-17° / -27°C WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020 No 2 (188) www.astanatimes.com President promotes stronger Digital Kazakhstan economic ties on visit to UAE programme created Tokayev was also expected to meet during the trip with Emirati Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Moham- 8,000 jobs in 2019 med bin Rashid Al Maktoum. and more than 9.8 million services On the first day of the visit, To- By Aidana Yergaliyeva were provided in 2019 in the social kayev also toured the Dubai Inter- labour sphere. The digital projects national Financial Centre (DIFC) NUR-SULTAN – Digital Ka- saved employers and job seekers and met with the Emirati business zakhstan programme helped cre- 862.2 million tenge (US$2.27 mil- community. ate 8,000 jobs last year, with the lion). “We have an ambitious plan to programme’s total economic ef- Digitising public services has implement joint investment pro- fect exceeding 600 billion tenge reduced paperwork by 70.8 mil- jects worth $11 billion,” the Presi- (US$1.58 billion) for 2018 and lion documents and provided an dent said at a meeting with the 2019. The digital technologies indirect economic effect of more business community. “At present, brought noticeable improvements than 8.4 billion tenge (US$22.16 we are negotiating with the invest- in the public services, education, million). ment company Mubadala on the healthcare, financial, transport, The vast majority of the coun- implementation of a project worth mining and metallurgical sectors. try’s 18.6 million population have $6.6 billion for the construction of “Digitisation can become an en- regional electronic health pass- a petrochemical complex for the gine of the national economy and a ports. In hospitals, 97.5 percent production of polypropylene in generator of permanent jobs,” said of healthcare organisations are Atyrau Region.” a statement from the prime minis- equipped with computers and con- “Our joint project can be a good ter’s press service. nected to the Internet. example of the fact that Kazakh- The programme has digitised stan’s economy pays great atten- 80.2 percent of public services Continued on Page A4

Photo credit: akorda.kz Photo credit: tion to the processing industry and L-R: Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed. industrial development,” he added. “The AIFC will become the venue for the IPO (initial public “The history of relations be- [there’s] the Abu Dhabi Plaza offering) of our largest state stra- By Aidana Yergaliyeva tween the two countries has deep complex under construction in the tegic assets, such as the national UAE, Kazakhstan have roots. We are connected by true city of Nur-Sultan,” said Tokayev. oil and gas company, railways, tel- NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh Presi- friendship, mutual understanding The meeting ended with exchang- ecommunications companies, etc. dent Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and trust. Therefore, our relation- es of signed documents. The Kazakh We invite both corporations and and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi ship has great prospects. The main Ministry of Energy and UAE Minis- welfare funds, such as the Abu- unique cooperation Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al purpose of my visit is to give a try of Energy and Industry inked a Dhabi Investment Authority and Nahyan discussed bilateral rela- new impetus to the cooperation of memorandum of understanding and Mubadala, to participate in the pri- tions and economic cooperation the two states. We have achieved cooperation in the petrochemical vatisation programme,” Tokayev between Kazakhstan and the Unit- great success, but we must not industry. The Kazakh Ministry of said. opportunities, says envoy ed Arab Emirates during President stand still, we must move forward. Trade and the Emirati Ministry of According to him, investment gave a positive impetus to bilateral Tokayev’s Jan. 27-28 first presi- I attach particular importance to Economy signed a memorandum of proposals worth nearly $40 billion By Galiya Khassenkhanova relations,” he said. Kazakhstan, dential visit to Abu Dhabi. this visit and have high hopes for understanding. The Astana Interna- have been developed in the mining likewise, included the UAE in the Both leaders acknowledged the it,” Tokayev said. tional Financial Centre’s (AIFC’s) industry, metallurgy, petrochemi- NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan and list of countries whose citizens en- positive state of relations and a de- The leaders discussed coopera- Committee on financial regulation cals, agriculture, logistics, tourism the United Arab Emirates (UAE) joy a one-month visa free travel to sire to continue them. tion in the petrochemicals, agricul- services and the Emirati Central and other industries. have unique opportunities for co- the Central Asian nation. “At present, bilateral relations ture, transport and logistics, finan- Bank also signed memorandum of From January to November operation, said UAE Ambassador to Converging cooperation ap- between our countries are develop- cial and investment sectors. understanding. 2019, mutual trade turnover in- Kazakhstan Mohamed Ahmed bin proaches create unique opportunities ing at a high level. The UAE gives “Our trade and economic rela- Tokayev also stressed that both creased 10.3 percent year-on-year Sultan Al Jaber in an exclusive in- for mutually beneficial joint projects particular importance to strength- tions and cultural and humani- countries have an important histor- and totalled $500 million, the terview with The Astana Times. in fields such as construction, chem- ening cooperation with Kazakh- tarian cooperation are actively ical frontier in 2021. Kazakhstan President said. The direct invest- Kazakh and UAE diplomatic re- istry, transportation and logistics, stan. The cooperation between our developing. Entrepreneurs of our will celebrate the 30 years of its ments from the UAE to Kazakh- lations have been growing at a dy- railway, engineering and space. countries covers a wide range of countries also actively cooperate. independence, while the Emirates stan reached $2.1 billion, while in- namic pace since being established The largest bilateral construc- directions,” Al Nahyan said, re- To date, about 350 joint ventures will prepare festivities for its 50th vestments from Kazakhstan to the in 1992. The countries continue to tion investment project is the $1.2 ported akorda.kz. have been created. For example, anniversary. UAE reached $1 billion. build close and trusting relations billion Abu Dhabi Plaza multi- through mutually beneficial bilat- functional complex in the capital. eral cooperation. Contacts are being developed with “Undoubtedly, the dynamics of Mubadala (UAE state investment meetings at the highest level tes- and development company), the tify to an unprecedented interac- National Corporation for Nuclear Tokayev calls for a new economic course tion from the perspective of inter- Energy and Dubai International national relations, thanks to which Financial Centre. By Zhanna Shayakhmetova cooperation between Kazakhstan The breakthrough chemical pro- and the UAE is moving forward. ject is constructing an integrated NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh Presi- For its part, the UAE Embassy is gas chemical complex (IGCC) dent Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has making efforts to maintain close and polypropylene plant in the called for a new economic course contacts and to coordinate coop- National Industrial Petrochemical and instructed the government, his eration. An important milestone Technopark special economic zone administration and the Atameken in bilateral relations is the estab- (SEZ) in the Atyrau Region, a testa- National Chamber of Entrepre- lishment of a one-month visa free ment to the long-term nature of the neurs at a Jan. 24 expanded gov- regime for Kazakh citizens travel- partnership. ernment meeting to develop an ling to the Emirates. It certainly Continued on Page A3 economic reform programme by May 15. The government and Kazakh Parliament have adopted pro- grammes to achieve the macroeco- nomic goals set out in President Abai’s 175th anniversary Tokayev’s election campaign plat- form and his state-to-the-nation address. But many details con- cerning how to achieve economic to be celebrated growth across sectors remain un- der discussion. “We have to improve our legis- lation and regulation based on best throughout 2020 international practices, in particu- to develop culture and sports for lar, the Organisation for Economic Press. Akorda Photo credit: By Galiya Khassenkhanova 2020-2022, of which 120.1 billion Co-operation and Development tenge (US$319 million) is allotted (OECD) in all areas from health- 2025 and the Plan of the Nation of The government is set to build the President. The development NUR-SULTAN – The Central for 2020. Nearly four billion tenge care to financial markets,” said 100 Concrete Steps. a transparent fiscal and industrial of entrepreneurship and the Communications Service held a (US$10.6 million) will be spent on Tokayev. “We need a new economic policy to protect entrepreneurs, to strengthening of mechanisms to briefing Jan. 16 outlining prepara- the Abai celebration and 1,150th Lending stagnated as the loan course to see clearly the key prob- provide access to sales markets, to strengthen competition protec- tions for poet Abai Kunanbayev’s anniversary of Al-Farabi, the phi- portfolio to gross domestic prod- lems and methods to solve them. increase the productivity of enter- tions are essential. 175th anniversary, reported the Min- losopher who lived on the territory uct (GDP) decreased from 23 to 22 Reforms, as is known, require will prises and competitiveness and to During the government meet- istry of Culture and Sport website. of modern Kazakhstan in the ninth percent in 2019. The country also and decisiveness. This is what I increase the quality of domestic ing, the President also set the task The 82-point plan was approved and tenth centuries. observed the highest level of infla- ask of the government. For the products. to establish the Centre for Analy- in 2019, noted Vice Minister Nur- The yearlong celebrations offi- tion in the Eurasian Economic Un- time being, however, the decisions The head of state noted that the sis and Monitoring of Socio-Eco- gisa Dauyeshov. More than 500 cially opened Jan. 21 at the Astana ion. The President has also noted are taken slowly by the govern- basis of economic reform includes nomic Reforms under the Presi- regional, national and international Opera. the government needs to address ment apparatus with an eye on the the growth of per capita incomes dential Administration without events are scheduled. “The plan is that Jan. 21 the Asta- slow growth in non-oil exports and numerous legal acts and the need through job creation and increase any budgetary costs. The centre “We plan to hold major events na Opera theatre will launch events a lack of an increase in labour pro- for interagency coordination. It in salaries, through the improve- will operate on a voluntary basis dedicated to the celebration of the dedicated to the poet’s anniversary ductivity in 2019. is no longer possible to work like ment of the quality of human capi- and will later be transformed into poet’s anniversary. The budget for with the participation of national pop The President reaffirmed his that against the backdrop of tough- tal and the building of a transpar- a Presidential Reform Agency. these events is three billion tenge stars. Alibek Dnishev, Roza Rym- commitment to the objectives set ening international competition ent fiscal policy. The centre will consist of repre- (US$8 million),” he said. baeva, the Astana Opera, Astana by Kazakhstan’s First President and fair demands from the people. Monetary policy and a dy- sentatives of the scientific and ex- First Vice Minister of Finance Ballet troupes and other artists will Nursultan Nazarbayev in the Strat- We will have to push the reforms namic financial market should pert community. Berik Sholpankulov previously not- perform at the grand opening,” said egy 2050, Strategic Plan for the through, literally, by ‘bending over provide long-term and afford- ed the government allocated 304.7 Dauyeshov during the briefing. Development of the Country until the knee’,” Tokayev stressed. able financing of economy, said Continued on Page A2 billion tenge (US$808 million) Continued on Page B3

INSIDE NATION ECONOMY EDITORIAL BUSINESS NATION&CAPITAL President stresses modern-day relevance of Senate should create Agribusiness Complex Kazakhstan to be at centre of Fourth Nazarbayev University scientists develop Tokayev encourages youth to take Abai’s ideas A2 Council, says Nazarbayeva A4 Industrial Revolution, battle against mobile app for coeliac disease awareness A7 innovative approach to government B1 Asset Isekeshev appointed Security Council New rules for currency exchange offices climate change A6 Tchibo Kazakhstan launches first coffee shops Travel blogger popularises Secretary A2 include authorised capital amount, data with convenience stores, promotes green country’s tourism B6 capture and office hour changesA4 business ideas A8

US$ 1 = 380.84 KZT € 1 = 419.50 KZT 1 = 6.05 KZT A2 NATION

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020

NATIONAL President stresses modern-day relevance of Abai’s ideas NEWS IN BRIEF more research. The concept of Capital residents may participate By Aidana Yergaliyeva a complete human should, in es- in creating the Nur-Sultan Comfort- sence, be a fundamental pillar in able City master plan through the NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh Presi- any area of our life, government city’s development accelerator, ac- dent Kassym-Jomart Tokayev pub- and education, business and fam- cording to the city administration. lished Jan. 9 an article titled “Abai ily institutions. I think,” he said. All proposals related to construct- and Kazakhstan in the 21st Cen- The characteristic describes ing social facilities, expanding the tury” in the Egemen Kazakhstan only those who are very self-con- roadway and increasing bike routes newspaper in honour of Kazakh fident and striving for good, he should be lodged at www.nursul- poet, writer, philosopher, com- said. tansmartaccelerator.com. Individu- poser and translator Abai Kunan- The President emphasised the als may also participate in master bayev’s 175th anniversary. poet valued hardworking peo- plan meetings and discussions. “The In the article, Tokayev shares ple and called on people to stop platform will enhance feedback from his thoughts about the relevance of wasting their time on unimportant people and implement their ideas Abai’s ideas to the contemporary things. and suggestions. The programme for world and what people should still “One of the themes at the heart the development of public spaces is learn from them. of Abai’s work is the struggle with important in the concept of the city The article has four sections drunkenness. The poet constantly for people. The city should be con- presenting Abai as a person who urges himself to be vigilant, not venient for pedestrians, as well as is exemplary to the national iden- to worry about carelessness and people should have places to spend tity, who takes interest in the state laughter. He seeks to keep work- their free time. We will create all the affairs, has compassion for a new ing through constant hard work. necessary conditions for this,” said society and is a figure of world He propagandised to work hard, to Akim (Mayor) Altai Kulginov. culture. seek knowledge,” Tokayev wrote. In the first section, Tokayev dis- Tokayev finalised the section Almaty, Nur-Sultan and Uralsk cusses how the thinker emphasises egemen.kz. Photo credit: signifying importance of learning led in regional digitisation perfor- the importance of education and said, will be fully knowledgeable self-aware, self-developing and posed his “listening state” initia- a craft to earn for a living, instead mance, reported the Ministry of science. in science, respect their own lan- prioritising education and science tive to develop Abai’s main condi- of relying on livestock as the poet Digital Development, Innovation “Looking at Abai’s works, we guage and truly become poly- above all. According to him, Abai tion to just society. told in his thirty third Word of and Aerospace Industry. The study can see that he always wanted glots.” originated the term “intellectual “A constructive dialogue be- Wisdom. involved 14 regional centres and the country to advance and pros- nation.” tween government and society “I think the ideas of the great three cities of national significance. per and he praised this idea. And “The poet encouraged the peo- strengthens trust in the state. Gov- poet are relevant for the society The assessment was based on smart we know the progress is the basis “Abai’s principles ple to master different kinds of ernment members, including min- of Kazakhstan today. That is why city standards consisting of 11 dif- of education and science. Abai are in line with art. He clearly knew that all of isters and akims (governors), must today we mark getting rid of the ferent directions and 80 indica- wholeheartedly wanted Kazakhs this was a matter of time, and he take into account the suggestions psychology of addiction to raw tors such as healthcare, education, to unstoppably continue studying.” the principles of spoke to the nation earlier. Even and wishes of citizens when mak- materials and the maximum pros- housing and communal services, According to him, the law on the the idea of forming an intellec- ing decisions on matters of state perity of small and medium busi- transport, environment, social sec- status of a teacher is a small step a civilised state. tual nation, which we are talking and social importance,” he said. nesses,” he said. tor and other spheres. The rating is towards this greater idea. Justice will be about today, can be argued from Tokayev said people with popu- In the fourth section, Tokayev designed to increase digital activity “Teachers play a key role in rais- Abai. The great thinker, in every list ideas “who think of change do ponders on the idea that Kazakh- in the regions. “Digital Kazakhstan ing educated and conscious off- firmly established word, sought to grow the nation,” not care about the future of the stan can use Abai’s legacy to intro- was adopted two years ago. Many spring. It is our responsibility to he said. country” and should not mislead duce Kazakh culture to the world. digital projects were implemented in respect a teacher. Therefore, the only if the rule of “In this regard, the word of Abai the citizens. “Over the years of my diplomat- the regions. We made this rating to state should improve the status of law, the openness of should become the guiding star of “Populism has gained a global ic service, I have often met politi- show the results. We believe it will a teaching profession and ensure the generation,” he said. character as a negative trend. cians and experts in various fields. be a good incentive to increase digi- conditions for their jobs.” government and the In the second section, Tokayev Around the world, there is often I exchanged views with foreigners tal activity in the regions,” said Vice The knowledge of science stressed Kazakhs need to strength- the voices of groups who have no on many common problems with Minister Ablaikhan Ospanov. should also be accompanied with accountability of the en their statehood to grow and clear strategy and who seek power humanity. In general, they are well speaking several languages, in- people are at a high prosper. This entails the “impor- through bare slogans… Indeed, aware of the political and econom- Subsidies for all state programmes cluding the native language. tance of respecting the statehood this is a dangerous process that ic achievements of Kazakhstan. increased 80 percent in 2019 com- “In the new historical context, level and civil society for citizens, especially the youth,” undermines the development of (But they) are not well acquaint- pared with the same period in 2018, we all need to pay attention to the representatives are just society and meritocracy. any country and undermines the ed with our spiritual and cultural reported Forbes.kz. Changes were development and promotion of our “Abai’s principles are in line nation’s identity,” he said. values. In this regard, the ques- made to cancel regional coordina- native language and to enhance its actively involved with the principles of a civilised In the third section, the Presi- tion arises: Why don’t we reveal tion councils under akimats (admin- status. In addition, learning Eng- state. Justice will be firmly estab- dent stressed it is necessary to re- Kazakh culture through Abai?” he istrations), as well as expand hous- lish should be a priority. The more in the affairs lished only if the rule of law, the think Abai’s concept of a complete said. ing initiatives through the Housing languages our youth will learn, the of the state.” openness of government and the human, which corresponds to the “Indeed, the works of a wise Construction Savings Bank and sec- more opportunities they will have. accountability of the people are at concept of a man of integrity in poet can enrich the spiritual life of ond-tier banks, sales and the 7-20-25 However, they should be aware of a high level and civil society rep- English. not only the Kazakhs, but also the mortgage programme. “We support- their native language. The younger The President called on people to resentatives are actively involved “We need to re-study Abai’s whole human race. Because the ed 8,600 projects worth 302 billion generation will bring only good- strive to be the intellectual nation in the affairs of the state,” he said. concept of a complete human, in content of Abai’s works is full of tenge (US$800 million) under the ness to the country if they, as Abai in Abai’s understanding, which is According to Tokayev, he pro- which scientists need to carry out universal values,” he said. loan guarantee programme. The guarantee conditions were signed with eight banks and the banks make decisions, which reduces the terms of consideration. This was possible due to the fact that in 2017 we re- A new economic course vised the strategy as part of the sup- port of micro, small and medium- Continued from Page A1 port expenses were 3.5 trillion alienation and transfer to use and a transition to a new level in the Investments in fixed assets in- sized enterprises,” said Damu Fund tenge (US$9.2 billion) or 30 per- disposal to other persons,” he said. production of goods and services, creased 8.5 percent in 2019, in- Managing Director Aiman Sarsen- Tokayev also declared a long- cent of the state budget. Approxi- Prime Minister Askar Mamin which leads to labour produc- cluding private investment by 9.5 galiyeva at the press conference. term moratorium on expenses for mately four million people are also said during the meeting that tivity increase up to 8.2 million percent, according to information the purchase of expensive trans- included in the social protection the Kazakh government will create tenge (US$21,660) per person,” presented at the government meet- Approximately 1.5 million people portation, furniture, and holding of programme. Some 20,000 fami- more than 400,000 jobs in tourism, ing. The inflation rate in Kazakh- visited Turkestan’s Khoja Ahmed forums, seminars and conferences. lies have received loans as part of trade and construction, manufac- The President stan remains within the planned Yassawi Mausoleum in 2019, re- The President instructed au- the Bakytty Otbasy (Happy Fam- turing and agriculture in 2020. corridor of 4-6 percent with the ported Kazinform, and the plan is thorities to develop a Trade Policy ily) and 7-20-25 mortgage pro- Mamin also presented a sum- instructed authorities level of 5.4 percent. to increase the figure to five million Programme 2025, develop the Na- grammes. mary of major socio-economic in- to develop a Trade Kazakhstan attracted approxi- by 2025. Authorities are develop- tional Certification System and de- Tokayev also called for more dicators in the country. mately $25 billion in foreign direct ing historical and cultural tourism velop and adopt the Law on Tech- stringent registration of cars im- Incomes in Kazakhstan increased Policy Programme investment and the share of small in Otrar and Turkestan, eco-tour- nical Regulation by the end of the ported from Eurasian Economic 5.5 percent and GDP growth was and medium-sized enterprises in ism in the Tolebi and Tyulkubas year. Union (EAEU) countries. 4.5 percent in 2019. Non-resource 2025, develop the economy reached 29.5 percent in districts and the Saryagash district The share of agriculture in Ka- “Most of the imported cars are sectors accounted for 80 percent of National Certification 2019. The number of operating resort zone. “We have 168 hotels, zakhstan’s GDP has not exceeded not registered. The Prosecutor growth. Construction, trade, trans- enterprises grew by 8 percent in 51 resorts and 60 recreation cen- 4.5 percent despite more than 2.4 General will provide us a legal as- port and production sector became System and develop 2019. tres in the region. We launched 57 trillion tenge (US$6.3 billion) al- sessment of this issue. The authori- the main drivers of growth. The As of January 2020, 93 percent tourist routes. This year, there are located to the sector over the past ties should provide the temporary manufacturing industry grew 4.4 and adopt the Law on of the comprehensive privatisation plans to open 20 hotels. The hotels five years. The Ministry of Agri- registration of cars imported from percent in 2019. The mining in- Technical Regulation had been implemented, accord- in Turkestan are undergoing major culture has been directed to create EAEU countries as of Feb. 1 in a dustry grew 3.7 percent in 2019 as ing to information provided at the repairs in accordance with interna- conditions for the processing of month. Registration will be valid a result of an increase in metal ore by the end of the year. meeting. tional requirements. The construc- raw products in the country. until March 1, 2021. People have production by 16 percent. Approximately 2.7 million peo- tion of the visitor centre, national The President also noted that to pay the registration fee and tax. “One of the most important said Mamin. Labour productiv- ple in Kazakhstan receive salary centre for traditional crafts on the housing construction is a govern- Temporary registration should be priorities is to create new jobs. ity in 2019 was 7.4 million tenge increases in 2019 and more than Silk Road, the international airport, ment priority. In 2019, social sup- carried out without the right of The investment projects ensure (US$19,500) per person. 423,000 jobs were created. the Museum of Khoja Ahmed Yas- sawi and other tourist facilities are underway,” said Turkestan Region Deputy Akim (Governor) Meirzhan Myrzaliyev at a Jan. 20 Regional Communications Service meeting.

Asset Isekeshev appointed Security Council Secretary More than 30 families, or 206 peo- the Higher School of Public Ad- ister of Industry and Trade. The was appointed the President’s ple, moved to Pavlodar in 2019 as By Galiya Khassenkhanova ministration under the President of next year, he became Vice Prime Chief of Staff, where he served un- part of the Development of Produc- Kazakhstan. Minister and Minister of Indus- til March 2019. tive Employment and Mass Entrepre- NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh Presi- After that he worked at the try and New Technologies. Since The last position he held before neurship 2017-2021 programme, re- dent Kassym-Jomart Tokayev ap- Agency for Strategic Planning March 2010 he started working the new appointment was the Ex- ported the regional press service Jan. pointed Jan. 16 Asset Isekeshev and Reforms and the Ministry of as a Deputy Prime Minister while ecutive Director of the Foundation 22. The initiative aims to increase la- Assistant to the President and Sec- Economy and Budget Planning. holding the position of the Minis- of the First President of Kazakh- bour mobility. The government paid retary of the Security Council, re- In 2003, he became Vice Minister ter of Industry and New Technolo- stan – Elbasy where he oversaw the individuals more than 18 million ported akorda.kz. for Industry and Trade, a position gies. Isekeshev was reappointed to both the operations of the founda- tenge (US$48,000) in subsidies and Isekeshev, 48, replaced he occupied until May 2006. Fol- these positions twice, in 2011 and tions and its charitable projects in 60 million tenge (US$160,000) to Kalmukhanbet Kassymov, who lowing that, he worked as Kazyna 2014. the areas of education and youth, rent housing. Families moved from had previously served as Minis- Sustainable Development Fund’s From 2014 to 2016, he occupied among others. the Almaty, Kyzylorda, Mangistau, ter of Internal Affairs from 2011 inform.kz. Photo credit: Board Deputy Chair. the position of the Minister for In- Kazakhstan’s First President Turkestan and Zhambyl regions and to 2019. In the reshuffle, Kassy- ment officials and some major In 2008-2009, Isekeshev served vestment and Development. Nursultan Nazarbayev, following Almaty, Nur-Sultan and Shymkent. mov was appointed head of the buildings. as Assistant to the President. In 2016-2018, Isekeshev served his voluntary resignation in March “The reasons of internal migration Kazakhstan State Guard Service Isekeshev graduated from the Along with this, he became Sam- as Akim (Mayor) of the capital 2019, remains the chairman of the include returning to one’s homeland, that incorporates the national Law School of Al-Farabi Kazakh ruk Kazyna National Welfare Fund city of Astana (later renamed Nur- Security Council of the country a quality education and labour op- guard and the security service State University in Almaty in board member. Sultan). and the leader of the ruling Nur portunities,” said a Pavlodar admin- and which guards top govern- 1994. In 1998, he graduated from In 2009, he was appointed Min- In September 2018, Isekeshev Otan party. istration spokesperson. A3 EURASIA&WORLD

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020

EXTERNAL NEWS IN BRIEF FM visits Brussels in advance of new Kazakhstan-EU Kazakhstan will start exchanging experts, witnesses and crime sus- pects with Brazil, reported 24.kz Jan. 22. The initial agreement was cooperation agreement entry into force signed June 20, 2018. “If we need Kazakhstan to apply the EPCA in eration Council meeting, Minister to invite an expert, a witness from By Elya Altynsarina 29 areas of cooperation, such as Tileuberdi met with High Repre- Brazil or someone who is of great international and regional security, sentative of the Union for Foreign importance for the investigation NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh For- trade, investment, infrastructure Affairs and Security Policy and of a criminal case, we can invite eign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi development, as well as innova- Vice-President of the European [the person],” said Kazakh Deputy made his first visit to Brussels Jan. tion, culture, sports and tourism. Commission Josep Borrell as well Head Prosecutor Marat Akhmetzh- 20 to participate in the 17th meet- Other priority areas of the agree- as members of the European Par- anov while presenting the ratifica- ing of the Cooperation Council of ment were energy, transport, the liament, including members of the tion bill in Parliament. He noted the Republic of Kazakhstan-the environment, education and sci- Kazakhstan-EU Friendship Group there are no Kazakh nor Brazil- European Union and meet with ence, according to a press release and the Delegation of the Euro- ian citizens who would currently high-level officials. by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs pean Parliament for Central Asia be affected by the agreement, but Earlier on the same day, the coun- of Kazakhstan. and Mongolia to discuss regional the document has created a legal cil adopted the conclusion of the Trade with EU countries ac- development in Central Asia and basis for cooperation. Kazakhstan EU-Kazakhstan Enhanced Partner- counts for 50 percent of Kazakh- political reforms that have had has similar agreements with 21 ship and Cooperation Agreement stan’s foreign trade while the EU a positive impact on democratic countries, with Argentina, the Do- (EPCA) signed in 2015. The new is also the largest investor in the changes in society. minican Republic and Greece soon agreement that has also been rati- Kazakh economy. The European Parliament mem- planning to sign such documents. fied by all member states and the Between January and November bers hailed the decision of Kazakh European Parliament will enter into 2019, trade between Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

Deputy Minister of Foreign Af- force March 1. Kazakhstan was the mfa.gov.kz. Photo credit: and EU memberstates reached to accede to the Second Optional fairs Margulan Baimukhan held first country in Central Asia to sign L-R: Kazakh Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi and Minister for Foreign $28.7 billion (exports $22.7 bil- Protocol of the International Cov- talks with German Bundestag the EPCA in 2015. Affairs of Croatia Gordan Grlić Radman shake hands before the meeting. lion, imports $6 billion). enant on Civil and Political Rights, Deputy Dirk Wiese, the govern- “The new ECPA, (…), opens Foreign direct investment from aimed at abolishing the death pen- ment’s coordinator regarding co- the way to both a deepening and determined to do all I can to build Delegations to the council meet- the EU to Kazakhstan in the first six alty in the country, as well as ini- operation with Russia, Central expansion of many ties between on the already strong partnership ing also discussed political, trade months of 2019 reached $5.4 billion. tiatives on peaceful assemblies, Asia and the Eastern Partnership us at an important moment in Ka- between Kazakhstan and the EU and economic cooperation and The Cooperation Council meet- decriminalising defamation and countries, Kazinform reported Jan. zakhstan’s economic, social and and ensure new opportunities for implementation of the new EU ing was Chaired by Minister for lowering the threshold for creating 14 referring to the Kazakh Min- political development. It is why increased cooperation are taken,” strategy and Europe-Asia inter- Foreign Affairs of Croatia Gordan political parties. istry of Foreign Affairs press ser- it is an exciting time to be mak- wrote Minister Tileuberdi in an connectedness. Grlić Radman and Minister Tileu- Tokayev is scheduled to visit Brus- vice. The parties discussed imple- ing my first visit to Brussels as op-ed published on Euractiv ahead Council representatives also berdi. sels in February to discuss relations menting the agreements reached foreign minister this week. I am of the visit. said they are ready to work with On the sidelines of the Coop- between Kazakhstan and the EU. during the Dec. 5 meeting between Kazakh President Kasym-Jomart Tokayev and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, as well as cooper- ation prospects at the interregional level. Kazakh Ambassador discusses cooperation with Utah The Kazakh ambassador and the ship” and answered the audience’s Street Journal in terms of price and community were particularly in- Kazakh oil exports to China By Nurdana Adylkhanova governor discussed the develop- questions. quality of education. terested in the initiative of First were temporarily stopped due to ment of bilateral relations as well To mark the 175th anniversary of At a meeting with the governing President of Kazakhstan Nursultan problems with the oil composites, NUR-SULTAN – Ambassador as promising areas of cooperation Abai Kunanbayev and the 1150th body of the Church of Jesus Christ Nazarbayev to hold Congresses of said a Kazakh Ministry of En- of Kazakhstan to the United States between Kazakhstan and Utah. anniversary of Al-Farabi and cel- of Latter-day Saints, the domi- Leaders of World and Traditional ergy press service representative. Yerzhan Kazykhanov paid a work- Kazykhanov noted the potential ebrate the cultural and humanitar- nant religion in Utah and widely Religions. The American side ex- “In this regard, the export of Ka- ing visit to Utah Jan. 15-17, where for cooperation in developing tour- ian links between Kazakhstan and known as the Mormon church, pressed its readiness to consider zakh oil to China was suspended he met with Utah Governor Gary ism and promoting Kazakh goods the U.S., Kazykhanov presented a the ambassador shared informa- sending church representatives to (the decrease was 30,900 tonnes Herbert, President of Brigham on the U.S. market during his meet- two-volume anthology of Kazakh tion about Kazakhstan’s efforts to the upcoming seventh Congress in against the plan of 34,600 tonnes). Young University (BYU) Kevin ing with Hansen. He expressed in- literature and commemorative strengthen interreligious and inter- 2021. The resumption of Kazakhstani Worthen, Director of the World terest in establishing contacts with coins of Al-Farabi to Worthen. faith dialogue, its implementation Today’s Mormon church arose oil exports to China is expected Trade Centre Utah Miles Hansen local U.S. companies. BYU is one of the largest reli- of peacekeeping and humanitarian from the Latter-day Saints Res- after the settlement of issues of as well as representatives of lo- At BYU, Kazykhanov delivered gious universities in the United projects as well as the maintenance toration Christianity movement, the quality of the oil being handed cal American companies, reports a lecture to students on the topic States, with more than 32,000 of regional and international secu- created by religious figure Joseph over from the resources of CNPC- Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign “Kazakhstan and the United States students. In 2019, the university rity. Smith Jr. in upstate New York in Aktobemunaigas,” he noted. The Affairs. in 2020: New Decade of Partner- ranked first in Forbes and the Wall Representatives of the Mormon the 1820s. ministry and Kaztransoil are cur- rently working on redirecting the oil to ensure an adequate supply.

The Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SA- UAE, Kazakhstan have unique cooperation RIO) signed a memorandum of cooperation with Kazakh Invest on Jan. 21. Prior to the event, SARIO General Director Robert Simon- opportunities, says envoy cic told KazInform that “SARIO Continued from Page A1 and provide powerful impetus for will begin this year. An Emirati exceeded $2 billion. As trade resources and readiness for prac- plans to sign a memorandum of growing the country’s investment astronaut flew to the International ties continue to grow, they have tical steps. I believe that in 2020 cooperation with Kazakh Invest to Two important framework potential. Space Station this month, making contributed significantly to estab- our countries will expand and organise roundtables and business agreements have been signed in Developing military and tech- the UAE the 19th country to visit. lishing several joint agriculture, deepen mutually beneficial coop- meetings between business repre- transportation and logistics. The nical cooperation and assisting “Three years ago, I was ap- energy and mining projects and eration,” he said. sentatives of both countries in or- first involves the basic principles Kazakh machine-building enter- pointed the UAE ambassador to developing potential trade and Al Jaber also spoke about the der to exchange information and of DP World’s participation in prises in accessing UAE distribu- Kazakhstan and throughout the economic relations projects. upcoming visit of Kazakh Presi- organise such future events within capital for the Khorgos-Eastern tion channels are another prom- time, I can say that the approach Cultural and humanitarian co- dent Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to and outside the meetings of the in- Gate Special Economic Zone ising bilateral cooperation area. is changing. Whereas in the past operation, noted Al Jaber, is the the UAE He feels the trip will tergovernmental commission,” he (SEZ) management company. The Kazakhstan currently has a repre- bilateral cooperation may have basis for strengthening mutual provide the impetus for coopera- said. “Based on the trade exchange agreement between the Mangistau sentative engineering office in the been conducted mostly on a high trust and friendship, as cultural tion between the UAE and Ka- and the potential of both countries, Region akimat (administration) Khalifa Industrial Zone (Kizad) in level, today we face the process of events show the diversity and zakhstan, the basis of which was it can be noted that the most prom- and DP World to purchase 49 per- Abu Dhabi. promoting collaboration in many similarities of Emirati and Ka- established by the leaders of both ising areas of cooperation between cent of the Aktau Seaport SEZ Kazakhstan and the UAE have different fields,” said Al Jaber. zakh culture. Each event deepens nations – UAE founder His High- Slovakia and Kazakhstan are ag- shares will help develop the sea- made a significant breakthrough Intergovernmental Commis- interest and opens prospects for ness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan riculture and waste management, port. Both agreements are set to in space cooperation. The coun- sion (IGC) meetings represent cooperation in various fields. The Al Nahayan and First President energy and the food industry,” he help expand the country’s trans- tries are currently promoting joint an important step in developing most significant are exhibitions of of Kazakhstan Nursultan Naz- added. port potential. space exploration projects, as Kazakh-Emirati trade-economic decorative and applied art, cul- arbayev. DP World, which operates ter- well as working on the Baikonur relations, acting as a platform tural days and movie screenings. “We expect new agreements to President Kassym-Jomart To- minals, free zones and ports glob- rocket complex and the possibil- to resolve the main issues to en- “I always say that Kazakhstan be reached during the meetings. kayev met Jan. 15 with GRECO ally, will utilise its best manage- ity of coordinating to modernise hance cooperation between the and the UAE have all the real op- It will help to enhance strategic (The Group of States against Cor- ment experience at the Jebel Ali the Soyuz launch site. Kazakh, countries. IGC has held seven portunities to establish the bridge partnership between Kazakhstan ruption) Executive Secretary Gi- free economic zone and together Russian and UAE space agency meetings to date, the last on Sept. that connects the two most impor- and the UAE Undoubtedly, Presi- anluca Esposito. Tokayev noted with Kazakh partners, ensure at- representatives signed a protocol 8-9, 2019. tant regions in the world, through dent Tokayev’s visit testifies to an Kazakhstan’s participation in the tracting approximately $1 billion last year to expand trilateral space There has been a remarkable which we will be able to exchange unprecedented interaction from organisation will give the country in investments to Kazakhstan by cooperation, a project to be im- growth in recent years in bilateral not only goods and services, but the perspective of international additional impetus to combat cor- the end of this year. Cooperating plemented by 2025. The joint ac- trade and economic cooperation. also scientific thought and cultur- relations, thanks to which the ruption and the nation will con- with the largest port operator will tivities constitute a logical exten- Trade turnover from 2005-2019 al values. We have everything for cooperation between Kazakhstan tribute to solving other problems allow Kazakhstan to strengthen sion of space cooperation and the was more than $3.7 billion and this – a solid legal base, mutual and the UAE is moving forward,” that impede progress. Esposito in- SEZ work in Aktau and Khorgos Baiterek project feasibility study UAE investments in Kazakhstan support, coincidence of priorities, he added. dicated Kazakhstan’s membership will contribute not only to promot- ing the principles and mechanisms of the fight against corruption, but funded by the Japanese govern- also to improving the business cli- ment and implemented by UNDP. mate, thereby enhancing the scope The $6.4-million project is being of public services. Central Asian country representatives executed in a 30-month period from 2018-2020. A regular meeting of the govern- The initiative is aimed at mobi- ment delegations in the Kazakh- lising Central Asian young people Uzbek Demarcation Commission discuss new extremism tendencies as a potential force to counter ex- was held Jan. 20-24 in Tashkent, “This dialogue serves as a plat- The discussion centred on the changed their expertise and experi- tremist influences and narratives in Uzbekistan. The commission pre- By Nazira Kozhanova form for governments, experts and tendencies and challenges caused ence in repatriating, rehabilitating vulnerable communities. The ob- pared drafts for final documents on the research community to explore by extremist organisations using and socially reintegrating citizens jective will hopefully be achieved the demarcation of the state border NUR-SULTAN – Government, and elaborate on required meas- digital methods for attracting new who joined international conflicts. in the four countries through local- to the site in the Kyzylorda and civil society and international or- ures in strengthening prevention of members and spreading extrem- The project aims to build commu- level youth engagement initiatives Turkestan Regions of Kazakhstan, ganisation representatives from violent extremism. In particular, it ist messages. Governments in the nity resilience to violent extremism and measures to improve their adjacent to the Jizzakh and Navoi Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan is crucial for young people who are region have responded to these in Central Asia by improving young employability. The range of activi- regions of Uzbekistan. The delega- and Turkmenistan met in Dushanbe, mostly at risk of being targeted by challenges with corresponding people’s socio-economic status. ties is aimed at supporting regional tions prepared a draft Action Plan Tajikistan Dec. 17-18 for the fourth violent extremism,” said Pratibha policies, and dialogue participants The event was held within the networking, as well as exchanging for the preparation of the final doc- New Tendencies in Violent Extrem- Mehta, United Nations Develop- noted the efficiency of the strate- Strengthening Community Resil- knowledge and experiences in re- uments on the demarcation of the ism and Preventive Measures re- ment Programme (UNDP) Resi- gies. ience and Regional Cooperation lation to preventing youth radicali- Kazakh-Uzbek state border. gional dialogue, reported undp.org. dent Representative in Tajikistan. Those in attendance also ex- in Central Asia regional project sation in the region. A4 ECONOMY

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020

ECONOMIC Senate should create Digital Kazakhstan NEWS IN BRIEF Almaty showed a positive trend in all sectors of the city’s economy in 2019. The gross regional prod- Agribusiness Complex programme created uct per capita grew 4.8 percent and investments in fixed assets, 8.5 percent. Retail trade grew 12.1 percent; transport and warehous- Council, says Speaker 8,000 jobs in 2019 ing, 11.9 percent; housing con- struction, 4.8 percent; industry, Continued from Page A1 sengers, as well as on issued tickets. Staff Report 4.5 percent and construction, 3.4 The project also installed toll sys- percent. Almaty attracted more Online doctor appointments have tems on the Almaty-Kapchagai (42 NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh than 820 billion tenge (US$2.16 reduced live queues by 30 percent kilometres), Almaty-Khorgos (295 Senate should create an Agri- billion) in investments, an 8.3-per- and halved patient time spent in kilometres) and Astana-Temirtau business Complex Council, said cent increase, of which 620 billion polyclinics. The electronic labour (134 kilometres) roads. Speaker Dariga Nazarbayeva at tenge (US$1.64 billion) were pri- exchange halved the processing time the Jan. 17 meeting with agricul- In September, the project intro- vate. More than 47,000 jobs have and made the procedure transparent. ture sector representatives. duced 24 special automated meas- been created, including more than In 2019, more than 488,000 ap- “We need to create a council on uring instruments that identified 35,000 by business entities and plicants were employed through the agro-industrial complex under approximately 82 weight violations 12,000 under state programmes. e-service, approximately 350,000 the Senate until we bring it to mind and recovered 8.6 million tenge of whom gained permanent em- with the programme and with all (US$22,685.3) in fees and fines. The Kazakh National Bank will ployment. Kazakh citizens signed the proposals. We will carefully The project has been creating develop a draft 2030 Monetary Pol- consider all the recommendations 742,000 electronic contracts. model digital factories that will icy Strategy by the end of the first and try to include them in the doc- The programme has also digit- demonstrate digitisation’s effect and quarter of 2020, announced chair- ument, which we will forward to ised economic sectors. It introduced impact, identify barriers and develop person Yerbolat Dossayev during the government. All interested par- digital technologies at fuel, energy, state support tools. As a part of the the Jan. 24 expanded government ties could enter this council – rep- mining and metallurgical complexes programme, work began on 51 pro- meeting. The financial regulator resentatives of the agro-industrial Dariga Nazarbayeva with elements of Industry 4.0 among jects and 16 were completed. will implement the strategy in two complex, government, local ex- their technological re-equipment. Astana Hub, one of big parts of stages. The first stage will be syn- ecutive authorities and the field of of registration in the registry,” said “In order to increase the at- Embamunaigas, Karazhanbas- Digital Kazakhstan, has created con- chronised with the 2025 national science and training,” she noted. Kazakh Research Institute of Agri- tractiveness of rural science for munai, Kazgermunai and Ozenmu- ditions for obtaining tax, labour and strategic plan; the second will focus The council would tackle prob- culture and Plant Growing General young people and meet the needs naygas have been using the intellec- visa benefits and start-up develop- on long-term tasks to fully imple- lems including storing the plant Director Andrei Ageenko. of agricultural producers in scien- tual field information system. The ment programmes. ment policy inflation targeting. gene pool, the existing system Another issue facing Kazakh ag- tific research, we started the im- system optimised electricity con- “The programmes of our technol- of primary seeds, lack of control ribusiness is the lack of qualified plementation of this project last sumption cost up to 15 percent, sta- ogy park gave us the opportunity to Kazakhstan will reduce state over the domestic seed market and young personnel. Of the 10,000 year. Approximately 880 million bilised production level to 2 percent understand how good Kazakhstan’s participation in entrepreneurial grain standards. graduates of the Bolashak educa- tenge (US$2.33 million) was al- and provides centralised field man- start-up projects are and how rapidly activity with the new amendments “All these factors doom the tion abroad state programme, only located from the regional akimat agement and remote monitoring. they are moving towards the level to the draft Law “On Amendments fields to low productivity. We sug- 70 work in the agrarian field. (government), 21 kilometers of of a developed international start- and Additions to Certain Legisla- gest making changes to the control Karabalyk Agricultural Experimen- road were repaired for 380 million The programme up ecosystem. After examining the tive Acts on Improving the Busi- system for seed production and al- tal Station General Director Damir tenge (US$1 million) and we will quality of our projects, we can con- ness Climate,” reported inform.kz. lowing the launch of promising va- Kaldybaev spoke about the Scien- restore engineering and social in- has also digitised clude that our investment in them The amendments should eliminate rieties of crops on the market with- tific Country programme that seeks to frastructure for 500 million tenge economic sectors. paid off,” said Astana Hub General competition barriers. “Market en- out waiting for a three-year cycle draw graduates to the rural sector. (US$1.33 million),” he said. Director Joseph Ziegler, reported the tities with state participation can It introduced digital press service. be created in the activities of state To date, the hub has given rise to monopoly, ensuring national se- technologies at 163 IT companies, nearly 700 start- curity and the state’s defence ca- ups, 17 research and development pabilities and the use of strategic fuel, energy, mining centres involving domestic and for- facilities, as well as the insufficient and metallurgical eign IT companies and the Alem level of development of competi- Transit of goods through programming school. The local con- tion determined by the analysis of complexes with tent share is 57.7 percent. the relevant product market,” said elements of Industry In 2019, Astana Hub organised National Economy Deputy Min- more than 530 events attended by ister Zhaslan Madiyev during the country grew 23 percent in 2019 4.0 among their approximately 17,000 visitors. The Jan. 23 bill presentation in the Ma- tonnes, to Kyrgyzstan 2.26 mil- countries 779,000 tonnes and to techno park also inked memoran- jilis (lower house of Parliament). By Nazira Kozhanova lion tonnes, to Tajikistan 1.2 mil- Russia 61,700 tonnes of cargo. technological re- dums of cooperation with 25 inter- lion tonnes and to Afghanistan Cargo originating in Central equipment. national organisations. The Kazkosmos Aerospace NUR-SULTAN – The transit of 0.26 million tonnes. Outside of Asian nations included 106,500 “These measures helped create Committee completed space moni- goods through Kazakhstan grew Central Asia, cargo to Russia ac- tonnes to the European Union, favourable conditions for the de- toring services in 2019 to address 23 percent to 664,000 containers counted for 2.8 percent, China 396,000 tonnes to Russia and 5,400 The magistral project has im- velopment of a start-up culture and 32 industry tasks in four state bod- and total transit revenues for Ka- 13.8 percent and European Union tonnes to China. Approximately proved train traffic safety, as it de- attracted more than 18 billion tenge ies. The committee conducted con- zakhstan reached more than 450 countries 7.1 percent. 9,700 tonnes of cargo were deliv- tects track faults and rail defects in (US$47.48 million) in 2019 in do- tinuous monitoring of arable land billion tenge (US$1.2 billion) in Specific types of cargo transport- ered from Russia to the countries a timely manner. Three mobile diag- mestic start-up projects. The total and created digital farmland vector 2019, the Ministry of Infrastruc- ed through Kazakhstan via railway of Central Asia, 567,000 tonnes nostic system units currently exam- volume of attracted investments in maps. ​​Digitised agricultural land ture and Industrial Development include oil at 18.5 percent, ferrous from the countries of the European ine trunk network infrastructure and the IT market of Kazakhstan over the occupies more than 33 million reported Jan. 20. metals at 10.7 percent, chemicals Union to Central Asia and 2,700 the project is planning to add three past two years amounted to approxi- hectares, of which 19.4 million Among this cargo, the number of and soda at 6.8 percent, chemical tonnes of cargo to China. more units. The system examined mately 32.4 billion tenge (US$85.47 are defined as arable land, 12.4 containers in the direction of China and mineral fertilisers 2.2 percent, Goods transported via road 19,000 kilometres of track during million),” said the statement. million as deposits and 1.6 mil- – Europe – China increased 11 per- grain at 1.7 percent and other types consisted primarily of automo- the fourth quarter of 2019, identify- In education, 6,703 of 7,014 lion as hayfields, according to the cent to 347,000 TEU containers. of cargo totalling 55.6 percent. biles and equipment. Of that, ing 190 kilometres of poorly rated schools were equipped with com- report. Kazkosmos also monitored Approximately 17.5 million The volume of transit goods electronic equipment accounted track and 85 pieces of dangerous puters. School students use electron- the municipal solid waste accumu- tonnes of goods transited through transported via roads amounted to for 20.1 percent of transit, plant rails. ic diaries and journals. lated in 17 large cities. It identified Kazakhstan in 2019. Of that, 75.6 1.93 million tonnes. The main di- products 17.3 percent, consumer The Intelligent Transportation “The digitisation of the education more than 10,000 natural dump percent or 11.5 million tonnes rections of the road transit were as goods 15 percent, raw materials, System project digitised transport system has reduced the gap in the formations within 50 kilometres of were in route to Central Asian follows: from China to the coun- fabrics and textile materials 11.5 and logistics. The system collects quality of education between rural city borders, as well as violations countries. In particular, cargo to tries of the European Union at percent and other goods 8.6 per- and processes data on roads, vehi- and urban schools by more than 30 of the licensed dump boundaries. Uzbekistan totalled 7.1 million 14,000 tonnes, to Central Asian cent. cles, toll roads and intercity bus pas- percent,” it added. To improve land use efficiency, the government plans to fully integrate the automated information system data with the state land cadastre.

As of Jan. 1, Unified Accumula- New rules for currency exchange offices include authorised tion Pension Fund (UAPF) pension assets totalled 10.8 trillion tenge (US$28.53 billion), according to its investment activity review. The capital amount, data capture and office hour changes weighted average yield to maturity depending on the city’s size and a.m.-8 p.m. Kazhmuratov justified of debt financial instruments in the By Nazira Kozhanova status. eliminating overnight hours due to fund’s investment portfolio reached “Second, the timing of the in- security issues and people’s con- 7.1 percent per annum, including NUR-SULTAN – The new rules troduction of this norm has been cerns causing foreign currency to 8.7 percent per annum in tenge and for Kazakh currency exchange of- shifted. Initially, we planned to in- be overvalued at night. 3.2 percent per annum in foreign fice operations include changes troduce the requirement beginning “Beginning Feb. 1, exchange currency. The main share (40.45 in the authorised capital amount, Jan. 1, 2020. In the adjusted ver- offices will be open from 9:00 to percent) of the UAPF pension as- data capture and office hours, said sion, for organisations located in 20:00. Changing the work sched- sets portfolio is in government se- National Bank Cash Management cities of national significance, the ule is aimed at improving the se- curities, where the value decreased Department Director Zhomart Ka- norm will enter into force April 1, curity level of exchange offices by 19.19 billion tenge (US$50.69 zhmuratov in the bank’s Jan. 14 2020. In administrative centres of and their customers. This measure million) during the reporting month statement to the media, according regions and cities of regional sig- will also help eliminate the facts of to 4.37 trillion tenge (US$11.54 bil- to Forbes.kz. nificance, [this will take place] be- overvaluation of the sale of cash lion). The cost of foreign govern- The first change will standardise ginning July 1, 2020. Exchange of- foreign currency in the evening ment securities totalled 1.24 tril- the authorised capital amount in fices located in villages and small and at night and the unjustified oc- lion tenge (US$3.28 billion), or an cities, with a special lower amount towns are required to provide au- currence of agitation among the 11.44-percent share of the portfolio. for smaller cities and villages. thorised capital until Jan. 1, 2021,” population,” he said.

“First, the plan was to estab- he added. elements.envato.com. Photo credit: The only currency exchange The Ministry of Energy has sus- lish the same amount of author- The earlier version of the draft offices currently permitted to re- pended exports of Kazakh oil to ised capital in the amount of 100 law envisioned exchange offices desk and/or in refined gold bul- a simplified form. If the amount main open overnight are those in China. The results of Jan. 16 oil million tenge (US$264,398) for having authorised capital, as well lion. These measures will provide of operations is up to 500,000 airports and first category, large quality tests indicated an excess of all non-bank exchange offices, as additional 20 percent, while the exchange offices with sufficient tenge (US$1,321), then the client shopping centres. organochlorine compounds in the regardless of the location. Now, current changes require exchange funds for smooth operation,” said provides only an identity docu- “For the convenience of peo- fraction boiling up to 204 degrees the size of the authorised capital points to have only the authorised Kazhmuratov. ment. This is an international ple entering/leaving the country Celsius in Kaztransoil’s trunk for offices located in villages and capital. Exchange offices will also be practice that is applied in many through airports, railway sta- pipeline system when receiving oil small towns has been reduced to “Third, earlier it was envis- obliged to keep records by hav- countries of the world… When tions and automobile checkpoints from CPNC-Aktobemunaigas. The 50 million tenge (US$132,199),” aged to oblige exchange offices ing customers provide some form exchanging funds in the amount across the state border, the work- same day, oil reception from CN- he said. to have an additional 20 percent of ID when exchanging currency. of more than 500,000 tenge ing hours of exchange offices will PC-Aktobemunaigas was stopped Introducing the amendment has of the amount of the authorised Previously, only customers willing (US1,321), nothing has changed not be limited. Exchange offices until the quality issues of the deliv- also taken longer than originally capital in their accounts. Now, it to exchange more than 500,000 and the previous procedure (prior will work around the clock [there] ered oil were settled, reported the planned. Rather than becoming is enough to have the authorised tenge (US$1,321) were obliged to to the change) to record data is and at large shopping centres of ministry. The decrease in exported effective Jan. 1, the change will capital itself, which is located in provide ID. used,” he noted. the first category, until 22:00,” he oil reached 30,900 tonnes, with a be implemented more gradually, bank accounts and/or at the cash “Data capture will take place in Exchange offices will be open 9 added. plan of 34,600 tonnes. A5 BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020

BUSINESS NEWS IN BRIEF Kazakh-Slovak roundtable encourages Kazakhtelecom has created the iKapitalist crowdfunding platform to enable citizens to directly finance small and medium-sized businesses. increased bilateral economic cooperation The service provides new opportuni- velops so rapidly in every direc- electro energy equipment manu- ties for the country’s entrepreneurs By Nazira Kozhanova tion. Also, from the perspective of facturing company and Kazakh and financiers who want to attract in- a Slovakian import, it’s very im- energy company Market Solu- vestment for further develop business. NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh and portant that Kazakhstan has oil re- tions. According to Chief Innovations Di- Slovak officials hosted a business serves, uranium ore reserves and The roundtable gathered Vas- rector Nurlan Meirmanov, the com- roundtable Jan. 21 in Nur-Sultan other natural resources. We also silenko, Kazakh Vice-Minister pany has a network of data centres to discuss bilateral trade and import. Our businessmen have a of Energy Sungat Yessimkh- throughout Kazakhstan and provides economic cooperation as well as major interest towards Kazakh- anov, Slovakian Ministry of a wide range of information and com- to sign memorandums of under- stan, they see opportunities for Economy First State Secretary munication technology (ICT) services standing. mutually beneficial cooperation Vojtech Ferencz, Deputy Board with a high level of fault tolerance and “It should be said that more here. So many of them came here Chair of Kazakh Invest Timur network connectivity. Kazakhtele- than 40 countries with Slovakian today. Personally, I worked here Tilinin, and more than 100 rep- com also provides high-quality and participation already work in Ka- for four years, from 2007 to 2010, resentatives of government and affordable service that meets Astana zakhstan. … Interest to our coun- and I see that there are opportuni- business sectors from Slovakia Financial Services Authority (AFSA) try is significant,” said Kazakh ties. It’s great that Kazakh compa- and Kazakhstan. The roundtable security requirements and ensures Ambassador to Slovakia Roman nies are also starting to emerge in was organised by the Kazakh protecting user data, he added. The Vassilenko. Slovakia,” said Borecky. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and company previously launched its own Vassilenko added that agricul- During the roundtable, Kazakh Kazakh Invest. Blockchain platform, which allows ture has the potential for increased both in attracting our investments, Viktor Borecky, a department Invest and SARIO, the Agency Trade turnover between Ka- creating applications using Block- cooperation as Slovakian interest and, naturally, in investing in our director at the Slovakian Ministry for Investment and Trade De- zakhstan and Slovakia exceeded chain technology and SmartContract. in Kazakhstan grows. economy. And we very much hope of Foreign Affairs, said Slovakia velopment of Slovakia, signed a $26 million from January to Sep- “Agriculture, it should be noted, that according to the results of to- sees potential in Kazakhstan due memorandum of cooperation to tember 2019. Since 2005, Slova- The Almaty akimat (city adminis- and the high-quality processing of day’s events, as well as the results to its oil and uranium reserves as exchange information and organ- kia’s foreign direct investment tration) began developing rules Jan. agricultural products that are pre- of the signing of three memoran- well as import potential. ise events. Also, a memorandum to Kazakhstan has exceeded $20 10 to organise trade, which will de- sent in Slovakia, we are also in- dums of cooperation, our turnover “For us Kazakhstan is a very of cooperation and joint develop- million, reported Kazakh Invest fine the basic requirements for loca- terested in. Slovakia is interested will increase,” added Vassilenko. interesting country, because it de- ment was signed by Slovak Engul press service. tions installing non-stationary objects of trade (NOT), a common design code and mechanism for allocating seats to entrepreneurs. To date, 250 land plots for NOT installations have been proposed to the chamber, 85 of EBRD invests more than $761 Rich soil, increased European which have been selected for the first stage, according to Almaty Entrepre- neurship and Investment Department million in 29 private, public demand make Kazakhstan world’s head Yerkebulan Orazalin. The tracts will be provided through an auction or by directly concluding agreements with domestic producers. In addition, sector projects in 2019 largest flax oil producer 50 spots have been identified for food tion of the Big Almaty Ring Road, construction of a 100-megawatt The domestic market is even trucks. Special attention will be paid By Zhanna Shayakhmetova a 66-kilometre bypass around Al- solar power plant in the Zhambyl By Aidana Yergaliyeva tougher because Kazakhs “do not to rules concerning activities at sum- maty. region ($55 million), a 10-mega- have a culture of consumption of mer venues to ensure they are operat- NUR-SULTAN – The European The major transport infrastruc- watt solar plant in the Zhanakor- NUR-SULTAN – Global flax flaxseed oil. It is healthy, dietary, but ed safely. According to the new rules, Bank for Reconstruction and De- ture projects include the recon- gan district ($6.4 million) and a imports have grown 1.7 times from you can’t add it only to salad; you seasonal platforms can only be placed velopment (EBRD) invested $761 struction of the Atyrau-Astrakhan 50-megawatt solar power plant in 1.04 million tonnes in 2008 to 1.76 can’t fry with it, so our consumer prefers vegetable oil, which our with stationary catering facilities. million in 29 private and public road with $211 million of invest- Chulakkurgan ($40.4 million) in million tonnes in 2018. Kazakh grandfathers took. sector projects in Kazakhstan in ments and the Kurty-Kapshagai the South Kazakhstan region, ac- farmers, with acres of the black soil The Development Bank of Ka- needed for flax seeds, have conveni- “Secondly, [there is] the ques- 2019, reported the bank’s press highway with $89 million of in- cording to the release. tion of money. When a customer zakhstan provided a loan for Shym- ently supplied the growing demand. service Jan. 17. vestments to improve interregion- The bank also allocated loans approaches the shelf and sees that a kent Chemical Company to construct The country produced 94,600 Support for small businesses is al connectivity and promote trade to micro, small and medium-sized litre of sunflower oil costs 430 tenge a new plant in the city producing tonnes of flax in 2010. By 2018, pro- particularly important as the coun- and economic prosperity. enterprises and women entrepre- duction reached 719,000 tonnes and ($1.14) and linseed oil costs 460 methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). try moves to reform its economy The EBRD continues to support neurs through local commercial Kazakhstan became the world leader. tenge ($1.22) for 0.5 litres, the choice The project cost is 13.7 billion tenge and strengthen its private sector. Kazakhstan as a regional leader in banks including Forte Bank, Bank “As far as I know, this was a re- is obvious – they buy sunflower,” he (US$36.2 million). The bank is pro- “This was another strong year the development of renewable en- CenterCredit and KMF. quest from Europe, where linseed added. viding a 10-year, nine billion tenge for the bank in the country, when ergy through the second phase of The bank provided $25 million oil is also actively consumed for Kazakh flaxseed growers have (US$23.8 million) loan and the we supported strategically impor- its renewable framework. in loans to RG Brands, a manufac- food and used in the production of, demonstrated little interest in in- company will invest the remaining tant projects. We are glad that a The framework programme turer of food and beverages for the for example, paints, varnishes and creasing flax processing. 4.7 billion tenge (US$12.4 million) smooth political transition in Ka- supports the implementation of acquisition of new cooling display linoleum,” said Kazakhstan Cereals “We are not sprayed – we are en- at its own expense, reported kapital. zakhstan, helped improve inves- projects in solar, wind, hydro and units with reduced electricity. and Oilseeds research bureau Direc- gaged in animal husbandry, decently kz. The project is aimed at develop- tors’ confidence in the country and biogas energy as well as electricity The EBRD continued its activi- tor Viktor Aslanov, reported Forbes sowing wheat, flax and rapeseed. It ing the Kazakh petrochemical in- will allow us to build a strong ba- distribution and transmission pro- ties with local authorities in en- Kazakhstan. does not make sense to open small dustry by increasing petrochemical sis for the continued cooperation,” jects. The projects are expected to ergy, transport and agribusiness “In 2010, when prices for all crops production. To put in a press, it must raw materials production. The new said EBRD’s Head of Kazakhstan reduce carbon dioxide emissions sectors to improve Kazakhstan’s were at their peak, flax was bought be good and work constantly, but enterprise will have an annual capac- Agris Preimanis. by at least 500,000 tonnes per year. investment climate. The bank sup- from us for $500 per tonne, while we need to conquer the market. We ity of 57,000 tonnes of MTBE, said Most of the projects are involved The renewables framework in ported an auction scheme designed wheat was at $120. After that, flax could also supply a milk processing company General Director Manat in public infrastructure and renew- Kazakhstan will help achieve its 3 to promote competitive pricing began to attract more attention; it plant, but where is the market? There Bibasov. The products will allow able energy. percent renewable energy targets and stimulate investments into re- became widespread in Kazakhstan is no market,” said Poltavskoye Di- producing high-quality petroleum The EBRD approved the second by 2020 and 50 percent by 2050 newables. and primarily in the North Kazakh- rector Eltai Zikirin. Flaxseeds have a long, 90-day products, thereby ensuring the coun- phase of the $332 million Kazakh- and fulfil its obligations as part of Overall, the EBRD has invested stan Region, because there are black soils. Rapeseed, flax and other oil- growing season and can easily bear try’s energy security and meeting the stan Renewables Framework and a the Paris Climate Agreement. approximately $9.3 billion in 269 seeds require rich soils provided with Northern Kazakhstan’s cold winters. needs of the domestic MTBE market, $225 million loan for the comple- Loans were provided for the projects in Kazakhstan. said bank Deputy Chairperson of the all the elements,” he added. “We dump the flax; it can lie for a Board Duman Aubakirov. Construc- In the 2017-2018 marketing year, month or two and even remain in the tion is expected to start in mid-2020. Kazakhstan exported flax mainly snow until spring and nothing will to Belgium (194,300 tonnes), Po- happen to it. It does not lose quality,” he noted. More than 5,000 small and me- land (58,200 tonnes), Afghanistan The attribute helps prices remain dium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and (56,500 tonnes) and Russia (10,100 Zhambyl entrepreneurs to implement tonnes). stable and “almost unchanged from approximately 42,000 agricultural China has had the potential to join year to year – 110,000-120,000 tenge producers in the Turkestan Region the major importer’s list in the few (US$291.50-US$318) per tonne, received funding under national and years. An agreement to supply flax while wheat prices are constantly regional programmes. The govern- 62 projects creating nearly 2,000 jobs to China was signed during Kazakh dancing,” he added. Flax is also un- ment allocated 74.6 billion tenge Moldakhmetova. “If banks give such as QazStonePaper (corrugat- President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s pretentious, cheap to manufacture (US$197.3 million) for the projects By Aidana Yergaliyeva 14-15 percent, then 6 percent, ed cardboard), SuperPharm (medi- state visit to Beijing last September. (40,000 tenge or US$106 per tonne) last year, 16.5 billion tenge (US$43.6 respectively, is a loan that is two cal devices) and Talas Investment “This is a big event for the mar- and will grow and yield a crop in any million) more than in 2018, said re- NUR-SULTAN – Zhambyl Re- times cheaper. It is beneficial for Company (sodium cyanide). ket,” said Aslanov. “The protocol year. gional Deputy Akim (Governor) gion entrepreneurs will be receiv- entrepreneurs to receive loans un- “The main locomotive of lending enables our producers to export flax In addition, flax is used as a raw Meirzhan Myrzaliev, reported ka- ing more than 20 billion tenge der this programme.” in our region today is Talas Invest- seeds to China without receiving ad- material to produce natural fibers. pital.kz. The region currently has (US$52.88 million) to start 62 In addition, “now the pro- ment Company – the only enter- ditional documents from Chinese The linen fabric is very durable, 141,992 SMEs, 108.6 percent more projects as part of the Economy of gramme is being considered (to prise in the CIS (Commonwealth laboratories.” does not rot and cannot be easily de- than last year. The businesses manu- Simple Things state programme. be extended) not for seven years, of Independent States) producing Kazakh flaxseed oil is mainly pro- stroyed. factured products worth 450 million The Atameken National Chamber but for ten years. Therefore, large sodium cyanide,” Moldakhmetova duced for export. In 2018, the coun- The quality causes problems in tenge (US$1.1 million), 133 percent of Entrepreneurs estimates the pro- amounts are stretched for a period told inform.kz. try sold 23,000 of 25,000 tonnes of producing curly flax, as straw accu- more than last year, he added. jects should create 1,845 jobs. that is easier to pay,” she added. The programme is also consider- produced oil. Europe and China are mulates in large quantities and does The economic effect should re- Although there are currently no ing projects involving Agrospets- the main importers, he noted. not disintegrate. Many items can be Halyk Bank and Samsung Elec- flect “an increase of production precise numbers to indicate when stroy (foam concrete blocks), Alel The nation’s flax producers, how- processed from flax straw to turn it tronics debuted the new payment in the implementation of these the projects will create a positive Agro (poultry farm), KazMeat- ever, cautiously sell the oil. Europe into a profitable business, said Zikirin. service Samsung Pay in Kazakhstan projects – meaning an increase of economic effect, the first returns Korday (cattle breeding) and Ka- imports oil in smaller quantities “be- “From it you can make a tow for Jan. 21. For its customers participat- production by 11.81 billion tenge should appear in a year. zphosphate (phosphate mining and cause the transfer of linseed oil takes construction purposes, technical and ing in the open beta testing, the bank (US$31.3 million) annually and “The project on the development processing plant). a long time and within 30 days, it even medical cotton wool, heat-insu- will provide a 10-percent bonus with tax revenues of approximate- of cattle breeding and animal hus- The Zhambyl Region is the sec- turns into drying oil. China takes the lating boards. Now, BMW does not on every purchase made using the ly 1.73 billion tenge (US$4.57 mil- bandry can be implemented faster ond largest in the country to im- most,” he added. sheathe its cars (panels, doors) with system. The bank is the first in the lion),” Nagima Moldakhmetova, – throughout the year. Some have plement the Economy of Simple Kazakh flaxseed oil, however, plastic, but with a special linen sheet could lose its competitive edge in that does not break and does not in- country to install the Samsung Pay an expert with the Project Support already received money, for ex- Things programme, according to the Chinese market, “which receives jure a person in the event of an ac- app and connect its Visa or Mas- Department of the chamber , told ample. They have already bought its press service. In 2019, banks government subsidies for the produc- cident,” added Aslanov. terCard bank cards. The payment The Astana Times. livestock and the returns from approved 53 projects for 22.7 bil- tion of flaxseed oil,” said Aslanov. The European market is ready to service allows customers to pay for The Economy of Simple Things’ animals that they bought will ob- lion tenge (US$60.28 million) of a “China has a different consump- buy flax straw products, but they goods and services directly from lower interest rate of 6 percent for viously be in the next year,” said possible 112 projects for 70.5 bil- tion culture. For example, they love need to be produced in Kazakhstan, their smartphones in any retail shops seven years has expanded the list Moldakhmetova. lion tenge (US$186.40 million). rapeseed oil; there is a press in each which its farmers are not willing to that accept cashless payments. The of potential borrowers among re- Most of the projects should The region has 69,604 active village and they themselves press the do. The straw can be converted into platform has three-level protection gional entrepreneurs. The govern- show returns in a year, as “the ma- small and medium-sized busi- oil. It is considered premium quality, useable products, but some busi- that ensures the security of payment ment reduced the rate July 9 and jority of the projects are in the field nesses (SMEs), which represent so the seeds will be bought for any nesspeople “will put up a slab plant transactions – fingerprint authori- added 45 new types of goods to the of agriculture.” 81.2 percent of the total enterpris- money. When (foreign producers) here, helping farmers who buy flax sation, tokenisation and Samsung concessional financing, said Prime The updated terms have also at- es registered in here. The number bring the finished (product), people to flail,” he noted. KNOX (a built-in security system Minister Askar Mamin during the tracted furniture and food product of operating SMEs increased 10.2 don’t know where they made the “In winter, farmers with flocks can that protects the smartphone from government meeting. manufacturers and educational percent in 2019 and employed butter; they doubt it. Therefore, if we make primary material and bring it to malicious attacks and continuously “This programme is very service enterprises. The approved 124,685 individuals, a 7.8-percent carry only oil, we will deprive a con- the factory. The prospects in terms of monitors possible vulnerabilities). good for entrepreneurs,” said projects involve larger companies increase. sumer of choice,” he noted. production are great,” he said. A6 EDITORIAL&OPINION

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020 Kazakhstan to be at EU and Central Asia: new opportunities centre of Fourth Industrial to work together for a green future Another key EU initiative is the By Josep Borell Fontelles Central Asia Water and Energy Pro- gramme (CAWEP) which promotes Revolution On 28 January 2020, friends from regional cooperation on energy and he World Economic Forum last week, We can’t know how these connections will play Central Asia, Afghanistan and the water security. This programme has as always, generated plenty of news out, but we do know that no aspect of our lives European Union will gather in Ber- facilitated dialogue among Central and controversy. The main theme this will be unchanged. lin for a conference organised by the Asian governments on common water year was the threat of climate change, Nur-Sultan’s Fourth Industrial Revolution German Foreign Ministry, entitled resources management such as the Aral Talthough the discussions also underlined that Centre – one of a series across the world – would “Green Central Asia”. I was glad to Sea basin, through support to regional powerful voices remain who believe the dangers give Kazakhstan a major role in shaping this accept the invitation and join foreign organisations such as the International are, at the least, exaggerated. revolution. The initial aims are to help create ministers from the region, for two Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS).

But the week showed that many businesses the right policy and regulatory framework to main reasons. ec.europa.eu. Photo credit: The next phase of this programme will and investors are not waiting for more evidence. encourage innovations in areas such as artificial First, to underline how urgent the see the inclusion of Afghanistan, a key They are instead already altering plans and intelligence and machine learning, robotics, data challenge of tackling climate change stated at their summit last November riparian state of the Amu Darya. priorities both to reduce their own impact on the policies as well as the Internet of Things and is and how much we need to mobilise in Tashkent. The EU has also engaged for almost climate and to protect their operations as well as smart city development. It is hoped it will quick- everyone to address it. The science Climate change is a top priority for ten years in efforts to decontaminate communities from changes already underway. ly become an important regional centre, drawing is clear: we are facing a true climate our partnership, as Central Asia is par- uranium legacy sites in Central Asia. It What was also clear was the essential role that in governments, businesses, research institutes crisis. Climate change is one of the ticularly affected. Over the past three invested €41 million to support plans innovation and technological advance must play and civic society from across Central Asia. biggest geopolitical challenges we decades, average annual temperatures with the Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan in reducing carbon emissions and mitigating the Kazakhstan has, of course, long grasped the face. It poses problems of redistribu- in the region have already risen by and Tajikistan on seven high priority impact of the climate changes already happen- importance of technology to the economy and tion, inside the EU and beyond, and 0.5 degrees Celsius and droughts and uranium legacy sites of the Ferghana ing. Without such developments, it is impossible increasingly to society. First President Nursultan is a driver of instability and migra- water scarcity have disrupted entire valley, the “breadbasket” of the region. to see how the necessary steps can be taken Nazarbayev put it at the forefront of his govern- tory pressures. It creates problems ecosystems. The disappearance of I am looking forward to the Confer- without prosperity and living standards being ment’s programmes. And well before the term of social justice, raises tensions and the Aral Sea is a spectacular illustra- ence ‘Water for Sustainable Develop- badly hit. Fourth Industrial Revolution was well-known, poses a threat to human rights. Tack- tion of the negative consequences of ment’ to be organised by the Govern- It was against this background that the agree- he was using it in his speeches and urging the ling these multi-faceted threats can- climate change. This is not “just” an ment of Tajikistan in June this year in ment signed at Davos between the Govern- country to both prepare for it. This urgency is not be left only to climate specialists. environmental problem: it is a catas- Dushanbe. We hope the Conference ment of Kazakhstan, the Astana International shared by his successor, President Kassym- It must be at the centre of our foreign trophe for entire communities who will contribute to the implementation Financial Centre and the WEF to develop a Jomart Tokayev, and the new government. policy. live on its former shores. of the UN Sustainable Development new regional innovation hub in Nur-Sultan had Major new investment is also being made Europe is ready to lead the global The EU can offer a genuinely re- Goals, and that it will draw high-level added significance. The announcement confirms in digital connectivity and skills to ensure the fight against climate change. In De- gional and cross-border approach to political attention to the growing chal- Kazakhstan’s determination to play its full role economy, state services and citizens are ready cember 2019, we adopted the “EU Central Asia’s challenges – unlike lenge presented by water management in helping find the technological solutions to for the opportunities ahead. Kazakhstan has es- Green Deal”, which commits the EU some of your other partners. We have issues. To promote transboundary wa- global challenges, such as climate change but timated that the introduction of digital technolo- to becoming carbon neutral by 2050. experiences to share. For example, ter cooperation, the EU encourages also to seize the incredible opportunities that are gies in agriculture alone could see an increase of But the EU is only responsible for our emissions trading system can the countries of the Central Asia who opening up. up to 50 percent in productivity and decrease of 9% of global emissions, so we need help regions adjust, as they move have not yet done so – Tajikistan and The aim of the new centre, that will be based 20 percent in costs. The benefits of getting this others to join us. away from coal, and we can share Kyrgyzstan, in particular – to join the at the AIFC, is to develop the framework to right will be enormous. The second reason was that the our know-how in clean, renewable Helsinki Water Convention of 1992. shape what has become known as the Fourth In- Such rapid change will, however, also inevi- conference was a good opportunity energy sources. We also have the During my mandate, I will do eve- dustrial Revolution. Experts predict that the tech- tably brings challenges. The largest may well be to reconfirm the EU’s commitment to means to help, as the world’s fore- rything I can to scale up global co- nological advances of the next few years – and, that inequality in wealth and influence – already strengthen cooperation with Central most climate finance donor. Together operation on climate action. The EU importantly, the way they will work together a major problem across the world – will, without Asia. In fact, relations have entered with our member states, we provide is ready to do its part at home and – will have a more profound impact than the past action, grow. It is a concern that President To- a new phase. Last year EU Foreign over 40% of the world’s public cli- work with partners around the world, revolutions driven by the harnessing of steam, of kayev has already made clear he recognises and Ministers adopted a new Strategy on mate finance. including those that already feel the electricity and, in more recent years, computers is determined to prevent. Central Asia with the specific aim to Central Asia already benefits from dramatic effects of climate change and the internet. He also knows that the best way to tackle step up our engagement with the re- a range of EU-funded projects. One such as in Central Asia. Professor Klaus Schwab, the founder of WEF these concerns and seize the opportunities this gion so that it becomes a more resil- of our main regional initiatives is the who first coined the phrase Fourth Industrial incredible marriage of technologies will bring to ient, prosperous, and interconnected EU-Central Asia Platform for En- The author is EU High Repre- Revolution, has forecast that it is this fusion of raise living standards and find solutions to chal- space. We see huge potential for vironment and Water Cooperation, sentative for Foreign Affairs and technology and blurring of lines between the lenges, such as climate change, is to try to shape greater regional cooperation in Cen- established in 2009, with the next Security Policy/ Vice-President physical, digital and biological sphere which will the coming revolution. And that is exactly what tral Asia, a view which the leaders of meeting of its Working Group sched- of the European Commission make the transformation so fast and extensive. Kazakhstan has shown it is determined to do. Central Asia share as they themselves uled for 12-13 February in Brussels. (HR/VP). Tokayev’s visit to UAE to boost cooperation, says envoy domestic and foreign policy with Dubai will host EXPO 2020 in has been the locomotive of Ka- complex in Nur-Sultan, which By Aidana Yergaliyeva its peaceful initiatives,” he said. December, which “will bring to- zakh-Emirati relations. Thanks to will be the tallest building in The UAE is a member of the gether a record number of partici- the signed Agreement on the En- Central Asia and a “symbol of NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh Pres- Conference on Interaction and pating countries from around the couragement and Reciprocal Pro- the strong friendship between the ident Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s Confidence-Building Measures world,” Menilbekov noted. Ka- tection of Investments, long-term peoples of Kazakhstan and the first visit to the United Arab in Asia (CICA) and regularly zakhstan and 191 countries have stability for investors is ensured,” UAE” The building, worth $1.2 Emirates, which is also his first sends representatives to the tri- confirmed their participation, and he added. billion, is scheduled to be com- visit to the Middle East as head ennial Congress of Leaders of work on the Kazakh pavilion has To date, Kazakhstan and the pleted in July. of state, will boost cooperation World and Traditional Religions, begun. Kazakhstan will also cel- UAE have “a solid legal base, “The United Arab Emirates re- between the countries, Kazakh both Kazakh initiatives. Also, the ebrate its national day with the which consists of more than 100 mains the main and most attrac- Ambassador to the UAE Madi- Emirates have supported Kazakh- participation of a high-level del- documents regulating almost all tive destination for investment in yar Menilbekov tells The Astana Madiyar Menilbekov stan’s initiative to establish the egation during the exhibition. areas of bilateral cooperation,” he the region. However, the Emir- Times. Islamic Food Security Organisa- Kazakhstan’s First President, said. “The main ones are agree- ates, having huge capital, actively The visit “will allow the discus- those years, “tremendous work tion (IFSO) under the Organisa- Nursultan Nazarbayev, and Emi- ments on trade and economic co- invest abroad. Amid the rapidly sion of the current state of bilater- has been done to develop trade, tion of Islamic Cooperation. rati President Sheikh Zayed bin operation, on the promotion and changing security situation in al relations and will give impetus economic and investment part- “Abu Dhabi, like Nur-Sultan, Sultan Al Nahyan first met in mutual protection of investments, the region, the Emirates remain a to the development of mutually nerships and expand cultural and has always advocated respect 1998 in Abu Dhabi. on avoidance of double taxation, kind of ‘island of stability’ in the beneficial cooperation in all areas humanitarian ties,” Menilbekov for the basic principles of inter- Nazarbayev “played a key role on the transfer of convicted per- midst of a stormy sea of modern between the two fraternal coun- said. state relations, such as non-inter- both in the formation of modern sons and on assistance in civil challenges and threats in the Mid- tries,” Menilbekov said prior to According to him, there is ference in the internal affairs of Kazakhstan with its active, bal- and commercial matters.” dle East,” the envoy said. the President’s visit. “huge unaccomplished potential other states, respect for territorial anced foreign policy, and in es- The UAE’s investments in the In addition, from March 10, and prospects for further expan- integrity and sovereignty. Moreo- tablishing and creating a solid Kazakh economy have exceeded 2018, the countries eliminated sion of bilateral cooperation in ver, Kazakhstan has no disagree- base for bilateral relations with $2.1 billion. the need for visas for stays of 30 According to him, completely new sectors of the ments with the United Arab Emir- the countries of the Arab world,” The countries are currently days or fewer and doubled tourist there is “huge economy.” ates on any issues. Our views on the envoy said. “Even then, working together to build the flow to Kazakhstan and increased This can be seen from “the topical issues on the international many observers saw the amazing Abu Dhabi Plaza multifunctional business activities. unaccomplished steps taken by the two states to agenda often coincide,” he said. closeness of the views and ideas potential and introduce the latest technologies, In addition, the two countries of Nursultan Nazarbayev and to develop digitisation while en- have a lot of cultural similarities Sheikh Zayed, their willingness prospects for tering the era of the Fourth Indus- that might ease the negotiation and desire to actively develop bi- trial Revolution,” he said. and cooperation processes. lateral contacts.” further expansion of “The United Arab Emirates “The nomadic way of life that Over the following years, Naz- bilateral cooperation intends to develop mutually ben- our ancestors led over the centu- arbayev also met with the current eficial and long-term cooperation ries, common spiritual, cultural, Emirati president, the vice presi- in completely with Kazakhstan. Appropriate national values and much more dent, the prime minister, the ruler new sectors of the conditions have been created for serve as a bridge connecting the of Dubai and the crown prince of this,” he said. two peoples,” he said. Abu Dhabi. economy.” Cooperation with the resource- In honour of Tokayev’s visit “As a witness to all those meet- rich UAE should benefit Kazakh- and Kazakh poet and thinker Abai ings over the past 12 years, which stan, as the Emirates are also Kunanbayev’s 175th anniversary, took place in a very friendly at- UAE President Sheikh Khalifa known as a “rapidly developing Abu Dhabi’s Manarat al-Saadi- mosphere, I can say that it was bin Zayed Al Nahyan invited To- modern tourist, transport, logis- yat Cultural Centre will present always easy for the leaders of the kayev to visit in his June letter tics and production hub in the Kazakhfilm’s “Kunanbai” and two countries to find a ‘common congratulating Tokayev on his Middle East, which has taken an “Abai” feature films. In addition, language,’” he said. election victory. active course towards diversify- as part of the Days of Kazakh “Since then, the economic, in- Kazakhstan and the UAE have ing its economy along with the Cinema in the UAE, the city will vestment and investment partner- a history of more than 27 years introduction of the latest technol- also run the films “Kazakh Khan- ship, based on mutual respect and of diplomatic relations. During ogies,” the envoy said. “The UAE ate. Golden Throne” and “The an understanding of the priorities supports Kazakhstan’s ongoing Leader’s Way.” and interests of the two countries,

THE ASTANA TIMES Advertiser bears responsibility for the content of advertisements. The news- The Astana Times is published since November 2010. The Astana Times is Publisher: Svezhaya Pressa LLP paper does not answer the readers’ letters, does not mail them, does not re-registered by the Ministry of Communications and Information of the Republic News and Editorial: [email protected] consider copies the size of over 5 printed pages, does not review and does of Kazakhstan under the registration No. 14037-G of 20 December 2013. Editor-in-Chief: Roman Vassilenko not return the materials not ordered by the newspaper. Guest opinions do not The newspaper is typed and made into pages at the computer centre of “Ka- Advertising: +7 727 252 08 82 13 Dostyk Street, Office 427 necessarily reflect the newspaper’s opinion. For reprinting, permissions must zakhstanskaya Pravda”. Published biweekly, the size of 8 pages. Inquiries: [email protected] be sought and obtained first from The Astana Times, and reference must be Astana, 010000 made to “The Astana Times”. KazPost Subscription index: 64572 The Astana Times is printed at “Media Holding “ERNUR” LLP, 30 Sileti ORDER: 127 PRINT RUN: 6,000 Telephone/Facsimile: +7 7172 78 00 08 Street, Astana. A7 BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020 Nazarbayev University scientists develop mobile app for coeliac disease awareness ling bureaucratic procedures. In searchers to recruit patients into By Aidana Yergaliyeva addition, even the existence of their research,” said Kozhakhme- such a society “does not guaran- tova. NUR-SULTAN – Nazarbayev tee that all areas of our country The project is seeking to pro- University (NU) scientists have will benefit from it,” she noted. mote the app through coopera- developed CeliacTest, the first As a result, she devised a mo- tion with medical professionals mobile application with a short bile app that eliminates the paper- and healthcare organisations. The questionnaire that can identify work and accessibility problems team may be contacted at celi- the risk of a person having coe- “for everyone in Kazakhstan and [email protected]. liac disease, a genetically predis- even beyond,” she said. The app is limited to a risk as- posed immune-mediated gluten “Through the CeliacTest app, sessment. For an accurate diagno- intolerance. The creators want to I wanted to increase awareness sis, one should see a doctor and increase the currently low aware- about the condition and promote take tests. ness of the common disease that early diagnosis of coeliac disease, “The app gives a chance to those can lead to a severe health condi- as well as support diagnosed peo- people with latent coeliac disease tion. ple and foster further research,” to be diagnosed [in a timely way] CeliacTest has no analogues, she added. and start treatment earlier to avoid as it is the first app to complete NU computer science graduate potential adverse consequences. the risk assessment, connect peo- students Nurdaulet Kenges and Doctors can also use the app to ple with the disease and provide Korlan Zhumabekova volunteered assess the risks of their patients, thorough information on gluten- to convert Kozhakhmetova’s idea which is the first step to accurate free providers in Kazakhstan, into reality and made it available diagnosis,” she noted. said Aizhan Kozhakhmetova, a for free from the Play Store. The Early detection and prevention researcher, biology teaching as- team worked on the app with en- of coeliac disease can save a per- sistant and the idea’s main devel- thusiasm and without funding. son from “gut mucosal layer atro- oper, in an exclusive interview The team will continue updat- phy and corruption of absorption with The Astana Times. ing the glossary and list of medi- of nutrients. Also, it can cause She noted doctors and research- cal professionals and services. It debilitating problems with bones, ers “highly appreciated” and L-R: Nurdaulet Kenges, Aizhan Kozhakhmetova and Korlan Zhumabekova. is currently only available in Rus- thyroid, skin and other organs,” “have already expressed their sian, but they plan to add English said Kozhakhmetova. interest in using the app in their related conditions, diagnosis and “strict compliance with the gluten- Kozhakhmetova has been in- and Kazakh versions. iOS users “It is a quite common condition. research” after her presentation at treatment. free diet is essential for the recov- volved in research on coeliac dis- should expect to find the app in Around one percent of the popu- Astana-Gastro 2019, the 14th in- Clinical scientists from the char- ery and well-being of individuals ease and its associated conditions the Apple Store. lation suffers from it; however, ternational scientific and practical ity Coeliac UK composed the ques- with coeliac disease,” she said. for the last ten years. She learned CeliacTest will also have a sep- it was estimated that about 90 conference held Nov. 1-2 in the tionnaire for adults using evidence- The built-in directory makes it disease awareness in Kazakh- arate section for scientific news percent of cases still remain un- capital. based clinical guidelines and easy to find gluten-free restaurants stan is minimal and there are no and publish information on new detected and it takes people eight If a person is determined to proved its accuracy. Kozhakhme- and supermarkets in Kazakh cit- “coeliac associations or societies research findings, as well as mate- years on average to get the right be high-risk based on the ques- tova, together with a team of Ka- ies, as well as information about that would actively deal with this rial about on-going local and in- diagnosis. This happens because tionnaire, the app provides rec- zakh scientists, composed the list doctors and medical centres. Users problem,” she said. ternational research projects. of its frequent atypical presenta- ommendations for blood tests. of queries for children. can also explore the app’s forum To create an organisation, “I hope that this will increase tion and ability to mask [itself] People can gain comprehensive The app is also useful for peo- and gain access to an online medi- Kozhakhmetova would need to the popularity of science among under different symptoms and information on coeliac disease, ple diagnosed with the disease, as cal consultant. devote most of her time to tack- clinicians, as well as assist re- health conditions,” she added. AIFC to establish Fourth Industrial Third Women’s Business Forum in Shymkent Revolution affiliation centre gathers region’s female entrepreneurs zakhstan’s role as one of the world Fourth Industrial Revolution By Nazira Kozhanova By Galiya Khassenkhanova leaders committed to innovation Network Centre head and Manag- and the introduction of new tech- ing Director Murat Sonmez em- NUR-SULTAN – Female en- NUR-SULTAN – As part of nologies important for society. phasised the three parties should trepreneurs in Shymkent work the 50th annual World Economic The global network of the Fourth move rapidly. primarily in light industry, ser- Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos Industrial Revolution launched in “The speed and scale of change vices, beauty, trade and catering (Switzerland), the Kazakh gov- 2017 is represented by centres in in the Fourth Industrial Revolution industries, Chair of the Kazakh ernment, Astana International Fi- China, Columbia, India, Israel, Ja- means that we must act quickly. If Business Women’s Council and nancial Centre (AIFC) and WEF pan, South Africa, the United Arab business, government and a wider the Atameken Business Cham- signed a tripartite letter of intent Emirates and the United States,” civil society can unite, Kazakhstan ber presidium member Lyazzat to establish a Fourth Industrial according to the AIFC press ser- can become an innovation centre Ramazanova said Jan. 23 to in- Revolution affiliation centre this vice. in the [Central Asian] region,” he business.kz. year based in the AIFC, reported Kazakh Prime Minister Askar said. “We have 600 business entities inbusiness.kz Jan. 23. Mamin, AIFC Managing Direc- AIFC, located on a territory in in this industry in the country, and The centre will bring together tor Kairat Kelimbetov and WEF the capital with a special tax, cur- 90 percent are women-run busi- Central Asian government agen- President Børge Brende signed the rency and visa regime and using nesses. Twelve of them are large, cies and business and industrial letter of intent. English common law, was cre- about 26 medium-sized factories, partners to develop regulatory “We see rapid technological ated to attract investment to the and the rest are all individual en- standards to introduce innovative changes in products and processes economy. The centre began regis- trepreneurs. We travelled around technologies. In the first stage, the and the opening of the affiliation tering companies in January 2018. 12 regions, visited about 80 en- inbusiness.kz. Photo credit: centre seeks to develop projects in centre in Kazakhstan will allow It plays a pivotal role as an inter- terprises, told them that we will areas such as artificial intelligence our innovation ecosystem to influ- national centre for business and make films and write articles tive incentives for the project de- people woke up in the morning, and machine learning, the Internet ence international politics, princi- finance, connecting the economies about them, we will promote tbeir velopment. saw that a neighbour bought a of Things (IoT), robotics and smart ples and regulation in the manage- of Central Asia, the Caucasus, Eur- products for the competition. But “Although I am not a sports jeep, and decided I also want. cities, as well as data policy. ment of new technologies and will asian Economic Union (EAEU), they did not believe us, because person, but when such people sur- Unfortunately, 95 percent of busi- “The opening of the affiliation help form the Fourth Industrial Europe, the Middle East, Mongo- the woman, unfortunately, relies round you, I am simply forced ness at the start-up stage closes centre will also strengthen Ka- Revolution,” said Kelimbetov. lia and West China. only on herself,” said Ramazano- to create a project, and I like it. – this is official statistics. This va about the recent competition Basically, we have small orders, year Atameken did a great job. for the light industry female en- ranging from 10 to 50 units in the I saw competent trainers who trepreneurs and the problems or- size range. Among the customers trained four thousand people in a ganisers encountered. there are the school of rhythmic short time, in eight months. Now Ramazanova added that in Shy- gymnastics Aliya Yussupova, the they have taken the initiative to mkent, 52 percent of the popula- martial arts school of the city of accompany, lead women, unite tion are women, and 42 percent Tashkent ‘Soaring Dragon’, the them. Very often, at the first stage, of all entrepreneurs are females. karate federation of the region. we need motivation to just kick. Ramazanova added the problem They order individually,” said These motivators should be so of female entrepreneurs accepting businesswoman and save file cre- that they say ‘I passed, and you help was in the confidence gap ator of Marito Sport sport wear can!’ This is our mission,” said between males and females, so brand Margarita Manigulova. Arkhabayeva. the project aimed to give women Despite the small scale of the Arkhanbayeva added that the more resources to be able to ex- production, Manigulova has large council plans to open a resource pand with. ambitions, including submitting centre in Shymkent to address the “Come to the male business an application for the Leonardo aforementioned challenges. community and say that now they DiCaprio Foundation recently. “We are going to open a re- will give you state support, that “Recently, we submitted an ap- source centre this month, and we you have a soft loan, and they plication to the Leonardo DiCap- want to collaborate and create quickly have the business ma- rio Foundation to create our own four cooperatives: this is beauty chine turned on in their head: col- name toy from the Marito Sport – they received a lot of money lect free balances and tighten up brand – this is Irbis Tengri. We’re for it, these are Namaskhan shops the turnover. But this is not about waiting for answer. We plan to that offer religious clothes and at- women. A woman clearly knows send 10 percent of the sales of tributes. Sewing separately, and, that she must first pay taxes, sec- this toy to the Wildlife Protection we think, the baking shop. Every- ond – to pay a loan, third – a com- Fund. This is our chip,” added one loves something to bake, but munal apartment, and only after Manigulova. I believe that such things should that will she think about whether As the Business Women’s not happen at home, because we she can invest some money in Council of Shymkent Chair Alma do not know the sanitary condi- production. Therefore, this pro- Arkhabayeva said, the key prob- tion, conditions. They must unite ject was free for them. Sponsored lems of Kazakh entrepreneurs in cooperatives, buy stoves, stack money attracted everything – this are the lack of funding, lack of their stoves and produce some- is purely an initiative,” added knowledge and inability to man- thing worthy so that they have or- Ramazanova. age a business. ders. I am for this. Of course, we One of the competition finalists “Not enough maturity. Entre- say that we do not need checks, The Nur Alem, Kazakhstan’s national pavilion during EXPO 2017, continues to serve as a museum. The former expo said the competitive environment preneurs have not been taught at but there we risk health, order- grounds serve as the venue for the AIFC and several other institiutions. of the competition created posi- institutes for five years. These ing,” said Arkhabayeva. A8 BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020 Tchibo Kazakhstan launches first coffee shops with convenience stores, promotes green business ideas Photo credit: Tchibo Kazakhstan Tchibo Photo credit: L-R: Serik Irsaliyev and Saniya Irsaliyeva, Kanipa Nurgalieva, Kamilya Serikova and her spouse Iskakov Adilkhan and has a smaller percentage of caf- The company uses organic cot- Tchibo plans to offer bean-to- their son Amirkhan Nurakhmetov. feine than Robusta. Arabica is ton for clothing and household cup coffee machines and expand considered to have a bitter taste, goods. Tchibo is also a distributor its range of products. It also soon By Zhanna Shayakhmetova ship in Germany that 80 percent atives and friends at Tchibo store, but, in fact, the Tchibo company of organic cotton grown in fields intends to supply coffee to other of local enterprises are family- as they offered good products at uses special slow roasting. Due to where chemicals are not used. coffee houses, as its blends are NUR-SULTAN – Tchibo Ka- owned businesses which have ex- affordable prices. Then we got this fact, a very mild taste is ob- “We mostly develop our busi- becoming more popular among zakhstan has opened its unique isted for 200–300 years. an idea to open a coffee shop in tained,” she noted. ness through business network- locals. three-in-one model of coffee and “The board of directors of fam- Kazakhstan to offer quality goods Tchibo developed a menu tak- ing and personal branding. We “We are for green business. Our coffee machines/home goods/ ily-owned businesses in Germany and quality coffee,” she said. ing into account local lifestyle. attend various events, work with suppliers also choose a conscious coffee shops in the capital and consists not only of people from Working with their partners, the The café offers not only desserts, bloggers and organise various approach in production. We offer Almaty. The company promotes the family and they also play de- company was able to open its first but also snacks and children’s master classes in Tchibo. Users a 10-percent discount for custom- family business values and is cision-making roles. I guess this coffee shop Oct. 12, 2018. drinks. There’s a kid’s table with can purchase our items via Insta- ers with their own reusable cup moving towards sustainable re- is the secret to the success of their “When we conducted market toys and colouring books at the gram. Delivery is free throughout for keeping one more cup out of tailing. business,” she said in an inter- research, at that time none of coffee shop in MEGA Silk Way Kazakhstan for purchases worth landfields. We recycle paper and Co-founder Kamilya Serikova, view for this story. the coffee shops in Kazakhstan in the capital and MEGA Centre more than 15,000 tenge (US$40),” plastic,” she said. who lived in Europe for 12 years, They wanted to create a cosy used 100-percent Arabica coffee Alma-Ata in Almaty. she said. “We are delighted to invite new started the business with her European-style café in the heart beans. Tchibo uses only 100-per- The company originally fo- The company conducted mar- customers to try our high-quality mother Saniya Irsaliyeva and sis- of Central Asia and show locals a cent Arabica coffee beans, which cused on the family concept, but ket research and began cooperat- coffee and we are pleased to see ters Leila Irsaliyeva and Aizhan new way of family shopping. are grown at high elevations. when it opened a shop, it realised ing with the European Bank of customers returning to us. We are Iskakova upon returning home. “There’s a stereotype that if It is difficult to plant, care and its customers were more kinaes- Reconstruction and Development also open to proposals for coop- Although she initially doubted the there’s a high-quality item, it harvest this sort of coffee bean thetic. (EBRD). It is now developing an eration; we are happy to receive possible success of a family busi- must be expensive. As a student, I but it is considered to be of high “People like our organic cotton, online store with the bank’s sup- feedback from our guests,” she ness, she learned during an intern- always purchased gifts for my rel- quality and better for health, as it especially men,” said Serikova. port. added. B Nation&Capital

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020

PEOPLE CULTURE SPORTS Short documentaries portray National Museum holds designer Anastasia Gorodko wins two dual self-made Kazakhs in Europe meeting, fashion shows moguls golds at FIS European Cup and China B2 B3 in Switzerland B7 Tokayev encourages youth to take National Museum holds innovative approach to government designer meeting, fashion shows of Youth ended, we awarded not By Galiya Khassenkhanova only professional and well-known designers, but also young talents. NUR-SULTAN – The Eurasian Fourth is Kazakh design abroad. Designers Union held an open meet- There are many designers working ing Jan. 15-18 at the Kazakh Nation- in France, Poland, the Netherlands al Museum, reported the museum and Turkey,” union Chair and Ka- press service. Participants were in- zakh culture figure Yermek As- volved in seminars and lectures by sylkhanov told The Astana Times. renowned designers and architects, Designers such as Armenian saw a fashion show by both profes- art coordinator Naira Tumanyan, sional and young designers and re- International Art Fund President ceived a guided tour of the museum. Khassen Abayev and art Ph.D. “The tendencies we discussed Yulia Mazina attended the event. during the seminar were as follows. Kairolla Abishev, the Russian The union will continue facilitat- National Academy of Design and ing the development of the design Eurasian Designers Union member in all Kazakhstan’s regions. Eve- who has designed costumes for Ka- rybody, from every region, from zakh singers Dimash Kudaibergen remote cities, came to the event. and Yerzhan Maksim, spoke about Next is ethno design, national de- the nation’s design achievements sign and applied art. We supported abroad and staged a fashion show of it, awarded the designers. Third – his works. the youth design. Because the Year Continued on Page B3 Russian TV channel releases documentary kayev’s election programme. representative new ideas and pro- changes in a specific industry, re- By Zhanna Shayakhmetova This year, 300 people were se- ductive work that will help the gion, city and village. lected for the Presidential Youth country’s development. “A new generation of leaders NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh Presi- Personnel Reserve. Overall, “You will be appointed to the including you will come to power. about Denis Ten dent Kassym-Jomart Tokayev 13,000 people applied for the state bodies and national compa- You should be ready. You should The idea for the film appeared in said Jan. 15 at a meeting with participation in the personnel re- nies in the future. Fifty-five peo- have the necessary competencies By Galiya Khassenkhanova March and took shape close to the representatives of the Presidential serve. ple included in the reserve have and knowledge. Our youth should first anniversary of Ten’s death in Youth Personnel Reserve that the “You demonstrated high-level already received new positions,” be ready for a new historical stage NUR-SULTAN – Russian televi- July, said Railyan. country needs civil servants who competencies and a sincere de- he said. in the development of the coun- sion channel Match TV released the “The idea came to my friend, are not afraid to take responsibility sire to work for the government. This year, 100 civil servants will try. Knowledge and competencies documentary “Denis Ten. Thirteen” sports journalist of Match TV Kon- and make innovative and effective I’m ready to listen to your opinion also be appointed. should be above ambitions. And Dec. 23, 2019 about the Kazakh stantin Stolbovski. He now works decisions. and present my vision of the tasks Tokayev called on young peo- not vice versa, as it often hap- figure skater, reported zakon.kz. in Moscow, but he was born and The initiative to create the facing the personnel reserve,” he ple, regardless of their position, pens,” Tokayev said. The film was written and produced raised in Almaty. Here, he began presidential personnel reserve said. to make their own contribution by sport journalists Sergei Railyan his journalistic career. No wonder was one of the key issues of To- The President expects from each to governmental work with small Continued on Page B2 and Konstantin Stolbovski. he took Denis Ten’s death very The documentary gathered vid- deeply,” he told The Astana Times. eos from the Ten family’s personal Stolbovski spoke about Ten’s archives and interviewed Russian death in an interview with “Cara- Olympic and world figure skating van.” Once in KELT, forever in KELT – Kazakhstan’s champion Alexei Yagudin, Kazakh “When Denis was killed in my world weightlifting champion Ilya native Almaty last summer, I sat Ilyin and Kazakh singer Roza in my kitchen in Moscow, poured Rymbayeva, among others. a glass of vodka and cried. I re- first English language theatre “It is very difficult, it turns out, call the day when the tragedy with worked in oil companies, big ten he was moving to Atyrau and asked provisation throughout the year and to make a small film about Denis Denis Ten happened. I worked By Nurdana Adylkhanova companies; we had a pilot once, a her to become the permanent direc- occasionally add new members to Ten. He lived his 25 years in a at the time with ‘Arguments and TV producer, circus artists, account- tor. the playback cast. It is a type of thea- way that could fit a whole era. Try Facts’ (newspaper) and was re- NUR-SULTAN – KELT, the ants, English teachers,” she said. In 2011, American teacher Laura tre that they can perform anywhere shooting a short metre about the sponsible for the sports section on country’s first English language Some actors studying marketing Pacini moved to Kazakhstan to and at any given time. Renaissance, for example. You the portal. Naturally, I was given theatre, was founded in 2001 in Al- or business decided instead to pur- teach at an international school and One of the most popular KELT will definitely have difficulties. the task of collecting information maty by the Kazakhstan Institute of sue acting and several subsequent- joined KELT as a co-director. She performances was spring 2017’s You will quickly realise that you about what happened. However, Management, Economic and Stra- ly received a Master of Fine Arts received her Bachelor’s Degree in “Cinderella.” The work, presented cannot embrace the immensity,” unexpectedly for myself, I fell into tegic Research (KIMEP) Univer- (MFA) in Acting and Film. Theatre Education at the University at the Schoolchildren Palace in the said the documentary’s opening a stupor. It seemed as though that sity. It provides an opportunity for KELT originated from KIMEP of Northern Colorado and has an capital and sponsored by the city words. for 40 years in the profession lit- non-professional actors to receive students’ interest in opening an Eng- extensive background in film pro- akimat (administration), was the The tragedy of Ten’s premature tle could really excite me. My fin- professional-level stage training lish language theatre. In response duction. first known licensed Broadway pro- death moved Stolbovski and Ka- gers refused to print, my head was and experience and teaches disci- to the request, the Dean of Student KELT usually has two main pro- duction presented in Kazakhstan and zakh newspaper “Caravan” report- completely empty. I just could not pline, integrity, time management Affairs offered the leadership to Na- ductions each year surrounded by attracted more than 4,000 audience er Railyan to make the 50-minute work and went home,” he said. and leadership skills, said artistic di- than Fleming, an American teacher smaller projects. The cast rehearses members. documentary in his memory. Continued on Page B7 rector Jessica Lewis in an exclusive with a theatre background, who two-three months for a production, Cinderella was played by Abby interview for this story. gladly agreed to become its director. assembling four-six nights per week Gilbert and the Prince by music “We also provide a community In 2006, Fleming organised a and three hours each time. All per- channel Gakku TV General Produc- for people. We are like a family summer tour across Kazakhstan formances and rehearsals are con- er Timur Balymbetov. They were in- and are invested in one another’s to celebrate the theatre’s fifth an- ducted in English. vited to the capital to appear on Nur- lives,” she added. “KELT is an or- niversary and invited two Ameri- During rehearsals, actors do ex- lan Koyanbayev’s late night show. ganisation that is more focused on can actors, including Lewis. She tensive vocal and body warm-ups KELT will present “These Shining THINGS TO WATCH & the people rather than the product; spent four years studying theatre at and are taught to analyse their char- Lives” by Melanie Marnich April developing people from their char- Temple University in Philadelphia, acter and script to bring as much 24-26 at KIMEP. The play tells the PLACES TO GO acter to theatre skills. All the while, Pennsylvania, then received her truth to the role as possible. true story of four women working we pride ourselves on doing excel- MFA in Acting from the University “We strive to create an atmos- in an American factory in the 1920s ASTANA OPERA lent and quality work.” of Iowa. phere of safety where actors are by painting watches with radium – a Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. Romantique, concert The theatre adheres to the slogan “I spent two months in Almaty willing to take risks, go outside their substance which glows in the dark “Once in KELT, forever in KELT.” working with KELT and traveling comfort zones and be vulnerable,” and is highly radioactive. Feb. 2 at 5 p.m. Aida, opera Anyone who has ever been in a around Kazakhstan. It was my first said Lewis. Lewis noted the play illumi- Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. Choir concert KELT production is part of its “fam- time outside of the United States,” One of the theatre’s popular and nates the danger working women ily.” she said. meaningful productions, “Play- had faced in the early part of the Feb. 8 at 5 p.m. Enchanting France, concert Directors hold new auditions for At that time, Lewis had just re- back,” is characterised as “social 20th century due to companies and Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. Peter and the Wolf, concert each show. Casting is open to any- ceived her Master’s degree and in- theatre.” It involves improvisation management turning a blind eye to one, not just KIMEP students. Ac- tended to pursue an acting career in where the actors “play back” sto- life-threatening factory issues. The Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. From Solo to Quartet, concert tors are not required to have previ- the United States. The summer in ries told by the audience. The actors women’s courage to stand up against ous experience, but need to commit Kazakhstan changed her plans for- listen intently and empathetically hostile corporate money-making to intensively working five nights ever. without planning or speaking, then machines as well as criticism from BARYS ARENA per week. “I fell in love with Kazakhstan, immediately replay the story using the public paved the path for safer “Everyone is welcome at the au- the people and KELT. I returned to only instruments and different-col- work conditions and protocols. The Jan. 30 at 7.30 p.m. HC Barys – HC Neftekhimik ditions – from those with extensive the States and a few months later, oured fabrics and chairs. By present- United States and the world con- Nizhnekamsk theatre experience to those who Nathan contacted me and asked if I ing the essence of what they heard, tinue to experience the positive out- have never set foot on a stage be- would come back in a year to direct they show the audience that their comes of their brave actions. Feb. 1 at 5 p.m. HC Barys – HC Avangard Omsk fore,” said Lewis. for KELT while he was scheduled stories are worthy of being made Pacini will direct the show and KELT is distinguished by its di- to be in the States for a five-month into stage art. casting will be held Jan. 30-31 at versity and includes people from stint,” she said. “It is a form of theatre that unites KIMEP University. Interested can- ASTANA BALLET various nationalities and back- A year later, Lewis began direct- everyone and says ‘the story of one didates may check the theatre’s In- Feb. 8, 9 at 6 p.m. Cinderella, ballet grounds. ing KELT works. When Fleming re- is the story of all of us,’” she added. stagram account @insta_kelt or Fa- “We have had actors who’ve turned to Kazakhstan, he announced The actors train in this form of im- cebook page @kzkelt. B2 NATION&CAPITAL PEOPLE

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020 Short documentaries portray self-made Kazakhs in Europe and China Kazakhs, but individuals from Bolatov later filmed a docu- By Nurdana Adylkhanova Bulgaria, Germany and the Neth- mentary about four Kazakhs liv- erlands. ing in Prague, Vienna and Zurich. NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh travel Bolatov was surprised Kazakhs Last year, he went to China for a blogger Kuat Bolatov has pro- living in Europe are unknown in similar project, telling five sto- duced short documentaries about their native land. ries. the lives of self-made Kazakhs liv- “Those guys speak several lan- The underlying message con- ing in Austria, the Czech Republic, guages, work in cool companies necting the tales is that one can Switzerland and the United King- or study at cool universities. They achieve high goals if he or she dom, as well as China. The aim is are self-made from the regions,” works hard and never gives up. to motivate others and convey the he said. One of the characters, Farkhad message that everything is possi- Bolatov was asked to make a Bolatov, is a talented musician ble. video presentation about his trip from the small town of Yerei- “The project has a social char- and present a talk in the capital. mentau who received the op- acter; no one earns anything and I Rather than compete with the portunity to study at London’s just wanted to make such a film,” numerous videos about Europe’s Guildhall School of Music and he said in an exclusive interview beauty, he decided to tell the sto- Drama. for this story. ries of people living there. He “There is no secret (of success). The idea for the documentaries used a cellphone camera to record You just need to work; you need to originated from his first trip abroad the answers to his questions, cob- want to do something, go beyond at age 26. bling them into a seven-minute this box of certain circumstances “(It was) the first independent video. and try to do more, work more, be- trip for a long time and something Some audience members recog- lieve in yourself,” he said. unusual… I rode a bicycle in seven nised the interviewees as people Another character, Madina Kar- countries of Europe, with a tent, who once lived in their city or vil- sakbayeva, received her Erasmus a burner and a sleeping bag,” he lage and the response inspired him Mundus Master’s degree in Inclu- noted. to devote his next trip to making a sive Education. His friends recommended vis- film about Kazakhs living abroad. “It happened that I was born iting their relatives or friends He chose the United Kingdom as with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, living in Europe. For half of his his destination, where he again but it never stopped me on the 32-day trip, Bolatov stayed with travelled by bicycle and recorded path to achieving my desires and Photo credit: Kuat Bolatov Facebook page. Photo credit: those who agreed to put him for interviews. The film consists of the education that I always aspired Kazakh travel blogger Kuat Bolatov. a night. His hosts were not only seven stories. to,” she said. More than 50,000 Kazakh volunteers at work in the country tional services, medical services, time, saying he should motivate platform Qazvolunteer.kz to facili- volunteer organisation to compen- By Nurdana Adylkhanova environmental services, mentoring others. tate the search for volunteer organ- sate its various expenses. Also the people in difficult situations, emer- isations and projects. ministry will establish an award NUR-SULTAN – The practice gency response, services for the “Anyone who wants to become for the Best Volunteer of the Year of volunteering in Kazakhstan is elderly and work to preserve spir- “This club unites a volunteer can register on this to motivate people to volunteer. developing rapidly, Chair of the itual, cultural and historical values. different people platform… In the future, when we “We also envisage several op- Civil Society Affairs Committee As a part of educational volun- have snapshots of individual vol- portunities for our volunteer or- of the Ministry of Information and teering, volunteers in all regions of different ages, unteers, organisations can reach ganisations to be able to go abroad Social Development Aliya Gali- will help children from rural out to them based on their previ- to large dialogue venues, volunteer mova said in an interview with schools prepare for subject Olym- demographic status. ous experience and the assessment conferences, in order to exchange primeminister.kz. piads, Unified National Testing There are not only of the previous volunteer organisa- experiences and talk about Ka- To date, there are more than 200 and mid-term exams. tion,” said Galimova. zakhstan’s experience,” she said. volunteer organisations, twice as “Volunteers can give new skills women, but also men According to her, it is a stereo- Galimova added she expects many as existed in 2017. Current- Aliya Galimova in computer technology, robotics who knit things for type that volunteers are mostly Kazakh volunteers to participate ly, more than 50,000 people are in- and other innovative areas. We youngsters. Currently, the average in large projects such as a global volved in the volunteer movement. Nur-Sultan and Ust-Kamenogorsk. assume that within the frame- premature babies,” volunteer is 35 to 40 years old, technical meeting in New York in Klub 28 Petel members have I Am Almaty was one of the first work of the Birgemiz Bilim (Joint with an active civic position and July of this year or Expo 2020 in knitted more than 130,000 sets of organisations to respond to the Education) project in each region, said Galimova. professional experience and edu- Dubai. clothes for babies, helping more tragic events in the Arys and pro- 1,000 rural school students – a to- cation. “I think, volunteers from Ka- than 2,000 people in all regions of vided first aid to the residents. tal of 14,000 students – will be “It [volunteering] helps both Some Kazakh companies have zakhstan will be a prominent seg- the country. This movement has The Kamkor organisation helps reached by this assistance from medical professionals and citizens. developed corporate volunteering ment, having behind them the vast spread to other countries, includ- older people and people with spe- volunteers who will help to in- Such examples will cultivate, il- in a business environment, which experience of organising Expo in ing Azerbaijan, Russia and the cial needs. crease precisely the educational luminate and engage the popula- should also be introduced in small Kazakhstan,” she said. Baltic countries. Kazakhstan’s National Volun- level,” she said. tion,” she said. and medium-sized companies, she Kazakh President Kassym- “This club unites different peo- teer Network brings together more Medical volunteering will in- One environmental volunteer- added. Jomart Tokayev has declared 2020 ple of different ages, demographic than 80 volunteer organisations clude work in hospices and oncol- ing organisations in Kazakhstan is The government plans to organ- the Year of the Volunteer in Ka- status. There are not only women, across the country. One of their ogy centres. Galimova noted the Birgemiz. Sabaqtastyq. ise the Zhana Bastama (New Ini- zakhstan. In 2016, a special law but also men who knit things for projects, Zhenys, provides help for example of Arman Kasymov from The Asyl Mura initiative will be tiative) competition where approx- on volunteering was adopted in premature babies,” said Galimova. veterans of the Great Patriotic War. Atyrau City, who was working at developed to preserve spiritual, imately 10 volunteer initiatives the framework of the 100 Concrete Another club called Leader is Zhenys means victory in Kazakh. an oil company on a rotational ba- cultural and historical values, she will be selected from each region. Steps plan to help develop volun- engaged in the search for missing There are seven key areas for sis and volunteered on the emer- added. Approximately 1 million tenge teering systematically and sustain- people. Their offices are located in developing volunteering: educa- gency medical team in his spare The ministry created the web (US$2,657) will be given to the ably. Kazakh activist launches equal access Tokayev encourages youth... Continued from Page B1 ing will be used to stimulate the best workforce. project to improve entry to public spaces The renewal of the government A 25-percent reduction in the ate videos promoting the interests crease his educational potential line media school Medianet, Soros is one of the priorities of Tokayev’s number of civil servants and na- By Nurdana Adylkhanova of people with limited mobility and qualifications by taking vari- Foundation-Kazakhstan Human domestic political course. tional company employees is ex- and improve accessibility to pub- ous trainings and seminars. He is Rights Programme and Academy He also noted Kazakhstan had pected by 2024. NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh activ- lic spaces. currently studying through the on- of Public Administration. managed to build a government “This reduction will be based on ist Zhaslan Suleimenov launched “We started at the city level, then system that has proved its effec- the revision of the functions unu- the Equal Access project last year reached the national level, now the tiveness in the most difficult times sual for government agencies and to improve accessibility to the na- USAID. The U.S. Embassy in Ka- under the leadership of First Presi- its further transfer to outsourcing tion’s public spaces. The operation zakhstan published (a story about dent Nursultan Nazarbayev. or civil society,” he said. received a four-month, $6,000 the project) – this is already at an At the same time, new approach- Openness and transparency, in- grant in June from the United international level,” he said. es to the work of the government are clusiveness and prompt response States Agency for International Suleimenov uses social net- necessary to meet new challenges. to citizens are the main principles Development (USAID) Central working as the most important According to Tokayev, many of the concept of the listening state. Asia Media Programme. tool for conveying the message. A countries are in search of govern- “People should have the oppor- The main goal is to draw public YouTube channel and Instagram ance models that ensure balanced tunity to participate in the discus- attention to the problems faced by account promote his activities and development, offset imbalances sions of urgent issues. Every voice people with limited mobility, in- raise awareness about problems. and social inequality. Inequality is must be heard. It is necessary to de- cluding those with disabilities, el- “Initially, the main platform was one of the most used terms in the velop appropriate political mecha- ders and parents with strollers, said my accounts in social networks – world economic literature. Nor- nisms. A draft budget for public Suleimenov in an exclusive inter- YouTube, Instagram – where there way, New Zealand and the United participation will be implemented view for this story. For individuals are old videos, too. At the time of States study the agile principles taking into account the opinions of with vision or hearing impairment, the project, an additional account in governmental activities. Many residents of the region regarding special facilities such as tactile on Instagram @zaravniydostup countries use the United King- government spending,” he said. tracks and sound alerts should be was created,” he said. dom’s experience with project The Open Government Portal installed. As a result of the project, the management and create project of- will also empower people to dis- In 2015, Kazakhstan ratified the capital’s city administration man- fices under governments. cuss important issues. United Nations Convention on the dated constructing a new ramp “We are also making similar ef- “People should not see offi- Rights of Persons with Disabili- meeting international standards. forts. We need to study its effec- cials as special category of people ties. Article 20 states government The national railway company tiveness and we support this prac- who make decisions regarding the bodies should ensure their person- Kazakhstan Temir Zholy and tice. The common objective of all whole society. Officials should al mobility, he noted. transport enterprise Astana LRT new approaches is to be closer to not seem to be untouchable. Civil The grant supported the effort, accepted recommendations to in- people. We mean the service mod- servants are part of the people, which he started several years crease public space accessibility, el of the government. Kazakhstan work for the people and among the ago. The funds allowed him to including implementing mobility needs effective and fair model of people,” he said. brand the project, buy basic cam- skills training for staff members. government,” he said. New approaches and systems era equipment and increase video “I am satisfied with the results, The head of state said the num- based on blockchain, Big Data and content quality by hiring design- but we do not stop there. We need ber of civil servants would be artificial intelligence will help re- ers and video editors. Although to look for new ways, solutions, gradually reduced beginning this spond to the needs of society and

the project ended in September, new ideas,” he said. Internews.kz. Photo credit: year as part of the public adminis- solve pressing social problems, Suleimenov has continued to cre- Suleimenov is working to in- Zhaslan Suleimenov tration system reform. The financ- Tokayev stressed. B3 NATION&CAPITAL CULTURE

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020 Astana Opera to premiere Beethoven – Immortality – Love ballet staged by German choreographer his mixing with Viennese beau should be universal for everyone, ers’ movements “to create an at- By Zhanna Shayakhmetova monde. I think that the scene of the like Beethoven’s music was uni- mosphere that helps to understand Viennese ball will help reveal this versal, ageless and unsusceptible the meaning of this ballet; their NUR-SULTAN – The Astana side of him. It will show Beethov- to time.” task is to show emotions, convey Opera House is set to premiere en’s connection with the nobility, The Missa Solemnis, a solemn feelings and show their acting abil- “Beethoven – Immortality – the high society,” he said. mass, will be featured in the be- ities in duets,” he said. Love” ballet staged by German The choreographer was also in- ginning of the performance and Astana Opera Ballet Artistic Di- choreographer Raimondo Rebeck terested in Beethoven’s profound Symphony No. 9, which includes rector Altynai Asylmuratova, Mu- Feb. 14 and 15 in the capital. The hearing loss, “which could not go the choir and soloists, will be sic Director and Conductor Abzal production is dedicated to Ludwig together with the profession of a performed at the end to show the Mukhitdin and Chief Choirmaster van Beethoven’s 250th anniver- composer.” As a result, it is one of universal nature of Beethoven’s Yerzhan Dautov are also involved sary, reported the theatre’s press the characters in the ballet. music. in creating the performance. service. The composer started his ca- “In the Viennese Ball scene, we Berlin-born Rebeck has been a Rebeck was inspired by the com- reer as a pianist, then became fa- also have Mozart and Haydn’s recognised ballet master and cho- poser’s life and work. He chose the mous as a composer, and the set, music, as Haydn was one of Bee- reographer since 2003. He has right moments from Beethoven’s costumes and props will be black thoven’s teachers. He had a great worked with opera companies in biography to help the audience un- and white to resemble a piano key- influence on him as a composer. Basel, Essen, Hong Kong, Monte derstand the distant era in which board. Only love will have a red To show the illness and deafness, Carlo, Montreal, Stuttgart, Tokyo, he lived and worked. outfit. German composer Dirk Haubrich Vienna, Washington and Zurich “His life was at the same time “These colours seem timeless, created new works especially for and created choreographies for complex and grand-scale: he cre- eternal, ageless to me,” said Re- this ballet, arrangements which companies in Berlin, Dortmund, ated more than 600 pieces of mu- beck. “I wish for the people to say will not be performed by the or- Karlsruhe, Munich, New York, sic… I decided to start with his that this ballet is relevant when chestra, but a recording will be Seoul and Stuttgart. In 2018, he family, to show the training, the they watch it 10 years from now. played instead,” he said. collaborated with the Astana Op- education that Beethoven received Straight lines are the most eter- The aesthetics and story are es- era Ballet on the world premiere as a child. The audience will also nal, unsusceptible to the passage sential to blend Rebeck’s modern of the one-act ballet “How Long Is

be able to see the already estab- Astana Opera. Photo credit: of time; they save from preten- choreography with elements of Now?” on the 20th anniversary of lished personality of the composer, Raimondo Rebeck tiousness around. The production classical ballet. He wants the danc- the Kazakh capital. Abai’s 175th anniversary... Kazakhstan-Japan co-production Continued from Page A1 village and to build a museum in the Akshoky area,” said the Cen- As a part of the anniversary, tral Communications Service rep- “The Horse Thieves. Roads of Time” sports and culture organisations resentative. will hold literary readings, themat- Schoolchildren will have the op- ic events, national sports competi- portunity to take a guided tour of tions, creative evenings, festivals, the places where Abai lived and released in Japanese theatres military unit and other events. worked. All schools will hold open He added the film’s targets both shown at the Rotterdam and Sitges Collections of Abai’s works will lessons, thematic essay competi- By Nurdana Adylkhanova the Kazakh and Japanese audi- film festivals. Her second feature, be translated into Arabic, Chinese, tions, exhibitions and poetry read- ences. “Haruko’s Paranormal Labora-

English, French, German, Italian, tengrinews.kz. Photo credit: ings. NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh- In 2011, Nurmukhambetov and tory,” was also acclaimed at both Japanese, Russian, Spanish and Kazakhstan region],” said Dauye- Universities plan to hold scien- stan-Japan co-production “The Japan’s Shinju Sano co-directed festivals and screened at the Mos- Turkish and later published. shov. tific conferences and symposiums, Horse Thieves. Roads of Time” “The First Rains of Spring,” cow International Film Festival. Poets and composers will par- Abai’s home region Semei, in Abai readings, poetry and literary was released in Japanese cinemas which won the Best Film Award Her latest horror, “Signal 100.” ticipate in aitys (national compos- cooperation with the United Na- festivals, poetry evenings, semi- Jan.18. at the Eurasia Film Festival in will also be screened at Sitges. ing competitions) starting Feb. 8. tions Educational, Scientific and nars and competitions to offer the Japanese director Lisa Takeba Kazakhstan and Yerevan Golden Takeba noted Moriyama’s act- Three documentaries and a TV Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), best information about his work. and actor Mirai Moriyama at- Apricot International Film Fes- ing talent, his experience study- series about the poet’s life and will hold the Abai’s Legacy and tended the first screening at Shin- tival in Armenia. The film was ing in Israel and ability to ride a oeuvre will be produced. Gumilyov Eurasian National Uni- World Spirituality scientific con- versity will be establishing the juku Cinema Qualite in Tokyo. selected for the Tokyo Interna- horse made him a perfect candi- “Today, the National Cinema ference in August. The capital will Abai Academy Research Institute. The movie premiered Oct. 3-12 tional Film Festival and released date for the role. Support Centre is accepting di- host the Abai and the Problems of Abai (1845-1904) was a poet, at Asia’s largest film festival, the in Osaka. In 2015, Nurmukham- “If there was a competition for rectors’ applications for docu- Modernisation of Consciousness 24th Busan International Film Fes- betov directed his first solo work, acting at the Olympics, I think mentaries and short films. Three international conference in Octo- composer, educator, philosopher, founder of Kazakh written litera- tival in Korea held at the cinema “Walnut Tree,” which won the Moriyama would surely be able documentaries about Abai are ber. Best Picture Award at the Busan ture and cultural reformer in the centre of the same name. It was to win a gold medal,” she said at scheduled to be released this year. Measures will also be taken to selected as the opening film and Film Festival. Two years later, the screening in Tokyo. rapprochement spirit with Russian In the summer, there are plans to popularise the Abai house-muse- attracted more than 5,000 visitors. the film won the Tulpar Award Before shooting, Moriy- and European culture based on en- organise a theatrical production, um, restore Abai’s Zhidebai-Burili The movie was also presented for best picture and best director. ama studied Kazakh language concerts of traditional performers, museum-reserve and explain the lightened Islam. Oct. 27-Nov. 5 at the 32nd Tokyo and horseback riding for three aitys, exhibitions of rare books and historical and cultural role of his “The name of Abai, his heritage, International Film Festival. months. masters, national sports events and father, Kunanbai. his life and his example are valu- The project, directed by Takeba The film, based “Before filming this movie, various other cultural events in his “There are plans to improve able and sacred to each Kazakh and Yerlan Nurmukhambetov, on a true story I wasn’t in Japan, so I studied native Zhidebai [village in the East Abai’s native land in Kaskabulak person,” said Dauyeshov. was led by Kazakhfilm Studio (Kazakh language) online using and Tokyo New Cinema. Film- which occurred in Skype. At the work site, the lines ing was conducted in September Kazakhstan, tells the were changing… I could not say 2018 at Tuzkol Lake in Almaty anything else that was out of the Region. tale of a 12-year-old script, so I think I remembered The main roles were performed the lines more than anyone else,” National Museum holds designer by Kazakh actress and Cannes boy whose father he said. Film Festival winner Samal was killed by horse He added Nurmukhambe- Yeslyamova, Kazakh actors Madi tov and the staff welcomed him Menaidarov and Duriga Akmolda thieves. At the most warmly and he would like to re- meeting, fashion shows and Moriyama. turn to Kazakhstan. The film, based on a true story desperate period of “What attracted me most in this which occurred in Kazakhstan, his family’s life, a project was that this is a father- tells the tale of a 12-year-old boy son relationship story. Also, I was whose father was killed by horse mysterious stranger quite attracted by the opportunity thieves. At the most desperate pe- suddenly appeared to to come and work here in Ka- riod of his family’s life, a myste- zakhstan,” he said in an interview rious stranger suddenly appeared help them. with Kazakhfilm. to help them. Yeslyamova noted she was in- “I read the case in the news- terested in joining the interna- paper and was sorry for those The Horse Thieves production tional project and working with families who suddenly lost their was inspired by Takeba’s dream fellow actors from Japan. father. I wanted to draw on my of filming in Central Asia, which “It’s always exciting to make a screen the feeling of emptiness, she envisioned after her first visit film here in my native Kazakhstan the pain of loss and the hopes to Uzbekistan. and even more exciting to collab- they had lost,” said Nurmukham- Her first feature, “The Pinkie,” orate with Yerlan Nurmukhambe- betov in an interview with the won the Grand Prix at the Yubari tov, whom I’ve known for quite Horse Thieves film production International Fantastic Film Fes- a time since ‘Tulpan’ movie,” she

Photo credit: the National Museum press service. the National Museum press Photo credit: committee. tival in 2014. The film was also said in the same interview. Continued from Page B1 achievements and thanked him for “One of our main goals is to participating in the Kazakh projects. contribute to the development of One of the notable participants The event included a seminar on design in our country with an em- was Japanese architect and design- the features of designing objects in phasis on the design of Kazakh er Yuji Imayo, who came to Ka- the context of Kazakhstan’s mod- culture and support talented youth zakhstan in 2000 as part of Kisho ern economic development. As a in their creative development, Kurokawa’s team. Kurokawa was follow up, young Kazakh design- which promotes the work of Ka- the well-known architect who de- ers presented a fashion show of zakh design,” said Assylkhanov. signed the layout of the city of their works, some of whom re- Another goal is to keep the un- Astana. Imayo, the chief architect ceived awards. ion in the capital, because similar of the capital’s airport, founded The Eurasian Designers Union organisations, such as the Writ- Imayo Creation Design and Archi- is composed of more than 400 pro- ers Union and Artists Union, are tecture in Kazakhstan. fessionals in the field. Participants in Almaty, he added. To date, the He devoted his speech to modern note their main goal is greening group has held international ex- trends in Japanese architecture de- the ecological culture of society’s hibitions in the city dedicated to velopment and invited participants consumption and development, the anniversaries of the country’s to visit Japan to gain a deeper un- as well as cultural continuity and independence and the Assembly derstanding of its culture and life. ethnic identification, and optimis- of the People of Kazakhstan and Assylkhanov presented Imayo with ing design in relation to society’s is preparing for Abai’s 175th an- kazakhfilmstudios.kz. Photo credit: the union’s honorary medal for his changing demands. niversary this year. Samal Yeslyamova, Palme d’Ore winner, stars in this new movie. B4 NATION&CAPITAL COUNTRY

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020 Ninety-seven percent of population included in compulsory health insurance database ance status, including 54 percent According to the Ministry of project in the Karaganda Region in cities or 0.5 MCI (1,326 tenge chronic or deadly diseases, a By Zhanna Shayakhmetova or 10 million people that belong Healthcare, it is too early to pro- and identified deficiencies were (US$3.50)) in villages. Thirty patient will receive a full range to the preferential categories of vide any significant results from eliminated. Twenty accounting percent is designated for pension of medical services such as spe- NUR-SULTAN – Ninety-seven people, and others are employees, social health insurance, but most contribution and service payment savings, 40 percent for the Social cialists’ consultations, diagnos- percent of the Kazakh popula- sole proprietors, persons working patients feel hospital service has information systems were inte- Health Insurance Fund and 10 per- tic examinations, hospital treat- tion is included in the compul- under civil agreements and self- improved and consultative and grated using the fund’s systems, cent for income tax. ment, medical rehabilitation and sory health insurance database, employed citizens. The number of diagnostic assistance has become Ministry of Healthcare, specialised All other population categories palliative care regardless of his reported PrimeMinister.kz. Since self-payers is 2.2 million people, more accessible. government agencies and National contribute 5 percent from their or her participation in OSMS. Jan. 1, hospitals nationwide have or 12 percent of the population,” The Social Health Insurance Bank. minimum salary (2,225 tenge The list includes diseases such provided medical care according according to the release. Fund received approximately 250 Employers will pay 2 percent (US$5.80)) as independent payers. as cancer, diabetes mellitus, ar- to the guaranteed volume of free All citizens have conditional in- billion tenge (US$660 million) in of employee salaries this year and GOBMP includes primary terial hypertension, coronary medical care (GOBMP) and com- surance regardless of whether they payments from July 1, 2017-Dec. 3 percent after 2022. In addition, healthcare and emergency and heart disease, HIV, hepatitis and pulsory social health insurance contribute to the Health Insurance 31, 2019. Almaty, the capital and 1 percent will be deducted from ambulance services. An individual tuberculosis. (OSMS). Fund by April 1. Free procedures the Karaganda Region led in total salaries this year and 2 percent can make an appointment with a If a doctor refuses to provide “The work will continue with include magnetic resonance to- contributions. All OSMS funds are in 2021. Those who are self-em- local doctor and receive referrals medical services, the patient can the remaining 3 percent, or about mography, computer tomography, kept in the National Bank. ployed contribute a single payment to local diagnostic testing services contact Medical Insurance Fund 550,000 people. More than 88 per- enzyme immunoassay and poly- The medical information sys- equal to one monthly calculation or for a doctor’s consultation. single contact centre at telephone cent of people already have insur- merase chain reaction. tems were tested as part of the pilot index (MCI) (2,651 tenge (US$7)) In case of socially significant, number 1406. Government to implement new National resources approaches for targeted social assistance ministry bans families with children, taking into accepted applications from 24,000 Matters such as insufficient out- Staff Report account the social package, has in- families and 116,700 individuals. reach, lack of reference materials creased,” he said. The requests include 4,497 fami- and poor employee department NUR-SULTAN – Deputy Prime Family support centres should lies from Shymkent, 4,098 from technical equipment should be hunting of wolves Minister Berdibek Saparbayev, operate in large cities in each re- Turkestan and 2,702 from the Al- solved, said Aukenov. gions is possible only in cases of speaking during a recent confer- gion, following the example of the maty Region. “The akimats (regional and city Staff Report their attack on livestock or ap- ence call, instructed government Zhanuya centres in the capital and More than 2,600 precinct com- administrations) need to tighten proaching human residential areas bodies to create a regional sched- Bakytty Otbasy centres in Almaty. missions operate in the country control over the work of precinct NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh or people. ule for compulsory health insur- In both cases, people can receive and more than 1,000 people have commissions to prevent corruption Ministry of Ecology, Geology and A hunter can apply online to the ance coverage, increase the popu- necessary advice and assistance, used the call centre services, Auke- risks,” he added. Natural Resources recently banned service titled “Issuance of a permit lation’s employment, improve he added. nov added. Saparbayev spoke about the the hunting of wolves in the steppe for the shooting of animal species, medical institutions’ technical Support centres for large and Medical organisations are not need to create a special commis- areas in the Akmola, Karaganda, the number of which is subject to bases and raise public awareness low-income families are currently completely ready to integrate in- sion including parents receiving Kostanai, Pavlodar and West Ka- regulation” through the electronic about compulsory medical insur- open in seven regions. Approxi- formation and payment systems targeted social assistance to obtain zakhstan regions, reported the portal. The permit can also be ob- ance, reported primeminister.kz. mately 368,000 large families and train specialists to imple- feedback on the quality and con- ministry’s press service. tained at any public service centre. “The main task is to correctly were paid a social allowance this ment compulsory medical insur- tent of social packages. The ban was included in the Wolves and jackals are includ- and in an accessible form convey month, according to Vice Minister ance, said Minister of Healthcare President Kassym-Jomart To- ministry’s recent publication of the ed in the list of animal species, information, clarify innovations of Labour and Social Protection of Yelzhan Birtanov. The deputy kayev instructed the government rules regarding wolf hunting in the the number of which is subject to in the social sphere and respond the Population Yerlan Aukenov. akims (governors) of the Kyzylor- to implement new approaches to steppe regions. regulation to protect health, protect promptly to citizens’ questions. The ministry is continuing to da, Mangystau and North Kazakh- targeted social assistance, pro- “The limit on the regulation of against diseases of agricultural and People need to have it explained receive documents from citizens stan regions, the capital and Shym- vide a guaranteed social package the number of wolves and jackals other domestic animals, prevent that this year the volume of gov- applying for targeted social assis- kent have been updated about the and introduce compulsory social for 2020 is approved. The limit on environmental damage and prevent ernment support for low-income tance. To date, the government has issues. health insurance. the regulation of the numbers of the danger of causing significant wolves and jackals on the territory damage to agricultural activities. of Kazakhstan is annually approved The limit on the regulation of on the basis of biological substanti- predator numbers is 4,824 wolves ation upon conclusion of a state en- and 11,733 jackals in 2020. vironmental assessment. The regu- Kazakhstan increased penal- Road conditions continue to improve latory framework is a public service ties for wildlife poaching begin- of roads, which, compared to 2014, 92 percent of regional and district 2025, it is planned to repair more provided by the regional agencies ning in December. Illegal hunting Staff Report increased three times, and to bring roads are deemed to be in a good than 25,000 kilometres of roads on forestry and wildlife through and illegal fishing were upgraded the share of good or satisfactory or satisfactory condition. and increase the share of local the electronic portal,” wrote Jan. from misconduct to the category NUR-SULTAN – The condition roads to 71 percent,” said the Min- 15 Press Secretary of the Commit- of moderate crimes with up to of regional and district roads in istry of Industry and Infrastructure tee for Forestry and Wildlife Saken fours years of imprisonment and Kazakhstan improved by 3 percent Development report from Oct. 22. “This year the funding volume exceeded 200 Dildakhmet on Facebook. a fine of up to 10 million tenge in 2019. In 2018, the share of good These funds were used to im- billion tenge (US$530 million), which allowed Wolf hunting in the steppe re- (US$26,521). or satisfactory roads in regions plement 386 projects throughout was 68 percent. the country. Of them, 37 projects to repair 4,600 km of roads, which, compared In 2019, Kazakh Ministry of were construction projects, 34 re- Industry and Infrastructure De- construction projects, 60 overhaul to 2014, increased three times, and to bring velopment paid close attention to and 255 medium repairs projects. the share of good or satisfactory roads to 71 the development of roads of re- Repair works covered up to 4,617 gional and district significance, to kilometres in total. All of these percent.” which more than 200 billion tenge amounted to 71 percent of good or (US$530 million) was allocated. satisfactory regional roads. “In 2020, it is planned to repair roads in good and satisfactory con- “Pursuing the ‘road to home’ The leader in the number of more than 4,000 kilometres of dition to 95 percent,” the ministry order of the First President of Ka- projects in 2019 was the Man- roads, 350 road projects will be added. zakhstan – Elbasy Nursultan Naz- gystau Region. In this region, five implemented and 75 percent of Over the past five years, 590 bil- arbayev, local roads financing was reconstruction projects and two the local network roads will be im- lion tenge (US$1.6 billion) were increased since 2018. This year construction projects are in the proved to a good and satisfactory allocated for the development of the funding volume exceeded 200 process of implementation. The level. Over the next five years in regional and district roads, which billion tenge (US$530 million), region is the first in the ranking of Kazakhstan, as a part of the Nurly allowed repairing 15,000 kilome- which allowed to repair 4,600 km the local network road quality. The Zhol State Programme for 2020- tres of roads. Kazakhstan to ban MIA urges to register live animal exports foreign vehicles have a sufficient amount of prod- Entrepreneurs responded posi- Kyrgyzstan from 2014-Jan. 1, The need to register foreign ve- Staff Report ucts and the result is the shortage tively to the draft document. The Staff Report 2020 can be imported temporar- hicles arose due to the reckless of raw products,” according to the interdepartmental commission ily without paying customs du- driving caused by the operators’ NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan release. on foreign trade policy and par- NUR-SULTAN – The Ministry ties or taxes and without ensuring feeling of being exempt. plans to ban live animal exports, The government is seeking to ticipating international economic of Internal Affairs urged Kazakhs customs duties were paid only by “A sense of impunity due to the reported the Ministry of Agricul- increase processed product exports organisations also approved the Jan. 14 to register their foreign persons permanently residing in lack of registration of foreign trans- ture press service. Last year, the by more than 2.5 times as part of document, which is now being vehicles. It emphasised the need the countries. Some procedures, port in Kazakhstan led to the fault country exported 156,000 head of the State Agro-Industrial Com- considered by government agen- to register vehicles imported from however, are still necessary. of drivers/citizens of Kazakhstan cattle, 78 percent of which were plex Development Programme cies. Armenia and Kyrgyzstan, noting “For citizens of Kazakhstan, the driving foreign registered vehicles; sent to Uzbekistan and 14 percent for 2017-2021. The ministry must The changes allow preserv- EAEU (Eurasian Economic Un- import and operation of vehicles 1,854 traffic accidents were com- to Armenia. take measures regarding the cur- ing and increasing the number ion) provisions still require it. in this country registered in Kyr- mitted, in which 132 people died Approximately 264,000 head of rent situation. of livestock in the coming years, “To date, more than 170,000 gyzstan and Armenia is allowed and more than 500 were injured… sheep were exported, more than The Ministries of Agriculture providing domestic meat process- vehicles registered in Armenia, only subject to customs declara- In order to suppress the facts of the half of which were breeding stock. and Finance agreed to amend the ing plants with high-quality raw Kyrgyzstan, Belarus and Russia tion of the vehicle, payment of operation of motor vehicles of this More than 200,000 sheep (76 per- joint order “On some issues of products at affordable prices and were imported into the country. At duties and taxes and subsequent category in violation of the law by cent) were shipped to Uzbekistan. animal export” based on appeals increasing production and export the same time, regarding the cars registration of vehicles in Kazakh- the police, raid measures will be Russia purchased 21,500 head of from feedlots and meat process- of processed products. imported from Armenia and Kyr- stan,” it added. carried out together with customs small breed of cattle; Azerbaijan, ing plants. The order previously A ban on live animal exports will gyzstan and taking into account the If a Kazakh citizen registered and tax authorities. The Ministry 18,000 head of cattle and Iran, placed temporary limits merely on help lower meat prices in the do- presence of transitional provisions transport ownership outside the of Internal Affairs calls on citizens 12,000 head of cattle. exporting breeding stock and the mestic market, said Kazakh Meat on the accession of these countries country and has a transport registra- of the Republic of Kazakhstan who “Live animal export for further changes completely ban live ani- Union Chairperson of the Board to the EAEU, there are strict re- tion certificate in his or her name, have purchased motor vehicles in processing and resale provided mal export. Assylzhan Mamytbekov at the strictions on their operation on the such transport must be registered other countries to register and vol- speculative growth of prices for Industry expert organisations, Jan. 20 press conference. Prices territory of other EAEU member in Kazakhstan within 10 business untarily eliminate violations of the meat. The local meat processing local executive bodies and the will not fall and only the resellers’ states,” said a ministry press release. days after acquiring the vehicle by law in the field of customs regula- enterprises and feedlots do not Atameken National Chamber of margins will increase. Cars registered in Armenia and paying all required fees and taxes. tion and traffic,” said the release. B5 NATION&CAPITAL SOCIETY

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020 More than 91,000 school students U.S. Embassy to take first round of paid UNT hold fourth annual “It’s not a secret for anyone that By Aidana Yergaliyeva every year there are corruption scandals around the UNT; tales of NUR-SULTAN – More than established tariffs even go from spelling bee 91,000 Kazakh school students security services at test points. We took the first round of paid Uni- received support and assurances fied National Testing (UNT) Jan. from the anti-corruption agency; 16-20 at 99 exam venues through- members of special monitoring out the country. Students with paid will be invited as independent ob- UNT results can apply to universi- server groups,” he noted. ties. The UNT format has remained The results of the paid test, the same. Students are tested in however, are not eligible in apply- five subjects, two by choice, with ing for a state scholarship. To be 120 multiple-choice questions in considered for such a grant, an ap- five subjects. Facts surrounding plicant must pass the free national charges and other violations can testing again in June. reducing the large flow of testing ously had only one free chance to be reported online using the Digi-

The Ministry of Education and in the month of June, understand- take the exam. tal Agent application, he noted. spellingbee.kz. Photo credit: Science introduced paid UNT to ing with what anxiety the children Test takers should score a mini- The centre prepared special indi- be conducted four times a year – in pass this or that exam. We decided mum of 65 of 125 points to be vidual assistants and sign language By Galiya Khassenkhanova “We promote our event on all January, March, June and August. to relieve the situation by conduct- enrolled in a state university; 60 interpreters for children with dis- universities’ social media, be- The cost per a test is 2,242 tenge ing UNT four times a year,” it points to study pedagogical sci- abilities. NUR-SULTAN – The United cause we want to engage bachelor (US$5.90). added. ences, agriculture, bio resources Local commissions are com- States Embassy in Nur-Sultan students. KAZGUU, Nazarbayev “This decision was facilitated by In addition, the applicants can and veterinary medicine and 50 prised of representatives from city will hold its fourth annual spell- University, Eurasian University the repeated questions by parents choose to take different combina- points for other universities. and regional akimats (administra- ing bee across the country during and others receive our emails,” and applicants about the avail- tions of subjects each time, “which The testing centre used 820 tions), law enforcement agencies, February and March. said Kuanyshpayeva. ability of testing to the Ministry makes it possible to increase the rooms equipped with mobile de- public organisations and the press. The embassy, in partnership “The criteria for the partici- of Education and Science of the choice of lists of groups of educa- vice jammers and video surveil- Nearly 98,700 school students with American Corners (library- pants’ age is set by the organiser, Republic of Kazakhstan, as well tional programmes for admission,” lance. It also streamed an online took the test between 2016-2018, based English-speaking clubs) the U.S. Embassy. Kazakhstan as to the National Testing Centre,” it said. broadcast from all audiences, said according to centre date. The ma- will hold local competitions may not have a tendency among the centre’s press service told The UNT has been serving as senior National Testing Centre Director jority, 85.18 percent, scored above throughout February in 11 cit- students to still be studying by Astana Times. students’ final high school assess- Didar Smagulov, reported sput- the minimum passing threshold ies – Aktobe, Almaty, Atyrau, 25, but the criteria is global; in “We were faced with the task of ment since 2004. Students previ- niknews.kz. with an average score of 83.08. Karaganda, Kostanai, the capital, the rest of the world, it is not un- Oral, Oskemen, Pavlodar, Pe- expected,” she added. tropavl and Shymkent. Shymkent Central Asia holds its own will hold the first competition spelling bee due to local lan- Feb. 1. guage capabilities, such as the “We are expecting more than ability to perceive words in a cer- Public services have improved 30 participants (in Nur-Sultan). tain accent. Central Asians have a The registration opened recently unique blend of Russian and Tur- and is still going. So far, we have kic languages that differentiates 15 participants and 15 more are them from countries like Russia. since 2018, survey finds predicted. Other regions have dif- The national and regional spell- the quality of public services was using their computers or mobile “Using the results of public ferent numbers of participants; ing bees stemmed from the idea Staff Report 74.8 percent, which is 2.4 percent applications. monitoring, we formed a rating Almaty has more, but we rely of uniting all American Corners. higher than last year (72.4 per- Services such as state registra- of central government agencies on our local participants,” capi- “People liked it when we held NUR-SULTAN – The quality cent in 2018). The average rating tion for issuing private bonds, that provide public services. The tal American Corner coordinator it the first year. We tried to attract of Kazakh public services has in- amounted to 4.73 points on a five- passes to enter and stay in the bor- leaders are the National Security Saltanat Kuanyshpayeva told The celebrity speakers. We had an ad- creased 2.4 percent since 2018, ac- point scale,” reported the agency. derline, dormitory provisions for Committee and the Ministry of In- Astana Times. vertisement with (actor) Daniyar cording to a survey commissioned It noted the main concerns were technical and vocational students, dustry and Infrastructure Develop- The judges for the capital bee Alshinov. (Actor) Anuar Nur- by the Civil Service Agency. The the timing and cost of services, queuing preschool children (up to ment with average scores 4.99 and will be a 4:2 ratio of native speak- peisov was the host of the first review, conducted by the Zor Rukh quality of feedback and lack of age six) for preschool organisa- 4.95, respectively. The Ministry of ers and local English teachers. competition,” said capital corner Charity Foundation, was complet- employee competence and effi- tions and issuing licenses for ap- Digital, Innovation and the Aero- Each American Corner will find makerspace coordinator Aigerim ed to identify the level of satisfac- ciency. pliances and installations generat- space Industry Development, the judges on its own, although the Tleukhan. tion with quality, accessibility and The survey of 14,219 service re- ing ionising radiation received the Ministry of Energy, the National embassy can help, she added. Spelling bees started in the procedures. cipients showed 51.5 percent have highest marks. Bank, the Ministry of Defence and The first-place winner in every United States in the 1800s, as “The monitoring results helped contacted individual offices pro- Services such as ambulance the Ministry of National Economy local competition will receive schools tried to induce students develop recommendations to im- viding certain government servic- calls, state registration for real also have high positions,” noted 30,000 tenge (US$80); second to learn the standardised spell- prove the provision of public ser- es. In 40.3 percent of the cases, the estate rights, trademark registra- the statement. and third, 20,000 (US$53) each. ings from the newly-published vices, including simplifying them individuals were referred to Public tion and sanatorium treatment It added a significant segment The top three from each local bee Webster’s Dictionary. The first and reducing the time and list of Service Centres (PSC), only 1.6 and paperwork for prosthetic and of public services has the poten- will get an all-expense paid trip national competition was held in documents, as well as optimising percent of which had self-service orthopaedic care for those with tial for improvement. Work should to the capital for the March 14 na- 1908 in Cleveland and the event and automating business processes. areas. Other 8.2 percent received disabilities received the lowest continue on optimising state bod- tional competition. has been an annual one since The level of public satisfaction in public services from the website ratings. ies and the Government for Citi- The top four national winners 1925. zens State Corporation; the quali- will go to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan in Spelling bees require contest- tative relationship between state April to participate in the Central ants to recite words he or she bodies and corporation branches is Asian Spelling Bee. Other Cen- hears and correctly spell them as equally important. tral Asian countries have been listed in the dictionary. The per- The survey found compliance holding bees since December. son may ask the host to repeat the with key principles like transpar- “Local, national and regional word; provide the definition, part ency, legality, objectivity, com- bees are excellent opportuni- of speech and language of ori- prehensiveness, reliability and ties to support education and to gin and use it in a sentence. The impartiality. Information, acces- promote American English and difficulty of the words varies, as sibility, employees, procedure, American culture, to showcase English has adopted many words timing, costs, feedback and results the partnership between the Unit- from other languages. were the criteria used to access the ed States and Central Asia and to “Gaining more and more inter- quality of providing public ser- build a strong regional network est every year in Kazakhstan and vices. of spaces (American Corners),” in the number of people wishing The survey covered 65 of the according to the competition’s to participate, the spelling bee most socially significant public official guidelines. contest is a large part of Ameri- services. Respondents contacted The event is open to full-time can culture. For over 90 years, various structures and organisa- undergraduate students age 18- schoolchildren across America tions, depending on the body pro- 25 attending a Kazakh university. have been participating in the viding the service in accordance Students must register by Feb. 5 competition,” according to spell-

Photo credit: inbusiness.kz. Photo credit: with the standards. at spellingbee.com. ingbee.kz. Every fifth teenager is bully or victim of one, say scientists Schoolchildren were asked how ety, low self-esteem, emotional dis- Staff Report often they took part in bullying orders, substance abuse and suicidal or cyberbullying, or became its behaviour, according to the report. NUR-SULTAN – Every fifth victim in school, in the past two More than 12 percent of those 11-15 Kazakh teenager aged 11-15 is months. According to the research- were subjected to cyberbullying and either a bully or the victim of one ers, both victims and offenders 11 percent of adolescents have expe- every month, reported the Ministry experience associated and future rienced it at least once. The behav- of Healthcare’s National Centre mental health problems. iour is more common among boys. for Public Health press service. The results showed 17 percent Scientists suggest schools in- Bullying involves not only of adolescents aged 11-15 are troduce bullying prevention pro- physical aggression, but psycho- bullied monthly at school. Urban grammes, involve parents, use logical pressure, intimidation, gos- schoolchildren are more likely disciplinary methods, improve the sip, extortion and mocking. It can to be bullied than rural ones. social climate and monitor chil- be in the form of physical contact, Twenty percent of adolescents dren’s behaviour to reduce the words, facial expressions, obscene aged 11-15 participated in bully- level of bullying. gestures and a desire to conscious- ing. Bullying behaviour is high- Nationally, it is important to inte- ly exclude the victim from a group est among boys aged 11-13, then grate bullying prevention strategies or community. reduces among boys and girls at and programmes, increase public In 2018, scientists from the age 15. awareness and develop support ser- centre surveyed Kazakh school- Cyberbullying has resulted from vice for victims of bullying or cy- children to study health and well- new technologies and the popular- berbullying. Improving interaction being indicators among teenagers. ity of social networks. It includes between violence prevention and Photo credit: liter.kz. Photo credit: The information is collected and offensive messages and posting health services and evaluating exist- studied by the research team every derogatory comments and humili- or intimidating someone in elec- Cyberbullying has a negative tributing to serious mental health ing laws regarding violence are also four years. ating photos, as well as threatening tronic form. effect on adolescent health, con- problems such as depression, anxi- essential to combating the issue. B6 NATION&CAPITAL TOURISM

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020 Travel blogger Shymbulak Ski Resort ranks first in popularises Commonwealth of Independent States list, with Shymbulak at the top, fol- return home. Of 800,000 visitors The resort has also started By Galiya Khassenkhanova lowed by Belarus, Azerbaijan, Ar- each year, 30 percent are from snowcat guided tours, a special menia, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. abroad, it added. truck used to prepare the slopes country’s tourism NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan’s “Our resort is year-round and has To stay on top, Shymbulak has and travel across the snow. Go- Shymbulak Ski Resort ranked first all seasons. Our resort is probably continued to add and develop its rilla Snow Park was moved to on the list of the best ski resorts the most recognisable besides our services, including renovating and Left Talgar Gorge to accommo- in the Commonwealth of Inde- friends, Rosa Khutor (Russia). In expanding the renting facility and date expanding the ski area. In pendent States (CIS), according to addition, we have the longest ski- locker rooms, renewing the invento- the new season, it will host com- Russian tourism and sport website ing season among CIS resorts. Due ry and digitising the renting process. petitions featuring international turstat.com. to artificial snow and our soft and The Shymbulak Mountain Resort riders, such as flight and gliding The rating highlights the best comfortable climate, our season mobile app, launched in November, masters performing stunts at Go- CIS resorts for winter vacations, lasts from November-May,” the allows users to book tickets, check rilla Winter Jungle. especially January and February. Shymbulak Mountain Resort press weather and track conditions, look “We take care of the resort’s The website notes the best skiing service told The Astana Times. up hotels and learn about upcom- visitors and constantly develop the and snowboarding spots are in Ar- Many foreign tourists are eager ing events. The website allows va- infrastructure. The fact that the re- menia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Ka- to visit the resort each season and cationers to book skiing and snow- sort has received recognition is not zakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. share their experiences when they boarding instructors online. surprising,” said the press service. The list was released in honour of World Snow Day, started by the International Ski Federation (FIS) in 2012 to celebrate winter sports. World Snow Day is the third Sun- day of January, which this year was Jan. 19. The website released two lists based on tour analysis and vaca- tion offers – the most popular ski Photo credit: Talgat Samatov. Talgat Photo credit: resorts and the most visited. The guest houses and hotels near the top three in the latter category are By Nurdana Adylkhanova most popular natural attractions all in Kazakhstan – Shymbulak in make travelling easier. The recent Almaty, Altai Alps near Oskemen NUR-SULTAN – Social net- micro and small business tax ex- and Nurtau near Burabay. They working has led to rising interest emption also contributes to tour- were followed by Belorussian La- in tourism among the population, ism growth, which is mostly seen hoysk and Silichy (Belarus), Shah- says Kazakh travel blogger Ulan in small enterprises such as trans- dagh and Tufandag (Azerbaijan), Alimbek. He popularises travel by portation companies, local guides Tsaghkadzor (Armenia), Karakol introducing people to interesting or guest house owners. (Kyrgyzstan) and Chimgan (Uz- sightseeing spots and providing For tourists visiting for the first bekistan). information about routes and trip time, Alimbek recommends travel- The most popular resorts are rat- planning costs. ling to Almaty Region, which he ed by country. Kazakhstan leads the inform.kz. Photo credit: “I tell my subscribers daily what calls “a test sampler of Kazakh- places to visit in Kazakhstan, give stan,” a collection of the country’s advice on what kind of transport various natural attractions concen- to use, how much it costs. I give trated in one place. information in detail because I “Here (in Almaty Region), you don’t want people to think that it is can find everything you want: for- unavailable or expensive,” he said ests, mountains, steppes and desert Schengen visa fees to increase in an exclusive interview for this zones; there are hot springs and story. lakes including mountain lakes During his university years, and simple ordinary steppe lakes,” Alimbek organised trips to Ka- he said. to $88 starting February zakh natural attractions, which Altai in East Kazakhstan Region $177 per visa application, if the plications to be submitted up to February 2020,” said an official were particularly popular among is home to large forests and moun- By Zhanna Shayakhmetova external service providers set the six months in advance of a trip, from the Information Monitoring students, youngsters and foreign tains, while deserts can be found in maximum service fee permitted, instead of the current three, and and Media Division of Lithuania. guests. While Kazakh tourism was Karaganda, Kyzylorda and Man- NUR-SULTAN – Schengen visa which is $88,” reads a press re- provide opportunities for regular In 2018, Schengen embassies once a “private club” available gystau regions. fees will increase for Kazakh citi- lease on the change. travellers with clean visa histories and consulates in Kazakhstan pro- only to a limited number of people “Mangystau Region is distin- zens from $66 to $88 for adults and According to Gent Ukëhajdaraj to be issued multiple entry visas cessed 157,608 visa applications, who knew about interesting loca- guished by its nature. There are from $38 to $44 for children from from SchengenVisaInfo.com, due with lengthier validity periods. rejecting 7,544 of those for a rejec- tions, social networks have opened many lovers of this nature; there is ages six to 12 as of February 2020, to this mechanism the fees may According to SchengenVisaInfo. tion rate of 4.8 percent. information to the public about the neither forest nor grass there, but according to Schengenvisainfo.com. increase to $177, if EU authorities com, Schengen member states that German consulates in Kazakh- country’s natural attractions. people like it,” said Alimbek. All representative missions of deem it necessary. are not represented in Kazakhstan stan saw the highest number of visa “We went to the Charyn Canyon, In winter, ski resorts in Almaty the Schengen countries located “A visa fee of $133 or $177 will in terms of visa admission are now applications, with 40,829 requests which is now so popular that you Region and East Kazakhstan Re- abroad are obliged to apply the apply to non-cooperative third- obliged to cooperate with external received. The Italian consulate can meet people there every day, but gion open their gates and attract new rules as part of the updated countries, in cases when the EU service providers to facilitate visa was second, receiving 20,009 ap- when we went there, it happened many guests. In the northern part Schengen visa code adopted by the Commission considers that action applications. plications, and the Czech Republic that even on weekends you could of the country, ski tourism devel- European Union Council in June is needed in order to improve the “Since Regulation (EU) third with 16,925 applications. not meet anyone there,” he said. ops even on small hills, he added. 2019 for “the purpose of strength- level of cooperation of the third 2019/1155 of the European Parlia- In 2018, Kazakh travellers spent Kazakh tourism has made great Alimbek has participated in a ening the common visa policy country concerned and the Union’s ment and of the Council of 20 June $10.4 million on visa applications progress in the last 10 years as number of expeditions across Ka- while taking into account migra- overall relations with that third 2019 amending Regulation (EC) to Europe. demonstrated by improved roads zakhstan, including national treks tion and security concerns.” country,” Ukëhajdaraj added. No. 810/2009 establishing a Com- Overall, more than 14.2 million and air connectivity growth. such as Kieli Kazakhstan and the “The external service providers This provision shall not apply to munity Code on Visas (Visa Code) people used Schengen visas in “Now, there is a choice… it (air Saryarka expedition. To date, he are allowed to charge a service fee, children under 12 years old. The is binding in its entirety, and is di- 2018 to travel around Europe. travel) is more affordable even has visited 38 countries and 300 which cannot be higher than the mechanism may also shorten visa rectly applicable in all EU Member A Schengen visa allows a per- than railway,” he said. cities. In 2018, he won the Na- visa fee. This means Kazakhs ap- validity and introduce prolonged States in accordance with the Trea- son to travel to any member of the The increased number of local tional Tourism Award for Best Ac- plying at an external visa service visa processing periods. ties, all Schengen countries, includ- Schengen area for up to 90 days guides, transportation companies, count for Tourism in Kazakhstan. provider may have to pay up to The new rules also permit ap- ing Lithuania, will apply it from 2 for tourism or business purposes. B7 NATION&CAPITAL SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020 Anastasia Gorodko wins two dual moguls Kazakh national boxing team golds at FIS European Cup in Switzerland holds joint training camp show the best results, while young By Nazira Kozhanova athletes like Gorodko and Graur ahead of Olympic qualifiers will fight for Olympic licences to NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh ath- the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing. lete Anastasia Gorodko made her “[We want to] show the best re- international debut by winning two sults. The current world champion gold medals in dual moguls Jan. 13- Yulia Galysheva and the holder 14 at the International Ski Federa- of the silver medal of World Cup tion (FIS) European Cup in Airolo, 2017/18 in the mogul Dmitry Re- Switzerland, reported Olympic.kz. icherd have the task to fight for Gorodko, 14, won her first gold Crystal Globes (the award presented Jan. 13, earning 130 points, report- to the World Cup winner based on ed fis-ski.com. Janneke Berghuis, the sum of the results at all stages), 18, of the Netherlands placed sec- Pavel Kolmakov will aim for the ond with 104 points, followed by podiums and the stages of the World Katharina Ramsauer, 24, of Austria, Olympic.kz. Photo credit: Cup and young athletes will begin who took the bronze with 78 points. 78 points. Graur finished 10th with always nice when your work is vis- to improve their results so that in Kazakh athletes Olesya Graur, 15, 33.80 points and Tsinn 22nd with ible… The programmes of all ath- the next two seasons they will fight came in fourth with 65 points and 16.20 points. letes are approved. Ayaulym Amren- for the Olympic licenses in Beijing Oleg Tsinn, 20, was 17th in the The Kazakh moguls team stepped ova, Sergey Romanov, Alexander 2022,” she said. olympic.kz. Photo credit: men’s competition. forward in their work in 2019, head Gebert and Anastasia Gorodko will The FIS European Cup was or- Head coach of the Kazakh national boxing team Galymbek Kenzhebayev. Gorodko won her second gold the coach Yelena Kruglykhina said last carry out new programmes in sepa- ganised by Ticino Freestyle, an following day, again scoring 130 October. rate competitions,” she said then. organisation created by the Ital- strong boxers and there are three points. Berghuis was second with “It went just great; all the athletes In a Nov. 18 interview with za- ian Swiss Ski Federation (FSSI) By Nurdana Adylkhanova or four athletes in each weight 104 points, while Germany’s So- stepped forward and this was ap- kon.kz, Kruglykhina noted the with the aim of designing freestyle category who would be worthy phie Weese, 20, came in third with preciated by the coaching staff. It is team’s goal in the new season is to events in the canton’s discipline. NUR-SULTAN – The Kazakh Olympic contenders. national boxing team began a joint “On the one hand, it’s good. On training camp with teams from Be- the other hand, it’s inconvenient, larus, England, Germany Jan. 21 in because only one boxer can repre- Nur-Sultan, the National Olympic sent his weight in the national team Committee of Kazakhstan reports. at such tournaments,” he said. Russian TV channel releases The athletes have been preparing He added such intense competi- for the Asian Boxing Qualification tion among the athletes increases Tournament, which was scheduled their competency. for Feb. 3 to 15 in Wuhan, China, In the 81 kilogramme weight documentary about Denis Ten but which will now be moved and category, the strong boxers include postponed due to the outbreak of current world champion Bekzad Continued from Page B1 name, they agreed to talk about good, kind, bright person he was all of its video platforms. People coronavirus in that city. The com- Nurdauletov, Asian champion Bek him. After all, these are all well- and the tragedy of his death. gratefully comment on our work. petition will now take place March Nurmaganbet and world youth The script was mainly Stolbovs- known and busy people – Roza Ten was the 2014 Olympic You can read many friendly com- 3 to 11, and while no new venue champion Nurbek Oralbay. At 91 ki’s work, but, according to Raily- Rymbaeva, Ilya Ilyin, Alexey bronze medallist, two-time World ments on YouTube. The film has has yet been announced by the kilogrammes are the experienced an, the scenario was not developed Yagudin. In this case, we did medallist, 2015 Four Continents not aired on TV yet, but you need boxing working group of the In- fighter Vasily Levit and young but until Stolbovski arrived in Almaty. not have to direct them in their champion, 2017 Winter Univer- to understand that for TV you need ternational Olympic Committee, it promising athlete Aibek Oralbai. The producers had ideas, plans and memories. In most cases, these siade champion and five-time a slightly different format than for will not be held in China. Recently, Sagyndyk Togambay, a wishes to meet certain people, but were monologues with slightly Kazakhstan national champion. video platforms. I take this oppor- “Nevertheless, the team contin- two-time Asian youth champion the final product emerged from the wet eyes and smiles on their lips He died in July 2018 at the age of tunity to recommend everyone to ues its training, which was excel- and World Cup silver medallist, shot material. when they talked about Denis,” 25 when he tried to stop two men watch the film ‘Denis Ten. -Thir was also included in this category, “What surprised and pleased he said. from stealing his car mirrors. teen.’ In my opinion, this is a very lent… Now we have gathered in he said. me the most was that not a sin- The film is divided into 13 parts, “It is nice that almost all Kazakh successful work with many exclu- Nur-Sultan, where boxers from “The choice is difficult. We will gle person refused to meet us. with Ten’s friends and fans recall- media reacted to the film about sive materials, filming and frank England, Germany and Belarus As soon as they heard Denis’ ing how they met him; what a Denis Ten. Match TV placed it on stories,” said Railyan. are also present. We are sparring, bet on those athletes who, first of training,” Kazakh boxing head all, show stable results. Those who coach Galymbek Kenzhebayev are better prepared and healthy, said. 100 percent, they will go on to With the tournament postponed, win [an Olympic berth],” Kenzhe- the national team decided to add bayev said. Para taekwondo athlete receives Paralympic license one more training camp to its In the Asian tournament, Ka- world, he said. He is planning to ticipate in the Asia Para Taekwon- well. The National Paralympic schedule as well as reduce the in- zakhstan’s main rival is Uzbeki- By Nurdana Adylkhanova train for the upcoming competi- do Open Championships March 3 Centre is conducting the first train- tensity of training sessions. stan. tions in camps in the capital and in Beirut, Lebanon. ing camp now,” he said. “The boxers reacted quite calmly “But I will tell you that boxing NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh para abroad, as he also expects to par- “The preparation is going very Dombay learned of the license in to the postponement of the tourna- is developing incredibly in Asia. taekwondo athlete Nurlan Dom- October, said his personal coach Asan ment. They do their job. All of us Strong boxers have appeared in In- bay, the world ranking leader in the Kasaev in an interview with azh.kz. are professionals,” Kenzhebayev dia, Thailand and the Philippines. K43 category (up to 75 kg) in ac- “In his weight up to 75 kg, Nur- said. And now at the world level the cordance with Paralympic Games lan has won the highest rating Prior to the training camp in the Asian boxing is in trend. This was 2020 qualifications, has received in the world; the second in this capital, the team trained Jan. 5 at shown at the 2019 World Cup,” he his license for Tokyo. weight is Ukrainian Anton Shvets. the World Boxing Academy in Al- added. Dombay is a two-time world, These two athletes were the first to maty, alongside teams from Cuba, The working group on boxing at three-time Asian and two-time Eu- receive licenses according to their Japan and Hungary. the Tokyo Olympics 2020 estab- ropean champion. In 2019, he won rating,” he added. The head coach said Cuba lished new selection rules for the gold medals at the World Cham- The victory (at the World Cham- brought a strong roster to the train- Olympics, which state that boxers pionships in Turkey, Asian Open pionships) “has come at a heavy ing, including the four-time world will have the opportunity to partic- Championships in Jordan and cost,” said Dombay. champion and 2016 Olympic ipate at the four continental quali- European Open Championships “Now, without stopping, I set champion Julio Cesar La Cruz, fying competitions from February in Italy and silver at the African myself the goal of winning a gold current world champion Andy to May 2020. Championships in Egypt. medal at the Paralympic Games,” Cruz Gomez, world champion and The African tournament will “It was very impressive when he says. Olympic champion Arlen Lopez, take place in Dakar, Senegal, Feb. Kazakhstan’s flag was raised and Dombay received the Altyn and Olympic champions Roniel So- 20 to 29. The European qualifying the anthem was played,” he said Samgau National Sports Award tolongo and Juan Estrada. Hungary tournament will be held in London in an exclusive interview for this as the Best Paralympic Athlete in brought the winners of the Europe- March 13 to 23. Americans will story. 2019. His recognition and domi- an Championship, while Japanese compete at the qualifiers in Bue- Tokyo will be Dombay’s first nance in the sport have served to silver medallist Sewon Okazawa nos Aires, Argentina, March 26 to Paralympic Games. The competi- interest many young Kazakh para joined the other participants. April 3. The world qualifying tour- tion will be tough, as the 12 par- athletes to participate in taek- According to Kenzhebayev, nament will be held May 13 to 14 ticipants are the strongest in the National Paralympic Committee of Kazakhstan. Photo credit: wondo. Kazakhstan’s national team has in Paris, France. Three Kazakhs reach third round of Australian Open for first time pliment Yelena. It is very nice to round, winning their match 6-1, The Australian Open, a Grand most important annual tennis 20-Feb. 2 in Melbourne and offer- By Galiya Khassenkhanova see a young tennis player here 6-4. Slam event, is one of the four tournaments. It is being held Jan. ing $71 million in prize money. who is great at attacking, mov- Although the women could not NUR-SULTAN – For the first ing great and not afraid of any- break the third round barrier, sim- time, three Kazakh tennis players one. I was preparing very seri- ilar to previous Kazakh athletes, reached the third round of Aus- ously for today’s match,” said having more than one player get tralian Open women’s singles, Barty, reported the tournament this far is an achievement. reported liter.kz. website. Rybakina and Diyas teamed Yelena Rybakina, the country’s Zarina Diyas (73rd) beat the for women’s doubles, losing in number one player and 26th in United States’ Amanda Anisi- the second round to Aliaksandra the Women’s Tennis Association mova (24th) in the first round, Sasnovich (Belarus) and Viktoria (WTA) ranking, beat the United 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. She subsequently Kuzmova (Slovakia), 6-4, 7-5. States’ Bernarda Pera (65th) in defeated Russia’s Anna Blinkova Putintseva and her partner, Rus- the first round, 6-3, 6-2. She then (58th), 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. sia’s Anna Kalinskaya, lost in the defeated Belgian Greet Minnen, She faced Kiki Bertens from first round to Japan’s Misaki Doi 6-3, 6-4. the Netherlands (10th) in the and Romanian Monica Niculescu In the third round, unfortunate- third round, losing 6-2, 77-63. (65:77, 6:4, 6:2). ly, she met Australia’s Ashleigh Yulia Putintseva (38th) won the In the men’s singles, neither Barty, number one in the WTA first round by beating Hsieh Su- Alexander Bublik nor Mikhail ranking. Barty took the match wei from Chinese Taipei (37th), Kukushkin advanced beyond the 6-3, 6-2. 6-1, 6-3). She then defeated Dan- first round. Bublik lost to Austral- “It was my best match at the ielle Rose Collins from the Unit- ian Jordan Thompson (6:4, 6:3, current Australian Open. I com- ed States (25th), 6-4, 2-6, 7-5. 6:2) and Kukushkin to Austral- pletely fulfilled the game plan. Romanian Simona Halep ian Marc Polmans (6:4, 6:3, 4:6,

At the same time, I want to com- (third) stopped her in the third 68:710, 6:4). 24.kz. Photo credit: B8 NATION&CAPITAL CAPITAL

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020 Epiphany bathing took place in city, safety measures were taken Photo credit: 24.kz. Photo credit: Informburo. Photo credit: “The location of these holes is procedures and organising com- Lifesavers warned everyone receive help within three-four min- sus Christ. Orthodox Christianity By Galiya Khassenkhanova convenient for organising such fortable conditions for capital resi- wishing to dive that such bathing utes. celebrates the Epiphany Jan. 19. mass events (convenient road ac- dents. The Department of Emer- is dangerous, especially for those The operational rescue unit and The celebration has two stages. NUR-SULTAN – The capital cess, parking areas) and the resi- gency Situations water rescue without experience, in poor health disaster medicine centre were on The first takes place in a church akimat (city administration) or- dents of the capital are well aware service and Police Department had and with alcohol intoxication, as duty with 46 people and six equip- on the evening before the holiday ganised Epiphany bathing Jan. of these places. The district aki- on-site safety measures and ambu- well as for elder citizens and chil- ment units. They also held an ad- (Epiphany Eve); the second occurs 18-19, reported its press service. It mats installed and cut the fonts, lance crews on duty. dren. Residents were reminded ditional briefing for bathing - par the next day outside the church, ensured all safety measures. installed the handrails, wooden “It should be noted that in order they could swim only in safe, spe- ticipants. with a procession to rivers and Special bathing ice holes for flooring and tents,” the press - ser to ensure safety, the underwater cially equipped places, where, if In 2018-2019, approximately ponds. all to use were equipped on the vice told The Astana Times. parts of the holes were equipped necessary, rescue services could 30,000-40,000 residents visited The holiday’s obligatory attrib- right bank of the Yessil River near Orthodox churches around with safety nets. Also, with the provide timely, qualified assis- the ice holes for two days of mass ute is diving into a baptistery cut Makhambet Otemisov School- the city held divine services on help of the rescue service, the De- tance. bathing. The number grew in 2020, in a frozen river. The procedure is children’s Palace and the Grand Epiphany Eve, followed by a pro- partment of Emergency Situations When plunging into icy water, a because the celebration fell on Sat- considered to cleanse the person of Alatau residential complex and cession. The march started from organised an off-site press confer- person puts his or her body under urday and Sunday (the weekend). all sins. left bank near Stolichny Park. The Konstantin-Eleninsky Cathedral at ence with media participation Jan. extreme stress – a sharp drop in Tents with food and hot bever- Though a Christian celebration, holes operated from 8 p.m. (after 7.30 p.m., Jan. 18 and ended on the 15, where safety standards were temperature and pressure can lead ages were stationed near the bath- it has long become popular among the blessing of the water) to mid- riverbank. explained (such as rules for dip- to respiratory arrest, heart failure, ing holes. all Kazakh citizens and many non- night, Jan. 18, and 8 a.m.-1 a.m., The akimat placed its main em- ping in an ice hole),” reported the muscle spasms and fainting. All Baptismal bathing is a part of the Christians participate in the annual Jan. 19. phasis on complying with safety press service. could be fatal if a person does not celebration of the Epiphany of Je- event. SPACES.nur-sultan city Officials to assess need festival to bring in new to build second light rail build it. To begin with, there is a operation. As I have been told, Staff Report need to prepare a feasibility study. there is no other way out, because As soon as it is ready, we will pass they have gone too far. I would exhibitions and workshops NUR-SULTAN – Government it on to the examination and, after like to turn to the Counter-Agency experts will assess the need for that, it will be clear. No one will corruption and I instruct intensify- a second light rail transit (LRT) keep the conclusion in secret,” he ing the investigation. There is no line in the capital, said Nurlan noted. a need to go upstairs, ascertaining Urankhayev, head of the Depart- The examination should as- some people fleeing abroad. It was ment of Architecture, Urban Plan- sess the viability of the feasibility a planned flight, understandably, ning and Land Relations, at a Jan. study, he said. while not noticing the others; in 21 Central Communication Ser- President Kassym-Jomart To- particular, the akimat leaders who vice press conference. kayev, speaking at the Oct. 8 capi- once made the decision, there are “As for LRT, the customer today tal development meeting, ordered their signatures,” he said. is the Department of Architecture intensifying the investigation sur- During an extended government and Urban Planning. Regarding rounding the LRT construction. meeting, Tokayev criticised the the second stage of LRT, a feasi- “The construction of LRT is an quality of state budget planning bility study is being prepared and unfortunate project. The govern- and instructed ending the LRT everything will be ready. It will ment and the akimat (city admin- construction issue. become clear. If the state examina- istration) still decided to continue The LRT project was optimised tion doesn’t refuse us, doesn’t say work on putting this, to put it at $1.2 billion, said capital Akim that it is not practical, then we will mildly, controversial project into (Mayor) Altai Kulginov. Residents discuss city memories

Photo credit: SPACES.nur-sultan Facebook page. SPACES.nur-sultan Photo credit: in public philosophy talk to learn more about themselves. against the backdrop of Soviet bilities of the city. We hope you involvement of local communi- By Nazira Kozhanova “The purpose of the lecture and Tselinograd, transformed into By Nazira Kozhanova enjoy our initiative and will be ties” and the launch of an exhi- discussion was to look at memory something completely differ- happy to host the festival annu- bition of cardboard workshop NUR-SULTAN – Capital resi- from a somewhat unusual per- ent? Absolutely or the same, but NUR-SULTAN – SPACES.nur- ally,” she said. works will be hosted Jan. 31 and dents discussed the meaning of spective – not just as preserving using scarce high-tech materi- sultan city festival that features The festival programme was de- Feb. 2 in the art factory HYDRA nostalgia Jan. 11 during a public information, but as a very im- als? Dmitri Melnikov, with an- exhibitions, lectures and work- signed by several Nur-Sultan and (@hydra.kz). The factory also philosophy talk featuring Kazakh portant experience connecting us other stunning lecture ‘Space of shops kicked off Jan. 24 and will Almaty local organisations. Each offered city residents cardboard Humanities and Law Univer- with the past. Nostalgic memory nostalgia: searching for the aura go through Feb. 7. organiser will bring the city resi- workshops on weekends from sity Senior Philosophy Lecturer can be understood in different of lost’ at the Wine Sport wine “The team is convinced that the dents activities based on its area of Jan. 18 to Jan. 25. Dmitri Melnikov. The event was ways. It can and should be con- gallery, (tried to help us under- city, its places and spaces are made expertise. Artcom lectures platform organised as part of the Talking. sidered critically when it turns stand the question); wine and by people. What the city needs A presentation of the art library, (@artcom.platform) will host Feb. TSE series. out to be too naïve about what philosophy, as you know, al- and where its development oppor- a lecture on librarianship and a 1 master classes, art projects, lec- “In my opinion, our conversa- happened. But nostalgia is also ways go hand in hand. At least, tunities are – its residents know workshop on mobile photography tures and performances on art, sci- tion about nostalgia went well. a way of self-knowledge – re- precisely in the framework of best,” said New Citizen Initiatives was held Jan. 24 and 26 in the art ence and the city at the Nur Alem There was a response from the membering ourselves of the past the Talking.TSE project, which programme coordinator Saule library in the TSE Art Destination pavilion at the former EXPO 2017 audience – many questions, com- and involuntarily comparing our- was started by Temirtas Iska- Mamayeva, one of the festival or- art gallery. grounds. ments. And I understand why – be- selves with the present. We seem kov. Tested personally, told to ganisers. Local pop-up festival organised Urban Forum Kazakhstan will cause the nostalgic memory now to meet with ourselves, under- believe and therefore cheers,” “The goal of the project within by the Fading.TSE (@fading.tse) host Feb. 6-7 the Second Inter- is not only the individual interest stand something important about said writer and translator Kanat the framework of the SPACES. “Fading.TSE: Retrospective of national Forum on Indoor Public of some people in their own past, ourselves,” he added. Omar. nur-sultan festival is to unite the the capital” has started Jan. 25 in Spaces and master classes from but there is also some fashion for Participants noted the talk The talk was organised as part citizens of the capital who care the House of Kubrin. The festival international experts. Together it, especially in post-Soviet coun- helped them to delve into ques- of a series of discussions, lec- about the city, to create condi- will include a discussion on “Ar- with curators, researchers, muse- tries. In other words, talking about tion of whether the city’s histori- tures and talks that aims to help tions and spaces where they can chitectural heritage and places of um workers, theater experts and nostalgia now means striving to cal experience, which was drasti- residents better understand the make their city even better and memory of the capital” and mul- city activists, the forum organis- understand not only yourself, but cally transformed throughout its history of their city. In other more interesting with collective timedia exhibition “Fading.TSE: ers will discuss the processes that also the society in which you live,” changes, is a continuation of the talks, lecturers on history and efforts and ideas. With the sup- Retrospective of the capital.” shape the indoor public spaces he said. present or a completely different architecture tackled the capital’s port of the Soros Foundation- A lecture by Anna Pashins- of Nur-Sultan. The participants Melnikov noted the aim of the experience. past from different angles. Talk- Kazakhstan, we comprehend the kaya, co-founder and curator of aim to come up with several fresh talk was to help participants look “Is phenomenology a conver- ing.TSE, created by Fading.TSE development potential of Nur- the international urban festival ideas for reprogramming familiar at city memories from a new per- sation about memory or poetry? public history project founder Sultan through identifying the City Scanning Session “Acti- urban spaces over the course of spective – not merely as a vessel What is historical experience in Iskakov, was supported by Soros needs of citizens and the possi- vating public space with the two workshops. for information, but also as a way the context of Madeleine cake, Kazakhstan.