular, the initiative of build- percent, dairy products – by 39.4 Kazatomprom to produce caustic ical industry as a whole. This deal soon become real experts, who in extend my great respect and warm ing Xi’s proposed Silk Road percent, wood and cork products – soda and hydrogen peroxide used will contribute to the creation of new the future will manage the plant. congratulations to the governor, Economic Belt received a warm by 21.1 percent, light industry –25 in processing uranium and chlorine jobs in the region. It is also an illus- Two hundred eighty-six people the Kazakh colleagues and build- response from Nazarbayev. The used in the production of rare metals trative example of public-private percent and production of meat work in the plant and 288 of them ers present.” two heads of state both agreed on products grew by 15.3 percent. and chemicals. partnership in the implementation are production staff. The bulk of Le also noted that the economies enhancing their joint work and of State Programme of Accelerated A 6.2 percent increase in the en- In addition, it is planned to estab- the workers are residents of the of China and Kazakhstan are high- jointly building a new Silk Road. lish water cleaning and disinfection Industrial and Innovative Develop- gineering sector was conditioned reagent factories that use advanced ment (SPAIID) in Kazakhstan. Aktau and of the Mangistau re- ly complementary and bilateral The ambassador expressed the by the production of metal-cutting foreign technology. Caustic was founded in 2002 at the gion,” Seilkhan Dzhussubekov, cooperation in the field of energy hope that the products of the Ak- equipment, electronic communica- “Kazakhstan’s chemical indus- Pavlodar Chemical Plant complex. technical director of Caspi Bi- has yielded productive results. In tau plant will make an important tions equipment and vehicle repair try is a promising segment of the In 2011, thanks to the Development tum, said. recent years, the momentum of contribution to this cause. The Ak- services. The engineering sector economy. The participation of NAC Bank of Kazakhstan and Eximbank About 100 people took part in cooperation in the non-resource tau plant is expected to process oil of the region has essential produc- Kazatomprom in Caustic’s project of Kazakhstan, a caustic soda produc- the official opening. In addition sector has also been continuously from the nearby Karazhanbas oil tion and personnel potential. Its will not only enhance the economic ing factory that uses the membrane to offering congratulations, Naz- strengthened. In 2007, the two gov- field as well as from other fields. share in industrial output is 20.4 efficiency of Kazatomprom enter- method was opened in Pavlodar. arbayev reprimanded controlling ernments signed the Programme “At present, both China and Ka- prises and expand its product lines, Currently, it produces 30 thousand percent. Production in the engi- state agencies. for Economic Cooperation in the zakhstan are at critical stages of neering sector was 27.764 million but also contribute to the develop- tons of caustic soda, 26 tons of liquid “Financial police, your task is Non-resources Sector, which has national development. The new ment of Kazakhstan’s scientific and chlorine, 45 tons of hydrochloric acid tenge (US$179,000) from Janu- technical potential,” Deputy Chair- and 6.6 tons of sodium hypochlorite to monitor employees working been actively implemented by both Chinese leadership proposed the ary – November 2013. This is 6.2 man of NAC Kazatomprom Nurlan annually. Caustic is the base enter- in state bodies. Why do you hin- sides over recent years. initiative of realising the ‘Chinese percent more compared to 2012. Ryspanov said. prise of the Pavlodar Special Eco- der businesses? Let the tax office Major projects such as the Aktau Dream’ of the great rejuvenation Four major enterprises, including The chairman of the board of nomic Zone which was established work with economic issues [and] Bitumen Plant, the Moinak Hy- of the Chinese nation, and the Petropavlovsk Heavy Machine Caustic, Yerlan Orymbekov noted by a presidential decree in 2011. the financial police with financial dro Power Plant and the Pavlodar third Plenary Session of the 18th Building Plant, ZIKSTO, S. Kirov ones… A successful state creates Electrolytic Aluminium Plant have Central Committee of the Commu- Plant and Munaimash operated all the necessary conditions for been completed and put into opera- nist Party of China convened last by state-owned Kazakhstan Engi- business. Look at the history of tion, becoming the new highlights month also set a goal of continu- neering make the biggest contri- any country, any computer corpo- of bilateral cooperation. ing to vigorously deepen reforms. butions to the production volume ration. How did they start? They “I am convinced that through These are highly compatible with of the regional engineering sec- were small companies. I think we our joint efforts, cooperation in the Kazakhstan 2050 national de- tor. “However, production in the need to evolve this way, too. Our the non-resource sector between velopment strategy proposed by flour-milling industry decreased people of Kazakhstan should think the two countries will certainly Nazarbayev. The enterprises of by 19.4 percent, beverage produc- about it,” the President said. increase in scale, yield more the two countries should seize this tion dropped by 17.5 percent, pa- On Dec. 31, Le Yucheng, am- achievements and bring more tan- chance, actively seek opportuni- per and paper products declined by bassador of China to Kazakhstan, gible benefits to the two countries ties, courageously make pioneer- 28 percent and metal products – by visited the plant. “Today, I am and peoples,” Le said. ing and innovative efforts and 29.9 percent. The index of actual very pleased to come to the beau- At present, the relationship be- further intensify cooperation. Let volume in the water supply, sew- tiful city of Aktau on the coast of tween China and Kazakhstan is us join hands and work together to erage, control over collection and NAC Kazatomprom, through the Caustic project, will contribute to the develop- the Caspian Sea to celebrate with one of the most active and sig- create a brighter future for our two disposal of wastes was 98.5 per- ment of Kazakhstan’s scientific and technical potential. you the commissioning ceremony nificant for Kazakhstan. During countries,” he said. cent of 2012 levels,” Iskakov said. A5 Business

Wednesday, january 15, 2014

Business News in Brief Businessman Gives $100,000 in Grants to On Dec. 27, 2013 Akim (Mayor) of Astana Imangali Tasmagambe- tov elaborated upon the develop- ment of transportation infrastruc- Startups ture in the city at a CCS press By Altair Narimanov briefing. “Over 330 km of roads have been built and repaired in ALMATY – Six startup compa- Astana in the last three years. nies received $100,000 in grants to Over 20 kilometers of roads, four develop their ideas under a “Build transport junctions, three crosso- Your Business” contest financed vers and two bridges were built as by a prominent Kazakh business- part of the Small Transport Ring. man and organised on the platform Moreover, construction of a num- of a popular website. ber of important streets was fin- Kenes Rakishev, a multi-mil- ished. Thus, in 2013, it became lionaire businessman with wide possible to drive along Beissekova interests in mining and industry Street from Korgalzhyn Highway and a managing partner in Gen- to Seifullin Street and to go across esis Angels, a global company in- the river on a new bridge. Traffic vesting in IT startups around the exiting onto Saryarka and Turan world, partnered with VoxPopuli. avenues reached 30 thousand cars kz to launch a contest on Nov. 1, per day,” Tasmagambetov added. 2013 promising to pay $50,000 to He also commented on construc- the winning idea and $1,000 to five tion of the light-rail transport sys- runners up. When the results of the tem. “The expenses for construc- contest were announced on Dec. tion of the 21 km first line of the 25 at a ceremony in Almaty, Raki- transport system are nearly 250 shev surprised the runners up with billion tenge (US$1.62 billion), grants ten times higher, giving but a bus-rapid transit system of $10,000 to each of the five compa- the same length will cost only 85 nies. Almost 200 two-minute vid- billion tenge (US$549 million). eos were submitted for the contest The comparison speaks volumes; presenting their owners’ ideas on the difference in cost is 151 billion how to build or expand their busi- tenge (US$976 million). Thus, it nesses. was decided to implement the lat- A team called Angels won the Kenes Rakishev (far right), a multi-millionaire businessman, hands over a certificate to the winning entrepreneur. ter and complete it in 2016,” Tas- contest for its idea of introducing magambetov said. GPS trackers for children under a plication that would allow seeing that can develop such an app. To portal to search for medical spe- neurs for them to allocate a budget security project geared towards al- where their child is at any given develop one for IOS, we will hire cialists and doctors; a Robo pro- of $200,000, while Genesis Angels The implementation of the Smart laying parents’ concerns. time. If a child changes his or her others.” ject, which seeks to build a $99 ro- will increase its contribution up to Astana project was initiated in the Daniyar Tenelov, one of the au- route, their parents would get a “If we are able to do that, then if bot which the buyers can assemble $100,000 to $150,000,” Rakishev capital city at the end of 2013 in thors of the Angels project, said push-notification, and SMS or an there is a suspicion that a child may and upgrade on their own; a Cantra said at the ceremony. “I am now order to prepare the city for the the first $10,000-$15,000 of the email.” have been abducted, a notification project to sew seat covers for cars; negotiating with famous entrepre- prize money will be used for test- international specialised exhibi- If testing shows the success po- will arrive at a security company’s and an educational Mathematical neurs in the country so that they ing GPS trackers. Speaking to Ten- tion EXPO 2017. The main pur- tential of the idea, the team would command center and a rapid re- Thinking Development Centre. At too can participate in the project, grinews.kz, he said five devices pose of the project is to improve buy 100 more GPS trackers, priced action group will be dispatched,” have already been ordered from a Dec. 25, 2013 ceremony, Raki- as we need to expand the circle of the living standards and welfare at $50 to $100 each. Tenelov said, adding that coopera- shev added that Genesis Angels investors. These should not be just of the residents of the city and to abroad. “These would be small GPS “We plan to charge a subscrip- tion with a security company will will try to find an investor for Genesis Angels and Kenes Raki- modernise Astana’s infrastructure tion fee of 1,000 tenge (US$6.46),” have to be established first. iDoctor.kz, and he is ready to work shev. Our goal is to promote young and improve its public safety and trackers, such as, for example, key pendants or watches,” Tenelov Tenelov explained. “To those who Five others runners up in the with the Robo project directly entrepreneurs.” security. The Smart Astana project cannot afford to buy trackers, we contest included an Auyl Berekesi himself. According to Rakishev, next is based on the models of European said, explaining that several mod- els would be tested first. “Such can offer renting them or paying project, proposing to produce and Next year, Rakishev said he year’s winner will receive smart cities and is focused on in- for them in installments. For the deliver natural products and na- would seek to increase the prize $250,000 and five runners up will terconnection in 6 areas: a smart a device can also be sown into a time being, there will only be an tional cuisine dishes, as well as money five-fold, to $500,000. receive $50,000 each. He also add- economy, smart administration, child’s clothing or be worn on the Android app, and its development develop agricultural tourism; an “I agreed with the Atameken ed that he wants to make the con- smart life, smart mobility, smart wrist. Their parents’ smartphones, people and smart environment. The accordingly, would have an ap- will be free as we have a team iDoctor.kz project, proposing a National Chamber of Entrepre- test annual. concept of a smart city is based on the synergy of these characteristics. KPMG has begun development of the first part of design specifica- tions and estimates for the Smart Region’s Most Powerful Business as a Astana project. Besides, taking into consideration the international practices of development of smart cities and the scale of the project, Hydropower Plant Commodity: PwC consulting was also brought on to the project. The company is currently working on development of the Smart Astana roadmap which Produces Green Energy Creating, outlines the target indicators of the By Vyacheslav Lebedev project, smart initiatives that will a total generating capacity of 186 district, the French company Fon- MW. roche Energie SAS started build- be introduced within the project ZHAMBYL – The most power- and the terms of its implementa- Three years ago, the Merke HPP-3 ing a 24 MW solar power plant. ful hydropower plant (9.2 MW) was launched along the mountain riv- With the help of Russian investors, Packing, Selling tion. Smart Astana’s key concepts in the region was launched in By Alevtina Donskikh cities of Rostov- on-Don and Kras- have already been defined. These er Merkenka; it is the first hydro plant it is planned to construct a cascade May 2013 on the Tasotkel Res- noyarsk. are the comprehensive life sustain- built since Kazakhstan declared its in- of Merke HPPs (19.8 MW). ervoir by “A&T - Energo” and ALMATY – Two dozen Kazakh In general, for Kazakhstan’s ing systems that will ensure safety dependence from the Soviet Union. In Thanks to renewable energy, has already generated 8 million companies that provide franchis- economy, said Ibragimova, the in the city and secure the moderni- 2011, the Kordai wind farm was built the region will be able to meet its KW. That is enough electricity ing opportunities participated in expertise these businesses acquire sation of its transport system. with a capacity of 1.5 MW. At the end own electric power needs in the to supply a district like Lugovs- of 2012, KazEkoVatt launched the coming years; it will also be able the KazFranch 2013 exhibition in their evolution is invaluable. koi with three months worth of first line of the Otar Solar Power Plant to share power with other regions here in December. This prevents those who purchase So far, three projects have been electricity. (504 kW) in the Kordai district, the of Kazakhstan. It is important that The event was organised with a franchise from repeating the er- implemented in the North Ka- Since 2010, the Zhambyl region only one in the country. the cost of electricity produced by support from Baiterek National rors of others and allows operators zakhstan region’s engineering sec- has been leading in the develop- 2013 was a good year for green environmentally friendly alterna- Holding, the Damu Enterpreneur- to start a new business under their tor within the State Programme of ment of green technologies in Ka- power in Kazakhstan: in July, the tive energy sources is significantly ship Development Fund and the partner’s well established name. Accelerated Industrial and Innova- zakhstan. Zhambyl is home to nine Karakysta HPP, capable of pro- below the usual rates. The Tasotkel Eurasian Franchise Association. The exhibition hosted small tive Development for 2010-2014, renewable energy resource pro- ducing 2.1 MW opened in the HPP, for example, charges 10.89 In general, franchising is the franchises too. For example, the BNews.kz reported. “ZIKSTO im- jects worth US$390 million with Ryskulov district; in the Zhambyl tenge (US$0.07) per kilowatt. selling of a ready business; they consulting company Roznitsa.kz plemented two projects in 2010. are offered primarily by foreign has already sold retail franchises in The first was a project on designing companies. The current exhibi- the region. The company provided a promising grain hopper wagon tion presented only domestic advice to Textiline. The exhibition model and setting up production franchises. also presented the Zhas Kemenger facilities for these wagons capa- “Our task is to promote Kazakh training company and a net of ble of producing 400 hoppers per businesses that create brands and “Chekhov” cookeries. year. Production was launched in pack and sell them as franchis- “The purpose of the exhibition December of 2010. Production is es,” Damu chairwoman Lyazzat was to gather entrepreneurs who expected to reach full capacity in Ibragimova said while comment- are not involved in oil and gas 2014. Another project focused on ing on the area of business that in one place and try to sell their the development of a model of spe- Kazakhstan is in the process of business models. We also held a cialised container cars. The produc- entering. round table on the problems and tion of such cars was launched in Textiline, a participant of the prospects of the development of July 2010.The factory is capable of Business Roadmap programme, franchising. One of the main top- producing 200 of them per year. The presented itself at the exhibition. ics discussed was the problem of plant is expected to reach its maxi- The company displayed a new financing the purchase of franchis- mum output in 2014,” head of the collection of children’s clothing es. There is a large field of activity regional department for industrial titled “Legend of the Steppes”. It for our fund here. I think special- and innovative development Marat is promoted using its own name ized products should be developed Iskakov said. Munaimash imple- throughout Kazakhstan; the com- for these purposes. This would be mented a modernisation project for pany has already sold 15 franchis- relevant in terms of promoting Ka- the mechanised production of oil es in the regions. zakhstan producers,” emphasised and gas industry goods. The project The Sunkar Medical Centre, the chairwoman of the fund. was implemented with the support which is also subsidized through Franchise development issues, of KDB-Leasing as part of the Pro- the “Business Roadmap” pro- including protection of intellec- ductivity – 2020 programme. Its gramme, sold two franchises in tual property, were discussed dur- cost 1.497.5 billion tenge (US$9.7 Kazakhstan and is now preparing ing the forum’s master classes, million). The factory will be capa- a deal in Russia. Another interest- thematic presentations and brand ble of producing 7.5 thousand kits ing example is the Red Dragon demonstrations. for oil-well pumps. The regional Project. This Almaty company is The organisers of KazFranch Industrialisation Map has 31 invest- confidently gaining share in the 2013 promised to create a roadmap ment projects worth 38.2 billion The most powerful hydropower plant in the Zhambyl region is leading in the development of green technologies domestic catering market and has for the development of the domes- tenge (US$247 million). in Kazakhstan. already sold two franchises in the tic franchising sector. A6 EDITORIAL&opinionS

Wednesday, january 15, 2014 Growing Global Nuclear Food Security Power Industry Requires Organisation to Be Tighter Regulations Set Up in Astana nergy security is a major issue for end of the nuclear fuel cycle, is implemented an initial technology transfer of fuel as- most countries. Resource-rich na- by major producers whose geographical semblies in 1991. AREVA and CNNC began tions seek stable markets, transpor- locations are often highly dispersed. Only in 2010 to manufacture zirconium tubes for tation routes and high prices, while a few fully vertically integrated companies fuel rod assemblies. In India in the summer Eimporters look for secure energy supplies at exist in the industry. For this reason, nuclear of 2009, uranium, after fabrication into fuel affordable prices. Over the past two dec- fuel consumers generally contract several at the nuclear fuel-cycle plant in Hyderabad, ades, the definition of energy security has companies engaged into different stages of was loaded into the reactor and began con- expanded to include environmental risks and production. In addition, nuclear fuel may tributing to the country’s electricity supply. electricity poverty. The unstable geopo- travel tens of thousands of miles from min- Nuclear power plant construction rep- litical situation around major oil and gas ing sites through conversion, enrichment and resents another major part of the nuclear supply markets, which led to oil shocks in fabrication plants to the final destination. power industry. The current stage of industry the 1970s, forced developed countries, such The expanded geography of mining and development is characterized by an increas- as the United States, France, Germany and nuclear power plants only exacerbates the ing number of plants being constructed in Japan, to develop nuclear plants in order to complexity of this process. developing countries. These include China, secure a stable power supply. Other nations, An important trend in the mining industry India and Russia, which have experience including Canada and the former Soviet is the increasing participation of foreign with nuclear material either through military Union, joined the club, which subsequently actors. In Canada, a country with a long possession or research and development. became a group of traditional nuclear power history of uranium mining, local com- However, there is a growing number of producers. pany Cameco for a long time had shared countries that do not have substantial experi- The proliferation of nuclear power plants the mining industry with Canada’s only ence in dealing with nuclear technologies. countries, charitable donations from in China, South Korea, Latin America, India foreign-based company AREVA. That situ- According to a 2009 OECD report, the By Yerlik Ali other parties, collections for special and Eastern Europe created a nuclear ‘Re- ation changed in late 2007 when Cameco governments of Cambodia, Malaysia, the naissance’. The term is no longer used after projects and proceeds from products announced an agreement with the Russian Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam are The Islamic Organisation for Food the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi disaster, which and services rendered. company Uranium Holding ARMZ (Atom- considering introducing nuclear power in the Security (IOFS) of the Organisation shook the industry and triggered the closure redmetzoloto) to create a joint venture to The OIC is supporting the serious coming years to meet their domestic elec- of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is to be or termination of plans for numerous nuclear explore and mine uranium in Canada. and purposeful actions of Kazakhstan tricity demand. In 2009, Thailand declared established in Astana. power plants in Japan and Europe. However, the bigger story in the growing on the implementation of proposals its plans to build two nuclear power plants, The institution was first proposed by Many countries, however, particularly foreign participation globally is the in- made by President Nazarbayev con- beginning in 2020 and 2021, in order to Kazakhstan President Nursultan Naz- China, India, Russia, and South Korea, creased interest of new players in the mining cerning the new food security institu- reduce exposure to fluctuating natural gas arbayev in 2011 at the 38th session of confirmed their adherence to nuclear power sectors of Australia, Kazakhstan and some the meeting of Ministers of Foreign tion. Completing the process of legally production after implementing tough secu- African countries. The Chinese companies prices. establishing such an international in- In addition, several countries in Africa, Affairs of the OIC held in Astana. rity measures. Moreover, other new players, Sinosteel and China Guangdong NPC have Implementing the initiative was one stitution in such a short time, deciding including Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, such as the United Arab Emirates, Turkey purchased significant shares in Australian of the main priorities of Astana’s OIC on the costs of the secretariat for its Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Tunisia and Jordan, embarked on securing a nuclear exploration ventures. In Niger, the South chairmanship from June 2011 to No- first three years of work and appoint- and Uganda, have expressed interest in gen- power supply. And other nations, such as Korean utility company Kepco has taken vember 2012. ing a national coordinator were taken erating electricity and desalination utilities Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan and many others, partial equity ownership of the Imouraren The charter, name, goals and objec- as firm steps on the part of Kazakhstan have announced plans to join the nuclear Mine via a partnership agreement with through nuclear power. tives, legal status and functioning pro- and increased OIC members’ confi- power club. Due to this significant expan- AREVA. Starting in 2013, the South Korean Although WNA indicates that Iran has one cesses of the IOFS were agreed upon dence in Astana’s implementation of sion of nuclear power development, demand group is allowed a 10 percent share of the operating and three planned and proposed at a meeting in Astana on June 11-12, the IOFS idea. and usage, we are witnessing not a new mine’s uranium production. The partici- plants, according to Iranian authorities, 2013. Attending the meeting were During the 40th session of the OIC nuclear renaissance, but rather a widespread pation of the Chinese and South Korean nine more power plants are approved for representatives from 29 OIC member Council of Foreign Ministers in De- transition of nuclear technologies from companies in the mining industry reflects a construction. Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the states and institutions, including the cember 2013 in Guinea, a signing cer- traditional nuclear powers to newcomers. trend of increased newcomer activity in the United Arab Emirates also plan to construct General Secretariat, SESRIC (Statisti- emony of the charter of the IOFS took This transition is clearly reflected in changes primary resources-rich markets. new nuclear power plants to generate elec- cal, Economics, and Social Research place. Contrary to long-established in the nuclear fuel-cycle, as well as the sale An analysis of the conversion and enrich- tricity and desalinate water. and Training Centre for Islamic Coun- practice of international harmonisa- of power plants from experienced nuclear ment states reveals a similar trend of inten- Given the sensitivity of nuclear material, tries), ICDT (Islamic Centre for De- tion of statutory documents, the for- powers to new actors. sive penetration by new players. The global combined with the weak legal frameworks, velopment and Trade) and the IDB eign ministers of a number of OIC In these conditions of rapid changes in the number of conversion facilities is limited to unstable economies, tenuous political re- (Islamic Development Bank). Among member states expressed their unani- area of nuclear power use and the potential several plants, including Cameco in Canada gimes and underdeveloped human skills of other international and regional in- mous support for the initiative, having risks associated with it, it is necessary to and UK, Atompromenergo in Russia, Areva many developing nations entering the sector, stitutions were representatives of the signed the organisation’s new charter review the commercial side of the nuclear in France, ConverDyn in the United States, the global expansion of nuclear power plants ECO (Organisation for Economic Co- during the session. Astana’s initiative industry: the front-end nuclear fuel cycle, CNNC in China and IPEN in Brazil. raises profound geopolitical stability and is a step in the consistent transforma- nuclear fuel supply and demand markets, In terms of nuclear enrichment facilities, security concerns. tion of Kazakhstan into a food hub of and nuclear power plant exports. they are even more limited in number due to The International Atomic Energy Agency The IOFS will become international importance. Major challenges facing the industry are the risk of proliferation and limited access to (IAEA) has established rules for countries The initiative was also praised by the security and safety issues connected to advanced technologies. that seek to embrace nuclear power, but have an independent President of Guinea Alpha Condé. In nuclear material. And only a few govern- The enrichment sector is dominated by no experience in that area. The document international his welcome address to the delegates ments possess the enrichment facilities and Tenex (a subsidiary of Atomenergoprom), titled “Considerations to launch a nuclear of the ministerial council, the presi- know-how to properly handle the material U.S.-based U.S. Enrichment Corpora- power programme” states that “it is essential organisation dent of Guinea noted the importance [See story ‘NTI Report Notes Progress in tion and Urenco, and French AREVA. that it [the country] develops a comprehen- of Kazakhstan’s proposal to institu- Security of Global Nuclear Materials, Says The WNA’s projection to 2020 predicts sive strategy to assess energy needs, and un- headquartered in tionalise the provision of food security Major Challenges Remain’ on Page A1]. significant enrichment growth in Russia derstand the potential role, appropriateness, Astana, with the same and praised the contribution of Ka- In addition, even if a country possesses the with the introduction of new, more efficient viability and commitments associated with zakhstan and President Nazarbayev to enrichment know-how, it requires a legal centrifuges. In China, CNNC is develop- nuclear energy in the context of plans for diplomatic immunity the global process of nonproliferation framework to implement enrichment. ing an enrichment plant in cooperation with national and socioeconomic development.” as the OIC. of weapons of mass destruction. The world faces a timely question: how Russia’s Atomenergoprom and is expected The requirements include developing legal From a practical point of view, recent changes, such as the rapid transfer of to increase its capacity to meet domestic frameworks, becoming skilled in safety and the new institution will contribute to sophisticated nuclear processing technolo- demand. control, establishing adequate infrastruc- strengthening the global position of gies from developed countries to developing As to the last stage of nuclear fuel prepa- ture and ensuring the financial resources to operation) and the IFAD (International Kazakhstan as a food producing pow- countries, might pose a threat to regional se- ration, unlike the previous three stages, the maintain the safe operation of nuclear power Fund for Agricultural Development). erhouse. Working within the institu- curity? Taking such a threat into account, the nuclear fuel assemblies are specifically plants and radioactive waste management. It was agreed that the IOFS should tion’s various programmes to ensure transfer of nuclear technologies may trigger designed to the requirements of particular The nuclear industry has become ex- become an independent international food security in OIC member states will promote the export of Kazakh irreversible damage to global stability and, types of reactors. This includes the basic tensively globalized, featuring complex organisation headquartered in Astana, therefore, requires meticulous and critical grain, the use of the financial capacity shape and size of the assemblies, as well as transactions and technology transfers. The with the same diplomatic immunity attention due to the considerable challenge it of the Islamic Development Bank and the level of enrichment. Individual specifi- growing number of countries turning to as the OIC. It will not only identify poses for global governance. cations are also determined by national, or other Islamic financial institutions, the nuclear power is a major trend that sig- and monitor food security in its mem- According to the World Nuclear Associa- even regional, licensing requirements. How- ber states, but will also implement development of infrastructure facili- nificantly impacts global governance. In tion (WNA), the number of commercial ever, the market for ready nuclear fuel has practical policies and programmes ties (elevators, terminals, roads, etc.), particular, the world has witnessed a rapid nuclear reactors connected to the grid has become increasingly competitive, and global to achieve goals and objectives con- the formation of regional strategic transfer of nuclear technology to developing remained almost the same since 2009. The nuclear fuel fabrication capacity will not be tained in its charter. grain reserves, the geographical ex- countries. In addition, there is a thin line be- absence of an increase is explained by the in deficit in the foreseeable future. The supreme governing body of the pansion of grain exports, the creation suspension of the commissioning of new Light water reactor fuel fabrication capac- tween nuclear commercial use and danger- IOFS is a general assembly consisting of specialised funds, the development reactors in the immediate aftermath of the ity worldwide is represented by such com- ous weapon creation. During the last several of the ministers of agriculture or other of new logistics routes, the participa- Fukushima Daiichi accident. By contrast, panies as France’s Areva, China’s CNNC, decades, uranium enrichment know-how and representatives of the member coun- tion in aid programmes of various the number of reactors that are under con- Kazakhstan’s Ulba, Russian’s TVEL, the related equipment proliferated from Europe tries, which will meet once a year. The countries through UN agencies and struction or will be connected to the grid USA’s Westinghouse and a few others. to Pakistan and from there to Iran, Libya, chairman of the general assembly will more. It will also reduce the cost of during the next 15 years is expected to grow In Kazakhstan, AREVA provides engi- and North Korea. be a session’s host country. An execu- transporting Kazakh grain. dramatically. During the last five years, con- neering assistance to build fuel fabrication The transition of some nuclear technolo- tive council, which will meet at least The placement of the IOFS in Astana struction began on 28 new reactors, which lines in KazAtomProm’s Ulba Metallurgy gies to developing countries may trigger twice a year, will include representa- will help our country gain experience represents a substantial number. The number Plant in Ust-Kamenogorsk under an agree- their claims towards further nuclear sover- tives of eight members elected by the in marketing at the international level of reactors to be connected to grid in the ment signed between Areva and KazAtom- eignty. The world community respects na- general assembly for three years: two and contribute to the development of coming 15 years is even greater: 312 new fa- Prom in October 2010. KazAtomProm owns tions’ attempts to develop the nuclear energy representatives from each of the three qualified domestic specialists in inter- cilities are to be launched around the world, 51% of the new company, while Areva owns to meet their electricity demand and seeks to regions (Africa, Asia, and Arab coun- national relations in the agricultural compared to today’s 435. In addition, non- the remaining 49%. At the time of its crea- restrain from any infringement on nations’ tries), the director general and a repre- sector, since Kazakh specialists will Organization for Economic Cooperation and tion, the partners said that the new company rights to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. sentative of Kazakhstan (as the insti- take part in the work of the secretariat Development (OECD) countries represent would build a manufacturing line for nuclear The concern, however, is that the growth in tute’s headquarters, Kazakhstan will and other bodies of the institution. considerably higher growth, with China, In- fuel assemblies at KazAtomProm’s Ulba the number of countries wishing to embrace have a permanent seat on the execu- The IOFS will be able to place or- dia and Russia alone accounting for 327 new plant with a total capacity of 400 tons per nuclear power exceeds progress in the devel- tive council). The IOFS Secretariat, ders for various applied research in reactors that are either under construction or year starting from 2014.http://www.areva. opment of an effective regulatory frame- as an operational executive body, will national institutions and academia. will be constructed in the next 15 years. com/ajax/popins/Send.aspx?rxs=1645EN work within those countries and on a global include the director general and the The process of producing nuclear fuel is http://www.areva.com/ajax/popins/Share. level. This situation creates an urgent need staff. The director general is elected The author is Director of the Asia complex and impacts geopolitical affairs in aspx?rxs=1645ENIn China, AREVA has to create strict global guidelines and effec- by the general assembly every four Cooperation Department of the numerous ways. First, each stage of the pro- been working with the Yibin fuel plant for tive control systems for commercial nuclear years. Funding will be generated from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ka- duction process, generally called the front- several years. The collaboration began with power production and use worldwide. annual contributions from member zakhstan.

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Wednesday, january 15, 2014 Energy Cooperation between Kazakhstan and China terests coincide: the key aspects of a congested passage. So China re- annual capacity of 3,000 Mcm per simple fact that China needs to im- the seriousness of the situation, in their mutually beneficial coopera- alized its need to start looking for year, with delivery targeted for port energy for development and 1999, then President Jiang Zemin tion are energy and hydrocarbon- new supplies for oil. It was agreed 2013 (Economist Intelligence Unit Kazakhstan needs to export energy announced the Western Develop- resource projects. Kazakhstan, that Russia and Central Asia, par- (EIU), 2007). to maintain its economic growth. ment Programme which comprises now Central Asia’s energy leader, ticularly Kazakhstan, would ac- Other gas imports will include Both countries have adopted di- six provinces (Yunnan, Guizhou, accounts for the bulk of the re- count for an increasing share of liquefied natural gas (LNG) verse strategies for energy trade. Sichuan, Shaanxi, Gansu, and gion’s hydrocarbon resources, i.e. China’s oil imports by means of shipped in by tankers. The first Currently, China’s crude imports Qinghai), five autonomous regions oil and natural gas. With its small oil pipelines. LNG terminal, which was built by are heavily dependent on the Mid- (Guangxi, Ningxia, Xizang, Inner population size and low consump- According to the IEA (2007), BP and the Chinese National Over- dle East and Africa, countries that Mongolia, and Xinjiang), and one tion level, Kazakhstan is a sig- China’s dependence on imports seas Oil Company (CNOOC) in are politically unstable and suffer municipality (Chongqing). nificant net exporter of hydrocar- will rise from about 50 percent of Shenzhen, opened for business in from active terrorism and sabo- To achieve the goals of the pro- bons in Central Asia. However, consumption in 2007 to 80 per- June 2006. Initially, the $10 billion tage. In 2005, the Persian Gulf and gramme, it seemed important to the bulk of its exports had to pass cent in 2030, considering that the project aimed to allow the import Africa accounted for 46 percent create stronger economic ties be- through Russian territory or Rus- potential for increasing domestic of 450 Mcm of LNG each year and 31 percent respectively. China tween Western China and Central By Usen Suleimen, PhD sian-owned pipelines. At the same oil production is small and the de- from Australia and up to 1,100 would like to reduce its depend- Asia. Even more importantly, eco- time, since the mid-1990s, China mand for oil is large and growing. Mcm annually by 2008. ence on Middle East and African nomic cooperation between the Energy cooperation is an impor- has increasingly needed more oil Given that most international The Shenzhen LNG terminal is oil by creating alternative sources. Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Re- tant aspect of bilateral economic imports to maintain its economic agencies, with the exception of only the first of a dozen terminals On the other hand, for historical gion and Central Asia could help trade between Kazakhstan and growth. OPEC, have predicted that oil pro- planned along China’s coast. The reasons, Kazakhstan’s oil exports develop the local economy and, China. China’s economy, while The same mutual desire could duction will increase from 184.8 second, which is located in Fujian have been overwhelmingly domi- to some extent, reduce the attrac- growing at an unprecedented pace, be seen during the September million tons in 2006 to only 189.2- province, opened in April 2008. nated by Russia’s network. Before tiveness of Xinjiang separatism. is nonetheless encountering acute 2013 visit to Kazakhstan by new 199.2 million tons in 2020, the coun- So, now there are five LNG -ter the operation of the BTC, virtu- Moreover, the Kazakhstan-China shortages of hydrocarbons. As a Chinese President Xi Jinping that try’s net import dependency is set to ally all of Kazakhstan’s oil exports energy cooperation largely match- consequence, the intensification of minals planned to operate in Chi- led to the signing of energy deals go north. China’s demand for natu- na, including Shanghai (October were towards Russia, or via Rus- es the economic structure and de- foreign energy arrangements with worth $30 billion, including China ral gas increased remarkably from sia’s pipeline. Thus, selling oil to velopment strategy of Xinjiang. energy supplier-countries is be- 2009), Jiangsu (November 2011) National Petroleum Corporation’s 15,250 million cubic metres (Mcm) and Dalian (November 2011). the East also meets the strategic in- In 2000, for example, oil, gas and coming increasingly important for (CNPC) acquisition of an 8.3 per- in 1990 to 69,523 Mcm in 2007, terests of Kazakhstan energy trade other extractive resources played a Beijing. In this respect, Kazakh- Chinese decision-making re- cent stake in Kashagan, the largest generating pressure on the supply garding the purchase of oil and policy. dominant role in the industrial sec- stan, as one of the area’s major oilfield in the world outside the side. China imported 950 million Geopolitical Rationale. The en- tor, accounting for 61 percent of mineral resources exporters, is of gas fields has been affected by the Middle East. cubic metres of liquefied natural gas fact that Beijing was a late-comer ergy rationale itself is not enough Xinjiang’s GDP. It comes, then, as particular interest to China. Back in December 2007, the (LNG) for the first time in 2006: its to justify certain forms of energy no surprise that the region is con- Since the establishment of dip- in the Kazakhstan market. For this Chinese National Petroleum Com- natural gas imports are projected to reason, in the early stages, China cooperation, e.g., building trans- sidered the “oil tank” of China. lomatic relations in 1991, Astana pany pledged to invest $2.2 billion increase sharply from 1,200 Mcm national pipelines, because such Symbolic Benefits. Besides and Beijing have agreed to support could only acquire sites of relative- in a 1,800-kilometre, 1.06 trillion in 2010 to 2,800 Mcm in 2015 and ly marginal importance (as it did in pipelines are expensive and un- “real” benefits, there are several the economic entities of the two cubic feet/year natural gas pipeline 12,800 Mcm in 2030 (IEA, 2007). likely to satisfy a significant pro- important symbolic benefits of countries by carrying out several Africa). Despite these negative ini- that would run from Turkmeni- Most of its imported gas will tial conditions, Beijing’s purchases portion of China’s energy imports. the cooperation. First, it serves as energy cooperation projects in- stan through Uzbekistan and Ka- come by pipeline from neighbour- This is also the reason why the two a platform to counterbalance the cluding: (a) the construction of the are still commercially rational. It zakhstan to China. According to ing countries. Beijing has moot- invests in fields located in the Ak- countries’ energy collaboration has soft power of Russia and increases Kazakhstan-China crude oil and ed several large-scale pipelines been put on hold more than once. Beijing’s and Astana’s bargaining the construction plan, the pipeline tobe region and near the Caspian natural gas pipelines; (b) the ex- to bring supplies from abroad, To understand the reasons for the power when it comes to negotia- is expected to start at Gedaim on Sea, areas that are situated around ploitation and development of oil among which is a 3,000-kilome- two countries’ large-scale cooper- tions over energy with Russia. For the border of Turkmenistan and the energy center of Central Asia. and natural gas; (c) the processing Uzbekistan. Approximately 520 tre pipeline from Kazakhstan to ation in the energy sector, certain example, the construction of the It is also involved in more isolated of oil and natural gas; and, (d) the kilometres would run through Uz- Khorgos in Xinjiang, which is geopolitical rationales need to be Kazakhstan-China oil pipeline al- fields that have the advantage of construction of new power facili- bekistan and the rest through Ka- due to come on-stream in late considered. ready worried the Russian com- being located along the path of the ties and the transmission of elec- zakhstan to reach Khorgos in Chi- 2014. This pipeline will carry gas Broader Bilateral Coopera- panies as they (wrongly) believed Kazakhstan-China pipeline. tricity to third country markets. na’s northwestern Xinjiang region. mainly from Turkmenistan, which, tion. There are three forms of en- that China would not need Rus- In 1997, the CNPC acquired Concomitant with their pursuance In August 2006, Turkmenistan as mentioned, in 2006 signed a ergy cooperation: cooperation of sia’s oil and the future Sino-Russia 60 percent of the shares of the oil of the large-scale oil and gas pro- and China signed a 30-year sup- 30-year deal with China to de- energy, cooperation for energy and pipeline. Second, the cooperation company Aktobemunaigaz, which jects, both sides intend to intensify ply agreement for the gas that will liver 3,000 Mcm of gas annually, cooperation by energy. The dimen- is a successful hallmark of the is based in the Aktobe region. It efforts towards implementing im- fill the pipeline. The CNPC has but also from other Central Asian sion of “cooperation by energy” Shanghai Cooperation Organiza- portant projects in the field of non- set up two entities to oversee the countries. It will ultimately con- also acquired a 20-year user li- needs to be taken into account. tion (SCO), which encourages raw materials, improving the in- Turkmen upstream project and the nect with China’s planned second cense for the Zhanazhol gas site While Kazakhstan and China have integration of the Central Asia en- vestment environment and actively development of the second pipe- west-to-east natural gas pipeline. and the Kenkiyak oil site. In its not been significant economic and ergy sector. It has increased SCO’s supporting companies of the other line that will cross China from the Its capacity will be 1,000 Mcm per own interests, and in a bid to gain geopolitical partners, China’s need ‘soft power’ and regional influence side in investing in the respective Xinjiang region to demand centers year initially and will rise to 3,000 favor with Kazakh authorities, the to import Kazakhstan’s energy vis-a-vis the United States and its domestic markets. Also welcome in southeast China. The total cost Mcm per year by 2014. CNPC committed to investing $4 has opened the door for broader ideology. Third, completion of the will be companies in the fields of oil of the entire project is expected to In addition, the CNPC signed an billion by 2010, of which $540 cooperation. For example, the Ka- Kazakhstan-China oil pipeline will and gas machinery and equipment be in the vicinity of $7.31 billion. agreement with Exxon (U.S.) and million would be made available zakhstan-China trade turnover in- substantially reinforce confidence manufacturing, food, the textile in- Also, Russia is planning a natural Russia’s Rosneft for an 800 Mcm in the first five years. In 2005, the creased substantially from $1,557 in, and the professional images of, dustry, transportation, logistic ser- gas pipeline to China (Internation- capacity pipeline from Sakha- CNPC launched its largest foreign million in 2000 to $25,113 mil- the two governments’ energy com- vices, metallurgy, building materials al Energy Agency (IEA) 2008). lin-1 Island to the Khabarovsk acquisition, i.e., Petrokazakhstan lion in 2012. Moreover, bilateral panies. The pipeline will be con- and tourism. Moreover, both sides As mentioned, China became a region. The latest report shows (formerly Hurricane Hydrocar- economic trade was not limited structed without technological sup- will strive to increase the rail cargo- net importer of oil in 1993 when that Sakhalin-1 gas supplies to bons). The CNPC outbid its Indian to energy; China’s exports toward port from third parties. This will shipping volume and to explore the its demand for oil surpassed its the Khabarovsk region will have competitor Oil and Natural Gas Kazakhstan, presumably non-en- gain the trust of other countries and possibility of constructing a new supplies of oil. The net import de- reached 10 bcm by November Corp (ONGC) by offering the sum ergy goods, grew even faster than motivate them to consider cooper- railway between Kazakhstan and pendency of oil soared from 7.5 2013. Two other agreements were of $4.2 billion. China’s energy imports from Ka- ating with Kazakhstan and China. China. They have further agreed to percent in 1993 to 53.3 percent in also signed between the CNPC zakhstan. in-depth exploitation of the potential 2011 (IEA, 2012). and Russia’s Gazprom in 2006 to China’s Western Develop- The author is Ambassador-at- of transit transport and to promote The main way of importing Chi- import gas through pipelines run- Rationales of Energy ment Programme (or Strategy) Large at the Ministry of Foreign the establishment of an international na’s oil is by ocean tankers, which ning first via an as yet undeter- Cooperation between and Xinjiang’s Strategic Im- Affairs of Kazakhstan. This arti- transit passage that will guarantee accounts for 93 percent of the to- mined route from western Siberia portance. In order to narrow the cle is written with the support of goods transportation in the Euro- tal. But, almost 80 percent of these to China’s Xinjiang, and second Two Nations income gap between Western and the Samruk-Kazyna Sovereign Asian region and within the borders oil imports pass through the Strait from eastern Siberia to Heilongji- Energy Rationale. The Ka- Eastern China, while at the same Wealth Fund. It is printed in a of Kazakhstan and China. of Malacca, exposing China to the ang Province in north-east China. zakhstan-China energy coopera- time living up to Deng Xiaop- shortened form here, while the In general, the two countries’ in- insecurities of overdependence on These lines will have a combined tion is principally based on the ing’s promise and acknowledging full version is available online. 2013 Brought Advancements to Kazakh Oil and Gas Industry el, is to become the engine driving ing countries. Kazakhstan is cur- interest among representatives of lection and processing of material is currently facing. As we see, the this change. rently ranked 12th in the world global oil companies, experts, and from previous years. The second Kazakh oilmen, together with spe- In the past year, there were sev- in terms of proven recoverable bankers. Everyone understood that includes large scale studies. The cialists from world oil companies, eral important achievements in the oil reserves (3.9 billion tons) and the implementation of this idea latter includes drilling of a new successfully overcame all prob- domestic oil industry which will 20th – in gas reserves (1.3 trillion opens up new possibilities. support-parametric well – “Cas- lems of the initial period. set the tone for the coming years. cubic metres). Kazakhstan’s government re- pian-1” with a depth of about 14- The head of state stressed that First, the long awaited start of oil According to government and cently linked new investments and 15 km. The estimated cost of the the Tengiz project is one of the production at Kashagan field in industry estimates, oil reserves the further economic development three phases of the project is about most striking examples of interna- the Kazakh sector of the Caspian are potentially 17 billion tons and of the country with oil explora- US$500 million. tional cooperation. Last year was Shelf finally took place and a new for gas – 3.9 billion cubic meters. tion. According to Kazakhstan The project may be implement- marked by the fact that a month shareholder, the Chinese Petrole- Over 20 years, oil production in government experts, the resource ed by an international consortium ago, Kazakhstan’s government um Corporation CNPC entered the Kazakhstan increased more than potential of the Caspian region, comprising of a number of major and Tengizchevroil (TCO) signed project. The second development 4-fold, reaching 80 million tons especially of the Caspian Basin, is oil companies which have already a memorandum of understanding, is the beginning of a new major (17th place in the world) and gas about 40 billion tons of oil equiva- expressed interest in it. This in- under which the parties assumed project titled “Eurasia”, which is – by more than 5 times, up to 40 lent. cludes companies from Kazakh- obligations to increase production set to double the oil potential of billion cubic meters (29th in the Minister of Oil and Gas Uzakbai stan, Russia, Japan, South Korea at Tengiz from the current 26 mil- By Kulpash Konyrova Kazakhstan by deepening wells in world). According to official data, Karabalin, when speaking about and China, as well as Western lion to 38 million tons of crude oil the Caspian Basin. The third initia- in the last 5 years, about 20 billion the “Eurasia” project, said that its firms. Future members of the con- a year. Development of the Caspian tive is the Government’s approval dollars was invested in the oil and implementation will double Ka- sortium will have to jointly create The project of future expansion Shelf and new geological explora- of the project for the future expan- gas industry and over the 20 years zakhstan’s hydrocarbon reserves. a research programme and provide is estimated at 7-8 billion dollars. tion will dominate headlines sur- sion of the Tengiz field, which will since independence, about 60 bil- According to him, prospectors will financing. At the same time, the Its implementation is tentatively rounding the domestic oil and gas increase oil production there from lion dollars was invested in the have to explore deeper layers of project will be managed in Ka- scheduled for 2017-2019. industry in the coming years. the current 26 million to 36 million area. Overall, in 2013, the country subsoil. zakhstan. The launch of “Eurasia” “The importance of the signed tons in the next five years. produced about 82 million tons of “The depth of the Caspian Basin is scheduled for 2015. Until then, memorandum of understanding is oil and condensate, which exceed- According to experts, the era of is 20-25 thousand meters and there a group will be established to ne- that it covers things valued by the Achievements ed 2012 levels. so-called readily retrievable oil is are huge amounts of oil-generating gotiate with potential project par- country such as the environment and forecasts coming to an end. Therefore, the formations there. In Soviet Ka- ticipants. and increasing the project’s local It is well known that the oil in- main trends in Kazakhstan’s oil “Eurasia” Project zakhstan, there were attempts to content,” Karabalin said. dustry provides the lion’s share of and gas sector in the near future drill ultra-deep wells – Aralsorsk According to him, domestic the national budget. Nevertheless, will include: the further devel- Prospects and Bikzhalsk. In those years and Tengiz grows steadily companies working with steel the country’s leadership intends opment of offshore fields in the Another important highlight of with the technology of the time, If Kashagan and “Eurasia” are structures are involved in the Ten- to change this and to move the Caspian Sea and the acquisition last year was the announcement of wells reached a depth of almost the projects of the future, the Ten- giz project. Their volume is 60,000 country from being a raw material of resources found at even greater the new “Eurasia” project, which 7,000 metres which was consid- giz deposit is the present of Ka- tons per year. Consequently, the source for the developed world to depths. will be no less important and prof- ered a good success. Now, the ba- zakhstan’s oil and gas sector. Al- share of Kazakh content in the being one of the planet’s stronger By 2030, oil production in the itable than the Kashagan field. It sin’s potential shows that addition- most one third of all crude oil in TCO is set to reach 44 % of total economies. President Nursultan country, according to forecasts involves the exploration of the al deposits of interest can be found the country is produced at the field, investments. Nazarbayev has repeatedly said from the Ministry of Oil and Gas, deep horizons of the Caspian Ba- even deeper,” Karabalin said in and it is one of the “youngest” in that the oil and gas industry, which could exceed 110 million tons, sin, both on land and at sea in both October 2013. the country. The start of produc- The author is a reporter and should bring all other sectors of which puts Kazakhstan on the Kazakhstan and Russia. Undoubt- “Eurasia” will consist of three tion there was accompanied by analyst with the Kazakhstans- the economy to a new, higher lev- path to join the top 10 oil produc- edly, this project created serious stages. The first involves the col- similar difficulties that Kashagan kaya Pravda newspaper. A8 eurasia&world

Wednesday, january 15, 2014 Eurasian Economic Union Agreement to Be Signed in 2014, WTO Accession Process Underway By Meruyert Nemerbayeva told a Jan. 13 Central Communica- sector of its economy, the vice ment purchase regimes of Ka- of the Eurasian Economic Space tiations regarding goods, services, tions Service media briefing. minister said. zakhstan, Russia and Belarus. reached $198 billion in 2012. The agriculture and systemic issues are ASTANA – Kazakhstan expects According to Zhaksylykov, the According to government data, Starting from Jan. 1, Kazakhstan volume of state purchases solely in almost complete. The only remain- an agreement on the Eurasian Eco- terms of the agreement are based since the launch of the Customs may participate in government Kazakhstan was $7.6 billion in the ing hurdles are issues of tariff har- nomic Union (EEU) to be signed on the codification of the existing Union, the volume of investments procurements in Russia and Bela- same period, 26 times less than the monisation and local content. in 2014, a top official said. Customs Union and Eurasian Eco- in Kazakhstan’s manufacturing in- rus. Cross-border public purchase common volume of the member In his view, negotiations in these “Signing the agreement on the nomic Space. The EEU is set to dustry has grown by 88 percent, participation began in 2011, when states. areas are also close to comple- EEU has been set for 2014. This launch on Jan. 1, 2015. from $1.8 billion in 2009 to $3.4 Russia and Belarus opened their In addition to Eurasian integra- tion. Zhaksylykov underscored treaty is of great importance to our Among main purposes of billion in 2012. The total volume public purchasing processes to tion, Zhaksylykov also spoke on the that WTO accession will make it country, for it is set to define Ka- Kazakhstan’s participation in of foreign direct investment for the each other. After implementing its country’s long-awaited accession easier for Kazakhstan’s produc- zakhstan’s major foreign economic Eurasian integration processes same period grew by 34 percent, assessment and preparatory work, to the World Trade Organisation ers to access foreign markets, due policies for many years to come,” is to gain access to expanded from $21.4 billion to $28.3 billion. Kazakhstan has now joined them. (WTO). He noted that the years- to favourable, nondiscriminatory Timur Zhaksylykov, vice minister consumer markets and attract The vice minister also an- The total volume of government long negotiations have reached trade and transit regimes for WTO of economy and budget planning, investment to the manufacturing nounced changes in the govern- purchases of the member countries the final stage and bilateral nego- members. National Chamber New Permanent Representative of of Entrepreneurs Seeks Kazakhstan Presents Credentials to UN Secretary General Protection Within Integration By Meruert Nemerbayeva By Aliya Akhmetzhanova CES agreements concluded be- time WTO member, as an example. Kairat Abdrakhmanov, the newly tween the three countries from “Recently, China lifted the ban appointed Permanent Representa- ASTANA – The idea of an eco- 2007 to 2012. The three heads of on foreign companies selling gam- nomic union of Kazakhstan, Rus- tive of Kazakhstan to the United state plan to sign a new agreement, ing consoles in their market. But Nations, presented his credentials sia and Belarus was first proposed the Treaty on the Eurasian Eco- at the same time Chinese authori- by President of Kazakhstan Nur- to UN Secretary General Ban Ki- nomic Union, this year. ties created a condition: produc- moon in New York on Jan. 9. sultan Nazarbayev, who thought The National Chamber of En- tion or trade of foreign consoles the initiative would bring great During the meeting, the parties trepreneurs of Kazakhstan (NCE), must be carried out through a local discussed pressing issues on the benefits to the economies of inde- which defends the interests of resident. Or take, for example, the pendent states that once made up global agenda, the role of the UN domestic producers, has actively countries of Latin America, which, in resolving international problems the Soviet Union. His initiative joined the discussion of the new though WTO members, also have was supported by the leaders of and Kazakhstan’s contributions to draft agreement. policies to protect their own pro- the process. Both also emphasized Russia and Belarus. Opening a recent video confer- ducers. Today, the question is how The first step towards such an the productive and mutually ben- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon receives Kairat Abdrakhmanov at the UN ence in Astana organised by the to correctly use this support,” Os- eficial character of Kazakhstan’s headquarters in New York. association was the Customs Un- NCE and attended by businessmen hakbayev said. ion (CU), which eliminated ob- cooperation with the UN. and achieving gender equality in resolutions related to nuclear dis- and producers from all regions of According to him, subsidies Abdrakhmanov highlighted Ka- secondary education. armament, addressing the conse- stacles to the free movement of Kazakhstan, NCE board member could be one protection tool. To goods between the three countries zakhstan’s readiness to continue Nuclear non-proliferation as quences of nuclear tests, protecting Rakhim Oshakbayev stressed that support its domestic auto industry, cooperating with the UN on is- well as issues of energy, water, and the populations of environmentally in mid-2010. According to of- the draft treaty will not be easy to Russia introduced state subsidies ficial figures, since the launch of sues such as poverty elimination, food security are on Kazakhstan’s vulnerable regions and the rap- review because of its scale: the lat- in the amount of 100 billion rou- strengthening the role of women, agenda in its campaign for a non- prochement of cultures. the CU, mutual trade between the est version of the draft consists of bles (US$3 billion) to compensate three member states has grown by protecting women’s rights, devel- permanent seat on the UN Security Kazakhstan has also nominated 800 pages, to be discussed at work- the costs automakers have to bear almost 16 percent. oping public-private partnerships, Council in 2017-2018. The elec- its candidacy for the post of presi- ing meetings in the coming weeks. in order to modernise and train Today, Kazakhstan, Belarus and creating new workplaces, climate tion is set for 2016. dent of the 71st session of the UN In his opinion, the optimal so- personnel. In addition, Russia in- Russia are also members of a new change and the non-proliferation Kazakhstan actively participates General Assembly. lution is to have basic concepts troduced a “recycling fee” for im- regional association, the Common of weapons of mass destruction. in the work of various UN bodies. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was like the institutions, structure and ported vehicles. Economic Space (CES), which Kazakhstan is actively participat- Starting from 2014, the country has the first Asian representative to functions of the union fixed by an “Nothing is preventing us, for differs from the CU in that it also ing in achieving the goals of sus- been a member of the UN Econom- successfully head the UN Office at international treaty with ratifica- provides for the free movement of example, from introducing low- tainable development and achieving ic and Social Council, the Commis- Geneva in 2011-2013. Byrganym tion, while sectoral issues that are capital, labour and services. ered tariffs on goods we export the Millennium Development Goals sion on Narcotic Drugs, the Joint Aitimova, Permanent Representa- Kazakh Vice Minister of Econ- more subject to change and con- by railway. Everyone knows that (MDGs). Kazakhstan was one of UN Programme on HIV/AIDS tive of Kazakhstan to the UN in omy and Budget Planning Timur tain more significant details should our goods are not competitive due the first countries to report its MDG and the UNESCO World Heritage New York from 2007-2013, also Zhaksylykov announced on Jan. be addressed in legal documents of to the remoteness of Kazakhstan achievements to the international Committee. Kazakhstan became a served as President of the Inter- 13 that from Jan. 1 of this year, narrower force. from seaports,” Oshakbayev said. community. In particular, Kazakh- member of the UN in 1992. Since national Association of Permanent CES states may participate in each “This position reflects our un- According to him, it is impor- stan reported on poverty elimina- its accession, the country has spon- Representatives to the United Na- other’s public procurement pro- derstanding of the opinion of our tant to satisfy the basic require- tion, access to primary education sored and co-sponsored various tions. cesses. This means that Kazakh President, expressed at the most ment of the Treaty on the Eurasian suppliers will compete on par with recent meeting of the Supreme Economic Union, the absence of Russian and Belarusian suppliers Eurasian Economic Council on discrimination, but flexible mecha- for the chance to win public pro- Dec. 24 last year: ‘In general, I re- nisms to support domestic produc- curements in all three nations, and affirm the commitment of Kazakh- ers can and should always be used. vice versa. Public procurement in stan to the creation of a strong, yet Also problematic for Kazakh- the CES countries amounted to adaptable, Economic Union,’” Os- stan are the technical regulations about $198 billion in 2012. hakbayev recalled. in the future treaty. The current “The market of the partner-coun- The draft treaty is expected to technical requirements of Russia tries exceeds the domestic market be agreed upon by this spring. At and Belarus are a serious obstacle by 26 times, thereby providing the meeting of the Supreme Eura- for Kazakh goods. clear potential for the development sian Economic Council in Minsk According to Oshakbayev, the of domestic manufacturers,” Zhak- last fall, Nazarbayev gave March technical rules to be adopted with- sylykov said. 2014 as the final date of the agree- in the framework of the Eurasian For Kazakhstan, Zhaksylykov ment, and Russian Prime Minister Economic Community are very stressed, the main task in Eurasian Dmitry Medvedev instructed his cumbersome. They contain more integration is the expansion of out- subordinate structures to complete than 60 sections, while the techni- let markets and opening up new all conciliations by Apr. 17, 2014. cal regulation of the European Un- opportunities. The additional free- The question now is how Ka- ion, for example, is more compact. doms of the CES, therefore, can be zakhstan will protect and support “We believe our national leg- expected to have a huge impact on domestic producers within the islation in the sphere of technical the Kazakh economy. However, CES and after its imminent acces- regulation is more perfect, because in practice, there are a number of sion to the World Trade Organisa- it clearly defines objectives and in- exceptions that impede the access tion (WTO). struments, especially as these rules of Kazakh goods to the markets of Oshakbayev believes that even should not create barriers to entre- Russia and Belarus. while strictly observing the treaty’s preneurship,” Oshakbayev said. Kazakhstan’s partners in the requirements, the government has He urged all Kazakh entrepreneurs CES are strongly protecting the in- the right to use additional tools to to participate in the discussion of terests of their entrepreneurs. Work protect domestic businesses. He the draft Treaty on the Eurasian is now being done to improve the gave neighbouring China, a long- Economic Union. B Nation&Capital

Wednesday, january 15, 2014

People Culture Sports Folks Crafts Experiencing a Revival Young Kazakh Singer Takes First Barys Players Join KHL Stars on Ice Prize at Int’l Competition in Los in Bratislava B2 Angeles B3 B7 Napoleon Bonaparte’s Life Folks Crafts Showcased in Astana Experiencing a Revival Astana, Imangali Tasmagambetov. The exhibition called “Napoleon: Life and Legend” is special and symbolic – it is the final event of the “Season of France in Kazakh- stan”. “Astana residents and guests will get a very rare firsthand op- portunity to see it [the exhibition]. We are deeply convinced that this exhibition, which is being present- ed in one of the best showrooms in Astana, will evoke great inter- est in the residents and visitors of our city. However, the most important thing is that it actually makes a great contribution to the further rapprochement of our peo- ples and adequately completes the Year of France in Kazakhstan,” Tasmagambetov said while open- ing the exhibition. The exposition is divided into nine sections: Born in Ajaccio; An Officer of the Royal Army; The French Revolution; Napole- Yrza Tursynzada, head of Altyn Orda House of Creative Design. on Bonaparte, The General of the Revolution; Head of State, Peace- By Rysty Alibekova maker and Reformer; The Impe- available. To certain people, these are everyday items. However, rial Family; Commander; Exile The Altyn Orda House of Crea- in the modern age of globalisa- and Death; and Birth of a Legend. tive Design is bringing back an- Each of these sections tells about tion and technocracy, says Yrza cient crafts and presenting them in By Rufiya Ospanova the spirit and the times in which Tursynzada – the head of Altyn get acquainted with the life of at an exhibition, which was opened a new light. Napoleon lived. Orda, – people tend to feel nostal- ASTANA – Residents and guests French statesman, military leader on Dec. 19 in the Palace of Inde- Nowadays, it is hard to surprise gic for their traditions and values. of Astana have the opportunity to and emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte pendence by the Akim (Mayor) of Continued on Page B3 people with anything due to the di- The term “neo-ethno-style” was verse selection of goods available. coined in modern interior design; Even products from leading West- it compliments modern, hi-tech, ern brands such as Gucci bags, classical, neoclassical and deco art Louis Vuitton scarves, Chanel styles amongst others. Major Botanical Garden Complex to dresses and the likes are readily Continued on Page B2 Be Built for EXPO 2017 By Gulyaim Tulesheva Documentary Series Batyr Avenue. The project’s first The botanical garden is intended desert,” “Tropical greenhouse,” stage has already been approved to develop into a leading research, “Asian landscape,” “Mediterra- ASTANA – A State Botanical by state examiners. cultural, educational and environ- nean forest,” “Oceania” and “Gar- Garden with a parkland area of In 2013, the designers devel- mental institution. According to den of the Mother Earth.” Gardens Highlights Atyrau 97.5 hectares is one of the facili- oped the project’s documen- experts, one of the main ideas is to representing different countries, ties to be constructed in the capital tation and feasibility study. construct eight large greenhouses including Iran, Spain, China, Ja- for the upcoming EXPO 2017. The Keremet-Invest is implementing shaped like hemispheres of differ- pan, England, France, Italy and Cultural Heritage garden will be a tourist attraction the project, which has as its main ent sizes and connected by cross- Egypt are also planned. There will By Rem Mikhailov as well as house a botanical mu- architects Italian designer Abel- walks. also be gardens featuring peren- The trip was supported by the ad- ministration of the Atyrau oblast. seum and botanical research insti- lonio Pierandrea and eminent The indoor pavilions will have nial and annual plans and stone ATYRAU – The Atyrau broad- The crew, headed by Director of tutes. landscape architect Jean Musse. geographical and climatic condi- sculptures as well as a “river” of cast television branch of the Ka- According to the Astana Depart- The construction project is over- tions corresponding to different the Regional Branch of Kazakh- flowers. zakhstan television company pre- stan TV Askar Ashimov, explored ment of Public Utilities, the garden seen by the corporate fund Nurly zones around the globe. Planned sented the documentary, “From the will be located along Kabanbay Astana. pavilions include “South African Continued on Page B8 Kainar, Donyztau, Karashun- Khazars to Kazakhs,” dedicated gil and Imankara in the Zhylyoi to the history of the region, on the district; nomad encampments in eve of Kazakhstan’s Independence Taskeshu in the Makat district; Day. the historic sites Alpy-ana, Tukti- The original 10-episode docu- ata, Zholayshagyl and Korgansha mentary was the result of a 30-day in the Kyzylkogin district and the Winter Fun: Skating on the Open Ice historical and cultural expedition By Jan Furst Sarayshyk settlement and the tomb lar skater and ice fishing loversaid. taken by the Kazakhstan company of Khan Tukymy in the Makham- “I have been skating since child- and scientists from the Atyrau H. bet district. ASTANA – While some dislike hood, and it was not too hard to Dosmukhamedov State University. Continued on Page B3 the fact that Astana sees some of learn to skate, I used to roller blade the coldest winters in the world, quite often. Now, I go skating once many others take advantage of the every two weeks with my family; capital’s cold weather. One way that is our tradition, sometimes, we locals spend quality cold weather go to Alau [indoor skating rink] Things to Watch leisure time is skating on the Yessil when it is too cold and sometimes River and on the Rowing Canal. here to Yessil. Of course, if you january Every winter, thousands of lo- want quality ice, Alau is better, it is cals flock to the Yessil River and indoors, they take good care of the the Rowing Canal to skate on the ice, here it is good for learning, it is frozen ice. Is such an open sky more fun and you have more room Astana Opera House rink better than one indoors? That for falling,” advised Lee, smiling. is what The Astana Times tried to Lee recommended Alau Sports January 16 at 19.30 Great names: Joseph Haydn and figure out right after the holiday Complex and Kazakhstan Sports Wolfgang Mozart concert season. Palace on the Rowing Canal. “At “Winter is no reason to stay at Alau, entry for adults is 500 tenge home,” Raen Zeker, a young en- (US$3.24) during the day and Maxim Gorky state theatre trepreneur from Astana said. “One 1,000 tenge (US$6.47) after four can always dress up warmly and p.m. Kids up to 12 years of age pay January 17 at 18.30 “Viaticum” drama enjoy the winter fun.” half of that; kids younger than five Zeker has been skating since enter for free, rental [skates] are January 25 at 18.00 Lonely Apple Tree Drama childhood and it is hard for him to also 1,000 tenge (US$6.47), the remember how he learned to skate. same price as at the Yessil River “I learned to skate long ago and it (and on the Rowing Canal), but nazarbayev centre is difficult to remember whether it Skating outdoors on the Rowing Canal in Astana is great fun for thousands. there are no entrance fees at Yessil was hard or easy for me to learn. or on the Canal. You can skate for January 21 at 19.00 Chamber music evening of Gaziza But nowadays, I try to go skating me in a good mood. Even falls on importance to those who recently free if you have your own skates so Zhubanova state string quartet every now and then, at least three the ice (which are inevitable) are arrived in Astana; any local would it is a bit crowded there,” he said. to five times a season,” he com- not going to spoil my time,” Ze- answer: “Of course it’s safe!” Ice skating might be the next big mented. ker said. “We always go home in But not right after the first snow. sport for Kazakhs. So far, the world Palace of Independence Skating outdoors in Astana is an excellent mood thinking about Later, after the first freeze below knows of young Kazakh skater December 20–February “Napoleon Bonaparte: not always a good idea; the tem- coming back the next weekend. -20C, it should be safe. Denis Ten, who is now preparing 23 at 10.00 life and legend” exhibition peratures drops below -30 at times, There is nothing better than skat- “Our winter can be very cold, the for the Sochi Olympics, which will skating should be avoided on these ing in the sun, or when the wind ice gets several metres thick, it is probably be the biggest event in his days. However, any other day with blows and helps us glide – it is impossible for it to break,” Zeker life. The hockey world knows of a negative temperature, is a good priceless.” reassured. the Astana based Barys team that City park skating day, even ones around -15 It might be priceless, but how “Off-road vehicles can race on is wreaking havoc this season. But degrees centigrade. What makes safe is skating on the river in the this thick ice, I have seen it myself. with this continued tradition, the January 19 at 11.00 World Snow Day people go out? winter? Could the ice break? These Actually, 15 centimetre thick ice is world will surely hear more names “Being active has always put questions certainly might be of enough for that,” Igor Lee, a regu- from Kazakhstan very soon. B2 Nation&Capital People

Wednesday, january 15, 2014 Folks Crafts Experiencing a Revival Continued from Page B1 A striking template of innova- you energy and preserving memo- tions, reflecting neo-ethnic-style ries of the past. Yrza Tursynzada For four consecutive years, the is a hand-sewn couch, which was says that visitors, especially older company has won the public goods sewn with classic materials and ones, are grateful for the shop; award in the nationwide contest fabrics. These materials include foreign guests take interest in the the Best Goods of Kazakhstan and tuskiiz, mat, tekemets, yarn, ala- crafts too. More than once, the its leader was awarded the Order sha, takyr-clem, syrmak. shop was complimented at interna- of “Kurmet” (“Honour”) for her In the modern ethnic room, in tional exhibitions, especially while contributions to the revival and de- place of curtains, a shimyldyk is in Europe. velopment of Kazakh culture and offered in a variety of new styles, traditions. colours and hues, bringing back the memories of the past. Risk paid off Topping it all is an exclusive Kazakhs innately respect their Turning to the Past collection of dowries with his- elders, their traditions and national The gallery of the Altyn Orda torical articles that have been heirlooms. The Kazakh people are creative design house is a special forgotten for all too long includ- naturally open, hospitable, amica- world; it is warm, pleasing to the ing quilts and other pieces of bed- ble and peace loving; they seek to eyes, cosy and without exaggera- ding crafted in folk styles such as live in harmony with the world and tion, luxurious. It displays intricate shabadan, shimyldyk, kos zhastyk, dig deep into the cultural traditions interior design themes and clothing jer zhastyk, shai korpe, kuyeu kor- of the Great Steppe, Tursynzada and furniture crafted using national pe, makhabbat korpe, ak kzol, bata said. Interest in the best traditions motifs. It incorporates ancient Ka- kilem, kuda korzhyn, korzhyn and of folk art and the desire to revive zakh folk craft techniques such as kalta, aniana. unjustly forgotten arts and crafts patchwork, embroidery, oyma and Unique things for babies are has noticeably grown in recent felt art with a modern twist. These hand-made in traditional folk style years. This trend can be ascribed things are complemented with at Altyn Orda too. to the growth of culture in society Interior design themes and clothing as well as furniture crafted using national motifs produced in Altyn Orda creative Swarovski rhinestones, fringe, or- Amid the variety of solid and and a more profound and objective design house. ganza, velour, beads, natural feath- attractive ethnic articles, you feel perception of the nation’s heritage out is painstakingly explained to techniques yields amazing results. ers, and even pearls, turquoise, cor- plunged into the world of child- and traditional style. visitors. Altyn Orda crafters have made a Quality is of the essence als and other decorative stones. The hood and adolescence and that you While in Moscow, she bought Quality, according to the busi- Guests are likely to remember quilt called the “Echo of Time,” in mix of fabrics, colours and geo- are getting closer to the nation’s traditional hand-made articles as ness lady, is a strategic business a well preserved custom that has modern and ancient embroidery, metric figures creates an inimitable historical roots. The clothing al- gifts for her friends and acquaint- development tool. great educational value, rather which is a real work of art. style. The patchworks attract the most transmits the warmth of the ances: a pouch, a cushion and the “High quality should be the than the expensive restaurant it Tursynzada selected artisans for eye with their multihued diversity. crafters’ hands to you, while giving likes. standard for our society,” she took place in. It is sure to leave an her enterprise from all over Ka- Tursynzada’s first steps in busi- unforgettable impression. stated. “If each of us put his heart ness came in the form of 3-4 quilts zakhstan. They have 35 enthusias- into his/her job, we would be un- As ethnic crafts came into de- tic seamstresses and embroiderers, that she made together with her mand, Yrza Tursynzada had sub- rivalled.” housekeeper; they were sold with- dedicated to this delicate work; According to her, quality is par- stantially invested in the new they do everything painstakingly. in a week. Visitors started com- business, acquiring modern equip- ticularly relevant now that Ka- The head of the company be- ing; they were interested in buy- ment from the Japanese, Swiss, zakhstan is in the Customs Union. lieves that the needlework, which ing quilts and other ethnic articles Russians and Chinese. They use “Deepening integration is an meant for special occasions and fabrics and furnishings of high develops artistic taste and skill, inevitable process,” Tursynzada celebrations such as matchmak- quality; the young company is par- patience and accuracy, enriches asserted. “Alone, we could be ing events, weddings and births. ticularly intent on using quality to one’s inner life and is aesthetically simply swept away and forgot- That’s how she got the idea of run- carve a secure niche in the market pleasing. ten about in this fast paced world. ning her own business. for our goods. This is unattainable She said, “At first, people said We are bound to be in vogue, in Altyn Orda’s products are not with simple machinery. this was a crazy idea and a risky the mainstream and to be among only beautiful, but also carry a his- The technologies applied are the venture, there is little money in the 30 most advanced nations. We torical and aesthetic idea. They are most advanced too, they include crafts.” But she persevered and must learn new things and make part of Kazakh culture and nation- photo-printing, computer embroi- became obsessed, and rightly so, everything with supreme quality.” al memory. The in-depth meaning dery and working with stone. Com- as the articles are in great demand, The Altyn Orda is now planning of tradition and how it is carried bining them with hand crafting not only at home, but also abroad. to take part in EXPO 2017. B3 Nation&Capital Culture

Wednesday, january 15, 2014 Young Kazakh Singer Takes First Prize at International Competition in Los Angeles By Natalia Kurpyakova with us at Disneyland. She’s an the Kazakh diaspora came to the amazing person; she treats every- competition in West Hollywood ASTANA – Farkhad Madenov, a one equally, supported us, inspired to cheer for him. They attended second-year student at the College us. Before the concert, I was so concerts and listened with flags in of the Kazakh National University worried that my legs were shak- their hands. of Arts (KazNUA), won the sixth ing, and then she said, ‘Farkhad “It was so solemn, so touching; Colibri Multicultural Competition you’ve been singing since birth, we felt that we were representing of young performers in Los Ange- you’ve won contests in Moscow, our country and we could not let les in November 2013. Bulgaria, Turkey. You’re an expe- down fans like that! A lot of young The competition has become rienced performer—go and sing!’” Americans in the crowd also a prestigious international event Madenov said. showed great interest in the Ka- for young performers, and per- Madenov performed the ro- zakh performers,” the singer said. formers from 30 countries par- mance of Gaziza Zhubanova “We didn’t miss a single concert ticipated in the 2013 event. Last Zhyr Zhazamyn; a composition or one master class … Participants year was Kazakhstan’s first time by Mario Lanza, “Be My Love;” from Korea, Japan and China sur- joining the competition. At the and the Italian song “La Spagno- prised us with their piano tech- qualifying round in Los Angeles, la.” When he performed, he didn’t nique. For the first time, I heard Madenov’s work was recognised think about victory, he said, and how Indians sing. Strong vocalists as the best. when he heard that he took first came from Armenia and Russia. I “I received an invitation at once, place in the academic vocal cat- was lucky enough to sing at a gala but I did not have the funds for egory, he couldn’t believe it. He concert and perform on the same the trip. I informed the organisers had to be pushed on stage for his stage with virtuoso violinist Daniel about this. The organisers wanted award. Shindarev! At that moment I didn’t to see our country among the par- Kazakh participants were also worry; joy beat out excitement. I ticipants and sent a letter to the successful in other categories: went on stage after him and the Akim (Mayor) of Astana asking Orynbassar Abuov received a maestro stayed behind the scenes for assistance. The akimat (city ad- special prize in the jazz vocal to listen to me. Then we talked and ministration) paid for my trip and category and Aidana Ayneshova the famous musician instructed Farkhad Madenov (standing) won the sixth Colibri Multicultural Competition of young performers in Los Angeles. accommodation, for which I am took second place among instru- me. I’ll remember these moments very grateful,” Madenov said. mentalists. Both are also KazNUA forever.” tate him ... Mentally, I devoted my going to visit Kazakhstan in May in the competition programme Performers in Astana heard students. Young Aktobe pianists That concert was dedicated to performance to him,” Madenov to learn more about the country of the Cultural Olympics that are about Colibri through Guldana Zhanis Shaukembayeva and Zaru the memory of opera singer Ana- said. and the vocalist. Madenov will connected with the 22nd Winter Zholymbetova, a former teacher Zhazykbayeva took second and toly Berkovich. Madenov sang Members of the competition soon have to decide whether to Olympics and 11th Paralympic at KazNUA. Zholymbetova now first place in their age categories. “Shine, Shine, My Star” and said jury suggested that Madenov study study at the University of Arts in Winter Games in Sochi. Cultural lives in America and wants the In Kazakhstan, the participants’ that while performing he thought at the University of California, Los Astana or go to Los Angeles. Olympics participants will come world to know about Kazakhstan’s family and friends as well as about recently deceased singer Ye- Angeles (UCLA). It costs tens of Recently, Madenov was in- from all over the world. Made- singers. In Los Angeles, she met teacher Tamashagul Gunther and rmek Serkebayev. thousands of dollars per year, but vited to the 19th Crystal Mag- nov is now looking for sponsors. Kazakhstan’s participants in the the whole department of vocal art “He was my favourite singer. the singer would be provided with nolia International Festival of “If I get assistance, it would be a competition, gave them advice and were cheering for Madenov. Bo- Serkebayev was not my teacher, a grant to cover his studies. Young Performers, which will great honour for me to represent spent free time with them. lashak students who had studied but I consider him my teacher. I UCLA professor Julia Ronskaya be held from Jan. 18-24 in Las Kazakhstan and I will do my best “Guldana Zholymbetova was in the U.S. and representatives of listened to him a lot, tried to imi- is ready to teach Madenov and is Vegas. The festival is included to win,” he said. Napoleon Bonaparte’s Life Documentary Series Highlights Showcased in Astana Atyrau Cultural Heritage

Atyrau broadcast television branch representatives. Continued from Page B1 “The project has the goal of decoration of the Sarmatians era. drawing the attention of the public Ashimov directed the film, which An exhibit item of Napoleon Bonaparte exhibition. Among the crew were experts and interested agencies to the rich was the brainchild of his deputy, from the Chief State Inspectorate Continued from Page B1 tentiary of France to Kazakhstan the exhibition is symbolic of the historical heritage of the region, Nazarbek Kosshiyev. Each episode for Protection of Cultural and His- Francis Etienne. French Revolution, which in the which still has many secrets,” said is devoted to a separate site in need torical Heritage Galymzhan Iska- The exhibition features about “A collection of 300 pieces was penal code adopted during Napole- Deputy Oblast Akim (Governor) of state attention and preservation. kov and Dr. Marat Kassenov. 300 pieces, including works of gathered from museums such as onic rule, was the main instrument Shyngys Mukan at the presenta- The film is the first such project There are 313 cultural and histori- tion of the film. He added that dur- in the region and the country as a art, personal belongings of the the Napoleon Foundation, Ver- of execution. cal monuments in the official register ing work in the Inder district, the whole, and may end up being used emperor and his family, papers, sailles, Fontainebleau and the Bonaparte’s coronation in No- of the Atyrau region, but the experts expedition found the remains of a as teaching materials for students as military attributes, manuscripts Napoleon Museum, which is lo- tre Dame is depicted in detail by say there are actually many more. woman wearing the clothing and well as educational entertainment. and furniture from the Napole- cated at Malmaison in the house painter Jacques-Louis David in onic era that show the stormy where he lived with Josephine. 1804. The reform achievements creative, scientific and politi- We are pleased that the exhibi- of the emperor are reflected in the cal life of France at that time, tion has come to Astana,” said the work of Jean-Baptiste and in cop- as well as the major changes in exhibition’s curator, Director of ies of the civil code, which united civil society under Napoleon’s the Napoleon Foundation, Thierry the nation. leadership. There is a special Lentz. Legendary military victories exhibit centred around the dress Lentz, co-curator Pierre Bran- and defeats, his exile to Saint He- which Mrs. Beranger, the wife da, scenography experts Pascal lena and death on May 5, 1821 are of state councilor Jean Beranger, Rodriguez and Dina Baitassova wore on the day of Napoleon’s were involved in organising the captured in famous paintings. But coronation in 1804. It is also exhibit. Organisers divided ex- before that, he managed to dictate possible to see rare personal hibits by period of Napoleon’s his memoirs, which became the documents belonging to the em- life. There is also an excerpt from accepted historical narrative of the peror, in particular, Napoleon’s his work “Clisson and Eugenie” Bonaparte epoch. baptismal certificate, dated July which was written by Bonaparte The exhibition will last until 21, 1771. when he was young. He crafted Feb. 23 and is free of charge. “All these things personally be- the piece in the spirit of the En- The exhibition was organised by longed to Napoleon, he held them lightenment. At that time, the fu- the Association of National Muse- in his hands and he used them in ture emperor dreamed of becom- ums and the Grand Palace, as well his daily life. Napoleon was not ing a writer and later tried to rid as Napoleon’s Foundation upon only a legendary figure, but a com- himself of all of his novels and the initiative of the Embassy of mon person as well,” said Ambas- short stories. France in Kazakhstan and with the sador Extraordinary and Plenipo- The guillotine demonstrated at support of the Astana Akimat. An episode from the documentary series about Atyrau. B4 Nation&Capital Country

Wednesday, january 15, 2014 Two Kazakh Writers Couple Creates Smart, Immortalised in Bronze Underground Greenhouses By Zhubanysh Baygurinov By Svetlana Abenova

AKTOBE – A monument to UST-KAMENOGORSK – Hus- prominent national writers Takhaui band and wife team Nikolai and Akhtanov and Kuandyk Shangyt- Lyudmila Zemlyany have created bayev was opened in the Aktobe a garden of unique underground region on Dec. 30. greenhouses in their village of A stone for that monument to the Ukraina, near Ust-Kamenogorsk. great Kazakh playwright and his The greenhouses, which they have close associate poet Shangytbayev been building and maintaining for was laid in one of the squares on the past five years, provide them an Aktobe street that bears his with produce to sell and give local name last September during the students a chance to learn garden- 31st National Festival of Theatres ing and botanical skills. of Kazakhstan, dedicated to the In their underground gardens, Lyudmila Zemlyany shows her greenhouse products. 90th anniversary of Akhtanov. the couple grow coffee and myrtle The initiative to immortalise in trees, lemons, bananas, persim- but Nikolai found another, more ing. One stoker is able to heat the bronze the two famous country- mons, figs, hibiscus, bay and even efficient way of providing insula- stoves easily. They have also in- men was advanced by representa- ginkgo biloba. They call them tion and warmth by covering the stalled a pump in the boiler room tives of Aktobe’s intelligentsia. “intelligent greenhouses” because roofs of his greenhouses with car- to pump the warm air out of it. Akhtanov and Shangytbayev they use heat pumps and are less bonate polymer, which holds ultra- In addition to the stoker, the cou- were inseparable friends and asso- costly to maintain in Kazakhstan’s violet rays in summer and infrared ple has hired two young women ciates. Shangytbayev is known for harsh climate than the more typi- rays in winter. Descending into the from the village to help them run his lyrical poetry and translations cal glass structures. Though under- gardens doesn’t feel like entering their garden. Their children and into Kazakh of the works of Omar ground greenhouses are uncom- a cave, though additional lighting grandchildren also help around the Khayyam, Goethe, Heine, Musa mon nowadays, the couple said to prolong “daylight” by sodium greenhouses. Jalil and other classics of the East they have been used as far back as lamps is used only from December “My husband and I are in town and the West. He was also awarded the times of Peter I in Russia. to February. In winter, the under- only overnight, and all the rest of a special diploma from the Push- The Zemlyanys began creating ground garden saves precious heat the time, we’re in our garden,” Ly- kin House in Moscow and an inter- their underground garden as they and in the summer it feels cool udmila said. They enjoy spending national award for the translation both neared retirement age. Be- and provides an escape from the most of their time in the village, of “Eugene Onegin.” A lot of his fore retiring, Lyudmila had taught hot sun. The soil temperature at where they have built a cottage poems were set into music and he electrical engineering at a college the optimal depth of 2.5 metres is for their children, Lyudmila said. is the author of plays and opera li- in Ust-Kamenogorsk, and even 12 degrees Celsius all year round, The ecology is much better, and brettos. then managed to create blooming which is economical. the work is good for their grand- The idea to honour in a single A monument to prominent national writers Takhaui Akhtanov and Kuandyk gardens in nearly all the offices In general, maintaining the fam- children, who can learn about their sculpture the two Kazakh national Shangytbayev and classrooms there. Nikolai, a ily’s four greenhouses, which natural environment by directly in- writers was supported by the Min- qualified power engineer, has cal- cover an area of 1,000 square me- teracting with it. istry of Culture and Information. 27 million tenge (US$174,599) Shangytbaev’s daughter Gauhar culated every step of the future tres, costs 10 or even 15 times less The village school students are Zhenis Zhubankos from Aktobe for the monument. The monument noted in her remarks at the cer- family business. He got the idea than maintaining the more com- frequent visitors to the Zemlyanys’ won the right to design the sculp- was officially unveiled during a emony that the Kazakhstan Minis- from the Internet, which brought mon Dutch ones, depending on the greenhouses, where they learn gar- ture in a competition that attracted ceremony on New Year’s Eve at- try of Culture and Information had him together with a former aircraft harshness of the winter. This year, dening and tending to plants. The many of Kazakhstan’s famous art- tended by local officials, intellec- published a five-volume edition designer from Kiev. The Ukrainian frosts have only just come to East vegetables, fruit and pot plants ists and sculptors. tuals, public figures and relatives devoted to the literary heritage of innovator covered the walls of his Kazakhstan, which has helped from their greenhouse are accepted Regional authorities allocated of the writers. her father. greenhouses with aluminium foil, them save on coal used for heat- by retail outlets and individuals.

ern mobile shelves that reach 29 km in length. All of these spaces History of Kazakhstan Archived are equipped with automated arti- Waterways Reconstruction ficial climate and fire safety sys- By Vadim Makhin tems. “We introduced 16 automated ALMATY – On Jan. 14, 1994, a Creates Agricultural accounting and information re- presidential decree on the creation trieval databases. An e-reference of Kazakhstan’s Presidental Archive service on Soviet Kazakhstan’s was signed. To celebrate the up- political elite from1918 to 1991 is Opportunities coming 20th anniversary of this ar- in the making,” Shepel added. chive, we asked its director Vladimir In 2008, the frequently up- Shepel to tell more about it. dated website www.aprk.kz was Perhaps the most unique trait in the South launched. of the archives is the quality of its The most valuable records on By Lyubov Dobrota age wells. The reconstruction of records. It is a modern, high-tech post independence Kazakhstan are these waterways has allowed more complex. Since 1998, the Archive ones on the history of the formation SHYMKENT – A newly com- than 103 hectares of unused land has collected 70 files relating to and development of the nation, in- pleted inventory of reservoirs and plots to be reclaimed and provided political, governmental and public cluding a historic speech of Presi- canals in southern Kazakhstan with sources of irrigation. figures of Kazakhstan (about 8,000 dent Nursultan Nazarbayev on is helping authorities recalculate Having completed the inventory, records are in storage now). The gaining sovereignty at a Supreme water facilities, assess their status the next step will be drawing up a archive includes files on Dzhien- Council session and documents and identify dams that badly need detailed plan, including specified bayev, Zhanybekov, Beisebayev, reconstruction and overhauling. It Vladimir Shepel, Director of Kazakhstan’s Presidental Archive surrounding the adoption of the deadlines, for restoring water fa- Ospanov, Alimzhanov, Kozy- Constitution and the swearing in will also give each district an idea cilities. The inventory also helped bayev, Belger, Isinaliyev and other eign Affairs and the “Rarities of “We are cooperating with other of the President on Dec. 10, 1991, of its new potential for irrigated identify illegally constructed agri- people who worked in the govern- the President’s Archive”. These countries’ archives and the Interna- confirmations from world -lead agriculture. cultural premises and commercial ment of Kazakhstan during the So- exhibitions attracted more than tional Council on Archives (ICA), of ers on their acknowledgements of Regional authorities are plan- facilities. Constructions like these viet times. 15,000 visitors, including foreign which Kazakhstan has been a mem- Kazakhstan’s sovereignty, the UN ning to use all their available land hamper the repair and cleaning of The Presidental Archive is a na- ambassadors. ber (in the Eurasian department) General Assembly’s resolution on resources to provide local residents canals and will need to be demol- tional scientific-methodological “We have published 59 docu- since 2003,” Shepel said. “Com- Kazakhstan’s UN membership, with work and stable incomes, ished. centre that has issued over 90 man- mentary collections and refer- pared to 1994, funding to our ar- the constitutional laws and decrees which means making the most effi- The Ramadan canal in the Sary- uals. Information and a detailed ences in 64 volumes,” Shepel said. chive has increased 17 times, mod- from the President “On Adoption cient use of their reservoirs and ca- agash area is slated for reconstruc- newsletter are issued regularly. Thousands of documents, previ- ern equipment was also procured.” of the State Symbols of the Repub- nals. Mukhit Otarshiev, head of the tion next year. In 2011, a historical exhibition ously unavailable to researchers, In 2010, the high-tech German lic of Kazakhstan”, “Launch of the Department of Natural Resources The environmental department series titled the “Chronicle of In- have been made accessible. Arti- microfiche COM system was first National Currency” and others. and Environmental Control of is concerned about the technical dependence” was held in Astana cles are regularly published on po- applied, in 2011, new air condi- All of these documents and many South Kazakhstan, said that there condition of another seven reser- in conjunction with Kazakhstan’s litical history. Radio and television tioners were installed in the facil- other valuable archival records are 911 canals currently registered voirs. Almost all of them are pri- Museum of the First President, broadcasts, exhibitions, lectures, ity’s storage units and then the out- point to the importance and com- in the oblast. vately owned, and their owners do and an exhibition titled “Under the excursions, school field trips and dated e-filing server was replaced. plexity of the path Kazakhstan has Over the past three years, the re- not consider it necessary to spend flag of Independence” was done open days are held on a regular The records are held in 8 storage blazed and to the first President’s gion has repaired 393 canals, 205 money on the maintenance of their together with the Ministry of For- basis too. facilities with stationary and mod- role in the country’s progress. discharges and 123 vertical drain- water bodies. Almaty Naturalists Take First Place in International Ecological Competition By Natalia Valuyskaya their informative and educational “We have been to many parts of value. Kazakhstan: Charyn Canyon, the ALMATY – A team of young The team of young naturalists Kulsay lakes, the Singing Dunes. naturalists from Almaty took first from the Almaty Education De- [We] travelled to the Trans-Ili Ala- place in the Rodniki (“Springs”) partment presented a project on the tau. Hiking is my main method of international competition of pro- Semirechye region authored by the training and education; exploring jects on ecology and local history department’s Ecological Studies nature, people learn more about held in St. Petersburg in December Club leader Yelena Udartseva. The themselves,” Udartseva said. 2013. project depicted how to put up a tent, Kazakhstan’s young natural- Young naturalists from Kazakh- navigate the region’s terrain, make a ists were offered a varied cultural stan, Russia’s Yakutia, Chuvashia, fire and cook soup. It also described programme in St. Petersburg and the Sverdlovsk region and St. Pe- the springtime needs of animals and visited the Hermitage, the Kunst- tersburg took part in the competi- the budding process of trees and kamera, the Zoological Museum tion. Their projects were evaluated flowers and made a plea for nature and the Oceanarium, among other on relevance, practicability and in the area to be cherished. sightseeing activities. B5 Nation&Capital Society

Wednesday, january 15, 2014 Kazakh Language in Trial Version on Russian Orthodox Google Translate Christians Celebrate language’s expected switch from Christmas, Receive the Cyrillic to the Latin alphabet would not cause any problems for Kazakh Wikipedia or the new Presidential Greetings translation service. Digital tech- By Meruert Nemerbayeva known for its hospitality and tradi- nologies mean texts made with tions of tolerance. Modern day Ka- one graphical system can easily ASTANA – On the 7th of Janu- zakhstan is home to representatives be converted to the other, Kenz- ary, together with millions of Or- of more than 100 nationalities who hekhanuly said. “If this decision thodox believers around the world, live in peace and harmony. A re- is made, both Wikipedia and texts Kazakhstan’s Orthodox Christians cent national poll showed that in the translated via Google translate can celebrated Christmas. Representa- population above age 15, about 96% easily be available in a new alpha- tives of other religions along with the practice religion, whereas only 4% bet.” country’s leaders congratulated them refused to specify or claim atheism. “In such projects as Kazakh on this revered holiday. This is great change for a society Wikipedia or Google translate, we “Over the centuries, this holiday that was under an atheist Commu- could test the first version of trans- has been filling the hearts of people nist government for 70 years during literation from Cyrillic into the with great feelings of love and be- the 20th Century. The poll further Rauan Kenzhekhanuly (centre) presents news about the Kazakh language translation service in Google Translate at the Latin alphabet,” he added. nevolence, it brings peace and kind- Central Communications Service briefing. showed that 67% of the popula- Public Relations Manager of ness to our lives,” President Nursul- tion practices Islam, 29% practices the Google company on this issue. Google translate includes 80 lan- By Rufiya Ospanova Social Projects of Beeline Kazakh- tan Nazarbayev said in a message Christianity of various denomina- Representatives of the company guages at the moment. stan Anar Zhumagulova spoke to believers and the whole nation. tions, 0.1% follows Buddhism, while ASTANA – The Kazakh lan- and the team that is engaged in “It happens that machines make about the work involved in intro- “These eternal spiritual values unite 0.04% follows the teachings of Juda- guage is being tested as part of developing the Google translate mistakes. … Nevertheless, these ducing Kazakh into the Google members of all religions. They are ism. Google’s translation service thanks service said that there needed to systems have been actively de- translate service. the foundation of development and Acknowledging the important role in part to the efforts of Beeline Ka- be a lot of mirror translations from veloping for the last 20 years. The “First of all, we provided free all achievements of Kazakhstan.” of religion in unifying the nation and zakhstan and WikiBilim Public Kazakh into English and vice ver- quality of translation in some lan- access to our service. We needed According to President Naz- spreading the ideas of peace and tol- Fund. sa in order to do this,” Kenzhek- guages is quite high. … For ex- a lot of people involved in this arbayev, “the power of our society is erance, the main religious holidays Rauan Kenzhekhanuly, Chair of hanuly said. Beeline Kazakhstan ample, in English and French lan- process, preferably those fluent in resting on the grounds of peace and of the two largest religions – Islam the Board of Trustees of WikiBilim joined the project and together guages, the quality of translation is Kazakh and English, for expand- harmony; this is where different cul- and the Russian Orthodox Church – Public Fund, said that including they managed to provide enough high and almost doesn’t need any ing the language base. But this was tures and customs complement each are designated as days off. Kazakh in the Google translate mirror translations for adding the revising,” he said. in the first stage, when everyone other and create a unique, forward Erzhan Hadzhi Malgazhiuly, the system will be an important step in language to the Google translate “The quality of the translation could access it using smartphones looking image of the country.” Supreme Mufti of Kazakhstan also the language’s development. Ken- service, he said. is not 100 percent yet, but it is and input texts in Kazakh or Eng- “Kazakhstan is dynamically head- expressed respect for the Christian zhekhanuly spoke at the Central “Recently, Google announced enough to understand the context lish,” she said. ing forward, strengthening social and holiday and highlighted the ability of Communications Service (CCS) that the trial version of transla- and idea of any text. Moreover, “The second stage required an economic development and main- Christianity to facilitate the strength- briefing held on Dec. 24. tions from English into Kazakh these systems develop by means of assessment process for those who taining the harmony between the ening of harmonious relations in the “We began thinking about it and vice versa was ready, which our active participation. For exam- would like to use this service in vivid, distinct character of all ethnic multi-ethnic country. about one and a half years ago. We requires us—users of the Kazakh ple, if you see a mistake, you can the future and have a high quality groups and their unity. This holiday “The long-lived strong alliance started to think about how to add language—to evaluate the work of correct it and the machine will re- translation. We need to understand is associated with humanism and between Islam and Russian Ortho- the Kazakh language to the trans- the service,” he said. member it,” he added. how good the translations are,” she good deeds. It is important for our dox Christianity has played an im- lation system. We reached out to According to Kenzhekhanuly, He also noted that the Kazakh said. entire nation that has always valued portant role in growing patriotism the traditions of charity and mutual and family values among the youth respect,” he said. in Kazakhstan,” the Supreme Mufti Cancer Fund’s Newest Project Historically, the Kazakh nation is said. Ice Holes Readied for Water Provides Mobile Palliative Care Consecration on Epiphany Day By Olga Malakhova “There are more that 17,000 By Sergei Gorbunov One ice hole each in areas of still people in Kazakhstan with can- water are to be made in the Irtysh, ALMATY – The public fund cer, and our task is to unite our ef- PAVLODAR – This winter, the Kachir and Zhelezinsk districts. In Together Against Cancer, which forts for a successful fight against ice hole for Russian Orthodox the rural areas of Ekibastuz, three recently marked its five-year an- cancer,” said Together Against Epiphany Day in Pavlodar will be ice holes will be made in the ar- niversary, has launched a new pro- Cancer Executive Director Gul- made on the Usolka River tribu- tificial basins of the GRES-1 and ject to create a mobile team of pal- nara Kunyrova. “We attract repu- tary, where the water is shallow GRES-2 power plants and on the liative care in Almaty. table surgeons and other special- and the current gentle. Pavlodar lake near the local horse farm. The fund’s newest project aims ists to train our doctors, organise residents are advised against A font will be installed at An- to help cancer patients end their open days and mass actions with swimming in areas of the big- nunciation Cathedral in Pavlodar lives in comfort and dignity. The the population, promote a healthy ger Irtysh River where there are on Orthodox Epiphany Day to take philosophy of palliative care is to lifestyle and run a hotline for strong currents. consecrated water from. create comfort and provide opium consultations with oncologists analgesics and psychological and and vaccination rooms for human social help to patients in the third papilloma virus.” and fourth stages of cancer. The NGO is supported by the The palliative care team, con- Fund of the First President and its sisting of a doctor, a nurse and a chief, Chair of the Majilis Com- The public fund Together Against Cancer at the celebration of its fifth anniver- psychologist, will help patients at sary. mittee for Socio-Cultural Devel- home, as most late-stage cancer opment Dariga Nazarbayeva. It is patients prefer home care. Part of held scientific forums, conducted pal Health Department Zhannat also supported by other public or- the funds for the project have al- 20 workshops, helped train dozens Kassymdzhanov said that it is im- ganisations and companies and the ready been collected, and sponsors of physicians, purchased equip- possible to imagine urban health- citizens of Almaty, among whom have paid for the purchase of spe- ment and attracted investment to care without this nongovernmental are well-known artists and cul- cialised transport. cancer care services, all using do- organisation working in close con- tural workers whose popularity at- Over the five years of its exist- nations it collected. nection with the cancer centre and tracts people’s attention to the fight ence, Together Against Cancer has Head of Almaty’s Munici- the centre of palliative care. against cancer. Epiphany Day ceremony. Kazakh Expat Gains Experience, Advocates for Home Country Abroad Continued from Page A1 elling for work and sometimes for ence in mentality and culture. The “What do people in Africa know days off, too. I have been to Ken- standards and corporate culture are of Kazakhstan? Truth be told, almost In her current position, ya, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Zambia, different. Then language, technical nothing. They all know Russia or the Makhmutova juggles responsibili- Mozambique, South Africa, Con- language. To know all the things in Soviet Union. I am always asked: ties including overseeing construc- go and Botswana. I went to Kenya construction and management in ‘Kazakhstan? Where is that? Is that tion, tracking and reporting expen- because I heard it has great beach- English is not easy. You must start in Russia?’ Unfortunately, many ditures, managing schedules and es, with sand so fine it feels like thinking in English. I love working people know about my country from troubleshooting site problems. “I powder. I visited Masai tribe vil- abroad because it gives me a chance the movie ‘Borat.’ They even ask: am multitasking,” she said. lages [and] went to Kilimanjaro. I to work with people from different ‘Kazakhstan?! Do you know Borat?’ Working abroad may be ex- even managed to squeeze in a male countries, learn from them, share But there have been some changes otic, but it can also be dangerous, beauty contest called Mr. Shamba- my experience; to be a part of mul- over the [recent] years. Kazakhstan Makhmutova said. “I’ve worked on la in a town called Ukunda, south ticultural process and develop my has become a respected country in projects in Zambia, Guinea, Cam- of Mombasa. It was fun!” professional skills as a manager.” the world arena and more people eroon, Eritrea. Some of them were She has seen some of the world’s Companies are striving for know about us and are willing to gold mines, iron ore, cobalt. We most incredible sites, but also wit- diversity in their workplaces, visit our country. We showed good Raushan Makhmutova likes travelling around the world. work in quite harsh conditions, liv- nessed what life is like off the Makhmutova said, and actively results in the London Olympics in ing in camps, with none of the en- beaten track. “I went to a bush vil- recruiting workers from differ- 2012. So now I don’t see amusement to Western Africa, I did a presenta- the movie. I hope I changed their tertainment we are used to back at lage. I’ve never seen a village liv- ent backgrounds. “The reason for and surprise on people’s faces when tion and a short movie about Ka- idea of Kazakhstan.” home. Normally, it’s very hot, with ing as a family before. If you earn this is that having a diverse work- I talk about Kazakhstan.” zakhstan and Astana. With the help Her home country is often on lots of insects. I’ve already had few some money, you buy food for the force has a number of benefits to She also does her part to burnish of my friends, I made movie about Makhmutova’s mind. “When I am spider bites and one malaria case. whole village: they work together businesses, such as having more her country’s image. “I never miss the everyday life of people, how away from home, I do feel a bit But I’ve learned safety measures, and share whatever they get,” flexibility and a greater ability to an opportunity to tell people about we spend our days off, where and homesick. But I always remem- so it’s not a big deal any more.” Makhmutova said. remain competitive in a global my country. I show pictures, even what we eat, what cars we drive, ber that I will go home soon and “I also worked a lot in India and Working so far from one’s cul- market,” she explained. random ones of streets, restaurants, our traditional food … At the end there is not much time to learn China and I loved these countries; ture can present major challenges, Of course, Makhmutova also shopping centres, friends and par- of the movie, all my friends send something new, to see places that they have such a rich culture and the traveller said. “Working abroad occasionally runs into stereotypes ties to show them that what they regards to Africa and my foreign I might not see again. That makes many beautiful places,” Makhmu- gives me a lot of challenges. One about Kazakhstan, as well as other know about Kazakhstan is prob- colleagues. It was fun and my mul- me appreciate and enjoy every mo- tova said. “I’ve done a lot of trav- of them is, of course, the differ- nations. ably a stereotype. On my last trip tinational audience really enjoyed ment of my travelling.” B6 Nation&Capital Tourism

Wednesday, january 15, 2014 Almaty Makes Travel Guide’s List of Top 10 Cities to Visit in 2014

The famous 100-year-old St. Ascension Cathedral in Almaty. By Ardaq Mamayev neiro, Sarajevo, Liverpool, Umea millions into new developments, resort and the famous Medeo skat- Winter Universiade in 2017 and new jobs [and] attract huge in- ALMATY – This sprawling city (Sweden), Lviv (Ukraine), Mar- and Borat-style stereotypes disin- ing rink located at 1,700 metres the planned Kok Zhailau resort. vestments, including for protect- seille, Rotterdam, Glasgow and tegrate completely. Almaty tried above sea level. There are plans to “The development of tourism in ing the environment. Not only Sh- of 1.5 million people located in Portland (US). (and failed) to win the 2014 Win- develop the city’s tourism poten- Almaty and in the region around ymbulak, but other places in the the picturesque foothills of the “It’s no longer the capital (that ter Olympics, but the nearby ski tial further, including through the it will create around 100,000 region will be used, while nature Tien Shan Mountains of south- title went to Astana in 1997) resorts are still ripe for explora- construction of another ski resort jobs. The city’s dynamic devel- will be safeguarded.” eastern Kazakhstan has been but Almaty remains Kazakh- tion.” called Kok Zhailau. opment depends on the rational Along with Astana, Almaty named one of the Top 10 cities to stan’s most alluring city,” Rough From 1929 to 1997, Almaty was “Already today the Shymbu- use of our mountains. In many hosted the Asian Winter Games visit in 2014 by a popular British Guides, which has been in exist- the capital of Kazakhstan, both lak complex allows thousands of European countries, people learn in 2011. It is now bidding for the travel guide. ence since 1982, said in its en- during the Soviet era and through people to pursue a healthy way winter sports from childhood. A 2022 Winter Olympic Games. Rough Guides, a London-based try for Almaty. “Its setting along the early years of the country’s of living. The project of a new tourist visiting a ski resort brings The link to Rough Guides’ list agency that advises travellers on the old Silk Road, with rippling independence. It has retained its ski resort is important for our six times more revenue than tour- of Top 10 cities to visit this year places of interest and best-value mountains all around, is as ex- status as Kazakhstan’s largest city entire country,” President Nur- ists visiting warm countries and is available online and can be destinations, listed Almaty at otic as they come. Add this to the and its financial centre. Almaty sultan Nazarbayev said on Jan. 1 beaches. And if we are to develop found here: http://www.rough- number seven of its Top 10 list, recent economic boom, which also has major tourism potential, as he inspected models for facili- our tourism industry in this direc- guides.com/best-places/2014/ which also includes Rio de Ja- has seen luxury brands pumping with its Shymbulak mountain ski ties to be built in Almaty for the tion, we will create thousands of top-10-cities New TV Channel on Travelling and Active Lifestyles to Be Launched By Meruert Kabdenova

ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s TV viewers will see the launch of a brand-new TV channel, Turan TV, on Feb. 1. Kazakhstan’s first TV channel dedicated specifically to promoting domestic tourism, travel, active lifestyles, recreation, sports, history and the culture of the country will be broadcast in a test mode with the support of the Tourism Industry Committee of the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies. Initially, Kazakhstan cable providers, including Alma TV, ID TV and Otau TV, will have broadcast rights throughout the country. Within the next two months, Turan TV will also be available via satellite. According to the press service of the Tourism Industry Committee, as a high-definition channel, Turan TV will be broadcast in a 16:9 ratio and a 720p format with two parallel stereo and audio paths in the Kazakh and Rus- sian languages. As Chairman of the Tourism Industry Committee Marat Igaliyev noted, the TV channel’s main objective is to encourage Kazakhstan’s domestic tourism. “Promoting local tourism is now of particular interest as we approach the launch of EXPO 2017 in Astana. Ka- zakhstan’s first travel channel will also be available on- line, so Internet surfers may watch the TV programmes at any convenient time and anywhere in the world,” Ig- aliyev said. He also added that in the very near future the TV chan- nel will launch its website, www.turan.tv. Moreover, users of the social networks Facebook, Vkontakte and YouTube will have access to monthly news, photos and videos about nature and tourism in Kazakhstan. The head of Turan TV, Roman Botabekov, who is also president of the Sport Fishing Federation of Kazakhstan, said, “The content of the TV channel will be of general interest, as it covers many entertaining topics such as travelling, hunting and fishing as well as tourist and cul- tural attractions in Kazakhstan, including the most beau- tiful places, the most delicious dishes, the most unusual rituals, celebrations of different nationalities and myster- ies of history. In pursuit of wonderful discoveries, the authors of the travel channel will reach the most charm- ing and secluded corners of Kazakhstan.” Eighty percent of the broadcast of Turan TV will be its own production; 20 percent will be documentary and feature films. B7 Nation&Capital Sports

Wednesday, january 15, 2014 Barys Players Join KHL Stars on Ice in Bratislava

Talgat Zhailauov attacks during the All-Star match. Barys fans in Bratislava.

By Ilyas Omarov attention was paid to defence dur- Bochenski thanked the fans for the All-Star game and even scored a A press conference was held pri- but united and mostly included the BRATISLAVA – The Continental ing the match, with players on both voting for him to be part of the All couple of goals,” he said. or to the match, where KHL presi- staff of Kazakhstan’s diplomatic Hockey League’s (KHL) Western sides instead endeavouring to score Star team. Bochenski, as usual, finished the dent Alexander Medvedev told the missions in Bratislava, Vienna and Conference won the league’s All- as many goals as possible. “This feeling is hard to express, game with two goals and now has media that the All-Star game might Prague. Star game for the first time in six All-Star players, including the when fans give their votes to you five goals in the two All-Star games come to Astana. Prior to the match, the Embassy years, defeating the Eastern Confer- Barys stars, took part in different among dozens of other excellent he has participated in. “A new 10,000-seat arena is un- of Kazakhstan in the Czech Repub- ence 18-16 in Bratislava, Slovakia, skill competitions before the match. players,” he said. “We just enjoyed this hockey der construction in Astana. As far lic and Slovakia printed a special on Jan. 11 in front of 10,000 fans. Zhailauov won one of the skill com- Bochenski also underscored that night celebration together with the as I know, it is due to be finished brochure, “Barys on Ice in Bratis- The All-Star game, which is more petitions on speed and puck handling he wasn’t the only Barys player in fans that were there and those who by the 2015-2016 season. And it is lava,” in Slovak, English and Rus- of an ice show than a match, fea- with his teammates. He also had one Bratislava. watched the game from a long dis- highly likely we will hold the All- sian. The publication detailed the tured Astana Barys stars Brandon goal and one assist in the match. Af- “This was an amazing, fun day tance,” he said. Star game in the capital of Kazakh- development of hockey in Kazakh- Bochenski and Talgat Zhailauov, ter the match, Zhailauov confessed [and] a great game, where for the Barys players have played in the stan in the 2016-2017 season. The stan and told stories of the exploits who contributed 5 points (goals to being nervous about playing in his first time in four years, Talgat All-Star game before, but this was government has already bid to host of Bochenski and Zhailauov and plus assists) between them to the first All-Star match, but felt that his Zhailauov and I, we both got to the first time a Kazakh citizen took it,” he said. other Barys players voted to play Eastern Conference effort. Little hands and feet hadn’t let him down. play in one line, were voted to play part in the famous match. Barys fans at the match were few in All-Star games in different years. Kazakh Astana Dakar Team Kazakhstan’s Olympians Chases Adventure in South Receive National Athletic Wear By Yuri Lifintsev

ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s Sochi America Winter Olympics athletes were Continued from Page A1 given their first look at the team’s Olympic gear on New Year’s Eve, “It is a pity and it hurts,” Aidyn when performance athletic wear Rakhimbayev, pilot of the fastest sets were presented to the public Kazakh crew in this year’s race, at Almaty’s Baluan Sholak Sports commented on his Facebook page Palace. about the incident. “Each year doz- Deputy Chairman of the Agency ens of cars burn and wreck during for Sports and Physical Education Dakar. We just didn’t expect it to Ilsiyar Kanagatov and Director of happen to our team.” the KazSPO-N company, known Rakhimbayev’s crew with for its Zibroo brand, Yelena Svech- Vladimir Demyanenko as his co- nikova said the athletic wear sets pilot, also in a Toyota, were in included 26 items of clothing rang- 13th position as of of Jan. 14. The ing from socks and thermal wear to crew’s best finish so far was on day caps and sunglasses. Kazakh skiers, four when they started the day in skaters, biathletes and representa- Design on Olympics athletes’ clothing. 21st position and finished the day Aidyn Rakhimbayev, pilot of the fastest Kazakh crew, enjoys the company of tives of other sports will receive in 10th place. Argentine fans. interchangeable sportswear sets, The design uses various motifs “In October 2013, representatives “We could not even believe it are crazy. When your helmet hits not only for vehicles, but also for designed for the temperatures under from petroglyphs and other histori- came to Almaty from Switzerland. when the result it was announced. the roof or body of the car, your crews who typically get to sleep a which they’ll practice and perform, cal and architectural monuments When they saw the embroidery de- ... [We] broke out in a sweat,” head doesn’t only hurt, it rings in- few hours every night before early worth $2,400. found throughout Kazakhstan, sign with the elements of ancient Rakhimbayev commented on his side like after boxing. … Dakar is morning starts. “The clothes are very beautiful, which, according to Svechnikova, ornaments, they said they wanted Facebook page. Another Kazakh [like] the Olympics of motorsport.” Writing on his Facebook ac- made in the traditional colours of should both promote the country’s to sell these jackets in France. Now crew made up of Denis Berezovs- In nine days of the race, partici- count, Rakhimbayev said the race our country,” Svechnikova said. cultural richness and help athletes we are developing a collection of kiy and Ignat Falkov in a Nissan pants covered 6,263 kilometres, has moved from Argentina’s high “Under the contract our factory win. She also thinks the designs can clothes decorated with petroglyphs were in 40th position as of Jan. 11. which is about two thirds of the mountains to Chile and that he sews 120 sets of Olympic cloth- have commercial success within especially for the European mar- Rakhimbayev went on to de- way. Out of 150 teams that started expects the race to be different ing.” the country and abroad. ket,” Svechnikova said. scribe what it feels like to be in the the race, only half is still in the now with next three stages heavily race. “Both the speed and drivers race. The race is also gruelling dominated by sands. Barys Beats Rival Ak Bars 2:1 By Jan Furst five seasons played since the KHL just that in its latest game against Ak was established in 2008. In the 2008 Bars. Barys beat their rival, Ak Bars on and 2009 seasons, it was a Euro- Mikhail Rakhmanov scored the their opponent’s home ice with a pean Champions Cup 2007 winner first goal to give Barys an early ad- score of 2:1 after a very tense three and has taken many other trophies. vantage in the first period, his sixth periods. The team now only stands Barys can’t boast having won any of of the season, but the home team one point behind Ak Bars in the these trophies, so far. did not need more than 10 minutes rankings. Another factor fueling the rivalry to catch up. After the first exchange For the Astana based Barys team, between Ak Bars and Barys is that in of goals, both teams played a tight every game against the Kazan, Rus- the first three KHL seasons, Ak Bars point game, which is good for Barys, sia based Ak Bars is a big event. knocked Barys out in the first play- a team that should avoid high score The names of the two teams have off rounds without losing a single games against Ak Bars (last game almost the same meaning, Barys is game and so far, Barys hasn’t gone they lost to Ak Bars 0:5) which they a Kazakh white mountain leopard, further than the first playoff knock managed to do. the Ak Bars is the same leopard but out round in the post season. In the second period, a goal by the Tartar team emphasised “white” The two teams have faced each former NHL star Nik Antropov put by adding “ak” in front, secondly the other two dozen times in the KHL Kazan’s team in an inconvenient team logos resemble each other. since 2008; Barys beat Ak Bars only situation; they tried to even up the However, they are completely dif- at their 13th faceoff in 2010, they score but failed to do so. The Ka- ferent teams on the sheets. Ak Bars then lost five more games to Ak zakh team also had the chance to is a well funded Continental Hockey Bars. Barys only won four games score in two power plays but also League (KHL) team that has seen against the Russian team, including failed. Barys successfully defended many victories big and small in its the most recent game. the lead and now is behind Ak Bars nearly 60 year history; it has taken But that is in the past. Today, Bar- in the Western Conference rank- the Gagarin Cup (the equivalent of ys is a different team, with a differ- ings by only one point with a total the Stanley Cup) twice out of the ent game plan; it has demonstrated of 85. B8 Nation&Capital Capital

Wednesday, january 15, 2014 Mayor Reports on Astana’s Growth, Challenges in 2013 By Meruert Nemerbayeva cording to the Statistics Agency power station is under construction. of Kazakhstan, Astana’s GRP has Housing construction is also see- ASTANA – Akim (Mayor) more than doubled and surged to ing high growth. “Annually, we com- Imangali Tasmagambetov pre- about 2.5 trillion tenge (US$16.18 mission more than 1 million square sented a report on the capital’s billion) by the end of 2012. metres of new housing. In 2013, 1.1- development at a Central Com- The growth in 2013 was mainly 1.2 million square metres of housing munications Service (CCS) attributed to developments in the were to be commissioned. In total, briefing at the end of December, machinery and metallurgy sec- 12 million square metres of housing describing the city’s develop- tors, where production increased were built and put into service over ment and its challenges in deal- by 40 percent and 46 percent re- the period of Astana’s development,” ing with a population that is spectively. In 2013, the implemen- the mayor reported. growing more quickly than an- tation of the State Programme of With strong economic growth ticipated. Industrial and Innovative Devel- comes a strengthening of the city’s According to the mayor, Asta- opment (SPAIID) resulted in the tax administration. According to na’s achievements are substantial. launch of 19 new projects with a Tasmagambetov, these efforts are The city’s gross regional product total value of more than 87 billion to result in better budget revenue (GRP) grew by 7 percent last year, tenge (US$563 million). This was fulfilment, which will make Astana and Astana now accounts for 9.4 double the number of projects of a net donor to the national budget percent of Kazakhstan’s gross do- the previous year and a 20 percent in 2015, rather than a recipient of mestic product (GDP). increase in project value. state budget resources. The GRP increase in 2013 con- As key milestones are passed, Astana’s dynamic development Imangali Tasmagambetov at the CCS briefing reports on Astana’s development. tinues the city’s decade-long trend the capital is shifting its attention seems to be making it an increas- of stable growth. In 2002, Astana’s to new priorities, Tasmagambetov ingly attractive place to live. The gions of the country, while only the end of last year. The growth is due years of age don’t attend preschool, GRP value was about 231 billion said. Along with continued infra- mayor noted that “more than 22,747 people left the city. This both to migration and a high birth rate. and there are long waiting lists for tenge (about US$1.5 billion at cur- structure development, the city is 50,000 people arrive in the capi- means that more than 78,000 new This growing young population spots in kindergartens. In 2014, the rent exchange rate). After grow- implementing a number of invest- tal every year. For example, since people settled in Astana.” will require the construction of new city plans to commission 17 more ing gradually from 2003-2006, ment projects in the energy sec- the beginning of [2013], public Overall, the city’s population has kindergartens, schools and clinics. preschool institutions. By 2020, the GRP approached 1 trillion tenge tor. Its existing two power stations service centres registered 101,283 grown from 280,000 when the capital The mayor reported that now, about administration plans to commission (US$6.47 billion). Since then, ac- are being modernised and another people who arrived from other re- was relocated in 1997 to 800,000 at 60 percent of children under six 100 preschool institutions. Sixth Winter Charity Major Botanical Garden Complex Masquerade Raises More to Be Built for EXPO 2017 Continued from Page B1

One of the Than 13 Million Tenge main concepts By Rufiya Ospanova working on fundraising initiatives. The ball also included a raffle of the botani- It is not the easiest task, but it is presided over by master of cer- cal garden is to ASTANA – The Sixth Winter more than worth it. I would like emonies Aigul Mukei that offered create a para- Charity Masquerade Ball, one of to express my sincere gratitude the chance to win a selection of dise that also the capital city’s most prestigious to each and every one of you for jewelry from Chantecler Jewel- saves energy, annual events, held Dec. 7, 2013 contributions and special thanks to lery House and Pasha Fine Jew- so the com- in Astana, raised more than 13 our sponsors for providing the nec- ellery& Watch Salon,” as well as plex will be million tenge for children in local essary support to make this event valuable prizes from some of the equipped with the latest tech- orphanages and local families in possible,” said Fedor Filimonov, capital’s best beauty salons, such nology. Smart facades will help need. general manager of Radisson Ho- as Toni&Guy, Sisters and Escada regulate the indoor climate to sig- Over the past five years, the tel Astana and Park Inn by Radis- fashion store. nificantly reduce energy costs and Winter Charity Ball has contrib- son Astana. In addition to the raffle, an auc- smart trees will accumulate solar Future design of the EXPO city including the botanical garden. uted more than $120,000 to lo- energy, which will then be used for The event opened with remarks tion of contemporary Kazakh art is in harmony with architectural cal orphanages. In 2014, a record lighting at night. struction is underway. The Asta- by Radisson Hotel Astana parent was held with paintings by fa- 13,031,000 tenge (US$84,616) The authors of the project want structures. Restaurants, outdoor nazelenstroy company has already company Incom Astana LLC Di- mous Kazakh artists, such as Uliya will be spent on educational pro- to make the garden not just a dem- cafes and retail outlets are planned planted more than 1,000 trees on rector General Erik Zhussupov, Moldagali, Leyla Mahat and Nel- grammes for orphans and children onstration of plants, but a unique to be housed within the complex as the territory of the future garden Bolashak Association Chairman ly Bube. Famous Kazakh writer from families in need. natural recreational complex well. and performed other landscape Bauyrzhan Baibek and Altyn Ky- Bakhyt Kairbekov also presented Since 2012, the Winter Char- where the natural environment At present, the first phase of con- work. ity Ball has been held in coopera- ran International Charitable Foun- one of his books for auction. tion with the Bolashak Charitable dation CEO Islambek Salzhanov. Sponsors of the event were Al- Foundation. The $82,733 raised at The event welcomed a group of tyn Kyran International Charitable the Fifth Winter Charity Ball went young debutantes and cavaliers Foundation, Kazkommertsbank, to help children connected with the who had the honour of presenting Poligrafiya Naira, the Nur Otan SOS Children’s Village Astana. Polonaise, Irish ceili, Viennese, political party, as well as volun- The money helped eight orphans Spanish, Scottish waltzes and rag- teers of Best for Kids Social Fund enter local universities and col- time. The participants auditioned and Oasis of Astana. leges. Part of the proceeds were months before the ball and spent The auction was sponsored by also used to repair two orphanage weeks learning traditional Vien- Kulanshi Contemporary Art Cen- buildings and purchase equipment nese waltzes. tre and the raffle was sponsored for children with special needs The opening ceremony was fol- by Pasha Fine Jewellery and from the Children’s Psycho-Neu- lowed by a performance by inter- Watch Salon, Chantecler Jewellery rological Medical and Social Insti- national pop star and classical mu- House, Chekhov restaurant, Sisters tution of Astana. sic crossover singer Arina Domski, beauty salon, and Toni&Guy beau- “The Sixth Winter Charity Mas- who performed music from the ty salon, Escada Fashion Store. querade Ball 2013 has been our world-famous “The Phantom of The event was jointly organized most successful event. The re- the Opera.” The event also includ- for the second time by a division of sponse has been remarkable. The ed a performance by Latvian clas- The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, turnout for this evening speaks for sical accordionist Kseniya Sidoro- Radisson Hotel Astana as part itself and we are honoured to host va and young members of the SOS of its Responsible Business Pro- this event at Radisson Hotel Asta- Children’s Village Astana, who gramme and the Bolashak Charita- na. It’s important that we keep sang Christmas carols. ble Foundation.

Participants of the Charity Ball at Radisson.