+27° / +12°C WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2019 No 13 (175) www.astanatimes.com Nur-Sultan hosts capital day celebrations, EU announces raises money for Arys assistance new programmes in Central Asia strategy takes effect, and it calls By Elya Altynsarina for ensuring the integrity, visu- alisation and visual perception of NUR-SULTAN – The European EU-CA cooperation,” said Foreign Union’s political commitment and Minister of Kazakhstan Beibut a set of European Union-funded re- Atamkulov at the 15th EU-Central gional programmes were announced Asia Ministerial on July 7. during a recent high-level meeting He said he was pleased Kazakh- in Bishkek between Central Asian stan’s proposals on women entre- ministers of foreign affairs and preneurship, small- and medium- Representative for Foreign Affairs sized businesses, transport and and Security Policy/Vice-President logistics infrastructure, energy of the European Commission Fed- efficiency, environmental protec- erica Mogherini. The announcement tion, combating climate change, marks the official start of the imple- and rational use of water resourc- mentation of the European Union’s es, education and digitisation were new Strategy on Central Asia. reflected in the document. In addition to the existing $1.12 Earlier in its statement, the Ka- billion bilateral and regional as- zakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs sistance for the period 2014-2020, welcomed the decision by the programmes within those worth European Council to adopt the $80.7 billion, the amount available strategy and noted that Kazakh- for the overall international devel- stan equally shares the conceptual opment assistance by the EU to the foundations of the document where world, will also benefit sustainable “sustainability” and “prosperity” development, economic empower- are given a special importance. ment, anti-terrorism efforts, edu- The country sees the new strategy cation, and intra-regional trade in as a potential for bringing EU-CA Central Asia and Afghanistan. relations to a new level, according “Kazakhstan stands for the ef- to the ministry’s statement. fective use of the tools of EU-Cen- tral Asia relations as the new EU Continued on Page A2 Capital Day celebrations See story on Page B8 Parliament adopts 2019-2021 national Jusan operation sets budget, plans to visit regions example for other laws on healthcare, circulation of Independent States in combating initiated by deputies of Parliament, By Saltanat Boteu medicines and medical devices, information technology crimes, the such as on issues of enforcement regarding employment and amend- Kazakhstan-Ukraine treaty on ex- proceedings and the provision of countries, says UN official NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh Mazhi- ments on housing relations. tradition, amendments to the agree- public services. ing comprehensive assistance lis (lower house of Parliament) The chair stressed that the most ment between Kazakhstan and Kyr- According to Nigmatulin, depu- By Assel Satubaldina to the children and women re- Chair Nurlan Nigmatulin summed important laws adopted during the gyzstan on border crossing points, ties of both houses of Parliament turned from the zone of the con- up July 5 the work of the deputies in session were the national budget for amendments to the convention on sent 319 deputy requests to the NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s flict, while the men are being the fourth session of the sixth convo- 2019-2021, which primarily focuses information access and public par- Government over the past session. Jusan operation, which returned prosecuted for participating in cation at the joint meeting of cham- on social tasks’ implementation. ticipation in the decision-making The Parliament received approxi- nearly 600 citizens from Syria, a foreign war. The efforts set an bers of Parliament in the capital. The The redistribution of the ex- process on matters relating to the mately 7,000 appeals from citizens is an excellent example for other unprecedented example, though Parliament adopted social and eco- penditure side of the budget was environment. during the session, all of which countries to follow, said United “risking quite a lot of problems,” nomic legislation and the national carried out in the following areas. The Chairman of the Majilis noted were considered in accordance with Nations Committee on the Rights Winter said. budget for 2019-2021. The Parliament allocated 89.2 bil- the law on the transfer of functions of the legislation. The deputies visited of the Child Chair Renate Win- “Jumping into cold water with- lion tenge (US$232.19 million) for central and local executive bodies to a more than 2,000 settlements. Nigmatulin stressed that during ter in an exclusive interview with out any experience in dealing the work of the session, the depu- implementation of the presidential competitive environment, which ex- The chair also mentioned other is- The Astana Times. with such difficult, really diffi- ties focused primarily on the strate- decree on measures to reduce the pands the ability of citizens to partici- sues to be solved. Among them are During several stages of the gic guidelines formulated by First debt burden of citizens of Kazakh- pate in the decision-making process the lack of effectiveness in planning cult cases, difficult situations and humanitarian operation, conduct- Kazakh President Nursultan Naz- stan, who find themselves in a dif- through the development of a self- the legislative work of the govern- getting people home, no other arbayev at the opening session in ficult life situation, 138.6 billion government system. ment. He said that the bills received ed from January through June, country has done that in such an September last year and his state-of- tenge (US$360.77 million) for the “Every law gives impetus to the from the government do not meet a total of 595 Kazakh citizens, amount and so quickly as Ka- the-nation address to the people of expansion of existing measures to development of our country and the high requirements. He also drew including 406 children, among zakhstan. When other countries Kazakhstan. provide employment and support the improvement of the quality of attention to the late submission of them 31 orphans, 156 women also started to do it, it was slowly The initiative of Kazakh President for low-income, large families and life of the population. And most conclusions by the government to and 33 men were returned to the and reluctantly, but Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on state young people, 72.2 billion tenge importantly, every adopted law is the amendments of the deputies. country. The name of the opera- went and did it. For that, I think support of the socially vulnerable (US$187.93 million) to increase designed to support and protect all After the session is closed, parlia- tion, Jusan, is translated as bitter one really has to congratulate population gave an additional impe- the reserve of the government, part citizens,” said Nigmatulin. mentarians will travel to the regions wormwood from Kazakh. It re- somebody and, in this case, Ka- tus to the legislative activity, he said. of which will be sent to eliminate He also noted the deputies not to meet with the public. fers to a plant widely spread in zakhstan,” she added. Among the economic laws re- consequences of an emergency situ- only work with government bills, “The session ends, but there are the Kazakh steppes and its spe- The majority of the returnees viewed and adopted for the im- ation in Arys. but also exercise their right of leg- trips to the regions to meet with the cific and pleasant smell is syn- are children and the operation plementation of these large-scale President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev islative initiative. In particular, the population. The proposals that will onymous for Kazakhs with their also included their mothers. initiatives are laws on economic signed the bill into law on July 5. deputies initiated laws on the activi- be made during these meetings, we ancestral home. issues such as on natural monopo- Along with the adoption of ties of organisations performing the should take into account in our fur- The country has been provid- Continued on Page B2 lies, on standardisation, on special budgetary amendments, Mazhilis functions of protecting the rights of ther legislative work. Such meetings economic and industrial zones and deputies started work on new leg- children, as well as on the civil ser- are an important part of our work. on transport issues. islation, including an agreement on vice and combating corruption. Feedback from the population is very Among social legislations are cooperation of the Commonwealth The deputies are working on bills important for us,” said Nigmatulin. Lutsenko wins gold in Kazakhstan ratifies Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons The treaty must be signed and session of the United Nations Gen- stacked papers with signatures individual, group races at By Dilshat Zhussupova ratified by at least 50 countries to eral Assembly and received the reaching the office ceiling.” come into effect. Seventy countries Nuclear-Free Future Award Oct. Kazakhstan recently assumed the NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh Presi- have signed the treaty and 24 have 24 from the Franz Moll Foundation chairmanship of the 48-member dent Kassym-Jomart Tokayev ratified it. Kazakhstan signed and for the Coming Generations. multilateral export control regime cycling championships signed the law July 3 ratifying the ratified the treaty March 2, 2018 “It really was an honour to par- Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), Championships individual race in Treaty on the Prohibition of Nu- and July 3, respectively. ticipate in the anti-nuclear move- with Kazakh Permanent Representa- Staff Report 49:50, followed by Dmitry Gru- clear Weapons, reported Akorda.kz. One and a-half million people ment, having been born in the vil- tive to the International Organisa- zdev (1:10:00) and Daniil Fom- Nuclear weapons, unlike chemi- suffered from the 456 nuclear tests lage called Yegindibulak, located tions in Vienna Kairat Sarybay serv- NUR-SULTAN – Astana Pro inykh (1:31:00). cal weapons, biological weapons, conducted over 40 years at the So- 100 kilometres from the Semipalat- ing as chairperson until June 2020. Team cyclist Alexey Lutsenko won Lutsenko, who also took the top anti-personnel landmines and clus- viet Union’s Semipalatinsk Test insk Test Site,” he said at a Feb. 26 Tokayev’s address at the NSG meet- gold in the 40-kilometre individual prize in the 2018 Kazakhstan Na- Site and many still live with the documentary screening of “Where ing noted former Kazakh President ter munitions, are not comprehen- race June 26 and the 162-kilometre tional Road Race Championships sively and universally prohibited. aftereffects. The country’s anti-nu- the Wind Blew” commemorating Nursultan Nazarbayev’s key contri- group race June 30 at the Akmola group race, finished this year’s The treaty is the first legally-binding clear movement, formed in 1989, the Nevada-Semipalatinsk Inter- butions to ending nuclear weapons group race with a time of 3:31:29. international agreement to compre- gained global support and led to the national Anti-Nuclear Movement’s testing, including shutting down the Region’s Kazakhstan National Time Trial Championships and Gruzdev won silver (3:32:30) and hensively prohibit nuclear weapons, closure of the site. A key figure in 30th anniversary. “I remember Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site, Anton Kuzmin, bronze (3:32:33). Kazakhstan National Road Race prohibiting their development, test- the movement and now The ATOM seeing students going around with signing and ratifying the Compre- Every year, the national cham- Championships, respectively. ing, production, stockpiling, station- Project Honourary Ambassador, plain A4 papers collecting people’s hensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, pionships help determine the best ing, transfer, use and threat of use, artist and activist Karipbek Kuyu- signatures to demand the closure of launching The ATOM Project and Representing the North Kazakh- cyclists in the country. as well as assistance and encourage- kov, delivered a powerful plea to the test site and, when visiting the producing the anti-nuclear manifesto stan Region, Lutsenko finished the ment to the prohibited activities. ban nuclear testing at the Sept. 6 movement’s offices, seeing these “The World. The 21st Century.” Kazakhstan National Time Trial Continued on Page B7

INSIDE NATION ECONOMY EDITORIAL BUSINESS NATION&CAPITAL Tokayev signs decree to eliminate debts Climate change may cut grain harvest by 37 Kazakhstan can become one of global leaders Astana Hub launches Roadshow 2019 World of Nomads festival presents ancient for approximately 500,000 citizens A2 percent by 2030 A4 in investment attractiveness A6 programme to promote start-ups A7 traditions, martial arts competitions B1 President replaces his chief of staff, makes Akmola Region expects alternative energy to AIFC International Arbitration Centre opening Bozzhyra tract “sugar castles” fascinate new government appointments A2 cover up to 45 percent of all energy resources ceremony, EdTech and FinTech summits mark tourists B6 by 2023 A4 second day of Astana Finance Days A8

US$ 1 = 383.53 KZT € 1 = 431.89 KZT 1 = 6.04 KZT A2 NATION

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2019

NATIONAL Tokayev signs decree to eliminate debts NEWS IN BRIEF The second international BI Group Ironman 70.3 Astana 2019 will be held July 12-14 in the capi- for approximately 500,000 citizens tal, reported the company’s press lost their parents until the age of The decree also instructs the service. Approximately 1,400 par- By Saltanat Boteu majority. Kazakh National Bank to increase ticipants from 50 countries have According to First Deputy regulations on consumer loans. registered for the competition, NUR-SULTAN – President Prime Minister and Minister of Fi- This includes imposing a ban on including professional triathletes Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a nance Alikhan Smailov, the meas- the accrual of penalties, commis- Tim Don, Nils Fromhold, Radka decree June 26 providing immedi- ures should help approximately sions and other payments related Kahlefeldt and Olympic cycling ate debt relief to some of the coun- 500,000 people, primeminister.kz to the issuance and servicing of champion and Astana Team gen- try’s most vulnerable groups. reports. loans for all unsecured consumer eral manager Alexander Vinokurov. The President’s one-time action “The position of the President loans of individuals more than 90 “Over the past few years, triathlon calls for the government to take is that the situation with consumer days overdue. has become increasingly popular measures to repay unsecured con- loans should not be repeated,” he said The bank should also ban loans and this sports event in Nur-Sultan sumer loans in second-tier banks during a June 27 press conference. to citizens with incomes below proves it. The first triathlon won the and microfinance organisations for The state will repay debts up the subsistence minimum (29,698 global athlete satisfaction award in certain segments of the population, to 3 million tenge (US$7,905) tenge or US$78.25 per month) to the best new events 2018 category,” including large families, families and interest up to 300,000 tenge avoid further deterioration of their reads the release from the company. that have lost their main bread- (US$790) in second-tier banks and financial situation. It will take ad-  winners, families with children microfinance organisations as a ditional regulatory measures when The Visa Everywhere Initiative with disabilities, adults who have one-time, targeted financial assis- issuing unsecured consumer loans, announced its winners July 2 at been disabled since childhood, tance measure for each borrower such as considering the overall the Astana International Financial recipients of state targeted social from the above-mentioned cat- ratio of the debt burden on a bor- Centre (AIFC) Fintech Hub. The assistance, orphans, children left egory of citizens. The borrowers’ rower and imposing additional re- list included Nebank.kz and re- without parental care under the accrued fines and penalties will be quirements for bank equity, among Kassa (Kazakhstan), NumbaPay (Kyrgyzstan), LendingStar (Sin- age of twenty-nine and those who tengrinews.kz. Photo credit: written off as of July 1. other steps. gapore) and Marta (Uzbekistan). Twenty teams from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Singapore, Russia and Uzbekistan presented working prototypes and detailed business President replaces his chief of staff, models. The jury was composed of fintech experts and representa- tives from ABC-I2BF Seed Fund, Alfa-Bank, First Credit Bureau, makes new government appointments Halyk Bank and Visa. Projects were presented in financial literacy and was appointed as a Deputy Prime well as the Accounts Committee ic career as an assistant, and then headed the Office for Social De- services for small and medium busi- By Saltanat Boteu Minister. From January 2013, he for Control over Execution of the as an attaché at the Consular De- velopment of Nur-Sultan. nesses, new technologies and insur- became the Akim (Governor) of National Budget. Since 2017, he partment of the Kazakh Ministry According the order of the Man- ance products. “We are very pleased NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh Presi- the Kyzylorda region. served as a deputy head of the De- of Foreign Affairs in 1993. Prior to gystau Region’s akim (governor), with the results of the programme dent Kassym-Jomart Tokayev re- Bakytzhan Sagintayev was re- partment of Social and Economic his appointment, from December in coordination with the President with Visa. We are especially happy placed his chief of staff and made moved from his post as head of Monitoring of the Presidential Ad- 2015, he was the Ministry of For- Administration, Kanybek Zhu- with the high evaluation of the pro- new appointments to government the Presidential Administration to ministration. eign Affairs’ Multilateral Coopera- mashev was appointed the region’s gramme by participant start-ups, positions June 28, reported Akorda be appointed as Almaty’s Akim Daulet Yemberdiyev was ap- tion Department director. deputy akim (governor). mentors and partners. For us, this press service. Changes were also (Mayor). He had served as the pointed ambassador of Kazakhstan Along with that, according to Zhumashev studied at the Al- is a confirmation that we correctly made at the regional level. head of the administration since to Kuwait and Akan Rakhmetullin the Kazakh government’s decree, Farabi Kazakh State University chose the direction, which is sup- Krymbek Kusherbayev was ap- March 24. Prior to that, he served as ambassador of Kazakhstan to Daniyar Yesin was appointed to and the Aktau Yessenov State port for young innovative compa- pointed as the head of the Presi- as the Prime Minister from Sep- Pakistan. the position of Vice Minister of University. He began his career in nies that will bring the change and dential Administration, having tember 2016. Yemberdiyev is a diplomat, a Information and Social Develop- 1992 as a chemical engineer at the fundamental improvements in the previously served as the Kyzylor- Zhanibek Nupirov was ap- specialist in the Middle East. He ment of Kazakhstan. Karazhanbasmunai Company. In financial services of the country and da Region’s Akim (Governor). pointed executive secretary of the worked for a long time in that re- Yesin was born in 1981 in the 1998-2000, he was a leading spe- the region,” said AIFC CEO Nurlan In the 1990s, Kusherbayev Kazakh Ministry of Trade and In- gion. He has the diplomatic rank Karaganda Region. He studied cialist of the Mangystau regional Kussainov. served as an assistant to the deputy tegration. Nupirov graduated from of Extraordinary and Plenipoten- at the Kazakh Financial Police education administration. In 2005- prime minister and a press secre- Karaganda Economic University tiary Envoy of Class II. He is flu- Academy, Kazakh-Russian Uni- 2010, he served as the deputy di- The Almaty, Kostanai and Pav- tary – the head of the presidential of Kazpotrebsoyuz, and the Acad- ent in Arabic, English, Turkish, versity, Russian Academy of rector and head of the regional De- lodar regions transferred to digi- press service. Previously, he had emy of National Economy under Persian and Hebrew. His career National Economy and Public partment of Education and advisor tal on-air broadcasting July 1 by served as minister of education, the Russian Government. in the Foreign Ministry of Ka- Administration under the Russian to the regional akim (governor). completely disconnecting analogue culture and health and minister He began his career in 1999 in zakhstan began in 1993. Prior President. Over the next two years, he was television, according to Kazin- of education and science. In late the Treasury Department of the to his appointment, he was the He began his career in 1998. In the region’s deputy akim (gov- form. Approximately 178 radio and 2000, he became an Akim (Gov- capital, then continued working counsellor at the Permanent Mis- various years, he worked in the ernor). From 2012, he worked in television stations were built and ernor) of the West Kazakhstan in the Ministry of Finance since sion of Kazakhstan to the United Office for Investment and Devel- Nur Otan Party structures, being Region, and in November 2003, 2001. Over the years, he worked Nations in New York. opment of the capital being as its first deputy chair of the Mangystau modernised and 1,755 villages and he became ambassador of Kazakh- as a head of structural divisions Rakhmetullin is a diplomat, a deputy head and later its head. In regional branch, deputy head of towns switched to the new qual- stan to Russia. From January 2006, at the Kazakh Statistics Agency, specialist in multilateral diploma- 2016-2018, he was head of the the Central Office, advisor to the ity format. Ninety radio-technical he was the Akim (Governor) of the the Ministries of Finance and of cy, international security and dis- Office of Religious Affairs of the first deputy chair. Since 2015, he stations were commissioned in the Mangystau Region. In 2012, he Economy and Budget Planning, as armament. He began his diplomat- capital. Since March 2018, he has served as the party’s secretary. Almaty Region, while 59 in the Kostanai Region and 29 in the Pav- lodar Region were built or modern- ised. Digital broadcasting now cov- ers 4,255 villages and towns in the country. Up to 15 TV channels area available for village residents and Government adopts action plan to up to 30 for those in regional centres and nearby areas.

Khabar TV channel presented implement Tokayev’s election platform “Bekzat,” a film about boxer Bekzat medium-sized businesses in the Sattarkhanov, who won gold at the By Assel Satubaldina economy to 35 percent by 2025 2000 Summer Olympics in Syd- and 50 percent by 2050. The pro- ney. The documentary, directed by NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh gramme will also increase loan Murat Bidosov, will be released in government recently adopted an amounts and engage microfinance theatres in October. The story fol- action plan to implement the elec- organisations. lows three stages of Sattarkhanov’s tion platform of recently elected “We will analyse the situation at life – his childhood, sports career President Kassym-Jomart To- key commodity markets and will and last moments before his tragic kayev. The platform focuses on develop a road map to eliminate death in a car accident. Filming was continuing to have existing poli- barriers for competition and pre- completed in Almaty, Istanbul and cies, ensuring justice and progress. vent abuse of monopoly power. Turkestan. Actor Samat Azimkulov, Tokayev stressed during his We will need to work on the adop- who plays the lead, is a two-time campaign that if elected he would tion of a revised law on rehabilita- Kazakh kickboxing champion. continue the political course of the tion and bankruptcy using the best country’s founding President Nur- practices in the OECD countries,” KazWaste Association for Waste sultan Nazarbayev. said Smailov. Management will involve approxi-

“The measures in the action plan primeminister.kz Photo credit: To strengthen the financial sys- mately four million people in four fully reflect the political course of tem, the government plans to re- or five major Kazakh cities within Strategy 2050, five institutional The justice part of the plan in- school education, transitioning for implementation of state pro- strict transfers from the National three years in a project for separate reforms and Kazakhstan’s third cludes improving Kazakhstan’s to an updated school curriculum, grammes and use of budget funds. Fund, decrease the dependency on waste collection. Launched in coop- modernisation,” said Kazakh First healthcare system. The govern- transitioning to 12-year secondary A set of measures will be devel- the resource sector and develop a eration with the Coca-Cola Founda- Deputy Prime Minister and Minis- ment seeks to address a shortage of education and incorporating the oped to improve budget planning set of measures to communicate tion, the project will increase the ter of Finance Alikhan Smailov at specialists, expand access to medi- use of three languages are among and reduce inefficient image build- the implementation of the ex- share of plastic waste collection for a June 25 government session. cal aid, bring mobile doctors to re- the education goals. ing spending,” said the minister. change rate policy of the National further processing. Kazakhstan is The justice principle envisions pro- mote areas and digitise the system. The Enbek national programme, The country’s national pro- Bank, among other goals. the first country in the Caucasus and moting the rule of law and fair judici- The doctor to patient load is part of the action plan, is designed grammes will be analysed to eval- “We will continue working to Central Asia to legislate waste dis- ary, increasing public safety, curbing expected to drop to 1,700 people, to create jobs, encourage employ- uate their efficiency in supporting develop the stock market and carry posal measures and, in the past three corruption at all levels and creating a bringing Kazakhstan closer to the ers to create conditions for their business, another important area in out IPO of national companies. years, the level of waste recycling in social security system targeting low Organisation for Economic Coop- workers to acquire new skills and the document. The measures will allow increas- the country has increased from 2 to income and large families. eration and Development (OECD) knowledge and develop social en- “The measures will be taken ing the efficiency of state manage- 12 percent. “The concept involves Among the initiatives is the intro- recommended maximum of 1,500 trepreneurship. to develop and support business, ment, create favourable conditions several areas and working with pro- duction of a social card or social ID people. Healthcare spending is Smailov said the government particularly stimulating entrepre- to run competitive business and cessors to determine the best ways to increase the transparency of tar- also expected to reach five percent expects to create nearly 370,000 neurial initiative and enhancing improve the welfare of the peo- to collect and transport waste is one geted social assistance. The card will of the country’s GDP by 2025. jobs and help as many as 500,000 business climate. The results of the ple,” said Smailov. of them. Transportation of collected show the information about the in- “In the next three years, pri- people find jobs annually. analysis will be used to develop Implementation of these meas- plastic is expensive, because it is come and standard of living of each mary health care facilities will “The plan is also to prepare a new approaches incorporating ures should be a first priority for light and it needs to be compressed. citizen and all social obligations of be equipped with 11,000 units of comprehensive employment mon- cross liabilities of entrepreneurs,” the government, said Kazakh We will work to create hubs for col- the state, including allowances to so- medical equipment. Five-hundred itoring system and create a single said Smailov. Prime Minister Askar Mamin. lection and pressing of plastic to cially vulnerable categories. and ninety-five primary health care database of the created jobs,” said The Business Roadmap 2025 “We need to take a proactive po- continue delivery to manufactur- “Defined contributions pension facilities will be opened and 228 Smailov. programme will develop new sition in addressing problems, par- ers,” said Alexandra Akkirman, Co- scheme will be improved by build- facilities will go through a major “Special attention will be paid tools of financial and other sup- ticularly social ones. All social ob- ca-Cola Company public affairs and ing long-term actuarial models,” renovation,” said Smailov. to increasing responsibility and port for entrepreneurs in an effort ligations of the state must be fully communications manager for the said Smailov. Improving the quality of pre- accountability of state workers to increase the share of small and fulfilled,” said Mamin. Caucasus and Central Asia region. A3 EURASIA&WORLD

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2019

EXTERNAL NEWS IN BRIEF Kazakhstan, UN to cooperate in Investment opportunities in Kazakhstan were presented in Moscow during “Kazakhstan: New Opportunities,” an event or- space exploration to manage disasters ganised by the Kazakh Embassy help minimise the loss of life and the space agencies of the United in Russia, Kazakh Trade Mission By Aidana Yergaliyeva property resulting from earth- Arab Emirates, Japan and Peru in Russia and Association of Eu- quakes, hurricanes, floods, land- and the heads of the Royal Jordan ropean Business (AEB) which NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s slides and wildfires. Geographic Centre and the Asia- attracted representatives of more Ministry of Digital Development, “This memorandum will be a Pacific Space Cooperation Organi- than 50 foreign companies. Inves- Innovations and Aerospace In- good basis for the development of sation. tors were briefed on the nation’s dustry signed a memorandum of cooperation between the Ministry The vice minister invited ses- efforts to improve the business understanding on the use of space of Digital Development, Innova- sion participants and heads of climate and support foreign in- information and technology to tions and Aerospace Industry of space agencies to take part in the vestors. The conference featured manage disaster relief and devel- the Republic of Kazakhstan and Space Days in Kazakhstan forum a presentation by Kazakh Invest opment with the United Nations the UN in the field of space activi- that will be held in Nur-Sultan in promoting the nation’s invest- during the recent session of the UN ties,” said Kazakh Vice Minister of October. ment potential to attract invest- Committee on the Peaceful Uses Digital Development, Innovations The UN General Assembly ments, the Astana International of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS) in and Aerospace Industry Marat set up UNCOPUOS in 1959 to Financial Centre and Pavlodar Vienna, Austria. Nurguzhin, who headed Nur-Sul- guide the exploration and use of special economic zone. “Given The parties agreed to work to co- tan’s delegation at the session. space to establish peace, security the unfolding integration pro- operate in the use of space-based With this memorandum, the and development. The commit- cesses within the Eurasian Eco- information for disaster manage- United Nations Platform for Space- tee reviews international coopera- nomic Union, it is very important ment and to achieve the UN’s based Information for Disaster tion in the peaceful uses of outer for European businesses to learn Sustainable Development Goals Management and Emergency Re- space, studying space-related ac- and understand how the Kazakh (SDGs). They also plan to promote sponse (UN-SPIDER) programme tivities that could be undertaken economy is developing and what innovation in the space sector, 24.kz. Photo credit: is a step closer to ensuring access by the United Nations, encourag- potential it has,” said AEB Direc- work together on capacity-build- understanding with the Ministry keeps growing every day, for fos- to, and developing the capacity to ing space research programmes tor General Frank Schauff. ing activities to improve the skills of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a tering sustainable development,” use, all types of space-based infor- and studying legal problems aris-  of scientists, students and other country with an illustrious tradi- said UNOOSA Director Simonetta mation to support the full disaster ing from the exploration of outer Ninety-four athletes are repre- specialists, as well as to facilitate tion in enabling space exploration Di Pippo. management cycle in all countries. space. International cooperation in senting Kazakhstan at the 30th their participation in joint research and innovation. Together, we will Space-based technologies can The UN General Assembly estab- space exploration and the use of Summer Universiade Napoli activities and projects. promote further innovation in the remotely predict disasters and pro- lished UN-SPIDER in 2006. space technology applications to 2019 that opened July 4 in Na- “UNOOSA [the UN Office for sector and we will help humanity vide information and early warn- The Kazakh delegation also meet global development goals are ples. More than 30,000 people Outer Space Affairs] is proud to leverage the full potential of space ings for models and systems. The held a number of bilateral meet- discussed in the committee every gathered in San Paolo Stadium have signed this memorandum of science and applications, which use of these technologies could ings, speaking with the heads of year. for the opening ceremony, where 900 participants paraded and Ital- ian football player Lorenzo Insig- ne kicked a ball to light the uni- versiade cauldron. Nearly 6,000 athletes from 112 countries will MC12 will create new trade, business and investment compete in 222 events across 18 sports. Kazakh gymnasts Milad Karimi and Nariman Kurbanov advanced the first day to the July opportunities for Central Asia, says WTO spokesperson 6-7 finals. The event will run been very impressed by what we’ve catalyst for sectors of the economy. ing Report on G20 trade measures strain,” Rockwell noted, because the through July 14. By Zhanna Shayakhmetova seen,” he said. Kazakhstan now puts forth efforts released June 24 showed the trade system needs to be strengthened and Rockwell said the conference is to attract foreign direct investment. coverage of new import-restrictive modernised, as the world has changed As part of his visit to the United NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan significant for Central Asia as it can The Nurly Zhol programme is de- measures was more than 3.5 times a lot. Now, electronic commerce and States, Kazakh Foreign Minister will be the first Central Asian coun- boost trade within the region. signed to diversify the economy, the average since May 2012. digital trade shape the future. Beibit Atamkulov met July 2 with try to host the World Trade Or- “We will have many business small-medium sized companies and “What we saw was that that “This creates tremendous op- Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ganisation’s (WTO) 12th Ministe- organisations as well as journalists to help women get more active in $335.9 billion worth of trade was portunities for entrepreneurs. They and National Security Advisor rial Conference (MC12) June 8-11, coming to our ministerial confer- the economy. The conference can affected by these trade restrictive can go online rather cheaply and John Bolton. Pompeo expressed 2020. The event will gather trade ence. It’s an opportunity to display lead to lots of exchanges of ideas measures, which is the second find new markets, customers and support for an enhanced Kazakh- ministers from 164 member coun- all the wonderful things that the and possibilities. When you bring highest total we’ve ever seen. The suppliers. The fact that these small U.S. strategic partnership, noting tries and 20 WTO observer nations. country has to offer both for busi- people together from all over the only higher total came the previous and medium-sized enterprises are he “looked forward to continu- A delegation headed by WTO ness and tourism for all kinds of re- world, a lot of good things can hap- six months. In the last 12 months, trying to get into trade more now ing to strengthen bilateral rela- Deputy Director General Karl lationships that might emerge going pen,” he said. among G20 countries we have is something that our members are tions with the new government Brauner recently met in the capi- forward. It might be some kind of a The conference is coming “at seen almost $820 billion worth of very cognizant of and they want of President Kassym-Jomart tal with foreign diplomats accred- a very tense time,” he noted, and trade has been restricted by various to try and create a trading system Tokayev.” He also commended ited in the country and discussed Kazakhstan has a history of being measures that have been applied. where it’s easier to do this. This Kazakhstan’s Jusan humanitar- organisational issues related to the able to bring nations together and This is the reason why we have means reducing trade costs and ian operation that returned nearly upcoming event with the Ministry understand the perspectives of large reduced our trade forecast and our making the process more transpar- 600 Kazakh citizens from the of Foreign Affairs. During the visit, countries. trade expansion forecast to 2.6 per- ent. The discussions are underway conflict zone in Syria, encourag- The Astana Times spoke with WTO “The Silk Road went through cent for this year, which is below about removing bureaucratic red ing Kazakhstan to share its expe- spokesperson and Information and Kazakhstan and trade is a part of the historical trend,” he said. tape,” he said. rience with other nations. Bolton External Relations Director Keith the historical DNA of the country. “Just two years ago, we grew Creating an environment in reaffirmed his country’s strong Rockwell about the importance But perhaps the event might create trade at 4.6 percent. Last year, it which business can thrive while at partnership with Kazakhstan, of the conference and how WTO new trade, business and investment was at 3 percent. We’re seeing that the same time preserving elements which he described as “an already membership contributes to promot- opportunities as well as to show the there is a strong downward pressure of domestic policy is not easy. robust relationship.” “Kazakh- ing investment. facilities of this impressive city,” on trade, which is having an impact “One of the objectives is to try stan is a highly-valued partner in “We were very impressed with he said. on the global economy,” he said. and create global rules so that peo- Central Asia, working with us to the facilities. The people who are Rockwell also spoke about ma- The WTO and trade trading sys- ple and small companies will un- WTO spokesperson and Information advance energy, economic, secu- working there have been extremely jor challenges currently facing tem reform is also an important is- derstand what they have to do in rity and other regional priorities,” and External Relations Director Keith kind and hospitable to us. We’ve Rockwell global trade. The WTO’s Monitor- sue. Multilateralism is “under some order to do business,” he said. he said. American investments in Kazakhstan nearly doubled in 2018, reaching a record of $5.3 billion. Kazakhstan’s Samruk Kazyna EU announces new programmes in Central Asia Sovereign Wealth Fund and Nas- daq Dubai, the region’s interna- Continued from Page A1 opportunity for the societies of the tional financial exchange, agreed EU and Central Asia to contribute to promote the Islamic capital mar- The European Union is Kazakh- to a new phase in the partnership be- ket and enhance financial markets stan’s number one trading and in- tween the two regions. in both countries. The memoran- vestment partner with 50.6 percent “We want to build stronger ties dum also seeks to advance interna- of foreign trade occurring with EU among us, this is not only an in- tional awareness of investment op- member states. According to the stitutional exercise. This is first portunities in Kazakhstan. Nasdaq National Bank of Kazakhstan, 48 and foremost a societal exercise, Dubai CEO Hamed Ali said Ka- percent of the accumulated foreign a people exercise; we also believe zakhstan’s thriving and dynamic capital in Kazakhstan originates in the economic potential of this companies make the nation one of from the European Union; mutual region; to fulfil it, there is the need the world’s most attractive destina- trade in 2018 grew 23 percent from for something more than some tions for foreign investors. “Build- 2017, reaching $37 billion (exports big infrastructure projects that run ing on the close ties between our – $31 billion, imports – $6.7). through these countries. There is a countries, Nasdaq Dubai is ready Between January-March 2019, need to have real, long-term invest- to provide its know-how and infra- Kazakhstan and the European Un- ments that bring benefits to local structure to facilitate investments ion has had foreign trade turnover of communities, and with sustainable by private and public investors in $7.09 billion; the gross inflow of di- and long-standing perspectives,” Kazakh companies,” he said. rect foreign investment from the Eu- said the EU high representative. ropean Union in 2018 amounted to L-R: Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Beibut Atamkulov, Foreign Minister of Tajikistan Sirodjidin Muhriddin, The new EU Strategy on Central Adilkhan Yerzhanov’s “Night $11.6 billion, which is 18.4 percent Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini, Asia is in line with the EU Strategy higher than 2017. In addition, the Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan Chingiz Aidarbekov, Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Vladimir Norov and Vice Foreign on Connecting Europe and Asia and God” will be entered in the Cam- Minister Vepa Khadzhiev. era Lucida competition at the European Union remains an impor- the EU’s vision for a strategy to bet- Fantasia International Film Fes- tant source of advanced technologies For instance, the EU’s 2-mil- liable partner, to foster resilience, and sustainable development in full ter connect the two big regions. tival July 11-Aug. 1 in Montreal, and innovations for Kazakhstan. lion-euro ($2.24 million) funding prosperity and regional coopera- respect for international law. In the meantime, as underlined in Canada. The lineup includes more Among the proposals tabled by will be implemented jointly with tion.” The communique commended the joint communiqué, the Enhanced than 130 features from across the Kazakhstan were the use the In- Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to To reaffirm their commitment to the role of EU High Representative Partnership and Cooperation Agree- globe. Yerzhanov is a well-known vestment Facility for Central Asia provide Afghan women with the “a strong, diversified and forward- Mogherini in strengthening rela- ments remain a cornerstone of rela- director in Kazakhstan, whose (IFCA) and European Investment education necessary for economic looking partnership that builds tions between EU and Central Asia tions between the EU and Central works have been submitted to the Bank for financing projects in the empowerment. upon the positive dynamics under- during her tenure. Asian countries. Kazakhstan signed most prestigious events, including region, as well as launching a virtual “The positive regional dynamics way in Central Asia and the strong A day prior to the ministerial and ratified such an agreement with the Cannes and Rotterdam film platform to increase public aware- in Central Asia and a demand for mutual interests between the two meeting, the first EU-Central Asia the EU in 2015 and 2016 respec- festivals. “The film reflects the ness of the EU-CA partnership. closer cooperation with the Euro- regions,” the parties adopted a joint Forum took place in Bishkek. The tively, while Kyrgyzstan initialled great work of all departments, ac- Atamkulov noted the importance pean Union present a significant communiqué called “The EU and meeting was meant to bring togeth- such a document on July 6 and Uz- tors, artists and cameramen. Their of the EU’s decision to bring back opportunity for a closer, stronger Central Asia: Forging a Stronger er ideas from members of civil soci- bekistan is in the process of negoti- work shaped a rather abstract plot. the bilateral projects, as well as the partnership,” said Mogherini. “We Partnership Together.” ety, think-tanks, youth and business ating a similar agreement. I am very glad that the film will be possibility of implementing joint are ready to build on the enormous In it, Central Asia and the EU also leaders. Regional foreign ministers The next EU-Central Asia minis- shown to audiences in Canada,” EU-Central Asia programmes with momentum gained over the last agreed to work together for peace, praised the meeting. terial is planned for 2020 in Brus- said Yerzhanov. other Central Asian states. five years, as a consistent and re- security, human rights, democracy Mogherini called the forum a key sels. A4 ECONOMY

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2019

ECONOMY Climate change may Akmola Region expects alternative NEWS IN BRIEF The assets of Kazakh second- tier banks increased 1.5 percent in June and 6 percent over the year cut grain harvest by energy to cover up to 45 percent to 24.9 trillion tenge (US$64.66 billion). June produced a notice- able change in bank relocation by assets. ForteBank climbed two 37 percent by 2030 of all energy resources by 2023 positions, moving from fourth to as a key factor increasing the re- second and overtaking Kaspi Bank By Assel Satubaldina gion’s vulnerability to climate and Sberbank. The bank’s assets change. grew 7.2 percent in May and 33.5 NUR-SULTAN – Climate “For example, as much as 30 percent in a year. Jýsan Bank (for- change may reduce the Kazakh percent-60 percent of Central merly Tsesnabank) also rose two grain harvest by 37 percent by Asia’s population relies on agri- positions from ninth to seventh, in- 2030 and 48 percent by 2050, said culture for its livelihood. In Tajik- creasing its assets 12.4 percent; its the World Bank in its recent state- istan, harvests may decrease by 30 assets in a year, however, dropped ment. percent. At the turn of the century, 44.1 percent. Although Kaspi The phenomenon presents enor- half of Kyrgyzstan territory and Bank and Sberbank were down- mous challenges for development, huge territories in Turkmenistan graded in the ranking, they had a including its impact on agricultural and Uzbekistan could turn into dry 1.5 percent (31.7 percent annual supply chains. lands,” said the statement. growth rate) and 1.6 percent (14.6 Sixty-six percent of Kazakh land Water availability is one of the percent annual growth) increase in is vulnerable to drought. The num- region’s major concerns. Climate their assets, respectively. bers can be critical for the country, change has worsened the situation  the world’s ninth largest by land- in the Aral Sea, once the fourth Investments in health and social mass and second largest in arable largest lake in the world and now services decreased 15.1 percent land per inhabitant, where culti- among its most rapidly degrading to 25.2 billion tenge (US$65.44 vated land occupies an estimated areas. The sea has shrunk to one- million) from January-May year- 81 percent of the total area. tenth of its original size, signifi- on-year (yoy). The biggest share, World Bank experts forecast cantly hurting the local community 37.8 percent or 9.5 billion tenge significant temperature increases that depended on the waterway for (US$24.67 million), came from in Central Asia in the coming dec- its livelihood. the national budget, a 32.7 percent ades, ranking it among the most Water shortages also effect elec- increase yoy. The investment share climate-vulnerable regions. tricity, as 90 percent of Kyrgyzstan solar power stations will begin Energy wind power plant in the from local budgets and the busi- “Today, we can see rising tem- and Tajikistan’s hydropower is gen- By Aidana Yergaliyeva operating in Arshaly district, Kok- Arshaly area, will launch its first nesses’ own funds significantly de- peratures, melting of glaciers, de- erated by the thousands of glaciers shetau (regional centre), Sandyk- stage in late July. Commissioning creased. Local budget investments clining water resources and natural in the high mountains of the Pamir NUR-SULTAN – The Akmola tau, Tselinograd and Yereymentau works have already started. With in healthcare decreased 51.4 per- disasters as droughts and floods region that give rise to the Amu Region will be launching six al- districts. the second stage, the company cent to 5.2 billion tenge (US$13.50 occur more often. This all has huge Darya and Syr Darya, Central Asia’s ternative energy projects totalling should increase the power capac- million) and its share fell from economic damage on countries in two major rivers. Experts forecast 153 billion tenge (US$404.16 mil- ity to 100 MW. The capacity will 36.2 percent to 20.8 percent. In- Central Asia,” noted the statement. the water flow in the Syr Darya ba- lion). As a result, local authorities The largest project in double again when the company vestments from the businesses’ Average temperature in Central sin could be slashed by 2-5 percent expect the share of alternative en- the region, the 50- finishes the third stage. own funds decreased 24.2 percent Asia has been rising by 0.5 degrees and the Amu Darya by 10-15 per- ergy to increase up to 45 percent KB Enterprises plans to com- to 8.7 billion tenge (US$22.59 Celsius in the southern portion and cent, exacerbating the shortage. by 2023, said Ivan Yurchenko, MW TsATEK Green mission a 100-MW solar power million). At the same time, invest- 1.6 degrees in the northern part “Climate change is a common head of the regional energy and plant in Tselinograd district next ments from borrowed funds and since the mid-20th century, lead- concern for all countries in Central utilities department, at a June 18 Energy wind power year. The 53.3-billion tenge bank loans increased noticeably, ing to shrinking water supplies and Asia. Addressing its consequences press briefing. plant in the Arshaly (US$140.8 million) investment more than 5.6 times a year. Their glacier melting. Glaciers in the requires joint efforts in regional Two wind farms with 45-mega- is being completed with the par- cumulative sum increased to 1.8 region have shrunk by one-third cooperation,” said World Bank watt (MW) and 750,000-kilowatt area, will launch its ticipation of foreign capital. A billion tenge (US$4.67 million). since the beginning of the 20th lead environmental specialist Gay- (KW) capability currently operate 300-hectare tract has been al- century. ane Minasyan. at First Wind Power Station (Ye- first stage in late July. located, and design and survey By the end of May, the number of Economic damage from a hot- Key recommendations include reymentau district) and Agrofirm work is underway. private enterprises operating with ter planet is expected to effect the upgrading outdated infrastructure, Rodina (Tselinograd district) re- Equipment installation and ad- Ereimentau Wind Power (50 state participation had decreased Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turk- promoting effective use of energy spectively. The 19.1-billion tenge justment has started for the 3.75- MW) and Golden Energy Corp (30 5 percent during the year to 651 menistan economies, causing an resources and taking efforts to (US$50.51 million) investment MW, 1.7 billion tenge (US$4.49 MW) plan to commission wind companies, a figure that has been estimated 0.4-1.3 percent change achieve more sustainable agricul- projects produce 17 percent of the million) Vetro Invest Kokshetau power stations in 2021. reducing since 2016. At the same in the countries’ annual gross do- tural use. More resources should total electrical energy generated wind power plant and should be The deadline to implement the time, the number of public-private mestic product (GDP). also be directed to research and annually, reported the regional completed in the fourth quarter. last project, the 2.5-billion tenge partnerships (PPP) has been grow- Central Asia’s heavy depend- monitoring climate change and the akim’s (governor) press service. The largest project in the re- (US$6.60 million), 7 MW Vichi ing; 302 PPP contracts were signed ence on natural resources is cited environment. In addition, five wind and one gion, the 50-MW TsATEK Green wind power plant, is 2022. by the end of 2018, a 61.5 percent increase year-on-year (yoy), and 546 units were in place at the end of May. The largest share of PPP projects, 26.6 percent, are con- centrated in the East Kazakhstan Kazakhstan adopts Region, followed by the Pavlodar Region and Almaty with a com- bined 19 percent. The vast major- ity, or 80.8 percent, of all PPPs are phased introduction of in education (49.6 percent), health- care (20.5 percent) and energy and utilities (10.6 percent). universal tax declaration Capital investments in arts, entertainment and recreation in- creased 30.6 percent to 35.5 bil- lion tenge (US$92.19 million) from January-May. The East Kazakhstan Region received the largest investment, 12.1 billion tenge (US$31.42 million), to pro- mote tourism, followed by art and leisure investments in the Almaty and Kostanai regions of 7.7 bil- lion tenge (US$20 million) and 6.3 billion tenge (US$16.36 mil- lion), respectively. The invest- ments came mainly from local budgets representing 61.8 percent (22 billion tenge or US$57.13 million) of the total capital ex- state sector and their spouses will penditure, a 32.1-percent increase By Laura Tussupbekova be subject to the initial declaration per year. beginning January 2023. NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh The initial declaration for the Kazakh money transfer sys- government has approved sus- heads and founders of legal enti- tems sent 227.6 billion tenge (US$591.06 million) remittanc- pending the universal declaration ties and their spouses and entre- es abroad from January-May, a and tax penalty cancellation. Fol- preneurs and their spouses will be 7.4-percent increase year-on-year lowing two readings, the Sen- introduced in the third stage start- (yoy). The largest share, 36 percent ate (upper house of Parliament) ing Jan. 1, 2025. or 82 billion tenge (US$212.95 adopted the amendments June 24 Plans are underway to write off million), was sent to Russia, an on regulating and developing the penalties on individuals for tax lia- 8.3-percent decrease compared to financial market, microfinance ac- bilities for tax periods through Jan- last year. The second largest trans- tivities and taxation. uary 2019, subject to repayment of fers, 40.3 billion tenge (US$104.66 The document proposes phasing the principal debt by the end of the million), were sent to Uzbeki- in the universal declaration. year. Cancellation of penalties is stan, a 28.9-percent increase yoy, In the first stage, the plan would proposed for property and land tax followed by 33.4 billion tenge be postponed from Jan. 1, 2020 to obligations for tax periods up to (US$86.74 million) sent to Turkey, Jan. 1, 2021. Individuals holding a January 2018, taking into account a 33.6-percent increase yoy. Gold- responsible government office and the deadline for payment is before en Crown has the largest margin of their spouses, those who serve in October. money transfers abroad with 162.7 state bodies and their spouses and The law also provides for creat- billion tenge (US$422.52 mil- those who hold a position equiva- ing the Agency for Regulation and lion), 71.5 percent of the total and lent to civil service and their Development of Financial Markets a 28.3-percent increase yoy. It was spouses will be required to provide reporting directly to the President. followed by Western Union (28.8 the declaration in accordance with As a result, all entities providing billion tenge or US$74.79 million, the legislation. financial services, including mort- an 11.6-percent decrease yoy) and In the second stage, employ- gage, insurance and collection or- Unistream (10.1 billion tenge or ees of state institutions and their ganisations, will be transferred to US$26.23 million, a 45.4-percent spouses and those of the quasi- the agency’s bureau. decrease yoy). A5 BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2019

BUSINESS NEWS IN BRIEF Debt relief for approximately Government plans to provide 46,000 The European Bank for Recon- struction and Development (EBRD) has invested more than $9 billion in Kazakhstan since the country’s in- 500,000 to cost $274 million people with new skills this year dependence, said EBRD President Sir Suma Chakrabarti in Nur-Sultan July 4 during the 32nd plenary ses- sion of the Foreign Investors’ Coun- over two months cil chaired by Kazakh President help approximately 500,000 peo- Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. This year, Staff Report ple. the bank has invested more than “According to preliminary data, $450 million in the country. Chakra- NUR-SULTAN – Approximate- there are 443,000 people in dire barti emphasised EBRD measures ly 105 billion tenge (US$274.32 need of government assistance its effectiveness by the quality of its million) will be required to ex- that have loans,” said Deputy investments, not just by the quantity. ecute President Kassym-Jomart Prime Minister Gulshara Abdyka- For example, the bank signed three renewable energy projects this year Tokayev’s decree to provide debt likova at the press conference. as part of its effort to support the relief to some of the country’s The state will repay debts up to country’s transition to a low-carbon most vulnerable groups, said First three million tenge (US$7.84 mil- economy. Deputy Prime Minister and Minis- lion) and interest up to 300,000 ter of Finance Alikhan Smailov at tenge (US$783.76) in second-tier Kazakh Prime Minister Askar a recent press conference. banks and microfinance organi- Mamin approved the 2019-2024 Of that figure, approximately sations as a one-time, targeted Roadmap to Develop Mechanical 88 billion tenge (US$229.9 mil- financial assistance measure for Engineering June 26 designed by lion) will be drawn from the na- each borrower from the above- the Kazakh Ministry of Industry tional budget and 17 billion tenge mentioned categories. and Infrastructure Development and (US$44.41 million) from bonds “The reasons for having ob- the Kazakh Union of Mechanical issued from the Troubled Loans tained a loan and how the money Engineers, reported the union. The Fund. was spent will not be reviewed too roadmap sets out a strategic vision The President’s one-time action closely, because these are poor cit- Since the beginning of the year, tional Chamber of Entrepreneurs for medium-term development of calls for the government to take izens who require social support,” Staff Report more than 16,000 people have and support of the World Bank, the industry and goal of introduc- measures to repay unsecured con- said Abdykalikova. been trained through the pro- the ministry formed a register of ing new technologies, improving sumer loans in second-tier banks “It is not necessary for people to NUR-SULTAN – The Ministry gramme. The ministry plans to 534 educational institutions. All the competitiveness of domestic and microfinance organisations go to the banks for now, because of Labour and Social Protection, instruct an additional 30,000 indi- meet the requirements of dual machine-building firms and boost- for certain segments of the popu- this work will take some time. in conjunction with the Centre viduals. training with mentoring and one- ing the industry’s export potential. lation, including large families, It will be complete within two for the Development of Labour Based on the needs of the re- year of experience in conducting Roadmap measures include provid- those that have lost their main months,” added National Bank Resources, has revised the ap- gions, a list of the more than 200 short-term vocational trainings to ing domestic firms with raw materi- breadwinners and those with chil- Deputy Chairperson Oleg Smol- proach for selecting educational most in-demand qualifications issue a certificate. als, improving technical regulation dren with disabilities; adults who yakov at the press conference. institutions to conduct short- and skills for short-term train- To be included in the register, and introducing economic incen- have been disabled since child- The decree also instructs the term training courses as part of ing courses was formed as part the institutions must also have a tives. Adopting the law “On Indus- hood; recipients of state targeted the Enbek state programme to of the Smart Data Ukimet pro- modern material and technical trial Policy,” for example, would National Bank to strengthen regu- develop productive employment ject. The ministry has also com- base and at least a 60-percent simplify the national policy and cre- social assistance and orphans, lations on consumer loans. This and mass entrepreneurship in piled and approved a list of 100 record of employing those who ating the Kazakh Industrial Devel- children left without parental care includes imposing a ban on ac- 2017-2021. popular service and industrial have undergone training. Edu- opment Fund would expand firms’ under the age of 29 and those cruing penalties, commissions and The ministry expects the change professions, including 35 jobs cational programmes for short- access to co-financing. who lost their parents before they other payments related to issuing reached the majority age. and servicing loans for all unse- will affect the relevance of the requiring higher education and term vocational training should be coordinated with the regional As part of its effort to integrate “The Kazakh National Bank, cured individual consumer loans professions in the labour market 65 needing technical and voca- state programmes on infrastructure the government, banks and mi- more than 90 days overdue. and make it easier for trainees to tional skills. chamber of entrepreneurs and with China’s Belt and Road Initiative crofinance organisations have de- The bank will also ban loans to find jobs. Working with the Atameken Na- employers. (BRI), Kazakhstan is implement- veloped a mechanism for repay- citizens with incomes below the ing more than 100 projects under ing the debt of citizens who find subsistence minimum (29,698 the BRI, said Deputy Prime Minis- themselves in a difficult life situ- tenge or US$77.59 per month) ter Zhenis Kassymbek at the Astana ation,” said bank chairperson Ye- to avoid further deterioration of Finance Days’ July 3 plenary session rbolat Dossayev at a July govern- their financial situation. It will on Silk Road Opportunities – Fi- ment meeting. “This mechanism take additional regulatory meas- Social spending is largest percentage nancing the Region. Trade turnover provides for the Kazakh Ministry ures when issuing unsecured con- between Kazakhstan and China is of Labour and Social Security to sumer loans, such as considering increasing every year. Notably, Ka- form a list of citizens who find the overall ratio of the debt bur- zakhstan aims to connect the markets of budget in first half of 2019 themselves in a difficult life situ- den on a borrower and imposing of China and Europe by constructing ation.” additional requirements for bank Social sector spending has cated the second biggest bulk of and modernising its infrastructure The debt relief is intended to equity, among other steps. Staff Report been increasing on average 15.6 state budget expenses for January and reducing transport costs and time percent per year for the last five to April to the education sector at through state programmes such as NUR-SULTAN – Spending on years. Total government spending 17.6 percent or nearly 671 billion Nurly Zhol. The Astana International social programmes accounted for over that same period has been tenge (US$1.76 billion), which is Financial Centre can also become the largest part of Kazakhstan’s increasing an average of 12.3 per- 16.2 percent more than the same a key driver for implementing BRI government spending from Janu- cent per year. time in 2018. projects in Kazakhstan, he added. ary to April. The state guarantees 39 types Expenditures on the healthcare Social assistance spending ac- of social assistance. In 2018, sector for January to April in- Air Astana replenished its fleet counted for 27.6 percent of Ka- 3.8 million Kazakhs, which is creased 12.3 percent to 488.9 bil- with three Airbus A320neo aircraft zakhstan’s $9.98 billion state ex- 20.9 percent of the population, lion tenge (US$1.28 billion), 12.8 in July, reported its press service. penditures during that period. received more than 2.5 trillion percent of the total. The planes will be used for domes- Total government spending in- tenge (US$6.57 billion) in pen- The top five list of state budg- tic flights, as well as international creased 16.7 percent for that time sions and allowances. In addition et expenditures from January to routes to China, India, Russia and period year-on-year with spend- to this, approximately 800,000 April also includes debt service Ukraine. Airbus A320neos have ing on social assistance increas- people received 190 billion tenge and general public services, which Pratt&Whitney engines, LED light- ing systems and 162 economy-class ing 20 percent to 1.1 trillion tenge (US$499.17 million) payments are 252 billion tenge (US$662.05 seats equipped with individual en- (US$2.88 billion). In the same peri- from the system of compulsory million) and 225.1 billion tenge tertainment systems. Air Astana, Ka- od in 2018, social spending totaled social insurance. (US$591.38 million), respective- zakhstan’s largest carrier and a joint Deputy Prime Minister Gulshara Abdykalikova. 875 billion tenge (US$2.3 billion). The Kazakh government allo- ly. venture between Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund and BAE Systems, operates domestic and in- zakhstan with the support of local ternational flights to 64 destinations. officials.

Construction has begun on the IT startups attract $76 million Turkestan Region’s largest, 50-meg- More than 260 awatt solar power plant, reported Kazakh Invest. The $60 million pro- projects involving ject, to be completed in early 2020, in investments in two years nearly 1,000 will create approximately 400 jobs. cal Development was changed. The project’s foreign investor, Risen By Assel Satubaldina The new company is tasked with entrepreneurs have Energy from China, previously built supporting development of pri- completed Astana a 40-megawatt solar power plant in NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh IT vate capital market through ven- the Karaganda Region. The Turke- startups have attracted nearly 29 ture financing, supporting private Hub incubation stan Region has an energy deficit billion tenge (US$76.3 million) business incubators and providing and significant solar energy poten- since 2018. technology consulting services and acceleration tial, said Kazakh Invest Turkestan Astana Hub, the capital’s inter- and training programmes. programmes. The hub Region Director Dauletkozha Ma- national technopark of IT startups, QazTech Ventures and QazAn- myrov. With 3,000 hours of sunny contributes to the country’s Digital gels will create two venture capital also hosts 16 research weather every year, the region’s so- Kazakhstan programme designed funds, he added. lar insolation reaches an average of to build secure digital infrastruc- IT companies also enjoy a and development 1,600 kilowatts per square metre. ture, incorporate digital technolo- special regime including tax centres representing gies into the country’s economy, preferences and simplified visa Approximately 435,600 small and digitise government services and and labour procedures. The in- such companies as medium-sized businesses are cur- train Kazakh specialists, noted vestments are regulated by the rently registered in Kazakhstan, 3.1 Minister of Digital Development, Astana International Financial CISCO, Huawei, IBM percent more than last year, reported Innovations and Aerospace Indus- Centre and its English common and Intellisense. Energyprom. The number is expect- try Askar Zhumagaliyev. “Innovators have access to con- tober 2018 is an important fac- law principles. ed to grow, as the Business Roadmap It launched in February 2018 sultations, technical expertise, tor in developing an innovation “These simplified procedures “Given such dynamics in the 2020 state programme will support and has now 100-percent occupan- equipment and software,” he said. ecosystem providing financial are accessible to all IT companies. ecosystem growth in the capital, 14,600 small and medium-sized en- cy, noted the minister. It seeks to attract at least 67 bil- support to startups, among other In addition, for Astana Hub partic- we plan to share the experience terprises this year. Business Road- More than 260 projects involving lion tenge (US$176.4 million) by goals. The document introduces ipants, there are special conditions with startups in Kazakh regions,” map 2025 will develop new finan- nearly 1,000 entrepreneurs have 2022, increase local content in IT state support mechanisms provid- to attract foreign specialists. These he added. cial support tools for entrepreneurs completed Astana Hub incuba- companies up to 70 percent and ed through QazTech Ventures and include exemption from taxes and Astana Hub and the ministry and back efficient and competitive tion and acceleration programmes. contribute to creating ten IT com- QazAngels business angels club. work visas for up to five years. We plan to launch a regional road businesses. Its goal is to increase the The hub also hosts 16 research and panies by 2025 with a market capi- QazTech Ventures, a subsidi- received 120 applications and 52 show programme in September share of small and medium-sized development centres representing talisation of $1 billion. ary of Baiterek National Holding, companies of those are being reg- that will include visits to all 14 re- businesses to 35 percent by 2025 and such companies as CISCO, Hua- Zhumagaliyev said the law on was established in May after the istered,” said Zhumagaliyev. gions and three cities of national 50 percent by 2050. wei, IBM and Intellisense. venture financing adopted in Oc- National Agency for Technologi- IT hubs are opening across Ka- significance. A6 EDITORIAL&OPINION

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2019 Kazakhstan can become In today’s world, we need a one of global leaders in stronger partnership between the investment attractiveness European Union and Central Asia azakh President Kassym-Jomart eign investments. Countries need to continu- of the international com- Tokayev, during his inauguration ously aim to improve their investment climate. By Federica Mogherini and munity, including Central speech last month, stated that one Kazakhstan will need to focus on a number Neven Mimica Asian partners. Integrating of the key priorities for Kazakhstan of issues to further stimulate investments. For Afghanistan as appropriate isK to create new jobs and provide people with instance, investors and diplomats at dialogue In our highly intercon- in relevant regional meet- good wages. One of the ways to achieve this platforms, such as the Council of Foreign nected world of today, ings and programmes, and objective is to attract more foreign investment Investors, the Council to Improve the Invest- where closer regional and supporting more regional to Kazakhstan. ment Climate and the recent first meeting inter-regional cooperation Federica Mogherini Neven Mimica and trilateral cooperation This is why the Government has been of EU ambassadors in Kazakhstan with the is essential for peace and projects with Afghan and actively working to create a favourable invest- Prime Minister, have noted a number of issues prosperity, Europe and Cen- Asia partnership for the ben- reform and modernisation of Central Asian partners, will ment climate in the country. The results so that need to be addressed. These include the tral Asia have never been so efit of our citizens. the economies of the region, therefore remain a priority far have been promising. Fifty-seven projects rule of law, the volatility of the tenge rate, close. Neither have the po- The European Union is including the development in our joint work. with foreign capital, worth $5.1 billion, will infrastructure, allocation of land, decriminali- tential benefits of working a natural partner for the re- of a strong private sector. This weekend in Bishkek, create more than 10,000 jobs in Kazakhstan sation of tax offenses, and migration. even more closely together gion. We have a history that The EU also remains a key the European Union and the by the end of the year. This is in addition to These are undoubtedly not straightforward been so evident. has convinced us of the ben- supporter of the accession Central Asian States will 6,000 new jobs that were created between issues. But the Government has been work- We are witnessing a time efits of cooperation and inte- of all Central Asian states to hold our annual regional January 2018 and the present day, thanks to 29 ing hard to address them. For example, ear- of important change for gration with our neighbours, the World Trade Organisa- meeting at the level of For- projects that are currently being implemented. lier this year the new Coordinating Council Central Asia. Central Asian and we can share this experi- tion. eign Ministers. The Euro- Overall, Kazakhstan remains the number on Investment Issues was established under States are opening up, im- ence without playing politi- Besides these two pillars, pean Union’s message will one investment destination in the region. As the chairmanship of Prime Minister Askar plementing reforms, and cal games. the European Union and be that our cooperation can was noted recently by Kazakh Deputy Prime Mamin. In addition, Foreign Minister Beibut advancing regional coop- We want to support the Central Asia will look to bring real, tangible benefits Minister Zhenis Kasymbek, the country ac- Atamkulov, stressed the need to modernise eration among themselves. countries of Central Asia work together more closely to citizens in the region and counts for approximately 75 percent of the current legislation. It is encouraging to note They have become stronger in becoming more resilient, to connect our two regions, in the EU, from stronger and total foreign direct investment inflows into that Parliament is already working on this. through increased independ- whether societally, economi- as well as to enhance links diversified economies, more the Central Asian region. Given Kazakhstan’s Attracting foreign investment is also di- ence and inter-dependence. cally, or environmentally. within Central Asia itself, opportunities for students to active involvement in major international rectly linked to diplomacy. The Government In short, Central Asia’s po- This means strengthening making sure that this is done experience Europe, more job projects, such as the Belt and Road Initiative, of Kazakhstan has been busy in this regard re- litical importance is now independent media, opening in a sustainable, open and opportunities, and a more this figure is not surprising. For instance, right cently. As already mentioned, on July 1, Prime reflecting its geographical space for civil society, rein- rules-based way that avoids peaceful, secure region for now Kazakhstan, together with Chinese com- Minister Askar Mamin met with European place as pivotal partner for forcing the rule of law and indebtedness or poor quality all. In today’s world, we panies, is implementing 55 industrial projects Union diplomatic mission heads to discuss the East and for the West, al- good governance, combat- infrastructure. need a stronger partnership worth almost $28 billion as part of the New investment cooperation, including increasing though many challenges still ting corruption, and empow- Similarly, the European between our two regions. Silk Road project. agricultural product trade, as well as promot- remain. ering youth. Union will partner with Let us work together to But to further improve Kazakhstan’s ing the export of Kazakh products to the EU. In this new, positive po- We also want to contrib- Central Asia to face the achieve it. economy, which would contribute to the coun- Overall, Kazakhstan is on the right track litical context, the European ute to the region’s prosper- many challenges that no try’s development, Kazakhstan needs to work when it comes to improving its investment Union – with all EU Mem- ity. The EU, as the largest single country can address Federica Mogherini is to reach new levels. This is why new targets climate and attracting foreign businesspeople. ber States behind it – has de- source of private investment alone, ranging from the en- the European Union High have been set. For example, gross foreign di- But it is important not to become compla- vised a new approach to its worldwide, has the potential vironment, including water Representative for For- rect investment should increase by 26 percent cent. Our competitors are also not standing relations with Central Asia. to bring significant qual- management, border man- eign Affairs and Security by 2022 compared to 2016, and the ratio of still. Therefore, it is important to address any Our new strategy focusses ity investment in sustain- agement to the fight against Policy & Vice-President of foreign direct investment to GDP should reach remaining issues and to push forward with on supporting the region’s able connectivity projects terrorism and trafficking of the European Commission 19 percent, up from the current 16.5 percent. investment reforms. Once this is achieved, resilience and prosperity, in Central Asia, provided a illicit drugs. and Neven Mimica is the However, as is well known, the global Kazakhstan can go beyond being a regional building on our extensive sound business climate is in Peace in Afghanistan is European Commissioner business and investment climate is extremely frontrunner in terms of investment attractive- existing cooperation, to cre- place. To that end, the EU another challenge that re- for International Coopera- competitive, with every country vying for for- ness and become one of the global leaders. ate a modern EU-Central will continue to support the quires the active support tion and Development. Please help women and children who were deceived by ISIS! I realised that we were not in their own way. Many peo- By Aida Sarina abandoned. ple just want to forget eve- Next to me were women rything. But I decided that I I am Aida. I am from Ka- from France, Germany and would openly talk about it. zakhstan. I am 25 years old other countries. I remember I managed to do it. I was and I have witnessed war, them looking enviously at lucky. My country and my hunger and cold. Before us. They asked to find out if people did not leave me in that, I lived a normal life in Kazakhstan could also take trouble, did not abandon me. Kazakhstan, graduated from them, pleading to at least take They took me in and forgave high school, used to play their children from Syria. me. Now I feel strong and sports and dance and dreamed I could not help these wom- have a great desire to help of becoming a journalist. en. But I decided to help and Muslims learn lessons from Everything changed when save an orphan boy from Ka- my story and not to repeat my in the summer of 2015 I, my zakhstan. He is 7 years old. mistakes. husband and my son went to Aida Sarina. This video still His name is Musa. I found Addressing the UN is a Istanbul. My husband sug- is taken from her testimony him in the camp and took him great chance to speak out gested we spend a vacation in prepared for a UN event in with me. loud about the war in Syria New York. Turkey. But a few days later, He is the only one who sur- and the fraud caliphate that he said that we will not go vived out of his entire family. the terrorists built there. back to Kazakhstan, and will We were trapped. We slept His father died, his mother Yes, I am a victim of ter- live in Syria. on the damp ground under was killed by ISIS, his sister rorism. But now I want to I succumbed to my hus- an open sky. Every day chil- was missing, and his younger become a fighter against ter- band’s persuasion. Back then, dren died in the arms of their brother died of exhaustion. rorism, to contribute and be it seemed to me that this was mothers who were unable to When rescuers from Ka- a part of this great purpose. the right decision. Much has help. zakhstan came to Syria, I told I want to be the voice of all been said on the internet that My acquaintance was dig- them about Musa. Rescuers female victims of terrorism! Muslims must move to an Is- ging a grave for her child found Musa’s grandparents Yes, we made mistakes, lamic state to live happily. with her hands, since cats and in Kazakhstan and took him stumbled. But everyone has But once in Syria, we real- dogs had already begun to eat home with me. Now he is the right to make a mistake, ised that it was a lie. Our life the body. I could not look at safe at home, as is my own and to achieve salvation after became a nightmare. Getting this anymore. child. repentance. out of this hell was impos- I took a risk. Under fire, I returned to Kazakhstan Please help other women sible. There were always bypassing the mines, we got just a few months ago with and children who were also ISIS agents around us. They to the refugee camp. Every- other women and children. deceived. Perhaps they will searched for those who want- thing was like in a nightmare. Of course, at first, I didn’t also be of service to their ed to escape, put them in jail, I prayed to return home, I know what to do next. country, as I am today. and could execute several wanted to see and hug my For about a month, we people a day. mother again. lived in a rehabilitation cen- This text is a transcript of We lived in total fear and In this refugee camp in Syr- tre. We were preparing for a a video testimony by a Ka- did not confide in anyone. ia, there were many women peaceful life. Doctors, theolo- zakh woman caught up in And after the death of my from around the world with a gians, teachers, psychologists the Syrian conflict who was husband, I just fought for sur- similar fate. We did not know and volunteers worked with returned to Kazakhstan vival. ISIS militants scared what would happen to us in us. They helped us to recover through the country’s ef- us by saying that if we were the future. our identification documents. forts to evacuate its citizens imprisoned, they would rape But at one point in the And after that we returned from the Syrian conflict un- and kill us. Falling asleep at camp they told us, “Kazakh- home to our relatives. der Operation Jusan which night, I didn’t know if I and stan takes back its citizens!” Honestly, I still go through has already brought back my child would wake up in I could not believe it. And a rehabilitation course. Eve- around 600 Kazakh citi- the morning. only when I actually saw ryone experiences and copes zens, mostly children and I couldn’t see a way out. rescuers from Kazakhstan, with the nightmares of war women.

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2019 Astana Hub launches North Kazakhstan Region to allocate Roadshow 2019 programme $525,000 next year to support young to promote start-ups entrepreneurs their project with a diploma,” he By Assel Satubaldina said. In 2018, the region launched NUR-SULTAN – The North Jas Project (Young Project), Kazakhstan Region will allocate where 67 proposals received 200 million tenge (US$525,240) grants totalling one million tenge next year to develop youth entre- (US$2,626) and 236 individuals preneurship. completed business basics cours- One in five Kazakh citizens is es. More than 118 million tenge a member of the younger gen- (US$309,891) came into the re- eration and supporting them is gion through grants and scholar- among the nation’s priorities. Ap- ships. proximately 2.3 million live in As part of the Business Road- cities, 1.7 million in rural areas. map, 600 young entrepreneurs North Kazakhstan Region across Kazakhstan will receive

Photo credit: The Steppe. Photo credit: Akim (Governor) Kumar Aksaka- grants over three years. Every lov recently met with young peo- year within a three-year period, Roadshow Astana Hub. ple to talk about business support 10,000 young entrepreneurs will

measures. sko.gov.kz Photo credit: receive grants and another 15,000 The Astana Hub team provides “With the Damu Business De- will receive microcredit under the By Nazira Kozhanova full support to start-up teams with velopment Fund, we need to in- there with a business idea and portunities to implement projects Yenbek state programme. a return flight and accommoda- crease the financing of youth businesspeople will get their pro- during their studies. The region Measures also include teaching NUR-SULTAN – The Astana tion for one representative of each entrepreneurship. We are ready jects for joint implementation,” will start constructing an educa- business skills, coaching, provid- Hub recently launched Roadshow team. It also organises a boot camp to allocate 200 million tenge he added. tion and lab campus that will be ing psychological support and 2019, a programme to promote in the form of online webinars and (US$525,240) next year,” he said. Aksakalov noted the increasing equipped with modern technolo- assisting in executing start-up start-up projects internationally. offline consultations regarding trip He encouraged young people to importance of volunteering. gies. projects. The programme will help start- conduct business in the economy “In many countries around the “All the best technologies from During the three-year period, ups grow and secure international of simple things. world, volunteering is considered across the world will be here. the initiative will train more than funding and will promote tech en- The Astana Hub team “We need to involve business- as a plus in getting a job or en- We need to incorporate practices 60,000 young people in the basics trepreneurship, reports Bnews.kz. provides full support people to train young people. I rolling in a university. Our young such as when a student works on of entrepreneurship and another The programme includes com- call on all heads of educational people are taking an active part in a concrete scientific project with 180,000 will be prepared through plex coaching for start-up project to start-up teams with institutions to organise pitch society,” he said. his or her professors and turns it a university or vocational educa- entrepreneurs and bringing them events. Young people will come Students should also use op- into production. They will defend tion institution. to the world’s largest tech events. a return flight and Upcoming events roadshow par- accommodation for ticipants will attend include Tech- crunch Disrupt in San Francisco one representative of (October 2 to 4), Gitex in Dubai each team. (October 6 to 9), Websummit in Lis- Foreign investments create 6,000 jobs since bon (November 4 to 7) and Slush in Helsinki (November 21 to 22). planning and preparing for meet- Requirements for start-ups seek- ings with potential investors and ing to take part in the programme foreign partners. As a part of the 2018, 4,000 more expected by year’s end are having a minimum viable prod- Astana Hub Programme, it or- with Kazakh Invest support, Region, three in the Karaganda transnational corporations with uct (MVP), having initial sales and ganises the participation of local By Dilshat Zhussupova such as the Zhambyl Region’s Region, three in the Turkestan projects worth $930 million, such investment attraction experience, start-ups in 10 leading technologi- 50-megawatt solar power plant, Region and three in the Almaty as German company Linde, Dutch having a ready strategy and being cal events around the world. Five NUR-SULTAN – Fifty-seven the Kyzylorda Region’s cement Region. company Farm Frites, Belgian ready to start working internation- technology events in five countries projects with foreign capital and plant with a production capac- This year, Kazakh Invest plans company Carmeuse Group, Chi- ally, and having at least one English – Singapore, Ukraine, Belarus, worth $5.1 billion will have cre- ity of one million tonnes per to support the commissioning of nese company China Triumph In- speaker among the project mem- Russia, China – have already been ated more than 10,000 jobs in Ka- year, the Turkestan Region’s dry 30 projects with foreign capital ternational Engineering, Emirati bers. Astana Hub project members visited by roadshow participants. zakhstan by the year’s end, said camel milk production plant with worth $2 billion. Forty percent of company Phoenix Global, Turkish have a priority at the selection Eleven start-up projects repre- Kazakh Invest Deputy Chairman a production capacity of 100 these projects centre on the new company Yıldırım Holding, Brit- stage, while non-members are en- sented the Astana Hub at iForum Rustam Issatayev at a press con- tonnes of milk per day, the Pav- sectors of the economy, such as ish company United Green and couraged to join the Astana Hub. in Kyiv, the Echelon Asia Sum- ference in the capital. lodar Region’s railway wheels renewable energy and informa- Singaporean company CG Corp The programme also intends to mit in Singapore, Startup Village Twenty-nine projects with for- production plant with a produc- tion technology. For example, Global. promote the Astana Hub itself in in Moscow, EMERGE in Minsk eign capital were commissioned tion capacity of 200,000 wheels $680 million will be invested in This year, Kazakh Invest aims to the international arena and to pop- and the Mobile World Congress in with Kazakh Invest support be- per year, the Karaganda Region’s power plants this year. Produc- assist in the creation of at least two ularise the information and com- Shanghai. Representatives of the tween January 2018 and July, cre- modernised machinery building tion capacity will be 400 mega- joint ventures with foreign inves- munication technology sector in Astana Hub signed a memoran- ating 6,000 jobs in the country, plant with a production capacity watts for solar power plants, 90 tors and attract at least eight trans- Kazakhstan, as well as to promote dum of understanding with lead- reports Invest.gov.kz. Another 28 of 8,500 tonnes per year and Nur- megawatts for wind power plants national corporations, targeting individual start-ups in foreign mar- ing foreign innovative companies projects will launch by the year’s Sultan’s transformers production and 25 megawatts for hydropow- Russian company ECO-Culture, kets and help Technopark start-up and representatives of the start-up end and create an additional 4,000 plant with a production capac- er plants. French company Servier, German teams attract international partners ecosystem. Start-ups may still reg- jobs in the country. ity of 100 transformers per year. In 2018, Kazakh Invest helped company Tonnies and American and foreign investments and make ister to take part in the programme In 2018, 27 projects worth Five projects were implemented create two joint ventures worth companies AGCO, Tyson Foods their way into foreign markets. through July 20. $3.1 billion were commissioned in Almaty, four in the Pavlodar $335 million and attracted eight and Valmont. UMAY Boost business education programme develops women entrepreneurs’ skills, vision “The training started in April business in the 21st century. This and ultimately expanding the busi- By Ainur Seidakhmetova and included sessions on strategic balance will make the training ness,” she said. Karybayeva in- planning, business modelling, fi- more engaging and deliver great troduced a range of changes in her NUR-SULTAN – The first round nancial analysis, marketing, sales, results,” Mustafina added. stores’ everyday processes, based of the UMAY Boost business edu- human resource management, per- “We want to scale our project, on the things she learned through cation project to increase the prac- sonal branding and information but it needs funding. We will wel- the UMAY Boost programme. In tical skills and knowledge of Ka- technology solutions for business. come any help and support for particular, managers are emphasis- zakhstan’s women entrepreneurs We also introduced coaching ses- our project. Female entrepreneur- ing service. has concluded. The Nur-Sultan sions into the programme to de- ship support is a great way for any “For example, we decided to course offered professional train- velop the participants’ soft skills, company to implement its social introduce a free interior design ing and life-coaching sessions which are crucial in business. At responsibility policy. Support- service at our stores. A designer with the goal of building specific the final stage of the project, the ing women entrepreneurs means draws a design project with an capabilities, but also transforming participants presented their strate- supporting families, children and eye to the materials we have in and widening the business vision gic development plan,” Makhab- gender balance in business,” the our store. The service saves our of participants, inspiring them to bat Sadvakassova, the project or- organisers said. customers time and money. We build partnerships and create op- ganiser, told The Astana Times. Maira Karybayeva, a project introduced elements of augmented portunities to scale their enter- “We plan to organise UMAY participant and CEO of the 12 reality using QR codes, so that prises. Chevron and Fortebank supported the project. Boost trainings on a regular ba- Months building materials retail our customers can easily visual- “The idea of this project sis, several times a year. The pro- chain, told The Astana Times the ise how wallpapers or ceramic tile stemmed from the UMAY Global that programme, such as coaching, THNK School of Creative Leader- gramme will be amended based project gave her a kind of support will look in their apartment… A Summit organised as part of the peer to peer help, et cetera, and ship showed me that like-minded on the project results and partici- she’d never encountered. personal shopper now accompa- Women Entrepreneurship Day adapted them to Kazakh business people are the best source of inspi- pants’ feedback. For the next in- “I have been running a chain nies customers in any sector of the movement in December. I am the reality. After participating in the ration and motivation,” she said. take, we plan to enrol both men of building material stores for store,” Karybayeva explained. ambassador of Women Entrepre- programme, I realised that per- “At our UMAY Boost pro- and women. We feel that the for- 10 years. I never felt any kind of The changes delivered financial neurship Day for Kazakhstan and sonal changes and transformations gramme, we created an atmos- mat of ‘He for She’ or ‘She for support similar to the support I results. The number of custom- CIS [Commonwealth of Inde- happen only when other people phere of trust and cooperation so He’ will be more efficient. We be- received at this programme. It is ers increased by 2,500. The chain pendent States] countries,” Merey help you to see your potential,” she that every participant could find lieve that men and women have hard to think strategically and see hadn’t seen a revenue increase in Mustafina, the project organiser, explained. the way to personal development.” different approaches to business the opportunities when you are 18 months – and saw a 13 percent told The Astana Times. “Kazakh society demands a The project was announced this because of their natural gender isolated from the business com- jump last month, after the changes “This project is a sustainable lot from women. We are wives, winter and received 50 applica- differences. Men will contribute munity. Things get clear when you had been implemented. continuation of the UMAY Global mothers, daughters, and we have tions. The programme had two to the group training by trying to are surrounded by people who are “We still have a lot to improve. Summit. Last year, I participated to combine our personal life func- main entry requirements: at least find a rationale for every strate- also in business and face the same Thanks to this programme, I am in the THNK School of Creative tions with the realisation of our three years experience running gic decision, whereas women will problems as you do. Communica- now not afraid of experiments and Leadership Programme in Am- potential in our professions and a business and a yearly turnover definitely help male participants tion and networking with other see points of growth for our busi- sterdam, which inspired me to do careers. It is always hard for a of 20 million tenge (US$52,500). with developing emotional intel- businesspeople facilitates the pro- ness. I believe that even greater something similar here in Kazakh- woman to harmonise all spheres Sixteen women entrepreneurs ligence, communication and em- cess of exchanging ideas, getting achievements are ahead of us,” she stan. We took some elements from of her life. My experience at the were selected to take part. pathy skills necessary for doing new insights, building partnerships said. A8 ASTANA FINANCE DAYS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2019 AIFC International Arbitration Centre opening ceremony, EdTech and FinTech summits mark second day of Astana Finance Days tors tried to answer the question of move forward in one’s education. By Nazira Kozhanova how the existing system can adapt Skillfolio company R&D director to these challenges. They argued Viktoriya Shimanskaya added the NUR-SULTAN – The second that better data analysis, educating importance of also learning soft day of the Astana Finance Days teachers and a top-down approach skills, as according to Skillfolio re- conference in the capital included could assist in reforming the cur- search, they are a greater predictor the opening ceremony of the Asta- rent system. of school children’s career success na International Finance Centre EdTech sector representatives than technical skills. (AIFC) International Arbitration offered alternative solutions to The FinTech summit was con- Centre (IAC) and EdTech and Fin- the job market supply problem. cerned with more lucrative sectors Tech summits. Coursera India customer suc- of the economy, as the discussions The IAC provides an independ- cess department head Bibin Shi- analysed the latest trends of the ent alternative to court litigation vas suggested online education is sector and the way they apply to and uses international standards to the best response to the emerging Central Asia. Particular attention settle AIFC civil and commercial need to acquire new skills. Mi- was given to emerging trends such disputes. The court is independent crosoft Education industry lead as blockchain, FinTech cyberse- from the Kazakh judicial system. Nurlan Zhanybek emphasised the curity and personal data privacy. “We clearly understand that the need for AI and acquiring better Lykke Corp. CEO Richard Olsen rule of law is the foundation for suc- data for further EdTech sector de- emphasised new trends do not nec- cessful economic growth. Because velopment. EdTech Fund founder essarily threaten the existing finan- of this, we pay special attention to Maksutbek Aitmaganbet spoke in cial sectors, as the interests of the the formation of a modern profes- favour of investing in the EdTech investors make those areas more sional and independent judiciary ently provided by universities an- By contrast, Accenture Manag- either declarative or blatant lies. sector, showing its rapid growth conservative and the new ones de- with an accessible justice system. swers the needs of the future labour ing Director Anton Mussin argued Generally, the current interest is in rate. Compared with FinTech sec- velop in a complementary way as By creating the AIFC court and the market. Depending on estimates, the current discourse overestimates decline,” he said. tors, EdTech is of marginal interest a response to the existing finances international arbitration centre us- from 15-50 percent of the current the dangers of automatisation, due Mussin agreed the existing aca- to investors, noted Mussin. crises. ing the principles of English law, we job market will be automated in to the limitations of Artificial In- demic system is inadequate even Technical skills acquisition and The summit also hosted the final complete the creation of the institu- the next 10 years, prompting the telligence (AI) that currently are for today’s job market. Speakers in better data access are only a part of the Visa Everywhere Initiative tional structure of the centre,” said need to adapt to change, said Fung unsolvable and prevent it from au- other parts of the forum broached of the response to existing chal- start-up competition, as well as a Kazakh President Kassym-Zhomart Group Chairperson Victor Fung tomatising the job market beyond necessary changes. lenges, said Kazakh start-up Ed- series of memorandums of coop- Tokayev at the court’s opening cer- during the Education in the Digi- jobs requiring very simple tasks. In the Building Better Schools gravity CEO and founder Aigerim eration in ecosystem development emony referring to AIFC. tal Age discussion. He suggested “We think currently we are in and Leading Forward Education Khafizova. She suggested learn- initiatives, using technologies such July 2 was also devoted to Ed- the current education system does the winter of the AI life cycle, as Transformation discussions, Ka- ing how to learn should be a cor- as digital and mobile payments Tech. The main topic of discussion not prepare students for the future only 30 percent of cases actually zakh specialists from the high nerstone of online education, and developing ecosystems for was whether the education pres- challenges. use some form of AI; the rest is school and higher education sec- as without it, it is impossible to students and FinTech start-ups.

concerning Consultation and Co- within the framework of Astana operation and the Exchange of In- Finance Days. Both sides intend to formation (IOSCO MMoU). participate in expanding business Islamic finance, AIFC law conferences Becoming a signatory to the networks, developing common MMoU confirms that the AIFC fi- business strategies and projects nancial regulatory framework com- aimed at growing the economy and plies with global standards for the promoting regional projects, as among Astana Finance Days events information on cross border finan- well as sharing knowledge through tively on each project around this Islamic finance as well as prospects to building an Islamic economy. cial activities in capital markets ex- various programs and events. By Nazira Kozhanova large global Silk Road project,” for the Islamic financial services An arbitration processes dem- change and the confidential infor- The AIFC Court and Interna- said Kazakh Deputy Prime Minis- industry in Kazakhstan. The first onstration took place July 4. The mation protection. The AFSA will tional Arbitration Centre (IAC) NUR-SULTAN – Astana Fi- ter Zhenis Kassymbek. day of the conference also includ- demonstration of arbitration and enhance its supervision of cross- signed Memorandums of Under- nance Days hosted the Financ- Also, Astana Finance Days ed presentations of the Roadmap mediation processes was conduct- border securities’ transactions to standing with the European Busi- ing the Economy through Capital hosted July 3 the AIFC Law Con- for Islamic Finance in Kazakhstan ed under the guidance of the Chair ensure market integrity and stabil- ness Association of Kazakhstan Market Instruments Forum, Asta- ference. The speakers discussed and the report of the Islamic In- of the IAC Barbara Domann, with ity and to facilitate enforcement of (EUROBAK). EUROBAK is a na International Financial Centre the latest changes in the law of the ternational Rating Agency (IIRA) the participation of members of the AIFC regulations and rules. strategic partner of the AIFC Court (AIFC) Law Conference, Islamic AIFC and explained the legal fea- on the main macroeconomic and IAC Board, arbitrators and media- Timothy Bennett, chairman of and IAC. Finance Conference and other tures of the AIFC. The practical social factors that characterise Ka- tors. the board of the Astana Interna- The signing ceremony was or- events July 3 and 4. Also, several aspects of the application of AIFC zakhstan’s economy and affect the Participants were shown how tional Exchange (AIX) signed ganised within a roundtable dur- memorandums were signed over law and the possibility of imple- country’s sovereign rating. to resolve a commercial dispute memorandums of understanding ing the Astana Finance Days. The the two days of meetings. menting initiatives in maritime and On July 4, a workshop of subsid- through a unique hybrid form of and cooperation between the Chi- roundtable was opened by Christo- On July 3, Astana Finance Days transport law within the framework iaries of the Islamic Development arbitration and mediation. Partici- na Construction Bank and CITIC pher Campbell-Holt, registrar and hosted the Financing the Economy of the development of the AIFC Bank (ITFC, ICD, ICIEC) was pants were also able to observe the Securities, the China Overseas chief executive of the AIFC Court through Capital Market Instruments were also discussed. Special atten- held where Islamic financial in- interactive debates and dialogue of Development Association, invest- and IAC. Forum. Speakers at the conference tion was paid to the AIFC Court struments aimed at developing the famous Kazakh lawyers and inter- ment bank CITIC Securities, law “Considering the importance discussed the Silk Road project, as based on the principles of law of private sector of the Organisation national practitioners. firm Deheng Law Offices and the of the AIFC Court and the Inter- Kazakhstan brands itself a transit England and Wales. The speakers of Islamic Cooperation member A series of memorandums was China Chengxin International Rat- national Arbitration Centre it is hub between China and Europe. stressed the importance of alterna- countries were discussed. There signed over two days. The Asta- ing Agency (CCXI). In addition, a great honour for the European “We have quite ambitious plans tive dispute resolution at the Inter- was also a “Halal Lifestyle: the na Financial Services Authority AIX has signed cooperation agree- Business Association of Kazakh- for the Silk Road project. We un- national Arbitration Centre. Experience of Tatarstan” session (AFSA), the regulatory body of ments with PwC Kazakhstan. stan to sign these Memorandums derstand that for Kazakhstan it is The AIFC Islamic Finance Con- by the Investment Development the Astana International Financial A memorandum of understand- of Understanding. We believe in not only a challenge, but also a ference took place during the July 3 Agency of Tatarstan that show- Centre (AIFC), has become a par- ing between the AIFC and the Bu- our continued cooperation in the great chance and prospect. The and 4 Astana Finance Days. Partici- cased the experience and challeng- ticipant to the IOSCO Multilateral san International Financial City future,” said EUROBAK Execu- government aims to work substan- pants discussed the development of es that Tatarstan faces on the path Memorandum of Understanding Promotion Centre was also signed tive Director Julie Kussidi. AIFC Bureau organises seminars for Kazakh companies preparing for IPOs have engaged in any performance and capacity and then going to norm in making investment deci- By Saltanat Boteu of investment agreement as a for- international markets,” said Rys- sions in general,” she added. eign investor, you have certain li- magambetov. Alexander Van de Putte, AIFC Ac- NUR-SULTAN – As part of the abilities. We felt like most of the Leading experts in key com- ademic Council chair and Governor’s 2019 Astana Finance Days, the companies in Central Asia and Ka- petence areas with international Council Chief Strategy Officer, mod- Astana International Financial zakhstan are not ready… to be in certifications in investment man- erated the workshop. He talked about Centre’s (AIFC) Bureau for Con- such environment,” he said. agement, risk management, ac- the importance of diversity in com- tinuing Professional Development In the last two years, BCPD has counting and auditing and per- pany structure, particularly in gender, (BCPD) organised Getting Trained created professional development sonnel management attended the age, ethnicity and most importantly for IPO (Initial Public Offering) programmes for accountants, finan- event. The speakers examined mindset that directly influence deci- seminars July 1 for Kazakh com- cial analysts, investment managers practical aspects such as corpo- sion making in the company. He also panies which are considering en- and risk managers and in human re- rate governance, legal support showed a timetable presenting the tering international capital markets sources, corporate governance and and building relations with in- method of implementing corporate and attracting foreign investments. English common law. The organi- vestors before, during and after governance in pre-IPO companies. The meetings involved approxi- sation is now planning to gather the IPO. In the first half of the training, mately 50 companies. the courses into a single training, Akshu Campbell-Holt, AIFC participants learned about the au- “Within the first half of this the first step of which is Getting Authority senior adviser, spoke dit and governance needs of small

year, we have been working very astanafinancedays.org. Photo credit: Trained for IPO. The next step is to about corporate management in the and medium businesses from Vi- closely with investment projects, L-R: Vikas Aggarwal and Yernur Rysmagambetov. select companies which will contin- Fourth Industrial Revolution. She kas Aggarwal, Chartered Certified enterprises and firms. We asked ue working with AIFC in Septem- noted “the key factors surviving it Accountants (ACCA) regional them what kind of needs they ber, further educating their staff and are environment, social and gov- head of Policy for Emerging Mar- have. They all need investments to To close the gap, the AIFC team foreign investors and, the grand expanding their capacity. ernance (ESG) investments” that kets; investor relations from AIFC expand their capacity… From the developed a series of workshops goal, to do an IPO,” he added. “What we are trying to do right outperformed “traditional invest- chief private banking officer Hein- other side, we were on board with for companies willing to venture To help companies reach their now is combine all these pro- ments” in the last several years. er Hartwich; human resources, a few large institutional investors into the international market, at- goals, AIFC promotes the idea grammes into one single large “Companies that have integrated particularly long term motivation to the AIFC… It’s good – we have tract foreign investments and of educating their staffs to meet programme which we call Getting robust ESG practices have dis- strategies of top managers during investors who want to invest and launch an IPO. international standards and prop- Trained for IPO… and work with played lower cost of capital, lower IPO preparation, from Korn Ferry projects that need them. But in this “We decided to take a proactive erly and professionally execute all the companies which are seriously volatility and even fewer instances senior consultant Irina Cherno- half year, we realised that there approach and initiate a series of stages of IPO preparation. willing to attract foreign inves- of bribery, fraud and corruption. zubova, and IPO regulations, par- is a gap in projects’ investability workshops and trainings to edu- “Doing an IPO is hard, but ac- tors, want to teach their staff first These are what we’d like to see as ticularly preparing a prospectus for – what the projects are and what cate these projects’ holders and tually being a public company is and upgrade their company… If stakeholders of a company,” she investors to familiarise themselves investors want,” AIFC Deputy companies on what kind of things even harder, because you need to you are thinking about going in- said. with companies where they want Board Chair Yernur Rysmagambe- they need to have to make their react faster and have an interna- ternational, we are promoting the “I believe that sustainability is a to invest, from Semion Issyk, a tov told The Astana Times. companies investable, to attract tionally certified staff. Once you idea of investing in your own staff strong contender to become a new lawyer with Zan Hub. B Nation&Capital

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2019

PEOPLE CULTURE SPORTS Jusan operation sets example Astana Opera to present “Abai” Swimmers take gold, silver at for other countries, says UN and “Madama Butterfly” in Dolfin Fran Crippen SMOC Children’s Rights Committee Chair B2 Tashkent B3 B7 World of Nomads festival presents ancient KazakhExport to strengthen traditions, martial arts competitions Kazakh-Chinese business relations through new office in Xiyang County tion and consulting services and By Dilshat Zhussupova reaching out to potential Chinese firms interested in Kazakh prod- NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s ucts. export insurance company will “The representative office of establish and strengthen business KazakhExport will help exporters relations among Kazakh and Chi- orient themselves in the Chinese nese firms through its new repre- market – identifying firms interest- sentative office in China, reports ed in importing Kazakh products Inform.kz. and providing support in organis- “As part of the development pro- ing financing for import. Moreo- gramme for Kazakh companies, ver, through the efforts of the we planned to open two offices in KazakhExport representative of- China,” said KazakhExport Board fice, (Chinese) firms that are often Chairman Ruslan Iskakov at the closed off when they are addressed recent signing of KazakhExport’s independently will be more open,” memorandum with the Rural Sup- said Iskakov. ply Cooperation of China’s Shanxi KazakhExport’s representative province. offices may also be found in Tajik- “We see great potential in coop- istan, Tatarstan and Uzbekistan. By eration between Kazakhstan and year’s end, a network of represent- China. The very first meetings that ative offices will be set up in Cen- we had yesterday and today show tral Asian countries and Russia. us what opportunities have opened According to the Kazakh Minis- up among our countries, which are try of National Economy, January- much greater than previously. I December trade turnover between very much hope that our office in Kazakhstan and China was $11.7 Xiyang County will become a cen- billion. In his May meeting with tre for the development of bilateral Chinese Vice Premier and Polit- the techniques of equestrian bat- searcher Zsolt Andras Biro, who ria, Estonia, France, Kazakhstan, trade.” buro Standing Committee Mem- By Zhanna Shayakhmetova tle. Costumed performances of heads the Magyar Turan Founda- Latvia, Lithuania, Mozambique, KazakhExport’s mission is to ber Han Zheng, Kazakh Prime the Huns, Kangju, Massagetae, tion, serves as the main consultant Russian, South Korea, Spain, boost growth in the export of non- Minister Askar Mamin noted the NUR-SULTAN – The fourth Saka, Scythians, Sarmatians, Ti- of the project. Ukraine and Zimbabwe performed organic goods and services in the need to boost the export potential Koshpendiler Alemi (World of No- grahauda and Wusun epochs was Overall, this year 108 events at The Spirit of Eurasia 2019 open- priority sectors of Kazakhstan’s of Kazakh products and strength- mads) festival took place June 28- also presented. An ethnic music were held and more than 80 of air concert July 5 and 6. The col- economy. Its representative office en bilateral cooperation on transit 30 at the Ethnoaul national cultural concert was also included in the these were free of charge as part ourful performance featured live in Xiyang County will support Ka- corridors, energy, industry and the complex in the capital. programme. of the celebration of the Day of the performances and interactive films zakh firms by providing informa- agro-industrial complex. The festival included competi- Each kokpar team consisted of Capital. This year, the cultural pro- about the countries participating in tions of professional archers, kok- 22 participants from Azerbaijan, gramme was socially orientated. the project. par (the ancient nomadic game) Bulgaria, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Mon- The concert organisers said that The tenth Astana Samaly inter- players, eagle hunters, warrior bat- golia, South Korea, Turkey and the proceeds from the sale of tick- national festival of brass orches- tles to create the atmosphere of life Uzbekistan. ets will be given to the fund that tras gathered the best local and of ancient nomads. Master classes on traditional no- helps the residents affected by ex- foreign brass groups July 4-6. Putintseva defeats Osaka “The main purpose of the event madic art including felting, leather plosions in Arys. A concert dedicated to the cel- is to promote the cultural and working, working with silver, pot- The events kicked off with the ebration of the National Day of historical heritage of nomads, tery wheel was also held during annual ceremony of raising the na- Dombra was held July 7 on the to revive national traditions and the festival. tional flag. square near the Kazakh Eli monu- for third time, crashes out of ideology of martial arts and to The concept of the festival is Famous Kazakh singer Dimash ment. expand the cultural exchanges based on the model of Kurultai a Kudaibergen presented a concert The International Street Dance between countries,” according to celebration of ancient traditions, June 29. Moscow Sovremennik Session attracted approximately the city administration spokes- which serves as a revival of an- Theatre staged the plays “Woe 1,000 participants July 5-6. This Wimbledon second round person. cient Hungarian and other nomad- from Wit” by Griboedov and “The year the competition was held in “I was trying to concentrate on The equestrian performances ic cultures. Hungary has hosted Cherry Orchard” by Chekhov July 32 categories. The event includes By Dilshat Zhussupova each and every point, especially of batyrs (warriors) demonstrated the Kurultai annually since 2008. 3-7. team and one-on-one dance bat- when I was returning,” said Putint- the elements of trick riding and Hungarian anthropologist and re- Thirteen music bands from Alge- tles. NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s seva in her post-match press con- Yulia Putintseva, ranked 39th ference, reported Wtatennis.com. by the World Tennis Association “It was a very tough match, espe- (WTA), defeated world number cially mentally, because she (Osa- two player and U.S. and Australian ka) is always pressing, pressing, Open champion Naomi Osaka of pressing. You have to stay cool.” Japan, 7-6, 6-2, in the first round at Putintseva, 24, previously de- KazAvtoProm increases car sales, number Wimbledon. She advanced to the feated 21-year-old Osaka at the second round, where she lost 6-4, 2018 Hobart International and 7-6 July 3 to Viktorija Golubic of 2019 Birmingham Classic. of domestically-assembled cars hikes Switzerland (WTA rank 81). Continued on Page B7 commercial vehicles in the increased from 47.1 in 2018 to cent. LADA continues as the Staff Report country from January-May, a 55.6 percent this year, reported leader in new passenger car 19.9-percent increase year-on- ranking.kz. sales. The company has sold NUR-SULTAN – KazAvto- year. The number of imported cars 6,013 vehicles since the begin- Prom, the Kazakh Union of More than half of the cars, or increased only 0.6 percent to ning of the year, a 28.1-percent THINGS TO WATCH & Automotive Enterprises, sold 13,745 vehicles, were assem- 10,971, a yearly decline in share increase. 24,700 new passenger and light bled domestically. The share from 52.9 percent to 44.4 per- Toyota sales rose 30.1 per- PLACES TO GO cent with 5,413 cars, followed by Hyundai with 4,647 cars, a 76.2-percent hike. The top three PALACE OF INDEPENDENCE brands account for 65 percent June 2 - Aug.10 First contact, exhibition of all sold cars in the last five months. LADA is also the leader for new cars assembled in the coun- PALACE OF PEACE try. The company sold 5,925 AND RECONCILIATION domestically-produced vehicles, June 25 – Aug.10 Remembering, Dialogues a 30.6-percent increase year-on- year. LADA Granta (2,119) and of Memories, exhibition 4×4 (1,358) were the most popu- lar made in Kazakhstan models. Its Vesta (1,225), Largus (889) TSE ART DESTINATION and XRAY (331) also made the top ten list. July 4 – Aug.8 Racing the Galaxy, exhibition Hyundai supplied 4,598 do- mestically-produced cars to the ASTANA OPERA market, an 87.4-percent increase year-on-year. Kazakh plants July 12 at 7 p.m. Kazakh music evening, concert mostly produce the Hyundai Tuc- July 17 at 6 p.m. Scarlet Sails, musical son (1,616), although the top ten July 17 at 7 p.m. Kyz Zhibek, opera also includes its Accent (1,072), Creta (776) and Elantra (765). KIA sold 1,560 domestically- assembled cars, an annual growth ASTANA TRIATHLON PARK of 54.9 percent. July 13 at 10 a.m. Yarko Kross, marathon Nine out of ten domestically- produced models sold were either July 14 at 7 a.m. Ironman 70.3 Astana LADA and Hyundai. B2 NATION&CAPITAL PEOPLE

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2019 Jusan operation sets example for other countries, says UN Children’s Rights Committee Chair Continued from Page A1 have informed consent to any- to convince legislators to re- important now is to say that the thing. There are several types of ally change either the new code, child with penal responsibility (in “It is again quite something, programmes and there is no pro- which will be the best solution, Kazakhstan, the age is 14) is an because a lot of member states of gramme to cover all. That is im- or to put in at least a few articles issue for the penal justice and ju- the United Nations do not do that. possible,” said Winter. concerning new things and devel- venile code, but a child under that They are ready to take children, Young prisoners, aged 16-18, opments like diversion and alter- age is criminally not responsible most of all children from one to present multiple risks, as they can natives in old law. We are ready and therefore belongs to the fam- six, but not all of them, because recruit while incarcerated. Pe- and can train the judges in this ily code. But a family code can they think they are all terrorists nal Reform International (PRI), regard,” she said. never, ever send such a child to a already, and certainly not the par- which assists counties, including She noted the importance to closed institution,” she said. ents or very rarely the mothers. Kazakhstan, in criminal justice prevent mixing the penal code The government must prevent This is the usual situation and it and penal reforms, is currently and family code. police from sending young chil- was so different with Kazakh- in negotiations with the Kazakh “The family code is a civil dren to a closed institution, as the stan,” said Winter. government to provide experts decision is only within the pur- She noted the country’s exam- who would organise training for Young prisoners, view of judges. ple will be brought to the atten- local officials. “As soon as you speak about a tion of other nations. “You cannot train somebody aged 16-18, present closed institution, it is depriva- “Believe me, in my visits to who would not like to be trained tion of liberty whatever name the other countries and in Geneva, and you cannot give information multiple risks, as closed institution has and depri- when we speak about the issue, I to somebody who says ‘I know it they can recruit while vation of liberty is an attack on am going to cite the example of all.’ If it is not a case and officials the political rights of the person. Kazakhstan. It is a really good would like to have some kind of incarcerated. Penal This can only be done by a judge; information and assistance, I am example. The committee on the not by the police, not by the ad- very sure PRI is ready to help, as Reform International rights of the child collects good ministration and not by the par- United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child Chair Renate Winter. is UNICEF (United Nations Chil- initiatives, good examples and (PRI), which assists ents,” said Winter. reoffend again, because if they severe physical and psychologi- dren’s Fund). A combination of bad examples and when we have She also noted the importance a good example, we always men- are not accepted, then they do the cal scars. The government, spe- both is very good, because they counties, including of creating a foster family institu- tion a country,” she said. same thing once again. Because cialised psychologists and social come from different angles,” said most of the time they do it first of workers need to ensure assis- Winter. Kazakhstan, in tion. all because they are not accept- tance, support and appropriate She praised Kazakhstan’s ju- criminal justice “In a country where fami- To ensure smooth ed, because they do not have the care that varies depending on the venile code. Nineteen specialised lies love children, it should be means to live, because they are child’s age. courts, initiated by the govern- and penal reforms, not that difficult to find a fam- integration, work ily where you can put a difficult discriminated against. All these “A programme for children age ment in 2007, work specifically is currently in must be done to kinds of issues are reasons, but three to adapt to a new environ- with children. child who is grateful not to be the children, especially children ment is completely different from “It is one of the countries in negotiations with the in the institution. In the institu- communicate with born there, they have no fault; a programme that has to deal with the region and I think the only tion, you always have the same Kazakh government problem. The stronger, the worst local communities they have not committed any- a six to ten-year-old child who one that has a real juvenile code thing, they did not ask to be born, has already seen the decapita- with specialised juvenile judges. to provide experts of the children, so to say, is the nationwide to prevent but nevertheless, they are now in tions, cruelties, lost one parent, The specialisation is not that ad- boss and this is the problem for very difficult situations,” she said. experienced bombs and so on. vanced, but it is there already and who would organise all the other children. There are discrimination. Winter commended Kazakh- These children are completely judges are doing whatever they quite a lot of children in the in- stan’s commitment to the United different, because they are all can with the not-so-good law that training for local stitution who have not done any- To ensure smooth integration, Nations Convention on the Rights traumatised,” she said. they have had until now,” she officials. thing wrong; nothing, no crime, work must be done to communi- of the Child which the country Whether the action was forced said. not even a small one, only unruly cate with local communities na- ratified in 1994, as the nation did or of their free will is also very Winter recommended incorpo- behaviour. If the teacher is not tionwide to prevent discrimina- not revoke citizenship from chil- hard to determine. rating diversion programmes and matter code that has to deal with happy with me, it is not a reason tion. dren, which, she noted, is against “You never know if it was free mediation into the country’s juve- family issues, divorce, custody to send me to an institution, but “If they do, then we have a big any humanitarian law. will. What is free will for a child nile penal law. rights, heritage and adoption, but this is happening and it should problem and a big risk that they Children have to cope with in this regard? The child does not “On top of it, PRI is working not with penal matters. What is not happen,” she added. B3 NATION&CAPITAL CULTURE

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2019 Astana Opera to present “Abai” and “Madama Butterfly” in Tashkent nese houses) made of wood and By Zhanna Shayakhmetova bamboo and decorated with sakura (cherry blossoms) and drawings. NUR-SULTAN – The Astana The Astana Opera Ballet Com- Opera will stage Latyf Khamidi pany is currently in Italy, where it and Akhmet Zhubanov’s opera presented “Spartacus” July 1-2 at “Abai” July 10 and Giacomo Puc- the Rome Opera House. Principal cini’s opera “Madama Butterfly” soloist Bakhtiyar Adamzhan per- July 13 in Tashkent. The compa- formed the title role and Aigerim ny’s first tour to Uzbekistan is be- Beketayeva played Phrygia. ing organised as part of the Year of “First of all, Spartacus is a man Kazakhstan in Uzbekistan. with his strengths and weaknesses.  Saltanat Akhmetova, Sundet I try to show his character in dif- Baigozhin, Meir Bainesh, Talgat ferent periods of his life – in love, Galeyev, Beimbet Tanarykov, Yer- in battles, in moments of despair… zhan Saipov and Tatyana Vitsinskaya I hope that this makes my part dif- will perform the main parts. Opera ferent from other soloists, because music director Alan Buribayev will they show him only as a warrior conduct the symphony orchestra. and his character is interpreted “Next year will mark the 175th one-dimensionally throughout the anniversary of great Kazakh poet, entire ballet,” said Adamzhan after composer and philosopher Abai. the performance. Thanks to the maestro, ‘Abai’ Ballet company Artistic Direc- opera was performed for the first tor Altynai Asylmuratova said the time at the Meininger Staatstheater troupe did a good job and the per- in South Thuringia. The Astana formance was an exciting and im- Opera House also presented the portant moment for them. national classical masterpiece in “If we managed to impress the Italy. The members of the creative Italian audience, it means that our team received the State Prize of work was not in vain. Performing Kazakhstan for this production in in Rome, the capital of Italy, on 2018. The opera is one of the ma- this stage, is certainly not easy, be- jor works in the culture and art of cause it is difficult to surprise such Kazakhstan,” according to the op- viewers. I did not expect a reaction era house release. like this; there was a great reso- Stage director Lorenzo Amato nance about our company, about and set designer Ezio Frigerio A scene from “Madama Butterfly” opera. the Astana Opera,” she said. will present “Madama Butterfly.” The theatre is scheduled to pre- Zhannat Baktai will play the ti- will perform the part of American The opera tells a story of Cio- known for her beauty and grace, The scenery includes an 18-metre sent the gala ballet programme tle role and Medet Chotabayev Navy Lieutenant B. F. Pinkerton. Cio-san (Butterfly), a young geisha who falls in love with Pinkerton. pool and minkas (traditional Japa- July 5 in Kaunas, Lithuania. International Yoga Day celebrated Kazakhstan, UNESCO has also been announced, which The Centre for Indian Classical ONGC Videsh Limited and Tengri By Ainur Seidakhmetova includes two categories for inter- Dances held yoga workshops eve- Bank sponsored the celebrations, national practitioners and promot- ry day from June 24 to 28 at the and Turan mineral water and Yoga NUR-SULTAN – The fifth Inter- ers of yoga, namely individual and Ak Danat Resort in the Zerenda Family, Astana supported activi- to establish ‘International national Day of Yoga was marked organisation. For 2019, the indi- resort zone. International Yoga ties. across Kazakhstan from June 15 vidual category award has been Day Celebrations finished in Nur- The events are intended to pro- to 23 with events organised by the given to Ms. Antonietta Rozzi of Sultan June 22 with a grand finale mote yoga and disseminate in- embassy of India and the Swami formation about the benefits of a Centre for Rapprochement Vivekananda Cultural Centre. All regular yoga practice, particularly events were free and open to the The Centre for Indian Classical Dances held for city residents susceptible to public. yoga workshops every day from June 24 to 28 stress and lifestyle-related illness- of Cultures’ The celebrations started with an es. Demanding schedules can lead inaugural ceremony held at Yoga at the Ak Danat Resort in the Zerenda resort to substance abuse, alcoholism, Park in Nur-Sultan June 15. Cel- diabetes and other evils, practi- ebratory events continued in the zone. International Yoga Day Celebrations tioners say. Yoga offers a solution cities of Almaty, Arkalyk, Atyrau, finished in Nur-Sultan June 22 with a grand for these problems by combin- Karaganda, Kostanai, Taraz and ing physical, mental and spiritual Temirtau. finale organised in the forecourt of the National pursuits to achieve harmony of a In his welcome speech in Nur- body and mind. Yoga’s emphasis Sultan, Ambassador of India to Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan. on unity and harmony should also Kazakhstan Prabhat Kumar de- resonate as nations of the world clared “Yoga for Peace, Harmony Italy, and under the organisation organised in the forecourt of the tackle global challenges, its pro- and Progress” to be the motto for category, Japan Yoga Niketan has National Museum of the Republic moters note. the celebrations. received this award. I would be of Kazakhstan. International Day of Yoga has “You would be interested to very happy to see yoga practition- The events in Nur-Sultan were been celebrated every year since know that this year the Indian ers – individuals and organisations organised with the support of the 2015 after 177 UN member states Prime Minister’s Award for Out- – of Kazakhstan receiving this Nur-Sultan akimat and the akimat co-sponsored a resolution declar- standing Contribution for the Pro- prestigious award as well,” said of Saryarka District, with the Na- ing June 21 the day of its recogni- motion and Development of Yoga Kumar. tional Museum as a venue partner. tion. L-R: Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Gulshara Abdykalikova and General Director Audrey Azoulay at UNESCO centre. protection of historical and cul- By Nazira Kozhanova tural monuments. The deputy prime minister also NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan asked UNESCO to support a cel- and the United Nations signed an ebration marking the 175th anni- agreement June 25 in Paris to es- versary of Kazakh poet and thinker tablish an international centre for Abai Kunanbayuly at the organisa- the rapprochement of cultures in tion’s headquarters next year. Almaty under UNESCO, reports Kazakhstan has been a mem- primeminister.kz. ber of UNESCO since May 22, The centre will promote cultur- 1992. The National Commission al studies and research in related of Kazakhstan for UNESCO and fields, prepare publications and Islamic Educational, Scientific and organise educational activities on Cultural Organisation (ISESCO) the history and practice of inter- coordinates the work with the or- cultural interaction in Central Asia ganisation. and other regions. Currently, Kazakhstan has five UNESCO General Director UNESCO World Heritage sites, Audrey Azoulay, who signed the with three cultural and two na- agreement along with Kazakh ture sites. The cultural sites are Deputy Prime Minister Gulshara the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Abdykalikova, thanked Kazakh- Yasawi (inscribed in 2003, con- stan for contributing to UNESC- sidered to be the best-preserved CO’s work and said the centre will Timurid Empire construction), facilitate intercultural dialogue on Petroglyphs within the Archaeo- a global and regional scale. logical Landscape of Tamgaly Abdykalikova briefed Azou- (2004, the site features 500 petro- lay on the development of glyphs or rock carvings, which sci- Turkestan city and other UN- entists date back to the latter half ESCO-related projects and re- of the second millennium BC) and affirmed Kazakhstan’s com- Silk Roads: the Routes Network mitment to UNESCO’s work. of Chang’an-Tianshan Corridor Abdykalikova said Kazakhstan (2014, includes 33 ancient and his- takes into account the World torical sites). The natural sites are Heritage Site status of the Mau- Saryaka (2008, steppe and lakes soleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi of Northern Kazakhstan) and the and treats it in accordance with Western Tien-Shan (2016, moun- international standards for the tain range system). B4 NATION&CAPITAL COUNTRY

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2019 Atyrau radio station Kindergarten shares innovative ideas for unveils a studio, effective learning with regional teachers and visual perception, teachers pre- By Zhanna Shayakhmetova sent materials with the help of inter- active equipment such as boards with larger transmitter NUR-SULTAN – The experi- different content, floors and sand- enced and qualified teachers at Kar- boxes, a virtual museum and touch lygash kindergarten under the Presi- panels. dential Affairs Department medical The STEAM technology helps to centre use best practices by sharing develop mathematical skills and the knowledge with preschool teachers fundamentals of robotics and crea- from the regions. tive activity. They demonstrated that exchange The kindergarten organised the of ideas in mid-June when more Green-studio laboratory, where the than 100 teachers participated in a water system, hydroponics and ver- seminar in the capital dedicated to tical flowerbeds demonstrate intelli- developing preschool education in gent farming. A creative and experi- the context of modern requirements. mental atelier is also available. The event gathered leading experts, “We plan to organise an inter- scholars and practitioners in the national forum in Sept. 19-20 and field to discuss innovative educa- to invite professionals and experts

Photo credit: inform.kz. Photo credit: tional methods. from other countries to share the “Our teachers have studied the knowledge and advanced methods in the scene of events taking place best international practices and teaching. There are more questions By Yerbolat Uatkhanov in the country. The population is adapted them to the local education than answers today in the field of timely informed about all politi- system over the last 10 years. Now, preschool education. The lack of spe- NUR-SULTAN – The Atyrau cal and economic news,” Akim they are ready to share the knowl- cialists is also a challenge,” she said. radio station opened a new studio (Governor) of the Atyrau Region edge and lessons learned with pre- The kindergarten pays special at- and launched new radio transmit- Nurlan Nogayev said. school teachers nationwide,” said tention to diet and healthy lifestyle, ter June 25, devoting the event to Atyrau radio broadcasts at 102.0 Presidential Affairs Department said medical support department the Day of Communications and FM and is the Atyrau regional medical centre head Alexey Tsoy in head and paediatrician Saida Khal- Information Workers. The radio branch of the Kazakhstan radio his opening remarks. The medical work and practical works help our Reggio Emilia philosophy in the mukhamedova. station also recently unveiled a and TV company. The first issue centre is the parent company for the teachers and staff. We are also proud learning process. Children should “We make a special menu for the new logo. of television and radio broadcasts kindergarten. to have a wide range of additional have many ways to express them- season. The menu is reviewed and “Atyrau TV channel is one of was devoted to destructive explo- Three kindergartens with a design services,” said Karlygash kindergar- selves through drama, music, paint- analysed by a dietician. We also want the fundamental and large in- sions in in the Turkestan Region, capacity of 750 seats are located on ten director Gulnara Iskakova. ing, singing, dancing, designing and to introduce a varied menu. Next stitutions of the region. More in the city of Arys, and to the as- the left bank of the city. They are open Innovative methodologist Assel discussion activities. This requires year, we will make a menu taking than 80 years ago, it began to sistance that the Atyrau people for children of civil service workers. Sadvakasova noted the 4Cs – creativ- a creative environment and space into account the individual character- go on air. Today, the Atyrau TV have provided to victims. A unique “First director Gulnara Abdullina ity, critical thinking, communication such as centres of activity, creativity istics of children and the allergic dis- and radio channel meets all the feature of the broadcasting format is the ideological founder of our kin- and collaboration in schools – are the and design,” she said. eases. We carry out daily corrections requirements of the time, it is is that for the first time in Atyrau, dergarten. She introduced new tech- main components in education. The innovative methods include in the menu. In the future, we want equipped with up-to-date equip- the radio broadcast was connected niques and contributed to the devel- “Our kindergarten has 10 years of the language immersion used in bi- to use the elements of molecular cui- ment, pleases its viewers and lis- to the TV air. Thus, residents were opment of preschool education. Our experience. We have smart rooms lingual language education, which in sine. We use some elements of stone able not only listen to them on the regulatory documents developed on and interactive sandboxes for mo- Estonia starts in kindergarten. therapy and water therapy by Sebas- radio, but also to watch the broad- the basis of the regulatory frame- tor development. We also use the To develop communication skills tian Kneipp’s method,” she said. “Atyrau TV channel casts using their TVs, Kazinform is one of the reports. “Today, here is a presentation of fundamental and large the new extension of the building, institutions of the a new radio studio has opened in a new format. I wish you success GPS tracking technology to prevent cattle loss region. More than 80 and good luck!” Nogayev said. “The lack of Internet connec- eral kilometres from their morning paring and providing all the nec- The radio station’s old trans- By Dilshat Zhussupova tivity in this area creates a special location. essary permits to implement the years ago, it began to mitter was only 250 kilowatts in need for our product in view of “Cattle breeding is a very la- project. go on air. Today, the power and it covered only three NUR-SULTAN – Cattle in the annual cattle losses in the high- bour-intensive activity,” he said. “We attracted these investors kilometres area. The new radio Almaty Region are being tracked land pastures,” said Lives’Talk “In the mountains, it is not easy through our efforts with the Ka- Atyrau TV and radio transmitter, which is 1,000 kilo- by Global Positioning System CEO Yury Yon. “On average, up to keep track of cattle. On top of zakh Embassy in South Korea,” watts, expanded the range to 60 (GPS) as part of a $700,000 pilot to 10 percent of cattle is lost an- this, cases of cattle raiding have said Kazakh Invest Almaty Region channel meets all the kilometres. High-rise buildings are project developed by South Ko- nually. Our tracking system is the become more frequent. It is great Office Director Zangar Salim- requirements of the obstacles for radio waves. Given rean companies Lives’Talk and only one in Kazakhstan that can that we are given the opportunity bayev. “We targeted investors en- this, the new radio transmitter was Samsung Electronics and support- operate without an Internet con- to test this system for free. Even if gaged in high-tech development time, it is equipped installed on a 180-metre TV tower ed by Kazakh Invest. nection.” we have to pay, it is better to spend projects that we do not yet have in with up-to-date located outside the city. A GPS device costs less than Kumtoken Farm Chairperson money from the sale of two hors- our country.” A new extension building for $300 and consists of three transmit- Kanat Moldasanov has approxi- es on the devices rather than lose The pilot project will conclude equipment...” the radio station was also opened. ters and waterproof collars and a re- mately 400 horses and cows and more cattle. These devices will in September and data from the A three-story building of 1,000 ceiver for mobile phone monitoring, more than 2,000 sheep on his farm. also be of tremendous help to po- GPS devices will be collected and square metres has the offices of ad- reported Invest.gov.kz. Fifteen an- He struggles with keeping track lice officers, because cattle raiders analysed to improve the product. teners with a variety of informa- ministrative and management per- tennas were installed in the region of cattle manually, because when are becoming more and more agile Lives’Talk plans to produce the tive and fascinating programmes. sonnel, engineers, editorial staff to operate 30 devices donated to grazing, by the end of the day the every year.” devices in the region if project is Broadcasting is conducted from and correspondents. farmers as part of the project launch. animals may have wandered sev- Kazakh Invest assisted in pre- deemed a success. Kazakh authorities work to resolve conflict at Tengiz oilfield In response to the incident, CCEP very important to Kazakhstan and “There is a need to control the By Aidana Yergaliyeva General Director Hisham Kawash investigation is going on… We issue of paying equal wages to for- visited Atyrau, made a public apol- hope that our employees will go eign and local workers. You cannot NUR-SULTAN – More than ogy on the behalf of the company and resume their duties as soon as pay different salaries for the same 40 people received minor injuries and posted a video on social media possible… The Kazakh govern- job,” Kazakh President Kassym- after a conflict, 11 a.m., June 29, platforms. ment cooperates with us in this Jomart Tokayev said during his among Consolidated Contracting “I want to apologise to all whom matter and provides us with all the June 4 meeting with Atyrau Region Engineering & Procurement S.A.L Eli Daoud has offended. On behalf necessary support from the very citizens. Offshore (CCEP) workers at the of CCC (Consolidated Contrac- beginning,” said Abdul Ghani. Mutual understanding is one of Tengiz oil and gas field in the Zhy- tors Company) management and “We are not here, as I heard some TCO’s values and the company ex- lyoi district of the Atyrau Region. CCC staff, I want to say that it was rumors, to ask our citizens to leave pects its employees and those from The Kazakh government and law a totally inappropriate incident Kazakhstan…Lebanon and Ka- contracting agencies to respect di- enforcement agencies promptly which does not comply with CCC zakhstan are friends. If (there is) versity and prevent discrimination. reached the site to ensure the safety policy, values and principles. Im- any issue (between our countries), TCO, established by Kazakhstan of all employees. mediately after I learned about this we can discuss it in friendly and and Chevron in 1993, is a Kazakh Atyrau Region Akim (Governor) incident, Eli was dismissed and open manner as it happened with company engaged in the produc- Nurlan Nogayev visited the field (his contract was) terminated. We the akim,” said El Khoury. tion and sale of crude oil, liquid the following day to meet with bnews.kz. Photo credit: will make a full internal investiga- “We would not want this prob- and dry gas and sulphur. Chevron Tengizchevroil (TCO) manage- Atyrau Region Akim (Governor) Nurlan Nogayev (C) at the June 30 meeting tion of this event. We will take all lem to spoil the historical relations Corporation is a 50-percent part- ment and CCEP workers, reported with the CCEP workers. necessary actions as required. Put- between Palestine and Kazakhstan. ner, with smaller portions owned the regional akimat’s (administra- ting my hand on my heart, I want Our leadership and the Palestinian by KazMunayGas (20 percent), tion) press service. an interdepartmental commission Chair – TCO Partnership Coun- to say that CCC treats our Kazakh people highly appreciate the prin- ExxonMobil Kazakhstan Ventures “This problem arose due to dif- headed by Atyrau Region First cil Chair Zhakyp Marabayev met brothers with deep respect. I want cipled positions of Kazakhstan, led (25 percent) and LukArco (5 per- ferent working conditions; it is a Deputy Akim Serik Shapkenov to with TCO management June 30 to apologise again for what hap- by First President Nursultan Naz- cent). systemic issue that needs to be ad- investigate the incident, prompted to discuss the situation and review pened,” he said. arbayev, as it supports all the reso- TCO is operating simultane- dressed both by TCO management by a perceived indecency in a so- TCO’s action plan. Nogayev met July 1 with the am- lutions of the Security Council, the ously on combined projects with and all contractors. For our part, we cial media post by a foreign worker “We are grateful to the local ex- bassadors of Jordan Yousuf Abdul General Assembly, the United Na- FGP and Wellhead Pressure Man- are ready to provide maximum sup- with a Kazakh female, and resolve ecutive and law enforcement agen- Ghani, Lebanon Giscard El Khoury tions concerning the Arab-Israeli agement Project (WPMP). FGP port. Investors need to understand issues of labour organisation at the cies for their assistance in quickly and Palestine Montaser Abu Zeid, conflict,” Abu Zeid said. and WPMP will be increasing oil that while working in our country, field. TCO is a member of the com- resolving the conflict. For our part, the akimat press service reported. The Atyrau Region Police De- production at the Tengiz field by they need to comply with the law mission. we assure you that we will carry The ambassadors expressed their partment launched a pre-trial in- approximately 12 million tonnes and moral and ethical standards CCEP workers can also include out our work in relation to CСЕР, readiness to provide all possible vestigation. The conflict has been per year (260,000 barrels per day), that do not offend anyone’s dignity. their representatives on the com- as well as other contracting organi- assistance to prevent such incidents settled and the situation is stable. resulting in an annual output of In the near future, we will hold a mission, said Nogayev in a meet- sations,” said TCO Director Gen- from recurring in the future. TCO is continuing to operate on approximately 39 million tonnes meeting with all the project partici- ing with the employees. eral Imer Bonner. “We know that the incident that a regular basis. Work on the Future (850,000 barrels per day). FGP is pants, where all the first leaders of Atyrau Region Akim (Governor) The employees’ indignation was has been at the Tengiz field is iso- Growth Project (FGP) construction aiming towards increasing produc- the companies will be present. We Nurlan Nogayev at the June 30 ignited by a WhatsApp profile lated, it does not reflect Kazakh site was temporarily suspended tion capacities and WPMP will will solve these issues. One of the meeting with the Tengizchevroil photo of a foreign worker, accord- people who are welcoming and and TCO will soon resume produc- provide full-fledged operation of main ones is that working condi- (TCO) management. Photo credit: ing to the press release. The picture hospitable. We enjoy very strong tion. Other work on FGP construc- existing Tengiz oilfields by reduc- tions should be equal for all,” said bnews.kz.First Vice Minister of shows him with a walkie-talkie relations between Jordan and Ka- tion sites was restored and all other ing the pressure on the wells and Nogayev. Energy Makhambet Dosmukham- antenna directed toward a Kazakh zakhstan. The akim assured us that FGP construction locations have increasing the pressure in the exist- The regional akimat has created betov and KazMunayGas Deputy woman’s mouth. the safety regarding our citizens is resumed work. ing six complex technology lines. B5 NATION&CAPITAL SOCIETY

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2019 Kazakhstan continues justice Country to create more favourable system reform efforts conditions for ethnic brethren zakh citizenship simultaneously, currently belongs to employment Staff Report as they require the same set of coordination departments. documents. According to official data posted NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan Oralman adaptations and inte- by Tengrinews.kz, 957,764 oral- is attempting to create better con- gration centres will be created in mans arrived in Kazakhstan from ditions for oralmans (ethnic Ka- the Akmola, East Kazakhstan, Ko- 1991-2016. Counting their de- zakhs leaving in other states and stanai, North Kazakhstan and Pav- scendants, as well as those who ar- returning to their historic mother- lodar regions. Three centres are rived without the help of the state land) by improving the legislation currently operating in Karaganda, resettlement programme, there are concerning them and creating ad- Shymkent and Aksukent village in more than one million oralmans ditional adaptation and integration the Turkestan Region. in the country, or 10 percent of all centres, said Vice Minister of La- According to the amendments, ethnic Kazakhs. bour and Social Security Akmadi the ability to receive applications The highest number of oralmans Sarbasov. from citizens for inclusion in the reside in the Almaty, Mangystau According to the current legisla- regional quota for receiving im- and South Kazakhstan regions, tion, oralmans who want to apply migrants would be assigned to em- as well as Almaty, the capital and for Kazakh citizenship must pro- ployment centres. The competence Taraz. vide documents supporting the fact that they resided in another country before Kazakhstan established its independence in 1991. The current legislation excludes oralpersons born after that year and the amend- ment would tackle this problem by redefining the term. Photo credit: Penal Reform International in Central Asia Facebook Page. Penal Reform International in Central Photo credit: “In this regard, the concept of Children’s rights conference in Nur-Sultan on June 27. oralman will be clarified in the new edition, according to which of Parliament) Zagipa Baliyeva Yerzhan Zhirenbai, represent- the main criterion will be the fact By Nazira Kozhanova talked about existing reforms and ing the Committee of Children’s that the ethnic Kazakh was not the need for further work on the Rights Protection of the Minis- previously a citizen of Kazakh- NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan juvenile penal system. She high- try of Education and Science, stan,” said Sarbasov. continued its efforts to improve described measures already un- Oralmans will be able to apply and reform its justice system dertaken by the state. The latest for a residence permit and Ka- with a national conference in the “Kazakhstan is draft of the law regarding juve- nation’s capital June 27 on the nile justice took approximately country’s juvenile penal system. a country that six years in the making, due to “Kazakhstan is a country that implements a fair the amount of research that had implements a fair criminal jus- to be undertaken. tice policy for children, meet- criminal justice policy UNICEF in Kazakhstan Child- Mobile app provides legal ing the requirements of the UN for children, meeting hood Protection Programme Co- Convention on the Rights of the ordinator Meiramgul Alybekova Child. However, there are still the requirements of presented a policy proposal to several issues that require special restructure the penal system by assistance to young families attention from both the state and the UN Convention making three more specialised “A big problem for Kazakhstan importance of having children. society. It is very important for on the Rights of the levels of social services for mi- Staff Report is the decline in family values. The national programme also pro- the administration of fair justice nors. This would help avoid the According to the British edition vides psychological and legal sup- to be provided with the opportu- Child. However, there application of blanket punitive NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh of The Economist, Kazakhstan is port for couples in the process of nity for its implementation and are still several issues measures as the solution to any government unveiled June 25 a among the top ten countries with a divorcing. Family resource sup- alternative ways of dealing with infractions by minors. mobile app to provide legal as- high divorce rate. Elbasy (Leader port centres for family courts have each case,” said UN Children’s that require special Winter also noted that special sistance to young families, an- of the Nation, the constitutional ti- been opened in eight regions of Rights Chair Renate Winter. attention from both schools where Kazakh children nounced Minister of Information tle accorded to the First President Kazakhstan. The conference was titled can be sent if their schools or and Societal Development Dauren of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Naz- “Today, we work with the aki- Standing on Protection of the the state and society.” families can’t handle them are Abayev at a public meeting. arbayev) at the opening ceremony mats to open such centres in all Rights of the Children of Ka- not discussed in terms of penal The app is not yet available but of the Year of Youth set the goal regions and cities of the country. zakhstan. It was organised by reform, even though the same developers hope it will be avail- of reducing the divorce rate among Social services for the prevention Penal Reform International in lighted that there should be a sep- rules should apply there. able soon through the Apple Store the young families. We are now of domestic violence are also or- Central Asia with the Kazakh aration of duties performed by Penal Reform International in and Google Market. systematically working in this di- ganised. Inspectors for the protec- Mazhilis and the Ministry of Ed- the state and civil society regard- Central Asia Regional Director The government created the app rection,” said Abayev. tion of women from violence and ucation and Science. It gathered ing juvenile justice, as the goal Azamat Shambilov also said the using data from 200 Kazakh youth As part of the national pro- juvenile affairs are to be involved experts from the government, is adding legislative measures to country needs to better address service centres. The app can answer gramme to promote family values, in this work,” said Abayev. civil society, academia and other the existing law. Baliyeva said instances when children end up legal questions common to young the government is advising young Nazarbayev declared in 2018 areas. there is a need to reformat exist- in detention with their parents families and was created as a part of couples who apply for marriage that 2019 be the Year of Youth. The At the conference, Deputy of ing special schools by avoiding because their caregivers are serv- a national family values promotion registration on topics such as fam- opening ceremony of the Year of the Mazhilis (lower chamber punitive measures. ing sentences. programme, Abayev said. ily and marriage values and the Youth was Jan. 23 in Nur-Sultan. Kaskasu Science School prepares young scientists to commercialise their projects to which young scientists must media representatives and the research and develop projects. of funding and support,” said New Faces of Kazakhstan project, By Aidana Yergaliyeva learn to present their own projects business sphere. Kazakh science There is a need to commercialise Sukhrab Zhaparov, science coun- reported inform.kz. in a popular language to convey has reached a level where it is not scientific research, attract invest- cil deputy chair, PhD in Medical The participants demonstrated NUR-SULTAN – Kaskasu Sci- their scientific ideas to society, enough for scientists to conduct ments and find various sources Sciences and a winner of the 100 their leadership skills, the ability ence School, an interdisciplinary to think outside the box, generate summer school, held a five-day creative ideas and find innovative educational programme June solutions in difficult situations. 24-28 for young scientists and The participants attended lec- researchers to help them com- tures, trainings and master classes mercialise their projects and to grasp the basics of project man- technological developments. The agement, learn how to construc- programme selected only 27 in- tively resolve conflicts and over- dividuals from more than 100 ap- come the fear of public speaking. plicants. They were also trained in copy- Student organisation heads, writing skills to promote research chairs of Young Scientists’ Coun- projects through the media and cils and scientific research insti- social networks. tutes, teachers and research staff “Participation in the Kaskasu under 30 years old participated in Science School is a great oppor- the national educational project. tunity for me to gain new knowl- The young scientists, who used edge, experience and skills in the week to design and develop a presenting, promoting and com- project, had an opportunity to pre- mercialising my research and sent it to potential investors. The ideas. In addition, we all have al- programme differed from regular ready received a big bonus – new classrooms and laboratories by contacts and acquaintances, which offering an intensive one-week later will bring fruitful results and, opportunity to work in teams in a I hope, will grow into joint re- less formal atmosphere. search. I want to thank the Foun- The Foundation of the First dation of the First President for Kazakh President – Elbasy or- the opportunity to participate and ganised the summer school in be in a great place, Kaskasu, with Kaskasu gorge, in the Turkestan the best participants and excellent Region. The foundation’s science mentors,” said project participant council member and certified and Irina Chidunchi, PhD and chair of well-known business coach Gani the Council of Young Scientists at Abadan mentored the participants. Toraygyrov Pavlodar State Uni- “Our main task as organisers versity. The authors of the best re- is to create comfortable condi- search project received a financial

tions for the participants, thanks presidentfoundation.kz. Photo credit: grant from the foundation. B6 NATION&CAPITAL TOURISM

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2019 Bozzhyra tract “sugar castles” fascinate tourists tres. The Beket Ata Necropolis – By Saltanat Boteu Zhanaozen Road is approximately 20 kilometres from the tract. NUR-SULTAN – Bozzhyra is a The most famous point is the picturesque tract on the Mangystau foot of the fangs, where travellers Region’s Ustyurt Plateau, deco- paved the road. It is a convenient rated with chalk mountains that spot to pitch a tent camp and walk visitors call “sugar castles.” The to different parts of the valley. most famous are the 200-metre tall Hiking trails range from five-eight outcrops resembling two fangs and kilometres and the local terrain, al- the dazzling white landscapes are though rugged, does not require spe- reminiscent of Monument Valley cial mountain training. Visitors only in Arizona in the U.S. need to use caution when climbing The tract measures 17 kilometres and descending the chalk slopes. north to south and 11 kilometres east The only unpleasant feature of to west and the huge area requires Bozzhyra might be frequent strong more than one day to become ac- winds, which may rise suddenly and quainted with it. Although the spot from which it is impossible to hide. is still little known and difficult for The tract also boasts remnant tourists to reach, travellers are at- chameleon mountains that change tracted by its fascinating landscapes. their appearance from different On the north, Bozzhyra borders angles, a mountain yurt, sheer Zhosaly Hill, reaching 268 metres gorges, intricately washed-out cre- above sea level. On the southwest, taceous layers, stone concretions it abuts the Baisara tract. Its west- and fossils. ern boundary ends with the Ustyurt The car route is connected with Plateau cliff and the southern side the exit through Zhosaly Hill to with Karashek sor (solonchak), re- the edge of the plateau, which can ported silkadv.com. be reached from Beket Ata Ne- Traveling around Bozzhyra usu- cropolis – Zhanaozen Road. Arans ally consists of two parts – car (ancient hunting structures made trips and hiking. The distance from of stones for the corral of wild ani- Zhanaozen to Bozzhyra is 148 kil- mals) can be found at almost every

ometres; from Aktau, 298 kilome- kazakh-tv.kz. Photo credit: stop. High-altitude Assy-Turgen Observatory SCAT Airlines launches offers visitors steppe plus stars direct Nur-Sultan – and turbulence create the ideal as- the Soviet Union suspended con- Assy-Turgen plateau, as it is also By Aidana Yergaliyeva troclimate for stargazing. struction, and it wasn’t resumed an incredibly beautiful place to The institute had built two tel- until 2014. AZT-20 was finally visit. NUR-SULTAN – Built in 1981, escope towers, a one-metre tel- equipped with an Apogee UV42 In late spring and summer, Assy- Tokyo flight the Assy-Turgen Observatory escope and some hotel facilities by ultraviolet camera that allowed Turgen offers mountain landscapes Japanese Ambassador to Ka- (ATO) conducts astronomical ob- 1991. The Assy-Turgen Observa- the observatory to really take ad- and a huge green pasture area that By Saltanat Boteu zakhstan Tatsuhiko Kasai attended servations for the Fesenkov Astro- tory’s 1-metre telescope is used to vantage of its altitude. The scien- extends to the Bartogai reservoir. the event. physical Institute. The observatory investigate Herbig Ae/Be, symbi- tists saw the first light with the In centuries past, it was a waypoint NUR-SULTAN – SCAT Airlines “We have been waiting for this launched a direct Nur-Sultan – To- flight for a long time. We are not is located on the picturesque Assy- otic stars and binary systems with telescope in October 2016 and for caravans of merchants from kyo flight July 6, Capital Day in only diplomats, but also busi- Turgen plateau, 85 kilometres east X-ray components. put it into test operation July 27, Europe to China and India. of Almaty and 2,750 metres above The institute began to set up 2017. The telescope is one of the Kazakhstan. The flight, taking ap- nesspeople, leaders of different The road to the observatory lies proximately seven hours to Tokyo countries… Of course, this brings sea level. a 1.5-metre AZT-20 reflector world’s largest. through the Turgen valley, one The high transparency of the at- telescope, completing its dome Tourists can take one- or two- and eight hours back, will leave our countries closer, encourages of the favourite destinations for mosphere in the Assy-Turgen pla- and building by the beginning day guided tours to see the ob- every Saturday from the Kazakh friendly exchange, business and a Sunday rest among locals. The teau, plus a lack of light pollution of the 1990s, but the collapse of servatory and enjoy the nature of capital. scientific exchange. Thank you for valley offers a wide range of en- The cost of the round-trip flight that,” he said before the flight. tertainment, including a trout farm, is approximately 200,000 tenge He noted the first flight also co- an ostrich farm, an open-air mu- (US$519.40). The Kazakh govern- incided with a celebration for his seum, Issyk mounds, and more. In ment is subsidising the fee with 1.4 country, known in Japan as Tana- a two-hour ride, there are also the billion tenge (US$3.6 million) this bata (the Star Festival). famous Turgen waterfalls. year to enhance commercialisa- “The plane will take off from The plateau’s fauna includes tion. Nur-Sultan July 6 and will arrive marmots, snakes, deer, bears, ir- “I want to congratulate you all in Tokyo July 7. This day, July 7, is bis, leopards, lynx, argali, Siberian on the opening of the direct Nur- a special day for us (the Japanese), mountain goats and Siberian stags. Sultan – Tokyo flight. This became Tanabata or Star Festival. There Wolves are regular guests in win- possible in accordance with the are two stars in the sky, Hikoboshi ter. instructions of the First President and Orihime; they personify a cou- The average air temperature Nursultan Nazarbayev. Kazakh- ple and they meet once a year… on the plateau in July reaches 16 stan and Japan, as you know, have Those passengers who take this degrees Celsius. It often rains long-standing friendly, economic flight will witness this meeting. in summer, and sometimes even and social ties… In all cases, when This is a symbol of happiness for direct flights open between coun- us. Therefore, I believe that your snows. At the same time, the near- tries, this always contributes to flight will be successful and pas- by Bartogai reservoir area in sum- the intensive growth of all aspects sengers on this flight will receive mer is very hot and temperatures of relations between them,” said good luck for the whole year,” said can reach 50 degrees Celsius. Civil Aviation Committee Chair Kasai before the flight. The institute plans to install Talgat Lastayev at the July 3 pres- SCAT Vice President Vladimir new telescopes serving scientific entation. Sytnik thanked the state institu- organisations and universities in He stressed opening the direc- tions and the embassy for their the Assy-Turgen observatory. In tion will contribute to developing support in organising the flight. the near future, it is planned to the Astana International Financial “I think it is significant. Moreo- modify the existing telescope’s Centre, as the committee “puts in ver, this flight opens on the Day optical system and equip it with priority connections with large fi- of the Capital, as Mr. Ambassador an enlightened quartz-fluorite fo- nancial centres, one of which is in said; in Japan it is also a holiday,”

Photo credit: informburo.kz. Photo credit: cus reducer, which will more than the Tokyo metropolis.” The com- he noted. “We will do everything The Astrophysical Institute. quadruple its field of view. mittee plans to open similar direct to make this flight for passengers flights to Singapore and Shanghai. pass quickly.” “I think that as a result of this The frequency is expected to work we should get a connection increase to two times a week in with all major cities that are within August. Air Astana, which was reach, seven-eight hours of flight. initially announced as flight’s op- Kazakhstan Temir Zholy launches This is the goal that was set for us erator, is undertaking the required and what we are working on,” he procedures to provide the direct more convenient ticket sales system said. flight in the future, said Lastayev. which unscrupulous cashiers use sellers who changed the names who were unable to buy tickets By Nazira Kozhanova to sell tickets at an inflated price. of the ticket holders and charged without paying twice as much to Thanks to the new functional- inflated prices to the new buy- resellers. NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan ity, each passenger now has equal ers. “I began to plan a trip to Ala- Temir Zholy (KTZ), the nation’s access to the seats provided,” The issue was raised at the April kol in mid-June. We tried the railway and logistics company, said Adal Zhol head Islambek 5 Anti-Corruption Agency brief- Kazakhstan Temir Zholy elec- launched a new ticket sales sys- Maishekin. ing by Alibek Sultanov, head of tronic system and there were no tem on July 1. The system is aimed The returned tickets will not ap- the service and client department tickets available until Aug. 2. at Passazhirskie Perevozki (Pas- at countering resales, which have pear in the system immediately, We went to the cashier at the sta- become a problem during the sum- which will make the job of finding senger Transportation), a KTZ tion, where we were only able mer tourist season, reported Ten- resellers more difficult. subsidiary which provides lo- grinews.kz. “They (tickets) can appear in cal and suburban mass passenger to find two tickets for Aug. 2. It The change was recommended the system in 40 minutes or in an transportation. He argued in fa- didn’t work for us, so we went by the Adal Zhol project office, hour,” said a KTZ press centre rep- vour of introducing legal meas- and bought four tickets from a which seeks to identify and elimi- resentative on June 27. ures to counter ticket resellers, second-hand dealer for July 20. nate unofficial tickets sold to and The system will make it im- adding they are a much-needed They were twice as expensive. returned by travellers. possible to purchase tickets in but long process. People say that trains go empty; “The main advantage of the de- bulk. The earlier version al- While the problem has existed dealers cannot sell all the tickets velopment is the blocking of the lowed buying up to 40 tickets at for a while, it became particular- they bought,” Almaty resident miid.gov.kz. Photo credit: mechanism of ‘catching of places,’ once, which was abused by re- ly difficult for summer travellers Olesya told the website. L-R: Vladimir Sytnik, Tatsuhiko Kasai and Talgat Lastayev. B7 NATION&CAPITAL SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2019

his new mark in the finals with a time of 1:59.48. Mussin won gold in the 50-me- Almaty Marathon’s open Swimmers take gold, silver at tre butterfly June 24 with a time of 23.76. In the 100 metres, he set a new Kazakh record of 52.42 in reaching the finals. He took silver water swim promotes Dolfin Fran Crippen SMOC in the last race with a time of 52.61. Adil Kaskabay finished 13th in By Nazira Kozhanova the 100-metre freestyle and fifth in the 100-metre backstroke, the lat- healthy lifestyle for all NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh swim- ter with a time of 57.43 seconds. mers Adilbek Mussin and Dmitri Balandin became a national sen- Balandin earned gold and silver sation in 2016 after winning gold at the Dolfin Fran Crippen Swim at the Rio Olympics, reported Meet of Champions June 22-24 Olympic.kz. He has already won in Southern California (United a licence to participate in the 2020 States), reported Olympic.kz. Games in Tokyo. Mussin took gold and silver; Ba- Balandin, Kaskabay and Mussin landin, silver. The latter swam the are preparing for the 2019 World first day in the 200-metre breast- Cup, which will be held this sum- stroke crown-style competition, mer in South Korea. They will finishing behind Asian Games spend a special preparatory pe- 2018 winner Yan Zibei of China. riod in the United States, where

He also finished second in the Kazinform. Photo credit: renowned swimming coach Dave 100-metre breaststroke with a time Salo will supervise their training of 1.00.12. silver and set a new Kazakh re- topped the country’s best time in process, as well as some of their The same day Mussin earned the cord in the 200-metre butterfly. He the preliminary swim, then bested rivals. Photo credit: almaty-marathon.kz. Photo credit:

The Almaty Marathon team Staff Report continues to support charitable projects. The separate distance Putintseva defeats Osaka for third time, NUR-SULTAN – The annual for children with autism was for open water swim portion of the Al- youngsters from the Mercy Vol- maty Marathon was held June 30 untary Society’s We Will Win at the Heaven Club recreation area project, part of Challenge An- crashes out of Wimbledon second round in the Almaty Region’s Kapsha- other You! start to finish, balancing 15 win- gai reservoir. The event, working ners to just seven unforced errors in conjunction with the Samruk “Our children struggle as she converted three of seven Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund, with autism. They are breakpoint opportunities in total. organised a special swim for chil- While Osaka managed 34 win- dren with autism. often self-absorbed; ners of her own, 37 unforced Amateur swimmers overcame errors ultimately undid her ag- distances of 500 metres, two kilo- it can be difficult for gressive game plan and ended metres and three kilometres. The them to interact with her fortnight at SW19,” reported best at the shortest distance were Wtatennis.com in its assessment Anton Khamatov and Yekaterina the outside world and of the match. Tsaboleva. Even though Putintseva’s fa- The two-kilometre winners they are in dire need vourite surface is clay, she found were identified in three age- cat of physical exercise. playing on grass “a great experi- egories. The top swimmers were ence.” Ayia Mashtieva and Kirill Uvarov Swimming makes a “I remember how much I hat- (18-34), Yevgeny Alexandrov wtatennis.com. Photo credit: ed grass courts. With my coach, Yulia Putintseva and Galina Rezvantseva (35-49) person calm and helps I was fighting. I was saying and Vladislav Buzunov and Aliya to master and feel Continued from Page B1 “I was trying to make it as uncom- “There are answers to questions that I do not want to play here. Kanankyzy (over 50). fortable for her as possible. That’s that you guys ask that I still have I used to play more on clay The leaders in the longest dis- one’s body.” “Honestly, I think I was able to the only thing.” not figured out yet,” she said. courts, where it is more spin, tance were also awarded in age keep my concentration up high in Osaka was mostly speechless “In all, the unseeded 24-year- dropshots and serve kick,” she categories. The winners were Olga all these three matches,” she said. during her press conference. old played a clean match from said. Yershova and Danel Zhulamanov Twenty-two children and their (18-34), Dina Shaimerdenova and parents participated and received Murat Usmanov (34-49) and Zein- medals. ezaiyp Yerezhepova (over 50). Studies show that there is a All participants received the tra- connection between mind and ditional commemorative medals body through swimming. In wa- Lutsenko wins gold in individual, and the results were posted on the ter, children not only develop Almaty Marathon website. their muscles, motor skills and “The swim of the Almaty Mara- coordination, but also improve thon is our annual event. It’s al- speech and develop the brain and group races at cycling championships ready three years old. Today, we general intelligence. Our children Continued from Page A1 “It is a great honour and pride to see people’s growing interest in work on themselves every day to wear a national champion’s jersey cyclical sports. It’s fashionable. become full members of society. “Many thought that I would not one more year before the impor- Thanks to these events, we instill Stories are known of many cases come to the championships (this tant Tour de France race,” he wrote the culture of mass sports, show in which even celebrities suf- year) and my participation was per- in a July 1 Instagram post (@lut- its beauty, benefit and attract more fered from autism, but this did haps a surprise, but it was in my senko_alexey). people to our movement,” said not prevent them from creating plans,” said Lutsenko in a June 30 “Next year will be an Olym- Saltanat Kazybayeva, executive masterpieces of art or being phe- post-race interview, reported Olym- pic one, but I have ambitions for director of the Courage to be the nomenal scientists, writers, ath- pic.kz. “It is important for my re- every competitive year. There is First corporate fund. letes and even presidents,” said gion, for the North Kazakhstan Re- no such thing that I focus exclu- “Unfortunately, in Almaty there Saiyara Mikhramova, We Will gion and for me. I gladly agreed to sively on one competition. This are not too many places for swim- Win project coordinator. take part. I did the maximum for the season, there are also many im- ming in open water. However, Kap- The swim’s organisers were the region, I won three gold medals.” portant starts, (such as) the UCI shagai provides a great opportunity Courage to be the First corporate The cyclist has represented the Road World Championships at to develop one’s own skills. The fund, World Class Almaty fitness Astana Pro Team since 2013 and the end of the year. But 2020 main thing is to do it, being confi- club and Shakhmardan Yessenov will participate in major interna- will be important. I will concen- dent in your abilities and under the scientific and educational founda- tional cycling championships in trate on the Olympic Games,” he olympic.kz. Photo credit: control of the trainer,” she added. tion. the year ahead. said in the post-race interview. Alexey Lutsenko

tion, more than 95 percent of the materials of the former IOC office were used or recycled, and 95 per- Olympic Committee head attends opening cent of the construction waste was also recycled. The new headquarters has a glass facade, a spiral staircase with of Olympic House in Lausanne a picture of five rings and a roof described by the IOC as in the By Saltanat Boteu shape of a dove. “We wanted it to be more than NUR-SULTAN – Timur Kuli- just another office building. Of bayev, president of the National course, we wanted to unite every- Olympic Committee of Kazakh- one – the Olympic family and all stan (NOC), took part in the 125th IOC employees – under one roof. anniversary celebration of the In- In this sense, the Olympic House is ternational Olympic Committee an expression of our unity. At the (IOC) in Lausanne June 23, dur- same time, we wanted the Olym- ing which IOC President Thomas pic House to include elements of Bach officially opened Olympic sustainable development, trust and House, the new headquarters of youth – the three pillars of the 2020 the organisation. Olympic House Olympic agenda. The building re- is recognised as one of the world’s olympic.kz. Photo credit: olympic.kz. Photo credit: flects three elements that are so im- most sustainable buildings. Thomas Bach (L) and Ulrich Maurer (R) are cutting the ribbon at the Olympic portant to our mission,” said Bach. “The IOC acts as a catalyst for House’s opening ceremony. More than 700 people, including 500 IOC staff, which had previ- He emphasised that the Olympic cooperation between all parties to IOC members, heads of 206 na- ously been scattered across several House will be “home to the entire the Olympic family. Keeping its be witnesses and participants of spirit of friendship, solidarity and tional Olympic committees and in- places in Lausanne. Olympic movement.” best traditions, the IOC for 125 a historic event, the opening of a fair play,” said Kulibayev, accord- ternational sports federations and Olympic House, on the shores “To my dear friends and col- years has created conditions and new IOC headquarters. The new ing to olympic.kz. athletes, attended the event. of Lake Geneva, was built by the leagues, members of the IOC, 206 opportunities for athletic devel- Olympic House is the embodiment Bach received the ceremonial The building, which the U.S. Danish architectural firm 3XN. It National Olympic Committees and opment for athletes from all over of our aspirations to create a bet- key for Olympic House and cut the Green Building Council has called consumes 60 percent less water international sports federations the world, in particular for young, ter world and preserve the basic ribbon along with Swiss President one of the most sustainable build- and 35 percent less energy than av- – to all of you, I say, welcome promising ones. We were lucky to principles of the IOC, such as the Ulrich Maurer. ings in the world, will house all erage offices. During the construc- home,” said the IOC president. B8 NATION&CAPITAL CAPITAL

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2019 Nur-Sultan hosts capital day celebrations, raises money for Arys assistance

grinews.kz website. The celebrato- start of the celebration. The day The capital hosted a literature stars and children’s entertainers ys Arena ice palace hosted pro- By Nazira Kozhanova ry events started with the Shattyq was also marked by the beginning festival that gathered emerging also performed in the districts. fessional boxing. Kazakh boxer international children’s compe- of The Spirit of Eurasia 2019 mu- Kazakh poets and writers. Read- On July 6, which was the offi- Zhankosh Turarov won the title NUR-SULTAN – Celebrations tition. Children had a chance to sic festival that took place on the ings of Abai (Kazakh poet), theat- cial date, a new martial arts cen- that evening. began July 4 for the 2019 Day of showcase their singing, dancing EXPO territory. This festival gath- rical performances, books exhibi- tre opened in the capital and a This year’s capital city day fire- the Capital celebration marking and designing skills in this com- ered musicians from all regions of tion and other events took place gala festival of martial arts took works were cancelled due to the the 21st anniversary of the estab- petition at the city centre square. Eurasia and the world who played during the festival. place. Also, July 6, the Astana recent tragic explosions in the city lishment of Nur-Sultan, formerly Also, The Echo of Asia circus fes- music partially inspired by their The celebrations took place not Samaly 10th Astana Internation- of Arys, reported nur.kz. The num- Astana, as the capital of Kazakh- tival started July 4. It brought to- heritage. Among the artists who only in the capital centre but in al Festival of Orchestras took ber of celebratory events was three stan. gether 70 circus performers from played on the festival stage were more distant districts as well. The place in the capital. The festival times fewer than a regular number The events featured concerts, 13 countries. This festival was free Ak Dan Gwang Chil from South “Dumanda Saryarka” series of event that attracted the largest with unused funds directed to- festivals, karaoke competitions and attracted a large audience. Korea, Childo Tomas from Mo- concerts was held in the Industri- audience was the orchestras pa- wards social projects. Also, all of and more than 100 other events On July 5, celebrations started zambique and Spain, ZeMe from alnyi, Mezhdunarodnyi, Zhelezno- rade through the streets of the the proceeds from tickets sales for that were attended by more than with the national flag raising cer- Latvia, Ashina from Kazakhstan dorozhny, Prigorodnoye and Kok- capital. the non-free events were directed 450,000 people, reports Ten- emony, which signalled the official and other artists. tal-1 neighbourhoods. Kazakh pop On the evening of July 6, Bar- to Arys disaster relief. Hundreds race through Capital Day celebrations capital Duathlon include 100 events, event “I am a master of sports of inter- Alimzhan Baltabek followed by By Anzhela Kaliyeva national class in ski racing. It is the Dmitry Adamovich and Dmitry first time that I’ve participated in Inkin. Among women in that NUR-SULTAN – The Nur-Sul- this kind of competition. My par- group, the winner was Ekaterina spending scaled back tan Duathlon 2019 was held in the ticipation today is a preparation for Brynza, with Dinara Kaparova in ule,” said Deputy Akim (Mayor) “According to calculations, we Kazakh capital June 23. About 500 the upcoming Ironman triathlon. second and Ekaterina Brynza third. By Yerbolat Uatkhanov of Nur-Sultan Yerlan Kanalimov will spend 300-400 million tenge people took part in this event. We are lucky with the weather. Or- Arman Galimov was the win- at a briefing in the Central Com- (US$800,000-$1 million), no The competition consisted of a ganisation is at a fairly good lev- ner among men 30 to 39, followed NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh munications Service. more. This is much less than be- five-kilometre run, followed by a el,” the winner said at the finish. by Yevgeny Leontyev and Sergey capital celebrated its 21st birthday fore. We have to cut the budget 20-kilometre cycling race and an- Daria Starostina, Mark’s sister, Prokhorov. On top of the women July 6. As part of the celebration, three times. This is not only a cul- other 2.5-kilometre run. The route was the absolute champion among was Gulmira Amenova, trailed approximately 100 events were be Some scheduled ture, it is the improvement of fa- of the race went through Kunayev women. by Elena Ponomareva and Elmira held, 73 of which were free. cilities, security, the device stage, Street, Kabanbai Batyr Avenue, “Our dad and mom are masters Moldasheva. Some scheduled events were events were cancelled technical equipment,” Kanalimov Akmeshit Street, Dostyk Street and of sports in skiing. It has been 15 Marat Farrahov won among men cancelled because of the recent because of the recent said before the celebrations. Mangilik El Avenue. The bike seg- years since I left major sport, but I 40 to 49 years old, with Kairat tragic explosions at an ammuni- He also said the celebration can- ment also started from Kunayev train for myself. Today I decided Koyanbayev finishing second and tion depot in Arys. The explosions tragic explosions at an not be cancelled completely. Street, then continued along Turan to participate in the sports life of Vadim Shulinov third. Gulmira killed at least three people and “You cannot completely cancel Avenue to the Star of Astana mon- our city. I did not [try to keep a cer- Tuenbaeva won among women in caused the evacuation of thou- ammunition depot in it. It’s much more modest than ument, where participants turned tain pace], I ran according to my that group, followed by Madina sands from the city. Arys. it was. The Capital Day marks around and continued along Turan state of health,” said Starostina. Berkaliyeva. “It is worth noting that annu- the 21st year. This is already a Avenue to Dostyk Street, ending Vsevolod Yevchenko, another Rinat Salikzhanov took the gold ally the celebration of the Day favourite holiday not only for with a ride along Mangilik El Av- participant, also made the duathlon in the 50 and over group, fol- of the Capital includes more than The celebration day events the capital residents, but for all enue to Kunayev Street to finish. a family event. lowed by Mendybai Alimgazinov 300 events, but this year, in order were held at eight residential are- Kazakh people. It is held in the Men and women were divided into “I participated with my brother and Marat Alimzhanov. Among to optimise costs, the budget for as in the outskirts of Nur-Sultan, summer period, three days off, a four age categories: 16 to 29 years and my dad. Our dad has taken a women, first place went to Taty- the festive events was reduced by parks, squares, boulevards and lot of people come to us from all old, 30 to 39 years old, 40 to 49 place. My current achievement ana Mikhaleva, second to Irina three times. Such major events as along the Yessil River embank- regions of the country. The city’s years old and 50 and older. is that I have won over myself. Mustafina. Open Air with the participation of ment. Locating the celebrations population is 1.1 million peo- The first participant finished 57 The hardest thing is to start,” said All the winners were given priz- Kazakh and Russian pop starts, an throughout the city was meant ple, plus foreign tourists come minutes after the start. With a large Yevchenko. es. By tradition, at the end of the open air gala concert, mass fes- to avoid mass congestion in the to this. That is, we can’t cancel margin between him and his near- According to the results of the competition, five bicycles were tivities on the main squares of the central part of the city and con- it completely. Everyone needs est rival, Mark Starostin was the competition, the top three men in played out among the participants capital and other costly activities centrate as much as possible on rest, whatever it is,” Kanalimov absolute winner of the duathlon. the 16 to 29 group were winner of the duathlon. were removed from the sched- ensuring public safety. explained.