-4° / -8°C WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017 No 23 (137) www.astanatimes.com Kazakh President meets with After Nazarbayev-Jeenbekov 100 New Faces project participants meeting, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan ink economic cooperation roadmap Kyrgyz border, Nazarbayev said By Aigerim Seisembayeva following his meeting with Jeenbe- kov on the sidelines of the Collec- ASTANA – A roadmap on bilat- tive Security Treaty Organisation eral economic cooperation, includ- Summit in the Belarusian capital. ing on the situation on the Kazakh- He added that “it is expedient to Kyrgyz border, was signed Dec. establish a similar procedure at the 2 by Kazakh First Deputy Prime Kyrgyz-Chinese border.” Minister Askar Mamin and Kyrgyz “It is necessary to restore fam- Vice Prime Minister Tolkunbek Ab- ily and brotherly relations between dygulov during a visit by a Kyrgyz the two countries. It is in the inter- government delegation to Astana. ests of our peoples. This is the de- The 50-point document was sire of our peoples,” Nazarbayev concluded upon Kazakh President said, according to the Akorda press Nursultan Nazarbayev’s instruc- service. tions following his meeting with Jeenbekov, who requested the Kyrgyz counterpart Sooronbai meeting, said he asked Nazarbayev Photo credit: akorda.kz Photo credit: Jeenbekov in Minsk Nov. 30. to lift the restrictions, vowing that Nursultan Nazarbayev (C) meets with the project participants on Dec. 1. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and he “will take personal responsibil- Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) ity for [ensuring] the order at the a state competes with a state, the produces bionic arm prostheses, surgery she lost her sight. Neverthe- representatives will govern enforce- border.” By Dana Omirgazy people compete with the people and making a breakthrough in Kazakh- less, she continued to study music. At ment of the roadmap at the Kazakh- Continued on Page A3 a man competes with a man. All the stan’s science to help people return the age of 13, she gave her first musi- ASTANA – Kazakh President time you need to move forward, as if to full-fledged life without leaving cal concert and at the age of 15 she Nursultan Nazarbayev met Dec. 1 you are flowing against the current. their homeland. presented her first musical works. with the participants in the 100 New If you stop, the water will take you “After graduating the Physics “Music became the meaning of Faces project. The project includes back. The same is true of life. This and Mathematics School, I began my life. I hope my story will moti- 102 exemplary individuals from all is an era of information technologies. to study robotics. A few years ago, I vate people to be happy. I think that Government approves over the country, whose sustained Artificial intelligence is progressing. caught sight of the statistics that more we should never give up. We must efforts could inspire other citizens of Today, the most severe problems of than 14,000 people need prosthetics always go forward,” she told the modern Kazakhstan. mankind are being solved, the most in Kazakhstan. This figure struck me President and meeting participants. “I have read your stories, your life. incurable diseases will be cured. and I wanted to fix it,” he said. One more story was told by a doc- 2025 Strategic You live in this society, you work Artificial intelligence will be every- This year, he founded the MBion- tor who treats the youngest patients, and you create. You have come for- where. Everything is changing. And ics company, where he and his col- babies. Heart surgeon Gulzhan ward and entered the list of 100 new what about consciousness? That leagues are working on the devel- Sarsenbayeva, 42, was among those faces, becoming leading personali- is the question. Together with this, opment of new versions of bionic who conducted pioneer research in Development Plan ties. I congratulate you,” the Presi- people’s consciousness should also prostheses. He plans to work on a the development of paediatric heart Kazakhstan’s GDP per capita up dent told the participants. change,” the President told the gath- similar development of the elbow, surgery in Kazakhstan. Just a few By Assel Satubaldina to $46,100 by 2025. Kazakhstan The project, kicked off June 7 to ering. shoulders mechanism and other ex- years ago, many Kazakhstan citizens maintained 4.3 percent economic identify inspiring individuals from Among the 102 faces are 13 tremities. Bekturganov hopes that took their children with heart defects ASTANA – The Kazakh govern- growth between January and Sep- different professions. Nazarbayev sportsmen, 18 scientists, 10 figures by applying new technologies, he to foreign clinics. Now, such surger- ment approved Nov. 28 a national tember, while its GDP per capita proposed the idea in the wide-ranging of culture, 18 medical workers, can make people’s lives much more ies can be conducted in the country. 2025 Strategic Development Plan was estimated at $7,510 in 2016, policy article, “Course towards the fu- 13 business persons and 30 social comfortable. “I always visit maternity homes, designed to ensure long-term according to a World Bank report. ture: Modernisation of Kazakhstan’s workers. Their names and stories of A native of Uralsk, 32, Saida regional hospitals, I can work on Sat- growth at the level of Organisation Kazakh Minister for National Identity,” published April 12. strength, inspiration and success can Kalykova is the soloist of the State urdays and Sundays. But I do not feel for Economic Cooperation and Economy Timur Suleimenov More than 2,000 candidates ap- be found at 100esim.el.kz. Academic Philharmonic of Astana. tired. When a person loves his work, Development (OECD) countries. stressed three key drivers stimulat- plied and were reduced to 102 after Some of them gave a speech dur- Kalykova was an unusual child. At this gives him some energy. The life The plan includes seven major ing future economic growth. nationwide voting. ing the meeting held on the Day of seven years, she entered the music of a young child is in our hands. reforms in human capital, techno- First is productivity growth in “The world rushes forward. Blink First President. They shared their school without her parents’ permis- For us, it’s a great happiness to see logical modernisation and digitali- existing industries, which, accord- and you’ll miss it. Such a time. My challenges and achievements. sion. Having quickly mastered the healthy and strong kids who were sation, business competitiveness, ing to the minister, can be fostered time was different, yours is different. Twenty-three year old scientist musical notation, she began playing ill, and, most importantly, to see the rule of law, strong regions, urbani- through an increase in operation We live in the world of competition: Maulen Bekturganov from Almaty the piano. But in 1994, after brain happy eyes of parents,” she said. sation, modernisation of public efficiency, reduction in costs for consciousness and public sector production, transportation and efficiency. sale, investment in technological The project envisions annual modernisation and digitalisation economic growth in a 4.5-5 per- and transition to green economy. Nazarbayev meets with Lukashenko, cent corridor eventually bringing Continued on Page A2 attends CSTO session in Minsk tries closer, popularise traditions, PACE calls for By Almasbek Zhumadilov achievements and historical herit- age. He also declared his intention ASTANA – Kazakh President to maintain contacts in education, enhanced co-operation Nursultan Nazarbayev met with culture and health. Belarusian President Alexander In 2012, the Belarusian National Lukashenko, and attended the an- Technical University opened the niversary session of the Collective Centre for Kazakh Language, Histo- between Council of Security Treaty Organisation dur- ry and Culture named after Abai Ku- ing a Nov. 29-30 visit to Minsk. nanbayev, and accordingly the Cen- The two leaders discussed tre for Belarusian Language, History strengthening cooperation in trade and Culture was opened in 2013 at Europe and Kazakhstan and industry, transport and transit, the Eurasian National University with major international problems the space industry and the develop- named after Lev Gumilev. The two By Danat Islambek such as the nuclear programme of ment of information and computer governments have regular meetings Iran and the crisis in Syria,” the technologies. within the framework of the Kazakh- ASTANA – The Parliamentary socio-economic agreement until 2017 after a significant decline in PACE resolution reads. “In a short historical period, sig- Belarusian commission for scientific Assembly of the Council of Eu- 2026. The heads of state also said 2015-2016. The turnover for the Noting that “the political estab- nificant advances have been made. and technical cooperation. rope (PACE) Standing Committee documents signed during the Ka- first nine months of 2017 increased lishment and society at large in In difficult conditions we have cre- At the CSTO session on Nov. adopted Nov. 24 Resolution 2193 zakh-Belarusian business forum 60 percent to $441.4 million. Kazakhstan see Europe as a ref- ated a significant political base for 30, Nazarbayev announced the (2017), which calls for enhanced deepen relations. More than 150 Kazakhstan and Belarus already erence point in terms of political, bilateral cooperation. Our states are country’s priorities as the organi- co-operation between Kazakhstan legal, institutional and cultural representatives of Kazakh compa- cooperate in the industrial sphere. reliable partners who have open sation’s incoming chair for 2017- and the Council of Europe. development,” PACE says, “the nies working in machine building, Carriage and mining equipment and confidential relations,” said 2018. The session also included The resolution states that the political leadership of Kazakhstan agriculture, production of agricul- in Karaganda, tractors, grain and Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan’s rela- discussion of measures to strength- assembly recognises “the impor- has repeatedly stated its commit- tural machinery and equipment, forage harvesters, engines, bal- tions with Belarus. en collective security, the adoption tance of Kazakhstan as one of the ment to democratic transformation food and light industry, trade and ers, special (communal and fire) He also positively assessed of a declaration in connection with pillars of stability in the Euro- of the country, and has recently services, logistics, banking, in- equipment, various types of trailed 2017 economic relations and co- the CSTO’s anniversary, as well as Asian region and called for co- initiated a series of reforms aimed vestment, information and com- agricultural machinery in Semey, operation within the Eurasian a number of political statements by operation with this country to be at strengthening democratic gov- munication technologies took part Kostanai, Pavlodar, Uralsk and Economic Union. the heads of states on international stepped up.” ernance.” in the forum. medical equipment in Aktobe are “There are 260 Belarusian enter- security issues. It portrays Kazakhstan as “a “However, the pace of reform Kazakhstan and Belarus are being assembled. prises, 6 joint major car assembly The session concluded with the leading actor in addressing chal- has been slow, the political sys- plants in Kazakhstan. The products among the founders of the CSTO Kazakhstan and Belarus are also consideration of the draft decision lenges faced by Central Asia, in- tem remains highly centralised, of Belarusian agriculture are on the and the Eurasian Economic Union. developing cultural, humanitarian, “On the plan for the implementa- cluding terrorism, drugs traffick- democratic culture has yet to take shelves of Kazakh stores,” he said. Among Commonwealth of Inde- scientific and technical collabo- tion of the CSTO collective secu- ing and security issues related to root among citizens and dialogue Lukashenko said Nazarbayev’s pendent States countries, Kazakh- ration. In this regard, Belarusian rity strategy for the period until the situation in Afghanistan.” between civil society and the au- visit would strengthen cooperation. stan is one of the three largest trade leader proposed to resume the 2025” by the participating leaders “On the international scene, Ka- thorities is at a very early stage,” The talks also resulted in signed and economic partners for Belarus. Days of Culture, which will help of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, zakhstan must be praised for its the resolution states. agreements, including a bilateral Bilateral trade began to recover in to bring peoples of both coun- Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan. positive contribution to dealing Continued on Page A3

INSIDE NATION ECONOMY&BUSINESS EDITORIAL OPINIONS NATION&CAPITAL Kazakh organisations form Blockchain Nazarbayev discusses energy projects with Turning 20, Astana is the pride AL-FARAJ: Kazakhstan provides good Genome – Kazakhstan’s first domestically- and Cryptocurrency Association A2 Royal Dutch Shell, Chevron management A4 of Kazakhstan A6 opportunities for foreign investors A6 manufactured cosmetics brand B1 Agency for Civil Service and Anti-Corruption Mazhilis reviews draft bill on repeated ALPYSBAYEV: Kazakhstan Railways: more In Astana, Hilton’s VP for operations talks reports on 2017 activities A2 debt restructuring A5 comfort, better safety, bigger opportunities in new hotel and industry trends B6 light of Silk Road’s reincarnation A7

US$ 1 = 332.75 KZT € 1 = 394.51 KZT 1 = 5.65 KZT A2 NATION

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017

NATIONAL Kazakh organisations form Blockchain NEWS IN BRIEF Kazakhstan intends to create its own way of understanding Islam, taking into account its cultural tra- and Cryptocurrency Association ditions, said Minister of Religious unite companies and organisations of Blockchain and Cryptocur- the necessary infrastructure and tenge. The cryptotenge could be Affairs and Civil Society Nurlan By Zhazira Dyussembekova that are considering working in rency has already been created effective legislation for it to func- converted to other world crypto- Yermekbayev Nov. 30. “The in- the market, noted association co- and literally within a month they tion, including the unified policy currencies as a way to make the terpretation of religious teachings ASTANA – In the midst of the founder and council chairperson managed to achieve certain re- required to form a dialogue with concept more easily understood. is of great importance. Religion is worldwide blockchain and cryp- Yesset Butin. sults. Belarus announced the state bodies, including the Nation- He noted people follow the mar- a set of norms, requirements and tocurrencies craze, Kazakhstan “Our main goal is to prescribe imminent emergence of such an al Bank. The so-called legislative ket. The yield on deposits in the rules of life, which can be under- has realised the relevancy of the the rules of the game in the block- association. We believe the time “rules of the game” will mostly de- currency is decreasing and some stood in various ways, and the rad- trend like never before. In mid- chain market and cryptocurrency has come to create such an as- pend on the situation in the market banks have become unreliable. icalisation problem lies in the mis- November, the Blockchain and in Kazakhstan together with the sociation here to unite organisa- in the next two years. “People are looking for an al- interpretation of religious norms. Cryptocurrency Association ap- regulator [the National Bank],” tions and companies that work in The association also intends to ternative and find it in the form of Today, every country adapts re- plied for state registration as a he said. “There are no companies the blockchain market or plan to negotiate with universities to im- cryptocurrency,” he added. ligious requirements for modern legal entity to promote the tech- operating in the blockchain market work in the cryptocurrency mar- plement educational programmes While some countries have rec- life, taking into account national nology’s ideas and draft legisla- in Kazakhstan, but there are more kets,” he added. in blockchain technology. ognised cryptocurrencies as an and historical traditions.” tion in the field. companies that see the promise of The industry is in its early stag- At the same time, Butin sees the official payment method, others The association was founded by technology for themselves,” he es, so it is not yet possible to as- worth of the National Bank releas- are still deciding. The association The first Robotic Surgery and six organisations and 15 more have said. sess the market in Kazakhstan in ing a “cryptotenge” at a minimum founders believe Kazakhstan must Transplant Centre will be opened applied for membership, according “First, we must follow world monetary terms, said Butin. The to create a legitimate platform ba- find its own path to regulate in the in the East Kazakhstan region. to kapital.kz. The timing is right to trends. The Russian Association important thing now is to create sis to purchase cryptocurrency in new field. “The centre will closely collabo- rate with the Syzganov National Scientific Surgery Centre in Al- maty and the National Scientific and Medical Centre in the capi- tal. A unique training simulator Government approves Agency for Civil Service unit will be available for medical students. They can practice the upcoming operations in a simu- lation mode without risk for pa- 2025 Strategic and Anti-Corruption reports tients,” said Akim (Governor) of the region Daniyal Akhmetov at a Nov. 30 briefing. According to the healthcare strategic plan, all medi- Development Plan on 2017 activities cal institutions in the region will be equipped with modern tools and Continued from Page A1 zakhstan 2050, with a goal to enter Staff Report technology worth 23 billion tenge the world’s 30 most competitive (US$70 million). There are about Strengthening and expanding countries. Therefore, we need to ASTANA – Chairman of the 240 patients on chronic haemodi- export-oriented production is the properly explain the essence of the Agency for Civil Service and Anti- alysis and 80 percent of them ex- second driver, said Suleimenov. document to the public,” he said Corruption Kairat Kozhamzharov pect kidney transplants. Annually, That driver includes a focus on addressing the government. briefed Kazakh President Nursultan 7,000 procedures, about 20 percent goods and services with high add- The new model will require Nazarbayev on the agency’s activi- of which are endoscopic opera- ed value as well as integration in changes both in the economy and ties for the last 10 months, including tions, are conducted in six surgical global supply chains. society, according to Suleimenov, efforts to carry out anticorruption departments in Ust-Kamenogorsk. Development of new highly ef- which include a focus on produc- policies, according to Akorda’s press ficient industries, which has al- tion and industry, technology-ori- service. An Association of Ecological ready been on the nation’s agenda, ented population, companies and Kozhamzharov also mentioned one, stating that there are no mercy counteraction to corruption in all di- Organisations has been established includes the creation of new sup- industries, fair competition and international commendation for Ka- rules for anyone, and no one could rections. This includes the social area, in Kazakhstan, reports Ortcom. ply chains and services around the prevailing role of private sector. zakhstan’s efforts escape punishment if he committed agriculture, construction issues, ex- kz. “Only 8 percent of non-gov- existing industries, transfer and lo- Head of Talap Centre for Applied “For 10 months of the current corruption crimes. Over recent years, tractive industries, financial and qua- ernmental organisations work in calisation of technology and com- Research and former vice minister year, 3,400 criminal cases have been a lot of work has been done concern- si-public sectors, law enforcement, the field of environmental protec- mercialisation of innovations. for investment and development opened, of which 1,000 cases were ing the issue,” he said. judicial bodies and other spheres,” tion and sustainable development. The Strategic Development Plan Rakhim Oshakbayev noted it was passed to the courts. Out of 15 bil- He added that all officials are re- Kozhamzharov told his staff. Analysis of the environmental is a very important document, ac- the first time the document of such lion tenge (US$45 million) of the quired to save the allocated funds The priority task is to unmask the situation revealed many issues that cording to Kazakh Prime Minister strategic importance involved the inflicted damage, 11 billion tenge and use them only for the intended entire criminal chain, from executors require attention and a step-by- Bakytzhan Sagintayev, developed expert community. (US$33 million) has been returned to purpose. “State money is the money to organisers. step solution. There’s a wide range in line with this year’s state-of- “As I remember, it is the first the state. Seized property amounted of the people. And work to combat “The President of the country has of environmental issues, ranging the-nation address of Kazakh Pres- time the document of such great to more than 7 billion tenge (US$21 violations and corruption should be set the task of strictly suppressing cor- from the water issues and land re- ident Nursultan Nazarbayev. importance was developed with million),” said the chairman of the properly managed and continue,” he ruption by anyone,” Kozhamzharov sources to air pollutant emissions. “The document entails the crea- broad expertise support. Nearly 80 agency. added. said. Particular attention is focused Consolidation of the environmen- tion of a new economic growth experts attended the discussions Nazarbayev talked about the im- The Kazakh leader has also stressed on ensuring the economic security tal community will unite efforts model and improving well-being and were involved in the develop- portance of society developing an the need for rational and transparent of the state. In this aspect, the agency aimed at green economy develop- of people. It is also meant to foster ment of the document. In general, intolerance for corruption. use of public funds, as well as gave a is instructed to strengthen work on ment and environment improve- the implementation of the coun- it raises no questions,” added Os- “When adopting the law on com- number of specific instructions. monitoring the targeted spending of ment. All interested organisations try’s key strategic document, Ka- hakbayev. bating corruption, I addressed every- “Our task is to ensure effective budget funds. can join the association,” said as- sociation chair Aigul Solovyova. The first meeting is scheduled for December.

The Astana-Technopolis Special Country’s modernisation model discussed Economic Zone (SEZ), an area of 584.42 hectares, will operate in the capital for 2017-2042. It aims to create high-tech and competitive at international parliamentary conference industries in manufacturing, to re- zens. First of all, this requirement representatives from 15 countries at the Bozshakol and Aktogai Sergey Neverov noted Kazakhstan veal new technologies to accelerate By Aigerim Seisembayeva applies to civil servants and es- within the Modern Kazakh culture fields,” he said. was the place where the treaty cre- enterprises, to improve economic pecially to us, the deputies of the in the global world project,” said Minister of Information and ating the Eurasian Economic Un- and social conditions for research ASTANA – The Kazakh Par- country’s highest representative Abdrakhmanov. Communications Dauren Abayev ion (EAEU) was inked. and to provide assistance in their liament’s Mazhilis (lower cham- body exercising legislative pow- He also stressed the importance spoke more specifically on the “Nursultan Nazarbayev made a commercialisation. It is planned ber) gathered experts and politi- er,” he said. of consolidation and cooperation modernisation of Kazakhstan’s significant personal contribution that computers and peripheral cians from throughout the world in Nigmatulin also highlighted the efforts in Central Asia. identity. to the definition of strategic direc- equipment, irradiation equipment, the capital Nov. 27 to discuss the programme’s close connection “We will work with all our “We will carry out large-scale tions for the development of inte- electromedical and electrothera- nation’s ongoing modernisation with global trends. He marked neighbours to put into practice the training of schoolteachers in terms gration in the Eurasian space,” he peutic equipment, software, com- processes and exchange legislative Nazarbayev’s initiatives on in- initiative to hold informal consul- of using the latest technologies. said. puter programming and other items support experiences used for re- ternational nuclear disarmament, tations among heads of Central Competency centres will focus Turkish Grand National Assem- will be produced on the SEZ. The forms in different countries. “Ka- combating extremism and terror- Asian states. We believe the bright on re-training traditional industry bly Deputy Chairperson Ahmet projects will be implemented based zakhstan’s modernisation model ism, creating a regional security spring holiday of Nauryz renewal personnel and much more. That is Aydin noted Kazakhstan’s contri- on scientific developments at the in the new global reality” interna- zone in Central Asia and Kazakh- could serve as a symbolic back- how, thanks to human capital de- bution to the Syrian conflict reso- Astana Business Campus Park and tional parliamentary conference, stan’s efforts to help settle the Syr- ground for holding the first meet- velopment, specific tasks will be lution. Nazarbayev University. dedicated to the Day of the First ian conflict. ing in many years of Central Asian accomplished to modernise Ka- “A platform for meetings on the President was held to mark the “It is therefore quite natural that leaders under the chairmanship of zakhstan’s identity,” he said. settlement of the Syrian conflict Kazakhstan is emphasising im- Dec. 1 holiday in the nation. Kazakhstan was the first Central our President,” he said. Shimomura stressed Kazakh- was organised in Astana at a high port substitution and increasing Parliamentarians from 15 coun- Asian country to become a non- Abdrakhmanov also invited stan’s active role in shaping the level. After the Astana meetings, local content in the mining and tries, international experts, mem- permanent member of the UN Se- the international participants to international agenda. the conflict that lasted in Syria for metallurgical industry, reported bers of the Kazakh government curity Council (UNSC),” he added. take part in the sixth Congress of “From the peacemaking and se- seven years can be said to be com- Kazakh TV. The enterprises plan and diplomatic corps and United Foreign Minister Kairat Abdra- Leaders of World and Traditional curity perspective, Kazakhstan has ing to a settlement. Undoubtedly, to increase the share to almost 67 Nations Resident Coordinator in khmanov dwelled on modernising Religions scheduled for autumn become a leader in the region, fo- President Nazarbayev’s contribu- percent by the end of 2017. “The Kazakhstan Norimasa Shimomura Kazakhstan’s identity, the spiritual 2018. cusing on the interrelationship of tion to this process is significant,” share of local content was 36 per- were among the attendees. side of the effort. He noted Naz- In his speech, Minister for Na- peace, stability and development,” he said. cent in 2009 and today we have Addressing the conference, arbayev’s instruction to ensure tional Economy Timur Suleimenov he said. Ariel Cohen, director of the Cen- reached over 74 percent. The work Mazhilis Speaker Nurlan Nigma- Kazakhstan is known not only for focused on the technological side He also noted as a UNSC non- tre for Energy, Natural Resources in this direction will be contin- tulin noted the large-scale reforms its vast mineral resources and for- of Kazakhstan’s modernisation. permanent member, Kazakhstan and Geopolitics at the Washington, ued,” said Kazakhmys Corpora- initiated by President Nursultan eign policy initiatives, but mainly “Today, a comprehensive plan plays a very important role that DC-based Institute for Analysis of tion Commercial Director Rustam Nazarbayev ensured the econo- for its cultural heritage and new is being developed for the tech- enriches the entire region. Global Security, also spoke about Adilkhan at the Forum of Kazakh my’s steady growth, a fair social achievements in this area. nological re-equipment of basic “Kazakhstan is also a green de- Kazakhstan’s achievements. Goods Producers in Almaty Nov. policy and steady democratisation He marked such events as the industries until 2025. It includes, velopment pioneer. Your country “Over the past 25 years, Presi- 29. The company produced about of the society. modernisation programme presen- among other things, proposals on has signed the Paris Agreement. dent Nursultan Nazarbayev, as three tonnes of gold worth about He focused on the three areas of tation at the United Nations Edu- legislative changes to stimulate The EXPO 2017 was held in Asta- the head of a young state that is $120 million in 10 months of this Kazakhstan’s modernisation mod- cational, Scientific and Cultural digitisation and innovation, meas- na under the Future Energy theme. located between Russia and Chi- year. Raw materials are supplied to el – a new level of technological Organisation (UNESCO) head- ures of state support and personnel All of this indicates that Kazakh- na, has shown a clear intention Balkhash refineries of Kazakhmys and infrastructure modernisation, quarters in Paris, as well as tours training. Measures are also taken stan intends to carry out the agen- for multi-vector and conflict-free Corporation and Tau Ken Sam- constitutional and further political abroad by Kazakh artists. to work with large enterprises – da on the sustainable development development. This is a very seri- ruk in Astana. The event gathered reforms and updating the national “Just recently, the Foreign Min- the flagships of our industry. We goals,” he added. ous achievement. The foundation, more than 100 mining and metal- identity. istry, jointly with the Ministry of already have some good examples Foreign parliamentarians spoke which is laid today by President lurgical companies, 600 represent- “The comprehensive nature of Culture and Sports and regional – one of the largest mining compa- on Kazakhstan’s increasing role Nazarbayev, will allow Kazakh- atives of enterprises and national the modernisation requires the administrations, held the first spe- nies, KazMinerals, commissioned in the international arena. Russian stan to become a more successful companies, international and do- active participation of all the citi- cial press tour for foreign media advanced ore-dressing complexes State Duma Deputy Chairperson country in the future,” he said. mestic suppliers. A3 EURASIA&WORLD

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017

EXTERNAL NEWS IN BRIEF Kazakhstan inks economic cooperation roadmap, UN Under-Secretary-General and Representative for Disarma- ment Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu recently praised Kazakhstan’s eases border control with Kyrgyzstan after global anti-nuclear efforts, report- ed Khabar news agency. The UN General Assembly demonstrated support for Kazakhstan in late Oc- Nazarbayev-Jeenbekov meeting tober, the agency noted, by adopt- Continued from Page A1 cess of Kyrgyz goods to EAEU vide a stimulus for strengthening ing an updated resolution regard- markets,” Mamin noted at the mutually beneficial trade and ing Aug. 29, the International Day In October, Kazakhstan en- signing ceremony, according to economic ties in the traditional against Nuclear Tests. Kazakhstan forced strict controls on freight primeminister.kz. spirit of good-neighbourliness proposed establishing an annual vehicles at the Kyrgyz border. After signing the roadmap, and friendship,” said Mamin. high-level meeting on this date. Kazakh customs authorities Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan will He also noted that “joint work “Astana has been planning this imposed the restrictions cit- adopt new approaches to jointly will be carried out to comply vision that was put together by ing Bishkek’s reluctance to re- ensure customs, tax, veterinary, with the EAEU technical regu- Kazakhstan to get rid of the Semi- solve issues with customs and phytosanitary and sanitary- lations, including the certifi- palatinsk test site and to appeal to tax administration, transport epidemiological control at the cation of Kyrgyz goods at Ka- all other countries to follow suit. control and alleged violations EAEU’s external borders and zakhstan’s certification bodies.” I hope that Kazakhstan will con- of Eurasian Economic Union ensure export, import and tran- Following the signing of the tinue, if you will, flying the flag (EAEU) requirements for safety sit through the Kazakh-Kyrgyz roadmap, the Kazakh border of nuclear disarmament needs. It of products. According to some border with the participation of service switched from rein- is definitely one of the needs in estimates, those violations cost the Eurasian Economic Com- forced border control to normal the international community,” said EAEU member states approxi- mission representatives. controls at all points of the Ka- Nakamitsu. mately $2 billion in lost cus- Kyrgyzstan undertook obli- zakh-Kyrgyz border. toms duties and VAT revenues gations to ensure due control The Nov. 30 meeting between Kazakh companies such as the over the last three years. The in the abovementioned areas in Nazarbayev and Jeenbekov in Aktobe rail-beam plant are ea- restrictions did not affect per- full compliance with the EAEU Minsk was a breakthrough in the ger to enter the Russian market sonal travel or empty cargo ve- signed to solve bilateral co- short-term measures and 29 sys- requirements. almost two-months border issue. as a supplier amid the constant hicles operation issues, including in temic measures. “Full and timely implementa- At that meeting, Nazarbayev growth of trade turnover between border, transport, phytosanitary “These measures aim to fur- congratulated Jeenbekov on Kazakhstan and Russia, which The initial economic roadmap tion of the roadmap will facili- and veterinary control and cus- ther adapt the Kyrgyz economy has increased nearly 30 percent or was drafted after the restrictions tate the creation of a common winning the Oct. 15 election toms and tax administration. to the norms and requirements $11 billion in the first nine months were imposed. It was not signed, market based on the principles and invited him on an official of this year. The plant is the only as planned, in late October. The document provides for of the Eurasian Economic Un- of transparency, legitimacy and visit to Astana, according to an facility within the Eurasian Eco- The updated roadmap is de- 16 operational measures, five ion in order to ensure the ac- mutual benefit, as well as pro- Akorda press report. nomic Union (EAEU) manufac- turing R-65 standard long-length heat-strengthened beams, accord- ing to Kazakh TV. The manage- ment reports the plant will pro- duce 430,000 tonnes of product a Astana, Washington discuss strategic partnership year, including rails for high-speed of Foreign Affairs, the delegations “Washington views Astana as tunities in trade and establishing attention was paid to economic lines, and manufactured in excess By Almasbek Zhumadilov discussed a broad agenda of co- a leader not only in Central Asia, contacts between businesses in the partnership, further developing of 116,000 tonnes from January- operation issues, including inter- but on the world arena. We look countries, in addition to security Kazakhstan’s investment climate, September. The top consumers ASTANA – The Nov. 30 Ka- action within the U.N. Security forward to President Nazarbayev’s issues and challenges at regional diversifying the economy and en- include companies in Azerbaijan, zakhstan – United States Strategic Council, implementing the U.S. visit to the United States and cer- and international levels. ergy efficiency. Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Partnership Commission meeting, strategy for the South Asia region tainly it will be a successful and “This meeting is an important el- Within the cultural and humani- co-chaired by Kazakh Deputy For- and collaboration prospects to help constructive one. In Washington, ement of the strategic partnership tarian partnership, the sides con- Kazakh Invest presented the eign Minister Yerzhan Ashykbayev stabilise Afghanistan. Kazakhstan has a well-deserved between the two countries and all sidered consular issues, freedom country’s investment opportunities and U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary In her remarks, Wells noted the reputation as a country that con- the agreements reached today will of religion and cooperation in edu- to leading businesspeople in Ger- of State for South and Central Asian sides addressed a number of impor- fidently looks to the future, wel- serve as a basis for the preparation cation, including educational and many and Eastern Europe during Affairs Alice Wells, was mainly tant topics including how to best re- coming the whole world to the of President Nazarbayev’s trip to cultural exchange programmes. a conference in Munich, reported dedicated to Kazakh President Nur- solve the conflict situation in Afghan- stunning EXPO 2017, teaching the United States,” he added. The Strategic Partnership Com- Khabar news agency. The delega- sultan Nazarbayev’s official visit to istan and ensure ISIS is defeated. people trilingualism and holding The delegations considered in- mission is one of the main mech- tion spoke abou the government’s the United States in January. She underscored the United States important forums to discuss issues teraction in regional and interna- anisms for reviewing bilateral business support measures and the The meeting in Astana under- values the strategic partnership with of religion and peacemaking,” said tional priority cooperation such cooperation and developing new reforms underway in Kazakhstan. scored the importance of bilateral Kazakhstan and intends to maintain Wells. as developing the C5+1 dialogue partnership prospects. It is held on The privileges outlined included relations for both countries. Ac- strong and stable relations with Asta- Ashykbayev noted the meeting and the non-proliferation of weap- an annual basis, meeting previous- customs wavers, tax exemptions cording to the Kazakh Ministry na and Central Asia as a whole. focused on cooperation oppor- ons of mass destruction. Particular ly in March 2016 in Washington. and comprehensive support at all stages of investment activity for foreign businesses. Similar meet- ings were held in Bremen, Frank- furt and Hanover. PACE calls for enhanced co-operation between Kazakhstan’s export volumes grew 31 percent in the past nine months, according to Minister Council of Europe and Kazakhstan for Investment and Development Zhenis Kassymbek. “Kazakhstan Continued from Page A1 organisation’s anti-corruption Europe, especially bearing in tions and enhanced co-operation exports wheat, sunflower oil, ura- standards. mind the ambitious projects of between the Council of Europe nium, copper and ferroalloys. This The assembly further “appre- The European parliamentarians political reform and the possible and Kazakhstan would be benefi- year, exports of processed products ciates the fact that Kazakhstan also encouraged their Kazakh contribution to this process which cial for both sides, Fischer urges grew 22 percent, which exceeded is party to several Council of counterparts to make full use of our organisation can make,” said Kazakhstan to take advantage of $11 billion,” he said, reported Ka- Europe conventions, and has re- the 2004 co-operation agreement Fischer in his report. “the Council of Europe’s expe- zakh TV. Kassymbek noted Ka- quested to accede to a number of with PACE and to participate Fischer also laments that in rience and expertise in accom- zakhstan focuses on the Central other instruments, including in more dynamically in activities some European countries, “there panying countries on the path to Asian, Chinese and Russian mar- the fields of criminal justice and organised by the Assembly and has been a degree of reluctance democratic transition.” kets. “Russia hosted more than 50 the fight against corruption.” It its committees. to go further ahead in enhancing The Parliamentary Assembly events and exhibitions to promote goes on to encourage Astana to The resolution was based on a relations with Kazakhstan, and to is one of the two main statutory Kazakh products. The Chinese mar- make greater use of the expertise report written during one and a look at it as just one country of bodies of the Council of Europe, a ket has a huge interest in terms of of the Council of Europe, par- half years by PACE Vice Presi- the region among others, with- 47-nation organisation, and is made business. Today, the volume of ex- ticularly that of the Venice Com- Axel Fischer dent Axel Fischer of Germany. out paying due attention to its up of parliamentarians from the na- ports of processed products amount- mission, in the reform process tended to other key areas where The 16-page report by this mem- particularities, the role it plays in tional parliaments of the Council of and to accede to Council of Eu- ber of Bundestag from CDU gives ensuring regional stability and its Europe’s member states. ed to $2.5 billion, out of which $123 the Council of Europe can make rope conventions that are open to a wide-ranging analysis of the wish to move closer to European Kazakhstan formally estab- million accounted for the export of a meaningful contribution. They processed goods,” he said. non-member states. Kazakhstan situation in Kazakhstan and an standards in the process of mod- lished cooperation with the Coun- joined the Venice Commission in also called upon Astana to com- overview of reforms being im- ernisation.” He then quotes former cil of Europe and its structures 2011. plete the internal procedures it plemented inside the country and Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Id- in 1997. Although not a member Kazakhstan presented its vari- started in 2013 for becoming a ous products in Tashkent, Uzbeki- The parliamentarians added President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s rissov, who in a meeting with the of the Council of Europe, it par- member of the Group of States stan, at the international UzAgro- that the current co-operation international initiatives. PACE delegation on June 1, 2016, ticipates in its partial expanded Expo2017. Uzbekistan, which under the “Neighbourhood Co- against Corruption (GRECO), an “Kazakhstan is a country with said “the time has come to ‘adjust agreements that allow countries continues strengthening relations operation priorities for Kazakh- institute established in 1999 by great interest in, and important the glasses’ through which Europe outside the organisation to work with neighbouring states, is enter- stan” – focusing on reform of the the Council of Europe to moni- potential for, developing further views Kazakhstan.” together with the council on is- ing a new level of regional integra- justice system – should be ex- tor states’ compliance with the cooperation with the Council of Convinced that stronger rela- sues of mutual interest. tion cooperation, reported Khabar news agency. Kazakhstan has ex- port oil products, metals, foods and transformers to Uzbekistan and the country’s producers are expecting to add to the list of exported products. Kazakhstan’s anticorruption efforts noted in U.S. “Our primary goal is to develop ag- ment and the Political Risks ing form an anticorruption culture Dec. 8 Modern Anti-Corruption PwC representatives said the riculture in the region on a larger By Almasbek Zhumadilov Service. across social groups in Kazakh- Standards and Development of company would like to work with scale. Approximately 120 large en- According to a press release stan. International Cooperation interna- the agency to create a favourable terprises from 16 different countries ASTANA – Organisations that from the agency, Deputy Assistant Alejandro Ponso, chief research tional conference in Astana. investment climate, solve social presented their achievements at the assess corruption levels in Ka- FBI Director Matthew Moon said director of the World Justice Pro- Shpekbayev also met sepa- problems and build trust in society. exhibition in Tashkent, including zakhstan praised the country’s eco- Kazakhstan’s anti-corruption poli- ject, also praised Kazakhstan, say- rately Nov. 24 with representa- According to Transparency Ka- agricultural and manufacturing nomic and social political reforms cy and its tools are progressive and ing he witnessed the results of the tives of Price Waterhouse Coop- zakhstan representatives, the foun- products,” said exhibition public re- during Nov. 28-30 meetings in the effective. He added that the United reforms during a summer visit to ers (PwC) and the Transparency dation’s goals align with those of lations manager Nailya Tashbayeva. United States. States has implemented similar Astana and said the reforms could Kazakhstan Civic Foundation in the agency, including creating gov- Deputy Chairman of the Ka- measures which creates opportu- improve the country’s position in Almaty to discuss anticorruption ernment transparency and combin- Kazakh President Nursultan zakh Agency for Civil Service nity for bilateral cooperation. He international ratings. policies. ing the efforts of the state, society Nazarbayev will take part in the and Anti-Corruption Affairs also noted that Kazakhstan’s 10- Also during the meetings, the Shpekbayev briefed PwC repre- and business to counter corruption. High-Level Kazakh-Turkish Co- Alik Shpekbayev travelled to 15 year goals meet international Kazakh side pledged to provide sentatives on his agency’s efforts The representatives also said the operation Council meeting in Washington, DC, for meetings standards. information on anticorruption to create a professional state ap- agency is a strategic partner and Turkey in spring 2018, Grand Na- with representatives from the Freedom House Vice-President measures, involve NGOs in anti- paratus and fight corruption. Man- that they had been cooperating in tional Assembly of Turkey Deputy U.S. Federal Bureau of inves- Robert Herman said the Kazakh corruption policies and continue to aging partner of the company for recent years. Chairman Ahmet Aydin announced tigation, World Justice Project, Agency for Civil Service and Anti- develop an anti-corruption culture. the Eurasian region Henni Mark During the event, proposals at a Nov. 27 parliamentary confer- Freedom House, the World Corruption Affairs is addressing The Kazakhstan delegation also praised Kazakhstan’s efforts in were offered to increase the effi- ence in Astana. Bank, the U.S. State Depart- all forms of corruption and is help- invited counterparts to attend the combating corruption. ciency of the state apparatus. A4 ECONOMY

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017

DOMESTIC Nazarbayev discusses energy projects with NEWS IN BRIEF According to the Ministry of Na- tional Economy, over 10 months of 2017, the total volume of invest- Royal Dutch Shell, Chevron management ments in fixed assets reached 6.5 tril- Berden and Chairman of the Board penses were repaid on time, and the EXPO 2017, I had the opportu- been cooperating with you for lion tenge (US$19.63 billion), which Staff Report of Directors and Chief Executive now the projects are working for nity to visit the most attractive pa- more than a quarter of a century, is 6.5 percent more than in the same Officer of Chevron John Watson. profit,” said Nazarbayev. vilion at the expo – Nur Alem. And and I want to personally thank you period last year, khabar.kz reports. Kazakh President Nursultan Van Buren noted that Nov. 18 Nazarbayev also thanked Royal it was amazing,” van Berden said. for our joint work. We have built Significant growth in investment is Nazarbayev recently discussed marked the 20th anniversary of the Dutch Shell for participating in During a separate meeting with a mutually beneficial cooperation observed in trade, industry, construc- the status of energy projects in production sharing agreement at and helping to organise EXPO Watson, Nazarbayev praised the with you,” the President of Ka- tion and agriculture. As for the re- Kazakhstan, including the Ka- the Karachaganak and Kashagan 2017 and Van Buren complement- relationship between Kazakhstan zakhstan said. gions, the greatest growth in invest- rachaganak and Kashagan fields, fields. ed Kazakhstan’s expo pavilion. and Chevron. Watson also introduced Michael ments in fixed assets was registered with Chief Executive Director of “These projects turned out to be “I would like to congratulate you “Kazakhstan has a special rela- Wirth, who will assume the posi- in the South Kazakhstan region at the Royal Dutch Shell Ben van very good and effective, all ex- on the very successful holding of tionship with Chevron, we have tion of Chevron CEO in February. more than 29 percent. Aktobe region and Almaty showed growth at 27 percent and 15.7 percent respective- available not only in the Siberian ly. Investment growth in the Atyrau regions that are close to Kazakh- region was at 15 percent. stan. Last week, the first deliveries Kazakhstan increases its exports of Kazakh products were made to The press service of the Pros- past five years, the qualitative earlier this year in an effort to im- and poultry products have recently the stores of the northern regions ecutor General’s Office reported, the number of economic offenses By Zhazira Dyussembekova structure of exports has improved prove export support. started being exported to Afghani- of Russia,” he added. significantly, while a third of the “In general, the successful imple- stan, Iran and the United Arab “For the first time, Kazakhstan ex- was reduced by 80 percent to 1,400 ASTANA – Kazakhstan has exported products fall to the non- mentation of the National Export Emirates, while vegetable oil and ports electric locomotives and diesel cases this year. Last year there were more than 7,800 cases. Such figures been ranked 52nd among the larg- primary sector of the economy,” Strategy of Kazakhstan, along with honey is now shipped to China. locomotives to Turkmenistan, Tajik- were achieved through the imple- est exporting countries this year, said Minister for Investments and the achievement of the objectives Food products are typically ex- istan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and mentation of the Roadmap for the sending more than 800 manufac- Development Zhenis Kassymbek of the State Programme for Indus- ported to Russia and Central Asia, Ukraine and cars assembled in Ka- Protection of Business, the humani- tured products to 113 countries. at a recent government meeting. trial and Innovative Development said Kazakh Invest Deputy Chair- zakhstan are exported to Tajikistan, sation of criminal legislation and the Exports of processed goods grew He added ferroalloys, oil prod- of Kazakhstan for 2015-2019, will person Meirzhan Maikenov at a Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China. reduction of the number of require- 22 percent in the first nine months ucts, copper, rolled metal, pro- successfully fulfil the task of the press conference after the meeting. Work is being carried out to promote ments for businessmen. “Sanitary to $11.1 billion, a rate expected to pane, butane and zinc exports head of state to increase non-prima- Kazakh brands have been actively passenger cars, rails and products and epidemiological authorities and grow two times by 2025. have also increased. Exports to ry exports by 2025,” he said. promoted to Russian retail net- from the military-industrial complex firefighters reduced their require- “We are among the world lead- Central Asian countries increased Kazakhstan’s food products are works in the past few years, result- of Kazakh production for export,” ments by six times. The second is the ers in the supply of uranium, cop- 30 percent totalling US$1.5 bil- also in growing demand, judging ing in more than 1,000 trade out- noted Kassymbek. reduction of functions in the sphere per, titanium, ferroalloys, yellow lion. by the fact the volume of exports lets selling Kazakh goods. The number of exported goods of state control. The army of con- phosphorus, flour, cottonseed oil, The government developed a na- totalled 145 million tonnes valued “At the same time, I would like has increased 15 percent every trollers is decreasing,” Deputy Pros- to note that Kazakh products are wheat and flax seeds. Over the tional export strategy programme at more than US$2 billion. Meat year. ecutor General of Kazakhstan Marat Akhmetzhanov said.

Poland has changed its model of support for exports and investment New chairman of Kazakh Invest appointed in Kazakhstan, 24.kz reports. Previ- ously, the Polish representation in issues of investment, industry and for this story, Tuyakbayev said his Germany, Italy, Japan, South Ko- Middle East Technical University Kazakhstan was responsible for the By Frol Leandoer entrepreneurship. main priorities would include im- rea, Russia, Turkey, the UAE, the (Turkey), in 2004, from the Uni- development of bilateral economic From October 2016, he held the plementing the National Invest- United Kingdom, and the United versity of Toronto. cooperation. From now on, some of post of Chairman of the Invest- ASTANA – Saparbek Tuyak- ment Strategy for 2018-2022, States. He began his career in 2005. In these tasks will be performed by the ment Committee of the Ministry bayev was recently appointed adopted in August 2017. Overall, approximately 30 other 2005-2009, he held various posi- country’s new Bureau of Foreign of Investment and Development of chairman of the board of Kazakh “Kazakh Invest serves as the countries are also viewed as prior- tions in the Agency for Civil Ser- Trade, which will start operating in Invest national company. main operator and a one-stop shop ity including Canada, the Czech vice Affairs, the Embassy of Ka- the Republic of Kazakhstan. Astana in the first quarter next year. Tuyakbaev was appointed to the for servicing and accompanying Republic, Malaysia, Poland, Swe- zakhstan in Russia, the Ministry of He speaks Kazakh, Russian, Among other things, the bureau will post of chairman of the board by investors,” he said in an exclusive den, Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Sin- Industry and Trade and the Presi- English, Turkish and French. He re- solve the issue of financing mutual in- decision of the board of directors interview with the Astana Times. gapore among others. dential Administration. places Maksat Kabashev as board vestment. For these purposes, a work- of Kazakh Invest, which is presid- He explained that the strategy Tuyakbaev was born in 1979 In 2012-2017, he worked as a chairman who went on to become a ing group was formed and a credit ed by the country’s Prime Minister. focuses on attracting investment in the South Kazakhstan region. deputy governor of the South Ka- vice president at Kazakhstan Temir line was set up in a Polish bank. The Commenting on his appointment from 10 countries – China, France, In 2001, he graduated from the zakhstan region, overseeing the Zholy national railway company. institution will issue loans worth 300 million euros (US$355.87 million) to support Polish businesspeople in Ka- zakhstan. The Polish business com- munity has already invested approxi- AIFC investors’ mately $300 million in the Kazakh economy. Trade turnover between the countries has grown considerably and advantages promoted this year can reach $700 million. Seventy-nine investment projects worth more than 967 billion tenge (US$2.9 billion) are included in the at Euro Finance Week Business Roadmap of the East Ka- zakhstan Region, ortcom.kz reports. According to the instructions of President of Kazakhstan Nursultan in Germany Nazarbayev, the focus is on develop- tractive environment for investing ing the processing and manufactur- By Dmitry Lee in financial services, developing ing sectors of the economy. Some the securities market of Kazakh- 18,000 permanent jobs are to be cre- ASTANA – The legal system and stan and ensuring its integration ated through roadmap projects. Next the Astana International Financial with international capital markets. year, it is planned to launch a full-cy- Centre (AIFC) Independent Courts AIFC also intends to develop the cle car factory and a technopark for and International Arbitration Cen- insurance market, banking servic- the production of auto components tre are the key features for inves- es and the Islamic financing mar- in Ust-Kamenogorsk. The new en- tors’ protection in Kazakhstan, ket in the country,” they added. terprise will provide work for 4,000 AIFC head Kairat Kelimbetov told The invited guests included people. This year, the Aktogai Ore the crowd at the 20th anniversary Kazakh Ambassador to Germany Mining and Processing Plant, one Euro Finance Week. He addressed Bolat Nussupov and Rothschild of the largest industrial construction prominent European financiers GmbH, Frankfurt, supervisory projects in the world, was launched, and representatives of German po- board chair Dr. Klaus J. Mangold, Danial Akhmetov, Akim (Governor) litical and business circles, includ- both of whom delivered welcom- of the East Kazakhstan region said. ing the largest European banks, ing speeches. management companies and key “AIFC is an effective platform The volume of extraction, export players of the global financial in- and a powerful driver for expand- and refining of petroleum products dustry Nov. 17 in Frankfurt. ing financial and investment co- increased in Kazakhstan this year, “The AIFC Independent Courts operation between Kazakhstan 24.kz reports. Over 10 months, and International Arbitration Cen- and Germany. Frankfurt am Main, growth in oil production was 11 per- tre will begin work in January which is a financial metropolis of cent, and gas 15 percent. Oil and gas 2018 on the basis of English com- the world, links Astana and Berlin exports increased 14 percent and 26 mon law, which is familiar to in- and will help realise the potential percent respectively. The production vestors around the world and gives of our interaction,” said Nussupov. of petroleum bitumen also increased them confidence,” he said. “The Mangold highlighted Kazakh- by 50 percent to 86,000 tonnes. Since high-tech AIFC Exchange will stan’s positive achievements at the beginning of the year, more than play a pivotal role in the develop- the international level as one of 12 million tonnes of raw materials ment of the capital market in the the most dynamically developing have been processed in the country. region, becoming a platform for young states. privatisation of major investment- “The establishment of the AIFC In 2017, mutual trade between attractive companies.” should give an impetus to the eco- Kazakhstan and Armenia increased Kazakh President Nursultan nomic development of the coun- 38 percent, khabar.kz reports. “Com- Nazarbayev signed the constitu- try,” he noted. pared to 2016, there was an increase tional law in December 2015 es- Kelimbetov met with the man- in trade turnover this year despite the tablishing the AIFC and forming a agement of companies as such as fact that there are some negative trends leading financial services centre on BNP Paribas, Equinix Germany in the global economic environment, an international level. and Frankfurt Main Finance. Rep- which, of course, affected the current “For the first time in the post-So- resentatives indicated they would state of economic ties,” Ambassador viet space, the principles of Eng- be particularly interested in co- of Kazakhstan to Armenia Timur lish law will be introduced. The operating to attract investments, Urazayev said. According to statistics, official language of the financial manage assets and capital and train the volume of trade turnover between centre will be English,” said AIFC international level specialists. the countries reached $2.6 million. At officials. Euro Finance Week is one of the same time, the ambassador noted “AIFC’s tasks are to assist in at- the largest banking conferences in the positive dynamics of cooperation tracting investments in the coun- Europe. It features several streams within the framework of the Eurasian try’s economy by creating an at- covering various topics. Economic Union. A5 BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017

EXTERNAL NEWS IN BRIEF Mazhilis reviews draft bill on President Nursultan Nazarbayev has signed the relevant decree for Kazakhstan to have a rating system of regions and cities on ease of doing repeated debt restructuring business, according to the Akorda signing of a repeated debt restruc- clude the accumulated fine in- cerning debts,” noted Nigmatulin. press service. A commission com- Staff Report turing agreement that envisioned curred for delay in payment and He called upon the competent posed of Presidential administration a $2.3-million debt reduction. Ac- will be prolonged in compliance bodies to negotiate the issue with employees, heads of central state ASTANA – Deputies of the cording to the document, Georgia with the Paris club regulations,” those countries with outstanding bodies and other organisations will Mazhilis, the lower house of the started repaying the debt again in said Kazakh Minister for Finance debt and urged the finance minis- be established to summarise the sys- Kazakh Parliament, recently re- September. Bakhyt Sultanov. ter to carry out all required legal tem and approve the rules for a spe- viewed the draft bill on repeated “The agreement envisions the Georgia will pay Kazakhstan expertise when signing similar cial award. The honour will be given restructuring of the debt owed by repeated restructuring of the $37,997,815 until 2025. The Ka- agreements to protect the nation’s annually “for significant achieve- the Georgian government. Majilis Georgian debt under certain con- zakh parliament and government interests. ments in the field of support, de- chair Nurlan Nigmatulin urged the ditions, including the $2.3-mil- are working on a draft bill, as the “It is not a question to you per- velopment of entrepreneurship and nation’s Ministry of Finance to ad- lion reduction in the Georgian current budget code does not stipu- sonally that the agreement was creation of favourable conditions for vance the negotiations on similar Nurlan Nigmatulin main debt in line with the Ka- late repeated debt restructuring. signed in those years, but how opening and doing business.” The debts involving other countries. zakh debt to Georgia based on “It is good that it was possible to could the money be lent without commission, working with the Pres- Georgia took the $27.774-mil- about repeated restructuring have the agreement between the na- settle these debt issues, but honest- stipulating [in the agreement] the ident, will decide on the format, time lion loan in 1996 amid an unstable continued since 2001. tional banks of Kazakhstan and ly speaking this should not com- consequences in case we don’t re- and place of the award ceremony. and difficult economic situation, Georgian President Giorgi Georgia and maintenance of a fort you, especially given the fact ceive the payment? The debt must but was not able to begin repay- Margvelashvili’s June 2017 visit 4-percent interest rate. The pay- there are unsettled disagreements be returned to the state and must After sitting idle for nearly 10 ment until 2006. Negotiations to the capital concluded with the ment schedule also will not in- with several other countries con- add to the budget,” he added. years, the first sugar was made re- cently at the Aksu sugar plant, ac- cording to inform.kz. Sugar beets are delivered to the refinery from the Aksu, Alakol and Sarkan districts. Starting next year, there are plans to KazTransOil begins pumping Russian oil to Uzbekistan begin gradually updating the main and auxiliary production facilities, the period were 48,077 million with a new 5-MW thermal power By Yerbolat Uatkhanov tenge (US$146 million), 11.7 plant, modern thermal boilers and percent higher than last year. a turbo generator, noted the report. ASTANA – The first batch of KazTransOil aims to develop, Work will also continue to further Russian crude oil was pumped integrate and enhance the reli- automate the technological process- through Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan ability of Kazakhstan’s main es, which will increase the plant’s by KazTransOil Nov. 16. Such co- pipeline network; build new oil production capacity in the next three operation is possible due to the en- transportation facilities; increase years. “Now, our region has two ergy sector cooperation agreement the company’s competitiveness; sugar plants – Koksu and Aksu, – signed by the Kazakh and Uzbek and create the necessary contrac- which together can process over governments in September. tual base to ensure oil transporta- 500,000 tonnes of sugar beets an- “The beginning of the transit tion across the territories of tran- nually. We plan to launch the Alakol of Russian oil to Uzbekistan is an sit countries. It has established and Karabulak sugar plants. Also, important event for KazTransOil partnership relations with Rus- we are thinking of building facto- and for Kazakhstan in terms of in- sian, Ukrainian, Belarussian and ries with small capacities. Today creasing the attractiveness of the Azerbaijani companies to transit we meet the region’s demand for country’s transit potential. From Kazakh oil. sugar, which is about 35,000 tonnes the standpoint of technical readi- KazTransOil is Kazakhstan’s per year,” said Almaty region Akim ness, we have been ready to trans- largest oil pipeline company and (Governor) Amandyk Batalov. The port additional volumes of oil by transports oil for the domestic company plans to process up to 300- this route for a long time. Oil will market and for export. Oil trans- 350,000 tonnes of sugar beets for the be pumped through the pipeline portation via the main oil pipelines season, with the release of 32,000- system to the Shagyr oil loading is ensured by 37 oil pumping sta- 35,000 tonnes of sugar. station, where it will be shipped to tions, 64 oil pre-heaters and tank railway tanks and then transported farm for oil storage with an overall A facility producing refined veg- by rail to Uzbekistan according to 80,000 tonnes of crude oil using As of Nov. 20, KazTransOil’s sys- its financial results for first nine volume of 1,414,200 cubic metres. etable oil is expected to be launched oil supply schedules,” KazTran- this route by the end of the year,” tem of trunk oil pipelines accepted months of this year, publishing Oil transhipment is performed by by the end of the year in the village sOil General Director Dimash he added. 20,950 tonnes of crude oil from revenue in the amount of 164,618 four loading-unloading railroad of Kopychenka, Fedorov district Dosanov said. Russia’s oil is carried south using Russia, while 13,300 tonnes of the million tenge (US$499 million), racks and oil loading facilities in- in the Kostanai region, said district “The volume of transit in No- the system of trunk oil pipelines oil had been loaded onto railroad which is 6.6 percent higher than stalled at five piers at the oil load- head Taub Issabayev, reported in- vember will be 30,000 tonnes. (Omsk to Pavlodar to Shymkent tank cars at Shagyr. the similar indicator for the same ing terminal of the Aktau interna- form.kz. “There are plans to put an It is planned to transport up to to the Shagyr oil loading station). KazTransOil recently reported period in of 2016. Net profits for tional seaport. investment project into operation – a workshop for the production of re- fined vegetable oil with a capacity of up to 7,000 tonnes per year. It was built with German materials and Ital- EBRD expands ian equipment will be used, which will soon be delivered. The raw ma- terials will be from Kazakhstan. In December, we will start the refining Women in Business and production of oil and later we plan to extract it,” he said. The plant is designed to process 47,000 tonnes programme of oilseed per year; the annual mini- mum production volume is 7,000 tonnes of oil. Issabayev added the production will be fully automated, in Kazakhstan thus creating only 12 jobs. entrepreneurship in the country. The Atameken National Cham- By Zhazira Dyussembekova The newly-extended programme ber of Entrepreneurs together is also a sign of the effective part- with the Ministry of Finance State ASTANA – The European Bank nership between the EBRD and the Revenue Committee announced a for Reconstruction and Develop- government of Kazakhstan, which project for marking fur garments, ment (EBRD) will allocate more is committed to the development reported inform.kz. The process funds to its two-year-old Women of the SME sector in the country,” was launched to protect domestic in Business programme in Kazakh- said EBRD Director for Kazakh- consumers, support healthy com- stan. A $42 million credit line will stan Agris Preimanis. petition and protect the market be provided to local banks, which The Kazakh Ministry of Na- from illegal products, therefore will lend the funds to small and tional Economy will also allocate reducing the size of the shadow medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) an additional $8.7 million to the economy and increasing tax rev- owned by women. programme. enue. A special information system The EBRD will partner with “The government pays much at- has been developed and necessary local banks to mitigate lending tention to supporting business. We regulatory and legal acts adopted, risks by providing $4.4 million have drafted a bill which aims to according to the report. Entrepre- for first-loss risk cover, according deregulate entrepreneurship. The neurs selling fur products must go to its press service. The expanded approach to inspections will be through the marking process with- programme will also benefit from completely changed and selective in 90 calendar days from the date technical assistance available to checks are supposed to be replaced of the project launch and importers local banks. by preventive control. We hope that within 30 calendar days from the “Over 1,000 female entrepre- all these measures will allow us to date the goods are released for free neurs are expected to receive increase the number of honest entre- circulation. An entrepreneur may greater access to know-how and preneurs and will also promote the exhibit fur products for sale only modern business skills by attend- development of women’s entrepre- after placing the control signs on ing trainings and seminars and neurship,” said Vice-Minister of Na- them, including when the products using the mentoring services that tional Economy Serik Zhumangarin. were resold from wholesalers to fi- are specially designed to support In the first phase of Women nal sellers. the programme. These will be es- in Business, the EBRD has pro- sential tools for their companies to vided approximately 12,000 loans RBK Bank will place 200 mil- grow and become more competi- through five financial intermediar- lion shares of common stock outside tive,” noted the press release. ies worth $37 million. More than the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange According to the bank’s data, 700 female entrepreneurs benefit- (KASE), according to kapital.kz. women are in charge of nearly half ed from the non-financial services “By the decision of the Board of of Kazakhstan’s SMEs. available under the programme. Directors, Bank RBK will place 200 “We are very pleased to ex- According to 2015 official sta- million shares of the bank on the tend the Women in Business pro- tistics, more than four million unorganised securities market. The gramme in Kazakhstan. It was women ages 16-58 are employed subscription is open to an unlim- the first programme of its kind in Kazakhstan. The number of ited number of investors. The offer- in the Central Asian region when self-employed women is more ing price is 100 tenge (US$0.3) per we launched it in 2015. The rapid than one million and women busi- share,” reads the bank’s statement implementation has shown the ness executives is about 700,000, posted on the KASE website. enormous potential of women’s or nearly 42 percent. A6 EDITORIAL&OPINION

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017 Turning 20, Astana is the pride of Kazakhstan bridges and spreading messages of tolerance and hen the settlement of Akmola was peaceful co-existence. Astana will be welcoming established on the banks of the Yessil world religious leaders once again in 2018. River in 1830, perhaps few could As anyone who has visited Astana knows, one of have imagined that this place, which its main attractions is its architecture. In 2010, one initiallyW had a population of approximately 2,000 of the most extraordinary buildings in the region people, would one day become a major modern was opened – the Khan Shatyr shopping mall. De- city and a transport and financial hub for Eurasia. signed by British architect Norman Foster, to this Back in the 19th century, the town had nothing day, this iconic building remains the biggest tent in more than a few schools, places of worship and the world. a couple of factories. Today, the capital city of During its young history as a capital city, Astana Kazakhstan has become one of the largest business has also been privileged to host a number of pro- centres in Kazakhstan with more than 150,000 lific events. In 2010 the city hosted the first OSCE small and medium-sized businesses in the city. Summit in the 21st century and in 2011, along Of course, it was not until Dec. 10, 1997, that with Almaty, the 7th Winter Asian Games, which Akmola replaced Almaty as the capital of Ka- became the first major multi-sports event held in zakhstan. Nearly six months later it was renamed Kazakhstan. Astana. As the city is preparing to celebrate its On Nov. 22, 2012, Astana received perhaps its 20th anniversary as the capital, with the main fes- strongest recognition so far. This was the moment tivities planned for 2018, it is worth looking back member countries of the International Bureau of over the last two decades and remember some of Exhibitions (BIE) elected the Kazakh capital to the key moments that marked the transformation of hold the international specialised exhibition EXPO Astana into one of the biggest metropolises of the 2017. The event, which took place last summer, Central Asian region. gave Astana an opportunity to open its doors to In 1999, Astana achieved its first recognition, the world even wider. Approximately four mil- when the city was awarded the medal and title lion visits, including many guests from around the of the City of Peace by UNESCO. This award world, visited the festival of science, technology was given to the cities, which could achieve and entertainment. If prior to this event Astana impressive successes in socio-economic, political may have been relatively unknown globally, now and cultural development, as well as strengthen Astana has well and truly gained international interethnic and interreligious cooperation. Astana acknowledgment. has managed to live up to expectations. Despite Over the last 20 years Astana has experienced the fact that people of up to 100 ethnicities live many significant moments. Undoubtedly, more are in Astana and several religions are practiced, yet to come including the launch of the Astana In- the city has enjoyed interethnic and interfaith har- ternational Financial Centre in 2018 and the open- mony and peace. ing of the new light rail transport system, which It is, therefore, not a coincidence that in 2003 is currently being constructed. But it must be re- Astana witnessed another important moment in its membered that it is the people of Astana who over history – the first Congress of Leaders of World the past two decades have driven the city towards and Traditional Religions, which brought together this growth, prosperity and dynamic development. the most influential representatives of world reli- They will be the ones who will continue to help gions in the Kazakh capital. To this day, the Con- Astana to achieve more memorable moments and gress continues to play a central role in building be the pride of Kazakhstan. Kuwaiti envoy: Kazakhstan provides good opportunities for foreign investors mentioned establishing the Inter- By Zhanna Shayakhmetova national Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Low Enriched Uranium ASTANA – Kazakhstan and (LEU) Bank. Kuwait will celebrate 25 years of “Kuwait, as well as Kazakh- diplomatic relations Jan. 11 and in stan, has an overall vision that advance of the anniversary, The nuclear energy should be used Astana Times interviewed Kuwaiti only for peaceful purposes. Ambassador to Kazakhstan Tareq Therefore, Kuwait became one of Abdullah Al-Faraj to learn about the first donor countries to sup- the connection and potential for port the project and allocated $10 cooperation between the countries. Ambassador of Kuwait to Kazakhstan million. We believe that the LEU Kazakh President Nursultan Tareq Abdullah Al-Faraj. facility will benefit all countries. Nazarbayev’s official visit to Ku- The establishment of this bank wait in 1997 was one of the most “Kuwaiti investors started to will prevent the use of nuclear important events in bilateral rela- come to the country in 2006. One fuel by other countries and will tions, he said. of the biggest private investors always be under the auspices of “As a result of this visit, the is the Americana Group (Kuwait the international community,” he agreement on trade and econom- Food Company), which brought said. ic cooperation, the agreement on franchises including Costa and Al-Faraj noted Kazakhstan has the promotion and mutual pro- KFC. Now, we have the Shine served the entire global commu- tection of investments and the Company that is just entering nity and provided an opportunity memorandum on consultations the Kazakh market and brought a to prevent any negative use of between the Ministries of For- Starbucks franchise,” he said. nuclear fuel. eign Affairs of the two countries “Now, we are negotiating “We express gratitude to Ka- were signed.” he said. with the Kazakh government zakhstan for hosting the first Or- Kuwait also issued a grant to regarding the cargo air service ganisation of Islamic Coopera- construct the Kazakh Agricul- agreement. We plan to sign it at tion (OIC) Summit on Science ture Ministry building and loan the end of this year. We started and Technology. The summit can for the water supply project to exporting lamb from Kazakh- be described as an exceptional the Aral Sea region and the Ka- stan and we hope we will have one. It opened great horizons and zakh-Kuwaiti intergovernmental more investment opportunities prospects for all OIC countries. commission on trade-economic, in the future. It’s great that Ka- It gathered leading scientists cultural and humanitarian coop- zakhstan proposes many oppor- and experts who participated in eration was established. tunities for foreign businesses discussions and important steps “The committee held meetings to come here. A lot of things were taken in this direction,” he three times, two times in Ka- are done for the protection of said. zakhstan and one meeting in Ku- the investors, especially in ag- He also spoke enthusiastically wait. Next year, we will meet for riculture, oil fields and gas. The about EXPO 2017. the fourth time. We signed a visa Islamic Organisation for Food “I’ve been to many places and and tourism agreement, we will Security also started to operate visited other exhibitions, but sign a double taxation avoidance in the country and it’s very im- the expo in Astana was totally agreement next year and we are portant. My priority is to find different. I’ve never seen such now willing to sign new agree- ways to strengthen relations good organisation and wonder- ments,” said Al-Faraj. between the two countries,” he ful buildings. To me, it’s really The trade between countries added. one of the best organised expos reached $284.1 million, with ex- A number of joint interests I have ever seen, especially the ports totalling $260.9 million in exist between the countries and national pavilion of Kazakhstan. 2015. Private sector investment Kazakhstan is doing many things It is something really unique and is a promising area of coopera- for its region, as well as Kuwait, different. This expo was totally tion between the countries. said Al-Faraj. He specifically not like the others,” he said.

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6 , 2017 Kazakhstan Railways: more comfort, better safety, bigger opportunities in light of Silk Road’s reincarnation with special equipment that captures and technological cooperation al- compared to the same period in day and close cooperation with oth- By Dana Omirgazy a wide range of different parameters lows UTLC to demonstrate a high 2016. Thus, in the direction China/ er railway administrations and part- at once. This data is processed by dynamics of traffic growth and fa- Asia-Europe-China/Asia, there ners on the entire route during 14- ASTANA – In an exclusive in- special software and becomes avail- cilitate realisation of Kazakhstan’s were 147,000 TEU, which is 1.5 15 days. Secondly, it is necessary terview with The Astana Times, able for specialists. Therefore the transit potential. This strategic alli- times more compared to the same to provide preliminary information Kazakhstan Railways (KTZ) Presi- work becomes more operational and ance is a key element in the process period in 2016. In the direction Chi- on suitable cargo for optimising the dent Kanat Alpysbayev spoke about absolutely transparent. of linking Eurasian economic inte- na-Central Asia-China there were time of cargo clearance, as well as the national logistic operator’s pri- With ACS, the management will gration and the Silk Road Economic 89,000 TEUs, which is 31 percent timely provision of rolling stock orities, its development within the be able to track where, when and Belt. more compared to the same period at borders. Also, it is essential to Digital Kazakhstan programme how the repair of a track is carried Kazakhstan develops transporta- last year. ensure the back loading and loop- and the ways to make Kazakhstan out and much more. This will im- tion along the Trans-Caspian route. KTZ believes the volume of the ing of routes. This generally has a more attractive for transit cargo prove the quality of the diagnostics The Nomad Express container container transit through Kazakh- positive effect on the competitive- traffic, an area that has seen remark- and significantly reduce the costs of service from China to Turkey has stan is largely determined by the ness of tariff conditions for these able changes as Kazakhstan’s Nurly Kanat Alpysbayev repair works. been formed through the sea logis- competitiveness of its services for transportations. All this is the work Zhol infrastructure development To ensure the planned car traffic tics infrastructure of Kazakhstan in exporting consignors in China and of container train operators. In the programme and China’s Belt and tem under the auspices of KTZ was and movement of freight trains ac- the Caspian Sea. The route is ex- European countries regarding alter- next 5-10 years, the speed of goods Road Initiative have moved forward introduced in the country. Today, cording to the schedule, KTZ decid- tended to Ukraine and Poland by a native routes – sea, air transporta- delivery is expected to increase up full steam ahead. passengers can buy tickets through ed to introduce an automated sys- single technology with a complex tion. Given that Kazakhstan occu- to the level of passenger transporta- 17,000 self-service terminals, over tem to develop forecast (optional) rate per container. The existing and pies only 0.2 percent of the transit tion. This is a completely different The creation of a railway trans- ten websites, the KTJPortal mobile train traffic schedules. new modern infrastructure of Ka- market from China to the EU, the type of transportation and a new port engineering cluster is one of application and the Amadeus inter- In accordance with the Digital zakhstan is actively involved in the key factor in the reorientation of market of freight base, a complete- Kazakhstan’s priority areas. To national system. Railway strategy, we constantly an- transportation process of this global freight flows is not the growth rate ly different price and economy of date, the country has produced In addition, an automated passen- alyse and look for digital solutions service. They are border check- of trade between China and the EU, transportation. more than 5,000 railway products ger information system was intro- to improve the rail service quality points of Kazakhstan and China at but the rate of increase in the com- items (spare parts, components, duced in order to increase the level provided to customers. Khorgos – Eastern Gate, transport pany’s share in this flow. KTZ has many plans and many units and equipment for rolling of customer orientation. The project and logistics centres in the regions To develop the most promis- different programmes for the de- stock). What further tasks has KTZ is integrated with the ticketing sys- In recent years, the volume of of the country, new railway stations ing transit container transportation velopment of transport corridors: set for the near future? tem and informs passengers about transit container traffic through and trunk lines to the international services through Kazakhstan and China-Europe, China-Turkey, In partnership with world leaders emergency situations or delays via Kazakhstan has significantly in- ports of Aktau and Kuryk in the achieve the target of 2 million TEUs China-Caucasus and others. We in the machinery industry such as SMS. creased. What is the reason? Caspian Sea. per year by 2020, the company in- see that China is an important General Electric, Alstom, Patentes To increase onboard service, a What are the further prospects in Over the past nine years, the to- tends to strengthen the functions of player for all known reasons. What Talgo S.L. and Siemens, we estab- multimedia entertainment portal has this area? How do you resolve the tal investment in the development marketing and sales; increase the are the plans for transportation lished the production of modern been provided in three branded and certain contradiction between the of infrastructure, transport and lo- level of return loading through the from China and to China for the rolling stock applying innovative 11 commercial trains from Tulpar- relatively higher costs of rail trans- gistics assets and competencies intensification of sales efforts to next year? technologies. Talgo. port in comparison with the mari- amounted to approximately $26 bil- shippers in target markets; optimise For 2018, the planned volume of Freight and passenger diesel lo- The multimedia portal offers in- time shipping? Is there a kind of lion. These are investments in new transportation costs through further transit traffic through Kazakhstan is comotives and electric locomotives, formation about the train schedule, ceiling in the number of containers railways and motorways, moderni- implementation of cost reduction more than 500,000 TEUs, including passenger and freight cars, materials services, travel conditions and pas- that the country plans to transport? sation of infrastructure, new centres programmes and maintain com- in the direction of China – the EU of the upper structure of the railroad sengers’ rights and obligations with Today, the speed of container for warehouse logistics on trans- petitive delivery terms within 12-14 countries – China, China – Turk- (rails, turnouts, crosses, ferrocon- possibility of assessing the portal trains via Kazakhstan has grown Kazakhstan transport corridors for days with a significant increase in menistan/the countries of the Per- crete bars, sleepers, rail fasteners, service quality. In addition, passen- to 1,100 kilometres per day. This consolidation and reorientation of the volume of transit to the target sian Gulf, China – Turkey/Caucasus repair kits, etc.) are made in Ka- gers can watch movies, cartoons, indicates that we are ready to de- cargo flows and transport assets of levels. – China, and China – Russia/Baltic zakhstan. play games and listen to music on liver cargo from the South Eastern container and wagon logistics. To ensure the growth in the vol- countries – the countries of Central During 26 years of independence, board. provinces of China to distant coun- At present, there are several ways ume of transit traffic, we continue Asia – China. 303 diesel locomotives, 62 electric The multimedia entertainment tries such as Spain or Great Britain of transporting goods from China to our work within the established Currently, as mentioned KTZ locomotives, 552 passenger cars portal is expected to be introduced within 15-17 days. In future, we Europe and backwards. Tradition- strategic alliances along the main works with 17 Chinese provinces and (including 116 with wide body), in the company’s all passenger plan to increase the average speed ally this cargo is transported by sea corridors. In particular, within the a number of Southeast Asian coun- 7,321 freight cars and more than trains next year. to 1,500 kilometres per day. In part- at cheaper rates. However, the de- framework of the Joint Transport tries. At the same time, constant work 200,000 tonnes of rails were pro- In addition, access to the Internet nership with 17 provinces of China, livery time by sea can take from 45 and Logistics Company in partner- is carried out to expand the geogra- duced in the country. was provided in the Tulpar-Talgo a regular container service has been to 60 days. This is not suitable for ship with the Russian and Belaru- phy of routes, comprehensive logis- This fact encouraged producing trains on the Astana-Almaty route developed from China through goods that are sensitive to delivery sian Railways, we try to maintain tics is being improved. I would like more railway items (spare parts, this year. The number of trains with Kazakhstan to Europe, Turkey, times, such as electronics, pharma- the dynamics of an annual double to note that this year the back loading components, units and equipment Internet access is planned to be in- Central Asian countries, Afghani- ceuticals, food, FMCG goods, etc. increase in the volume of transit from Europe to China was ensured at for rolling stock). creased in the future. stan and the Persian Gulf. In 2016, In this case, air transportation can traffic along the Asia-Europe route 60 percent, which is 10 percent more The domestic railway engineer- the growth doubled in the China- significantly shorten the time of and bring the volume to 800,000 compared to the last year. ing cluster includes 189 small and What new technologies does Europe-China direction compared goods delivery at a higher transpor- TEUs per year by 2020. At the same medium-sized enterprises manufac- your company plan to use? How to 2015 (from 49,900 twenty-foot tation cost. Thus, transportation by time, the back loading in the direc- Could you please tell us about turing components, materials and is KTZ’s automation carried out? KTZ’s plans for the development spare parts. Is the company ready to contrib- of the ports of Khorgos and Kuryk? These enterprises recruited over ute to the Digital Kazakhstan pro- On May 15 this year, an invest- 12,000 people and manufactured gramme? ment agreement was signed with 5,120 types of railway products. KTZ developed the Strategy for the COSCO Shipping Corporation Kazakhstan’s content occupies 30- the Development of Information and the Port of Lianyungang on the 50 percent of the output. Technologies until 2025 – Digi- joint development of the Special In 2016, Tulpar-Talgo started tal Railway for 2017-2025. Under Economic Zone Khorgos – East- manufacturing wide body passen- the strategy, the company outlined ern Gate. The agreement is aimed ger carriages, thereby providing seven strategic directions for de- at further development of coopera- more comfortable conditions for velopment. They are management tion between Kazakhstan and China passengers. Another 603 modified of multimodal transport, intelligent in the transport and logistics sphere cars will be produced by 2020. Four systems of planning and manage- facilitating the integration of the trains underwent certification tests ment over freight traffic, digital rail- Nurly Zhol programme with the and now they are running in the way infrastructure, digital service Chinese Road and Belt programme. most demanded directions domesti- for passengers, intelligent transport Thus, the Chinese partners (Cosco cally and internationally (Almaty- security, automation of corporate Shipping and Lianyungang Port) Tashkent). processes and single technological acquired 49 percent of the shares in Kazakhstan launched produc- infrastructure. the charter capital of the Khorgos tion of innovative freight rolling We began implementing projects Gateway Dry Port project. stock: gondola cars, grain trucks applying IoT, BigData and other el- At the Khorgos Special Eco- and fitting platforms with doubled ements of the fourth industrial revo- nomic Zone (SEZ), we are imple- capacity. The loading capacity was lution. menting joint plans to increase the increased by 20 percent, as overhaul KTZ plans to implement several volumes of handling containers and was improved by three times (from projects within Digital Kazakhstan cargoes, using such mechanisms as 160,000 kilometres to 500,000 kilo- programme. The first is Digital Sta- joint use of the Cosco and KTZ con- metres). tion designed to ensure audio-visual tainer park expanding the range of The country also started produc- information about the arrival/depar- Khorgos – Eastern Gate multimodal logistics and improving ing TEP33A-series passenger diesel ture of trains, as well as to display terminal services and infrastructure locomotives, KZ4AT-series passen- advertising texts, graphics and vid- equivalent unit (TEUs) containers rail is the most optimal solution in tion of EU-China is ensured at the facilities (terminals, ports) to ensure ger electric locomotives and heat- eo and voice information. to 105,000 containers per year). In terms of time and cost of delivery. level of at least 55 percent. optimal logistics and distribution of strengthened rails up to 120 metres An important task is to provide 2017, the growth rate stood at the By 2020, the growth of container On the Trans-Caspian Interna- goods, as well as the integration of long previously not produced in the easy access to the station building same level. We expect an increase traffic in the region in transit through tional Transport Route, we are at- IT platforms of companies (Lian- Commonwealth of Independent for low-mobility categories of peo- in container traffic to over 200,000 Kazakhstan is estimated at more tracting new participants and extend yungang Port, COSCO) and other States (CIS) countries. ple. For this purpose, entry points TEUs by the end of the year. than 2 million TEUs. This will allow the corridor with the inclusion of the activities aimed at the development. The export potential of railway are equipped with special call but- Thanks to the alliances and re- the country’s transport sector to gen- Ukrainian transport network. In December 2016, President products is estimated at more than tons (emergency button and help gional cooperation, where the KTZ erate revenues of US$5 billion. In October this year, a new rail- Nursultan Nazarbayev launched the $3 billion and the geography of the button). When one presses this but- Group participates, completely new Transit freight flows are rep- way section of Kars-Akhalkalaki railway ferry complex in the port of sales market covers about 18 coun- ton, a person receives the necessary directions and services are being resented by traditional and com- was put into operation on the border Kuryk, which has processed more tries. help; the attendants come down and developed; new multimodal logis- mercial transportation. Traditional between Turkey and Georgia, which than one million tonnes of cargo so To date, products made in Ka- help to enter the building. The call tics solutions for the delivery of cargo flows go from Russia and the will give an additional impetus to far. zakhstan worth over 36 billion button will be installed at a conveni- goods are being introduced. In re- CIS countries to the countries of the development of transit traffic Today, the Kuryk port is one of tenge (US$109.08 million) have ent distance from the ground. cent years, the reciprocal loading in Central Asia and in the opposite di- along this route. key logistics link in transportation been supplied to Eurasian markets. Also, we want to provide access mutual trade of these countries has rection transporting such cargoes as We coordinate work with the rail- along the Trans-Caspian Interna- to digital services through seamless been increasing with backload from timber, oil products, ferrous metals, ways of Iran and Turkmenistan to tional Transport Corridor. On social networks, citizens of Wi-Fi network. There are also plans Europe to China of 60 percent. The foodstuffs, fertilisers, and construc- attract cargo flows along the North- The construction of an automo- Kazakhstan note the increased to expand current mobile applica- achievement of target parameters tion-related cargoes. South corridor. And, as I said, we bile pier and the logistics infrastruc- quality of your company’s passen- tion functions in terms of online for the growth of transit traffic vol- Commercial cargo flows serve conduct work with all 17 cargo- ture of the Kuryk port is about to be ger traffic with the introduction of schedule, availability of seats on the umes is ensured amid tough com- ferrous metals, machinery and generating Chinese provinces to completed in the near future. new wagons and locomotives. Your train, map of the country’s railway petition with alternative routes and equipment, cotton, chemicals, con- increase cargo flows to international The port’s capacity will exceed 6 customers like the polite and car- network and the cafe and restaurant existing logistics supply chains. sumer goods, and container trans- transport corridors through the terri- million tonnes per year of railway ing passenger car attendants, clean menus in the station building. In order to develop the North- portation from China to Russia, the tory of Kazakhstan. ferry cargo. Moreover, measures and modern cars and locomotives The project of the Automated ern Trans-Asian route through countries of Central Asia and back- are being carried out to improve the that do not smell of diesel fuel. Control System (ACS) – Magistral, Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus wards. The transportation market has logistics services along the Trans- What are the future plans for pas- implemented by KTZ jointly with to Europe, a business alliance was At the same time, the analysis of been established. Major transport Caspian route. Recently created No- senger transportation? Transtelecom which uses of mod- established with Russia and Bela- the Kazakhstan’s cargo transporta- companies are working in this mad Express container service will As part of the efforts to speed up ern railroad condition diagnostics rus railway companies, the United tion market confirms that Kazakh- market. What measures need to be attract approximately 300,000 addi- passenger traffic, 15 trains were systems. It is designed to ensure a Transport and Logistics Company stan’s container transit market has taken to make the transport cor- tional container traffic by 2020. An launched from the Tulpar-Talgo gradual transition from planned re- (UTLC). This business platform the largest growth potential. ridor through Kazakhstan even additional impetus for the develop- plant, they connect all main of cit- pairs to actual repair conditions. provides an integrated service from Over 10 months this year, the more attractive and profitable in ment of transportation through the ies of Kazakhstan with Astana. The Magistral is an automated system China to Europe based on unified number of transported containers monetary terms, as well as speed Caspian infrastructure will be pro- main advantage of those trains is a of complex monitoring and diagnos- technology, quality standards and in transit through the territory of up the transportation of cargo? vided by the new Baku-Tbilisi-Kars significantly shorter travel time. tics of infrastructure condition. ACS pricing. Kazakhstan reached about 270,000 First, it is important to ensure de- railway line, introduced recently in In 2014, the electronic billing sys- looks like a car-diagnostic complex Mutually beneficial commercial TEUs, which is 40 percent more livery speed of at least 1,100 km/ October this year. A8 EURASIA&WORLD

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017

now? Which ones need an im- mediate response, in your opin- ion? “Flowering” Central Asia will build security and President Nazarbayev pointed out at last year’s gathering of the Astana Club that the re-emer- gence of Central Asia as a zone prosperity from within, expert on region says with common interests, com- ing so. Most importantly, it sig- reality of its being comprised of ing not only for that country but mon understandings and shared By Zhazira Dyussembekova nals to Afghans and neighbours one very large power and several for the region. However, it would values is a necessary and highly that the United States will persist very small powers. I agree with be a mistake to think this consti- desirable development. He made ASTANA – In an exclusive in- and work towards a stable and vi- Ambassador-at-Large of Singa- tutes a radical change in all areas. this statement a week before the terview with The Astana Times, able Afghanistan. This will not be pore Bilahari Kausikan that such Note that President of Kazakhstan elections in Uzbekistan. Now I Dr. Frederick Starr, founder and easy. But with stable borders, vast imbalances, wherever they oc- Nursultan Nazarbayev and former am particularly heartened that former chairman of the Central resources, a very talented rising cur, inevitably impart a political President of Uzbekistan Islam President Mirziyoyev echoes Asia-Caucasus Institute and cur- generation of modern men and character to the arrangements. Karimov signed a strategic part- President Nazarbayev’s insistence rently distinguished fellow for women, and many well-wishers, Nothing that has been done to nership agreement and exchanged that Afghanistan, too, is a part Eurasia at the American Foreign notably in Central Asia, Afghani- date neutralises this reality. As business delegations nearly half a of Central Asia and not merely a Policy Council discussed the cur- stan can and, in my judgment, the International Monetary Fund decade ago, while several domes- neighbour. Perhaps it is time for Dr. Frederick Starr rent situation in countries of the eventually will, turn the corner. notes, whenever a trading bloc tic legal reforms began as early as external powers and international region and provided his outlook eight years declaring what it was This will benefit everyone. is formed, it may reduce barriers 2012. The pace of change is rapid, organisations and financial insti- on the Eurasian Economic Union. not doing in Afghanistan. At the among members but at the price however, and focuses on the inte- tutions to accept this fundamen- time, we published a paper en- In a recent interview with Eur- of increasing them with the out- gration of Uzbekistan into world tal reality. The main point is that How would you assess the cur- titled “Finish The Job,” which asia Daily you said that the Eur- side world. And we live in a big fiscal and financial practices, re- the flowering of Central Asia as rent situation in Afghanistan, called for opening up age-old asian Economic Union (EAEU) world. sponsive government, the rule of a multi-hubbed world region of and what do you think the fu- transport routes that would give has some element of economics, law and a regional partnership over 100 talented and energetic ture holds for that country? In Afghan producers access to mar- but the element of politics is big- How would you characterise comprising all the countries of million people will build security your opinion, what can be done kets and foreigners the ability to ger, and that ultimately the union the situation in Uzbekistan and Central Asia. and prosperity from within, and is to mitigate the situation there, trade with, and over, Afghani- is unnecessary. Could you please the administration of President not against anyone. All external and what is the role of the United stan. The new policy candidly explain your reasoning? Shavkat Mirziyoyev? As for the region as a whole, powers should accept and respect States? acknowledges what remains to My continued scepticism about Recent developments in Uz- what are the main challeng- this truth, and practice mutual The Unites States has spent be done and the obstacles to do- the EAEU arises from the blunt bekistan are extremely promis- es faced by Central Asia right self-restraint.

products, meat, dairy and wheat, and people love each other,” he he said, stressing the excellence of said. the latter. Georgia is among the most pop- We have very friendly ties and people love “The quality of Kazakh wheat ular holiday destinations for Ka- is good compared to Russia. We zakhs due to the visa-free regime, want to receive more of Kazakh relatively cheaper prices and direct wheat than that from Russia,” he flights. Its national cuisine is also each other, says Georgian ambassador added. an attraction. Mikheil Janelidze is expected to Batumi port, which belongs to Georgia’s success in public ad- “I was counting this summer how By Assel Satubaldina visit Kazakhstan in early 2018. Kazakhstan’s national oil and gas ministration is also among the many direct flights we have from Ka- Nazarbayev made his first offi- company KazMunayGas and its important areas of cooperation. In zakhstan to Georgia and there were ASTANA – Georgian Ambas- cial visit to Tbilisi in 2005 and the subsidiary KazTransOil, is an im- recent years, the nation completed 18 per week. Every day from Almaty sador to Kazakhstan has praised Georgian government has issued portant part of Kazakh-Georgian co- successful reforms in the field, to Tbilisi and four times from Astana the countries’ friendly ties and ex- invitations for his return. operation. The 826-kilometre Baku- eventually managing to tackle cor- to Tbilisi and I am not mentioning pressed a commitment to bringing “We have to work on the visit of Tbilisi-Kars -railway route recently ruption and decrease crime rates, other cities, such as Aktau and Shy- the partnership to a new level. President of Kazakhstan Nursul- opened with a ceremony in Baku, serving as one of the best exam- mkent,” said Abashidze, suggesting Abashidze arrived in the capital in tan Nazarbayev to Georgia. Not which, according to Abashidze, is ples in the post-Soviet space. other Central Asian countries should March on his initial diplomatic mis- only me, but our president, prime the “project of the century.” “Reforming the country is the use Kazakhstan as an example. sion as an ambassador, he recalled minister and high level officials Trade offers greater opportuni- brand for Georgia, [as it relates to] “Tourism is the most popular in a recent interview for this story. Zurab Abashidze are expecting the visit, because ties for both sides, with the trade how we defeated corruption in the way to communicate between Ka- “It was the first time I arrived in Georgian people love and respect turnover totalling $62 million government and police. Police do zakh and Georgian people and I Astana and my first time in Cen- our first national day on the expo him,” noted Abashidze. “The time in 2016 and $67.5 million be- not take any bribes and the crimi- was very happy to hear that people tral Asia. I am very excited. I am stage,” he said. has come.” tween January-October this year. nal situation is very low,” said here love Georgia. We used to live always joking that this date marks In addition to meeting with Ka- He noted Kazakhstan has been Abashidze, however, believes the Abashidze. in a common country, the USSR, the launch of the visa-free regime zakh President Nursultan Naz- one of the main investors in the indicators could be higher. “Georgian experts are deeply and people are mentally very close between Georgia and the Euro- arbayev, the delegation engaged Georgian economy, with direct “It is not very high. We have to involved in consulting Kazakh and we do not have any boundaries pean Union and while others went with Prime Minister Bakytzhan investments last year of $435 mil- increase the figures and work very officials, government, judiciary, in terms of language, because we to Europe, I went to Central Asia,” Sagintayev as well as Senate and lion. The Kazakh money backed hard. The governments, business prosecutor’s office and other in- both speak Russian,” he added. he said. Majilis speakers. 160 ventures launched in the coun- community and the Kazakh Invest stitutions. We are happy and glad Abashidze believes in a bright “I am lucky that I am the am- Georgian debt to Kazakhstan try in recent years, he added. company are working very well in to have such close relations and future for the Kazakh capital. bassador of Georgia, especially to was among the issues raised. The “What we can offer Kazakhstan this area,” he said. that Kazakhstan acknowledged “Astana will become the finan- such very nice and beautiful coun- country experienced economic from the investment point of view Georgian exports included min- Georgia’s achievements. This cial centre of Central Asia and a try as Kazakhstan,” he added. problems in the 1990s after gain- is that we are closer to the EU (Eu- eral water and wine and, accord- may be our investment in Kazakh- hub for the entire region. The city ing to Abashidze, Kazakhstan is Before taking the post, ing its independence and took a ropean Union) than Eurasian coun- stan,” he added. is so nice with newly constructed $27 million loan from Kazakh- tries. We are not part of the Com- among the five biggest consumers Abashidze worked in the Georgian The ambassador praised the buildings; this is hard work. I wish stan to recover its economy, said monwealth of Independent States of Georgian wine along with Chi- government, and has served as a friendly ties between people in success to your country and peo- deputy speaker of its parliament Abashidze. The sides agreed Geor- (CIS),” he said. na, Poland, Russia and Ukraine. both nations. ple. I love your country and love with responsibilities in foreign re- gia would start repaying the loan The major investment projects The nation imports Kazakh oil “We are very friendly countries your people,” he said. lations issues. in September. include the Rixos Hotel in Borjo- Eight months into his appoint- “I have to thank Kazakhstan for mi. Since its unveiling in 2015, it ment have seen several milestones its support of Georgia, its sover- has become one of Georgia’s most in Kazakh-Georgian cooperation, eignty and territorial integrity. We popular holiday destinations. including Georgian President know what it means – this support “It was built by Kazakh inves- Giorgi Margvelashvili’s visit to the of Kazakhstan to Georgia,” he tors. It is one of the biggest projects capital in June and the country’s noted. and very successful in Borjomi, participation in EXPO 2017. The work to strengthen the cur- one of the most popular regions in “The president arrived the day rent partnerships and set up new Georgia where the mineral water after [the opening of the expo]. We ones is continuing, he added, comes from. It is very famous,” he had a very busy schedule. We had as Georgian Foreign Minister added. New Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway route to transport up to 8 million tonnes of cargo by 2020 – 1.8 million tonnes of cargo were to get to the point when there are By Dmitry Lee transported within 10 months. The enough people in the region, in Ka- indicators exceed the plan by 80 zakhstan and its neighbouring coun- ASTANA – The new Baku-Tbili- percent. According to forecasts, by tries who can take advantage of the si-Kars (BTK) railway is expected to the end of the year the volume will wonderful new railroad.” transport up to eight million tonnes be estimated at 1.3 million tonnes,” The roundtable participants also of cargo by 2020, said Kazakhstan it added. discussed developing transport sys- Temir Zholy President Kanat Alpys- The railway was launched Oct. tems in the entire Central Asia and bayev during a roundtable in Wash- 30 in Baku. Kazakh Prime Minister South Caucasus region. The talks ington, DC, dedicated to continued Bakytzhan Sagintayev took part in included foreign diplomatic corps, development of the route. the opening ceremony, demonstrat- American government officials and “Nearly 15,000 containers are to ing the importance of the project to various business people who may be be transported from Turkey to Ka- the Central Asian nation. contributing to the project. zakhstan, Central Asia, China, the “We have just completed the am- Azerbaijan Railways head Javid Caspian Sea ports, the Black Sea bassadorial meeting in Washington Gurbanov noted the constant growth basin and in the opposite direc- on the new Baku-Tbilisi-Kars rail- in trade turnover between his nation tion. Through 2020, we can safely road,” said U.S. Chamber of Com- and Kazakhstan. achieve more than seven-eight mil- merce Vice President for Global “In the first nine months of this lion tonnes of traffic through our Initiatives Gary Litman. “Obviously, year, the freight traffic between Azer- corridor,” he said in an interview this is part of the much larger picture baijan and Kazakhstan increased 1.5 with Khabar News Agency. that involves Kazakhstan. Kazakh- times compared to the same period Companies using the Trans-Cas- stan provided intellectual leadership last year. This is big. This means that pian International Transport Route to the idea of Eurasian infrastructure the corridor is already operating in will increase cargo transportation and has done a lot to connect coun- full-fledged mode. According to our five times by 2020, it reported. tries. The future depends on where estimates and forecasts, by 2019 the “The BTK route will help imple- the country finds new business op- cargo transportation should increase ment this. The corridor’s profit- portunities. As a representative of by an additional three-four million ability is confirmed by the results American business, we really want tonnes,” he said. B Nation&Capital

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017

PEOPLE CULTURE SPORTS Kazakh poet and anti-nuclear Pixar heroes National short-track team qualifies activist awarded Japan’s order B2 start speaking Kazakh B3 for 2018 Winter Olympics B7 Genome – Kazakhstan’s first domestically- Scientists produce and manufactured cosmetics brand maintain automated

By Zhazira Dyussembekova

ASTANA – After years of re- and robotic systems search and testing, Genome Cos- rently need to wait a number of metics opened its first high-tech By Yerbolat Uatkhanov weeks for manufacturer’s service manufacturing plant this fall in providers. After passing relevant Stepnogorsk, Akmola region. The ASTANA – The world market of training, Shintemirov feels the facility can become the heart of the robotics, which reached $91.5 bil- nation’s robotics experts could cosmetics industry in Kazakhstan lion this year, is expected to climb provide needed maintenance by and Central Asia, said enterprise to $188 billion by 2020. Introduc- reprogramming foreign robots and head Zhanibek Kenzhebayev in an ing automated and robotic systems correcting malfunctions. interview for this story. is part and parcel of Kazakhstan’s “If the certification centres of “Cosmetics for facial and body national industry 4.0 programme, manufacturing companies were in care are produced under the brand a process scientists from Naz- Kazakhstan, we could train these Genome. They are based on a arbayev University (NU) suggest people here. It would make the breakthrough technology devel- the nation should begin immedi- services of world manufacturers of oped by the joint efforts of scien- ately, reported Kapital.kz. robotics even more attractive for tists from Kazakhstan and Ger- The country can produce the our business,” he said. many. The uniqueness of Genome robot manipulators which are al- Shintemirov finds the niche for Cosmetics lies in the use of formu- ready used at SaryarkaAvtoProm medical robotics rehabilitation lations of the ReH Bio-nucleotide car assembly plant in Kostanai and very attractive. complex, highly active and natural the solar plant in the capital, said “First, these are not mass prod- extracts that help to solve one of NU Robotics and Mechatronics ucts, but custom-made ones. Sec- the most urgent tasks of our dear department professor Dr. Almas ond, now the cost of such devices women – to stay young and beau- Shintemirov. is very high – up to $100,000. All tiful as long as possible,” he said. “The main problem is that the these systems are made abroad. Kenzhebayev believes the pro- introduction of industrial robots is Many of these products did not ject will have great significance “We could have opened stores money to be exhibited on shelves. were studying unique pharmaceu- effective only in large volumes of reach Kazakhstan. In this con- in the national economy, since the and worked with trade networks, We sell everything through ge- tical preparations based on natural output on production lines. When nection, we have plans to create locally-made cosmetics will be but we wanted to make products nome.kz. In Kazakhstan, we de- extracts at the cellular level. While executing small lots and individual prototypes of low-cost robotic competitive with world brands and available for Kazakh women. To liver free of charge within three to carrying out the tests, they found orders by enterprises, the introduc- prostheses. Medical robotics and give a new impetus to developing do this, we tried to optimise the four days,” he said. that active substances have special tion of robots is economically un- 3D prosthetics are technologies the industry and a related one, as business as much as possible. First The company plans to sell mechanisms for moisturising, nour- profitable,” he said. with high added value, but if these well as set a new standard for local of all, we focus on online sales. In 20,000 units per month in the first ishing and regenerating skin cells. “The biggest problem in robotics products are designed and manu- cosmetics. addition, we make a low margin; year. The facilities allow produc- Intense discussions of the results led is the shortage of qualified special- factured in Kazakhstan, they will The products are presently sold we do not have a mark-up of 200- ing millions of products annually. to continued work to create highly- ists. In addition, all components be several times cheaper, even only online at www.genome.kz, 300 percent as usually happens Genome’s history began in 2011 efficient, domestically-produced are imported. Even in Russia, not with slightly less functionality with free delivery within Kazakh- with players in the market. We do after an incident at a pharmacology cosmetics. As a result, the ReH Bio- everything is produced; micro mo- compared to foreign counterparts. stan. The price range is 2,500 – not have stores, do not hire sellers research laboratory where a group nucleotide complex was invented. tors and micro boards are imported We want to start with a lesser com- 6,600 tenge (US$7.50 – US$20). and do not spend a huge amount of of Kazakh and German scientists Continued on Page B2 from far abroad. One small micro plexity – rehabilitation of the up- motor costs $500 and we need at per limbs. I repeat, this market is least five for some products, such still not occupied by anyone, nei- as, for example, robotic arm pros- ther in Russia nor in Kazakhstan, theses. A good small DC servo and if you systematically deal with drive with integrated digital con- the development of this area of Accademia Teatro alla Scala trol costs thousands of dollars. We robotics, you can go to the fore- need six such servo drives to con- front,” he said. struct an average robot manipula- “The second direction is pro- tor,” he added, according to the duction of unmanned vehicles, initiates performing arts trainings media outlet. agricultural machinery and ground Nazarbayev University has cre- mobile robots. The territory we ated all the necessary conditions, have is huge and the population corresponding infrastructure and is relatively small, especially in for Kazakh artistic groups hardware equipment to conduct remote regions and rural areas. part of the Rukhani Zhangyru train new staff in the country in The Accademia Teatro alla scientific research in the field, but There are a lot of mineral deposits. By Zhanna Shayakhmetova (Modernisation of Kazakh- the performing arts field. Scala also signed a memorandum scientists need a research support Thanks to drones, it is possible to stan’s Identity) programme. The educational programmes of cooperation with the Abai system similar to their foreign col- develop a large number of deposits ASTANA – The Accademia Te- The head of state noted that at the academy, initiated in early State Academic Opera and Ballet leagues to implement engineering and to develop agricultural land at- atro alla Scala has announced the we must demonstrate the best 1990, continue the tradition of the Theatre and Zhurgenov Kazakh developments. tracting a minimum of workers fol- launch of a project of technical, works of modern Kazakhstan Cadets of La Scala, founded by National Academy of Arts, both Students and scientists abroad lowing the example of RioTinto in artistic and managerial training to the world with advanced conductor Arturo Toscanini in the located in Almaty. make a plastic prototype using Australia, where unmanned dump for Astana Opera soloists, ballet modernisation of the nation’s early 1950s to preserve the Ital- The Astana Opera cooperates a 3D printer and experts in their trucks in quarries are already oper- dancers, choir, technical special- conscience. Our works of art ian operatic tradition. World-class with theatres including Teatro engineering centre, or machine ating,” he added. ists and managers, according to should be known all over the stars currently conduct classes. alla Scala, Teatro di San Carlo, shop, help them execute techni- The university is presently con- the theatre’s Nov. 20 press re- world. By signing this memo- The academy works in design- Teatro Carlo Felice, Mariinsky cal solutions. Kazakhstan lacks cluding an agreement with Russian lease. randum, the Kazakh Ministry ing and developing educational Theatre, Novosibirsk Theatre, engineering centres and students KAMAZ to develop a universal “The Accademia Teatro alla of Culture and Sports intends to structures and programmes to Shanghai Bolshoi Theatre, Op- and scientists must spend a great unmanned truck based on the com- Scala is one of the world’s ma- implement the President’s strat- produce qualified personnel for era Europe and the international deal of time on routine engineer- pany’s new model. jor educational institutions. Our egy,” said Astana Opera head live productions and continuing opera association. The soloists, ing work. Gears, motors, sensors “There is a huge potential for creative troupes and specialists Galym Akhmedyarov. education and training for theatre chorus and symphony orchestra and other electronic components military robotics. For Kazakhstan, should improve their skills to The project is intended for personnel to promote developing of the legendary Milanese Teatro are secured through the public pro- military robotics can be extremely represent our art worldwide. professionals already employed institutions that are fully in line alla Scala performed in the capi- curement system, which requires attractive: the borders are long, the This project will be launched as at the opera house as well as to with European standards. tal during EXPO 2017. several months. As a result, sci- population is small, and the army entists prefer buying inexpensive is relatively small. So, we need items from online stores with their mobile robots to patrol the borders, own money. a system of circular video control,” Kazakh companies also cur- said Shintemirov.

THINGS TO WATCH & PLACES TO GO ASTANA OPERA December 9 at 6 p.m. La Bohème, opera December 16 at 6 p.m. Don Quixote, ballet December 23 at 6 p.m. Jazz in Opera, concert December 27 at 7 p.m. La Traviata, opera SARY ARKA VELODROME December 10 at 3 p.m. PBC Astana – PBC Lokomotiv Kuban ASTANA BALLET December 22 at 7.30 p.m. Nutcracker, ballet BARYS ARENA December 23 at 5 p.m. HC Barys – HC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk December 25 at 7.30 p.m. HC Barys – HC Salavat Yulaev Ufa December 27 at 7.30 p.m. HC Barys – HC Ak Bars Kazan Photo credit: accademialascala.it Photo credit: B2 NATION&CAPITAL PEOPLE

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017 Kazakh poet and anti-nuclear activist awarded Japan’s order ered at Astana’s Radisson Hotel. tion on the occasion of the 84th of the strong partnership between By Dana Omirgazy “We need to take a lot from the birthday of Emperor of Japan the countries. experience that the Japanese peo- Akihito. “On behalf of the government of ASTANA – Kazakh poet and ple have brought out of their past, “His Majesty the Emperor Aki- the Republic of Kazakhstan, I have founder of the Nevada-Semey and sometimes tragic present. We, hito will turn 84 years old on Dec. a great honour to congratulate Ja- international anti-nuclear move- writers, will continue to bring our 23. I would like to commemorate pan on its national day. This year ment Olzhas Suleimenov re- peoples together.” His Majesty’s birthday with you. we are celebrating the 25th an- ceived Nov. 28 the Order of the In his speech, Kawabata reiter- This year, Japan and Kazakhstan niversary of the establishment of Rising Sun, one of Japan’s most ated that nuclear disarmament and are celebrating the 25th anniver- diplomatic relations between our distinguished national deco- non-proliferation are the most im- sary of the joint relations. On be- countries. During this short time, rations. Ambassador of Japan portant basis for bilateral coopera- half of the government and people our beneficial strategic coopera- to Kazakhstan Ichiro Kawa- tion between Japan and Kazakh- of Japan, I would like to express tion has reached its peak. We have bata congratulated and thanked stan. my sincere gratitude to all those achieved a high level of bilateral Suleimenov for helping enhance “This year, Japan and Kazakh- who supported the development of political understanding and we are the relationship between Japan stan continue to cooperate closely cooperation between our countries successfully developing economic and Kazakhstan in their com- in the interests of peace and secu- in the last quarter of a century,” the cooperation between our coun- mon quest for non-proliferation rity of the international community ambassador said during the official tries,” Vassilenko said. and disarmament of nuclear kazinform. Photo credit: as non-permanent members of the ceremony. The official part of the reception weapons. and spiritual potential of Japa- time I am going to be leaving one UN Security Council,” he noted. Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minis- ended with traditional sake barrel Suleimenov spoke words of nese people. with the order,” Suleimenov em- Conferment ceremony of the ter Roman Vassilenko noted that cracking ceremony. Suleimenov gratitude focusing on his respect “I have attended annual recep- phasised drawing smiles from a Japanese Imperial Decoration of joint efforts to strengthen peace, and Vassilenko were called on to the people of Japan, culture tions of the Embassy of Japan large audience composed of locals the Order of the Rising Sun took disarmament and non-proliferation stage alongside the ambassador to and huge potential of intellectual more than once…, but it is the first and foreign audience who gath- part during the official recep- of nuclear weapons were evidence crack open the barrel. Genome – Kazakhstan’s first Karaganda rehabilitation domestically-manufactured centre uses dog therapy for cosmetics brand children with special needs Continued from Page B1 emy, Genome Frau Sigrid and Ge- ticles with a size of 0.3 microns or the absence of aggression, learning those who want to attend courses nome Nature. more. The water treatment system By Dana Omirgazy ability, obedience and the desire to or help the centre, please contact us The first successful, innovative Selecting Stepnogorsk for the lo- supplies the whole enterprise with work. Dogs working in canine ther- +77014583626,” she told the paper. cosmetics products attracted at- cation of the plant was a purposeful the purest water, removing unwant- ASTANA – Dogs have long been apy are eager to communicate and The centre has a few restrictions. tention among Kazakh develop- decision, said Kenzhebayev. ed chemicals, biological pollutants, known to have a positive effect on a work with children. One of the main Children under two years of age and ment institutions. With their sup- “Stepnogorsk for many years was solid particles and gases, according person’s mental and physical health. criteria for choosing a dog is its atti- older than 14, as well as those with port and partners from Germany, one of the centres of biotechnologi- to the company website. Karaganda-based Lapa Pomoshchi tude toward children. Our therapists allergies, seizures, acute infectious the team developed unique for- cal and chemical research in the So- Production machines are inter- (Paw of Help) canine therapy centre are happy to get acquainted with the and dermatological diseases, are not mulations for skin care cosmetics viet Union. After its collapse, sci- connected by high-precision and uses that understanding to provide centre newcomers, help them, will- recommended for the courses. in 2013. The results made it pos- entific and production potential has reliable electronics, ensuring stable rehabilitation procedures for families ingly participate in games, wait and The centre works without any sible to attract the World Bank’s been preserved there to these days. homogenisation and dispersion of raising a child with limited abilities. support kids who do not know how state or sponsor support. The main investment to bring the idea to in- The well-preserved infrastructure of cosmetic masses, uninterrupted and The centre, featuring new and or just learn to walk,” she said. expenses include the monthly prem- dustrial production, with $1 mil- industrial hubs meets all the needs low-waste production and accurate unusual procedures, was opened All rehabilitation courses are held ises rent and costs for the dogs’ trans- lion invested in the project, said of modern biotechnological and bottling and packaging that meet in 2008 by volunteers from the individually. Centre specialists de- portation and household chemicals. velop a specific training programme “To cover these expenses, we hold Kenzhebayev. chemical industries,” he said. world standard requirements. Komanda (Team) public associa- tion, said founder Yekaterina Klas- for each child, taking into account monthly events – open door days, The intermediate stages of devel- The production laboratory is “The production laboratory staff his or her capabilities and character- fairs and photo sessions. Now, some opment were presented to President equipped with high-tech machines consists of the best and the most re- sen in a recent interview with The Astana Times. istics. The child feeds the dog from of the classes are paid by the centre, Nursultan Nazarbayev in 2015. He and meets the high-quality stand- sponsible specialists in the industry “Nine years ago we initiated our a spoon and together they perform but most of the classes are free. Cen- expressed hope that in near future ards of the International Organi- who believe in the success of products courses on canine therapy for chil- local and foreign women would use sation for Standardization (ISO) and carefully supervise their qual- dren with cerebral palsy, autism, cosmetics made by the first Kazakh and good manufacturing practices ity. All cosmetic products underwent intellectual disability and other de- industrial manufacturer. (GMPs). The smart ventilation sys- independent testing and certification velopmental features with the help Genome is currently an umbrella tem ensures sterility and air purity and have a ‘safe’ status, which is regu- of dogs from the Kara-Ayular New- brand uniting various cosmetic in the production premises, holding larly confirmed by our own analytical foundland kennel. We were confi- product lines, such as Genome Ad- more than 99 percent of micropar- laboratory,” added Kenzhebayev. dent that these dogs had no aggres- sion; the dogs were perfectly trained, they underwent regular examina- tions with a veterinarian and liked to work with people,” said Klassen. In the beginning, the team did not have sufficient experience. Trainers did not know much about the princi- ples of holding rehabilitation classes or the peculiarities of the psyche of children with special needs. By studying the process, however, the various tasks, such as jumping over tre specialists, volunteers and volun- enthusiastic and committed young barriers, crawling through the tunnel teers with dogs work for free. Un- people have grown into profession- or playing a hairdresser or doctor, fortunately, we spend a lot of time als who have mastered the principles noted Klassen. organising events and looking for of canine therapy and continue to “We welcome children with the funds to pay the monthly rent. If we help children. most different diagnoses: autism, had any kind of support, we could “In 2015, we were admitted to the cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome, focus more time on courses and in- St. Petersburg Community of Canine developmental delays and so on. crease the number of children who Therapy and we officially registered Changes occur even during the undergo rehabilitation every month the centre. At present, the centre has courses – communicative and mo- in the centre. Now, we need to con- ten dogs: two Newfoundlands, three tor skills and the psycho-emotional tinue training specialists in St. Pe- Labradors, two retrievers, one husky state of the child improves as mus- tersburg, attest dogs, buy equipment and one malamute. In general, dogs cle tone increases. All children who for classes and complete repairs in of all breeds and sizes are suitable complete the course of canine ther- the room, but for all this there is no for canine therapy. The main thing is apy show positive dynamics. For money,” said Klassen. B3 NATION&CAPITAL CULTURE

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017 Pixar heroes Satayev’s feature start speaking Kazakh “Districts” snatches Asian Film Festival award

By Dmitry Lee

ASTANA – Critically-acclaimed director Akan Satayev, of Kara- gandy, known for his 2007 block- buster “Racketeer,” has once again delivered a strong message. His 2016 feature “Districts” received the Best Cinematography Award (Panorama Section) at the Asian Film Festival, held Nov. 2-12 in Barcelona. The film revolves around the life of Arsen, an Almaty boy who had to adapt to the cruel “street rules” on the brink of dent Askar Ismailov on his Face- only central Almaty residents of the fall of the Soviet Union in book page after viewing it. those times would truly understand the late 1980s. The period is “I liked it because it immersed the film.” thought to be the dawn of the me back 30 years ago. It remind- “Districts” won Kazakhstan’s rise of crime the following dec- ed me of who I was then and am 2016 Tulpar Award, the national

A scene from “Coco” animated film.

qualities that are instilled in both “Of course, we faced many By Yerbolat Uatkhanov populations, Ordabayev explained. difficulties. The Mexican people “‘Coco’ is a warm family car- are very emotional and bright, ASTANA – “Coco,” Pixar’s toon, full of love, beauty and no- so it was hard to show the mood new feature-length animated film, bility. I recommend all family changes of Miguel throughout became the 23rd foreign movie members watch it, especially in the entire cartoon. The peculiari- sounded in Kazakh. The film, re- Kazakh,” he said. ty of ‘Coco’ is musicality, but the leased Nov. 23, is an example of More than 35 actors were in- protagonist of the cartoon is not the Bolashak Association continu- volved in the dubbing. The voice a professional singer, but only ing quality dubbing of Hollywood artists included Akarys Ashim- dreams of becoming one. Akarys movies. han (Miguel), Olzhas Zhakypbek is very similar to Miguel, as crea- “‘Coco’ is my third project as a (Hector), Sailau Kamiyev and tivity also lives in his heart,” said director, the 11th as an actor and Nurken Otuilov (Ernesto De La Ashimhan’s mother, Ainur Ber- the first animated film in my entire Cruz). Gulzhan Sauttayeva was mukhambetova. A scene from “Districts” feature film. career. I am sure that the movie is the text handler and Assel Mamy- Since 2011, the Bolashak Asso- the most difficult project in com- rova, the interpreter. ciation in conjunction with Disney ade in the post-Soviet independ- today – just a central Almaty lad- cinematography prize, as Best parison with all previous ones. The “My heroine, like all grandmoth- and Meloman has implemented a ent states. die! It reminded me of the code Film of the Year. The Tulpar was complexity of the project is in its ers, surrounds the child with her unique project to translate a se- After moving to the new district, of understanding, honour, dis- established to support national cin- musicality. The main characters love and care, tries to protect him ries of the best Hollywood films. the young school boy goes through trict rules and first love; about ema, preserving the cultural iden- are great in singing and we have no from difficulties and bad habits and The project is social and does stages of adjustment in search of guys who are no longer with us, tity and foundations of national right to sing worse,” said Kazakh raise him to become a good person. not pursue commercial goals. his own identity and learns the street fights and the cigarettes we film production and encouraging dubbing director Shakh-Murat Or- Indeed, this is the role of the grand- World blockbusters, whose aver- hard way that only the fittest sur- smoked in turns, judo and our the best works of Kazakh and dabayev, reported Kazinform. mother, who believes that children age budget exceeds $200 million, vive. He later falls in love with his coach Nikolai Ivanovich – about Central Asian directors and their He added that, thanks to the are our future; we must take care of become a national product as the classmate and faces the choice of those beautiful times we lived promotion among the Kazakh and cartoon, he had an opportunity to them, protect young children and result of high-tech dubbing. whether to continue to follow the in!” he noted. international audience. The award understand the similarity between give them a good family upbring- Ordabayev recently finished rules of the street or listen to his Ismailov added while the movie is given for outstanding achieve- Mexican and Kazakh peoples. The ing,” said actress Beknazar-Khan- working on “Guardians of the heart. is “cruel and without a deep plot, ments in cinematography and ex- main idea is the memory of our inga Leilo, who supplied the voice Galaxy Vol. 2” and “Spider-Man: “I really liked the film! But it’s the romanticism of street lifestyle ceptional professional contribution ancestors and love of one’s family, for Coco’s grandmother. Homecoming.” about nothing,” wrote capital resi- shouldn’t be shown to kids and to developing national cinema. International journalists Kazakh film director tour major Kazakh cities completes black comedy journalists to cover political and President Nursultan Nazarbayev The tour also included the visits Staff Report economic events in Kazakhstan to promote Kazakh culture inter- to Otrar, the ancient city, Arystan on a regular basis. The current nationally, Kazakh Foreign Minis- Bab and Khoja Ahmed Yassawi ASTANA – More than 20 for- press tour within the ‘Contem- ter Kairat Abdrakhmanov told the mausoleums and the Azret Sul- crime caper debut eign journalists toured around porary Kazakh culture in the press tour participants. tan State Historical and Cultural Astana, Almaty, Shymkent and global world’ project, the first of Media representatives from Museum-Reserve in the South Ka- By Dana Omirgazy Turkestan as part of a week-long its kind, is also designed to en- Australia, Austria, Brazil, Cana- zakhstan region. press tour initiated by Foreign hance tourism development and da, Egypt, France, Great Britain, The journalists were also ex- ASTANA – Young Kazakh film Ministry and Ministry of Culture Kazakhstan’s overall positive im- Italy, Japan, South Korea, Swit- posed to Kazakh contemporary art director Olzhas Akhmetov is set and Sports. The press tour aimed age as a dynamically developing zerland, South Africa, Spain and at the Kasteyev State Museum and to release his debut work “Ned- to help the journalists get a broad nation,” reported the ministry’s the U.S. visited the National Mu- visited the Platforma Theatre Cen- elimoe” (“Undividable”), shot in view of Kazakhstan’s cultural di- press service. seum, Academic Library, the Ka- tre, the Multimedia Centre for Tra- famed US director Quentin Taran- tino’s style, Dec. 14. versity and potential. Kazakhstan launched this year zakh pavilion at the EXPO 2017 ditional Music, the Qazaq-Oner The shooting of the movie lasted “The Kazakh Foreign Ministry the Modernisation of Kazakhstan’s and the Astana Opera House in Crafts Centre and met with aspir- only two weeks, though work on arranges press tours for foreign Identity programme initiated by the capital. ing young poets in Almaty. the script took almost half a year, informburo.kz reports. Olzhas Akhmetov Akhmetov’s first film is a darkly funny crime drama. He noted that “We just visualised the script, im- he did not intend to copy or imitate agined which Kazakh actor would any of the famous directors in the ideally fit into this or that role,” the genre, but that his film does make reference to Tarantino. “There was no task of making “There was no task of a movie like Tarantino’s. We had making a movie like the task of making a film in one location. Who is shooting in one Tarantino’s. We had location? Of course, Tarantino. So the task of making a somewhere we learned from him. I just wanted to make a new movie,” film in one location.” Akhmetov said. “In Kazakhstan, every film is a repetition of an- director said. “I did not even think other one. I need to show myself they would agree to perform in my off, because this is my debut. It’s movie, and just sent them a script. true, there is a theme of money that It turned out that most people were is relevant at all times, although I interested, they liked the script. It’s would not call the movie topical.” amazing that everyone could fit “Nedelimoe” features a mostly two weeks of shooting in their busy male cast, with only two female schedules. I got the impression that roles. According to Akhmetov, the someone from above helped me cast was perfect, and he was able make this film.” to get the popular domestic actors Production costs were mainly he initially envisioned in the film to covered by Akhmetov himself, actually agree to join the project of though he had to sell some equip- a young director. ment and even take on some debt. B4 NATION&CAPITAL COUNTRY

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017 Central Asian leaders South Kazakhstan region launches to be invited to asphalt concrete plant Tuimebayev also set the task of developing a manufacturing sector in Shymkent in the areas along the Astana for Nauryz Silk Road and the Western Europe – Western China highway. With the support of Greek-based company Soldatos, a small hydro- celebration electric power station with an an- The Congress of Leaders of World nual production capacity of 63.2 Staff Report and Traditional Religions is held million kilowatts has also been im- every three years in the Kazakh plemented in the region. The pow- ASTANA – Heads of Central capital to exchange the experience of er plant sells electricity for 16.71 Asian countries are to be invited to legislative support of reforms in dif- tenge (US$0.05) per kilowatt to Astana for the Nauryz celebrations in ferent countries. the local electric company, with March, Minister of Foreign Affairs of The parliamentary conference the 400 million tenge (US$1.2 mil- Kazakhstan Kairat Abdrakhmanov dedicated to the Day of the First lion) project covering one-fifth of said during the Nov. 27 international President of Kazakhstan gathered the district’s electricity needs. parliamentary conference dedicated politicians, deputies and experts An asphalt concrete plant with a to the Day of the First President of from Azerbaijan, Armenia, Bul- capacity of 200 tonnes per hour is Kazakhstan. garia, Hungary, India, Italy, Spain, expected to open next year in the “We will work with all our China, Mongolia, Russia, Tajik- Maktaaral district industrial zone. neighbours to put into practice the istan, Turkey, UAE, Uzbekistan That project cost is US$1 million. initiative to hold informal consul- and the U.S. “The region is located at the tations among the leaders of the Representatives of the diplomatic intersection of roads connecting Central Asian states and we believe corps accredited in Kazakhstan, Central Asia, the Middle East and that the bright spring holiday of re- heads and representatives of inter- Europe. As a result, the export and newal – Nauryz – could serve as a national organisations, heads of state border trade is developing. Eleven symbolic background for holding bodies of Kazakhstan, as well as Ka- industrial zones and one special the first meeting of Central Asian zakh experts and scientists were also economic zone operate in the re- leaders, first in many years, under present. gion. There are regional develop- the chairmanship of our President,” Celebrated on Dec. 1 annually ment institutions that provide ser- Abdrakhmanov said, adding that the since 2012, the Day of the First Pres- vices to investors according to the Central Asian region is undergoing a ident of Kazakhstan was established (regional administration) press nomic growth and create new jobs,” single window principle to attract consolidation of traditional relations in recognition of the achievements By Zhanna Shayakhmetova service. said South Kazakhstan region Akim investment. Institutions advise en- of friendship and brotherhood. of the First President of Kazakhstan, “The launch of a gas-concrete (Governor) Zhanseit Tuimebayev at trepreneurs and provide financial Abdrakhmanov also invited in- Nursultan Nazarbayev. It is timed to ASTANA – An aerated concrete block production plant is a major the plant’s Nov. 20 unveiling. and infrastructure assistance,” Tu- ternational participants to take part Dec. 1 to mark the day in 1991 when production plant, which plans to event for the district and the region To increase construction effi- imebayev said. in the Sixth Congress of Leaders he was first elected in a popular vote manufacture 12,000 cubic metres as a whole. The project, worth 120 ciency, the block size will be 30 A confectionery plant produc- of World and Traditional Religions in the country’s first ever presidential or 336,000 units of aerated con- million tenge (US$365,760), is im- centimetres wide, 40 centimetres ing 25-30 tonnes of sweets per next fall. election. crete block annually, has opened portant for the construction indus- high and 60 centimetres long. year has also been launched. The in the Kazygurt district, South Ka- try. I fully support this initiative. Ten They will be used to build multi- 80 million tenge (US$243,840) zakhstan region. The project was projects totalling seven billion tenge storey residential buildings and project was initiated as part of implemented as part of the indus- (US$21 million) are currently being meet international standards due to the Ontustik Onimderi regional trial-innovative development pro- implemented in the industrial zone advanced innovative technologies and Business Roadmap 2020 pro- National Chamber of gramme, according to the akimat of the district. This will boost eco- and high-quality raw materials. grammes. Entrepreneurs head Karaganda region shows growth potential, calls for limiting brings forward modernisation projects ogy. The company intends to extract Agricultural production reached tax increases By Zhanna Shayakhmetova 320,000 tonnes of copper this year, 210 billion tenge (US$633 million) representing a 6-percent growth com- with a 7-percent growth. we must show that the state agen- ASTANA – The economic devel- pared to 2016 . “This year, we supported 3,000 Staff Report cies are honest with respect to opment of the Karaganda region is ShubarkolKomir, the largest ther- agricultural producers in the amount business, that these are really our showing growth in all indicators as mal coal producer, launched the of 12 billion tenge (US$36 million). ASTANA – Increases in social tax- social expenses, and we, the busi- the region launches the modernisa- Smart Quarry system to deal with About 900 feeding stations for 7,800 es could provoke businesses to turn ness, should support them,” he ex- tion programmes, said Akim (Gov- mining industry transportation. The head of cattle were constructed and to the black market to avoid payment, plained. ernor) Yerlan Koshanov at a Nov. 23 company increased production to 11 73 agricultural cooperatives with Chairman of Presidium of Atameken Kulibayev suggested analysing briefing in the capital. million tonnes per year and started 3,000 participants were created. National Chamber of Entrepreneurs the costs of social agencies, in- “The region achieved economic deep coal processing. There are plans to modernise 11 en- Timur Kulibayev said at the Nov. 29 cluding some ministries. Koshanov also noted that mass lay- terprises involved in the processing growth in the first 10 months of Yerlan Koshanov meeting of the presidium. “We propose a good way out. 2017 with an industry growth of 4.1 offs will be prevented. of milk and meat,” he said. “The government keeps raising Let’s analyse the costs of our large percent. A total of 258 billion tenge enterprise, plans to reach a capacity Industrial production is expected to Koshanov reported 400 social pro- some payments. So we have more social departments this year, first (US$778 million) in investments was of 4.2 million tonnes of steel with a grow by 4 percent to more than 2 tril- jects worth 13 billion tenge (US$40 than 40 percent of the so-called of all, the Ministry of Health, the provided with an increase of 3.8 per- 9-percent growth by the end of the lion tenge (US$6 billion) by the end million) will be implemented as part pressure, taking into account pen- Ministry of Education,” he sug- cent,” he said. year. of 2017. of the Rukhani Janghyru (Moderni- “This result cannot be reached with sion, social payments and compul- gested, adding that the business Technological modernisation be- “We plan to launch four more pro- sation of Kazakhstan’s Identity) pro- the use of old technologies. The com- sory social health insurance,” he community is open to public-pri- came one of the main development duction facilities and create 120 jobs gramme. pany updates production technolo- as part of the Business Road Map Karaganda occupies one of the na- said. vate partnerships to lower costs. trends. “The modernisation programmes gies and promotes business process programme,” he said. tion’s leading positions in terms of “We are afraid now that this “We constantly have scandals. were implemented in the region and optimisation. Three thousand detec- An industrial explosives plant mineral raw material reserves. The will lead to the fact that salaries This year a lot of people were in the whole country. Our four sys- tors are used at all production stages will be constructed in the Saryarka region is responsible for approxi- will again go to the shadow turno- charged. You know, these signals tem-forming enterprises invested 140 from ore extraction to metal release. Special Economic Zone (SEZ). mately 10 percent of the country’s ver: we already have 2.7 million say that there is an unhealthy situa- billion tenge (US$422 million) in the According to their data, the digital The second stage of the car recy- economy with more than 9 billion self-employed, now there are also tion. Let’s localise our expenses in reinvention of technologies,” said production management system is- cling plant will be implemented tonnes of coal reserves, 3 billion small businesses that will be hard these ministries and then we will Koshanov. sues optimal solutions,” he said. and a copper SX/EW pilot plant tonnes of copper ore, 600 million pressed to pay such large social demand this from business,” Kuli- ArcelorMittal Temirtau Company, Copper miner Kazakhmys has in- with a capacity of 300 tonnes will tonnes of manganese and 400 million taxes. We should not do this, and bayev said. the largest mining and metallurgical troduced hydrometallurgy technol- begin operation. tonnes of zinc ore. Astana-Schuchinsk toll road earns more than 1 billion tenge in 10 months head Zhandos Zhunusov at a areas as well as road transport emer- By Zhanna Shayakhmetova Nov. 17 briefing. gency preparedness. Round-the- Construction is underway on clock work by drivers and machine ASTANA – The Astana- the Astana-Temirtau and Almaty- operators on duty in winter has been Schuchinsk toll road earned more Kapshagai toll roads. Toll testing is approved and 54 mobilised units of than 1 billion tenge (US$3 million) planned this year. necessary equipment provided. in the first 10 months of 2017, 4 per- “A 50-percent discount is provid- A number of road projects are be- cent more than 2016’s 964 billion ed for vehicles of up to a 1 tonne car- ing implemented as part of the Nurly tenge (US$2.9 billion), according to rying capacity registered in the areas Zhol programme in the North Ka- the KazAvtoZhol Company’s press adjacent to the Astana-Schuchinsk zakhstan region, said KazAvtoZhol service. highway. They can also purchase a regional office head Bolatbek Ait- Overall, fees amounted to 1.14 monthly fee of 1,000 tenge (US$3) bayev. billion tenge (US$3.4 million) in per year,” he added. The Kokshetau-Petropavlovsk 2016, and reached 1.1 billion tenge “The early-payment system highway was opened in 2016, and (US$3.3 million) in 2015. was introduced to ensure system reconstruction work on 60 kilome- “The expected revenues for throughput and to reduce conges- tres of the Petropavlovsk-Kurgan this year are 1.3 billion tenge tion. Advance payment can be made highway has begun. The project is [US$3.9 million]. The Astana- through the Qiwi, Kassa 24 and Cy- scheduled to be complete in 2019. Schuchinsk toll road collected berplat terminals. Online payment More than 200 people are involved more than 1 billion tenge [US$3 is also available through the Smart in these works and 96 percent of million]. The vehicle growth rate pos service, Halyk Bank, Sberbank, road building materials are of do- amounted to 1 to 1.5 percent per Kaspi Bank and ATF Bank,” he said. mestic production. year. The total volume of vehi- A length of 49.3 kilometres of “The development of transport cles was 2.5 million in 2016. The road prone to snow disruptions was infrastructure is of great attention in expected figure for this year is identified through the winter road the region. As a result, the share of 2.6 million,” said KazAvtoZhol maintenance plan, and measures are the roads in good and satisfactory

Toll Road System Department planned for snow retention in these condition increases,” said Aitbayev. kazautozhol.kz Photo credit: B5 NATION&CAPITAL SOCIETY

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017 Karaganda plant makes organic mare’s milk powder, plans exports ments on the market, but our prod- cessful dairy horse breeding and By Zhanna Shayakhmetova uct is much more beneficial. With dry mare’s milk business. no advertising campaigns, our The local company cooperates ASTANA – Raw mare’s milk, product is in demand in China’s with Zollmann, the producer-tech- the traditional drink of nomads, is market,” said Nishanov. nologist and owner of Kurgestüt gaining popularity with consum- “Many customers buy our prod- Hoher Odenwald, the largest Ger- ers in powdered form. To take ucts and send them abroad to fam- man mare farm. The expert who advantage of the organic trend, a ily members. We are currently was responsible for installing and Karaganda region-based plant is negotiating for supplies to China, adjusting the equipment and train- using advanced technologies to re- Europe and Russia,” he added. ing personnel now serves as a con- vive the saumal (raw mare’s milk) The company was founded with sultant. obtained through the sublimation the support of KazAgroFinance. The product received a decla- process and produce products with The leasing company provided ration of compliance certificate the Saumal registered trademark. one billion tenge (US$3 million) within the Customs Union require- The facility has 1,300 mares and in financing, with 400 million ments. The international document a production volume of 25 tonnes tenge (US$1.2 million) invested provides the right to sell it both per year. by the owners. The total cost of the in the Eurasian Economic Union “German-made freeze drying project exceeded 1.4 billion tenge (EAEU) and abroad. equipment helps to preserve all the (US$4 million). The company also offers tours beneficial properties of milk. A vac- The story behind the project is around its horse farm, acquainting uum dryer converts the milk into an interesting one. Rudolf Storch, guests with the plant, laboratory milk powder and preserves 95-98 a prisoner in a Soviet camp suffer- and process of making milk pow- percent of the qualities of raw milk. ing with tuberculosis, was treated der. The finished powder is packaged stirring three tablespoons of powder Mare’s milk prevents digestive ucts in Eurasia. People know more by a local resident with mare’s “We expect to launch child nutri- in a multi-layer vacuum package into a glass of warm water in a 1:9 system diseases, relieves pain, about kumys (mare’s milk drink). milk. It helped him get on his feet tion production next year. We have made of aluminium foil. The prod- ratio. The drink has a pleasant natural increases the number of benefi- Saumal is a seasonal product, again. Following his recovery, formulas developed by the Russian uct can be stored for a long time,” flavour. It is sold in 500-gram con- cial bacteria, normalises micro- available only in the summer, but Storch moved to Germany, where Academy of Child Nutrition. The said company head Nurlan Nish- tainers for 30,000 tenge (US$91) and flora and significantly reduces the our product is available all year he started the first mare’s milk pro- process of packaging development anov in a Nov. 28 interview. 10-sachet packages (20 grams each) symptoms of skin diseases. round. Now there’s a great variety duction in Europe. His son-in-law, and certification is underway,” The product is reconstituted by for 15,000 tenge (US$45). “This is a new category of prod- of superfoods and dietary supple- Hans Zollmann, continued his suc- said Nishanov. Kazakhstan to create conditions for bio products export export policy in the agricultural percent. Veterinary requirements ucts to Southeast Asian and Mid- ported on the unified information tober, has employed 15,000 indi- By Dmitry Lee sector,” it added. for the supply of live sheep and dle Eastern countries has also system for Kazakh citizens, which viduals in just six weeks. He noted exports of agricultural frozen and chilled lamb from Ka- increased, including a significant covers employment, pension, so- “The introduction of UELE will ASTANA – The Kazakh govern- products and processed products zakhstan to Iran have been agreed hike to Vietnam. cial welfare, insurance, migration make it possible to double the em- ment focused on the importance from January-August totaled $1.3 with the Iranian side,” he said. “For the first time, 240 tonnes and other services. ployment rate of applicants to 20 of creating conditions to export billion. Compared with the same “In general, we should note the of flax seeds have been export- “This system accompanies Ka- percent by 2025 from the current bio products or organic food at the period last year, exports of agricul- growth in exports of agricultural ed to Singapore. The increase in zakh people from birth through 10 percent of the total number of latest government meeting in the tural products increased by 10.6 products to Saudi Arabia – 50 exports to Turkey increased by the whole life cycle and provides people in need of employment (2.2 capital. percent, from $1.2 billion-$1.3 bil- times compared with the same half compared with the same pe- automated services at all stages,” million people),” she said. Prime Minister Bakytzhan lion, including agricultural prod- period last year. Special focus riod last year,” noted the press she said. At the same government meet- Sagintayev instructed his cabinet ucts by 9.9 percent. should be put on the growth in office. The system has experienced ing, Vice Minister of Agriculture to improve export policies and “The work to harmonise vet- export of agricultural products “In total, by the end of 2017 the constant growth, she added. More Yerlan Nyssanbayev reviewed is- develop mechanisms to support erinary and phytosanitary require- to European countries. In par- export corporation plans to sell than 19 million services have been sues including tightening the fight non-primary exports, according ments with China, Middle Eastern ticular, the export of oilseeds 120,000 tonnes of grain crops, provided this year, 17 percent against poaching, protection and to the prime minister’s press ser- countries and European countries (flax, rapeseed, sunflower seeds), 2,000 tonnes of sunflower oil and through the eGov web portal. measures undertaken to increase vice. is being carried out as part of the wheat and legume dried vegeta- up to 2,000 tonnes of meat for a to- Duissenova also reported on the the number of Saiga antelopes and First Vice Minister of Agricul- roadmap. In nine months of this bles to European countries has tal of $31 million,” it added. newly-established Unified Elec- the main objectives to prevent a ture Kairat Aituganov reported on year, the export of agricultural increased,” he added. Minister of Labour and Social tronic Labour Exchange (UELE). decrease in the biological diversity various measures to “improve the products to China increased 20 The export of agricultural prod- Protection Tamara Duissenova re- The exchange, established in Oc- of water bodies. President, health minister discuss 15,000 people efforts to improve public health recruited through ments of the five regions have in the formation of a healthy nation. mortality has also been declining By Frol Leandoer been detained. As a result of illegal “It is necessary to attract citizens for several years.” Birtanov said. actions with contracts, the prices to strengthen their own health. Hu- The health minister also dis- ASTANA – Kazakh President for medicines are unjustified,” man health depends on medicine cussed the ministry’s efforts to im- electronic labour Nursultan Nazarbayev and Min- Nazarbayev said. by only 10-15 percent. Everything prove the public’s health and iden- ister of Health Yelzhan Birtanov Nazarbayev also directed the else depends on the person him- tify diseases at early stages. recently discussed state regulation implementation of an effort to self,” Nazarbayev said. “Starting in 2012, a free medicines exchange since October of medicine prices and the fight procure medicines and noted The President encouraged the programme has been implemented in against corruption in the pharma- Birtanov’s personal responsibility population to have healthy life- Kazakhstan. It has a very good effect, ceutical industry. for the supervised industry. styles and focused Kazakhstan’s as almost 2.5 million people receive The discussion included the re- In addition, the head of state was efforts to increase life expectancy free medicine to treat 50 diseases, in- cent arrests of individuals suspected presented with an interim report to 80 years. cluding arterial hypertension, diabe- of corruption within the industry. on the implementation of the Den- The health minister informed the tes and cancer,” Birtanov said. “After my assignment to deal saulyk state health development President on the status of key pub- Birtanov also reported to Naz- with the prices, the head of the programme and information on the lic health indicators. arbayev about the results of meas- Pharmacy Committee and the fulfilment of the tasks assigned to “According to all indicators, the ures to improve the quality of management of the company SK- the ministry. The President noted situation is stable, life expectancy primary health care and the intro- Pharmacy are brought to justice. the importance of disease preven- is increasing, maternal mortality duction of digital technologies in The heads of the health depart- tion and stressed the role of citizens is tending to decrease, and infant the healthcare system. Minister for Labour and Social Protection Tamara Duissenova. rest – finding potential candidates By Assel Satubaldina for the position. The centres also provide a platform for job inter- New rules for vehicle registration ASTANA – Fifteen thousand peo- views, among other services. ple have been employed through the “Previously, the structure of In addition, according to the lat- for such numbers from Jan. 1 next According to regnum.ru, the num- By Dana Omirgazy electronic labour exchange platform labour market was fragmented. est changes, vehicle owners will year. ber of registered cars increased 1.8 that has been operating in Kazakh- Employees had to go by each and now be able to choose a combina- In addition, the ministry is con- percent over past 10 months in the stan since October. The pilot project every employer, while employers ASTANA – Amendments to tion of letters, except for a com- sidering the creation of an online country. At the same time, the num- Kazakh vehicle registration pro- introducing the new mechanism for were having numerous ineffective bination of three identical letters, service to view the availability of ber of cars under the age of three employment runs in Almaty, Asta- interviews. Both suffered financial cedures were introduced Nov. 27, when purchasing state registration state registration number plates of years decreased 4.1 percent, as vehi- tengrinews.kz reports. According na, Shymkent and Pavlodar. and time losses,” said Duissenova, number plates of increased de- high demand with the possibility cles older than three years increased Though the labour exchange will stressing that the system is expected to the Kazakh Ministry of Internal mand. State duty will also increase of preliminary booking. 13.5 percent in the same period. Affairs, amendments and addi- be put into operation nationwide to save up to 1 billion tenge (US$3 tions were introduced to the rules starting Jan. 1, the system is already million) for both sides. of state registration and registra- showing positive results, according to The minister noted by 2025 the tion of certain types of vehicles Kazakh Minister for Labour and So- labour exchange will also allow according to identification number cial Protection Tamara Duissenova. doubling the employment rate from approved by the Ministry Dec. 2, “Placing labour demand and sup- the current 10 percent up to 20 per- 2014. ply in a digital framework produced cent of the total number of people According to the changes, man- certain results. At present, along seeking jobs, currently totalling 2.2 datory requirements for the pro- with the employers, the project million. vision of vehicles for inspection also involves four pilot employ- Introduction of the labour ex- are excluded when a vehicle is ment centres, two online platforms change is part of the ministry’s purchased from an official dealer and 19 private agencies. The sys- overall effort to modernise the na- (representative) of the manufactur- tem contains 8,000 CVs and nearly tion’s social and labour system to- er in Kazakhstan during initial reg- 30,000 job positions. More than gether with several other projects in istration, as well as in the case of 15,000 people were recruited,” said labour and employment, social se- changing the name, first name and the minister during a Nov. 21 gov- curity, pensions, social support, spe- patronymic of the vehicle owner. ernment meeting. cial social services and migration. Vehicle inspection is no longer The mechanism in place requires “This system accompanies all the required while issuing a duplicate an employer only to send job details, people in Kazakhstan since their certificate of vehicle registration including required qualification and birth and through their entire life and its replacement after the vehi- salary level, to an employment cen- providing automated services at all cle conversion. Kazangapov. Turar Photo credit: tre, which is then responsible for the life stages,” added Duissenova. B6 NATION&CAPITAL TOURISM

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017 In Astana, Hilton’s VP for operations talks new hotel and industry trends tion has “a very stable economy, ly 12 percent of world’s GDP. By Zhazira Dyussembekova which is growing fast.” Sleiffer applauded the attitude “Kazakhstan is one of those of the Kazakh people to join the ASTANA – Hilton announced countries that is developing right industry – they are smiling, they the official opening Nov. 2 of now, so there are a lot of oppor- want to learn, to understand, he Hilton Astana, the first hotel in tunities for us to actually grow explained. Kazakhstan under the brand of here. That is one of the reasons “There are many Kazakh stu- Hilton Hotels & Resorts. The why we are going to be present dents in Swiss, Spanish and new five-star hotel promises to in this market with three brands Dutch hotel schools. One of the provide excellent service, as – Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn and things we want to do is to get well as meeting venues that have Hampton by Hilton next year. So, these people here, educate them, very few matches in the capital. we will have five, four and three- send them abroad to work in Bar- Hilton’s Senior Vice President star hotels. We will have every- celona or London, for example, for Continental Europe Jochem- thing to give a choice to our trav- and come back with knowledge a Jan Sleiffer shared his outlook ellers,” he said. couple years later,” he said. on the new hotel, as well as the Jochem-Jan Sleiffer He thinks Kazakhstan has a “Ideally, in the future I want Hilton Astana. company’s goals and prospects in good future and is a safe country. all general managers here to be the city and hospitality industry “It will have a lot of regional “I think there are massive op- Kazakh. With the right amount of trends. meetings, but I think we have to portunities for international training, which we do, we will be A 27-year employee, Sleiffer attract more international meet- meetings, because the country is able to face those challenges go- manages all operations for Dou- ings coming out of Russia and in the centre of Central Asia. It ing forward,” he added. ble Tree, Curio and Hilton hotels Commonwealth of Independent can attract people from India, the Like every industry, hospitality in Continental Europe, from Am- States (CIS) countries, but also Middle East, Russia and Europe. has its own trends. sterdam to Astana, Stockholm to out of Western Europe. This is I think it can be a great hub going “Today, people are looking for Nicosia. The Kazakh capital is going to be a main job for all forward,” he said. experience if they come to the currently the eastern-most loca- of us in the tourism industry – Hilton Honors, the company’s hotel; it is not only about bed tion in his map. to make sure we attract foreign loyalty programme, has 69 mil- and breakfast. So, we are trying The more than 4,000-square meetings, because they will bring lion members worldwide. to digitalise most of the stand- metre complex offers a unique a lot of good business to the city,” “These people are travelling ard things, such as check-in. It getaway for residents and guests he said. around the world and they are can be done via phone now. For including 253 rooms, a luxury spa An increase in meetings will looking for places to actually instance, in hotels in the United complex and event venue. The result in more people employed stay,” he said. States phones can be used as digi- hotel has nine meeting rooms, as in secondary jobs, not only in the Sleiffer feels the main issue in tal keys,” he said. well as a ballroom with a capacity hotel, but around the city. the capital and the industry over- Two months ago, Hilton intro- of 900, according to the company. “We have to work to attract all is the lack of trained people. duced Connected Room, a per- “If you look into the market, people from outside together with “One of the challenges for us sonalised experience for guests. The main hall at the hotel. the main difference of this hotel the Astana Convention Bureau, is to make sure we educate peo- The technology is used in some grees. The room will know what “We want to make sure that our is the meeting space. We can host with the local government and ple in hospitality industry. That’s hotels in the U.S., but will take kind of music you prefer. That is team members will be able to tell big meetings. This is a real meet- Air Astana,” he added. the biggest thing we have to do. several years to reach the Central going to be one of the things in customers about the great exhi- ing hotel. I think this is where Sleiffer noted the urban area Kazakhstan is not known for its Asian region. the future. They know who you bition in Amsterdam, if they go we want to make a difference in has done a good job in creating hospitality industry, since Astana “When you walk into the room, are by the phone you have,” he there, for instance, because they years to come,” said Sleiffer. the infrastructure in the last few is very young as a city,” he said. it will know, using your phone, said. know guests like museums. Or He believes the capital needs to years, as international meeting One in ten jobs in the world that you prefer CNN on the tele- Another trend is a customised if a guest likes the zoo, the team focus on attracting more interna- organisers would not be lured is in the hospitality and tourism vision, for example, or you prefer experience not only in the room, will have special tickets ready for tional meetings. without it. He added the na- industry, providing approximate- the room temperature at 22 de- but beyond it. him,” said Sleiffer. Shymkent to celebrate 2,000-year anniversary Members of the Kazakh Union By Frol Leandoer of Architects, public consultants and well-known architects ex- ASTANA – The year 2020 will amined eight projects during the offer Shymkent a chance to simul- meeting, including Arbat, the Old taneously honour its past and look Town, Ush bi Monument, which towards its future. The city will will be located near the Ordabasy celebrate its 2,000-year anniver- Memorial, the historical and cul- sary while becoming the cultural tural complex and Kazygurt his- capital of the Commonwealth of torical and ethnographic complex. Independent States (CIS). The council members discussed Shymkent is the capital of the developing a mock-up of the Ush South Kazakhstan region, the only bi Monument and projects to im- one in the country with medieval prove and construct the archaeo- towns. Its urban and rural areas logical park museum in the old city must be developed with a uni- and create an open-air museum, as fied concept, said Akim (Gover- well as programmes and models for nor) Zhanseit Tuimebayev at the converting Kazygurt Mountain into enlarged meeting of the regional a historic and cultural centre. They planning council. also reviewed the process for ad- The region’s historical spots will vancing their proposals. be restored in the next few years. Shymkent was nominated to the In an effort to develop tourism and list of world cultural heritage in popularise local history, work is the Silk Road category, helping to underway to restore the sites of the preserve the values of the old city. last century in accordance with the Within the modernisation pro- Rukhani Janghyru programme. gramme, 104 objects were offered “According to the programme from the South Kazakhstan region article of the head of state, ‘Course to the Sacred Kazakhstan national towards the future: Modernisation centre. One hundred items have al- of Kazakhstan’s Identity,’ the South ready been selected, including 23 Kazakhstan region should have its objects entered from the region. The Photo credit: Otyrar.kz Photo credit: own look in architectural solutions remaining 81 historical and cultural and the concept of tourism devel- son should smell the medieval Ka- houses and the life of Kazakhs. In ments. Now, in order to succeed, jointly, without destroying the his- monuments are included in the list opment. Visiting the region, a per- zakh steppes, Kazakh architecture, this regard, we have enough monu- we need to start restoration work torical value,” said Tuimebayev. of sacred places of local importance. Zhetysu project to promote Almaty area tourist attractions was arranged by the Almaty In- parts of the Tian Shan Mountain Zhetysu also boasts the Ili val- among the most distinctive parts history and today is still being ex- By Dmitry Lee ternal Policy Department and IN- range. ley, which is considered to be of Kazakhstan. The area is rich in plored by scientists and historians. SPIRE CREATIVE GROUP. We ASTANA – The Almaty re- selected heroines at the suggestion gional communications service of our colleagues to make the vide- has launched a project to create a os harmonious. Our main goal was dozen short promotional videos to to revive interest in poetry in the showcase regional tourist attrac- minds of young people, which was tions, such as Kolsai Lake, Singing presented with the help of video Dune and Charyn Canyon located footage with the picturesque and at the Zhetysu. sacred places of the Almaty region Photographer Mikhrat Tolku- in the background. This gives an nov and INSPIRE CREATIVE opportunity to acquaint the audi- GROUP team are leading the pro- ence with the riches of our region, ject titled Amazing Zhetysu, Ka- and also to spark the interest in lit- zinform reported. erature,” said Tolkunov. The videos are accompanied by Zhetysu is part of the Almaty the narration of poems written by region and was known as the Tolkunov and famous poets in Ka- Semirechye during the Soviet era, zakh. translated both from Kazakh and “The project was organised as Russian as “Seven Rivers” which part of the programme article by flow from the south-east into Lake the head of state ‘Course towards Balkhash. the future: Modernisation of Ka- The area includes mostly steppe zakhstan’s Identity.’ This project areas south of Lake Balkhash and Charyn Canyon. B7 NATION&CAPITAL SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017 National short-track team qualifies Kazakhstan team for 2018 Winter Olympics takes second place

By Galiaskar Seitzhan

ASTANA – Five Kazakh short- in Arm-wrestling track speed skaters have qualified for the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea based on the results of the World Cup World Cup series, reported zakon.kz. The In- the first places were taken by ternational Skating Union (ISU) Staff Report Tatyana Verina, Alizhan Muratov, confirmed the quotas Nov. 23 fol- Talgat Aktayev and Kydyrgali On- lowing competitions held Sept. 28- ASTANA – Kazakh athletes took garbayev. Yerzhan Abild, Nurdau- Nov. 19 in Budapest (Hungary), second place in the overall team let Kadir and Magzhan Shamiev Dordrecht (Holland), Shanghai competition at the Arm-wrestling won silver. Ilya Ilyin and Oksana (China) and Seoul (South Korea), World Cup held in Rumia, Poland. Pismennaya became world cup which served as the main qualify- The Arm-wrestling World Cup, bronze medallists. ing tournaments. held Nov.16-19, brought together The vice-president of the arm- Nurbergen Zhumagaziyev will the strongest handlers from 31 wrestling federation emphasised start at 500, 1,000 and 1,500 m, countries. The Kazakhstan team that this is an excellent result, with Abzal Azhgaliyev and Denis included 26 athletes. which once again confirmed the Nikisha qualifying in 500 m. The Ahmed Aliyev, the honoured high level of preparation of ath- women will be represented by Kim coach of Kazakhstan and vice letes from Kazakhstan. A Jong (500, 1,000 and 1,500 m) president of the Arm-wrestling “At the World Cup I performed and Anastasia Krestova (1,000 and Federation, prepared the athletes for the first time and in the fi- 1,500 m). for the international competitions. nals, I met an athlete from Rus- Zhumagaziyev, 27, who thanked Abzal Azhgaliyev “We returned from the World sia in the weight category up to the Kazakh fans for their support, Cup, one of the most prestigious 78 kilogrammes. Despite the fact could not hide his emotions as he into it. But due to an injury, I had Kazakh short track spans then, Kazakh skaters have been and popular tournaments in arm- that the favourites were athletes commented on the news. to miss the 1,000 m run at the third more than three decades, but considered one of the few ri- wrestling. The Kazakhstan team from Georgia, Latvia, Turkey and “I was very happy because I stage. At the fourth stage in Seoul, the sport’s increasing popularity valling the sport’s trendsetters, was composed of 26 people, in- Ukraine, it was me who managed thought that I won licenses only I was only 23rd, so I did not know in the country resulted from its including Canada, the Nether- cluding five women, ; sportsmen to win,” arm-wrestling world for 500 and 1,500 m. I was close in if I qualified or not. Therefore, it skaters’ surprising performance lands, Russia, South Korea and with disabilities also took part. As champion Alizhan Muratov shared 1,000 m, but I did not know exactly is really great news for me. There in the 2014 Sochi Games. The the U.S. The country is hopeful a result, our team took the second his impressions. [if I would make it]. I tried to run is now time to put all my strength national team placed fifth in the its skaters could make an upset team place, losing to the Russian The Georgian team took third in all the distances at each stage into training for PyeongChang,” finals of the 5,000-metre relay, and compete for high places in national team,” Aliyev said. place in the Arm-wrestling and I put much nerves and strength he said. an unprecedented success. Since February. As a result of the competitions, World Cup. FC Astana loses Kazakh biathletes make history 2-3 to Villareal at with World Cup stage bronze “It was a fantastic start of the sea- zakhstan Biathlon Union Manas Us- for our biathletes and for the whole By Anuar Abdrakhmanov son. Kazakhstan has achieved such senov commented on the historical team,” he said. great success for the first time in his- achievement of the country’s ath- Onstage in Ostersund, the national home, must win in ASTANA – Galina Vishnevs- tory. We are very happy. We did a letes. team of Kazakhstan was represented kaya and Maxim Braun of Ka- great job this summer. I cannot say “This is the first medal in the by Olga Poltoranina, Alina Raikova, zakhstan made history when they we were ready to enter the top three, relay race at the World Cup stages Galina Vishnevskaya, Darya Klimi- claimed Kazakhstan’s first third but we did a lot for this and fought in the history of Kazakhstan’s bi- na, Anastasiya Kondratyeva, Yeliza- Prague to progress until the very end. Luck was on our athlon. Our athletes beat the team veta Belchenko, Vladislav Vitenko, place in the single mixed relay at the International Biathlon Union’s side. Thanks to everyone who sup- of France, which was represented Maxim Braun, Timur Khamitgatin, (IBU) World Cup stage in Oster- ported and cheered for us,” Braun by two-time Olympic champions Anton Pantov, Vasily Podkorytov, in Europa League sund, Sweden on Nov. 26. added.General Secretary of the Ka- and medallists. We are very happy Roman Yeremin and Timur Kuts. First place went to the Austri- guished himself again this time, an national team of Lisa Theresa By Anuar Abdrakhmanov making it into the penalty area and Hauser and Simon Eder, followed beating Eric. A bit later, his fellow by Germany’s Vanessa Hinz and ASTANA – FC Astana lost 2-3 countryman took advantage of the Erik Lesser. Kazakhstan’s biathletes to Villarreal CF Nov. 24 in the Astana defenders uncoordinated beat award-winning French athletes UEFA Europa League group stage actions and shot from the penalty Marie Doren Aber and Martin Four- match here. It was the first home line to the corner of Eric’s net, ex- cade, who came in fourth. defeat in the last 17 European cup tending his team’s advantage. “Before the race, my coach matches for the reigning Kazakh Astana did not give up and con- Valery Polkhovsky told me to stay champions. tinued trying to curb the deficit. in the crowd and not try to get out Should the team win in Prague Three minutes before the end of of it. But everyone went not too fast next month and Maccabi Tel Aviv the match their efforts bore fruits. in the first round, and I thought I prevail over Slavia Prague, Asta- Midfielder Igor Shitov won the could take the lead. The skiing was na could secure an advance from fight for the ball in the opponent’s very smooth, so I decided I could the group. penalty area and passed it to Twu- try to set the pace for my oppo- The Spaniards were the clear masi, who made an accurate shot, nents. But I skipped a beat at the favourites ahead of the match at setting the final score at 2-3. shooting stage. It turned out I was Astana Arena. It was no surprise As a result, Villarreal stopped not used to coming first to shooting. that from the very first minutes Astana’s four-year unbeaten I was very nervous and struggled to the visitors attempted to dominate streak in European cup home lay down and hold the first shot, to the pitch. As early as the 17th games. at least calm down a bit,” Vishnevs- minute, Nicola Sansone went one “It was an interesting match. kaya said after their victory. Reuters. Photo credit: on one with Astana’s goalkeeper, Our unbeaten series is over. Still, but Nenad Eric deflected the first it is a great achievement when strike and defender Yuri Log- the team does not lose 17 home vinenko repelled the follow-up. games. As for the match, I would The Kazakhs gradually man- say we lacked some dynamics and aged to cope with the visitor’s speed. We made many mistakes Barys continue losing streak after close starting attacks and then im- in defence. In some moments we plemented its first real scoring had to be more aggressive. Our chance. Midfielder Patrick Twu- main problem, in my opinion, was masi won a struggle for the ball the right mindset and rhythm for game against Metallurg on home ice with the Spanish team’s defender the game. The players [perhaps] and passed it to striker Junior did not have enough desire to to break the cold streak that now ex- 50th minute with assists from Nigel The fourth goal silenced the arena Kabananga. The DR Congo foot- win,” said Astana coach Stanimir By Dmitry Lee tends to seven games. Dawes and Roman Savchenko. and only the host of the game in futile baller made a brilliant strike and Stoilov. A sold out Barys arena hosted Dawes is the top scorer in the attempts desperately tried to awake opened the score. “I think Villarreal deserved this ASTANA – Astana’s Hockey nearly 10,000 fans hoping to see league with 30 goals after 34 games, the crowd. Almost immediately, Villarreal win. It is a very good team. The Club (HC) Barys lost to Metallurg Barys stop its losing streak and it four goals ahead of Russia’s Ilya Ko- Going into the second intermis- midfielder Pablo Fornals took ad- stadium was full and I would like Magnitogorsk 3-4, Dec. 3, at the seemed the evening started just per- valchuk of SKA. sion, some fans were leaving in dis- vantage of the Kazakh defence’s to thank our fans. It is a pity we Barys Arena in a desperate attempt fect when Linden Vey scored at the However, Metallurg stayed fo- appointment and only the most loyal mistake and went one on one with could not make our fans happy cused. In the 6th minute, they already fans stayed to support their struggling Eric, but the goalkeeper saved today. It is difficult now to find managed to tie the game, with Denis team only to get another wave of Kazionov scoring, and then with a lit- adrenaline. his team again. After a long ball, the reasons for what happened. tle over three minutes got ahead with In the third, Barys had only one Astana midfielder Abzal Beise- We had a long break, as we did a goal by Denis Kokarev. thing to do and they did it well – first bekov quickly sent the orb into not play for more than 18 days. the opponent’s penalty area and In the second period, Barys got an 22-year-old Artyom Likhotnikov That is why it was hard… Now, early break, as with too many men scored to make it 4-2, then local star passed it to Twumasi. Against all we must prepare well for our next odds, Villarreal goalkeeper Mari- on ice Metallurg got a minor. How- Talgat Zhailauov scored another 4-3 match in Prague,” said Eric. ano Barbosa managed to repel the ever, Kazakhs failed to score and within a minute and under 10 min- shot to the corner with his finger- Slavia, Astana’s key rival for the next minute Metallurg got even utes to go and Barys was back in the tips. the second spot in the group, se- on ice they allowed one more goal. game! Only, it was too late. The visitors equalised the score cured a 2-0 win in Israel and the Vladislav Kaletnik made it 3-1 and Metallurg took a time out with two before halftime, as midfielder Czechs now have a clear advan- within the same minute Kazionov minutes to go, as Barys kept pushing Daniel Raba ran away from the tage ahead of their decisive home made it 4-1 with his second of the with no result, while the crowd was defenders and beat the goalkeep- match Dec. 7 with the Kazakhs. game. ecstatic. er. The game is a must-win for Asta- That was it for Henrik Karlsson, With 17 second to go, Barys yanked Substitute forward Cedric na to secure its first-ever progress Barys’s goalie. It just wasn’t his night, the goalie but the gong buzzed and the Bakambu, who scored in the first from the European club group not when they couldn’t catch up with players left the ice with another disap- match between the teams, distin- stage competition. the wingers. pointing loss. B8 NATION&CAPITAL CAPITAL

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017 Diplomatic Christmas bazaar raises record funds for charity

By Zhazira Dyussembekova charity projects chosen by the char- that need our help and we hope to a chance to take part in a raffle for ity committee. collect a sufficient amount that will more than 300 prizes, including trips ASTANA – The 10th Anniver- “Every year, the amount of enable us to help and respond to the to 12 destinations, electronics and sary Diplomatic Christmas Char- money raised in this charity bazaar received applications as much as other prizes provided by the Ambas- ity Bazaar, organised by Ambas- grows. Last year about $110,000 possible. All received applications sadors and sponsors of the event. sadors’ Spouses Astana (ASA), was collected in one day. Money were divided by the charity com- “That was my third visit to raised almost 42 million tenge went to help about 70 different mittee into three groups according Christmas bazaar, which has al- (US$126,400), which is the record organisations. This help was ren- to their priority. The first priority ready become my personal annual amount of money ever collected dered throughout Kazakhstan,” applications include requests for tradition. I am very glad that such during these events. said Kazakh Deputy Minister of people’s essential needs such as charity events take place in our The bazaar took place Dec. 3 in Foreign Affairs Roman Vassilenko food, warm clothes and medica- city. I have bought great gifts for Radisson Hotel, where 53 embas- at the event. tion,” said Luzia Schmid, charity my family and friends and tried dif- sies offered their unique national ASA gets numerous applications committee chair and wife of the ferent cuisines. Even though it was products, handicrafts, souvenirs each year from organisations and Swiss Ambassador in an earlier in- very crowded, I had a great time and food, specially shipped for the individuals requesting help. terview with the Astana Times. and will definitely come back next occasion. “We received quite a big number This year’s bazaar was visited year,” said Aigul Kenzhebekova, The funds raised will support of applications from organisations by thousands of people, who had one of the visitors. Spanish architect to work on unique dome for Astana centre striving to live in the capital. Its “We are now waiting for propos- vestors, said investment and The architect, whose aesthetics ticipate in the project, has invested By Yerbolat Uatkhanov population is approaching one mil- als from Calatrava. We understand development department head are sometimes defined as bio-tech, nearly $100 million in global real lion people. Next year, we will cel- that he is a well-known architect Alisher Abdikadirov. He not- designed String Bridge in Jerusa- estate projects. To date, the com- ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s capi- ebrate Astana’s 20th anniversary,” who is known all over the world. ed the Calatrava project will lem, Israel and Auditorio de Tener- pany’s portfolio includes 340 pro- tal is a fascinating city, but its said Nazarbayev. Now, he is developing the con- be coordinated with foreign ife in Santa Cruz, Spain. His firm jects in 32 countries with a total severe winters tend to limit its The project will focus on Wa- cept,” said capital architecture and investors. Calatrava Grace, which may par- area of 1.9 million square metres. year-round tourism potential. ter Green Boulevard, the closed urban development department In an effort to attract visitors in avenue under construction in the head Baktybai Taitaliyev. every season, President Nursul- city centre, where residents will be He envisions the boulevard as tan Nazarbayev met Nov. 27 with able to leave their homes without eventually becoming a three-level Spanish architect Santiago Ca- outdoor clothing, walk and chat roadway. latrava to discuss constructing a with neighbours. The domed area “Our Water Green Boulevard downtown dome. could also cover shops and possi- is not finished yet, by the way. It The head of state noted the city bly schools and serve as the host was supposed to be constructed is famous not only for its distinc- spot for cultural events, similar to on three levels and the first one is tive architecture and comfortable Toronto and other cities. under construction. The third floor living conditions, but also for its Calatrava, a sculptor who has will connect the adjacent objects unusual atmosphere. Calatrava designed a number of futuristic- with glass sleeves and corridors,” thanked him for the chance to visit styled buildings in different coun- he added. the country and become acquaint- tries, expressed his desire to par- The city administration is ed with its urban style. ticipate in the project. The plan is currently working to reduce “More and more people are currently under development. administrative barriers for in- KIA Motors opens largest dealership in Kazakhstan

By Yerbolat Uatkhanov

ASTANA – KIA Motors recently opened Kazakhstan’s largest dealer- ship in the capital. The 2,800-square metre facility on Turan Avenue, the major highway leading to the air- port, is the company’s eighth deal- ership in the nation. “Since the establishment of dip- lomatic relations between [South] Korea and Kazakhstan, coopera- tion between our countries has been steadily growing. The growing popularity of the KIA brand in the state’s automobile market is pos- sible thanks to the active and fruit- ful work of BIPEK AUTO – AZIA AVTO holding, which acts not only in 180 nations. KIA vehicles are the last seven years. The auto maker as an exclusive dealer but also as currently available in 19 Kazakh occupies a leading position among a local producer and demonstrates cities where BIPEK AUTO – the top three locally-assembled mutual understanding and a high AZIA AVTO operates dealerships. brands. level of trust between business rep- South Korea’s largest automaker “More than seven years ago, resentatives of both countries. This became Kazakhstan’s third tech- AZIA AVTO launched the produc- level of cooperation is an example nology partner in the domestic car tion of almost all models of KIA and and a guide for other companies industry after AZIA AVTO began our company became the exclusive just starting joint steps,” said South production of a full range of 14 KIA representative of KIA Motors in the Korean Ambassador to Kazakhstan models at its Ust-Kamenogorsk state’s market. Today, KIA occu- Kim Dae-sik at the opening cer- plant. Together with the company, pies a strong place in the top three emony. Kazakhstan also made a test step brands produced in Kazakhstan and KIA Motors is one of the world’s in electric vehicle production, as in is one of the most popular among five largest automakers, demon- late 2014 the KIA Soul EV became Kazakhstan citizens. I am sure that strating the highest growth rates the first electric vehicle manufac- the opening of the capital’s auto among the leading players in the tured in the country. The compact centre will become an important global automotive industry. The crossover was successfully tested in reason for many residents to choose company has 14 plants in five the severe capital winter. KIA,” said BIPEK AUTO Kazakh- countries, annually producing More than 52,000 Kazakh citi- stan capital branch director Bakyt more than three million cars sold zens have become KIA owners in Satpayev.