-7° /-8°C WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 No 1 (163) www.astanatimes.com Okean Art: school for children offers investors with unlimited possibilities stable political, social and economic climate, says Kazakh Invest executive tween Russia and the EU, have By Saltanat Boteu created considerable barriers for international investors. All this ASTANA – Kazakhstan is means that investing in 2019 is able to offer stable political, unlikely to get easier, especially social and economic conditions in regions where uncertainties and sufficient infrastructure for will be felt the most,” he said. global investors, said Kazakh In this uncertain time, Kazakh- Invest Deputy Chairman of the stan is able to offer stability, se- Board Marat Birimzhan. In an curity and a business-friendly exclusive interview with The investment climate. He empha- Astana Times, he indicated the sised the country has the mineral country’s agriculture, transpor- resources to produce advanced tation and logistics have great technologies that are central to potential and should be attrac- modern world economies. tive for investors. “Our nation is at the cross- The past year was full of un- roads between Europe and Asia. certainties, economic downturns For centuries, it has been critical and unpredictable decisions by to East-West trade routes. With some state leaders and 2019 low production costs, abundant promises to be difficult as well. natural resources and direct ac- “Most notably, the United cess to a rapidly growing region- Kingdom’s exit from the Euro- al market of 500 million people, pean Union (EU) and trade wars our nation is ready to do busi- between the United States and ness,” he noted. , as well as sanctions be- Continued on Page A7

inclusive environment that offers velopment, autism hearing parents, are invited for a therapeu- By Aidana Yergaliyeva a broad range of opportunities. impairment. It also houses an art tic training once a month. The school focuses on psychol- school. School director Tatyana Zhan- Kazakhstan introduces ASTANA – Okean Art is rela- ogy and arts. The psychological In addition, the centre has psy- yarova selects and educates the tively a small school which opens path offers art therapy for all chil- chological consultations for adults. staff herself, as she had an oppor- a whole new dimension that can dren, whether healthy or with al- Seminars are offered both for spe- tunity to study art therapy in depth single entry electronic visa change lives. Thirteen years ago, most any form of disability, be it cialists who want to gain profes- at Birmingham Centre for Arts the school started as a small art emotional, mental, behavioural, sional skills in psychology and art Therapies (BCAT) from 2003- marks of extension, reservations, therapy centre for children with neurosis, fear, shyness, delayed therapy and newbies who want to 2004. By Yerbolat Uatkhanov notes, erasures and corrections, disabilities and has now created an speech development, mental de- learn what it is. Adults, especially Continued on Page B2 torn or unsewn pages; have at ASTANA – Beginning Jan. least two blank pages and expire 1, Kazakhstan has introduced a no earlier than three months from single-entry electronic visa for the expiry date of the requested citizens of 117 countries. An visa. electronic business or tourist visa The Kazakh person or organi- Car sales jump 25 percent in 2018 or one for medical treatment will sation extending the invitation be issued using a valid invita- He also said the target for 2019 include Nissan (2,188 units), Re- Duster (766 units) and JAC S3 must inform migration authori- tion considered by the nation’s By Yerbolat Uatkhanov is 75,000 cars sold with 50 percent nault (1,824 cars), Ravon (1,727 (652 units). ties about the person’s arrival migration service. Foreigners coming from Kazakh automakers. vehicles), Volkswagen (1,382 BIPEK AUTO – AZIA AUTO within three working days. wishing to benefit from the new ASTANA – Car sales in Ka- Sales in November, 5,328 units) and UAZ (1,348 cars). holding keeps the status of the larg- The step-by-step e-visa issu- arrangement can enter the coun- zakhstan increased 25.8 percent units, exceeded last year’s value Toyota Camry (4,208 units), est dealer in the market. Accord- ance algorithm involves regis- try through checkpoints at the from January-November over the by 13.1 percent. The volume of Lada Granta (3,147 units) and ing to the results of the reporting tering on the visa website and Astana and international same time last year. the market in value terms for the Lada 4×4 (3,036 units) are the period, 31.2 percent of all buyers migration website at www.vmp. airports. Dealers sold 52,467 cars total- month reached 46.1 billion tenge most popular passenger cars in of new passenger cars (including gov.kz; learning about the re- The new procedure is available ling $1.3 billion. Of those, 48.2 (US$124.5 million), exceeding Kazakhstan. TOP-5 models also LCV) chose the offers of this deal- quirements for getting an elec- to tourists and individuals from percent were cars produced in Ka- the figure a year ago by 30.6 per- include Lada Vesta (2,547 units) er. At that, 22.3 percent of the mar- tronic visa; entering the invita- 23 countries visiting for busi- zakhstan. cent. In total, 27,178 vehicles, and Hyundai Tucson (2,400 tion number, which is sent by the ket fell on sales of Astana Motors. ness or medical treatment. The “In November, the Kazakh car 51.8 percent, were imported, Ka- inviting person or organisation units). The ten most notable participants electronic visa is valid only for market completed the seventh con- from Kazakhstan, and filling in zAvtoProm Union of Automotive The top twenty consumer pref- in Kazakhstan’s autoretail also in- the recipient and does not apply secutive quarter of growth. The Enterprises of Kazakhstan reports. erences also include Lada Largus cluded Virage (8.1 percent), Toyota the visa application form; pay- to accompanying persons. Paid ing the consular fee; printing the process of recovery in consumer According to 2018 sales, the (1,848 units), Toyota Land Cruis- City Almaty (5.2 percent), Allur consular fees are not refundable. demand continues at a steady pace, most popular brand was Lada: er Prado (1,800 units), Hyundai Auto (2.5 percent), Mercur Auto electronic visa and showing the The passport provided by the hard copy when passing through and by the end of the year, Kazakh since the beginning of 2018, Elantra (1,781 units), Hyundai (2.5 percent), Toyota Centre Zhe- visa recipient should meet the citizens’ spending on car purchas- 12,061 vehicles of the Rus- Accent (1,766 units), Toyota tysu (2.2 percent), Aster Auto (2 passport control at the two air- following criteria – not cause ports. es will approach the level of 500 sian brand have been sold in the Rav4 (1,515 units), Hyundai Cre- percent), Autoworld (2 percent) and doubts in authenticity and be- billion tenge (US$1.35 billion). country. Sales of Toyota models ta (1,481 units), Toyota Corolla Toyota Centre (1.2 percent). longing to its owner or have Continued on Page A3 This year will end exactly in line amounted to 11,215 units. The (1,280 units), Ravon Nexia (1,041 According to the results of 11 with the forecast announced by us third position was taken by Hyun- units), Toyota Land Cruiser 200 months, residents of Almaty pur- a year earlier: market sales will dai with 7,626 sold cars. The (1,014 units), Volkswagen Polo chased most of new cars, 13,951. show a 25 percent increase and ex- top five are rounded out by KIA (958 units), Toyota Hilux (885 Astana residents got the second ceed 58,000 cars,” said KazAvto- (2,593 cars) and GAZ (2,463 ve- units), KIA Sportage (846 units), place with 9,471 new cars. In Prom Chairman Oleg Alferov. hicles). The top 10 brands also Lada XRAY (801 units), Renault Atyrau, dealers sold 3,893 units. Junior hockey team President reshuffles government, wins hearts at World appoints three new ministers Juniors, retains spot ing Kazakh exports abroad, taking was transferred from his former In 2000, he graduated from the St. By Saltanat Boteu away these responsibilities from position as the Minister of Defence Petersburg State University of Eco- the reformed Ministry for Invest- and Aerospace Industry. nomics and Finance and received a in top division ASTANA – In a reshuffle aimed ment and Development. Kassymbek was appointed to degree of Candidate of Economic and David Makutskiy scored first- at strengthening the investment at- He appointed Beibut Atamku- lead a newly revamped Ministry of Sciences (similar to PhD). By Assel Satubaldina period goals and Artur Gatiyatov traction and export promotion ef- lov as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Industry and Infrastructure Devel- In 1986, he started working scored a pair of empty-net goals forts of the Kazakh government, as Deputy opment, into which the Ministry in the Shymkent Lead Plant as ASTANA – The Kazakh junior during the last minutes of the President Prime Minister and Minister of for Investment and Development a smelter, senior engineer. From hockey team retained its place in game. reorganised three ministries and Defence and Aerospace Industry was transformed. Some of the 1991 to 1995, he worked in the the top division at World Juniors The loss relegated Denmark to appointed new ministers through a and as Minis- former ministry’s functions were Ministry of Foreign Economic Re- after defeating Denmark 4-0 Jan. 4 Division I Group A at the 2020 string of presidential decrees Dec. ter of Industry and Infrastructure transferred to the Ministry of Na- lations, and served as the Republi- in Vancouver, Canada. International Ice Hockey Federa- 26. Development. tional Economy and the Ministry can Foreign Economic Enterprise Kazakhstan’s Davyd Makutski tion (IIHF) U20 World Champion- Nazarbayev significantly Nazarbayev relieved former of Foreign Affairs. Kazmetalllexport’s organisation (#12) celebrates with teammates ship in the Czech Republic, while strengthened the economic diplo- Foreign Minister Kairat Abdra- Atamkulov was born in the Al- Chermeteksport’s Chief Special- after scoring against Denmark Germany was promoted to the top macy credentials of the Ministry of khmanov of his responsibilities ma-Ata region in 1964. In 1986, he ist and Director, and as the first during relegation round game. group to replace the Scandinavian Foreign Affairs by giving it over- due to his transfer to another job, graduated from the Kazakh Poly- deputy director at the Kazakhstan Photo credit: Minas Panagiotakis/ nation’s team. sight over the work on attracting as yet unannounced. The new Min- technic Institute, receiving the pro- Sauda foreign trade company. HHOF-IIHF Images. foreign investment and promot- ister of Foreign Affairs Atamkulov fession of engineer-metallurgist. Continued on Page A2 Team captain Sayan Daniyar Continued on Page B7

INSIDE NATION ECONOMY&BUSINESS EDITORIAL&OPINION BUSINESS NATION&CAPITAL Kazakhstan aims to improve transparency of Manufacturing labour productivity grows 1.2 Emphasis on economic diplomacy positions Greenhouse industry faces low demand, Kazakh designer wins NASA competition B1 law enforcement agencies A2 times, third five-year plan focuses on export- Kazakhstan well to attract investment in times competition from Uzbekistan A7 Astana Invest contributes to foreign oriented enterprises A4 of growing competition A6 Kazakh national award highlights prominent AGF Group increases home textile exports A7 investment growth, focuses on PPP public figures in different fieldsA2 West Kazakhstan region approves 12 KOH POH KOON: Singapore welcomes projects B8 AIFC establishment, as FinTech seems most investment projects worth $107 million A5 promising area of cooperation A6

US$ 1 = 377.85 KZT € 1 = 432.00 KZT 1 = 5.63 KZT A2 NATION

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019

NATIONAL Kazakhstan aims to National award NEWS IN BRIEF This year, 25 kindergartens and 37 other schools will be built in the capital, Kazinform reports. By 2023, improve transparency of highlights prominent public there will be 124,000 more students in Astana. Fifteen additional health facilities will also be built. “The comprehensive plan for compact law enforcement agencies figures in different fields development of the city for 2019 to The conversation also focused on at the National Research Centre of senter was Layla Sultankyzy from 2023 was adopted to improve the By Saltanat Boteu statistical data, function and effec- By Saltanat Boteu Oncology and Transplantology in Channel 7. quality of services in the urban envi- tiveness overview of law enforce- the capital, won in the Best Doc- The Braveheart honorary award ronment… Taking into account the ASTANA – The conference on ment agencies and conducting au- ASTANA – The eighth annual tor of the Year category. The title was given to Astana Police De- annual growth of cars by 8 to 9 per- the transparency of law enforce- dits and risk analysis. The Office of Khalyktyn Suiiktisi (People’s of Best Teacher of the Year was partment Road Patrol Police In- cent, it is planned to build 121 kilo- ment agencies, held in the capi- the Prosecutor General has a staff Choice) national award ceremony given to Astana Schoolchildren’s spector Azamat Baltabayev. In metres of roads, two transport inter- tal Dec. 25, served as a dialogue of 5,716 with a 26.6 billion tenge was held Jan. 12 at the Rixos Pres- Palace Director Yerbol Irgebay. June, he saved a six-year-old child changes, three bridges, an overpass, platform between the agencies, (US$71.63 million) budget; the ident Astana hotel. Public figures, PyeongChang Paralympic Win- from falling from the ninth floor of a tunnel and the first line of light non-governmental organisations, Internal Affairs Ministry, 159,371 activists, sportspeople, artists and ter Games gold medallist Alex- a building. On Dec. 14, President rail transport by 2023,” said Astana lawyers and researchers aimed employees and a 323.2 billion government servants chosen by ander Kolyadin and 2016 Para- Nursultan Nazarbayev awarded Akim (Mayor) . at generating discussion on their tenge (US$870.37 million) budget online voting were awarded in 27 lympic Games and 2018 Asian Baltabayev the Order of Aibyn of functions and effectiveness. and the Agency for Civil Service categories. Paralympic Games gold medallist the II degree. A pilot project on e-housing co- The conference was organised Affairs and Anti-Corruption, a 25.1 The award is given in differ- Zulfiya Gabidullina were named Health veteran, Honoured operatives was launched in Atyrau, by the Kazakh Public Council on billion tenge (US$67.59 million) ent categories, noted founder the Best Male Athlete of the Year Worker of Kazakhstan and Ka- according to the regional adminis- Internal Affairs Bodies’ Activities, budget. and Respublika-Aimaq-Damu and Best Female Athlete of the zakh SSR Minister of Healthcare tration. Residents there can now Qadir Qasiyet Public Fund and Pe- The government is currently (Republic-Region-Development) Year, respectively. from 1971-1982 Toregeldy Shar- open a personal account to receive nal Reform International (PRI) in considering the Roadmap on Law Public Fund President Galym information about home services Central Asia. Enforcement Agencies Moderni- Baituk, reported tengrinews.kz. “There are the main categories, for which and city utilities and to communi- sation, which has a separate sec- “There are the main categories, cate with maintenance companies. tion on anti-corruption issues, said for which Internet voting was held, Internet voting was held, and honorary and “The project helps to establish Transparency of Marat Kogamov, Chair of the Pub- and honorary and special awards,” special awards,” he said. “Voting was based on communication between home- state bodies includes lic Council overseeing the work of he said. “Voting was based on the owners, housing cooperatives, the Ministry of Internal Affairs . long lists of 30 people allocated by the long lists of 30 people allocated by users management companies, service openness and “Police sometimes commit acts users of social networks… Almost organisations, utilities and ten- of corruption. Many police units 500,000 unique votes were cast.” of social networks… Almost 500,000 unique ants. The Atyrau open city unified accountability of are engaged in providing public Three new awards – Military votes were cast.” system was created to modernise data, legislation and services. Therefore, the automa- Person of the Year, Police Person and digitise the housing sector,” tion of these processes, the sepa- of the Year and New Faces of La- said head of the Department of In- budgets; assessing ration of the police officer from bour Unions, were added this year. Parliament Senate Deputy manov won the Golden Era hon- formation Technology and Public the specific service recipient, is In the main categories, Kazakh Bakytzhan Zhumagulov won in orary award. Services Samat Embergen. the effectiveness of necessary. This is the first direc- actress Samal Yeslyamova was the Best Parliamentarian of the The capital’s State Commission government agencies. tion,” he said in an interview dur- the Breakthrough of the Year win- Year category. He was unable to for Redeployment of Higher and Freight turnover increased by ing the conference, as reported by ner. The star of the film “Ayka,” attend the ceremony and his col- Central Bodies Chairperson Farit 6.6 percent and reached a value inform.kz. she also won Best Female Role at league Senator Byrganym Aitimo- Galimov received the Contribu- of 222.5 billion tonne-kilometres The participants discussed the He added internal security ser- the Cannes Film Festival and the va spoke on his behalf. tion to Development of Astana on the importance of transparency in vice will also be strengthened. movie is currently on the Oscar Political scientist Islam Kuraev honorary award. network in 2018, reports the com- activities of the prosecution and “The draft roadmap stipulates short list for best foreign language was named Best Publicist of the Patron of the Year honorary pany’s press service. “Volume of internal affairs authorities and an- that the internal security services film. Year. Architect, poet and cinema- awards were given to business- transportation by rail amounted to ti-corruption and economic inves- of the ministry will be greatly Yeslyamova was unable to at- tographer Bakytzhan Ashirbayev people Bekbolat Achibekov (Ak- 254.8 million tonnes with an in- tigation services. strengthened and developed. They tend the ceremony, as she is took the award as Cultural Figure tau) and Sergey Blok (Kostanai) crease of 13 million tonnes com- Transparency of state bodies in- will fight against corrupt officials abroad, and recorded a video mes- of the Year. and Atyrau Maslikhat Deputy pared to 2017. More than 170 cludes openness and accountabil- inside the police force and, second- sage. Kazinform was named the Best Alibek Semgaliyev. million tonnes were transported ity of data, legislation and budg- ly, protect honest employees from “Dear compatriots, thank you Internet Information Edition of The Military Person of the within the country and more than 84.7 million tonnes were exported. ets; assessing the effectiveness of undue influence on them during very much for supporting me. the Year. Kazybek Freydman, who Year award was given to Recon- Transportation of socially sig- government agencies; dialogue the detection and investigation of Happy New Year! I would like to posts on Twitter and Facebook, naissance and Assault Company nificant goods was fully provided. between the state and society and a crime, including organised crime. wish you good health and success was named Leader of Blogosphere Squad of Assault Troops Com- More than 105 million tonnes of mainly implementing civil control It’s hard work,” he added. in everything. Thank you!” she of the Year. mander Galymzhan Aleukhanov, hard coal were shipped, which is mechanisms. The law enforcement system in- said. Designer and fashion designer who saved two small children 3 percent more than in 2017. More “Today, the discussion has led to cludes a large number of both cen- Meirzhan Turebayev was rec- Malika Duissenbayeva won in from a fire July 2017. than 72 million tonnes of solid fuel an understanding of the strengths tral and regional government bod- ognised as the Favourite Viner the Fashion Leader of the Year The New Faces of Trade Unions was shipped domestically, which and weaknesses of the state’s ap- ies and departmental organisations, (an actor performing in vines, or category. Guests of the ceremony awards were given to Pavlodar is up to 4 percent more than in proach to ensuring the integrity including penitentiary system short-form videos) of the Year. He enjoyed her fashion show. region Trade Union Centre Chair- 2017. Some 11.5 million tonnes of and accountability of law enforce- institutions. According to PRI, in became famous in the Kazakh In- DalaFrukt Fruit Production person Dinara Aitzhanova, Zhol- grains were shipped and 8.8 mil- ment agencies. Attention is paid 2018 the number of imprisonments Company founder Bolatbek Ali- dasbai Agro farm breeder (North ternet community in his role as a lion tonnes of these were exported. to monitoring legislation; mecha- decreased, influencing the increase yev (Turkestan region) and Kar- Kazakhstan region) and union police officer in numerous humor- The shipment of iron ore increased nisms for monitoring, controlling in punishments unrelated to impris- asu Agriculture Company Director member Rauan Bralin and Senim ous vines. by 8 percent, non-ferrous ore by 5 and supervising the behaviour of onment. Almat Tursunov (Kostanai region) Health Workers Union Kosta- “I take a detached view and percent and construction materials law enforcement officers; the im- “Today, there is a decrease in the won in the Best Farmer of the Year nai branch representative Tatyana think, ‘why am I in the same row by 6 percent compared to 2017,” plementation of their functions; level of the population in prison in category. The Best Entrepreneurs Bulgatsevich. with such great people as teach- reads the release. developing procedures, training direct proportion to the increase in ers and doctors?’ But I decided of the Year were Zhas Kanat 2006 Traditionally, a portrait of each standards and materials; guide- Director Kairat Maishev (Kosta- winner is drawn by Kazakh car- punishments unrelated to impris- that this was probably because we More than one million messages lines for fair and objective selec- nai region) and Raduga Director onment. So, at the end of 2018, the all do what we love and this is al- toonist Valery Krestnikov and from Astana residents were regis- tion of employees and improving Dmitry Sharapayev (North Ka- number of the prison population in ways welcome. Thank you for this sold after the awards ceremony tered by the iKomek system, re- the procedures for receiving visi- isolation from society was 30,944 award! It is very pleasant that the zakhstan region). at a charity auction. His cartoon ports the city administration. Some tors, victims and witnesses,” said people, while almost 61,000 passed year begins with such an event,” The Best Public Figure of the of Tursynov, the most expensive 68,000 of these were received via Qadir Qasiyet Public Fund Direc- through the probation service re- he said. Year was political scientist Yer- portrait, was purchased by Blok social networks. The response tor Aida Zhusipaliyeva. cords,” according to PRI. Tokan Sultanaliev, chief surgeon lan Sairov. The favourite TV pre- for one million tenge (US$2,637). time to incidents reported by resi- dents shortened by 23 percent. The number of calls to the mayor’s appointed to his new position, he office and administrations were was the chairman of the board of decreased by 20 percent. “The Kazatomprom national atomic system unites all utility service President reshuffles government, company since 2015. call centres and is a single point The new Minister of Industry of contact with city residents. All and Infrastructure Development appeals are processed and entered Kassymbek was born in 1975 in into the register with a registra- appoints three new ministers tion number, and then transferred the Zhambyl region. He graduated Continued from Page A1 from the Kazakh Leading Acad- to state bodies and utilities. Some emy of Architecture and Civil En- 60 iKomek operators around the During the following two years, gineering in Almaty with a degree clock monitor the safety of citizens he worked as the Karaganda Met- in architecture and design. He also with the help of 6,000 video cam- allurgical Plant’s First Deputy Di- studied at the Gumilyov Eurasian eras. About 3,677 offences were rector. From 1996 to 2002, he was National University in Astana revealed. The iKomek mobile app the Rakhat Metals President. Over graduating with a degree in econ- will be launched this year,” said a the next four years, he was the Ra- omy and earning the Candidate of city press representative. khat Companies Group’s president Economic Sciences degree. and chairman of the board. Over the years, Kassymbek Kazinform reports that a sorting Since 2006, he worked in the worked as the Head of the Depart- plant for solid household waste diplomatic service. He was a ment of Railway Transport and with a capacity of 100 tonnes of waste per day will be launched in minister-counsellor at the Kazakh Ports of the Agency for Regula- Atyrau. The Ministry of Energy Embassy in Russia and Iran. From tion of Natural Monopolies and imposed a ban on burying plastics, 2008 to 2010, he worked as the Protection of Competition, Head all types of paper waste and glass Kazakh Consul General in Frank- Askar Zhumagaliyev Zhenis Kassymbek of Coordination and Tariff Policy at landfills from January. Atyrau The new Defence and Aerospace a master’s degree in e-government the Public Service Centres (PSC). Department, and Director of the furt am Main. For two years, he has 300 containers for collecting Industry Minister and Deputy from the Federal Polytechnic Since 2012, he was the Minister served as the Kazakh Ambassador Water Transport Department of the plastic waste, and their number Prime Minister Zhumagaliev was School of Lausanne. of Transport and Communications. Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ministry of Transport and Com- will increase to 500 by the end of to Malaysia, as well as to Indo- born in 1972 in the Orenburg re- From 2006 to 2010, he was the During his work, specialised pub- munications. He also led the Aktau the year. Up to 300 tonnes of waste nesia, Brunei and the Philippines gion, Russia. He graduated from chair of the board of Kazakhtele- lic service centres for car owners International Seaport. are exported daily to the city land- concurrently. the Sverdlovsk Suvorov Military com national telecommunications were opened, standards for provid- In 2005, he was the Vice Minister fill. Part of the collected plastic is From 2012 to 2014, Atamkulov School and studied at the Kharkov company, when he worked on the ing services in the transport indus- of Transport and Communications. sent to Russia for processing and was the Executive Secretary of Higher Military Command Engi- introduction of new communica- try were developed, 4G network In 2009, he became the Executive the rest is used in the production the Ministry of Industry and New neering School of Rocket Forces. tion technologies and the barrier- was launched, tariffs for commu- Secretary of the Ministry of Trans- of building materials. “Currently, Technologies, after which he was In 1992, after the collapse of the free customer service principle. nication services were reduced and port and Communications. After an investor has provided funds for at the same position in the Invest- , he transferred to the From 2010 to 2012, he worked automation of public services was five years, he headed the ministry. equipment. The plant will open at ment and Development Ministry. Kazakh National Technical Uni- as the Minister for Communica- carried out. Since August 2014, he became the the beginning of the second quar- Since August 2015, he has been versity in Almaty, graduating with tions and Information. During his In 2014, he became the Chair- First Vice Minister of the Ministry ter and will create up to 70 work- the South Kazakhstan region’s a degree in radio communications, work, he launched 3G services, man of the Agency for Commu- of Investment and Development. places. We will open 10 receiving Akim (governor). His last position broadcasting and television. He digital satellite and terrestrial tel- nications and Information. Later Before being appointed to his new points for collecting plastic, paper was the Defence and Aerospace received a second bachelor degree evision. He also developed the e- the same year, he was appointed position, Kassymbek served as the and glass waste in March,” said Industry Minister, which he led in jurisprudence from the Kazakh government portal and large-scale as Vice Minister for Investments Minister for Investment and De- head of Spetsavtobaza company from 2016. Humanitarian Law University and modernisation and automation of and Development. Before being velopment since 2016. Almas Izteleuov. A3 EURASIA&WORLD

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019

EXTERNAL NEWS IN BRIEF Kazakh FM supports stronger regional Kazakhstan’s Partnership for Peace training centre has earned the United Nations certification that will allow it to train and prepare peace of- relationship with India at India-Central ficers from around the world. Jean- Pierre Lacroix, UN undersecretary- general for peacekeeping operations, has signed the relevant document. Asia-Afghanistan Dialogue The Almaty training centre was vis- ited in December by representatives By Malika Orazgaliyeva of the UN Peacekeeping Depart- ment, who evaluated its material ASTANA – Kazakh Minister of and technical capability, instructors, Foreign Affairs Beibut Atamku- programme content and compliance lov stressed the need to establish with UN standards. The centre offers a closer relationship between India language and specialised courses to and Central Asia during the Jan. teach students the principles, goals 13 India-Central Asia-Afghanistan and basic practices of peacekeeping Dialogue in Samarkand. The event operations. Many graduates serve on included the foreign ministers of peace keeping missions. Afghanistan, India, , Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and the The Kazakh expedition In the host nation, Uzbekistan. Footsteps of Ancestors arrived in Jor- Atamkulov urged the implemen- dan to study the legacy of mamluks tation of joint projects with India and Kipchak tribes there. Scientists in medicine, pharmaceuticals, new believe the tribes inhabited the coun- technologies and finance through the try in the 13th century and played an International Technopark of IT start- important role in building relations ups Astana Hub and the Astana In- between the Muslim and Christian ternational Financial Centre (AIFC). world. The expedition visited the He also suggested creating a Ajloun and Karak castles. “This cas- consortium with all Central Asian tle is a strategic object located in the countries to connect the Kazakh- south of Jerusalem and Damascus. stan-Turkmenistan-Iran and Ka- Kipchak mamluks hailing from the zakhstan-Uzbekistan-Turkmeni- Great Steppe ruled this territory. Our stan-Iran rail routes with the port ancestors owned several fortifica- of Chabahar to transport cargo tions in this area, and this is the most along the Central Asia-India route. important for them. Sultan Beibarys The foreign ministers also dis- ordered the construction of several cussed economic, cultural and towers in this castle,” said expedition humanitarian cooperation among head Sapar Iskakov. Before Jordan, Central Asian nations, including The first meeting of foreign ministers of Afghanistan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan took place in Samarkand on Jan. 13. the expedition visited India, Egypt, trade, business association con- the United States, South Korea, Chi- tacts, transit and transport and com- na and Ukraine. munication capacity. They also dis- such meetings was proposed by the cussed bilateral and regional co- lar attention to the development of and cross-border cooperation, as cussed establishing joint initiatives Indian Council of World Affairs operation as well as the implemen- regional cooperation. Our coun- well as the implementation of the Kazakhstan will for the first time to create international and regional (ICWA) together with the Ministry tation of the agreements reached tries play a key role in the integra- agreements reached between Naz- take part in the Tata Steel Chess tour- transport corridors and to attract In- of External Affairs of India. between Kazakh President Nursul- tion processes of Central Asia. We arbayev and President Sooronbay nament, one of the most prestigious dian investments and technologies will make every effort for further Jeenbekov. and oldest events in the international to Central Asian economies. Atamkulov urged the implementation movement of bilateral relations Atamkulov and Aidarbekov chess calendar. This year’s tourna- The ministers approved a joint with Uzbekistan,” the Kazakh For- noted their countries’ similar po- ment is being held from Jan. 11 to statement noting positive relations of joint projects with India in medicine, eign Minister said. sitions on international issues and 27 in Wijk aan Zee, the Netherlands. between India and Central Asia Atamkulov also noted the po- reaffirmed their intention to work Prominent Kazakh chess player Di- as well as affirming the desire for pharmaceuticals, new technologies and tential for cooperation in financial together within international or- nara Saduakassova, international regional cooperation to ensure se- finance through the International Technopark services, processing and the food ganisations. master and women’s grandmaster, curity, stability and sustainable de- industry, as well as the digital in- Kazakhstan’s foreign minister ranked 17th in the world among velopment in the region. of IT startups Astana Hub and the Astana dustry. also discussed bilateral coopera- women, will represent the country The proposal to hold the first Atamkulov also met with Min- tion and regional issues in meet- at the tournament that has brought ministerial meeting in the frame- International Financial Centre (AIFC). ister of Foreign Affairs of Kyr- ings with Deputy Chairman of the chess veterans and young talents to- work of the India-Central Asia gyzstan Chingiz Aidarbekov. The Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of gether since 1937. She will compete Dialogue was preceded by a series Atamkulov also met during his tan Nazarbayev and Uzbek Presi- ministers discussed trade and Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan in the Challengers group with 14 of meetings at the expert level held trip with Uzbek Foreign Minister dent Shavkat Mirziyoyev. economic cooperation, the wa- Rashid Meredov and Tajik Foreign of the most promising chess talents since 2012. The initiative to hold Abdulaziz Kamilov. They dis- “Our head of state pays particu- ter and energy sectors, regional Minister Sirodjidin Muhriddin. from around the globe. “It is a great honour for me to receive an invita- tion to this elite tournament… and play against world’s strongest grand- masters. The average rating is quite high at 2,582. I hope I will be able to Kazakh Culture and Literature Centre opens in perform at my best and achieve the The main goal of the centre is best result,” said Saduakassova. By Saltanat Boteu to create an intellectual environ- ment and access to information Kazakhstan was ranked 57th in ASTANA – The Kazakh Cul- not only in traditional printed the Sustainable Economic Develop- ture and Literature Centre opened forms, but also in digitised for- ment Assessment (SEDA) released at the Alisher Navoi National Li- mats that will simplify access for by the Boston Consulting Group. brary of Uzbekistan in Tashkent all interested individuals, said The steppe nation was followed by Dec. 26 as part of the Ruhani Kozhabekova. This will stimu- Argentina (58), Russia (59), and Zhangyru (Modernisation of Ka- late cultural and scientific con- Georgia (60). The ranking exam- zakhstan’s Identity) programme tacts between the countries. ined 152 countries based on data and the 2019 Year of Kazakhstan “We hope for a constructive, collected from 2007 to 2016 to ana- in Uzbekistan, reported inform.kz. fruitful continuation of this lyse their performance in converting Visitors can become acquainted project. Certainly, the fund will economic growth into well-being of with Kazakh traditions, culture be replenished and studied. Ac- their citizens. Well-being is analysed and art through the collection of cess to the Kazakh National based on 10 dimensions grouped in more than 200 works of famous Electronic Library will be or- three categories. These include eco- Kazakh writers and poets in Ka- ganised. We also plan to open nomics (income, economic stability, zakh, Russian and English. The the same centre in the Kazakh employment), investments (educa- collection also includes works by National Academic Library,” tion, health, infrastructure) and sus- Kazakh President Nursultan Naz- she said. tainability (environment, equality, a arbayev dedicated to his activities As a part of the Ruhani Zhan- strong civil society, sound govern- and role in the international politi- gyru programme, similar cul- ance). Kazakhstan’s performance cal arena. tural centres were opened in 27 was highest in economic stability Uzbek National Library Direc- countries around the world, the (86.9) and equality (89.3). tor Alisher Abduazizov, Kazakh 28th in Uzbekistan. National Academic Library Dep- “I would also like to note Open Asia Magazine and SOAS uty Director Aliya Kozhabekova that we are opening our nation- University of London organised a and counsellor of Kazakh em- al centres in other libraries of round table in London that explored bassy to Uzbekistan Mursal-Nabi the world. In particular, such Kazakhstan’s record as a nonperma- Tuyakbayev attended the opening centres were opened in France, nent member of the United Nations ceremony, where the libraries’ duazizov noted the importance of “As part of the event, the Na- interest and aspiration of Uzbek Iran, Germany, Spain, in the Security Council during 2017 and representatives signed a memo- developing cultural ties and ex- tional Library of Uzbekistan re- readers to get acquainted with the U.S. Congress Library and in 2018. Among Astana’s central ten- randum of cooperation. changing experience between Ka- ceived 200 books as a gift. Cer- cultural wealth of the Kazakh peo- the New York Public Library,” ets were nuclear non-proliferation, In his welcoming speech, Ab- zakhstan and Uzbekistan. tainly, these books will arouse the ple,” he said. said Kozhabekova. peace in Afghanistan and the fight against terrorism. “Kazakhstan was able to steer the body to undertake its first high-level visit to Afghanistan since 2010, highlighting the links between security and development. Kazakhstan introduces single entry electronic visa With regard to non-proliferation, Kazakhstan was uniquely placed to Continued from Page A1 Republic, Chad, China, Colom- Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lu- Citizens of the following coun- tackle the issue. Having inherited bia, Comoros, Congo (Republic), Macao, (Former Yugoslav Repub- cia, Saint Vincent and the Gren- tries may obtain an electronic the fourth largest nuclear arsenal in Citizens of the following coun- Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, lic of) Macedonia, Madagascar, adines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao single-entry business and medi- the world, Kazakhstan gave it up for tries may obtain an electronic Democratic People’s Republic of Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, cal treatment visa – the Bahamas, a seat at the international table and single-entry tourist visa – Alge- Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Do- Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Senegal, Swaziland, Seychelles, Bermuda, Burundi, Cambodia, financial incentives, thus enabling it ria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua minican Republic, El Salvador, Micronesia, Montenegro, Mo- Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sri Cuba, Greenland, Haiti, Hon- to present a positive model for ap- and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Faroe Islands, rocco, Mozambique, Myanmar Lanka, Suriname, Tanzania, Thai- duras, Indonesia, Kuwait, Laos, proaches to North Korea which ac- Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Gre- (Burma), Namibia, Nauru, Ne- land, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Macao, Macedonia, Morocco, centuate the carrot over the stick,” Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, nada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea- pal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Montenegro, Nicaragua, Oman, said Stephen M. Bland, award-win- Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua Tuvalu, Uganda, Uruguay, Vanu- Qatar, Serbia, South Africa, Vati- ning author and journalist specialis- Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambo- India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, atu, Vatican, Venezuela, Vietnam, can, Vietnam and the Virgin Is- ing on Central Asia. dia, Cameroon, Central African Kiribati, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, the Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. lands. A4 ECONOMY

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019

ECONOMY Manufacturing labour productivity grows 1.2 times, third NEWS IN BRIEF Kazakhstan’s external debt to gross domestic product (GDP) shrank by 8.6 percent or $3 billion five-year plan focuses on export-oriented enterprises in the third quarter of last year, to provide enterprises with state mainly due to the debt securi- By Zhanna Shayakhmetova support mechanisms. ties reduction that decreased it by “We try to take into account all $1.4 billion. Kazakhstan’s exter- ASTANA – Labour productivity the challenges of our time in this nal debt had been $161.5 billion in manufacturing has increased 1.2 programme. An enterprise which or 94 percent of GDP for the first times during the current industri- cannot increase productivity is nine months of 2018. Inter-com- alisation plan, First Vice Minister not a competitive one. We need to pany debt still comprises the big- of Industry and Infrastructure De- think how to avoid this,” said Skl- gest share of external debt, at 63.7 velopment reported yar. percent. Public external debt by Dec. 29. The new programme ensures Kazakh government and National measures including automating Bank accounts for 7.1 percent and production processes and digitis- external liabilities of the banking “The government ing and state support incentives to sector is 3.5 percent; debt in other introduces various increase exports. Priority will be sectors accounts for the remaining given to enterprises set to increase 25.7 percent. Net foreign debt was incentive tools to export potential and labour pro- $48 billion in the third quarter of support the local ductivity and introduce the com- 2018. ponents of Industry 4.0 and meas- enterprises. The ures to improve the environmental The National Bank projects that situation. Kazakhstan’s economic growth Productivity 2020 According to the ministry, more will be 2.7 percent by the end of initiative provides than 80 percent of manufacturing 2019, and inflation will begin to enterprises have manual labour hit its new target of 4 to 6 per- a number of jobs or semi-automated produc- cent, kursiv.kz reports. Inflation tion. Some are still at the stage of will depend heavily on Russian mechanisms.” transitioning to full automation. inflation in the face of increasing There is a need to stimulate others value-added taxes, the weakening The third five-year plan will be to invest in modernisation by de- of the rouble’s exchange rates and game changing for the country’s ernment provides support and this “The government introduces leasing loans of the Development veloping financial support instru- pressure from demand associated ecological economies and manu- significantly impacts productivity. various incentive tools to support Bank of Kazakhstan allow com- ments, including increasing the with wage growth and accelerated facturing industry. The concept of Modernisation and digital tech- the local enterprises. The Produc- panies to be better equipped and volume and availability of long- consumer lending. Also, Kazakh- the industrial-innovative develop- nologies boost labour productivity, tivity 2020 initiative provides a competitive. In addition, special term financing and toughening re- stan’s own planned increase in the ment programme is being devel- which is a key factor of competi- number of mechanisms. In 2018, export support programmes stimu- quirements for projects that receive minimum wage of public sector oped to ensure labour’s continued tive products. We work to improve about 500 million tenge (US$1.3 late enterprises while entering for- state support in terms of advanced workers will put additional pres- growth. this indicator,” he said. million) was provided for the in- eign markets. This also affects an equipment and technologies. Dig- sure on inflation from the demand “The growth was observed The level of manufacturing tech- troduction of new technologies increase in labour productivity,” itising industry will also increase side. The pressure on inflation will from $29,000 to $31,400 with an nology is preventing further pro- and subsidies for scientific re- he added. the enterprises’ technological re- be partly mitigated by a “planned increase of 3.6 percent. The gov- ductivity growth. search and development work. The The ministry’s main mission is quirements and standards. reduction in tariffs of natural mo- nopolists, which will undoubtedly have a positive effect on the ser- vice component,” said the Nation- al Bank in the statement.

Investment support for the edu- Employment, training discusses Digital cation sector is weakening. The volume of investment in the sec- tor has decreased by a quarter at once. For eleven months of 2018, programme bring positive Kazakhstan’s progress investment in education amounted to 180.5 billion tenge (US$484.64 million), a year on year decrease of 23.8 percent. Half of the total in- results, focuses on in creating smart cities vestment in fixed capital of the ed- and communal services, education, have been automated. The remain- ucational segment was seen in five By Aidana Yergaliyeva health, safety and transport. The ing 42 percent include “receiving regions. The share of investment in ministries responsible for these documents and enrolling children the educational sector of the total competencies for Industry 4.0 ASTANA – After examining areas have created digital deputy in kindergartens, accepting docu- investment in Kazakhstan has de- projects and in the sphere of small international practices in build- minister positions and all akimats ments for organising individual creased starkly from 3.2 percent By Zhanna Shayakhmetova and medium-sized businesses,” said ing smart cities, the Kazakh gov- (city administrations) have been free education at home for chil- to 1.9 percent. The largest volume the press service representative. ernment has developed its own developing projects in these areas, dren, issuing state allowances of capital investments in the edu- ASTANA – More than 500,000 The country’s 200 employment concept, announced Minister of said Abayev. for mothers with four children or cational segment is concentrated people were employed in an centres are now connected to the Information and Communications One notable example is Sergek, more, registration of the establish- in big cities and in the Mangystau 11-month period in 2018, including Electronic Labour Exchange, which Dauren Abayev at a recent Mazhi- a video surveillance system which ment of paternity and adoption,” and North Kazakhstan regions, more than 368,000 for permanent was launched last year. More than lis (lower house of Parliament) has resulted in a 16-percent reduc- according to Mazhilis member whereas the largest decline in in- positions, as part of the Productive 87,000 employers and 416,000 ap- government hour. tion of vehicle accidents on the Ivan Klimenko, vestment was observed in the West Employment and Mass Entrepre- plicants used its services; approxi- The concept is Digital Kazakh- capital’s roads. The smart street Mazhilis members were con- Kazakhstan region, falling 61.5 neurship Development Programme mately 392,000 were placed in stan, a state programme adopted lighting system in Almaty has pro- cerned about the digitisation ef- percent year on year. 2017-2021, reported the Ministry of permanent jobs and 137,000 in tem- a year ago composed of five main duced in a 40-percent energy sav- fect on the labour market, espe- Labour and Social Protection. porary positions. areas, including 17 initiatives with ings. cially the way it would affect the The number of visitors to the More than 632,000 individuals 120 events. Abayev believes these The new online registration is unemployment rate, and noted Khorgos International Centre for participated in the programme. Ap- More than 632,000 activities will advance Kazakh cit- currently used by 90 percent (ap- the importance of preparing and Cross-Border Cooperation (ICBC) proximately 40,200 enrolled in pro- ies onto the smart cities list. proximately 2.7 million children) training people for new jobs re- increased by 8 percent in 2018 com- fessional and technical training and individuals McKinsey analysts have fore- of Kazakh school students. Each quiring new skills created by dig- pared to the same period in 2017, 41,500 in short-term courses and cast the world will have 600 smart central state agency has also con- itisation. the ICBC press service reports. The 14,006 received microloans – 12,760 participated in cities by 2020. The urban centres ducted 19 days of digitisation, en- They noted the project is being total number of tourists in 2018 in rural areas and 1,246 in cities. the programme. will produce nearly 60 percent of gaging more than 180 domestic IT actively conducted and the emerg- reached 1.22 million. At the end “The government set the task to the global GDP after five years. companies. ing issues are resulting in system- of 2018, 12 investment companies take priority measures to modern- Approximately The five focus areas are housing More than half of public services atic solutions. were attracted to the area, building ise and prepare the labour market facilities with a total construction for the new challenges of the digital 40,200 enrolled in area of 32.7​​ hectares and a building economy. The initiative will now professional and area of ​​193,000 square metres. In focus on creating an effective sys- 2018, a single operator system was tem for obtaining skills and quali- technical training and introduced in the centre, ensuring fications in demand in the labour 41,500 in short-term Housing prices expected to the movement of visitors on new market, the development of mass buses and taxis, as well as updating entrepreneurship and an effective courses and 14,006 the fleet with 15 low-tonnage trucks. model of labour mediation,” reads The area of ​​the luggage terminal the report. received microloans – grow 10 percent in 2019, Astana was increased from 900 square me- The retraining programmes will 12,760 in rural areas tres to 3,500 square metres. be launched to provide the labour market with qualified personnel and 1,246 in cities. The credit interests of Kazakh- with Industry 4.0 competencies. remains highest priced city stan’s banks are concentrated in The retraining will be subject to The base, with 745,000 job va- ones. The prices will rise due to on statistics, prices for new hous- retail. Loans to legal entities de- at least 50 percent co-financing by cancies and 480,000 resumes from Staff Report the dollar exchange rate,” said ing grew more than 5 percent in creased by 9 percent over the year, employers and the remaining 50 employers, employment centres, Executive Director of the Union the capital last year. The prices for loans to the population increased percent from government funds. private employment agencies and ASTANA – Housing prices in of Builders of Kazakhstan Aza- secondary housing increased 7.5 by 16 percent. In general, bank The project ensures the review of applicants, is updated daily with Kazakhstan are expected to in- mat Karlygashev. percent. The location impacts the loans to the economy of Kazakh- the approaches for short-term vo- new vacancies. crease 10 percent in 2019, accord- According to forecasts, a sea- housing costs. stan amounted to 13 trillion tenge cational training takes into account Individuals who start their busi- ing to a recent report by the Union sonal holiday lull is observed in “An apartment costs 300,000 (US$34.91 billion). Long-term the needs of the economy. The list nesses in rural areas and single- of Builders of Kazakhstan. the real estate market. Rise of sales tenge per square metre loans comprised 85.2 percent (11 of in-demand occupations and skills industry towns are provided with The rising exchange rate of the are expected closer to spring. (US$800) in the Almaty dis- trillion tenge or US$29.54 bil- will be approved based on the anal- preferential 8,000-monthly calcu- U.S. dollar versus the tenge can “We expect some inexpensive trict. The same apartment costs lion) of the total amount of loans, ysis and forecast of the needs of the lated income (MCI) microloans be one of the reasons. Luxury construction projects in remote 280,000 tenge per square metre while the share of short-term loans regional labour market. (19 million tenge or US$50,654) at residential complexes with park- areas of Almaty to be sold in (US$745) in the Saryarka dis- is 14.8 percent (1.9 trillion tenge Plans are underway to launch a 6 percent per annum with a term of ing and other amenities are not in early spring. This will lead to an trict. The price per square metre or US$5.10 billion). The volume pilot project to construct and ac- up to five years. The loan is given demand now. Real estate develop- increase in sales. It will not af- is 330,000 tenge per square me- of loans in national currency in- quire housing in the North Kazakh- for up to seven years for projects ers focus on economy class pro- fect the number of deals for the tre (US$880) in the Yessil dis- creased by 5.7 percent year on stan region. It aims to stimulate in animal husbandry as part of the jects. To sell apartments in that next three quarters because it will trict on the left bank,” said head year and reached 10 trillion tenge resettlement in the labour-deficient Bastau business project. It has also price range will be much easier deal with the unfinished construc- of a real estate agency Ainur (US$26.85 billion). Credits in for- northern regions. introduced 100-MCI grants to im- due to the 7-20-25 mortgage pro- tion. The mortgage deals will lead Moldakhmetova. eign currency dropped by 17.5 per- “The integrated map will be devel- plement new business ideas. gramme. in the share of completed deals,” Last year, approximately 4,000 cent over the year and amounted oped to create jobs in the regions and More than 20,000 people, or 100 “All construction materials said Vice President of the Union residents utilised the 7-20-25 to 2.9 trillion tenge (US$7.78 bil- economic sectors using project man- percent of the annual plan, partici- are brought from Russia and the of Builders of Kazakhstan Nina mortgage programme. The city lion). At the end of November, the agement tools. The state bodies will pated in basics of entrepreneurship near abroad. We do not produce Lukyanenko. administration will continue issu- amount of loans to legal entities strengthen their activities in terms training; 19,500 defended their busi- fittings, brick, concrete and trav- Astana is still considered the ing housing certificates for 1 mil- for the year had decreased by 9.4 of monitoring job creation as part of ness projects and 6,300 received mi- ertine. The imported goods are city with the most expensive hous- lion tenge (US$2,700) for budget percent and amounted to 7.6 tril- the state programmes, investment croloans. more expensive than domestic ing. According to the committee organisations. lion tenge (US$20.41 billion). A5 BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019

BUSINESS NEWS IN BRIEF West Kazakhstan region approves 12 investment Korean confectionery Lotte Confectionery has acquired 92.44 percent of Kazakh confectionary Rakhat, reports Kapital.kz. The to- projects worth $107 million tal market value of Rakhat shares is 25.2 billion tenge (US$67.66 million). The company, operat- ing since 1942, is the country’s leader in the market of chocolate and sweets confectionary. Prod- ucts are exported to Afghanistan, China, Germany, Mongolia, Rus- sia and Tajikistan. Last year’s gross revenue was 10 billion tenge (US$26.85 million). Lotte Confec- tionery, founded in 1967 in Seoul, is part of the Lotte Group and pro- duces more than 200 products in its factories in Daejeon, Pyeong- taek, Seoul, Siheung and Yangsan.

Nikolay Mechsheryakov was ap- pointed chair of Tsesnabank’s board of directors, replacing Kairat Satyl- ganov, while Yerzhan Tadzhiyakov, who joined the board of directors This sector has huge potential for export-oriented enterprises de- used to construct a greenhouse three-four segments. Biogas will in June 2018, was dismissed. The By Zhanna Shayakhmetova domestic and foreign investors. liver goods to the CIS (Common- based on Dutch technology. be produced after three years of bank’s board of directors now con- Our region has all the opportuni- wealth of Independent States) An additional 4.5 million euros proper waste disposal, which can sists of Eduard Babayan, Nikolay ASTANA – A $6 million ex- and Iran,” said regional Akim (US$5.1 million) will be used to be used to generate thermal and Mechsheryakov, Ulan Baizhanov, port-oriented feedlot for nearly (Governor) Altai Kulginov. build a second feedlot facility electrical energy. The 4.5-mil- Ulf Wokurka and Viktor Fogel. 20,000 cattle will be built in the Approximately The goods will be delivered for up to 10,000 cattle and beef lion euro (US$5.1 million) pro- Mechsheryakov, a graduate of Kaztalovski district in the West 13 billion tenge to China, Iran, Russia and Uz- feeding station for 3,000 head. ject was presented at EXPO Chelyabinsk Polytechnic Institute, Kazakhstan region, the regional bekistan. The facility, which will The plans also include con- 2017. joined the bank’s board of directors press service reports. (US$35.3 million) boost breeding transformation structing DoubleTree Hilton and “The investment projects will in November 2008 and was appoint- More than 100 new jobs will and increase the breeding stock Holiday Inn hotels. make a contribution to the devel- ed chair of the board of directors of be created during construction. will be used in the district, will also contrib- ICM Recycling Consortium, a opment of agro-industry, tourism Financial Holding Tsesna in October The first phase of the facility, to construct a ute to the growth of the gross re- joint Kazakh-Finnish company, and the construction industry. 2018. Tsesnabank was founded in expected to be completed by the gional product. will introduce the Finnish model The region will create favoura- 1992 and provides corporate, small- end of 2019, will house 5,000 greenhouse based on Overall, the regional council of municipal solid waste man- ble conditions for both domestic to-medium enterprise, insurance and cattle. of investors approved 12 projects agement. The company studied and foreign investors. The region retail banking products. “The head of state, [speak- Dutch technology. worth 40 billion tenge (US$107 the solid municipal waste land- supports small businesses and ing] at the plenary meeting of million) this year. More than 900 fill and developed a comprehen- contributes to the development Forbes Kazakhstan named the Council of Foreign Inves- ties for the development of this jobs were created. sive investment plan. The design of the economy and improves the Serikzhan Seitzhanov business per- tors, said that Kazakhstan has sector and we try to implement Approximately 13 billion shows construction of a sorting welfare of the population,” said son of the year for 2018. He heads unique agricultural resources. large agricultural projects. Our tenge (US$35.3 million) will be line to process the waste into a press service representative. Ontustik, South Oil Company, Smart-Oil, Munay Kurylys Servis, Central Asia Mining, Invest- ment and the Rixos Khadisha Shy- mkent Hotel. Last year, he occupied 17th place on the magazine’s list of Kazakhstan sets record for beef exports Kazakhstan’s 50 wealthiest busi- nesspeople with $331 million. Six and issued for 55,000 head. The Domestic consumption of cu- in prices is influenced by cost in- food product stabilisation funds years prior, he was ranked 31st with By Yerbolat Uatkhanov Altyn Asyk programme also fi- cumbers is 480,000 tonnes. creases for goods and services that and constructing wholesale and re- $178 million. Most recently, he be- nanced the purchase of 170,000 The main reason for vegetable directly affect production costs tail centres in five major cities to gan building petrochemical plants ASTANA – Beef exports have sheep. price fluctuation is the seasonality (fuel, electricity, utilities). The stabilise prices for socially signifi- and the five-star Rixos Khadisha reached 18,800 tonnes in 2018, The plan includes breeding of production. In addition, the rise government is forming regional cant food products. Turkestan Hotel. The latter will cost 25 percent more than the 15,000 brood stock conversion for one 10 billion tenge (US$26.85 million) tonnes planned by the Ministry of million head of cattle. To date, and will feature 120 hotel rooms. Agriculture. Almost half was ex- approximately 977,000 head, or ported by the Turkestan region. By 98 percent, are involved in breed A new low-cost airline will make comparison, beef exports in 2017 transformation. short-haul flights across Kazakh- totalled 5,500 tonnes. Of that figure, 14,500 head were stan, said Kazakh President Nur- Large-scale implementation brought to Kazakhstan. The main sultan Nazarbayev at an Akorda of a long-term programme to de- reasons for the delivery delay meeting in late December 2018. Air velop animal husbandry began in were the short time interval (July- Astana’s low-cost unit FlyArystan the second half of 2018. The pro- December) and unfavourable epi- will launch in the first half of 2019 gramme is based on small and me- zootic situations in the importing and serve both domestic and inter- dium-sized farms, and Sybaga, a countries. national flights over short distances, special preferential credit product, According to the regional de- including, possibly, Tashkent and has been initiated for its execution. partments of agriculture, 22.8 . He noted that the airline’s The plan has already exceeded last million tonnes of grain were har- flights will be two times cheaper and year’s projection; to date, more vested. In general, the gross grain feature more seats and less luggage than 700 farmers have received harvest exceeds 2017 level by space. Low-cost carriers usually fea- loans. 760,000 tonnes, or 3 percent. ture lower fares, online ticket sales The annual plan allows cat- The Ministry of Agriculture and check-ins, a single passenger tle farms to purchase 50,000 reported the cultivated area for class, a single aircraft type and em- head. Applications for more than cucumbers increased by 2,500 ployees working multiple roles. 67,000 head were received in the hectares this year. The gross har- first 11 months of 2018 and cor- vest was 460,000 tonnes, 50,000 The number of small and me- responding loans were approved tonnes more than the last year. dium-sized enterprises (SMEs) increased by 21.9 percent, their production volume grew by 17.1 percent and the number of persons employed increased 6.2 percent in the capital, reports the Astana Aki- Two Kazakh entrepreneurs shared top mat (administration). This is the outcome of the Business Roadmap 2020 programme, which contrib- utes to business sector develop- entrepreneurial prize at People’s Choice Awards ment by supporting export-orient- them on the map as a socially re- chased high-tech equipment, such ed industries and new initiatives By Aidana Yergaliyeva sponsible company and they won as Japanese Nabel’s equipment. by SMEs with state-subsidised the “contribution to the environ- Maishev’s leadership automated loans. It approved 1,028 projects ASTANA – General Directors ment” category at the Paryz na- almost all stages of production for 177.3 billion tenge (US$476.05 of Raduga diversified enterprise tional contest. processes, including the system of million) since 2010, including Dmitry Sharapayev and Zhas “We have always understood that, electronic weighing of raw materi- 132 projects for 32.3 billion tenge Kanat smart poultry farm 2006 although we work for profit, money als, the mixed fodder preparation (US$86.73 million) last year. Kairat Maishev were recently is not the main thing, not everything process, modern cellular equip- awarded the Narodnyi Liyubimets is measured by money,” said Shara- ment with automatic systems, the More than 27,000 suppliers have (People’s Choice) Awards as the payev. “We strive to ensure that transportation of eggs to the sort- registered with the Samruk Kazyna Best Entrepreneurs of the Year. employees, partners and customers ing shop, the modern sorting ma- Sovereign Wealth Fund’s new e- They received 35 and 32 percent of the company feel part of a large chine and the automatic poultry procurement service, Zakup.sk.kz, of votes respectively. friendly family. We always find an slaughter line. reports Kazinform.kz. The platform Both launched their businesses opportunity to provide assistance The automation of the processes consolidates the procurement pro- in the 1990s and have used in- to those who need it. We help large increased the production of eggs cess online, featuring procurement novative technologies to expand. bnews.kz. Photo credit: families, orphans, we are sponsors from 7 million to 250 million per planning, supplier selection proce- They also have participated in iar today, which is a large enter- ver of 10.5 billion tenge (US$27.74 of children’s entertainment in the year, meat production from 30 dures, contract conclusions, reports state support programmes, such as prise that produces goods using 65 million). Raduga provides 1,500 city and region, and we care about tonnes to 500 tonnes. Poultry pro- and analyses. For example, procure- the Business Roadmap 2020. They percent of local products. people with permanent jobs. environmental protection.” duction increased from 100,000 to ment plans are generated in an elec- were also nominated for the 2017 Dmitry Sharapayev studied The company distributes food Maishev, before getting involved 1.4 million tonnes. Labour produc- tronic format, posted on the platform list of the nation’s 100 New Faces, management in the Moscow In- supplies and household goods with Zhas Kanat 2006 smart poul- tivity has grown by more than 1.5 and approved with customers’ elec- who personify success. stitute of Business. He began his from leading manufacturers from try factory in Rudny, held posi- times. In an eight-hour working tronic signatures. The use of elec- Sharapayev is a businessman career as a carpenter at the Bishkul Kazakhstan, Russia, China and tions of a director in similar enter- day, Zhas Kanat 2006 transports tronic contracts reduces the likeli- from Petropavlovsk. His father poultry factory, then became a gas Europe, as well as produces its prises, such as Daulet M and Altyn and packs up to one million eggs. hood for corruption and the contract Anatolii Sharapayev started the and electric welder and worked as own products. It has its own same- San Kuz between 1998 and 2006. Their products are sold through- conclusion time to one to 10 days. Firma Raduga company that only a salesman in a shop. Under his name supermarkets chain with a In 2006, he acquired Zhas Kanat out Kazakhstan and exported to Another new procurement method, distributed goods to households. vision, Raduga has grown from a large assortment of recycled goods 2006 and has pushed it through Russia, Afghanistan, Tajikistan an electronic store, will be launched Then, his two sons, Dmitry and small family business into a big giving second life to plastics. Usu- three stages of modernisation un- and Kyrgyzstan. They also plan to this year to simplify the process for Pyotr Sharapayevs developed it goods producer and distributor in ally, they produce pots, buckets, der the Business Roadmap 2020. expand to the Iranian and Chinese customers’ goods purchases. into the Raduga people are famil- the country with an annual turno- hangers. Recycling plastic put He installed infrastructure and pur- markets. A6 EDITORIAL&OPINION

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 Emphasis on economic Singapore welcomes AIFC diplomacy positions establishment, minister says, Kazakhstan well to attract as FinTech seems most investment in times promising area of cooperation between the EAEU and an external By Karlygash Ezhenova party. It covers areas beyond tradi- tional trade in goods and includes of growing competition Singaporean Senior Minister of services, investment, e-commerce, n today’s highly competitive global envi- changes will provide even greater impetus. State for Trade and Industry Dr. Koh competition policy and intellectual ronment, economic and trade ties are an Building upon this, major achievements were Poh Koon shared his views on rela- property rights. increasingly important part of international made in 2018 in the sphere of economic diplo- tions with Kazakhstan, the prospects Kazakhstan, as a member state of diplomacy. Nowadays, official government macy. This included implementing agreements of cooperaiton with AIFC and the fu- the EAEU, will naturally be able to Ivisits focus not only on international politi- reached by President Nazarbayev during foreign ture of talks on a free trade agreement enjoy the benefits of the EAEU-Sin- cal issues, but also on developing closer eco- visits and promoting the transit and transport between Singapore and the Eurasian gapore FTA when it enters into force. nomic cooperation, encouraging investment and potential of Kazakhstan through the Nurly Zhol Economic Union, among other sub- It is, therefore, not necessary to du- promoting exports. Embassies deal with diplo- programme, which enables major investment in jects, in this interview. plicate this effort by Kazakhstan and matic and consular issues and also increasingly Kazakhstan’s infrastructure, as well as in con- Dr. Koh Poh Koon Singapore embarking on a separate engage with foreign investors, businesses, and junction with China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Singapore is seen by Kazakhstan bilateral FTA. There are also existing trade organisations. These will remain important priorities for as a key partner in Southeast Asia. agreements between our countries. President Nursultan Nazarbayev was, there- 2019, in addition to supporting Kazakhstan’s Many of the reforms in Kazakhstan What are your views on establish- Kazakhstan and Singapore have con- fore, right to task the Ministry of Foreign domestic companies and developing the tour- are based on its successful experi- ing the Astana International Finan- cluded a bilateral investment treaty Affairs to attract high quality foreign direct ism industry (the foreign ministry is directly ence. How has Singapore supported cial Centre? How promising can it which was signed when the Prime investment to Kazakhstan. Under the ministry’s involved in helping implement the state pro- implementing your solutions in Ka- be for Singaporean investors? Minister of Kazakhstan Bakytzhan expanded remit, it will be responsible not just gramme for tourism). Enabling foreign direct zakhstan and have these solutions Singapore welcomes the estab- Sagintayev visited Singapore last for attracting FDI but also for promoting the ex- investment, promoting exports, as well as been executed successfully in other lishment of the Astana International November. port of the country’s products around the world. contributing to the development of the Eurasian countries? Financial Centre (AIFC) as part of These changes make sense. As President Naz- Economic Union, are also amongst other impor- Singapore welcomes Kazakhstan’s Kazakhstan’s efforts in becoming arbayev noted, the foreign ministry’s staff speak tant priorities. interest in Southeast Asia and we are a gateway for foreign investments To support numerous languages and know the countries of When it comes to securing foreign investment, glad that Kazakhstan views us as a across Central Asia. Singapore looks their missions’ presence well. Perhaps, most im- Kazakhstan has attracted more than $300 billion good partner in the region. Kazakh- forward to the development of the Kazakhstan’s public portantly, the ministry has the ability to conduct dollars in FDI since independence, making the stan and Singapore share a close re- AIFC and is confident that the AIFC economic diplomacy through embassies and country the leading investment destination in lationship – President Nursultan Naz- will have a positive impact on the administration foreign missions across the globe. Central Asia. Over the past two years alone, arbayev was a personal friend of the financial landscape in the Central reforms, Kazakhstan The newly appointed Foreign Minister Beibut foreign investors have invested over $20 billion late Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. Asian region. Atamkulov is the right person to lead this dollars annually in Kazakhstan’s economy. Singapore is happy to share our I understand that FinTech is one and Singapore have important change. He has dedicated most of his However, attracting high-quality investment developmental experience with our of the key activities of the AIFC. established institutional career to the economic success of Kazakhstan. is becoming even more competitive, with many friends and partners and I’m happy This could be a potential area within His decades of professional experience, work- countries around the world vying for the same to note that it has been useful to Ka- which to explore collaborations and linkages, such as ing closely with foreign businesses, will give foreign business and reliable sources of capital. zakhstan when formulating your own connections with the FinTech eco- the MFA the economic vision and leadership it For this reason, it is important for Kazakhstan policies. I am also heartened that system in Singapore and the Central the collaboration needs to meet this important challenge. to continually adapt to new global realities and these policies, spanning across areas Asian region. between Singapore’s stay ahead of the curve. from education to public administra- Attracting high-quality As a Kazakh deputy foreign minister noted tion and pension reform, have been Despite the efforts made by certain Civil Service College during a recent interview, “As we seek to further successfully implemented. powers to isolate the Russian econ- and Kazakhstan’s investment is becoming modernise our economy in order to reach our To support Kazakhstan’s public omy, Singaporean business, instead, goal of joining the top 30 most developed coun- administration reforms, Kazakhstan has opened a window for Russia, Academy of Public even more competitive, tries by 2050, we naturally need to strengthen and Singapore have established in- providing an opportunity to interact with many countries around our efforts to attract a diversified range of for- stitutional linkages, such as the col- with the whole world. What is Singa- Administration. eign investments and technologies.” laboration between Singapore’s Civil pore’s interest in Russia? the world vying for the same The foreign ministry will now oversee the Service College and Kazakhstan’s Singapore believes in maintain- work of the Committee for Investment, as well Academy of Public Administra- ing good bilateral ties with as many How do you see the future and as the work of Kazakh Invest, the national com- foreign business and reliable tion on leadership training, with two countries as possible. Our policy is to cooperation perspectives between pany tasked with attracting FDI to Kazakhstan. workshops for 150 Kazakh officials serve Asia as well as our trade part- EAEU and ASEAN countries? sources of capital. For this This expanded remit will give the foreign min- conducted in 2016. The Lee Kuan ners from all over the world. We thus The ASEAN market holds huge istry the additional capabilities and resources reason, it is important for Yew School of Public Policy also view our relationships with our part- potential for EAEU companies. The needed to deliver for Kazakhstan and its people. renewed its partnership with Naz- ners as “all-weather relationships” region is experiencing development Placing economic diplomacy under the remit Kazakhstan to continually arbayev University to offer Masters and will continue to promote oppor- at an unprecedented pace, with a of the foreign ministry, an organisation with programmes and courses to prom- tunities for our trade partners within combined GDP worth $2.6 trillion adapt to new global realities and extensive international experience, is a positive ising Kazakh executives. The Lee the rule of law. This principle and and a consistent upward growth tra- and forward-thinking decision. It will help to stay ahead of the curve. Kuan Yew School of Public Policy policy apply to Russia and to any oth- jectory. Our combined population safeguard Kazakhstan’s economic future and has conducted courses for more than er country that trades with Singapore. of more than 640 million presents a have a clear impact on our country’s ability to 700 senior Kazakh officials to date as With over 80 percent of the world’s huge market for companies looking Each year the foreign ministry and its global attract foreign investment and promote the ex- well. top trading companies anchored here to grow their presence in the region. diplomats help to organise more than 300 trade, ports of a diverse range of national products. The Singapore Cooperation Enter- and a strong network of global com- ASEAN is projected to become the economic and investment events and approxi- In a highly competitive global environment, prise (SCE), an agency of the Sin- panies, Singapore is in a good posi- fourth largest economy in the world mately 600 foreign delegation visits to Kazakh- this move will ensure Kazakhstan can remain tion to serve as a gateway for Russian by 2030, after the U.S., China and the stan and vice versa. Such engagements have the top investment destination in Central Asia gapore government, has also been active in facilitating deeper collabo- and Kazakh companies to venture European Union (EU). The EAEU- already facilitated an increase in foreign direct and an economic powerhouse in the wider into the Southeast Asian market. We Singapore FTA will be an important investment and the President’s most recent region. ration between Kazakhstan and Sin- gapore by organising study visits and are a safe and reliable springboard step towards strengthening trade in- workshops for Kazakh officials. For from which Russian and Kazakh frastructure between Singapore and instance, there was a study trip last companies can expand into the re- the EAEU and might potentially be a November for the Housing and Con- gion. Our agencies provide a wide stepping stone for an eventual ASE- struction Savings Bank of Kazakh- suite of services to facilitate this and AN-EAEU FTA, which will bring stan to learn more about Singapore’s we have many success stories. Sin- together a collective market of 780 public housing policies. I understand gapore has also developed in-depth million people and combined GDP of that the bank’s mission is to promote market experience and strong region- over $6.6 trillion and deepen integra- homeownership in Kazakhstan and al connectivity through our member- tion between our regions. I hope Singapore’s experience with ship in the Association of Southeast Currently, both regions are in- public housing can contribute to that Asian Nations (ASEAN). This has volved in cooperation activities mission in a meaningful way. SCE helped to cement our status as a re- geared towards enhancing economic is also working with the Kazakhstan gional trading hub. Our strong com- relations, specifically those under Embassy in Singapore to organise a mitment to free trade is echoed in our the post-2017 ASEAN-Russia Trade series of cyber security, digital elec- policies and is reflected in our strong and Investment Cooperation Work tronics and aerospace workshops for trade infrastructure and skilled, glo- Programme. ASEAN and the EAEU Kazakh government officials in Sin- balised workforce. are also working towards finalising a gapore in 2019. non-binding memorandum of under- Singapore’s growth over the past What has been the outcome of the standing (MOU) between ASEAN 53 years has been a result of Singa- free trade agreement (FTA) draft be- and the EEC on economic coopera- pore adopting best practices from tween the Eurasian Economic Un- tion. In the immediate to mid-term, various countries around the world ion (EAEU) and Singapore? What I look forward to more cooperation and more importantly, adapting it will be the format and content of between ASEAN and the EAEU in to the Singapore context to ensure the agreement? What key areas are the areas of customs procedures and its continued relevance and success. identified? Is there any chance for a trade facilitation (CPTF), sanitary In the same way, Singapore’s “solu- similar project between Kazakhstan and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, tions” can also be adapted to fit the and Singapore? standards, technical regulations and local context of other countries. We A joint feasibility study on an conformity assessment procedures, have seen this in a number of places, EAEU-Singapore FTA by the Eura- e-commerce, investment and SME including in Tatarstan, Russia. The sian Economic Commission (EEC) development, among others. President of Tatarstan, Rustam Min- and Singapore found that there is nikhanov, has personally cited Singa- much scope to catalyse, expand and This interview was originally pore for inspiring many of Tatarstan’s diversify trade and economic rela- done by Karlygash Ezhenova, reforms, including the transformation tions through the FTA. At present, Editor-in-Chief of Exclusive.kz of Tatarstan into one of Russia’s most the FTA is set to be the first compre- magazine, and published here with investment friendly regions. hensive trade agreement negotiated permission.

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 Greenhouse industry faces low demand, competition from Uzbekistan The products are in demand in “About 90 percent of such By Yerbolat Uatkhanov Russia, but the company faces a greens come from Uzbekistan. If logistics problem. this situation were controlled, we ASTANA – Kazakh business- “Since this is a fresh product, it would be more competitive. The people establishing greenhouses in should be always fresh. Therefore, products brought here without the country face competition from now we are working on the tech- customs duties and additional tax Uzbekistan producers and lack of nology of its delivery, after which deductions, without verification retail availability. While healthy we will be able to enter the Rus- by the State Inspection Commit- food is trending, the demand for sian market,” he noted. tee, without quarantine certificates fresh herbs and salad fixings is still The company currently grows and tests for nitrates, of course, low. 18 varieties of salads and herbs. will be much cheaper. On the mar- Despite the odds, the Almaty “We do not plan to expand the ket, such products have a low cost region’s GreenEco greenhouse in range of products, because we even and this is hard dumping in rela- Panfilovo village of district had to reduce it a little bit. Our range tion to us. It is unhealthy competi- is making a go of it. The facility began with 24 types; later, there was tion,” he claimed. is distinguished from other Ka- a need to reduce it. The most exotic GreenEco has also faced the un- zakh greenhouses by cutting edge species were removed, because peo- willingness of the retail market to equipment and the highest level of ple simply did not understand what work with its product, although the computerisation and automation of to do with them. Very few perceive situation has improved. all processes. Greens and herbs are greens as a complete product in the “When we started trading, we grown year-round using the latest diet, although healthy food today is did not plan to create our own technologies from Denmark, Hol- a trend that is rapidly gaining mo- sales department, but only deal land and Israel. mentum,” he said. with production. The distribution Despite the established proce- Although the company hoped to company was to work with the dures, the business can hardly be convince its fellow of the stores, but it turned out that they called profitable and requires sig- importance of salads in their diets, do not know how to deal with such nificant investments, said compa- the demand for green consumption a fragile product as greens. They ny director Roman Shneiderman, it expected did not materialise. do not comply with the tempera- according to kapital.kz. “Europeans eat an average of 25 ture and throw boxes. As a result, “We started the construction of bunches of lettuce a year and Al- the stores received a product of the greenhouse in 2016. In Octo- maty residents eat 10 times less. very low quality and we received

ber 2017, we started production. kapital.kz. Photo credit: Of the three million lettuce bun- complaints first of all,” he noted. Since this is a conveyor produc- dles produced, two million are “After that, we decided to cre- tion, it took about five months to no others in the country have the “The working area is 1.3 hec- the grown products. To do this, we sold in Almaty. For a long time, the ate a sales and logistics depart- set up the technical parts of the same technical equipment and tares and design capacity is up to enter the markets of other cities. salad was in the luxury price seg- ment. Almost every consumer was operation. These include agricul- quality. GreenEco is a fifth-gener- 60 tonnes per month (three million In addition to Almaty, we supply ment, and, so far, this culture has forced to take the goods them- tural tests, material selection, line ation complex. The control system beams per year). But, unfortunate- products to Astana and Karaganda, not developed,” he said. selves and monitor their layout setting and correctly built light and is completely computerised and ly, the production is not working at as well as to two large retail chains According to Shneiderman, the and proper sale. Now, we serve temperature conditions. It takes 35 monitored by a single operator. full capacity, but at approximately in Pavlodar and Taldykorgan. company also faces unfair compe- more than 90 supermarkets in Ka- days from the moment of sowing Without a sales department, the 65-70 percent. This is due to the Also, there are separate private de- tition from some Uzbek suppliers, zakhstan and very few of them are to harvest,” he noted. 30-person staff is a very low num- low consumption culture of greens liveries to , Atyrau and Ust- who import their products illegal- ready for the correct sales of the The greenhouse is unique, as ber for the field. and the fact that we cannot sell all Kamenogorsk,” said Shneiderman. ly, especially in summer. goods,” he said. Kazakhstan offers investors stable AGF Group increases political, social and economic climate, home textile exports says Kazakh Invest executive Continued from Page A1 ern China, TRACECA (Trans- tem and particular economic Kazakh Invest was established port Corridor Europe, Caucasus, benefits. in 2017 to give investors timely “The World Bank estimates Asia) and the Trans-Caspian In- “Investment and tax benefits and impartial support. that there are over 5,000 unex- ternational Transport Route will are being offered to investors, “We provide end-to-end sup- plored deposits of mineral re- run through Kazakhstan, cutting especially for priority projects. port to foreign investors and serves still present in Kazakh- the time it takes to move goods These include exemptions from businesses seeking to capital- stan valued at more than $46 between Asia and Europe by corporate income tax and land ise on Kazakhstan’s progres- trillion. Advanced technologies two-thirds,” said Birimzhan. tax for up to 10 years and from sive, business-friendly envi- are… heavily dependent on the Agriculture, which received property tax for up to eight ronment. Our dedicated team rare earth metals that Kazakh- particular attention from the years,” he added. of specialists offers timely and stan can extract and process,” he government, should be attractive Astana International Finan- impartial advice on key invest- added. to investors. cial Centre (AIFC), launched in ment projects across a range of The country’s geographic po- “The government has placed a 2018, also offers global inves- national industries. We have sition makes it a regional hub particular focus on agribusiness, tors an internationally recog- international representatives creating opportunities to invest where Kazakhstan has unparal- nised system for doing business in many of the world’s lead- in logistics and offer a faster leled potential. We are one of and investments and provides ing economic centres and act transportation route across its only a handful of countries glob- certain benefits in the country. as a single point of contact for land. ally with exactly the right con- “The AIFC is governed by businesses setting up or in- “Kazakhstan is playing a cru- ditions for growing wheat and English common law and Eng- vesting in Kazakhstan,” noted cial role in China’s Belt and grain without artificial irriga- lish is also the official language Birimzhan. Road Initiative, which creates tion… Kazakhstan’s arable land of the AIFC. It offers its par- “Even though many countries many opportunities for inves- represents an area larger than the ticipants tax exemptions for 50 around the world are putting up kapital.kz. Photo credit: tors in the infrastructure, logis- entire United Kingdom, meaning years, a simplified visa and em- barriers and creating obstacles tics and transportation sectors… there is incredible potential for ployment regime and will con- for investors, businesses should ago, the company’s annual rev- Kazakhstan is central to the New investors willing to think big,” nect Astana with other global feel confident that Kazakhstan By Yerbolat Uatkhanov enue from product sales was 450 project, as major in- he noted. financial centres such as Dubai, will continue to actively facili- million tenge (US$1.2 million); ternational transport corridors Kazakhstan offers global in- Singapore, London and New tate and support global invest- ASTANA – AGF Group, Kazakh- the export volume in the first 11 such as Western Europe-West- vestors an institutionalised sys- York,” he noted. ment,” he added. stan’s first specialised home textile months of 2018 has reached 4.4 manufacturer, has supplied 4.4 bil- billion tenge (US$11.9 million). lion tenge (US$11.9 million) in AGF Group plans to create new products to foreign markets in 2018, brands such as Arua, a home tex- increasing export production seven- tile and bed linen line made from fold. In 2015, the company signed natural materials, and Suave, a line Finance ministry presents draft law to a contract with IKEA to supply bed of premium textiles. linens using timely state support. Kazakh Export can provide ser- Located in Shymkent, AGF vices for any Kazakh enterprise Group was the first specialised which produces non-primary goods improve rehabilitation, bankruptcy procedures garment factory and one of the and plans to enter international an objective assessment of the on the basis of a negative balance country’s largest home textile markets. The organisation protects By Laura Tussupbekova financial condition of the entity. when liabilities exceed assets. manufacturers. Established more any Kazakh business from unwant- A minor asset is regarded by the The rehabilitation procedure will than seven years ago, it has been ed risks and provides 13 different ASTANA – The Ministry of Fi- court as an opportunity to pay off be performed on the basis of a exporting products for five years. tools to support small and medium- nance presented Jan. 10 the draft debts,” said Vice Minister of Fi- positive balance, subject to non- To increase the volume of pro- sized businesses, including credit law on improving rehabilitation nance Kanat Baedilov. payment, when assets exceed li- duction and production capacity, insurance, bank payment guarantee and bankruptcy procedures of The same refers to the rehabili- abilities. as well as develop new markets, insurance and pre-export financing. business entities at the Mazhilis tation procedure application. The rehabilitation procedure AGF needed a bank loan. The A subsidiary of Baiterek Hold- (lower house of Parliament). “The court refuses to use reha- will also be available to individ- company decided to use state sup- ing, Kazakh Export was estab- Approximately 4,000 business bilitation procedure as the debtor ual entrepreneurs. port, receiving a 200-million tenge lished to support export growth entities are undergoing the bank- is solvent or has not proved the The proposed initiatives will (US$540,000) loan from the Ka- of non-commodity goods, works, ruptcy procedure and 400 enter- availability of resources to re- increase the rehabilitation and zakh Export national company and services in priority sectors of the prises are in need of rehabilita- store solvency. The draft law bankruptcy procedures by busi- increasing its staff to 250. Using economy and forming financial-in- tion aims to resolve these issues. Its ness entities to 32 percent. The the borrowed funds, the company surance and non-financial support “The number of business enti- main mission is to simplify the reduction of terms to 20 percent was able to export seven times for Kazakh enterprises. By 2023, ties in difficult financial situa- conditions for rehabilitation and and costs up to 40 percent is ex- more products compared to the it plans to become a key develop- tions is much more. The current bankruptcy procedures and liq- pected to positively affect the same period the previous year. ment institution in implementing law does not allow an entrepre- Kanat Baedileov uidation of inactive debtors,” he position of Kazakhstan in the AGF Group’s share of bed lin- state foreign economic policy in neur to shut down business in a said. Resolution of Insolvency indica- en exports reached 93 percent in the Central Asian region and coun- short time. The rehabilitation and procedures. The court rejects The law provides that a legal tor in the World Bank’s Doing 2016, growing to 96 percent in the tries within the Eurasian Economic bankruptcy are also complicated bankruptcy, as it cannot provide entity will be declared bankrupt Business rating. first half of this year. Two years Union. A8 BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 Businesswomen elevate small retail business to new level you should go to a market. We it on the shelf, we check it for By Yerbolat Uatkhanov thought it would be good to put composition and environmen- them together and influence the tal friendliness. For now, we are ASTANA – When sisters Nasi- selection of products. That is, this forming the composition of what ma and Nafisa Rozikova realised is a completely different format of we ourselves would like to see in the format of the store near their the store near the house – to give stores. Also, people confuse eco, house did not meet their needs, people what they didn’t even ask farm and organic products and they decided to open their own. for,” she added. these are completely different The new shop is distinguished The shop is within walking dis- things. So far, we all perceive this by good-neighbourliness, tance, allowing customers to pick as one and our task is to show the thoughtful consumption and the up fresh coffee and a bun on the difference,” said Nafisa Rozikova. choice of useful and eco-friendly way to work. It offers the comfort The store offers spices, dairy products. They intend to change and atmosphere of a good super- products from farmers, vegan people’s minds and help local market, with a product selection products and vegetables grown in manufacturers enter the Almaty similar to Esentai Gourmet. a “good way.” Products are sup- market. “I have been living most of the “We will affect the market due plied directly by local manufac- time in France for the last eleven to the fact that local organic prod- turers or distributors. years. There, bio-shops are very ucts will appear on the shelves of The concept of thoughtful con- popular. These stores are much regular stores,” said Nasima Ro- sumption reflects people’s choices zikova, according to Kapital.kz. smaller than ordinary supermar- when they vote for a certain prod- The small but cosy store is lo- kets, but not so small. We were in- uct. Internal business ethics also cated in a high-rise building. spired by them, but in the process, apply to environmental friendli- Inside, everything is arranged we made our own adjustments,” ness. neatly and with taste, which im- said Nasima Rozikova. The attitude towards customers mediately distinguishes it from The entrepreneurs noted they is similar to a coffee shop. The cannot call their store a bio or businesswomen note it is impor- the usual markets. kapital.kz. Photo credit: “I used to do clothing retail and eco shop, as Kazakhstan does not tant to know and remember the Nafisa worked in restaurants and agreed on the opening of the store, such a shop three times a week all dispersed. If you want to buy have a bio-certification procedure name and preferences of each of catering. We began to wonder how but we decided that it will be dif- only for the most necessary food- something special, you have to go at the national level. their clients, which helps them to we could combine all our experi- ferent from all others,” she said. stuffs. There are many good man- to an expensive and beautiful su- “We call our products good- connect with customers and rec- ence and make a joint project. We “On average, a person goes to ufacturers in Almaty, but they are permarket, and if you need spices, looking products. Before putting ommend future products. Kazakh ice cream gets silver in Forbes Kostanai region Russia top 10 new brands rating foreign investments for each type of ice cream. The increased by three times. While the Shin-Line products are avail- By Yerbolat Uatkhanov brand entered the Russian market figure represents a small percent- able in Central Asian markets through the Auchan retail chain, age of the 350,000-tonne Russian in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uz- ASTANA – Forbes Russia, one with Forbes valuing sales in the ice cream market, Shin-Line plans bekistan; Mongolia and China, increase two-fold of the most popular and authorita- past year at 427.5 million roubles to increase sales at least twice in one of the largest and highly “The largest mill complex in tive economic rating agencies, has (US$6.4 million). the coming year. The company’s competitive consumer markets By Zhanna Shayakhmetova Kazakhstan with an annual capac- ranked Shin-Line’s Bakhroma ice Sales in Russia comprise ap- other brands, such as Trolls, Mish- in the world. Negotiations are ity of 155,000 tonnes of flour was cream second among its top 10 proximately 60 percent of the ka at the Arctic Pole and Bomb, underway to enter the Cauca- ASTANA – The Kostanai re- also launched last year. The entire best new products of 2018. company’s exports. Thanks to ac- can be found in Russian cities in- sus and Ukrainian markets and gion has developed 40 invest- production cycle, starting from “One of the main directions of tive sales in the market last year, cluding Moscow, Saint Petersburg products are also being tested in ment projects totalling more than the receiving operation to the development of our company is which reached 950 tonnes, exports and Sochi. Belarus. 2.1 trillion tenge (US$5.5 billion) packaging of finished products, export. In 2018, we exceeded the to implement in 2018-2025, re- is under a single computerised 10 percent level in exports. The ported Kazinform. Fourteen pro- accounting. The plant will export Bakhroma brand, which had been jects have been launched since to Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Rus- developed for two years specifi- 2017 and four projects worth 20 sia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. cally for export markets, made billion tenge (US$52 million) The single processing line, with a a significant contribution to this were executed last year. capacity of 700 tonnes per day of growth. This product is innova- The region has worked hard grain, operates on a multisystem tive and completely corresponds in recent years to attract invest- of control and management. It is to international trends. The ice ments. Foreign investments of possible to switch the flour-mill- cream is made using a high-tech 6.1 billion tenge (US$16 million) ing industry to fully automatic line and has a complex structure. in 2017 increased almost two- mode,” according to the regional It is impossible to reproduce it fold to 11.7 billion tenge (US$30 press service. using any simple production line. million) last year. A $100 million concrete plant Therefore, this type is unique; it “The indices of physical vol- has started operation, produc- is very rare and is made only by ume of investment in fixed assets ing high-quality cement to cover world leaders in ice cream pro- were 82 and 92.5 percent, respec- construction industry needs in the duction,” said Shin-Line Presi- tively, in 2015 and 2016; this country and southern regions of dent Andrei Shin. figure stood at 104.3 percent in Russia. Forbes noted the company, op- 2017. This year, it achieved 112.9 This year, Kazakh enterprise erating since 1995, is one of the percent,” said Kostanai region BioGrain and China Marine Bun- world’s largest ice cream produc- Deputy Akim (Governor) Meir- ker will build a $300 million ag- ers. The Bakhroma brand was de- zhan Myrzaliyev. ricultural hub for deep processing veloped to expand its market share A meat processing plant of grains and oilseeds for export beyond Kazakhstan’s borders, launched in Arkalyk in Decem- to China. with plans to enter Russia and ber expects to reach its design The Kostanai car assembly Europe. Exports last year totalled capacity of 10 tonnes per day by plant will produce Peugeot 301s 2,100 tonnes. 2020. Plans are underway to start using the small assembly method During development, focus a one-billion tenge (US$2.6 mil- for the Commonwealth of In- groups were studied in China, Ka- lion) feedlot for 3,000 cattle in dependent States (CIS) market. zakhstan and Russia. As a result, September. The release is included in the the name Bakhroma was chosen, Composite Group intends to Peugeot-Citroen production pro- which can be understood both in produce up to 3,000 Belarus trac- gramme and the facility has set Europe and Asia, and designers tors annually in the Kostanai in- an ambitious task to assemble created a separate graphic element dustrial zone under license of the 25,000 cars this year. Minsk Tractor Works. The pro- In 2017, the SaryarkaAvtoProm ject, valued at 2.3 billion tenge plant produced 7,772 cars, 93 (US$6 million) in its initial stage, trucks and 76 vehicles capable of will increase to 15 billion tenge transporting 10 or more people. (US$40 million) in the coming Twelve projects worth more Tele2 AB telecom operator years. than one trillion tenge (US$2.6 Approximately one billion billion) will be implemented in tenge (US$2.6 million) will be the zone in the near future. The invested in a building materials projects relate to the engineering, to leave Kazakh market and metal structures plant. agriculture and gas industries. and will be determined through closing. The joint venture repre- Tele2 received 51 percent and 49 Staff Report an agreed valuation process, sented 9 percent of Tele2 Group percent of the share capital and based on standard methodology, revenue from January-June 2018. 49 percent and 51 percent of the ASTANA – Swedish company including independent third-par- In 2010, Kazakhtelecom sold voting shares of the joint com- Tele2 AB has announced its in- ty advisors,” according to a state- 51 percent of its shares in Ka- pany, respectively. tention to sell its stake in Mo- ment on Tele2 AB’s website. zakh mobile operator Mobile When Tele2 Group leaves the bile Telecom Service (Tele2), Kazakh market, Kazakhtelecom the Tele2 Group-Kazakhtelecom will control three (Altel, Kcell joint venture, to Kazakhtelecom. When Tele2 Group leaves the Kazakh and Tele2) of the country’s four The closing is expected in ap- market, Kazakhtelecom will control three mobile operators. proximately six months. Kazakhtelecom is the largest The Dec. 12 agreement, where- (Altel, Kcell and Tele2) of the country’s four fixed-line operator in Kazakh- by Kazakhtelecom will purchase mobile operators. stan. The company’s main share- 75 percent of Kcell from Telia holder is the Samruk Kazyna Company and Fintur, gives Tele2 Sovereign Wealth Fund with 45.9 AB the opportunity to exercise its The joint venture will continue Telecom Service to Tele2 Group. percent of the authorised capi- put option and sell its shares in its work and Tele2 AB will con- In March 2016, Tele2 Group tal (52.03 percent of ordinary the joint venture to Kazakhtele- tinue its management until the and Kazakhtelecom completed a shares). com. Tele2 AB filed a put option transaction is closed. transaction to merge subsidiary Founded in 1993, Tele2 Group notice with Kazakhtelecom Dec. An 87-billion tenge (US$ mobile operators Altel (Altel 4G) is an international telecommu- 28 to initiate the process. 229.51 million) shareholder loan and Tele2. nications company serving 13 “The put option price is based from Tele2 to the joint venture is According to the terms of the million subscribers in nine coun- on a fair market value principle to be fully repaid at the time of agreement, Kazakhtelecom and tries. B Nation&Capital

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019

PEOPLE CULTURE SPORTS Physically challenged coach Astana Ballet launches backstage Boxer Gennady Golovkin splits with promotes Paralympics sports B2 tours B3 his promoter B7 Kazakh designer wins NASA competition Astana Opera stages “Swan

Staff Report

ASTANA – Kazakh designer Lake,” “” Arsen Seksenbayev was among the winners of the National Aeronautics and Space Admin- ballets in Italy, Spain istration’s (NASA) competition the part of Marie and Bakhtiyar with the best sketch for the space By Zhanna Shayakhmetova Adamzhan played the role of the laboratory. Nutcracker Prince. The Carlo Fe- Seksenbayev’s sketch will be ASTANA – Astana Opera Ballet lice symphony orchestra and cho- the basis for building a laborato- Company presented Pyotr Tchai- rus performed under the leadership ry aboard the International Space kovsky’s “The Nutcracker” Dec. of Astana Opera conductor Arman Station to study extra-terrestrial 20-23 at the Carlo Felice Theatre Urazgaliyev. plants. NASA has offered a pre- in Genoa. “The tickets for all six perfor- liminary contract and invited him “The audience is amazing. They mances were sold out before the to work in the United States for gave us a warm welcome. When tour. The ballet extravaganza is three years. we performed on the first day, the addressed to the wide audience. The designer has received his children screamed and asked for The Italian public enthusiastically honorarium, but is still consid- an encore. Children are the most greeted the ballet about the en- ering the conditions of the con- sincere audience. They believed in chanted prince. The viewers ap- tract. Should he sign it, he will the fairy tale because we were able preciated the large-scale sets, skil- be forced to leave his family and to convey the idea of a magic nut- fully crafted props and the main interior design business. cracker in this ballet,” said Astana attraction of the stage décor – a “One of the conditions is that I Opera leading soloist Madina Bas- giant Christmas tree,” according to bayeva. the release. Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan am moving [alone]. There will be cidence of circumstances; I was Aigerim Beketayeva performed Continued on Page B3 no invitation to my family. It will really lucky,” he added. be a contract to work for three The results of the contest years. It will be directly connect- were announced Dec. 26. NASA ed with my participation. As we picked three winners among the say in design, we have author’s nearly 100 entries, which also supervision,” he said. included Chinese game anima- Local organisation stimulates Seksenbayev learned of his tion developer Lee Hong You win from close friends. When and English supervisor Hugh he received the e-mail from the Turner. space research centre, he placed Seksenbayev, who lives and Astana’s interest in arts it in the trash thinking it was a works in the capital, provides tures in creative and mixed formats spam. services to Kazakh and Russian By Saltanat Boteu to engage and interest listeners. “I did [the sketch] as I would pop stars and cinema. He designs “We stress high quality knowl- have if I were in the place of furniture and has developed his ASTANA – Art Masters Lon- edge and experience. Our courses these scientists. But as I said ear- own design, known as geometric don is a commercial educational and lectures’ formats are break- lier, I believe that this is a coin- style. organisation that holds one-time fasts, branches and art tours. Along and short-term visual arts courses with the National Museum, we and lectures in the city. The unique made a tour on Picasso and Tretya- educational project aims to engage kov Gallery when it was in Asta- individuals and develop their in- na,” she added. “Once we had an terest in art, said founder and art art and wine format lecture when Moviegoers view Central Asia expert Assel Kambalova in an in- people enjoyed wine and listened terview with The Astana Times. to a lecture about muses. We al- “I created the project when I ways set the table with drinks.” was a student in England. I lived Along with the format, Kamba- through cinematic lens at in London for a long time. I still lova pays specific attention to the spend most of my time there, ap- quality of the information and way proximately [the last] nine years. it is presented. My friends and I started a part-time “Our motto is ‘cultivating documentary film festival job because we wanted to have a knowledge,’ but not dull academic Isaacs, International Documentary important – to not present Central tary ‘Songs of Abdul’ about a Tajik work experience. In London, most knowledge. Not that it’s bad, but By Dilshat Zhussupova Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) Ber- Asia as an obscure and oriental from Pamir who goes to work in of the museums and galleries are quite boring. Not every person is tha Fund head Isabel Fernandez, ‘other’… It could have been a sto- Moscow. He really won you over free for visitors. Thus, we used this able to tell about his or her subject opportunity and held excursions. ASTANA – The recent 2018 film director Tinatin Gurchiani and ry told anywhere in the world, but and was a joy to watch. Life is dif- with inspiration year after year. With time, it turned into a business. Central Asian Documentary Film IDFA programmer and producer Central Asia was the setting,” said ficult for him, but through song Therefore, we decided to create Then, when I started to come to Festival (CADF) in Almaty ex- Viktoriya Kalashinkova. Isaacs in an exclusive interview and dance, he manages to accentu- courses with people who are ex- Astana frequently, I decided to turn plored themes of environment, Zaheed Mawani’s documentary with The Astana Times. ate the positives in life.” cited about their subject and theme it into a private educational project identity and migration in the re- “Harvest Moon” was awarded best In addition to considering tech- and able to tell it beautifully in the “One key theme [across the in arts and humanities,” she said. gion. picture, which also recognised the nical aspects such as cinematog- two hours of the lecture,” she said. documentaries] was the question The organisation focuses on lec- Continued on Page B3 The documentary festival was work of operator Sebastián Hiriart, raphy and character development, of migration, explored in differ- part of Almaty’s fifth Clique Film and the best director award went to the jury paid close attention to the ent ways,” he added. “In terms Festival and included short and Denis Shabayev for his documentary films’ substantive content. of labour migration, there were a feature-length film directors from about a young Tajik, “Not My Job.” “To what extent do you have few films about Tajiks migrating Canada, Germany, Kazakhstan, “‘Harvest Moon,’ a film about a an emotional relationship with to Russia for work, the difficulties Kyrgyzstan, the Netherlands and family that harvests walnuts, was what you are watching?” he asked that imposes upon them and what Russia. They were evaluated by shot beautifully and told in a way regarding the jury’s criteria for that tells us about Tajikistan and its jury members, including Oxford in which it was a universal story awards. “There was a very charm- economic situation. Brookes University lecturer Rico about a family, which I think is ing protagonist in the documen- Continued on Page B3

THINGS TO WATCH & PLACES TO GO BARYS ARENA January 17 at 7.30 p.m. HC Barys – HC Salavat Yulaev Ufa ASTANA OPERA January 18 at 7 p.m. An Evening of Rachmaninoff’s Music January 25 at 7 p.m. An Evening by the Fireplace, concert January 27 at 5 p.m. Kazakh Quartet Concert January 30 at 7 p.m. Manon, ballet RADISSON HOTEL January 19 at 7 p.m. Astana Burns Supper 2019 B2 NATION&CAPITAL PEOPLE

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 Physically challenged One of 100 New Faces trains young coach promotes sportspeople in rural area Hopefully, we will have a sports regional athletics championships. By Ainur Seidakhmetova and fitness complex in our village In 2018, he won the Karaganda soon. The local authorities plan to International Armanga Zhol (The Paralympics sports ASTANA – Almas Beissenov, start complex construction next Path to Dream) marathon. It is an 18-time winner of the Kazakh- year. I saw the building design. symbolic that he won this mara- By Ainur Seidakhmetova stan Athletics Championship, is The issue is that the building has thon. He was very happy to get sharing his experience with young a standard design and does not in- his first prize money in this com- ASTANA – Although blind in athletes. He works as a coach at clude race tracks or other athletics petition. It is very important to get one eye, Kuralbai Orynbassaruly a sports school in a North Ka- training facilities. I made a request these children involved in sports. has achieved excellent results in zakhstan village, achieving great to local authorities to change the They learn to set and achieve sambo and judo without any con- results despite severe weather design and include the facilities for goals and a coach becomes their

cession to his vision impairment. conditions and lack of training 100esim.el.kz. Photo credit: athletes’ training. I also asked the mentor not only in sports, but in Following his first and only ex- facilities. Almas Beissenov regional business community to fi- life,” he said. perience in the Rio 2016 Summer “We have many talented ath- nance this part of the construction. In 2018, Beissenov was recog- Paralympic Games, he has focused letes here, but I am especially She was included in the National I hope all these efforts have results nised by the Kazakh Ministry of on popularising sporting opportu- proud of Kristina Morozova. She Olympic Team,” he said in an ex- and our athletes get an opportunity Education and Science and the nities for Kazakh individuals with was 17 when she participated in clusive interview for this story. to train effectively all year round,” North Kazakhstan regional ad- disabilities. 100esim.el.kz. Photo credit: the Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Saumalkol village is located 248 he added. ministration for his contribution to “I lost my eye when I was 10 Kuralbai Orynbassaruly Games 2018. She came in 10th in kilometres from Petropavlovsk, Beissenov focuses on vulner- educating the younger generation. years old. I have an ocular pros- race walking. I think it is a great the regional capital. Four-month able children. He feels the im- Thanks to the 100 New Faces thesis in my left eye. I always tried want to give them an opportunity achievement for a girl from the snowy winters, with the tempera- portance of sports in educating project, he has become well-known to conceal my physical impairment to realise their potential in sports. countryside where athletes do not ture getting extremely low, are orphan children and those from in the region and beyond. Schools from others. I was afraid that this I will be happy to coach them and have access to modern sports fa- typical. dysfunctional families cannot be and universities often invite him would stop my career in sports,” share all the experience I have in cilities as they do in large cities. “We do not have any large sports overestimated. for meetings with students, where he said in an exclusive interview martial arts,” he said. She worked very hard. Now, she facilities here. Our athletes have “Stepan Spasskiy is an orphan he shares his knowledge and popu- for this story. Orynbassaruly, who works as a studies at Almaty Sports College. to train outside, even in winter. child. He is a winner of several larises sports among youth. Orynbassaruly is a three-time senior coach at one of Shymkent’s winner of the Asia Sambo Cham- sports schools, became an honoured pionship and bronze medallist at coach of Kazakhstan in 2017. His the Sambo World Championship. mentees have remarkable achieve- ments in sambo, judo and kazaksha kures (Kazakh wrestling). Tajik cultural heritage, local culture Orynbassaruly’s Sabyrzhan Abildauly was the works as a senior winner of the Kazakhstan Sambo, Judo and Kazaksha kures Champi- His mentees onships and bronze medallist at the awareness encouraged in Kazakhstan, Asia and World Sambo Champion- have remarkable ships; Abdyrazak Baglan, winner achievements in of the Asia Sambo Championship and bronze medallist at the World says community leader sambo, judo and Sambo Championship; Ruza Duk- experienced the loss of my cul- Nauryz, the Persian New Year, is grounds, so many had to migrate to kazaksha kures. trubayeva, winner of the Asia and By Dilshat Zhussupova ture. Rather, the Assembly of a celebration shared by Tajiks and other places. In this way, some Ta- Kazakhstan Sambo Champion- the People of Kazakhstan (APK) Kazakhs. jiks migrated to Kazakhstan from ships and silver medallist at the ASTANA – Avicenna, Almaty’s is an institution that preserves “The Tajik embassy and ethno- the eastern part of Central Asia,” He started to speak about his dis- World Sambo Championship, and Tajik cultural centre founded in ethno-cultural communities and cultural associations jointly gather said Tashpulatov. ability when Kazakhstan’s Nation- Gaukhar Turmakhanova, winner 2009, seeks to strengthen Kazakh- their traditions, while also main- the community outside, usually Tajiks were later linked to Ka- al Paralympics Committee intro- of the Kazakhstan Sambo, Judo stan’s inter-ethnic harmony and taining unity… I can observe renting a field, or additionally at zakhstan in the early 1900s by duced him as a participant in the and Kazaksha kures Champion- ensure the preservation and devel- that, over time, ethnic groups home to celebrate Nauryz. We their work in rural areas. Rio Games, where he competed in ships, Asia Sambo Championship opment of the ethnic group’s tradi- residing in Kazakhstan have not really make an effort to engage “The southern region, as you Paralympics judo. and World Sambo Championship. tions, customs and culture. only preserved their culture, but closely with one another,” he add- know, is a fertile area for agricul- “I was 37 when I participated “My participation in the 100 New The community of up to 100 are keenly aware of Kazakh and ed. ture – the climate is warm and the in the Rio Paralympics. It was Faces project is a great example for In addition to their native land, members studies Kazakh-Tajik other cultures,” he said in an in- land fertile. For this reason, Tajiks my first experience of participat- the young athletes I coach. I always historical and cultural relations terview with Assembly.kz. Tajik communities may be found continue to work there in agricul- ing in Paralympics Games. I saw tell them that they are able to reach and organises music, dance, art, in neighbouring Afghanistan, Kyr- ture nowadays,” he noted. that the Paralympics movement any goal if they work hard. A pro- literature and poetry events. Key gyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uz- has developed in other countries. fessional will always get respect and projects include Sunday school to bekistan. Approximately 47,000 “It would be impossible to estab- My interest was not just in judo recognition. Hard work will pay off. learn the Tajik language, attended Tajiks live in Kazakhstan, 80 per- lish such an effective institution as and sambo. I saw how the system My life is a vivid example of this. I by approximately 600 students, cent of whom reside in the south- the Assembly of the People of Ka- works for different sports. I got do not even know who introduced and the book “The Tajiks of Ka- ern regions. zakhstan without certain qualities many insights from participation me to this project. I do not know zakhstan,” which recounts their “The first Tajiks appeared on of the Kazakh population, such as in the most important international the people who voted for me. I am origin and daily live in the country. Kazakhstan’s territory following warmth, hospitality and openness. tournament in my life. Now, my grateful to all of them. Now, thanks Avicenna vice chair Shuhrat the introduction of Islam in Cen- These qualities were also displayed goal is to promote the Paralym- to this project I can present my ide- Tashpulatov has led the associa- tral Asia, approximately in the 9th in the early 20th century, when the pics movement in Kazakhstan. In as to a wide audience through mass tion’s youth centre since 2012. and 10th centuries. Tajiks were Kazakh population accepted many 2019, I plan to open a sports club media and promote Paralympics “I was born in Almaty, learned assembly.kz. Photo credit: Zoroastrians and worshipped fire, migrant ethnic groups into their for disabled people in Shymkent. I values in Kazakhstan,” he said. the Tajik language and have not Shuhrat Tashpulatov which caused conflicts on religious homes,” he added. Okean Art: school for children with unlimited possibilities Continued from Page A1 The experience made her realise some are less… this is not art, this “I understand that if that kid the university’s “old school” So- is ‘Do as I told you!’ Art is about had not received the art therapy, Zhanyarova graduated from viet teaching methods had to be creating unique things,” she said. he could have lived disabled for Utemisov West Kazakhstan State changed. Zhanyarova was con- As she started developing a the rest of his life. This changed University where she studied cerned with the methods for art programme that would connect his life. He graduated from an or- arts pedagogy in the 1990s. The education and her students were all the subjects, she experienced dinary [public] school. Now, he is decade represented the first years taught to draw “algorithmically.” many unexpected and life chang- a young healthy adolescent,” she since Kazakhstan’s independ- “For example, the teachers tell ing results. Her very first student, said. ence and witnessed the tangible you to draw a bear like this [as if who had been diagnosed with au- A student’s progress is the best effects of economic crisis and there is only one way]. You do this tism and became healthy after a reward for her work. high rates of unemployment. De- [step], next [step], then this and year of therapy, was the first time “I was overwhelmed from how spite the odds, she received an of- you get a bunch of [almost] iden- she realised that her work mat- many new possibilities it can fer to teach art at the university. tical drawings. Some are neater, tered and she needed to continue. open and I decided to develop art therapy,” she added. Okean Art began as a more spe- cialised school that only worked with children diagnosed with dis- eases. A single question changed Tatyana Zhanyarova it into what it is today. the most beneficial for all stu- some better skills in other areas “We were working in an open dents. in terms of perception and physi- space of Duman Oceanarium… “As for the parents of healthy cally. For healthy kids, it is not It was very important for me to children, they understand that only learning about mercy, but work with children with disabili- there is nothing really scary learning to communicate, i.e. in ties. [And to work] not their dis- about such an environment. Of a clinically unhealthy child you abilities, but rather their abilities. course, there are parents who are can find many healthy things,” That day, one mother came to somewhat scared of an inclusive said Zhanyarova. me and said ‘Does my kid have class. For them, the school pro- Okean Art has always provided to have Down syndrome to go vides explanatory sessions,” she free courses for children with to your school?’ And then there added. disabilities. For the most part, came a moment when I under- It is no coincidence that the the funds were provided by the stood that there are many chil- school has the motto “Okean Art school itself with occasional one- dren who are clinically healthy, is for kids with unlimited pos- time subsidies. but still have psychological prob- sibilities,” a word play in Rus- The courses are mainly in Rus- lems that parents or school peda- sian that mirrors the narrow term sian, but art therapy is available gogues are not competent enough “children with disabilities.” in three languages. For the latter, to solve,” said Zhanyarova. “For me this is not a charitable Zhanyarova believes language is Okean Art doesn’t segregate deed because [I work with] these secondary, because art transcend children in accordance with their ‘poor and unfortunate’ children. language and can speak for itself. clinical history. When forming a In fact, I am very interested… “I had an experience working group, the school joins children It is a very well-known fact with a French child and I don’t based on their individual com- that those kids who are visually speak French. The therapy went patibilities. Age and health status impaired are better at hearing. well, because there are many do not play a role in forming a The people who have some dis- nonverbal interactions,” she group and they are formed to be abilities in one area always have added. B3 NATION&CAPITAL CULTURE

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 Local organisation Astana Opera stages “,” stimulates Astana’s “The Nutcracker” ballets in Italy, Spain Continued from Page B1 interest in arts “The dances incited great emo- tions in us: the Snowflakes Dance Continued from Page B1 Recently, we held the Dec. 8 Ayala that created a fantastic image of Inclusive Project with them for the silent winter nature, the come- “Our aim is to spread high- children with cerebral palsy and dic Chinese Tea Dance and Indian quality knowledge to people with autism,” she noted. Coffee Dance. This is a great bal- different interests and views, who “Approximately a year ago, the let with incredible music and in- are not able to study at the univer- Social Development Department teresting choreography. Overall, sity right now. They can choose was created at Kazakh National the enchanting action left us with the theme specifically where they Museum. They work with low in- the most joyful impressions before have a gap or what they are inter- come families and children with Christmas,” said audience member ested in,” she added. special educational needs. I spent Nicoletta Balbo after the perfor- The lectures can be one-time two months at the museum… be- mance. events on a certain theme or a short cause of my previous job and I The theatre performed “Swan period as an academic course. At knew its staff and once I came Lake” Jan. 11-13 staged by Astana the end of the latter, students who and asked about their social pro- Opera Ballet Company Artistic Di- attend 90 percent of the sessions jects. We decided to make Ayala rector and People’s Artist of Rus- can receive a certificate of comple- Inclusive Project together. Art sia Altynai Asylmuratova. tion. Depending on the audience, Masters London developed the Urazgaliyev noted some chang- the lectures are in Russian, Kazakh programme and we got private es were made in the production, or English. sector sponsors. We are plan- while preserving and “We have full-scale courses ning to continue the project,” she ’s canonical stag- where we cover epochs and styles. ing. In the last course on the History added. For children’s art therapy, Art “The ballet art of Kazakhstan is of Western Art, we started from now of great interest in the world; the history of Ancient Greece and Masters London invited Natalya Bozhenova, an art therapy teacher the company is invited to perform Rome and ended with 20th-centu- at prestigious venues. Certainly, who is also master from ry arts. It was a pilot version and all of us are excited. We face the Kasteyev Museum in Almaty. Ap- it was successful. It lasted one and main task – to please the audience, proximately 110-120 children, 80 a-half months, four hours a week,” to give the viewers an emotional said Kambalova. percent of whom have cerebral charge, so we will be making eve- incredible popularity has made the the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia Rukhani Zhangyru (Modernisa- The lecturers also provide ex- palsy or autism spectrum disor- ry effort,” he said prior to the tour. play a symbol of academic ballet in Valencia. The troupe performed tion of Kazakhstan’s Identity) pro- clusive content that they collected ders, worked with clay and thick The internationally-known clas- art. at the invitation of famous opera gramme with the support of the from experience and study. felt. sical music masterpiece was writ- The company also staged “Swan singer Placido Domingo. Kazakh Ministry of Culture and “Books (on arts) cannot cover “There were four art therapy ten by Tchaikovsky in 1875. Its Lake” Dec. 29, 30 and Jan. 2-5 at The tour is held as part of the Sports. everything that the lecturer will classes that started at the same tell and that he or she collected for time. Approximately 50 children many years. During my studies, I came in the morning with tutors, spent half a year in Rome in villas, teachers, parents and doctors. Ap- where I collected a huge amount proximately 60 children came in of material that I include in my the afternoon,” she said. lectures. This is the point of educa- Astana Ballet launches The organisation is constantly tion when you can get concise and searching for new ideas and lec- interesting information in several turers. The first lecture of the year hours,” she noted. was Jan. 13 with Akatayev on backstage tours “For now, I give most of the “Criminal masterpieces: fakes and dents and guests of the city. The Guests will be able to see what Nutcracker,” immersing them- lectures. Yerzhan Akatayev has re- crimes in art.” By Yerbolat Uatkhanov ballet has launched weekly back- is usually hidden from viewers’ selves in the magical atmosphere cently joined our team. He is a fine “Over the last three-four years, arts expert, collector and fine arts stage tours, showing patrons what eyes and feel the atmosphere, ex- of the New Year’s miracle. Each people’s interest in art in Astana ASTANA – Astana Ballet has mysteries are really behind the big perience the world of dance and tour will be thematic, containing consultant,” she added. grew, especially after EXPO 2017. So far, the lectures have covered prepared a special gift for resi- scenes. touch the art. Multi-layered tutus excerpts from upcoming repertoire Art came to be seen as a part of and ’s pointe shoes, performances. fine arts themes, but Kambalova is urban planning. I know that in- planning to expand their content. the main positions in ballet and the The programme includes a visit vestment in art also attracts more famous plié – all will be part of the to the dressing room and deco- “We have a course on the His- interest,” said Kambalova. “In a tory of Western Art including ar- tour. A learned guide, a cicerone, ration workshop, where the real cultural context, EXPO 2017 did chitecture, sculpture and paintings. will explain why “the theatre be- magic takes place, as masters of its work. Cirque Du Soleil, Astana Also, we are launching lectures on gins with a hanger” and etiquette their craft make up the artists, sew Contemporary Art Centre, Crea- cinematography and dance genres. rules are needed. costumes and create decorations We also are thinking about the mu- tive Energy Zone and other events An exhibit authored by Rus- for performances. For the first sic sphere. We will have a multi- and concerts shook up Astana… sian photographer Alexei Krivt- time the theatre will also open disciplinary focus. Currently, it is Mass interest in art appeared that sov awaits visitors. The graceful the doors to the rehearsal hall, a selective covering of fashion and pleases for sure. However, people bends of the artists’ bodies as seen where visitors can see how the visual arts,” she said. are a little cautious about more through the lens of a master, whose artists warm up, hone their skills The team is small, but it works theoretical knowledge in fine arts, works are in private collections in according to the current reper- with other art-related organisa- for example.” many countries, were presented toire and learn the movements for tions in the capital and the lead “Every time I come to Astana, I to the Kazakh people for the first “Beibars,” the premiere historical charity project with Kazakh Na- see the changes. I really like what time in April. They are now deco- production. tional Museum. Astana Ballet implements. Cur- rating the theatre foyer, delighting Especially for “The Nutcracker,” “We have organiser-manager rently, for example, they are im- the audience. guests will have the opportunity Balkiya here in Astana. We work plementing the behind-the-scenes In addition to interesting stories to take pictures against the back- in a partnership with TSE Art Gal- project when any person can visit about the birth of ballet in Kazakh- ground, which have been moved to lery, its founder Dina Baitassova backstage of the ballet and see the stan and the world, visitors can the front of the house in a special and the Kazakh National Museum. preparations,” she added. see a colourful excerpt from “The area for photo shoots. Moviegoers view Central Asia through cinematic lens at documentary film festival Continued from Page B1 in shaping the country’s cinema. sion and finding and defining what contemporary socioeconomic di- Kazakh films produced in the it means to be Kazakh… Watching visions, respectively. There were also two films about mid-1980s-early 1990s have been these movies, representations of “These narratives demon- the return migration of Germans particularly formative for recent these questions seem to come out strate that there is no correct who had left Kazakhstan after Kazakh art house cinema, but directly – in ‘Nomad,’ ‘Myn Bala: or single reading of Kazakh the collapse of the Soviet Union there are challenges. Warriors of the Steppe’ and ‘The national identity, as there is no and come back 25 years later and “Given the ways in which cin- Gift to Stalin’ – and indirectly – in right reading of any nationality were exploring the things that had ema is a global and universal me- ‘Racketeer’ or even ‘Kelinka Sa- around the world. Nations are changed.” dium, to carve out something that bina’ (‘Bride Sabina’).” made up by different groups, Isaacs sees a space for Central is distinctly Kazakh in cinematic Asian content produced by Central language is a very difficult thing to Asians themselves, which may fa- do,” he noted. The documentary festival was part cilitate a more balanced represen- In his recent book “Film and tation of life in the region rather Identity in Kazakhstan: Soviet of Almaty’s fifth Clique Film Festival and than the predominant focus on and Post-Soviet Culture in Central included short and feature-length film drug trafficking, rural life in the Asia,” Isaacs relies on cinema as mountains and Aral Sea degrada- an analytical lens. directors from Canada, Germany, Kazakhstan, tion. “Cinema reflects what is going Kyrgyzstan, the Netherlands and Russia. “Another element to life in on in society at any given time,” he Central Asia is that lots of people One, as an insightful look into how with their commitment to singing said. “Since 2005, there has been live in cities. In fact, Almaty has Kazakhstan balances the global in the . But their an emergence of more [Kazakh] Through analysing 20th and interests and classes, each with grown immensely over the last and the local. influences are also global, and that films with greater state funding, 21st-century Kazakh films and different ways of understand- 20-25 years because people were “There’s a concept in cultural does not necessarily mean West- and the film studio Kazakhfilm interviewing directors and crit- ing and interpreting nationhood. migrating to the city looking for theory called hybridity, which is ern, as their biggest influence is became a joint stock company… ics, Isaacs identified four such Thus, how we understand na- work and there could be stories this idea that global influences ar- the K-pop movement in Korea. To With independence, important interpretations of Kazakh nation- tional identity and the ways na- told about urban life in that way,” rive at a particular country and are me, they are an embodiment of this social questions emerged in Ka- hood and identity – ethnic, civic, tions come to being is ultimately he said. then modified within that context very abstract concept of hybridity zakhstan that were reflected in religious and socioeconomic nar- through social construction,” he He singled out the documentary with traditions and particularities,” in cultural studies.” cinema, such as nation building, ratives rooted in Mongolian Oirat added, encouraging additional “Sing your Songs/in Kazakhstan,” he said. “I think that the band Local filmmakers, too, are bal- the country’s multi-ethnic demog- tribe conflicts; Stalinist deporta- narratives to be found through about the Qazaq pop group Ninety Ninety One is an example of that ancing the global and the local raphy, Soviet-era political repres- tions; the Tengrism religion and film analysis. B4 NATION&CAPITAL COUNTRY

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 Surgeons performed first hybrid cardiac surgery in country, eighth in world mary coronary artery bypass, was of Healthcare allocated more than By Aidana Yergaliyeva completed for the first time. 6 million tenge (US$15,982.5) for The patient, 74-year-old Yuri the operation, while the clinic paid ASTANA – Presidential clinic Dudarev, suffered from heart fail- the rest. surgeons performed hybrid cardiac ure and arrived at the clinic in criti- The final price depends on the surgery in the capital Dec. 19 for cal condition. A traditional open kind of implant inserted. In addi- the first time in the post-Soviet heart operation could have ended tion, the surgery is followed by space, reported its press service. his life, said cardiac surgeon Serik several weeks of recovery requir- The operation was the eighth com- Mendykulov. ing expensive medications. pleted in the world. “In addition to problems with The need for hybrid surgery with Hybrid cardiac surgery com- the vessels of the heart and critical TAVI replacement is increasing bines surgical and catheter-based stenosis of the aortic valve, he had due to the growing numbers of ag- intervention in the heart. The ap- structural damage of other organs. ing individuals. Open heart opera- proach is less invasive and asso- Because of critical aortic stenosis, tions are often contraindicated for ciated with minimised risks com- he developed related problems older patients. pared to traditional open heart and diseases, such as hepatic and “For several years now, there surgery. Because of its complexity renal failure and circulatory insuf- has been a trend of carrying out and expense, however, the surgery ficiency of the brain,” added inter- hybrid operations that allow one or is very rare. ventional cardiac surgeon Rustam several organs to be taken simul- Although the clinic has been Rakhimov. taneously, to do several types of practicing hybrid surgical pro- On average, hybrid surgeries surgical interventions. Such opera- cedures for three years, this par- such as this one cost approximate- tions are effective, since the stage ticular surgery, with transcatheter ly 20 million tenge (US$53,275). of waiting for the second operation aortic valve implantation (TAVI) Dudarev was fortunate it was con- disappears and time in such cases followed by an immediate mam- ducted free of charge. The Ministry is critical,” said Rakhimov. Government to New tax regulation will serve as safety increase irrigated cushion for self-employed Kazakhs The programme has simplified basic pension payment that will de- Payments will be extended to indi- By Aidana Yergaliyeva the registration process for the self- pend on the length of participation viduals who “perform work, provide employed. People will automati- in the pension fund. Most impor- services for other citizens, do not use land area to 3.5 ASTANA – The New Year started cally register their activities after a tantly, they will gain access to un- the labour of employees or sell agri- with enforcing the Unified Cumula- payment, while a payment suspen- limited amounts and types of medi- cultural products of a personal part- tive Payment (UCP) programme for sion will result in terminating an cal services, with the right to choose time farm for consumption,” she said. informally employed Kazakh citi- individual’s activities. Registering a medical institution, said Minister The ministry estimated the UCP will million hectares zens. or submitting additional tax reports of Labour and Social Protection affect approximately 500,000 people. irrigation systems across the President Nursultan Nazarbayev will not be required. Madina Abylkassymova at the Sen- In addition, the term “self-em- By Assel Satubaldina Zhambyl, , Turkestan, Al- signed the amendments to the Tax The improved taxing system ate’s Dec. 20 plenary session. ployed” has been redefined and maty and Kyzylorda regions that Code on Dec. 27. The law now di- should not only speed up the pro- The UCP has a fixed minimal fee divided into “an employed person” ASTANA – The Kazakh gov- have been most equipped for full rectly addresses the problem of a cess of registering the self-em- of one monthly calculation index and “an independent worker.” The ernment plans to increase the na- control irrigation. significant number of Kazakhs who ployed and collecting information (MCI), or 2,525 tenge (US$6.70), new terms comply with the Inter- tion’s irrigated land area from the The funds are provided to Ka- choose to avoid tax payments. about their incomes, but will en- for urban citizens and one-half MCI national Labour Organisation’s em- current 7 percent to 16 percent by zvodkhoz national water operator. The UCP is now a single payment sure their social protection. for villagers. ployee classifications. 2028, said First Vice Minister of The EBRD is also assisting lo- that combines four types of payments Individuals will be able to receive For 2019, applicants are consid- According to the results of the third Agriculture Arman Yevniyev at a cal authorities on tariff reform to – individual income tax (10 percent), social benefits in cases of disability, ered eligible if they earn less than a quarter of 2018, 8.7 million Kazakhs recent government meeting. help Kazvodkhoz make the new social insurance funds (20 percent), job loss, wage-earner loss, preg- sum equivalent to 1,175 MCI (2.97 are classified as employed, divided The plan is to put back into op- irrigation systems financially sus- mandatory pension fund (30) and nancy, child adoption and care for million tenge or US$7,916.60) per between 6.6 million employees and eration 600,000 hectares of irri- tainable. medical insurance (40). a child under age one, as well as a year. 2.1 million self-employed. gated land and add an additional An additional 118 billion tenge 1.5 million hectares of irrigated (US$317.8 million) to rebuild ir- land to bring the nation’s total to rigation system across 256,000 3.5 million hectares of irrigated hectares of land will be allocated land. from international financial -or Agriculture is an important ganisations. Heat supply to remain uninterrupted economic sector for Kazakhstan Local executive bodies and pri- where cultivated land areas oc- vate investments will be also in- cupy an estimated 81 percent of volved. the total area. The ministry plans to use throughout winter, say ministers public-private partnerships, said 28,300 kilometres of power lines son, 24 technological violations have “Over the past four weeks, in Yevniyev. By Dilshat Zhussupova were repaired. been registered on communal life all regions of the country, the The plan is to put Yevniyev said the efforts will “Four million tonnes of coal and support systems, which is two times coal price for households has de- back into operation increase land use efficiency, in- ASTANA – Kazakh Minister of 112,000 tonnes of fuel oil were ac- less compared to the same period last creased by an average of 15-20 crease accumulated water resourc- Energy and cumulated at the power plant fuel year. Akimats (regional administra- percent due to the memorandums 600,000 hectares of es, create cooperatives and expand the then Minister for Investments depots, which corresponds to our tions) noted that technological viola- signed between akimats and coal agriculture exports. and Development Zhenis Kass- standards,” added Bozumbayev. tions were eliminated within a short distributors,” the minister said. irrigated land and The public-private accommo- ymbek reported on the country’s “At the boiler houses in the cen- period of time,” he said. Kazakh Prime Minister Bakytzhan dation requires a partner, who is heat supply in the autumn-winter tralised heat supply zone, the re- In addition, the country’s coal min- Sagintayev noted that the current add an additional 1.5 serve is 978,800 tonnes of coal and ing companies produced 109.2 mil- heating period have so far gener- a private investor that will set up period at a Dec. 25 government meeting. 115,200 tonnes of fuel oil.” lion tonnes of coal in 2018, and the ally passed without serious tech- million hectares of a separate financial company to Generally, consumers have been The autumn-winter schedule for expected volume of coal production nological violations and instructed irrigated land to bring attract investments from interna- fully provided with electrical and assigning 312,000 tonnes of fuel by the year’s end is approximately akims to keep these violations un- tional financial organisations, the thermal energy. The maximum oil to regions’ social facilities was 112 million tonnes. They also trans- der tight control. Local executive the nation’s total to the Unified Accumulation Pension electrical load of 14,740 mega- also approved. In October-No- ported 46.8 million tonnes by rail in bodies were further tasked with 3.5 million hectares of Fund and second tier banks. The watts was reached Dec. 24, a re- vember, an approved schedule was May-December and shipped 56.4 attracting additional technical re- partner will run project design, cord figure in recent years. complete 86 percent. million tonnes, of which 12.4 million sources, providing heat and power irrigated land. construction and, upon the com- Power plant repair is nearly Next, Kassymbek reported on tonnes went to households and 27.7 supply facilities with the neces- missioning, will oversee the use complete, meaning that provision monitoring technological viola- million tonnes were exports. Coal re- sary volume of fuel and materials and technical service of the facili- of heat will continue uninterrupt- tions in networks of sanitation and serve availability is at 93.2 percent, and organising round-the-clock In Kazakhstan, however, where ties. ed. Eight power units, 44 turbines, heat and water supply. and all regions are ahead of the an- response teams for the relevant or- climate is predominantly arid and The approach was discussed 52 boilers, 500 boiler houses and “Since the start of the heating sea- nual coal supply schedule. ganisations. steppe and desert account for more with business representatives, he than 80 percent of the country’s added. territory, agriculture is difficult The Asian Development Bank without irrigation and water sys- is also expected to finalise soon tems, which are currently ineffi- a memorandum to be signed with cient in Kazakhstan and in decline the ministry to invest up to $2 Kazakhstan spends more than $5.3 billion since the country’s independence billion in Kazakh agriculture be- in 1991. tween 2019 and 2021. Tariffs in Kazakhstan are also among the world’s lowest, which to improve housing in last two years are not sufficient to finance a The ministry plans to improve housing availability tres of housing was commissioned, An additional 152 billion tenge needed reconstruction of water to use public-private By Dilshat Zhussupova for 1.5 million families in the next which is 96,731 houses. (US$405,236,104) of subsidised channels and hydro technical 15 years. The programme centres Overall, an increase in the vol- loans will be issued by 2020. facilities. With this, the current partnerships, said ASTANA – Approximately two on increasing mortgage loan avail- ume of commissioned housing was Leaders in housing construction irrigation system is expected to Yevniyev. trillion tenge (US$5,332,054,000) ability, setting up a credit system for observed throughout the two years since 2016 include Astana with 4.7 be out of service within 44 years, was invested in housing through housing, creating a rental housing for all regions. This year, more than million square metres of housing, Al- according to a World Bank fore- the Nurly Zher housing programme fund for socially vulnerable groups, 13 million square metres of hous- maty with 2.6 million square metres, cast. Giovanni Capannelli, country over the past two years, with 5.5 developing individual housing con- ing will be commissioned, which is the Mangistau region with 1.8 million Seven billion tenge (US$18.8 director of the ADB Kazakhstan tenge (US$0.02) of private invest- struction, stimulating private hous- more than 100,000 houses. square metres, the Atyrau region with million) on average has been al- resident mission, said the central ment attracted for every 1 tenge ing construction and implementing Further measures on develop- 1.3 million square metres, the Almaty located annually to renovate water aspect of the document is to help (US$0.0027) of public funds, re- previously adopted public housing ing the housing market include region with 1.3 million square metres infrastructure in the last five years. modernise aging irrigation infra- ports Primeminister.kz. programmes. Citizens, developers providing more accessible bank and the Kyzylorda region with 1.2 The government has also sought structure. Approximately 354.4 billion and second-tier banks are provided loans through Damu Entrepreneur- million square metres. The largest financing from multiple channels. Yevniyev said with the meas- tenge (US$840,864,915) and 1.73 with financing and subsidies. ship Development Fund. Banks volume of housing construction was These include a $316 million fi- ures in place, the total output trillion tenge (US$4,612,226,710) of According to the Kazakh Min- received 84 applications from also observed in Astana with 22,565 nancial package signed with the is expected to reach 3.7 trillion private funds were invested in hous- istry of Industry and Infrastructure private developers for 72.5 bil- apartments, Almaty with 15,020 Islamic Development Bank and tenge (US$9.97 billion), which is ing in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Development, 22.16 million square lion tenge (US$193,286,957.50), apartments, the Mangistau region the European Bank for Recon- a 4.5-fold increase from the cur- Since December 2016, the Nurly metres of housing was commis- of which 51 contracts were set up with 8,367 apartments, the Aktobe struction and Development that rent indicator and two-fold growth Zher programme has provided hous- sioned in the past two years. Last for subsidised loans of 45.2 bil- region with 5,941 apartments and the envisions investments to upgrade in labour productivity. ing to 197,573 families and aims year alone, 11 million square me- lion tenge (US$120,504,420.40). with 4,824 apartments. B5 NATION&CAPITAL SOCIETY

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 Mangystau youth receive up Healthcare Ministry to set to one million tenge for social price ceilings for medicine gardless of the region. In this way, By Dilshat Zhussupova pharmaceutical market players will take on greater responsibility, projects from World Bank ASTANA – The Kazakh Min- and medicine will be much more istry of Healthcare will set price affordable to the wider population. ceilings on the sale of medicine The law will also regulate seasonal across all regions in the country, price fluctuations, as prices will said Pharmacy Committee Head be set twice a year in January and Lyudmila Byurabekova during July. a recent online Primeminister.kz To accompany the new law, conference. the National Centre on Medici- When the law “On Amendments nal Product Evaluation developed and Additions to Certain Legisla- a mobile application that pro- tive Acts on the Circulation of vides users with information on Medicinal Products and Medi- a given medicinal product, such cal Devices” enters into force, as its price and whether it passed the ministry will determine limits Lyudmila Byurabekova a safety and quality assessment. on wholesale and retail prices of Users may also provide feedback medicine. Changes in the pricing on price hikes. of medicine will occur at the pro- teria that are always taken into “If a person sees that the price is ducer, wholesale and retail levels, account. An expert organisation, higher than indicated on the mo- as well as for free medical care the National Centre on Medicinal bile application, he or she will be and compulsory social health in- Product Evaluation is responsible able to take a photo and send an surance. for product quality… If the drug immediate appeal that the price is Byurabekova emphasised that is registered in Kazakhstan, then it too high at the given pharmacy. In price regulation will not affect the has confirmed its safety and qual- addition, all prices will be posted quality of medicine. Upon regis- ity,” she said. on the online resources of the tration in Kazakhstan, companies The aim of state price regula- Ministry of Healthcare, the Phar- must present documents confirming tion is to ensure uniform pricing macy Committee and the Drug their products’ safety and quality. mechanisms for medicine in the Evaluation Centre,” explained “Price and quality are two cri- wholesale and retail sector, re- Byurabekova. Photo credit: worldbank.org. Photo credit: dent Nursultan Nazarbayev’s Nov. from the Mangystau region’s akim By Saltanat Boteu 13 decree. The region’s Zhas Pro- (governor) for higher education, ject, organised by the Ministry of said Tuyakov. Career counsel- ASTANA – Mangystau region Education and Science and the ling offices will be opened in all Freelancers will no longer youth have received up to one mil- World Bank, is one of 100 events schools in the region and public lion tenge (US$2,664) in World dedicated to the celebration, re- hearings will be held every six Bank grants for social projects, ported inform.kz. months. A map showing special- The project should help resolve ties demanded in the labour market need to pay mandatory As a part of the issues surrounding employing will be developed and distributed young people and their involve- to educational institutions. Aktau Summit, the ment in the business environment. As a part of the Aktau Summit, Friendship of Youth The venture will not be a profit- the Friendship of Youth 2019 fo- pension contributions making one and the products pro- rum involving young people from implemented in the first quarter pension contributions in their fa- 2019 forum involving duced will be delivered to the re- neighbouring countries will be By Inga Seleznyova of 2019. Once implemented, citi- vour. gion’s orphanages, low-income held this year, he added. zens combining labour activity as Legal entities or individual en- young people families and vulnerable population. The Zhas Project, which last year ASTANA – Freelancers who an employee (that is, within indi- trepreneurs will pay for individu- from neighbouring The participants will attend a covered the Aktobe, East Kazakh- combine work and have employ- vidual labour contracts) and per- als performing work or services three-stage training programme stan, Kostanai, Kyzylorda, North ment contracts will soon be ex- forming work or services under and having contracts with the le- countries will be held to gain vital skills and project Kazakhstan and Zhambyl regions, empted from the obligation to pay civil law contracts nature, will be gal entities or individual entrepre- management, implementing their is being executed from 2017-2020. pension contributions. exempted from the obligation to neurs. In this case legal entities or this year, he added. social projects within six months. Participants are chosen among According to the Ministry of pay mandatory pension contribu- individual entrepreneurs act as tax The monthly stipend will be young people age 14-29 (except Labour and Social Protection, the tions from their income. agents who calculate and pay indi- said regional Youth Policy Depart- 60,000 tenge (US$159.82) for uni- for schoolchildren) living in the Law of Kazakhstan on Amend- But the ministry also reported vidual income tax for freelancers. ment head Bauyrzhan Tuyakov versity graduates and 40,000 tenge territory of the project areas. In ments and Additions to Certain that individuals who perform The ministry’s press service during a press conference related to (US$106.55) for all others. The 2017, the programme attracted ap- Legislative on Employment dat- work or provide services under also reported that the ministry the 2019 Year of Youth in Kazakh- project also offers mentorship for proximately 2,000 youth; last year, ed Dec. 27, 2018 was amended to contract agreements concluded considered the opinion of many stan organised by the Ministry of participants while their projects the figure reached 3,500. simplify the procedure for pay- with individuals are entitled to representatives of this category Information and Communication. are executed. The host organisations, mentors ing mandatory pension contribu- participate in the accumulative of working citizens, government The Year of Youth was an- In addition to the grants, young and young applicants compete for tions. pension system. They can inde- officials and legal entities in mak- nounced in accordance with Presi- people can receive a special grant their place in the project. The changes are expected to be pendently disburse mandatory ing the changes. Mama Pro fund supports mothers of children with special needs, offers entrepreneurship courses that thanks to this project, she due to their youngsters’ special experience. Initially, we created a By Zhanna Shayakhmetova emerged from an eight-month needs. club in support of parents. Its main journey of not wanting to live to a Originally, the fund was a place mission was to support and help ASTANA – Mama Pro, a pub- life of inspiration and drive. where parents shared important face the situation. We did not have lic fund which helps vulnerable In an exclusive interview for information, organised seminars a choice; we all gathered on our in- children and their families, re- this story, Mama Pro co-founder with experts and taught remote terests,” she said. ceived the Tanym award this year. Aizhan Alzhanova noted the or- work skills. They also helped sin- A financial expert by occupa- Launched in 2017, the organisa- ganisation’s main goals are to gle mothers and women suffering tion, Alzhanova became engaged tion makes an invaluable contribu- form a community of parents domestic violence. in social work after her daughter’s tion in addressing the challenges who are willing to promote and “We currently have six people birth. She received a Master’s de- faced by mothers of children with advocate for their children’s on our team. We all have children gree in Inclusive Education Lead- disabilities. rights and empower women who with special needs. Due to this, ership from Nazarbayev Univer- One participant recently noted are trapped in maternity leave we set the tasks based on personal sity. “When we opened the cowork- ing room with a nursery, we decid- ed to launch a kind of mini busi- ness incubator. The training aims to help women to determine their interests and get out of the daily routine,” she said. The centre offers programmes in L-R: President of the Fund Gulsim Semenova, Aizhan Alzhanova and Public various fields. To date, 60 women Relations Manager Assiya Tikeeva. have taken part in training. “Now, we are conducting a sec- ond training on the basics of entre- signed for six months to study will soon be launched in Almaty,” preneurship and computer literacy the basics of business, account- she said. at the Mama Pro training centre,” ing, reporting, computer literacy, The foundation seeks attention she said. goal setting and planning for two to promote its courses and help The centre’s text bureau agency months,” she said. more parents. posts pictures on Instagram. It also As a U.S. State Department “To us, the results are important. offers copywriting courses, allow- graduate, Alzhanova applied for We are glad to see how women are ing women to combine childcare a grant from the American Em- getting enthusiastic about what they and work. bassy in Kazakhstan. Their pro- are doing. Their smile is the best re- “We won a grant from the ject was recognised as one of the ward. The most interesting thing is Soros-Kazakhstan Foundation best among more than 1,000 pro- the unexpected outcomes. Initially, to create the Mama Pro training grammes worldwide. we wanted to support parents. We centre in July. As part of the pro- “We will conduct entrepreneur- were surprised to know that our gramme, 60 women will take part ship courses for 50 women, in- centre helped to improve the skills in free entrepreneurship courses cluding women from the regions. of socialisation among children. and about five initiators from Next year, we plan to expand the Many of them are on home-based other cities will receive guide- fund’s activities in the regions and training now. They come with the lines for opening Mama Pro in launch psychological support in mothers to the centre and they en- their cities. A programme is de- our centre. The Mama Pro centre joy and develop better,” she added. B6 NATION&CAPITAL TOURISM

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 Programmes seek Aktobe archaeological sites can be to attract more housed in open air museums, parks, medical tourists says research centre director related to cardiac surgery, neuro- By Zhanna Shayakhmetova surgery, reproductive medicine, dental services, transplantology, ASTANA – Medical tourists orthopaedics and health proce- from 45 countries come to Ka- dures. zakhstan annually, reported Depu- “We offer not only high-quality ty General Director of the National services. We have many unique fa- Centre for Health Development cilities for recreation, tourism and Aiman Iskakova. sports. More than 140 organisa- Ninety percent of them are citi- tions offer health services based on zens of the Commonwealth of the integrated use of unique natu- Independent States (CIS), mainly ral sources. This sector of medical from Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Uz- tourism includes climate therapy, bekistan while other visitors come hydrotherapy, mud therapy and from China, Iran and Turkey. pantotherapy,” she said. Overall, 1,604 foreign patients The development of medical were registered in the first 10 tourism and other programmes months of 2018. seeks to increase the capacity of healthcare organisations and ser- vices to attract foreign patients. The centre expects the The centre expects the project to project to attract about attract about 32,000 foreign tour- ists and bring more than 1 billion 32,000 foreign tourists tenge (US$2.6 million) from in- bound medical tourism. and bring more than 1 The centre studied the experi- billion tenge (US$2.6 ence in medical tourism develop- ment in five countries including million) from inbound India, Turkey, South Korea, Thai- medical tourism. land and Malaysia. The develop- ment strategy will adopt the best The centre will practices in methodology of statis- tical accounting, internet market- cooperate with tour ing, insurance and other aspects. operators, national The centre will cooperate with tour operators, national and inter- and international national associations to identify and overcome barriers in medical associations. tourism. To date, 16 memoran- dums have been signed with do- “We have highly-qualified spe- mestic and foreign travel compa- cialists. We have advanced medi- nies. vations in the region were carried “Under the leadership of Serik , but there are many ar- cal equipment and favourable The medicaltourism.kz website By Saltanat Boteu out on monuments located in the Azhigali and Rakhim Beknaz- chaeological sites that can tell geographical location. Most im- provides information about medi- north of the city at the beginning arov, ethnographic monuments in who lived in this territory, where portantly, our medical services cal services in the country. It offers ASTANA – Aktobe has many of the 20th century by the ini- the south of the region have been these tribes came from,” he not- are provided at lower prices. In- information about medical organi- archaeological sites to be dis- tiative of Joseph-Antoine Casta- investigated. The , Temir, ed. ternational experts conducted an sations, their equipment, services covered, said Director of the gné,” he noted referring to the Khobda, Martuk and Kargaly ar- “During archaeological exca- analysis of seven surgical services. offered and prices, as well as spe- Research Centre of the region’s French ethnographer and expert eas have been poorly studied,” he vations, we find evidence for our It shows that prices in our country cialists and their qualifications. A Department of Culture, Archives on Central Asia. added. hypotheses. Thus, it was previ- are lower than in India, which is call centre is also planned. and Documentation Aslan Ma- Although the research started The archaeological excava- ously believed that the early no- recognised as the world leader in “The National Centre for medov. Once excavated, parks early in the region, there is space tions are important for expand- madic culture of the Western Ka- terms of costs for medical servic- Health Development joined the and open air museums can be for growth. ing the population’s knowledge zakhstan population dates back es,” said Iskakova. Global Healthcare Travel Council created to attract visitors and in- “The objects of the Martuk, about its ancestors and origins. to the . However, the Kazakhstan takes the 25th place (GHTC) last year. Its members are troduce the region’s history. Alga and Khobda districts have “I believe our people need excavations of our time carried in terms of the number of organi- representatives of national health “After studying the sites, we been well studied during the ar- to know their history because a out in the 1980-1990s show that sations accredited at the Joint councils, associations and nation- can create open air museums or chaeological excavations; the large part of the population has at the end of the sixth-fifth cen- Commission International (JCI) al organisations that regulate the parks in the Aktobe city bound- rest of the region, which is nine no idea how the nomadic cul- turies BC nomadic populations ranking. JCI provides leadership tourism industry and support the aries, where residents and tour- more districts, has not been ture originated, how the Kazakh came to the Aktobe region, main- in international healthcare accredi- medical tourism. GHTC provides ists could get acquainted with studied. Archaeological recon- ethnos appeared and that we ly from the Aral Sea region,” he tation and quality improvement. guidance for the global medical the rich history and culture of naissance was carried out in the have more ancient roots than we added. Currently, seven local organisa- tourism market, sets norms, stand- the ancient people of Kazakh- whole region, but a case study is think,” he said. Although Eurasian nomadic tions have a JCI accreditation. ards and ethics, provides recom- stan,” he said in an interview also needed,” he said. The absence of written sources cultures have many common- Also, about 500 medical organisa- mendations on adjustments to the with kazinform.kz. Similarly, ethnography monu- can be compensated by the infor- alities in arms, horse accessory tions have national accreditation international legal framework for Excavations started in the 20th ments (mosques, mausoleums mation from the excavations. items and animal style, the Ak- certificates, recognised by Inter- medical tourism and supports the century. and kulpytas (stone sculptures)) “Few written sources have tobe region excavations show national Society for Quality in countries in monitoring and evalu- “The archaeological research in the south are well studied, been preserved about the peoples that burial rites and objects of Healthcare since 2012. ating new trends in medical tour- in the Aktobe region has a cen- while the rest of the region re- and tribes who lived in the ter- material culture differ, said Ma- Tourists most often seek care ism,” Iskakova explained. tury of history. The earliest exca- quires more research. ritory of Kazakhstan in the early medov. Public, private Alakol Lake investment drives tourist boom trepreneurs are preparing to build Staff Report their own modern recreation areas and develop infrastructure on the ASTANA – Alakol Lake tourists coasts of the lake. will have an opportunity to enjoy Projects that improve the area a more comfortable stay in a four- can be partially funded by the state star hotel and new entertainment budget as well as private invest- centre this year. Construction on ment. a hotel worth over half a billion “In the future, [the Alakol shore- tenge (US$1.32 million) and an line] will become the largest busi- entertainment centre worth 230 ness centre,” he added. million tenge (US$607,533.5) is Starting in February, it will also underway. be easier to get to Alakol Lake, as Almost 700,000 tourists visited two new L-410 aircraft of Alakol from the side of the East Airlines will operate flights there Kazakhstan region last year. Ex- from three directions – Semey, perts estimate that that number Taldykorgan and Almaty – the will exceed 1 million this year, regional akim’s press service re- 24.kz reports. ported. “Now we are considering land The L-410 is a modern turbo- plots on which it would be pos- prop aircraft manufactured by Air- sible to build four- and five-star craft Industries, designed for 19 hotels and restaurants. All com- passengers. It can land on ground munications need to be brought or snow and can also be used as an to these sites, design and esti- air ambulance. mate documentation is already The government allocated ap- being prepared,” said Akim proximately $4 million over the (Mayor) of Urjar District Serik last two years to develop Alakol Zainuldin. shoreline infrastructure and built In addition to this, nearly 50 en- 180 recreational centres. B7 NATION&CAPITAL SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 Boxer Gennady Golovkin FIDE admits first splits with his promoter Kazakh representatives will oversee chess in education Staff Report By Dilshat Zhussupova and KCF Vice President Zhandos Abishev will oversee events. Addi- ASTANA – Former world mid- ASTANA – Six Kazakh repre- tionally, KCF Vice President Berik dleweight champion Gennady sentatives recently gained mem- Balgabayev will advise FIDE Pres- Golovkin (38-1-1, 34 KOs) has bership in the Fédération Inter- ident Arkady Dvorkovich. parted ways with his promoter, nationale des Échecs (FIDE) Overall, the commission in- Tom Leffler. Now the Kazakh Commission for the first time, re- cludes 224 people from more than fighter is a free agent and is ne- ports the Kazakhstan Chess Fed- 130 countries. Earlier, Kazakhstan gotiating with promoter Eddie eration (KCF) press service. was not represented in the com- Hearn and the DAZN streaming Traditionally, prominent chess mission and now has the greatest service. players who have made a signifi- number of representatives after The split was announced on cant contribution to the game’s de- Russia and the United States. Twitter by ESPN television chan- velopment in their country receive “Following this year, even more opportunities are open to Kazakh- nel insider and expert Dan Rafael. membership, which is determined stan. This not only concerns the Golovkin had not decided on a once every three years. “The decision of the FIDE Presi- game’s development in the coun- new tele-partner by the end of the dential Council in favour of six rep- try,” said Abishev. “We are now year, it was announced earlier. resentatives from Kazakhstan at once part of the federation, influencing “He obviously did not do that. is an indicator of our great apprecia- decision making in the FIDE on key And it was Leffler who said that he tion of KCF’s work under the leader- areas. This is a serious step forward, would choose a tele-partner before ship of Galimzhan Yessenov,” said indicative of our country’s immense Photo credit: kazpravda.kz. Photo credit: the end of the year, and Golovkin KCF Executive Director Irina Grish- potential in the global chess arena.” would no longer work with him,” Tom Leffler (L) and Gennady Golovkin. chenko, who was elected to oversee FIDE, founded in France in 1924, Rafael said. FIDE’s social affairs. “Throughout is an international organisation con- The Los Angeles Times wrote DAZN, in Los Angeles. At this get a court to terminate Golovkin’s which next year decided to leave our time operating (in the country), necting national chess federations in December that Golovkin might meeting, which lasted four hours, contract with Universum from boxing. Golovkin’s last match in our team has achieved immense suc- and governing international chess leave Leffler, though the news Golovkin was given their proposal Germany. Another contender for his contract with HBO was a re- cess in promoting chess here and we competitions. Its close work with wasn’t confirmed until now. for a streaming service and promo- Golovkin was Oscar De La Hoya’s match with Mexico’s Saul Cane- are not going to stop there.” KCF has resulted in several achieve- It was also reported that in the tion deal. It was also reported that Golden Boy Promotions com- lo Alvarez (50-1-2, 34 KOs), in Grandmaster Darmen Sad- ments. Now, Kazakh chess players beginning of December, Golovkin Leffler wasn’t at the eeting.m pany. At the end of last year, Lef- which the Kazakh lost by decision. vakasov will oversee the commis- may meet FIDE Master, Internation- met with promoter Eddie Hearn Golovkin and Leffler began fler launched his own promotional This was the first loss of his career, sion’s global strategy, International al Master and Grandmaster stand- of Matchroom Boxing and John their partnership in 2011, when the company. and with it went his WBC, WBA Master and Woman Grandmaster ards at national tournaments, with- Skipper, a representative of American promoter was able to Since 2012, he spoke on HBO, (Super) and IBO titles. Dinara Saduakassova will oversee out going abroad. KCF also hosts rules and tournament regulations, international tournaments, such as Woman International Master Gul- the Astana Open international chess mira Dauletova will oversee sys- festival, and regularly sends its na- tems of pairings and programmes, tional chess team to compete at of- Tennis player Putintseva Grandmaster Yevgeny Vladimirov ficial FIDE tournaments. ranks 44th in the world Euro 2020 bid will kick off player in Kazakhstan by the Wom- Gavrilova. Putintseva beat her 6:1, opponent is American Sloane Ste- By Aidana Yergaliyeva en’s Tennis Association (WTA). 7:6. The victory was the fourth for phens who defeated Jan. 8 Russian The ranking followed wins at Putintseva in four matches against player Yekaterina Alexandrova. ASTANA – Kazakh professional an international tennis tournament Gavrilova. Another Kazakh player in the against Scotland, Russia tennis player Yulia Putintseva was in Sydney, Australia that began The win put Putintseva in the TOP 100 is Zarina Diyas who is Dmytro Nepohodov and midfielder recently ranked the 44th best player Jan. 6 against Australian and 34th tournament’s main draw, which has ranked 98th. By Dilshat Zhussupova Georgy Zhukov. Following the first in the world and the highest ranked ranked player in the world Daria a prize purse of $823,000. Her next Putintseva easily defeated Diyas round, the team will again meet in two sets, 6:2, 6:2, Jan. 6 in the ASTANA – The Kazakh nation- Russia (Sept. 9) and Scotland (Nov. final qualification. This is the first al football team will begin its Euro 19) at the end of the campaign. victory for Putintseva over Diyas. 2020 qualifying campaign with Kazakhstan will also face Belgium Diyas won the matches against home matches at Astana Arena on June 8 and Oct. 13, San Marino Putintseva in Tokyo in 2017 and against Scotland and Russia March (June 11 and Nov. 16) and Cyprus in New Haven last year. 21 and March 24, respectively, re- (Sept. 6 and Oct. 10). Its toughest com- Sunday morning was a com- ported UEFA.com. petition will be Belgium, which ranks petitive day for both players. The The Union of European Football first and is coached by Roberto Mar- same day Diyas beat Czech Bar- Associations (UEFA) Euro 2020 tinez. Top players feature winger Eden bora Strýcová in an intense match qualifying tournament will deter- Hazard, midfielder Kevin De Bruyne with three sets 7:5, 1:6, 6:4, while mine the 24 UEFA-member men’s and defender Dedryck Boyata. Putintseva defeated local player national teams advancing to the Euro 2020 will be hosted in 12 Destani Aiava 6:0, 6:2. finals. According to the new quali- cities in a dozen European countries Other top Kazakh women’s fication system, 20 teams will pro- to mark the competition’s 60th anni- players are Yelena Rybakina, Anna gress to the finals via the traditional versary. The UEFA Executive Com- Danilina and Gozal Ainitdinova group method and the remaining mittee decision to host the champi- places will be decided through the who are ranked 86th, 344th and onship across the continent for the 2018-2019 UEFA Nations League. first time will alleviate investment 508th in the world respectively. The qualifying draw was broad- costs for host cities and make cel- Simona Halep from Romania cast live to a global audience from ebrating the sport more inclusive. still leads the world rankings. Dublin’s Convention Centre Dec. Euro 2020 venues include Amster- The top three also include Ger- 2, when Kazakhstan discovered its dam’s Johan Cruyff Arena, Baku’s man Angelique Kerber and Danish opponents. Fifty-five national teams Olympic Stadium, Bilbao’s San Caroline Wozniacki. The list is fol- were split into ten groups, with the Mamés, Bucharest’s Arena Națională, lowed by Japanese player Naomi country landing in Group I with Bel- Budapest’s Puskás Aréna, Copen- Osaka, Stephens who moved up gium, Cyprus, Russia, San Marino hagen’s Parken Stadium, Dublin’s one position, and Ukrainian Elina and Scotland. Qualifying games will Aviva Stadium, Glasgow’s Hampden Svitolina. take place from March-November, Park, London’s Wembley Stadium, The Sydney International ended with the top two teams from each Munich’s Allianz Arena, Rome’s Sta- Jan. 12. The tournaments in Syd- group progressing to the finals. dio Olimpico and Saint Petersburg’s ney and Hobart are the final WTA Kazakhstan, ranked 120th, is Krestovsky Stadium. The final will events before the Australian Open, coached by Stanimir Stoilov and be held at Wembley Stadium, known the first Grand Slam of the year features top players centre-half as “the home of football,” which last which began Jan. 14. Yuriy Logvinenko, goalkeeper hosted the event in 1996. Junior hockey team wins hearts at World Juniors, retains spot in top division Continued from Page A1 vakia (11-2), Kazakhstan enjoyed ently,” said Daniyar, as quoted tremendous support from the Ca- by IHF. The Kazakhs also beat the Danes nadian fans. Jerseys and scarves of “They will have confidence in 4-3 in the first relegation round the favourite underdog flew off the the team; they will not just think game after Oleg Boiko, Daniyar shelves. about not being eliminated. They and Yernar Musabayev scored. The following started after will think about going forward and Retaining a spot in the top di- team goalie Demid Yeremeyev’s getting higher spots and moving vision is an important achieve- 51-save effort in a Dec. 27 game past the group stage,” he added. ment for the team. Kazakhstan last against Finland that ended with the Barys team defender Darren Di- played in the top division at the latter’s 5-0 win. The crowd chant- etz, who will play for Kazakhstan World Championship in Ottawa ed “Kazakhstan” and gave him a at the 2019 World Championships, in 2009, then was knocked down a standing ovation throughout the said the World Juniors showed the rank to the first division. game at the Save-On-Foods Me- international community that Ka- Kazakhstan managed to return morial Centre. zakh hockey is gaining momen- to the top group last year for the Neil Diamond’s classic “Sweet tum. first time in a decade when its Caroline” played as the team’s of- “This was fantastic. We were team claimed a 5-2 win in its final ficial goal song. truly proud of them. I think they match against France at the latter’s “For a lot of the guys on this showed the entire world that Ka- Courchevel Ski Resort. team, it was their first time ever zakh hockey is rising. We face Despite losing round-robin pre- at the World Juniors, but when many of them on the ice every day. liminary round games in Victoria they come back next year, it will I think Kazakh hockey and Barys, to Sweden (4-1), Finland (5-0), be their second time so they will in particular, have a future,” he the United States (8-2) and Slo- approach the task a lot differ- said. B8 NATION&CAPITAL CAPITAL

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 Astana Invest contributes to foreign investment growth, focuses on PPP projects ment Programme. It focused on tools. Astana Invest cooperates By Zhanna Shayakhmetova improving the business climate, with government agencies, de- organising work with investors velopment institutions and other ASTANA – Fixed investment and marketing,” said Head of the investment institutions on support in the capital reached 854 bil- Investments and Development of investment projects and is also lion tenge (US$2 billion) in an of Entrepreneurship Division of looking for partners for the joint 11-month period in 2018, reported the city akimat (administration) implementation of investment the Astana Invest press service. Alisher Abdykadyrov. projects,” said Deputy Chair of Foreign investments represented Foreign investments show Astana Invest Muhamed Kabul- 23 percent, or 197 billion tenge steady growth, with their share dinov. (US$530 million). The city is increasing from 15 to 23 percent The company provides informa- demonstrating steady growth in compared to last year. Small busi- tion support, accompanies projects all major indicators of socio-eco- nesses received 70 percent of the and monitors investment activi- nomic development. total investment, creating an eco- ties. The investinastana.kz web- The investment structure is nomic structure in the city that site includes all necessary infor- changing. The share of budget in- leans on small and medium busi- mation for investors and describes vestments decreased from 42 to 24 nesses. The number of foreign the city’s investment climate. percent compared to 2016, while companies has grown almost three “We have more than 190 pro- the share of investments for the times in the last five years. jects worth about 2.9 trillion tenge specified period decreased two- “We help investors at every (US$7 billion). They include 44 fold from 23 to 12 percent com- stage, starting from obtaining an projects with foreign participa- pared to last year. This reduces the investor visa to the conclusion tion and transnational companies burden on the city budget. and signing of a contract. Our help from China, Japan, the UAE, “We have set an ambitious task includes support for investors in Turkey and European countries,” to improve the investment climate. public services, consultation on said head of Astana Invest Inves- Astana meat-processing plant design. Last year, we developed a regional the possibilities of locating the tor’s Support Department Aidan investment strategy, which be- proposed investment project and Ramazan. the past year includes the French investment contracts with a total agreement with Poland’s Thermo came part of the Astana Develop- the use of state investment support The list of major investors over multinational company Alstom, investment of more than $200 mil- Clima MK and two local compa- which invested 330 million tenge lion and creating 1,500 jobs. We nies to build six kindergartens, (US$887,188) in a locomotive also concluded the first investment each accommodating 360 chil- manufacturing and maintenance contract for a state in-kind grant to dren. Private partners will invest plant, creating 10 jobs. Kazakh- construct the high-tech meat-pro- about three billion tenge (US$8 stan Gharysh Sapary and Airbus cessing complex in Astana. It will million). Defence and Space launched a strengthen the ‘food belt’ of Asta- A private partner also invested 72.6 billion tenge (US$195 mil- na, increase the production and more than eight billion tenge lion) project resulting in 80 new processing of meat products in (US$21 million) in the Sergek vid- jobs. the region and expand the export eo surveillance system. Approxi- The incentives provision for in- potential of the livestock industry. mately 13,000 cameras were in- vestment projects has continued. The production capacity will be stalled, including 6,000 on roads, Eleven projects were launched in 24,000 tonnes of meat products 4,000 in crowded places and 3,000 2018 this year, including those per year,” Ramazan noted. at entertainment and business cen- with the participation of foreign Plans for 2019 include inau- tres. Traffic police officers were companies. The 95 billion tenge gurating 10 projects with foreign also provided with tablet devices (US$255 million) investment will companies worth 50 billion tenge and mobile thermal printers. create 800 jobs. (US$134 million) and resulting in Nearly 20 PPP projects are un- Construction of the Abu Dhabi more than 500 jobs. der consideration. Plaza multifunctional complex Public-private partnership “All these measures allow Asta- and a light rail system are under- (PPP) agreements were concluded na to improve and strengthen its way. relating to seven facilities in 2017 position in the Eurasian macro-re- “We provide full support for to improve administrative regu- gion as the most attractive location six potential investors in signing lation, including an educational for investors,” added Ramazan. QR codes offer instant information Smart locks to be installed about street vendors at residential complexes nually for a period of seven years. This initiative is a step toward ity has not been installed as part of duce the number of thefts in apart- By Dilshat Zhussupova Now, these businesses will addi- the capital’s effort to enter the our programme. That is, it was ei- Staff Report ments,” said Daniyar Tipeyev, the tionally be assigned QR codes. world’s top 50 smart communi- ther installed illegally or on private project’s co-founder who devel- ASTANA – Four-hundred Quick QR codes are readable by ma- ties, a task set by Kazakh Presi- property,” explained a Social En- ASTANA – Smart locks will be oped the app within a matter of Response (QR) codes have been chines, usually storing informa- dent Nursultan Nazarbayev in trepreneurship Corporation Astana introduced in the capital’s residen- months. assigned to street vendors of food, tion accessible by a smartphone 2013. Additional city initiatives representative, reports the Astana tial complexes, reports 24.kz. Smart locks from August, Fri- beverage, flowers and souvenirs camera scan. These codes will al- include the Smart Astana project, Akimat (city administration) press A new mobile application will day, Kwikset, Nest, Nuki, Schlage as part of Social Entrepreneurship low any inspector, police officer which incorporates technology- service. allow users to access courtyards, and Yale have become increasingly Corporation Astana’s programme or city resident to view and verify driven solutions at schools, hos- Social Entrepreneurship Cor- parking and apartments with a popular abroad. Still, competition “1000 Places – Street Trade.” Astana street traders’ information, pitals and street lighting. Astana poration Astana, “not being a single electronic key. Access may from more than 100 international The programme “1000 places – such as their legal entity name, residents and guests have been state body, regularly informs the be extended to guests via e-mail manufacturers of smart locks does street trade” has facilitated small lease agreement number and land using its mobile application for authorised state bodies on illegal or short message services (SMS). not faze the Astana project team. and medium-sized business de- plot location and purpose, using everything from making a doc- street trading as part of its land plot The app is suitable for all types “How are we different? Other velopment and streamlined street a smartphone or tablet. A special tor’s appointment to ordering a monitoring,” noted the company’s of premises, including offices and manufacturers of smart locks of- trading in the capital since 2016. near-field communication tag will taxi since 2016. representative. Concrete measures residential apartments, said Yerlan ten have their own app and key for To participate, entrepreneurs may prevent fraudulent QR codes, and Here, smart technology use will on trading activity are conducted Khassenbekov, the chairperson of each lock. Our application is uni- submit a land plot application code violations may be reported to prevent illegal street trading in the exclusively by authorised state one of the capital’s house mainte- versal. We connect to any lock and and, upon permission, rent small Social Entrepreneurship Corpora- capital. bodies, including the city akimat nance firms (KSK). system, and all locks may be man- plots of land for 20,000 tenge tion Astana through the mobile ap- “The absence of a QR code at a and department of urban environ- “Residents who drive usually aged through one application,” he (US$53.96) per square metre an- plication Smart Astana. facility means that the trade facil- ment control and quality. have a separate device for the noted. parking lot and building entrances. The app developers are cur- With the mobile app, users will rently forging e-KSK partnerships have a single electronic key to en- and negotiating with the capital’s ter and exit spaces. This is highly construction companies before the convenient for residents in particu- official launch. Clinics introduce health bracelets lar, which is of the greatest impor- Residential safety is one of the tance,” he added. many areas in Kazakhstan un- “You can apply the single elec- dergoing digital transformation. tronic key to wherever you want to Within five years, the Digital Ka- with patients’ medical records digitise access and remain aware zakhstan state programme aims to an emergency. Contact informa- of the people who have passed digitise parts of the economy, gov- Staff Report tion is embedded in the bracelets through, which will be very clear- ernment and human capital devel- and they will receive an alert mes- ly visible. This provides us with opment and implement a Digital ASTANA – A pilot project in- sage when the QR code is scanned. safety and security, which is very Silk Road and innovative ecosys- volving health bracelets with “There are such cases when pa- applicable to KSK… and may re- tem. QR codes has been introduced at tients come to intensive care; we capital clinics Nos. 4, 9 and 10. don’t know whom to call. Some- The bracelets provide information times, it lasts seven-ten days in about a patient’s medical records intensive care until relatives are and contacts for relatives. The found,” said Nadirov. device should help chronically ill Emergency doctors receive QR individuals during emergency hos- code information on their tablets, pitalisation. said ambulance station head physi- The project is part of the Man- cian Muratov.

agement for Chronic Non-commu- elorda.info. Photo credit: “All the information needed to nicable Diseases programme. Two provide assistance will appear on hundred people were given com- Administration head Kamalzhan to know as much as possible about the tablet in a split second. The pa- plimentary bracelets to participate Nadirov. the patient: what kind of illnesses, tient will immediately receive first in the project, which will continue Several hours to several days are allergic reactions and contraindi- aid. We will know about his or her through March. presently needed to collect infor- cations the person has or had. This allergic status, chronic diseases Individuals suffering from mation about the current state of information is vital to make the and parameters such as height and chronic diseases such as chronic the person’s health. right decision in the shortest time weight, which will help to deter- heart failure, diabetes or hyperten- “According to statistics, every and save lives,” he noted. mine the dosage of drugs. This sion and those who have a high year about 500 patients enter our Similarly, if the person lacks na- is all very important at the stage risk of losing consciousness are in- emergency rooms in an uncon- tional ID, his or her relatives and of emergency medical care,” he volved, said Astana Public Health scious state. At this point, you need friends cannot be found quickly in added.