+28 / +15°C WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2017 No 12 (126) www.astanatimes.com President proposes international Solutions to war in currency, climate solutions at AEF Syria discussed at EAMF ity, to see the thousands of killings, By Zhazira Dyussembekova millions of refugees and destruc- tion of all the beautiful cities.” ASTANA – Representatives of According to him, if conflicts different sides in the Syrian crisis like this are not prevented, it is were joined by Kazakh Foreign “inevitable” that power vacuums Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov will be left in the region, “which to discuss the ongoing conflict in create radical movements and ter- Syria and the role of the Astana rorist groups.” Process during a panel session at He added that Kurds and Turks the annual Eurasian Media Forum are friends and relatives, broth- in Kazakhstan’s capital June 24. ers and sisters, not enemies to The war in Syria is “a terrible each other, and that it is Turkey’s disaster for its people, region and responsibility, as a neighbour, to on a global scale,” Abdrakhmanov contribute to the solution of the said in opening the panel, adding conflict. “Neighbours are respon- that Kazakhstan and its President, sible for creating a secure place for Nursultan Nazarbayev, are doing all Syrians, Arabs and Kurds. They everything they can to help find a should be happy, safe and equal peaceful solution. citizens of Syria,” he said. “The whole process started when Director of the Institute for Mid- two esteemed presidents – Russia’s dle East Strategic Studies Kayhan [Vladimir] Putin and Turkey’s [Re- Barzegar from Iran commented cep Tayyip] Erdogan approached that the way Russia and Iran “are President Nazarbayev with the re- trying to accelerate the political quest to consider the possibility of solution is showing how much the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana, they would like to manage this cri- hosting a meeting between the sis.” Syrian government and armed op- Ultimately, the fight in Syria is position groups, those who joined against terrorism, he said. “Syria the renowned ceasefire agreement might not be connected to Iran by of 2016,” said Abdrakhmanov, re- border, but it is to Iraq. It goes to eration Organisation (SCO). The The head of state said the un- economic model is needed. It calling the history of the Astana the national security context.” By Zhanna Shayakhmetova SCO countries’ participation in precedented speed of changing should be based on clean energy, Process. Iran would accept a collective the development of the New Silk the modern world and the advent joint efforts and collective respon- Nazarbayev immediately agreed compromise, Barzegar said. “That ASTANA – Kazakh President Road programme creates a new of an era of new discoveries and sibility, taking into account the to provide a platform for the meet- is why I think negotiations in Asta- Nursultan Nazarbayev said during economic sub-region. United Na- scientific and technical solutions interests of the whole world,” he ing under the auspices of three na are a positive step, because it is a June 16 plenary session of the tions Secretary General Antonio radically transform the nature of said. guarantor states. focusing on the subject. It is not in 10th Astana Economic Forum that Guterres noted that ‘the organisa- economic growth and life. But The President suggested revis- “We consider the Astana Process the context of traditional geopo- the forum is being held at a histori- tion is an important foundation of global economic policy does not ing the methodology to calculate to be complementary to the Gene- litical rivalry between states,” he cally crucial moment for the Eura- today’s world order’ and inclusive fully meet modern challenges, per capita gross domestic product va one. We support the leading role noted, adding that the main focus sian space. development is the most powerful including a critical level of envi- as it is one of the important aspects of the United Nations and the spe- should be on the integrity of Syria. “A new global player with a tool for preserving peace. Inclu- ronmental pollution and growing of the development of the world cial representative of this organi- Political representative of Free market capacity of 3 billion people sive and sustainable development imbalances in global energy con- economy. sation and its Secretary General to Syrian Army Salim Hudaifah said was created with India and Paki- is in the focus of today’s forum,” sumption. the crisis has been complicated by stan’s joining the Shanghai Coop- Nazarbayev said in his remarks. “A gradual transition to a new Continued on Page A4 lead the Geneva Process to find a political solution,” he added. many factors. Now is the time to take some real “One of them is a conflict of action on ground, said the minister. interest between regime friends “The creation of four de-escalation and opposition friends, especially zones in Syria proved to be so far large, powerful countries, such as the only viable [action[ leading the United States, Russia. They all Foreign Investors Council try to achieve their interests around to the peaceful settlement of the situation in Syria. And I hope very the world, not only in the Middle much that all observers including East. At the same time, there is a the United States will pay atten- conflict of interest between friends discusses future energy in Astana of parties, between Iran and Rus- tion to that achievement within the the council is changing steadily. newable energy across 37 coun- Kazakhstan’s enormous potential Astana Process. Of course, much By Assel Satubaldina Before proceeding to the agenda, I tries with the volume of invest- in the use of these innovations. depends on the guarantor states,” would like to introduce new mem- ments in this area equalling $1.9 That is why GE actively supports he said. ASTANA – The 30th plenary bers of the council. They are the billion in Kazakhstan, the EBRD Kazakhstan’s vision of Industrial Later that day, in a briefing with session of the Foreign Investors Asian Development Bank’s Vice- and Kazakhstan recently agreed Internet driving future growth of the media, Abdrakhmanov an- Council under the President of President for Private Sector and on basic terms of the agreement on Kazakhstan, which was put for- nounced that Kazakhstan and a Kazakhstan took place June 22 in Co-financing Operations Diwakar a wind power plant in South Ka- ward by President Nazarbayev,” group of like-minded countries are Astana, bringing nearly 300 par- Gupta and Marubeni’s Regional zakhstan region and doubled the said Simonelli. pursuing a Code of Conduct dur- ticipants to the capital, including CEO for Europe, Africa and CIS size of Burnoe solar power plant in German Gref, CEO of Russia’s ing Antiterrorist Operations to be top executives of world’s leading Naoya Iwashita. They replaced Zhambyl region. largest commercial lender, Sber- adopted at the UN. companies in various fields. their colleagues who retired. There Special attention was paid to bank, also asserted the impor- Two years ago, in remarks at the Kazakh President Nursultan are also new members from the the digitalisation of economy and tance of keeping up with emerging UN General Assembly in Septem- Nazarbayev chaired the session Kazakh side,” Nazarbayev noted. industrial processes, which could trends in global economy, among ber 2015, Nazarbayev offered to devoted this year to Future Ener- With Future Energy being on top help world economies decrease which is digitalisation. create a global antiterrorist coali- gy, which coincides with the main of the meeting’s agenda, partici- operation costs and increase pro- “Those who fail to stick to the tion under the auspices of the Unit- theme of the much-anticipated pants discussed the implementa- ductivity. “For the first time in digitalisation trend today will be ed Nations to combat transnational EXPO 2017 that opened its doors tion of previous meeting’s recom- history, digital technologies can late tomorrow and it will cost much terrorism and extremism. This in early June. mendations and challenges that provide us with a unified picture for large structures and states. Ka- initiative included the creation of “This year marks the 19th anni- world economies are facing today of the entire energy chain from en- zakhstan needs to pay attention uniform definitions for a number versary of the council. Our meet- on their path to clean energy. ergy generation to its supply and to several specific trends. First, of terms. ings have turned into a good tra- President of the European Bank consumption,” said General Elec- digitalisation of public services. “In the case of Syria, you see Senator Dariga Nazarbayeva, head of dition over these years. We have for Reconstruction and Develop- tric Oil & Gas President Lorenzo Kazakhstan is able to achieve the EAMF organising committee. that, unfortunately, all the ter- done a great job. You provided an ment (EBRD) Sir Suma Chakra- Simonelli. that in short time creating a com- rorist forces have concentrated enormous help to Kazakhstan in barti stressed Kazakhstan’s active He outlined GE’s cooperation petitive state by cutting number sia, the U.S., Turkey, Saudi Ara- here, which is really hindering the building our economy and carry- role in contributing to international with Kazakh companies, such as of officials, bureaucracy and time bia,” he stated. search for a political settlement to ing out reforms, which we are now efforts in the field of future energy. Air Astana, Tengizchevroil and needed to provide a service. Intro- Talking about the main enemies this crisis. In the Code, in addition implementing,” Nazarbayev said “Kazakhstan and EBRD are writ- Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, in digi- ducing artificial intelligence in all of the Free Syrian Army at the mo- to trying to determine a common during his opening speech. ing a new chapter of this story al- talisation of their operations. state sectors will help fulfilling this ment, Hudaifah stressed that both denominator, let’s say, by uniting He also welcomed new members most every day,” he added. “Rich resources, human capital objective,” he said. ISIS and the Syrian government of the council. “It is natural that Being the largest investor in re- and modern industries help us see Continued on Page A4 the efforts of all parties that are re- forces are their enemies, adding ally interested in combating inter- that their army has taken over national terrorism and extremism, 5,000 square kilometres. we will also try to make a step to- Journalist from Syria Alaa Ebra- wards ensuring that during the an- him echoed that the main priority titerrorist operations, all countries should be combating terror. “The Economy grows 4.1% in five rely on one common position. As problem, when it comes to the soon as the UN experts and Se- Syrian conflict, is that everyone, curity Council members approve including regional, international the text of this document, it will powers, organisations, say they months, minister says be presented to the world commu- want a political solution, but at the terms dropped to 7.5 percent com- of industrial, innovative and in- and real estate transactions up 13.5 nity,” he stated. same time they continue to support By Aigerim Seisembayeva pared to 16.7 percent in May 2016. frastructure projects within the percent up to 251.8 billion tenge The foreign minister also denied and work for a military one,” he Monthly inflation in May this year Nurly Zhol (Bright Path) state (US$796 million). recent press reports about Kazakh- said. stan negotiating to send its troops ASTANA – Kazakh GDP grew was 0.5 percent. programme and the State Pro- Average nominal income of the According to the journalist, to Syria. “We are not conducting “many organisations and govern- 4.1 percent in January-May com- According to Suleimenov, the gramme of Accelerated Indus- population in January-April 2017 was 308,400 tenge ($975) and any official negotiations regard- ments want to change the regime pared to the same period in 2016, volume of investments in fixed trial and Innovative Development ing sending our armed services to in Syria. They send money and said Minister of National Econ- assets increased 5.2 percent, with (SPAIID). increased 8.2 percent in nominal terms compared to the correspond- Syria,” he said. weapons and they allow fighters in omy Timur Suleimenov during a 5.5 percent growth in January- In January-April 2017, significant ing period in 2016, a real increase Former President of Turkey Ab- the country.” June 13 government meeting. April and 3.1 percent growth in growth in investments was observed of 0.5 percent. dullah Gül, who also participated “And now we end up with a situ- Over the same period, inflation January-March. The growth is in agriculture up 26.3 percent up to in the panel, emphasised that “it is ation in which Syria has become a was 3.3 percent. Inflation in annual explained by the implementation 47.2 billion tenge (US$150 million) Continued on Page A4 a shame for all of us, for human- haven for terrorists,” he stated.

INSIDE NATION ECONOMY&BUSINESS EDITORIALS OPINIONS NATION&CAPITAL Kazakhstan conducts first stage of nuclear EBRD to continue supporting Kazakhstan in EXPO 2017 opens to success, offers path to ÇAVUŞOĞLU: Surge in Diplomacy, French connection: Kazakhstan’s modern fusion reactor physical launch A2 economic endeavours, says EBRD officialA4 the future A6 Action in Mediation A7 history captured by French journalist B1 Civil Service Affairs and Anti-Corruption US, Kazakh business circles gather in Astana Modernisation of social and cultural spheres: HOAGLAND: U.S.-Kazakhstan relations: Daytrip from Astana: Borovoye summer Agency seek to fight quasi-public sector for US-Kazakh business forum A5 global experiences and Kazakhstan A6 a case for people-to-people diplomacy A7 highlights B6 procurement corruption A2

US$ 1 = 322.01 KZT € 1 = 362.42 KZT 1 = 5.46 KZT A2 NATION

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2017

NATIONAL Kazakhstan conducts first stage of nuclear NEWS IN BRIEF The Kazakh government adopted a resolution June 20 to rename Astana International Air- fusion reactor physical launch port as Nursultan Nazarbayev Unlike nuclear fission reactors tre’s Kurchatov Institute and State International Airport. “A deci- sion to name Astana Airport in By Assel Satubaldina widespread across the world, nu- Research Centre of the Russian clear fusion reactors produce en- Federation Troitsk Institute for honour of Nursultan Nazarbayev ASTANA – National Nuclear ergy by fusing atoms. However, Innovation and Fusion Research. was made on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the capital. The Centre of Kazakhstan completed it has long been a difficult task for Following the launch, the National head of state’s decision to move June 9 the first stage of physi- scientists to achieve the generation Nuclear Centre of Kazakhstan and the capital to Astana was of stra- cal launch of Kazakh Tokamak of energy through nuclear fusion, Kurchatov Institute signed a proto- tegic importance. International for Material Testing (KTM), a the same mechanism going on col stating that the main goals of forums that have a direct impact nuclear fusion reactor developed in the Sun, yet hard to achieve at the first stage of physical launch of on global politics are held in the jointly with Russia and at the in- earth conditions. KTM were achieved. city. Unique buildings in Astana struction of Kazakhstan President In accordance with the adopted In the meantime, the work is that have no analogues were con- Nursultan Nazarbayev. programme of physical launch of underway, and KTM is scheduled structed at the President’s instruc-  “One of the main issues im- the KTM, the goal of the physical to be commissioned by the end of tions. Infrastructure facilities are portant for building future ther- launch phase is to debug and check 2017. in special focus. The airport has a monuclear reactors has been the the working capacity of KTM sys- According to Batyrbekov, the new image that is fully consistent creation and testing of structural tems. This stage entails adjustment research potential of KTM will ad- with the status of the capital after materials. This problem will be of the initial phase of the plasma dress numerous engineering and its reconstruction,” said Senate discharge scenario – formation of scientific issues. Indeed, in the next solved with the launch of Ka- Chair Kassym-Jomart Tokayev Photo credit: nnc.kz Photo credit: two years, the facility will turn into zakh Tokamak for Material Test- necessary conditions inside a vac- in a statement released by the ing,” said General Secretary of uum camera of KTM with follow- a platform for joint research under Senate press service. the National Nuclear Centre of 1950s a group of Soviet scien- rial testing at heat equal to 20 meg- ing break-down. the programme of cooperation of Kazakhstan Erlan Batyrbekov. tists produced the first tokam- awatts per a square metre, which The work involved experts from Commonwealth of Independent aks. meets the parametres of energy Kazakh President Nursul- The event took place in Kur- the National Nuclear Centre of Ka- States countries in the peaceful use tan Nazarbayev signed the law chatov in eastern Kazakhstan, “The Kazakh-made Tokamak load for future thermonuclear re- zakhstan, thermonuclear research of atomic energy until 2020 called will serve as a platform for mate- actors,” Batyrbekov added. “On amendments and additions the same place where in the unit of the National Research Cen- Cooperation Atom-CIS. to some legislative acts on so- cial wellbeing issues” aimed at improving the social security system. Pension payments and childbirth allowances will be increased beginning July 1. The Civil Service Affairs and Anti-Corruption Agency seek minimum pension is expected to be 40,950 tenge (US$127) and childbirth allowances will in- crease 20 percent. The maximum to fight quasi-public sector procurement corruption amount of income accepted for A number of measures to elimi- A need also exists to introduce expenditure of public funds and assigning pensions by age will By Zhanna Shayakhmetova nate corruption in quasi-public appropriate changes in criminal allocations and to create a special be raised from 41 to 46 monthly sector procurement were an- and administrative legislation in working group consisting of repre- calculated indices (MCI). Com- ASTANA – The imperfection nounced at the meeting. terms of expanding the range of sentatives of interested state bodies. pulsory contributions to employ- of the legislative base contributes “There is a proposal to revise subjects of corruption offenses. The institution of public control at ee pensions will be introduced to the growth of corruption in the approach to procurement in The norms of the legislative acts all stages of managing the activities in 2020. The MCI is currently quasi-public sector procurement, the quasi-public sector, to develop should be disseminated adequately of companies in the quasi-public 2,269 tenge (US$7). said Civil Service Affairs and a separate law and to introduce in terms of discussion, approval, sector should also be introduced. Anti-Corruption Agency Deputy modern electronic procurement registration, introduction and pub- “We propose rotating employees Almaty city authorities an- Chairperson Alik Shpekbayev at a Alik Shpekbayev mechanisms to exclude corrup- lication of internal documents. An- every two years, taking into ac- nounced plans for free entry into June 12 roundtable on legislative tion risks in this area. There is a ti-corruption expertise should also count the fact that the procurement Ile-Alatau National Park and regulation of quasi-public sector 51 offences have been recorded need to take into consideration the be conducted. sector has high corruption risks. improve its infrastructure in the procurement. since the beginning of this year, introduction of a centralised pro- “This directly influences the This is also an international prac- near future, according to Vlast.  The number of corruption of- reported Kapital.kz. curement system in the quasi-pub- public’s attitude. Citizens must tice,” he said. kz. The individual entry fee is fenses in public procurement in The main problem is that only lic sector ensuring transparency know what documents and norma- Taking measures to conduct an currently 226 tenge (US$0.70) quasi-public sector companies has individuals performing admin- in decision-making according to tive acts are adopted in the joint external analysis of corruption and 200 tenge (US$0.60) for increased 1.5 times this year in istrative functions are subject to world experience. This experience stock companies,” he said. risks, as provided by the law on cleaning and protection. “The comparison to the previous year. corruption offenses, according to is widespread in Denmark, South It is important to audit all inter- anti-corruption in the companies budget allocations will be pro- One hundred and thirty seven of- the criminal code and the law on Korea, the U.S. and the U.K.,” said nal documents of national holdings in the quasi-public sector, is also vided for free entry,” said Al- fences were registered in 2016 and combating corruption. Shpekbayev. and companies that regulate the necessary. maty Tourism and External Re- lations Department deputy head Sagynbek Bekmagambetov. Fif- teen million tenge (US$46,485) will be allocated for redevelop- ment, including an information International experts discuss sustainable energy, board, signpost installation and renovating bridges and benches. Updating mountain trails will be economic development at Astana Economic Forum completed by August. in Kazakhstan. Participants also routes, multimodal transport, new Among the outcomes of the fo- The Museum for All, the first By Zhazira Dyussembekova discussed the impact of the global segments of the market and Eura- rum was an announcement by the interactive exhibition adapted trends on the Kazakh economy by sian transit corridors. Central Asia Transport Logistics for people with visual impair- ASTANA – More than 4,000 the view of international financial This year’s key speakers pre- Partnership, which unites more ments, opened at Almaty’s participants from 100 countries organisations. sented their views at the session than 40 public and private trans- Abilkhan Kasteev Museum, ac- gathered June 15-16 in Astana for During those years, World Bank called Globalisation: a Future port and logistics companies of cording to Khabar.kz. It features the 10th annual Astana Economic has supported the implementation Full of Uncertainties. Author of the region, of an action plan to 24 artefacts, 12 of which are du- Forum. The forum focused primar- of 45 projects worth $8 billion. the bestsellers “Black Swan” and strengthen regional transport and plicated as tactile models. The ily on renewable energy and green Nearly 1,300 kilometres of the “Confessions of an Economic transit in the region to spur sus- museum’s exhibits were special- economy under the theme “New roads were built and modernised Hit Man” Nassim Taleb and Eco- tainable economic growth. The ly altered for tactile perception, Energy – New Economy” as well in the country. Also, the ecologi- nomic Adviser to the President of plan focuses on policy and legis- such as copies of paintings by fa- as discussions of sustainable eco- cal situation at the Aral Sea region Russia Sergei Glazyev, as well as lative changes and workforce de- mous Kazakh artists reproduced nomic growth, world trade and in- has been improved. The SCD con- Chairperson of JP Morgan Chase velopment that contribute to the as bas-relief and providing all frastructure. ducted by the World Bank helps International Jacob Frenkel talked improvement of regional transport descriptions in a special Braille

 The forum was held at the primeminister.kz Photo credit: the government get an objective about global economic outlook corridors and transit connections font. “Audio description of the start of EXPO 2017, which fea- Bakytzhan Sagintayev assessment, identify opportunities amid uncertainties and sustainable to encourage better trade and in- pictures in three languages is the tures a theme of Future Energy. and risks, problem nodes and get growth. vestment. most interesting thing. Visitors “It is significant that we are wake of new growth points is the recommendations for their resolu- At the session Building Institu- Also within the forum, Astana can use audio or guided tours,” gathering for the 10th time. This task of the third modernisation of tion, according to the prime minis- tional Environment for Sustainable International Financial Centre said Arzhan Public Fund head year our forum coincided with the the country,” said Sagintayev. ter’s statement. Growth, a comprehensive country (AIFC) and MasterCard agreed to Kassiet Omarova. The fund aims expo. During this time, our forum To reach the goal, the govern- At the same session, the Euro- review (Multidimensional Country jointly implement innovative pay- to make art accessible to those has earned authority, has become ment works in five areas, such as pean Bank for Reconstruction and Review, or MDCR) and Organisa- ment technologies and develop who are physically challenged. a constructive platform for dis- accelerated technological modern- Development (EBRD) called on tion for Economic Cooperation Kazakhstan’s non-cash economy. More than 150 people created cussing topical issues. I am sure isation of the economy, improving Kazakhstan to deepen its reform and Development’s (OECD) up- As AIFC Governor Kairat Ke- the display in two and a-half the Astana forum will help all its the business environment, macro- efforts. dated overview of Kazakhstan’s limbetov noted, the parties will months and the exhibit is sched- participants to find answers to the economic stability, ensuring pro- “According to our latest fore- investment policy with the recom- develop the infrastructure of the uled to open in the capital. challenges of our time,” said Ka- ductive employment and improv- cast, Kazakhstan’s economy will mendations were presented. financial centre, including modern zakh Prime Minister Bakytzhan ing the quality of human capital. grow by 3.5 percent in 2018 and “There will always be a compe- payment technologies. Four specialised sports Sagintayev at a session titled Ka- Along with this, eight direc- 2.4 percent in 2017. But to make tition for investments, and our task “I think it is very important for grounds were opened in Kyzy- zakhstan – Systematic Country tions of the country’s develop- sure that growth happens and ex- is always to be the first in this fight. today’s discussion to allow us to lorda, reported the Kazakhstan Diagnostic. ment have been identified, the ceeds forecasts, continuing reform Therefore, we highly appreciate realise the commitments that the Street Workout Federation press The Kazakh government aims prime minister said, including efforts are crucial,” said EBRD these recommendations, and their Kazakh government made at the service. The National Olympic to increase the country’s economy the fuel and energy complex, the Director for Kazakhstan Agris high-quality implementation is very Paris conference. And it seems to Committee implemented the pro- development rate to 5.5 percent, he basic sectors of the economy, the Preimanis. [On June 16, President important in the process of strength- me that everyone in Kazakhstan ject. “Such areas are in great de- said. This is one of the main tasks agro-industrial complex, trans- Nursultan Nazarbayev, speaking ening the economy of Kazakhstan. at the level of both the govern- mand among residents, not only of the third modernisation. port and logistics, tourism, trade, at the AEF plenary session, an- I would like to express my sincere ment and local administration un- among professional athletes. “Step-by-step we should reach education and health. nounced that Kazakhstan’s econo- gratitude to the Secretariat and the derstand that the theme of expo, On average, about 2,000 young a growth rate of 5.5 percent by “Target indicators have been de- my grew 4 percent in the first five OECD partners for the contribution which we are hosting now, the people visit sports grounds in a 2021. It is a difficult situation, but fined for each direction and each months of 2017.] to improving the investment climate topic of Future Energy, is, indeed, month,” said federation presi- we can say that we have adapted to minister knows their goals and He added that as the external in Kazakhstan, for useful recom- a very important topic, and that dent Damir Muminov. Twenty the price of raw materials that we in what year we should achieve economic environment is improv- mendations and fruitful work,” said we need a long-term strategy, a types of gymnastics equipment, have. Other sectors of the econo- them,” he added. ing, the country needs to make Kazakh Vice Minister for Invest- vision and an action plan. And I including horizontal bars and my are already beginning to work This year is the 25th anniver- another push for structural reform, ments and Development Yerlan believe that as part of this activ- street-wrestling bars, are located and rise. The economy is chang- sary of cooperation between Ka- creating a competitive, green and Khairov at the session. ity, as the AIFC together with the in an area measuring more than ing, new fields, professions are zakhstan and the World Bank. At inclusive economy. One of the AEF’s events was EBRD, we have created a very 500 square metres. A bar bars emerging, as well as new challeng- the mentioned session, the bank Within the AEF, Fourth Interna- dedicated to the Samruk Kazyna outstanding team of experts who team held an exhibition perfor- es and opportunities. And, there- presented a systematic country di- tional Transport and Logistic Busi- Sovereign Wealth Fund’s privati- are now helping us to develop a mance and open training session. fore, today Kazakhstan faces an agnostic (SCD), which covers the ness Forum titled New Silk Way sation programme, including the master plan and concept papers As part of the initiative, 21 sports ambitious task to consolidate the preliminary findings relating to took place as well. The partici- upcoming IPO of Kazatomprom, on the creation of a green finan- grounds were opened last year in achieved successes and develop in the main pathways to reduce pov- pants discussed world trends and Kazakhstan Temir Zholy and Air cial system in Kazakhstan,” said Aktau, Aktobe, Almaty, Astana, a new global reality. To be in the erty and boost shared prosperity their impact on transcontinental Astana. Kelimbetov. Shymkent and Zhanaozen. A3 EURASIA&WORLD

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2017

EXTERNAL NEWS IN BRIEF Switzerland ready to assist Central Asian Kazakhstan and China have signed 22 agreements worth ap- proximately $7 billion, Khabar Agency reports. According to countries with water management head of the Samruk Kazyna Na- sustainable development, organis- – Water Security and Mutually guaranteeing the safety of water tional Welfare Fund Umirzak By Malika Orazgaliyeva ing a high-level international con- Beneficial Growth.” Experts from ecological systems. Shukeyev, these projects are ference on reaffirming the princi- Central Asia and Switzerland at- Burkhalter noted that the drains of mostly aimed at the development ASTANA ­– Kazakh Foreign ples of international law, creating tended. many European rivers start in Swit- of renewable energy. The sides Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov a global anti-terrorist network and Abdrakhmanov said Central zerland and said Switzerland is ready also want to launch an enterprise and Swiss Head of the Federal forming a single list of terrorist or- Asia presents a united front on to share its water management expe- for the production of methanol Department of Foreign Affairs Di- ganisations. many regional and global issues. rience with Central Asian countries. and ammonia, as well as a plant dier Burkhalter discussed bilateral Burkhalter noted the role of Ka- “We can see the positive dynam- “We intend to analyse the pro- for caustic soda production. Sam- cooperation and took part June 19 zakhstan in the international arena, ics of a dialogue on development cess, intensify the political dia- ruk Kazyna’s Co-Managing Di- in an international conference on stressing the country’s contribu- of water issues in the region. We logue and assist in solving water rector Yerzhan Tutkushev noted water resources management in tion for a peaceful settlement of welcome the involvement of Swit- issues in the region,” he added. that some 20 commercial agree- Central Asia in Astana. the situation in Syria within the zerland, which has significant ex- Switzerland participated in pre- ments were signed. Five of the During the meeting, Abdra- framework of the Astana Process. perience in this sphere,” he said. vious water management confer- Photo credit: Kulpash Konyrova Photo credit: khmanov noted the high level of He also said Switzerland is ready The water deficit is considered ences involving Central Asia in agreements transferred through Didier Burkhalter Samruk Kazyna are valued at bilateral political and economic to cooperate on a range of regional one of the top ten global challeng- November 2014 in Basel and Sep- $4.5 billion. “If the projects are partnership and said Switzerland is issues, including management of es. Therefore, Kazakhstan’s main tember 2016 in Almaty. implemented in accordance with one of Kazakhstan’s largest trade Abdrakhmanov also emphasised Central Asia’s water resources. objectives include providing water While in Astana, Burkhalter also the schedules, 11,000 new jobs and investment partners. Bilateral the relevance of President Nur- Earlier in the day, the two min- resources to the population and in- visited the Swiss pavilion, which will be created during construc- trade in 2016 was $2.8 billion. sultan Nazarbayev’s initiatives, isters addressed the third interna- dustry using water-saving technol- uses Flower Power as its slogan, tion of these facilities and about Regarding the cooperation in the including allocating 1 percent of tional conference, “Water World ogies, improving the efficiency of as well as toured a number of pa- 5,000 jobs during their opera- framework of the United Nations, the countries’ defence budgets to in Central Asia: Agenda for 2030 water resources management and vilions of Central Asian nations. tion,” he said.

The international specialised exhibition EXPO 2017 in Astana is in the focus of international Eurasian Media Forum discusses mass media, Kazakh TV reports. The media cites the American Forbes magazine, which pub- lished the article “With World media’s role in a changing world Expo 2017, Kazakhstan Takes an- changes in the technological order curity without freedom is slavery. and existential threats not just in give. Of course, we have negative other Step onto the Global Stage.” By Zhanna Shayakhmetova is consonant with the theme of the Freedom without security is com- geopolitics but also in the corpo- effects from financial instability to The article goes on to explain that exhibition in Astana,” Abdykalik- plete chaos where you are lost, rate sector as well. The walls and international terrorism. They re- the expo will most likely be the ASTANA – More than 600 del- ova said. abandoned, you don’t know what bridges are moving significantly,” quire a more cooperative, global turning point in the young na- egates from 60 countries gathered In her opening speech, EAMF to do. The question is what the he said. approach,” he added. tion’s history and support its de- June 22-24 near the site of EXPO Organising Committee Chair Dari- modern generation will choose,” Former European Commission Former Turkish President Ab- velopment of renewable energy. 2017 for the 14th Eurasian Media ga Nazarbayeva said the society is she said. President José Manuel Barroso dullah Gül said that today inequal- An Indonesian publication, the Forum (EAMF) to discuss the me- in a condition of political instabil- “We cannot build a new bal- outlined general trends against glo- ity and populism lead to conflict. Jakarta Post, wrote about the role dia’s role in a turbulent world. ity and technological revolution. anced world based only on nar- balisation and spoke about Brexit World leaders should prefer values of the expo in the development “When the world undergoes The forum aims to help the media row-minded ideologies, negative consequences, new approaches of such as democracy and the rule of of renewable energy sources on a dramatic changes, the demand community find answers to issues stereotypes and pessimism. We Trump’s policy, the United States law otherwise problems grow and global scale, Kazakh TV writes. for dialogue platforms inevitably about the future and professional should raise a new generation of withdrawal from the Paris Agree- trends become serious. The article says the technologies increases. The media should be- ethics. strong people and the past trag- ment and China as a stable partner “Sense of collectivism is dis- showcased in the expo can be ap- come the leaders of this process “The present period is an era edies won’t be obstacle to moving in global interaction in his speech. appearing. I see in the future we plied in different countries. A re- and concentrate efforts on uniting of uncertainty and fear, an era forward,” she said. “Globalisation is happening might face more problems and the porter with Turkey’s TRT was im- nations and countries, rather than of uncontrolled freedom. Is this Reporters, Nazarbayeva noted, today and it is done by science, world is not ready to challenge, to pressed by the opening ceremony. erect new barriers. The world has true? Globalisation was associated should take some semblance of the technology, information, commu- tackle, to handle these problems,” The Italian newspaper Affari Ital- entered an era of the new informa- with progress. Now globalisation Hippocratic Oath and be guided nication. The reality is that there is he said. iani’s article says that Kazakhstan tion environment, and we must do frightens people and, as a result, by the most important principle of not one country that is controlling Delegates also discussed the is rich in traditional sources of everything to encourage partner- they oppose the globalisation with healing, “Do not harm,” just like globalisation. Some time ago some green economy concept, sustain- energy, but the forward thinking ship and knowledge sharing,” said the ideas of radicalism, national- medical experts. people were making suggestions ability in the era of crises and steps country is developing renewa- Kazakh State Secretary Gulshara ism and the rejection of integration British television journalist that globalisation is some form of towards global leadership in world bles. Belgian newspaper the Brus- Abdykalikova in opening remarks processes,” she said. Nik Gowing, who moderated the americanisation of the world. This markets and how information flow sels Express notes that 2017 will as she read out the welcoming ad- The terrorist attacks and the civil first panel session under the ti- is simply not true … When there changed the world. definitely become a benchmark in dress from President Nursultan war in the Middle East dramatical- tle “Changes in the world order: are very strong winds of globali- A series of masterclasses on me- Kazakhstan’s history. In addition Nazarbayev. ly increased flows of refugees that building bridges or walls?” said sation people tend to close them- dia-related subjects were conduct- to everything else happening in Nazarbayev noted the forum has have become a heavy burden for that many things have happened selves, to try to retreat and there’s ed by experts, including Newseum the country, Kazakhstan became become known over its 15-year many European countries. since last year’s meeting, includ- isolation, protectionism, nativism, Vice Chair Shelby Coffey, Finan- a non-permanent member of the history as a place to discuss media “There are two crucial values ing the U.K.’s vote to leave the phobia,” he said. cial Times special representative UN Security Council in January. and global issues. without which human life is sim- European Union, the presidency Barroso said that if people want David Applefield, former head “Readiness for the upcoming ply inconceivable. One is security of Donald Trump, fake news phe- to succeed, they have to invite of political press for David Cam- Samruk Kazyna National social and technological changes and the other is freedom,” Naz- nomenon and how one incident be- their children to be open and to eron Giles Kenningham, Bloomb- WKazakhstan has become the is the determining factor for sus- arbayeva said citing Zygmund came a threat to the United States’ embrace the great opportunities erg Media Group Global Director tainable development. The green Bauman. largest airline. of globalisation. “And this is our Todd Baer and others as part of the 48th country joining the Declara- economy as a key direction of “They are both necessary. Se- “These are massive challenges simple message we should try to forum. tion on International Investments and Multinational Enterprises of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development projects was to help profession- “People think that Kazakhstan (OECD) and Associated Member als in the health sector increase will be a big transit country. Yes, of the OECD Investment Com- and improve their skills. What has maybe it will be a transit country, Kazakhstan, WB are strong been best is Kazakhstan’s abil- but that should not be the objective. mittee, Kapital business agency ity to develop as a nation and we reports. By committing itself to It should be that this infrastructure were able to support that and put means that Kazakhstan is integrat- the declaration and joining the in a little bit of support by helping committee, Kazakhstan intends ed into trade channels, into supply partners, says WB official these institutions to develop, then chains that go east, west, north and to ensure fair and transparent “So, when you look back now it finance some of the key infrastruc- south. Once we have that, it will be conditions for international in- By Zhazira Dyussembekova is very impressive. I was a young ture and building capital of peo- a real sign of success. It means that, vestments. It also reaffirms Ka- World Bank staffer in the early ple,” he said. for instance, if you have agricultur- zakhstan’s efforts to encourage ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the 1990s and I was one of the first Muller also spoke on the issue of al exports to China, that it can join investments that foster a positive World Bank (WB) are celebrating people to visit Kazakhstan after reducing the nation’s dependence in immediately in these very well contribution to economic and so- a partnership anniversary this year, the fall of the Soviet Union. I do on natural resources while capital- organised corridors for trade and cial development as well as envi- for in the last 25 years the financial remember how people lived then ising in a modern economy on the economic activity,” said Muller. ronmental protection. As a party institution has funded 45 projects and how the country had to be in- ability for people to connect and Speaking about the region, he to the declaration, Kazakhstan totalling $8 billion. Within the June vented from nothing. In our part- integrate with others. noted the Central Asian counties will participate in investment pol- 15-16 Astana Economic Forum nership, I am most impressed by “When you have a source of share a common background and (AEF), WB’s Vice President for Eu- what the country has achieved. I icy discussions between OECD wealth like oil or minerals, this will history, but every nation has cho- rope and Central Asia Cyril Muller am happy that we have contribut- member states for adapting best enable you to invest more broadly sen its own path. gave an exclusive interview to The Cyril Muller ed, but we did small contributions. international practices to regulate in making a country stronger over “Kazakhstan from the early days Astana Times highlighting some of Overall, that is what I am most im- time. Because if you just use these and attract investments and work has realised that it needed to be the aspects of cooperation, as well could form a solid basis for our fu- pressed by now,” he added. for consumption it is good, you will with OECD experts to design bet- connected to all the countries and as sharing his view of the country. ture programme,” said Muller. The WB needed to do two things consume more; but then at the end ter investment policies. it saw itself as a country that wants  The bank recently announced Reviewing the history of the to assist the new nation. of the day, the wealth of the nation to play a positive role in the region preparation of a new partnership projects, the largest number of “One was to help Kazakhstan is about what the nation can really Kazakhstan’s trade turnover in linking, for instance, China to with member states of the Eura- strategy with Kazakhstan for 2018- loans was provided within the first put in place institutions and poli- produce over time and how produc- 2022, although the focus areas have five years of the partnership, when cies that help economic growth and tive people are. So, the question is Europe, linking Russia, linking sian Economic Union (EAEU) ex- South Asia. From the first day, Ka- ceeded $5 billion between January not been finalized. Under consid- the WB funded 14 projects worth help it to be shared with the whole how you going to move. Use the $1.18 billion. Since 2013, eight zakhstan was the country that was and April 2017, Finprom analyti- eration are economic management, population. The second thing we opportunity of the oil to build a a stronger role of the private sector projects valued at $1.51 billion have done, I think that is important seeing that the world economy is cal agency reports. This indicator good infrastructure in the country, in production opportunities of eco- have been implemented. in Kazakhstan, is funding indi- changing and it is changing very is 40 percent more than in the same to improve it, but more importantly nomic integration and connectivity, “I think when we look back at vidual projects that make material making sure the human capital [im- quickly and the country needed period of 2016. In four months, as well as human capital. the partnership between Kazakh- difference to people,” said Muller, proves]. Because Kazakh people to be flexible and adaptable,” he exports of Kazakh goods in EAEU “Because now we are only start- stan and the World Bank, for me recalling projects such as the Syr are very smart and in the future it added. countries grew 38 percent, reach- ing to translate what we presented what stands out the most is not Darya River and Northern Aral is the economy that will matter the Many challenges, however, are ing $1.6 billion, while imports today [systematic country diag- the individual projects, but more Sea Control, forest protection and most – the ability of people to con- shared across the region. increased 41 percent up to $3.5 nostic of Kazakhstan, presented at the fact that the World Bank and reforestation and southwest roads. nect and use their capital,” he said. “Some of the early challenges billion. An increase in Kazakh- AEF’s session]. It has four areas Kazakhstan became very strong Those loans were good invest- “I trust in those investments in still remain. For example, the is- Russian trade turnover accounts that we consider constraints, ar- partners and that partnership led to ments, he noted, adding every time human capital and if people are sue of water and how to divide for the overall growth of trade eas that need to be focused on for building trust between us. I think he visits he is very pleased by the given a chance to actually use that and use it better continues to be a between EAEU states, as Russia prosperity in the future. I would the main contribution the World fact that the country’s infrastruc- capital, then Kazakhstan will grow real challenge in the region. Also remains Kazakhstan’s largest trade expect the four identified areas Bank did was to support Kazakh- ture has improved. in the future and be a prosperous the issue of the energy, which is partner in the union. Among key will become the key drivers of our stan in trying to find its own way “While we fund physical infra- nation,” he added. also the theme of the expo. These exports in Kazakhstan are iron ore future programme. That’s what forward, its own path for develop- structure, we also try to build the Talk has been circulating around remain extremely high energy in- and concentrates as well as coal, I discussed with Prime Minister ment and prosperity,” said Muller. capacity of people. So, we have the fact that many of the invest- tensive economies and I think that whereas in terms of imports, oil [Bakytzhan] Sagintayev and we He recalled the initial period be- done projects in education and ments were used to improve the it is very good that the theme of the and oil products prevail. agreed that, indeed, those areas ginning in 1992. health. For instance, one of the nation’s transport corridors. expo is energy,” said Muller. A4 ECONOMY

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2017

ECONOMY President proposes international currency, NEWS IN BRIEF The World Bank is set to invest $3.5 billion in a number of large projects in Kazakhstan over the next climate solutions at AEF two years, particularly in education, roads and social health insurance, Continued from Page A1 Transformation of the world fi- base and we are ready to share our tries. And the third modernisation around Qatar complicates sustain- representative of the international nancial architecture should also be experience in this area,” he said. of Kazakhstan will be the right able development. Environmental financial organisation Ato Brown “It is necessary to put on the considered. The head of state noted eco- force to achieve it … It is enough problems, processes of de-glo- said at a meeting with Kazakh State international agenda the issue of “It’s time to consider the in- nomic growth should be based just to look around the develop- balisation, migration flows, and Secretary Gulshara Abdykalikova, developing new methods for calcu- troduction of the global payment on clean energy development and ment of Astana and to recall what paternalism in different countries 24.kz reports. Abdykalikova noted lating indicators that measure the unit. This will save the world from environment preservation. In the it was then and what it is now, to hamper trade, mutual relations and that the bank had supported the de- wealth of countries and the welfare currency wars, speculation, avoid context of the ecological future of appreciate how can one reach high integration,” he said. velopment of a number of industries of their citizens. The GDP indicator distortions in trade relations and the planet, the concept of a nuclear with vision, determination, com- Global challenges in leadership, over 25 years of cooperation. Dur- has a number of significant flaws. It reduce volatility in the markets. weapons-free world is of great im- mitment and with a sense of lead- integration of the transit and water ing this time, 46 projects worth more does not reflect the long-term na- The currency should have a simple portance. ership,” he said. potentials of Greater Eurasia, cor- than $8 billion were implemented. ture of economic activity. It does transparent mechanism of emis- “Kazakhstan is a leader in the Nazarbayev also met with the porate governance as a factor of “Kazakhstan has great prospects not take into account the damage sion, subject to its consumers. A struggle for a world free of nuclear Nobel Prize laureates and top-level investment attractiveness, world for the future. And the World Bank to the environment, including the payment unit of account can be weapons. We are the first and the experts at the Akorda presidential energy system were also on the fo- is ready to support the country in depletion of natural resources. And created in the form of a cryptocur- only country that closed the nu- residence. rum’s agenda. its priority areas. In particular, we it does not reflect the quality of life rency taking into account digitali- clear test site and abandoned its “Meetings with experts are im- The model and roadmap for the are implementing projects in the in a particular country. GDP per sation and block-chain develop- nuclear arsenal. We will continue portant and always interesting. Es- country’s green financial system field of energy efficiency improve- capita does not show the citizens’ ment,” he said. these activities and encourage eve- pecially when important changes development workshop was initi- ment worth $24 million. Projects in well-being and it does not take into The introduction of a global cur- ryone to support us. By this we take place in the world,” he said. ated by the Astana International health care, innovations and agricul- account population stratification by rency is possible by creating a pool reaffirm our commitment to the “Kazakhstan is in the centre of Financial Centre (AIFC). Par- ture have already been financed. We income,” said Nazarbayev. of central banks, for example, the global cooperation and peace,” he world attention regarding the de- ticipants spoke about the role of will assist the country in the future,” The traditional GDP creates a Special Committee at the United added. velopment of new technologies financial centres in green finance Brown said. false perception of economic pros- Nations (UN), he added. This annual platform facilitates due to EXPO 2017. The world development, the conditions for perity. President Nazarbayev also pro- the transfer of knowledge and around us is revolutionising with investing in the green economy The Netherlands has invested “I believe that an updated meth- posed to create a unified informa- speeds up the process of making the technology development. We of Kazakhstan and considered the more than $70 billion in Kazakhstan, odology for calculating GDP can tion system for greenhouse gas strategic decisions, said JP Morgan considered such futuristic tech- best world practices for introduc- said Vice Minister for Investments be adopted on the basis of green emission accounting to cover the Chase International Chairperson nologies as electric vehicles, un- ing green finance. and Development Yerlan Khairov GDP and indices such as the Hu- countries of Eastern Europe, the Jacob Frenkel who moderated the manned vehicles, nanotechnolo- More than 2,500 delegates, in- at the Kazakhstan-Netherlands busi- man Development Index and the Caucasus and Central Asia. session. gies and new types of energy. Now cluding politicians, Nobel laure- ness council, khabar.kz reports. The Organisation for Economic Co-op- “Kazakhstan is the first country “Kazakhstan’s development this is reality.” ates, chief financial officers of Netherlands maintains a leading po- eration and Development (OECD) in the Eastern Europe, the Cauca- strategy is well known, well ap- Nazarbayev said it is impor- Fortune Global 500 companies, sition among international investors. Better Life Index. It should ad- sus and Central Asia that launched preciated, well recognised by the tant to consolidate efforts to solve scientists and economists took At present, 950 joint ventures oper- equately reflect the needs for bal- the greenhouse gas emissions trad- global community. By the year global problems. part in the 20 panel sessions, ate in Kazakhstan’s oil and gas sec- anced development of countries,” ing scheme. We developed and 2050, it is expected to be among “The U.S. withdrawal from the round tables and conferences at tor, with the cooperation of the Kaz- he said. adopted the appropriate regulatory the world top 30 developed coun- Paris agreement and the situation the forum. MunayGas National Company with the Anglo-Dutch company Shell just one example. “The Kingdom of the tal technologies,” Nazarbayev Netherlands is a power with strong said. historical traditions of business. This He also suggested the topic for is the main hub for the oil and gas in- Foreign Investors Council the council’s next session “Accel- dustry. As a representative of the oil erated Modernisation,” which was and gas industry I am aware of how approved unanimously. the Netherlands works in the oil and Established in 1998, the Foreign gas industry. Therefore, this is a very discusses future energy in Astana Investors Council aims to stimulate good example for us and our coop- Continued from Page A1 lated in the Green Economy Con- ADB is ready to work with Ka- modernisation of economy. This greater cooperation and interaction eration with Shell is a vivid example cept adopted by Kazakhstan in zakhstan in developing solutions is what I discussed in my address between Kazakhstan and foreign of the way to develop cooperation in Gupta also highlighted Kazakh- 2013. “Kazakhstan has a potential to promote green economy,” he (to the people of Kazakhstan). investors by serving as a platform all directions,” Daniyar Berlibayev, stan’s active efforts in transition to become a green financial centre noted. We need to develop new indus- for dialogue and providing favour- KazMunayGas executive vice-pres- to green economy, which is stipu- for the entire Central Asian region. “Our priority is an accelerated tries using innovations and digi- able investment conditions. ident for transport, refining and mar- keting said.

regions; a decrease took place in The National Bank is completing three regions. The highest indus- the banking sector recovery pro- try growth rates were indicated in gramme, according to khabar.kz. Economy grows... oil-rich Atyrau (18.6 percent) and The programme assumes the bank’s Continued from Page A1 Industrial production volume to an increase in coal and lignite by 29.2 percent, food products by West Kazakhstan (14.9 percent) support in providing resources in in January-May 2017 increased production of 18.4 percent, natu- 8.3 percent, refining by 7.2 - per regions. The largest decline was exchange for proportional participa- Unemployment rate reached 4.9 7.8 percent. The growth was sig- ral gas of 10.2 percent, non-fer- cent and metallurgy by eight per- recorded in the Kyzylorda region tion of shareholders, said National percent in April 2017. nificantly affected by the extrac- rous metals of 11.7 percent, oil cent. Furniture production grew (2.9 percent). Bank Chairman Daniyar Akishev Suleimenov said that in January- tion of coal and lignite, oil, metal of 9.5percent and iron ore of 8.6 by eight percent, paper and paper Gross agricultural output growth at the June 19 joint session of Par- May, there was a positive dynamic ore, refined petroleum produc- percent. products by 5.6 percent, and non- reached 2.7 percent due to an in- liament. “Indeed, over the past one in industry (growth of 7.8 percent), tion and the metallurgical indus- In manufacturing, the increase metallic mineral products by 4.5 crease in livestock production of and a half years, the situation in the construction (5.1 percent), trans- try. was 6.8 percent due to growth percent. 2.8 percent. banking sector has changed signifi- port (3.7 percent), agriculture (2.7 In mining and quarrying, pro- in pharmaceutical production by In the regions, industrial produc- The volume of construction cantly. I would like to note that it has changed for the better. Liquid- percent) and trade (2.6 percent). duction increased 9.2 percent due 36.8 percent, textile production tion growth was observed in 13 work increased 5.1 percent. ity appeared in the banks. Naturally, liquidity does not immediately flow into lending, as there is a problem in the banking sector, which, most likely, was not solved in previous EBRD to continue supporting Kazakhstan years, after those crises of 2008 and 2009. The loan portfolio banks had then did not generate cash flows that could service all liabilities of banks. in economic endeavours, says EBRD official Accordingly, the banks did not fully reflect the objective situation in their EBRD’s President Sir Suma interaction with the government and “There are also vocational train- reports,” Akishev said. By Dmitry Lee Chakrabarti is to attend the event many issues are resolved through the ing elements where we train the along with Ben van Beurden, CEO FIC outside the theme of a particular women and develop their skills and ASTANA – The Kazakh capi- Kazakh families are spending of Shell, Lorenzo Simonelli, Presi- plenary session.” help them increase opportunity and more money on food, ranking.kz re- tal is readying to host the June 22 dent of General Electric Oil&Gas, Preimanis believes Kazakhstan give them more confidence to work annual Foreign Investors’ Council ports. According to the results of the Tim Gitzel, CEO of Cameco, to is “on a pivotal point in history, and develop,” he added. (FIC), chaired by President Nursul- first quarter, the share of expenses name a few. whereas, as a result of the One Belt, Another priority for the EBRD is tan Nazarbayev and co-chaired by for food in the total consumer ex- Since its formation, the council One Road initiative and other initia- the agricultural sector. the president of the European Bank penditures of households was 45.9 has addressed a wide range of Ka- tives, the country can become much “Last year, we supported five pro- for Reconstruction and Develop- percent compared to 44.4 percent in zakhstan issues including improv- more integrated and connected re- jects worth $130 million in the agri- ment (EBRD), Sir Suma Chakra- January-March of the previous year. gionally and globally.” business sector. In addition to all the barti. ing the legal regime for foreign Kazakh families tend to spend most- The city has enjoyed the spotlight investment, improving the judicial Integration would bring more op- investments, we are deeply engaged ly on meat and meat products. This system, optimising the taxation sys- portunities and more competition to with the government in some of the in early to mid-June as it hosted the Agris Preimanis year, meat costs rose to 15.3 percent tem, attracting foreign labour and the country, he noted. key reform elements,” said Preima- compared to 14.6 percent in the first Shanghai Cooperation Organisa- more and take advantage of the ini- improving the investment image. “On the other hand, there are still nis. quarter of 2016. Kazakh citizens tion (SCO) summit and the Astana tiatives such as the One Belt One The FIC includes 35 heads of challenges within the country in Signed in May, EBRD’s $180 have also increased meat consump- Economic Forum and launched the Road (OBOR). The work will have large transnational foreign compa- terms of some regions, including so- million irrigation project in the tion 0.5 percent to 18.2 kilogrammes long-awaited EXPO 2017. Multiple a particular emphasis on developing nies and international organisations. cio-economic difficulties. It means southern part of Kazakhstan will per capita. international delegations are com- opportunities for women, and youth ing over for yet another no-less- During the sessions, the companies that the country needs to continue create thousands of new jobs and the regions.” important event. will provide their recommendations accelerating efforts to take advan- small businesses involved mainly in In May, official retail sales reached Future energy will top the coun- FIC’s 30th session since its to the council. tage of the opportunities brought by agriculture, he added. 724.8 billion tenge (US$2.2 billion), cil’s agenda, where the EBRD will founding in 1998 and the expo’s “On top of that, the council will better connectivity,” he said. According to EBRD’s official 12.8 percent more than the previous play one of the key roles. The topic theme Future Energy very much address topics of nuclear energy, Preimanis underlined the work statistics dated in April, the organi- month. The largest monthly growth was chosen for a reason, said Prei- underline the priorities the organi- emissions trading and how they on improving the opportunities for sation had 225 projects. EBRD’s in retail volumes was registered sation has set for the country, said manis, as every year the council can provide the right incentives to women and youth to make the coun- current portfolio in Kazakhstan is in the Aktobe region (27.3 percent EBRD’s head for Kazakhstan Agris seeks solutions to existing critical the country’s companies. This will try more inclusive, particularly in nearly $2.8 billion, of which 43 per- growth), Astana (24.9 percent in- Preimanis in an exclusive interview issues in the country’s development. be an opportunity for the president the regions, is another pivotal point cent is in infrastructure, 40 percent crease) and the Mangistau region with The Astana Times in the run- “I am personally a part of the Op- of Kazakhstan to listen to these es- for EBRD. in the energy sector, 11 percent in (18.9 percent growth). Another trend up to the meeting. erating Committee of FIC. I have teemed speakers and get a sense, “We have a very successful pro- industry, commerce and agribusi- is that private traders are gradually “If you think of EBRD’s strategy seen all the materials and I am look- first of all, of what is the current gramme, in that where we channel ness and 6 percent in financial insti- being squeezed out of the market by and our priorities for the country, we ing forward to having those dis- global thinking, but then also how the financing is to the women who tutions. trading enterprises: in May, such en- fit very well. We want to continue cussions. This year we have many it applies to Kazakhstan. Therefore, manage businesses whilst at the  The work of the FIC “acquires terprises occupied 56.2 percent of re- developing the green economy, in- foreign speakers and there are some I think it will be a relevant event,” same time providing advice and aid even greater urgency in light of the tail trade, against 55.1 percent a year vesting in renewable projects. In- excellent ideas being brought for- said Preimanis. to them to build capacity and techni- recent instructions of the Kazakh earlier. However, since April, private deed, the current theme of the expo, ward. The range of topics starts “When one thinks of the FIC, it’s cal know-how. The mentoring pro- head of state. Since we are faced traders have slightly increased their ‘Future Energy’, is very close to from the renewable energy, green important not to forget that the plena- gramme is the part of that which al- with a very ambitious task to enter market share, from 43.5 percent last EBRD. We are going to continue financing and how to approach that, ry session is just a culmination of the lows them to connect and learn from the list of 30 most developed coun- month to 43.9 percent in May. With working in infrastructure and logis- the greening of the Silk Road, and work done by the FIC,” he continued. successful Kazakh businesspeople tries, the council plays an important the arrival of the warm season and tics, which is something that will using new technology to make the “The working groups meet regularly through the networking events that role as a consultative and advisory a fresh harvest, private traders have help to connect the country even Silk Road project greener,” he said. throughout the year; there is regular we also organise,” he said. body,” Preimanis added. begun work. A5 BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2017

subsidising the interest rate on BUSINESS NEWS IN BRIEF loans, providing services, invest- ment and tax preferences. US, Kazakh business circles gather Astana International Financial Zerde-Keramika, which produces ceramic granite in the South Ka- Centre (AIFC) Governor Kairat zakhstan region, plans to increase Kelimbetov called on the U.S. output by launching a second line business community to participate in Astana for US-Kazakh business forum in the upcoming initial public of- in the near future, reported Ka- pital.kz. The new items will boost ernment, particularly during such fering of the largest Kazakhstan’s production volume from 2 million By Zhanna Shayakhmetova a busy time in Astana. We are hon- companies on the AIFC stock to 4.5 million square metres. The oured that the government showed exchange (AIX). The Shanghai company’s high-quality products ASTANA – Twenty-five U.S. such an interest,” he said. Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq are in demand and there are plans to companies and representatives Favourable conditions for at- Stock Market are already listed as expand the range. Zerde-Keramika, of Kazakh state bodies, national tracting investments are created AIFC partners. currently the only such company in companies and local business rep- in the country, said Kassymbek. “We are currently negotiating Kazakhstan, has a 30 percent export resentatives gathered in Astana There are 10 special economic with one of the largest European share. Forty percent of its raw mate- June 14 for the U.S. – Kazakhstan zones (SEZs) and about 20 indus- national exchanges to be our part- rials are produced locally, with the business forum. trial zones each with a different ner. This is the first stage of part- balance imported, according to the The event aimed to attract U.S. sectoral focus. SEZ participants nership of the international ex- statement. companies to priority sectors, in- are also provided with a package change centre. Invitation of global cluding car assembly industry, of benefits and simplification of li- investment banks and global funds Russian company Metal Profil health, construction, agriculture censing procedures. are the next stage. We will an- will allocate $10 million to con- and light industry. “Kazakhstan is a member of nounce the first results by the end struct a new sandwich panel factory About 500 companies in various the Eurasian Economic Union. of the year,” he said. in Kazakhstan, according to Ka- sectors of the economy with the U.S. This is a single market without Since Kazakhstan gained its in- zakh Invest. The company invested participation operate in Kazakhstan, customs borders with a capacity dependence, the U.S., as one of the Minister for Investments and Devel- of more than 180 million people main investors, has invested about $12 million in 2008 to launch the Peter Tichansky first Kazakh plant producing roof- opment of Kazakhstan Zhenis Kass- and a foreign trade turnover of $27 billion in the economy. Trade ing and façade systems. “While ymbek told the gathering. about $1 trillion. We are located turnover with the U.S. was $1.88 how to interpret regulation. It’s The BCIU is a non-profit made working in Kazakhstan, we export- Peter Tichansky, President of the in close proximity to China, the billion last year. essential for business-government up of 200 companies that encour- ed our products to Tajikistan and New York-based Business Council world’s biggest economy,” he The American Chamber of Com- dialogue to continue. And this is ages dialogue between business Kyrgyzstan and now our company for International Understanding added. merce contributes to the business our first roundtable here in Astana. and political leaders in different head, considering the good invest- (BCIU) noted that the objective Three state programmes are be- and investment climate in Kazakh- The Kazakh embassy in Wash- countries. ment climate and the conditions for of the event was to bring together ing implemented: the Nurly Zhol stan. The Ministry of Investments business leaders from Kazakhstan, ington very well presented the “The most important thing we seeing business in this country, de- to develop transport, logistics, in- and Development holds meetings multinational corporations and role their country’s playing as an can do is to get companies to come cided to invest in the construction dustrial and energy infrastructure, with the chamber to discuss a wide members of the government to elected member of the UN Secu- to Kazakhstan. There were no an- of a new factory for the production the Nurly Zher Housing Construc- range of issues on labour and tax identify ways companies can in- rity Council, which reminds us of nouncements made about new in- of sandwich panels with 70 jobs. tion initiative and the Industrial legislation every two months. tensify their engagement with the the mature, very serious role that vestment. By their presence, the This product will be produced both and Innovative Development Pro- It was also planned to hold bilat- government. the government is playing on the companies here are looking for the gramme 2020 to produce export- for the domestic market and for eral negotiations between business “In some cases, companies are global stage,” Tichansky told The next step. The country had a strong oriented products. State support export. We plan to import equip- representatives of the two coun- looking for permits, advice on Astana Times. representation today by the gov- measures are provided, including ment for the new plant from Italy tries as part of the forum. and state support measures help us here,” said the company’s Kazakh branch director Andrey Maslen- nikov. The products are to be ex- ported to markets in Afghanistan, Iran, Mongolia, Turkmenistan and Minister recaps foreign Number of foreign Uzbekistan. The South Kazakhstan region investments, new subsoil companies increases 25% plans to produce up to 50 tonnes of silk fibre per year, according to Meanwhile, number of trade en- Kapital.kz. Entrepreneur Sultan Staff Report terprises, with full or partial for- Bakirov said he has studied the pro- eign participation, decreased by code, transport potential ASTANA – The number of for- 155 units between April 2015 and duction for six years and has now started cultivating the silkworm. number of current tasks. Until the to implement two more pilot pro- eign businesses operating in Ka- April 2016. He initially plans to receive 110 By Zhazira Dyussembekova end of June, a national strategy jects this year, said the minister. zakhstan increased 25 percent in In addition, foreign business in kilogrammes of silk fibre and when for attracting investments will Speaking about the country’s the last year to 3,400, according to services and construction grew by the project is fully implemented, in- ASTANA – A recap of the pre- be developed. For this work, we transport and logistics progress, finprom.kz. 464 and 423 enterprises respec- crease the amount to 40-50 tonnes vious year’s work, including at- attracted experts from the World Kassymbek said the volume of ser- With the number of all business- tively over the past year. of raw materials within a year. In tracting foreign investments, a Bank. Today, we are negotiating vices in the transport sphere grew es increasing 7 percent, the share Until September, the govern- the world market, the cost of one by 3.8 percent in 2016. Transit and of foreign companies increased ment is developing an investment kilogramme of silk fibre is $30-$40. container shipments from China- from 5.9 percent to 6.9 percent strategy for Kazakhstan. One of Silk production is dynamically de- Europe-China increased more than over the last year. the main roles in attracting finan- veloping in China and Japan, while twofold to 104,500 containers, cal- “According to analysts, the cial resources to the country’s Uzbekistan is the leader among the culated as twenty foot equivalent growth of foreign companies economy is to be given to the Commonwealth of Independent units (TEUs), compared to 47,000 accelerated inflows of foreign Astana International Financial States (CIS). TEUs in 2015. investment into the country’s Centre (AIFC). It is positioned as Construction of the infrastruc- economy. In 2016, gross inflow a financial hub for the countries of Russian manufacturer NeftProm- ture facilities for the dry port of of foreign direct investment (FDI) Central Asia, the Caucasus, Eura- Snab is planning to operate a fiber- the Khorgos-Eastern Gate special increased 40 percent reaching sian Economic Union (EAEU), glass pipe plant in the Kyzylorda economic zone was completed in $20.6 billion. Investments growth Middle East, Western China, region with an annual capacity of October. Work is also underway to followed by a downturn in 2015, Mongolia and Europe. The centre 120,000 metres of pipe, reported build transport and logistics cen- when inflows of FDI weakened to will be located on the territory of lsm.kz. The main consumers of tres in various regions and termi- minimal volumes since 2006,” the EXPO 2017. the Kazakh products will be the nals in the ports of Lianyungang in report said. AIFC will run on a special le- region’s oil companies, as the sale China and Klaipeda in Lithuania. Number of foreign companies gal regime based on the English price of the finished products will “Work is continuing to increase in trade increased 24 percent or by common law governing relations be lower than that of direct competi- container traffic to two million 1,300 enterprises, reaching 6,700 between the AIFC participants and tors, according to company director containers by 2020. In 2017, a ventures, as of April. interested parties. Kazbek Kuanyshbayev. The state- double increase in the number of ment noted 90 percent of fiberglass containers is expected. In the di- pipes come to the Kazakh market rection of China-Europe-China, from abroad, mainly from China we see a growth of almost 2.6 and Russia. A 95 million tenge Minister Zhenis Kassymbek (L) presents his agency’s report and plans at a June times for the first four months [of (US$289,000) loan will be used to 12 meeting in Astana. this year]. The share of domestic Kazakhstan to reduce purchase production equipment for freighters in the internal market in new subsoil code and improving all the nuances with state bodies,” pipes for the engineering, oil and 2016 increased to 46 percent. We the nation’s transport and logistics said Kassymbek. gas and construction industries, it believe at least 50 percent of the potential were the main talking The ministry drafted the code on added. international transportation should tax inspections points of a June 12 presentation by subsoil and its use currently being be carried out by Kazakh carriers,” place amid the reduction in tax Kazakh Minister for Investments deliberated in the working group. Kazakh Khaoma vodka appeared said Kassymbek. Staff Report inspections. For example, this and Development Zhenis Kassym- “We plan to submit it to the gov- in The Millionaires’ Club, the top The number of transit air pas- year the inspections will be re- bek, according to Kapital.kz. The ernment in August and in Septem- global rating on Drinks Interna- sengers increased from 250,000 to ASTANA – The Kazakh govern- duced 37.5 percent. In addition, meeting with the population was ber we will submit it to the Mazhi- tional’s report on the largest sell- 478,000 in 2016 and is expected to ment will reduce the number of tax the draft Tax Code provides for held in the capital. lis (lower house) of the Parliament ing spirits brands. The product is reach 600,000 this year. The main inspections 37.5 percent in 2017, the exclusion of 56 percent of Gross inflow of direct foreign for consideration. Within the draft recognised as one of the leaders of flows are through Kazakhstan to Minister of Finance Bakhyt Sul- regulations for inspection. As a code, the transition to international the worldwide beverage market in investments increased 40 percent and from Asia and Europe. tanov said during a June 19 joint ses- result, 14 norms will remain in- its category, according to the most last year to $20.6 billion. Conse- standards for the calculation of “By 2020, there are plans to open sion of both houses of Parliament. stead of current 32 ones,” Sul- authoritative representatives of quently, the nation is considering mineral reserves is envisaged. new flights from Astana and Al- “The implementation of the tanov said. the industry. The club’s members various ways to insure outside in- The adoption of the code should maty. Just recently, flights to War- 2016 budget was aimed at reviv- Horizontal monitoring is being are beverage manufacturers which terest continues. increase the investment attractive- saw from Astana were launched ing the economy through stimulat- introduced in tax audits based on sell more than one million cases of “As a result of last year, we ness of geological exploration and and Chinese air carriers started to ing entrepreneurship and creating the principles of trust, transpar- their products each year (one case received about 5,500 requests give impetus to the development fly from Beijing to Astana. Now, jobs. The economy grew 1 per- ency and mutually beneficial co- is equal to nine litres). Inclusion in through the single-window sys- of domestic junior companies. The taking into account the flights that cent by increasing the volume of operation, the minister said. this rating confirms the high status tem and we have provided about plan is that the code should come Air Astana is making, flights from services provided in the transport “In addition, it is planned to of the manufacturer and the quality 8,000 public services. The invest- into force on January 1, 2018,” he Almaty and Astana to Beijing are sector, increasing output in agri- revise tax preferences in order of its products. The rating annually ment ombudsman has received said. almost daily. Daily flights de- culture, construction, including to reduce the number of inef- includes nearly 200 international more than 50 new applications He added Kazakhstan is looking part to London and the imminent housing construction. The budget fective benefits. As part of the brands and Khaoma has been in- from foreign and domestic in- forward to adopting the plan for plans are Budapest and Helsinki. revenues reached 7.7 trillion tenge legislation humanisation, it is cluded since 2012. This year, it en- vestors. We have put forth more the technical modernisation of ba- In July, the Astana-Delhi launch is (US$23.96 billion). This is 1.5 tril- envisaged to make appropriate tered the top of the fastest growing efforts to attract investment at sic sectors of the economy in De- planned,” he added. lion tenge (US$4.6 billion) more amendments to the code ‘On Ad- brands, showing an increase of 8 the external level. In particular, cember. Its key area is investment Within the Nurly Zhol pro- compared to 2015. Of these, trans- ministrative Offences.’ The most percent due to premium quality at special advisors for attracting attraction. gramme, 920 kilometres of sig- fers account for 30 percent,” Sul- important thing is the reduction an affordable price, according to investments in 10 priority coun- Regarding the transfer of new nificant highways involving about tanov said. in the volume of administrative forbes.kz. In Kazakhstan, Khaoma tries have been identified. At the technologies, foreign projects were 75,000 workers were completed According to the minister, meas- fines and the widespread use of is a record holder and occupies 38 regional level, councils for at- launched in Kazakhstan in 2016 in 2016. Fifteen new projects to- ures are planned this year to grow the institution of prevention in- percent of the market. For more tracting investments under the with the assistance of the interna- talling 3,200 kilometres are ex- and develop the economy. stead of punishment,” the minis- than 20 years, the brand has re- mayors of the regions were cre- tional technology transfer centre. pected to be started this year. In “For the effectiveness of this ter added. ceived in excess of 50 prestigious ated. Now, on insutrctions of the Based on the selection results, four total, work will be conducted on work, we must create favourable Earlier, Sultanov reported that awards at different competitions head of state, there is a process projects were awarded innovative nearly 4,400 kilometres of roads conditions for business, while the budget funds, undisbursed by of the world, including gold at the to reform the system of attracting grants totalling 800 million tenge by approximately 100,000 indi- maintaining a high tax return. In- one state agency, would be trans- ProdExpo 2017. investments. The ministry faces a (US$2.5 million). There are plans viduals. crease in tax revenues will take ferred to others. A6 EDITORIAL&OPINION

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2017 EXPO 2017 opens Modernisation of social and cultural to success, offers path spheres: global experiences and Kazakhstan As a less positive experience, ied. Moreover, modernisation can By Yuri Buluktayev we can consider the modernisa- strengthen tradition.” tion of a number of Latin Ameri- The main problem of the neo- to the future Systemic modernisation implies can and Muslim countries that modernisation theory was the ith EXPO now under around Kazakhstan to play a role in a whole range of economic, cultur- chose the path of Westernising. search for new factors that ensure way, there are clear signs developing these futuristic technolo- al, social, political and other trans- In particular, within the process the dynamics of constructive po- of lessons from the past gies by immersing them in the research formations aimed at integrating a of their modernisation, societies litical actions in modernisation decades underpinning at the forefront of science worldwide. nation into the progressive course in Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, Al- processes, which required a further Wthe objectives of this event. Hosting The French pavilion’s main exhibition of global development. Though geria, Egypt, Sudan, Tunisia and revision of the theory. To replace EXPO has, for instance, enabled our of a new Peugeot project, for example, it is obvious that this objective is Pakistan cracked in their reaction the discredited concept of forced government to particularly focus on is highly commendable for engaging hard to reach, Kazakhstan has eve- to the destruction of traditional modernisation, the provisions infrastructural progress, the improve- with children to interest them in the ry chance to implement a success- order and invasion of West- came that are aimed at protection, ment of education and the promotion fascinating design of electric cars. ful modernisation effort, since it ern values. At the same time, preservation, revival and support of Kazakhstan’s culture to international This focus of EXPO 2017 on the has strong scientific, technical and favour of a national rather than a an acute conflict of values took of social and cultural diversity, plu- audiences in time to mark its transition future pioneers of Kazakhstan builds economic capacity, a rich cultural universal (i.e. Western) one. Most place in many Islamic countries, ralism of life styles and patterns, to a third stage of modernisation. upon a range of initiatives, which heritage made up by people and of Asia-Pacific countries have which often led to civil wars. providing them with freedom of In our country’s development provide the resources for children to significant natural resources. adopted an official course of build- Modern comparative studies existence and development. roadmap, known as the Kazakhstan excel. For instance, Kazakhstan’s Min- In modern circumstances, it is ing an “epoch of culture” as a phe- in the modernisation field prove The contemporary concept of 2050 Strategy, President Nursultan ister for Education and Science Yerlan becoming evident that in the mod- nomenon of modern civilisation, that when political actions are not neo-modernisation, along with the Nazarbayev outlined key areas, which Sagadiyev, recently announced that ernisation course, the strategy of and this path led them to a well- sanctioned by national culture idea of secular organisation of so- would serve to aid our accession to 93 percent of final-year students who Kazakhstan’s renewal should be deserved success. and not perceived as “native,” cial life, includes recognition of the the world’s top 30 economies. One of achieve consistent top marks receive aimed at being proactive, focus- The experience of modernisa- they can provoke a powerful importance of religion and mythol- these was developing infrastructure the prestigious Altyn Belgi recognition, ing on the future rather than to- tion in Japan is also characterised mass protest movement in soci- ogy in the spiritual sphere, respect and transport under the Nurly Zhol which allows them to attend any uni- day in terms of world science and by an internal mechanism with a ety, aspirations to destruct, wipe for the charisma of traditional lead- programme, to facilitate Kazakhstan’s versity in Kazakhstan with all of their technology, social and cultural moral core. Its foundation was out political innovations and re- ership, veneration of the elders’ role at the heart of the New Silk Road tuition subsidised by the government. progress and political structure. In laid back in ancient times. His- turn to traditional political order. authority in politics, and the use of initiative. Hosting EXPO 2017 in our Schemes such as this reaffirm our this context, of particular impor- tory shows that the key principles After years of modernisation the idea of collectivist cohesion of capital has permitted our government commitment to supporting educa- tance is the message of President of Japanese culture are based on development, the world started society. Traditional values of kin- to focus on supporting the needs of the tion, and our country is already seeing Nursultan Nazarbayev’s address respect, honour, calm and positive talking about “re-islamisation” of ship, family, the factors of group event’s foreign and domestic visitors results. Only last year did the Trends in titled “Course towards the Future: attitude to all things in existence, the Middle East, “hinduisation” identification and solidarity signifi- by establishing new facilities, ensuring International Mathematics and Science Modernisation of Kazakhstan’s on pragmatism and full responsi- of India, “returning to Asia” of cance have been fully rehabilitated. Astana’s prospective role as a regional Study rank Kazakh students eight out Identity” – which is that large-scale bility. The inner set up that repre- China and Japan. Thus, it is the national, rather hub for finance and investment. of 57 developed countries for their transformations in the country are sents a combination of traditions, The modernisation experience than the universal, that today be- The impressive results of this education in the sciences. impossible unless public con- customs and moral principles is showed that fundamental Western comes the main driving force programme include the creation of EXPO 2017 has also brought Kazakh- sciousness changes. based on Shinto. There are also concepts of individualism, free- of modernisation processes. We the new Nurly Zhol railway station stan’s existing strengths and values to Having a population with an traces of Confucianism. These dom, separation of religion and cannot count on the efficiency of in Astana, which expects a passenger the attention of the international com- open mind plays a special role in both directions have a common state, equality, human rights and modernisation based solely on the flow of 12 million people a year and munity. The attendance of our opening the structure of public conscious- essence – service to society. This liberalism found little support in Is- indicators of economic growth. It the addition of a new terminal to our ceremony by prominent world leaders, ness. In his article, the Kazakh aspect is the main accelerator of lamic, Confucian, Japanese, Bud- is equally important for the stabi- capital’s airport. Long after expo fin- such as President of China Xi Jinping, President emphasises one of its such fast growth of Japan. It was dhist, and Hindu cultures. Propa- lisation of social development to ishes, these initiatives will continue to President of Russia Vladimir Putin, key characteristics – “the ability mixed with the Western progress. gating such ideas caused a hostile form new values of the community benefit our country by establishing new and King Felipe VI of Spain, as well as to adopt and learn from the expe- This extraordinary powerful sym- reaction against “human rights im- that would not contradict the old transport routes, attracting visitors and UN Secretary General Antonio Gu- riences of other people and coun- biosis was synthesised and sys- perialism” and led to the strength- traditional order, but develop them creating hundreds of new jobs. It’s no terres, goes to show the magnitude and tries. The two great Asian nations tematised. This is the driver of ening of the primordial values in a new direction. surprise, therefore, that our President importance of EXPO 2017 on the global of Japan and China are the best qualitative growth of Japan. of native culture. A comparative That is why President Naz- has already described these new facili- agenda. examples of this approach. Being The modernisation theory study of the importance of 100 arbayev, in his conceptual article, ties as the “new pride of Astana.” In this regard, it is astonishing to open to the best practices is the key faced an interesting paradox: the values in different countries of the urged to improve society by mod- Yet it is not only our capital that has consider how far Kazakhstan has come to success and one of the character- more open “the Asia’s Dragons” world conducted by some Western ernising the identity of its citizens, benefitted from EXPO 2017. Presi- in the 25 years of its independence and istics of an open mind.” were to the world, the bigger role scholars has shown that “values of preserving all the best in behav- dent Nazarbayev made a point in his the confidence with which it has done Let us refer to the international traditional Confucian-Buddhist paramount importance in the West ioural and cultural aspects that opening speech of inviting everyone to so. This has only been possible due experience of modernisation. values played in their political are much less important in the rest have accumulated within the cen- visit all of Kazakhstan for the amazing to the assured leadership of President In the late 20th century, in East culture vis-a-vis universal pil- of the world.” Samuel Hunting- turies-old traditions of the Kazakhs nature as well as the historical heritage Nazarbayev and our government’s and South-East Asia, it became lars of the modernisation theory. ton was one of the first Western and the history of many peoples that we have to offer. The expo has willingness to learn from its mistakes. evident that a number of regional Successful modernisation prac- researchers to write about the ad- living in Kazakhstan. also brought together Kazakhs from Although we can be sure of more les- states (China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, tice based on reinterpretation of vantages of traditionalism in the all corners of our country to appreciate sons to learn from the event’s proceed- Singapore) started developing not national traditions in Asia-Pa- field of modernisation: “Not only The author is Chief Research our united progression. ings, the first few weeks have been tes- within the paradigm of Westerni- cific countries facilitated drastic modern societies include many Fellow of the Kazakhstan Insti- Another focal point for EXPO 2017 tament to the painstaking work of the sation, but chose the way of a re- reconsideration of the basics of traditional elements, but also tradi- tute of Strategic Research (Ka- has been its beneficial effect upon organisers whose collective efforts are interpretation of national tradition. the very modernisation theory. tional societies, in turn, often have zISS) under the President of the the younger generations. The exposi- to thank for what has been an unforget- In the modernisation process, they First elaborations into the neo- features that are usually considered Republic of Kazakhstan, Doctor tion aims to inspire children from all table opening to a momentous event. made quite a conscious choice in modernisation theory emerged. modern. Tradition should be stud- of Political Science.

I am encouraged by the fact that women have slowly but surely made their way to high leadership After a quarter-century, Kazakhstan’s foreign positions in the Foreign Ministry of Kazakhstan. As the foreign service of Kazakh- stan marks its 25th anniversary on service has much to be proud of July 2, it owes a debt of gratitude proactive diplomacy and hard work zakhstan’s firm commitment to the diplomacy, and the need to build to the work and courage of the pre- By Akmaral Arystanbekova of Kazakh diplomats working at the disarmament process and the prin- lasting relations with non-state ac- vious generation of its diplomats, foreign ministry in Almaty and at ciple of nuclear non-proliferation tors of international interaction. who in early 1990s laid the founda- Since the dawn of independence, the mission in New York manifest- while being backed by our con- This, in turn, puts additional pres- tion for a successful 21st century consistency, predictability and the ed in an early pay-off. Kazakhstan crete, practical actions. sure upon diplomats and particular- Kazakh diplomacy. multi-vector character of Kazakh- quickly earned the right and a truly I was also fortunate to be person- ly for ambassadors, whose work is Over the past quarter century, the stan’s foreign policy under the lead- unique opportunity to fully engage ally involved in the drafting of the becoming less visible but demand- country’s diplomatic service has ership of its First President, Nursul- in all international affairs, while Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban ing a higher level of education, turned into a professional and ef- tan Nazarbaev, have been its unique protecting our national interests and Treaty, a historic document Kazakh- competency, professionalism and fective instrument of implementing features, strength and the reason for creating favourable conditions for stan was among the first countries to ability to find common ground not our foreign policy. It has success- its success. the country’s development. From a sign. Later in 1998, at the 53rd Ses- only with fellow diplomats but also fully solved the tasks of protecting In the era of globalisation, inter- novice in international relations, we sion of the UN General Assembly, with civil society, which in today’s our national interests in the interna- dependence, interconnectedness emerged as an active and respected I was trusted by member states to world is empowered to influence tional arena, strengthened our secu- and the emergence of a multi-polar member of this most important or- join the leadership of the first Com- the international agenda. In other rity and created favourable external world, adherence to the multi- ganisation in the world. mittee on Disarmament and Inter- words, a modern diplomat and es- conditions for a progressive eco- vector principle is dictated by the President Nazarbayev’s historic national Security, and I served as its pecially an ambassador must learn nomic and democratic development very nature of international rela- tions on March 2, 1992, our country decision to turn the country into a chairperson for almost a year. how to wield influence through his and the well-being of the nation. tions. More so for Kazakhstan, a had two specific tasks to complete. nuclear weapon-free independent In the era of globalised and in- or her own “soft power,” or, in other As Kazakhstan enters the next, a multi-ethnic and multi-faith nation First, we had to expeditiously es- state earned Kazakhstan much of creasingly digitalised world, the na- words, muster the art of convincing more mature stage of development strategically located in the heart of tablish cooperation with the United the international community’s early ture and the role of diplomacy, some and establishing trust. of its foreign service, I invariably Eurasia. Nations’ various funds and pro- respect. Kazakhstan’s unwaver- would argue, are changing. Today’s Female diplomats representing say to the new generation of diplo- It is quite symbolic that the 25th grammes to be able to qualify for ing stance on nuclear testing and diplomacy is facing a wealth of different nations and cultures make mats: there is only one way to suc- anniversary of the diplomatic ser- their assistance in resolving our proliferation was first pronounced new challenges of trans-boundary an invaluable contribution to inter- ceed in your profession, and it is by vice coincides with Kazakhstan’s most urgent economic, social and from the high rostrum of the United nature. Moreover, the advancement national affairs and the work of the continuously striving to know and tenure as a non-permanent member environmental problems. Secondly, Nations even before the country of new information and communi- United Nations, in particular. I was learn new things and better your- of the UN Security Council. For as one of the newest member states became independent. It was in Oc- cations technologies made some lucky to have known and worked self. By following this path, you someone like myself who served of the United Nations, Kazakhstan tober 1990 when in my very first pundits question the need to main- with many outstanding women diplo- will combine a unique practical as the newly independent country’s had to learn on the spot how to address to the United Nations in my tain diplomatic missions abroad. mats, true professionals in their field. experience backed by sound theo- first Permanent Representative to participate in and contribute to the capacity as the Foreign Minister of Indeed, while remaining the same Noteworthy is the fact that over retical knowledge about diplomacy, the organisation, this indeed repre- solution of pressing international the then Kazakh Soviet Socialist in its essence, diplomacy today has the past 25 years among Kazakh- which I believe is both an art and a sents a historic milestone. issues on the General Assembly’s Republic and on behalf of the Ka- to seek for and employ new forms stan’s six permanent representa- science. Back then, Kazakhstan faced the agenda. zakh people, I called upon the UN and tools to complement traditional tives to the UN there have been two daunting task of ensuring its speedy Guided by the principled line of member states to immediately halt activities. The rapidly changing other women – Madina Jarbuss- The author is Ambassador-at- integration into the international our fledgling foreign policy, I had nuclear testing and shut down all contours of international relations ynova and Byrganym Aitimova, – Large of the Ministry of Foreign community and a full entry into the to forge stances on a myriad of is- nuclear test sites. and world politics call for the in- who have worked hard to solidify Affairs of Kazakhstan and the world political and economic arena. sues on the UN General Assembly All of my statements as perma- creased importance of public diplo- and enhance our cooperation with country’s first Permanent Rep- Having joined the United Na- agenda. The active participation, nent representative reiterated Ka- macy, network diplomacy, summit the UN. resentative to the United Nations.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2017 Surge in diplomacy, action in mediation the 2012 “United Nations Guid- ian-development nexus. This year, ticular would be scrutinized. One with the cultural codes of conduct By Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu ance for Effective Mediation,” a Turkey has again become the most is the potential of mediation in in a given conflict situation can fundamental document for those generous nation in the world in all stages of a conflict continuum, reach remarkable success. For The fourth edition of the Istan- who practice and study mediation terms of per capita humanitarian namely from prevention to resolu- that, we need to train more me- bul Conference on Mediation will worldwide. assistance. tion and all the way to peace agree- diators including at youth while take place on June 30 with the UN Secretary General Antonio Turkey has been hosting the Is- ment implementation. The second encouraging more women media- theme of “Surge in Diplomacy, Guterres has expressed his willing- tanbul Conferences on Mediation key question would be the models tors and equip them with the right Action in Mediation.” Experts, ness to further develop UN’s medi- since 2012. These landmark con- for greater employment of media- tools. diplomats, practitioners and schol- ation support capacity. His efforts ferences are designed to bring to- tion as a preventive tool in con- Our challenges to make peace the ars from around the world will ex- are most commendable. We call on gether numerous practitioners and texts where political, ethnic, reli- overwhelming reality on a global plore ways and means to promote all UN member states to support scholars in the field of conflict pre- gious biases create an environment level are immense. However, we mediation as a prominent conflict UN Secretary General Guterres’ vention and mediation activities. of hostility. should be able to see the opportu- prevention and resolution method. broad vision and efforts to prevent The aim of these conferences is to The latter is especially perti- nities within those challenges. The The profile of mediation has and solve today’s conflicts. promote synergies between theory nent since we have come to sadly readiness and willingness of the been rising globally since Turkey mediation within the UN, regional Turkey has been doing her part. and practice and help increase witness extreme tendencies in international community to build and Finland led the way at the and sub-regional organizations Turkey is situated next to a vast re- scope, reach and effectiveness of various forms of political, social capacity in peaceful resolution of United Nations through the “Me- and civil society. gion where acute active and frozen the international and religious animosities. The conflicts including mediation must diation for Peace” initiative. The The Group has become the conflicts persist. Prevention and community’s mediation efforts. rise in attacks in Europe against be a priority. As we prepare to wel- initiative culminated in the estab- leading platform at the UN to pro- peaceful resolution of conflicts is I must pay tribute to the efforts of Muslims and migrants is a case come participants of the Fourth lishment of the Group of Friends mote mediation. It has initiated a central feature of Turkey’s enter- mediators engaging daily in con- in point. Prevention is key. How- Istanbul Mediation Conference, I of Mediation. The Group now has the adoption of four UN General prising and humanitarian foreign flicts worldwide. ever, prevention would be possi- call on the international commu- 53 members, including 48 states Assembly Resolutions, which policy. Turkey undertakes vari- This year the Conference will ble only when societies recognize nity to take action in mediation. and 5 international organizations. lay the ground for the develop- ous efforts in a wide geography explore how mediation methodol- and learn to respect differences There has also been substantial im- ment of the normative and con- from Africa to the Middle East, ogy and practice can take better and engage in genuine dialogue The author is Minister of For- provement in international capac- ceptual framework of mediation. the Balkans and the Caucasus. She account of the needs of the day. In and interaction. I believe that eign Affairs of the Republic of ity for preventive diplomacy and The Group has also contributed to sees peacemaking in a humanitar- this regard, two questions in par- mediators who are well-equipped Turkey. U.S.-Kazakhstan relations: a case for people-to-people diplomacy the beginning of its independence. their nation forward. That is a huge pathogens are securely contained tant projects could have been ac- By Richard E. Hoagland I am referring to the Bolashak Pro- achievement, and I sincerely salute so that they can never be used as complished without the trust that gramme that has played a terribly President Nazarbayev for his far- weapons of mass destruction. This builds slowly, day to day, as a result If you ask American ambassa- important role in setting Kazakh- reaching vision. took many years of working to- of people-to-people relationships. dors what resources and program stan apart from its neighbours and There is another, slightly differ- gether and slowly building trust As Kazakhstan marks a quarter- they cannot do without, almost that has played a central role in ent perspective to the importance with each other, but both Kazakh- century anniversary of its foreign every single one will answer, “Our putting Kazakhstan on the world of the people-to-people exchanges. stan and the United States got it service, I am pleased to join in the exchange programmes that provide stage. As diplomats, yes, we do spend accomplished. This is indeed an celebrations. In my tenure in Asta- people-to-people experiences”. Long-time Kazakhstan watchers time passing messages between enormously successful scientific na and career at the State Depart- Encouraging people-to-peo- must certainly recall that at inde- our governments, working togeth- programme that has truly impor- ment, I have seen the dedication ple programmes is an important pendence President Nazarbayev er for mutual goals, and actually tant humanitarian goals. of its diplomats and their commit- part of diplomacy for any coun- said that if Kazakhstan is to be tru- getting things done that matter. The second example of our ex- ment to the aims and values of the try, and certainly for the United State International Visitor Leader- ly independent, it will need a new But we can only do that effectively perts working together is even more country’s foreign policy. States. That is because diplomacy ship Program (IVLP) that identi- generation that thinks differently if we have already built solid rela- important – the clean-up of the To the new generation of diplo- is not just about providing visas fies younger and mid-level experts from the past. To implement that tionships of trust and respect with Soviet-era BN-350 nuclear reactor mats in both countries, I say this: for travellers, not just about pass- in their fields and provides them broad vision, he created Bolashak. our mutual counterparts. on the Caspian coast that eventu- people-to-people relationships are ing messages from government to with an intense programme in the I am very grateful that the gov- There are two examples of ally led to permanently securing, the absolute core of diplomacy. It’s government: it is also about build- United States to meet and develop ernment of Kazakhstan chose the people-to-people relationships locking down on the remote steppe not documents and talking points ing enduring links between two enduring relationships with their United States as one of the princi- between Kazakhs and Americans outside Kurchatov, enough pluto- that get things done. In the end, the nations. And, ultimately, that is counterparts. IVLP participants ple venues for educating its young that came to fruition during my nium and highly-enriched uranium only thing that matters is people- what is most important because it have become leaders in their fields people to become the future leaders tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Ka- that could have made 775 nuclear to-people relationships. allows two nations to have a strong later in life, and a good number of their newly independent nation. zakhstan that have actually led to a weapons. Related to this is the col- foundation for collaboration, even have become heads of government Today, throughout Kazakhstan, better world. laboration of our experts to clean The author is former U.S. when their government relations and heads of state in their home one can walk into almost any gov- The first example I would cite up the former nuclear-weapons test Ambassador to Kazakhstan might go through rough patches. countries. ernment and private-sector office, is our scientific and technical ex- site at Degelen Mountain to pre- who currently serves as U.S. On the U.S. side, these include I know that Kazakhstan thor- and meet young Kazakhs who un- perts working together to create vent the contaminated remnants of Co-Chair of the Organization educational and cultural exchange oughly understands this concept derstand the world in a way that the Central Reference Laboratory Soviet-era nuclear tests from fall- for Security and Cooperation in programmes and, probably most and has made it a fundamental part allows them to do the daily busi- in Almaty that is playing a cru- ing into terrorists hands. Europe’s Minsk Group for Na- important, U.S. Department of of its own government policy from ness of life that consistently moves cial role to ensure that biological Neither of these hugely impor- gorno-Karabakh.

portunity to receive a double de- gree, one of which can be obtained through distance learning. Distant Developers, software and cyber security specialists, education graduates receive state- recognised diplomas without any indication of the mode of study (distant/extramural.) However, IT managers in shortage, expert says only people who already have a agricultural products by 30 percent gramme indicators also show knowledge using digitalisation degree in secondary vocational or By Kira Ivanova – is based on the idea of a consist- when it is fully implemented, only and there are no catalogues of higher education can study in the ent digital transformation of the 81 percent of the population is ex- video lectures, since there is no university by distant learning. ASTANA – The Digital Kazakh- industry. pected to use the Internet and the video lectures database. What is stan state programme is available Yes, indeed, digital technol- corresponding percent of digital your position on this matter? Why does the nation need to for every Kazakh citizen who has ogy became available to villagers literacy is similar. Why is that the You raise a very relevant topic. improve the skills of specialists in a computer with Internet access. through mobile phones and appli- case; why will every citizen not be Today the whole world actively information and communication A professional presentation and cations. However, digitalisation is able to use the Internet? discusses the issue of education, technology if it can attract super the draft programme can be found making villagers master their IT Today, in the most active segment its quality and the development professionals who could work in on the Zerde National Information skills more and more. If you want of the population, the age group be- paradigm. The long-term world remote access mode? and Communication Holding web- to trade, go to an online fair! Here, tween 6 and 74, about 77 percent of trend is the promotion of mass Let me repeat myself. In the site. Since the holding manages you can sell your goods and buy the population has access to the In- education based on its accessibil- January state of the nation ad- its implementation, The Astana what you need on the farm. ternet. When it comes to 81 percent, ity. This trend sets the main param- dress, the head of state defined the Times spoke with its former chair A drip irrigation system, for this is an increase in the number of eters of the future education and number one priority – accelerated of the board Assel Zhienbayeva, Assel Zhienbayeva example, which is managed from Internet users for this age group. becomes the development driver technological modernisation of the who answered a number of ques- one centre, will facilitate the coop- The state, business and households of additional alternative education economy. And economic transfor- tions regarding the chosen topic as almost only as a way of quick ex- eration of villagers, leading to the are definitely interested in having in Kazakhstan. mation is directly related to IT- a skilled IT professional. change of messages via e-mail or consolidation of farms. In turn, a 100 percent coverage as soon as This year, the WikiBilim Pub- technology.  messengers? large farm constitutes a great op- possible. Economic digitisation will lic Foundation with the support of Yes, our economy has long been What is the status of the Digital It is only partially true. The portunity for the development help to accelerate the population’s Kazakh universities has launched experiencing a labour shortage, Kazakhstan programme? high-speed Internet will provide an of agricultural producers, labour involvement in the Internet. the Open University of Kazakh- but this applies not only to Ka- The digital topic is relevant and opportunity to render high-quality productivity growth and cheaper stan project (analogue of the well- zakhstan. The U.S. economy alone not only because the rapid devel- health care and education services products for the end user. With re- Who will finance the pro- known Coursera). The educational will have up to 50,000 vacancies opment of technology is one of the to people who live in remote ar- gard to our mentality, we can say gramme and related projects? platform offers free access to on- for IT professionals each year. Ac- key challenges for business and eas; moreover, it will become an that we “harness our horses slowly Related projects will be financed line courses from leading univer- cording to the global study 2016 state in any country. For our coun- electronic trading platform. People but drive them fast.” That is, life through public-private partnership sity teachers in the country. Manpower Talent Shortage Sur- try, digitalisation can become a will be able to sell goods and ser- itself will motivate villagers to be or through the informatisation ser- In fact, this project is a green- vey attended by 42,000 employers real platform for maintaining com- vices online and distances will no braver in mastering IT technolo- vice model. PPP financing is regu- field project, where all the content from 43 countries, IT specialists petitiveness in the future. That is longer be a barrier to the provision gies. lated by the Law On Public-Private is Kazakh. More than 80 percent of are the second highly demanded why the accelerated technological of services. A villager should be familiar with Partnership. The service model we the courses are taught in the state professionals. We are in severe modernisation of the country was The Alibaba platform in China, the computer even to open a small are talking about implies a central- language. Anyone can freely study shortage of developers, software a number one priority in the Janu- which has connected international poultry house, as the incubation ised approach to informatisation through the online courses housed specialists, architects, data and cy- ary State of the Nation Address of buyers with small and medium- process is fully automated and eve- based on the provision of informa- on the platform when and where ber security experts, IT leaders and President Nursultan Nazarbayev. sized businesses, is a striking ex- rything is regulated at the push of a tion and communication services it suits him or her. This project is managers. This means that we can- At the moment, the concept of ample. The business, which 15 button. And if a project is planned to state authorities. Such services purely social, not commercial. We not and should not rely on the ex- Digital Kazakhstan is ready and years ago was located in an apart- with a full production cycle from are provided by the IC infrastruc- are discussing with WikiBilim the ternal market to attract specialists! the draft has been preliminarily ment, contributed to the creation breeding to processing, one cannot ture operator with the involvement possibility of implementing a pro- Labour shortage has a negative agreed upon by all state authori- of 100 million jobs and a 10 mil- do without strong IT skills! of IT companies. Details are avail- ject to increase the digital literacy side as well: the lack of competition ties; it means we are consistently lion army of entrepreneurs! Today, For this reason, the programme able on our website zerde.gov.kz. of the population. among specialists in any industry moving in the given direction. Alibaba controls 80 percent of the also includes online platforms in Needless to say that today dis- leads to a decrease in competition, Chinese e-commerce market and public service centres and Kazpost “Human capital development” tance education in Kazakhstan is and, therefore, to a decrease in labour Nevertheless, when the talk is generates 2 percent of the GDP. so that our citizens can access ba- is the phrase that came into this imperfect, but there are positive productivity of specialists in demand. about creating and developing Digitalisation as a world trend sic IT skills. report, but not into people’s lives. aspects. Distant learning has been Therefore, until we solve the prob- high-tech digital infrastructure in also inspires domestic business to Kazakhstan still does not have ad- practiced for more than one year. lem of “nurturing” our own talents the country, isn’t it taking it too create similar analogues. Kazakh- There has been talk about equate distant schooling and high Both public and private universi- for the IT industry and streamline it, lightly that the majority of villag- stan has a developed agribusiness broadband Internet access in vil- school online education, there ties provide online learning tools this issue will be a serious obstacle ers (40-45 percent of the country’s and the objective set by the state lages and auls for several years, are no electronic textbooks, it is for students from other regions. for the development of business and population) perceive the Internet – increase in the gross output of but where is the result? The pro- impossible to receive additional Some universities provide the op- production in the country. Photo by voxpopuli.kz by Photo

A8 EURASIA&WORLD

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2017 Kazakh, Hungarian FMs discuss co-op New Silk Way Business economic cooperation. The nec- By Malika Orazgaliyeva essary legal framework has al- ready been created. We also look ASTANA – Kazakh Foreign forward to cooperation within the Forum discusses Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov and framework of Hungary’s foreign Hungarian Minister of Foreign Af- economic strategy, Eastern Open- fairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto dis- ing,” Abdrakhmanov said. cussed bilateral relations and inter- Kazakhstan traditionally views developing Eurasian national issues June 26 in Astana. Hungary as a reliable ally in Central Abdrakhmanov noted the 25th and Eastern Europe, it was noted. anniversary of diplomatic rela- “The priority areas in our rela- tions, mentioning the high level tions are agriculture, the energy transcontinental routes of bilateral contact and saying the sector, pharmaceuticals, transport “Kazakhstan is actively working to two countries have historical roots and logistics, innovations and By Malika Orazgaliyeva integrate the transport network into beyond their political and econom- tourism. The June 8 opening of a the Eurasian transport system and ic relations. direct air route between Astana ASTANA – Regional busi- making a significant contribution to The sides focused on the prior- and Budapest will intensify con- Szijjarto said Hungary considers “Hungary supports Kazakh- ness leaders discussed developing its development,” Mamin said. ity of economic diplomacy as well tacts between business people and Kazakhstan a strong factor of sta- stan’s cooperation with the Euro- transport and logistic systems on According to the report, the de- as cooperation within the Kazakh- deepen the partnership in the tour- bility in the region. pean Union. We were among the Eurasian transcontinental routes velopment of modernisation of the Hungarian Strategic Council. ist sphere,” Abdrakhmanov said. “On July 1, Hungary begins its first to ratify the EU-Kazakhstan during the June 15 New Silk Way transport and logistics infrastruc- Abdrakhmanov and Szijjarto “Another important area is edu- (tenure as chair of the) Visegrad Enhanced Partnership and Coop- international transport and logis- ture of the trans-Kazakhstan routes also noted the need to utilise the cational cooperation. For example, Group, which is a political alli- eration Agreement. I hope that co- tics business forum in Astana. are done as part of the Nurly Zhol Kazakh-Hungarian Intergovern- Hungarian universities increased ance of four Central European operation between our two coun- The gathering was part of the 10th and Plan of the Nation 100 con- mental Commission for Economic the number of grants for Kazakh states including the Czech Repub- tries will come to the new level,” Astana Economic Forum. crete steps programmes. Cooperation, the Kazakh-Hungari- students from 45 up to 200,” he lic, Slovakia and Poland. We look Szijjarto added. Participants discussed global “The railroads, highways and air an Business Council and the Hun- added. forward to close cooperation with In addition, Szijjarto noted that economic trends, European and routes laying across the territory of garian Trade House in Astana. Abdrakhmanov thanked the Central Asia, which is currently Kazakhstan and Hungary have the Asian markets in terms of the de- Kazakhstan form effective trans- “We need to use our strategic Hungarian side for participating in demonstrating dynamic growth same position regarding the fight velopment of transcontinental continental corridors from Asia to partnership to develop trade and EXPO 2017. and development,” Szijjarto said. against international terrorism. routes, improvement of the ef- Russia, Europe, Central Asia, the ficiency of multimodal transport, Caucasus and the Persian Gulf,” the role of interstate cooperation Mamin said, adding that in a short on development of international period of time East-West container transport corridors, and the ap- traffic has increased, cargo flows plication of innovative solutions have been reoriented and the new New unified tariff to increase to regional transport and logistics routes have been opened. infrastructure. Mamin noted the World Eco- Kazakh-Kyrgyz railway cargo MAMIN: “Kazakhstan is actively working standards between the two coun- ready to use these conditions two ers. In our opinion, Kazakhstan to integrate the transport network into the By Yerbolat Uatkhanov tries. It concerns mutual access to years ago because of domestic leg- has received sufficient benefits Eurasian transport system and making a railway transportation services and islation that did not meet with the from the introduction of unified ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s infrastructure for Kazakh and Kyr- requirements. Other participants of tariffs because we transport goods significant contribution to its development.” Mazhilis (lower chamber of Par- gyz consumers in equal terms as the EAEU have already been using to Russia in large quantities,” liament) recently approved the well as equal entrance to infrastruc- unified tariffs since 2014. Kassymbek explained. Kazakh First Deputy Prime nomic Forum ranks Kazakhstan ratification of an agreement be- ture facilities for railway transport- Therefore, new tariff will not He also said the Kazakh railway Minister Askar Mamin, Foreign 26th out of 136 countries in quality tween the Kazakh and Kyrgyz ers,” said Minister for Investment affect the economic efficiency of won’t experience losses, because Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov, of railroad infrastructure. governments allowing Kyrgyz and Development Zhenis Kassym- Kazakhstan railways and opera- the Kyrgyz side had to receive Minister for Investments and De- The event also included pres- transporters to transfer through bek while presenting the bill. tion, and transportation expenses these tariffs two years ago. velopment Zhenis Kassymbek, entations by Chief Executive Of- Kazakhstan to Eurasian Economic Kassymbek said common tariffs will be much lower. Mazhilis Deputy Alexander Sus- top managers of transport and ficer of DP World Sultan Ahmed Union (EAEU) states with unified have already saved domestic cargo “Previously, we had domestic, lov noted transportation volumes logistics companies of China, the Bin Sulayem, CEO of Azerbai- tariffs accepted by the members of transporters more than $100 million. export and import tariffs. The do- have already increased. United Arab Emirates, Russia, jan Railways Javid Qurbanov, CEO the union. The move is expected to It is expected the law will not only mestic tariff was lower, export and “The volume of cargo transpor- Iran, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Lithu- of Georgian Railways Mamuka increase transportation value. positively affect the Kyrgyz export- import tariffs were higher. Tariffs tation between the two countries ania, Moldova, Ukraine, Poland, Bakhtadze, Mayor of Chengdu sub- “The signed agreement prelimi- ers, but increase the volume of cargo became identical after the unifica- increased by 14 percent in com- as well as representatives of bank- provincial city Luo Qiang, First narily applied since Jan. 10 provides transportation through Kazakhstan. tion. In general, tariffs have de- parison with the same period last ing and expert circles attended the Vice President of Russian Railways pre-scheduled use of the EAEU He said the Kyrgyz side was not creased for exporters and import- year already,” the minister said. event. Alexander Misharin and others. Kazakhstan donates $300,000 to UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister derlined the importance of Kazakh accordance with the key principles cultural dialogue and harmony in Central Asia, but also the whole By Malika Orazgaliyeva Yerzhan Ashikbayev, who headed President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s of the organisation,” he said. “We the modern world,” he said. world. the nation’s delegation to New initiative about creating a Global consider this contribution as part of The delegation also participated Ashikbayev also attended the ASTANA– Kazakhstan is slated York to attend the UN Security Anti-Terrorist Coalition (Network) our common response to the cur- in the inaugural UN Ocean Con- “Maintenance of International to make a targeted contribution of Council regular meeting. The ses- under UN auspices announced at rent security challenges in Central ference held June 5-9 at its head- Peace and Security – Preventive $300,000 to the United Nations sion focused on implementing UN the General Assembly’s 70th ses- Asia.” quarters. The event was devoted diplomacy and transboundary wa- Trust Fund for Combating Terror- Security Council Resolution 2253, sion. UN Counter-Terrorism Implemen- to one of the goals of sustainable ters” debate chaired by Bolivian ism. The funds will be used to im- Threats to international peace and Ashikbayev confirmed Kazakh- tation Task Force and UN Counter- development, preserving and en- President Evo Morales. Ashikbayev plement the UN Global Counter- security caused by terrorist acts, stan’s continued commitment to Terrorism Centre Director Jehangir suring the wise use of the oceans, noted Astana attaches great impor- Terrorism Strategy, particularly adopted on Dec. 17, 2015. multilateral cooperation to prevent Khan expressed gratitude for Asta- seas and their resources. tance to the issues of water security, the third phase of the project con- In his speech, Ashikbayev con- violent extremism and terrorism in na’s decision and stressed the timeli- In his speech, Ashikbayev which is one of the priorities of Ka- cerned with Central Asia. Kazakh- demned the activities of interna- all its forms and manifestations, in ness of the government’s support. drew the audience’s attention zakhstan’s programme in the UN stan will become the first country tional terrorist organisations and accordance with Nazarbayev’s pro- “Kazakhstan plays an important to the problems of the Aral Sea Security Council. He also briefed in the region to donate to the pro- called for active and concerted posals in the sphere of strengthen- role in preventing violent extrem- and Caspian Sea. He noted only participants on regional trans- gramme, providing more than 10 action by the world community ing international peace and security. ism at the regional and global lev- collective measures can help to boundary water cooperation in Cen- percent of the financing for the aimed at preventing acts of terror “We are sure that the fight els. This country, through signifi- reduce the consequences of the tral Asia, stressing the need for close project. and bringing their organisers to against this evil must be carried out cant and concrete steps, confirms ecological catastrophe in the coordination of the efforts of neigh- The announcement was made by justice. In this connection, he un- jointly by all UN member states in its leadership in promoting inter- former, which affects not only bouring countries in the area. ICRC ready to cooperate with SCO member states, top official says lation of the world. It is a win-win high hopes the United Nations Gen- just because of internal conflict, let of helping citizens to find clean By Chris Stanton situation for all of us, because it eral Assembly will discuss the trea- but also because of natural disasters water with the use of a modern tech will open a dialogue for us to reach ty and that it will be signed in July. that have brought critical devasta- tool. We geotagged all of the foun- ASTANA – The Internation- out to these countries more than “Our doctors have witnessed the tion. tains that you can find throughout al Committee of the Red Cross ever before and that in turn allows devastating effects of these weap- “One operation that I have to the city and then afterward we made (ICRC) is ready to cooperate with us to respect and adhere to interna- ons, because our doctors were on mention that is very close to my an application that gives civilians Shanghai Cooperation Organisa- tional humanitarian law, which is site in 1945 and since then we have heart would be Yemen. It is such a assistance to locate their exact GPS tion (SCO) member states with the main basis of our work,” she worked toward a nuclear ban trea- brutal situation for the civilian pop- coordinates,” she added. the recent monumental signing of said speaking on the eve of the June ty,” she said referring to the U.S. ulation to endure. The medical fa- Beerli emphasised the impor- joint memoranda of understand- 9 SCO summit where India and Pa- nuclear bombings of Hiroshima cilities in a certain sense are crum- tance of the technology due to ing. ICRC Vice President Christine kistan did join as full members. and Nagasaki. bling down. Unfortunately, only more and more war-torn areas that Beerli related her many years of Beerli is convinced if the law Beerli noted the organisation is 35 percent are in working mode at are quickly seeping into urban re- personal insight into the direction Christine Beerli was respected and upheld in all in- active in many parts of the world, the moment. Cholera is one of the gions, which in turn brings power the Red Cross Movement is mov- ternal or international conflicts, the with medical stations for injured ci- main infections that is affecting the outages and stagnates once fully- ing and what lies ahead. resulting situation would be much vilians with on-call surgeons as the population and children are more operational water pipes. With the “In Kazakhstan, one of the com- various fields of need. We have a less difficult and traumatic for the central areas of operation. susceptible,” she added. app, residents are able to find the mon themes that we have and are steady line of communication that civilian population caught in the “If we look a bit around the Beerli also went into detail about closest clean water fountain within working on together is an ultimate goes back and forth that adheres to crossfire. When one has the op- world, we see quite a lot of hot the way technology plays a vital their vicinity. path to a nuclear ban treaty. But also the needs of Kazakhstan citizens,” portunity for a platform to sign an points at the moment. The ICRC role in aiding the civilian popu- “We are currently working with in Kazakhstan we have a healthy she said. agreement of this stature and bring is working in all of the big con- lation to get the help it needs as a corporate partner on smart grids; partnership with the Ministry of Beerli spoke about her mission such knowledge to the world, one flict zones around the world. Our quickly as possible through a sim- imagine this smart grid is connect- Defence in the field of training,” in regards to the SCO meeting held must do everything in his or her biggest operation last year and the ple app that can be downloaded ed to a big battery via solar panels. she said in an exclusive interview in the capital, Kazakhstan and the power to make it happen. next two years will be both in Iraq onto smart phones. The electricity is stored in the so- with The Astana Times. overall significance of the signing “It is my fourth time here so far, and Syria and we are operating to- “We are very convinced that we lar panels, which in turn flows to In partnership with the Ministry the memorandum of understanding. because we were and still are ac- gether with our Syrian Red Cross have to be ahead of the techno- the smart grid. Its benefits are that of Defence, the ICRC conducts “It is quite vital to have a good tive representatives of the nuclear partners for inside help as well logical curve, because it helps us to we are able to distribute the power joint drills alongside local soldiers dialogue and close exchanges be- ban treaty meetings. This has been as our Iraqi Red Cross partners bring the best and most up to date evenly. It is only working in pilot to prepare them for peacekeeping tween quite a lot of entities, as well a topic of interest between us and to give us the additional intel we information we can without physi- mode for now, but the whole idea operations in hot spots around the as regional organisations. The SCO Kazakhstan, but also in regards to need,” she said. cally being at the site of the devas- behind it is that in the future, we world under the direction of NATO. is a very influential organisation the ICRC as well as for the whole She added ICRC’s second big- tation,” she said. want to be able to have our surgical “We also have a Red Crescent and India and Pakistan will soon worldwide Red Cross movement,” gest operation is in South Sudan “For example, Aleppo, Syria is a team work in remote areas which within Kazakhstan and we work join as full members, which will she said. along with the horn of Africa. The great example in a certain sense, be- would not have been possible be- together on numerous projects in cover about 43 percent of the popu- She added the organisation has area is on the edge of famine not cause we used an old traditional out- fore,” she said. Photo by voxpopuli.kz by Photo

B Nation&Capital

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2017

PEOPLE CULTURE SPORTS Nazarbayev opens World Kurultai Nomad Way international festival FC Astana to start UEFA Champions of Kazakhs in Astana shares nomadic culture through League qualification in Latvia B2 live music B3 B7 EXPO 2017 picks up momentum as Young man overcomes national days draw enthusiastic crowds tragedy, gets inspired to help people with disabilities lel bars and bolsters. We started By Kamila Zhumabayeva teaching him to crawl but this wasn’t easy. Two and half hours ASTANA – A car accident left went to make it from one side of 19-year-old Yeldos Bayalysh- a room to another. He would start bayev disabled years ago. He had over and go on until late night,” a neck bone fracture, paralysis Bayalyshbayev’s parents said in of limbs and a bedridden life. At an interview on 365info.kz. least that was what doctors told Bayalyshbayev decided he him. But persistence, family sup- wants to help others get up on port and care not only got Bayaly- their feet and opened a sports shbayev up on his feet again but rehabilitation centre for people also inspired others like him to do with disabilities. Back then Akim the same at a rehabilitation centre (Mayor) of Taldykorgan Yermek he built and has been successfully Alpysov supported this idea and running. allotted more than 300 square “Motivation happens when metres of premises for this pur- you make your ideas come to life pose. and it helps people, makes their “I took part in the Business Road life easier. When I see happy Map 2020 programme and won a looks on their faces, this is the three million tenge (US$9,582) strongest motivation for me and grant. We produced rehabilitation I want to work even more,” Bay- exercise equipment, but they are alyshbayev said in an interview copies of Swedish rehab training for this story. equipment. All training devices After years of daily trainings, he were handmade,” Bayalyshbayev was able to sit down, then crawl said. on all fours and finally get up and “At our Asar Centre for peo- walk small distances with help. ple with special needs, we try Bayalyshbayev held strong and to make everybody get up on optimistic in spite of difficult and their feet and become independ- traumatic moments. ent. Thanks to special training “When Yeldos sat down in a equipment that we made in three wheelchair, we believed we had years, more than 280 people from a real chance he will be able to the entire Kazakhstan have gone walk. We were convinced that ex- through rehabilitation at our cen- ercises give efficient results. We tre,” he noted. took all seating furniture out of the living room and placed paral- Continued on Page B2

National days of countries participating in EXPO 2017, complete with theatrical performances, concerts and parades, draw fans to the exhibition site on a daily basis. For expanded coverage of the expo see Section C, as well as the editorial on A6. Sanofi healthcare products spread in E-government app offers 83 services offers 83 services to its citizens, nomic Forum devoted to the digi- ment mobile app the best one in Kazakh households Staff Report announced Deputy Minister of talisation of world economies. the one-stop shop nomination in Information and Communication “It is necessary to note that the terms of provision of public ser- By Dmitry Lee more than 100 countries and em- ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s elec- Kairat Balykbayev at a June 15 Global E-Government Forum vices,” he said. ploying more than 100,000 indi- tronic government mobile app session of the 10th Astana Eco- named Kazakhstan’s e-govern- Continued on Page B4 ASTANA – Sanofi, one of the viduals. Sanofi Central Asia has a world’s five largest pharmaceuti- staff of more than 350 in Armenia, cal companies, is celebrating its Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, 20th anniversary in Kazakhstan Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uz- this year. In an exclusive inter- bekistan. view with The Astana Times, Cen- “Everything you see made by French connection: Kazakhstan’s modern tral Asia General Manager Ranga Sanofi is highly ethical and highly compliant,” he said. “This year, Welaratne took a resolute stand for we celebrate 20 years since Sanofi company’s highest-quality prod- came to Kazakhstan.” history captured by French journalist uct. The healthcare firm is consid- “I would rather lose my entire ered the leader in emerging Cen- called Atelier Henry Dougier, to business than lose the value of my By Dmitry Lee which I am very grateful. So I tral Asian markets. Its mission is to company!” he said. didn’t earn anything by doing this, bring innovation to patients across French-based Sanofi is a life- ASTANA – A book by French but I also didn’t lose anything.” the globe, he added. independent journalist Lise Bar- Barcellini is going back to science company represented in Continued on Page B2 cellini highlighting Kazakhstan’s France after her mission is done in prominent figures and published Kazakhstan and will return to be- by a private French publisher is in- ing a television reporter. tended to serve as a connection to “I am a journalist because I THINGS TO WATCH & the Francophone world and break love meeting people. Television is some clichés. meeting people, connecting with PLACES TO GO Barcellini moved to Kazakh- them but not writing. Writing a stan two years ago with her hus- book, on the contrary, is harder as band from France, and had to quit you have to sit down, reflect and her job for the relocation. How- write your thoughts down. It’s a PARK INN BY RADISSON ever, having been a journalist at very different type of work and June 29 at 7 p.m. Presentation of JUST cosmetics France’s top television channels, was completely new for me. I re- she refused to just kill time in the ally liked it so maybe in the future steppe country with manicure ses- Lise Barcellini (L) and Karipbek Kuyukov. I will write more books,” she said ASTANA STATE CIRCUS sions. She wanted to make her in conclusion. July 2-6 at 4 p.m. Echo of Asia, int’l festival time in Kazakhstan as useful as human, ethnic, historic and geo- Cultural Learnings of America for ATOM Project Honorary Am- possible, she said. graphic diversity and include such Make Benefit Glorious Nation of bassador Karipbek Kuyukov, The result was her book, “Ka- prominent figures as Olzhas Sulei- Kazakhstan,” which is a complete who had travelled to the capital ASTANA BALLET zakhstan, Young Nation Between menov, poet, diplomat and leader misrepresentation of the country, from Karaganda just for the pres- China, Russia and Europe.’’ of the Nevada-Semipalatinsk she believes. entation, following the presen- July 5 at 7 p.m. Black Burka, ballet and show “I wanted to find a way to meet the international anti-nuclear move- In her book she takes a new ap- tation said: “[Barcellini] wrote July 6 at 7 p.m. Romeo and Juliette, ballet [local] people, not just to mingle with ment; Toktar Aubakirov, the coun- proach and sheds light not only on a book about people that she the foreigners,” said Barcellini in an try’s first astronaut; Dossym Sat- the country’s natural resources but believes were meant to be in it. exclusive interview with The Astana payev, a political analyst; Rashid also on its human resources. The fact that she thought of me ASTANA OPERA Times. “I was a journalist before, so Nugmanov, film director and pro- Barcellini says she tried to stay when selecting candidates means I decided to do something to use my ducer; Karipbek Kuyukov, hon- as neutral as possible while writing a lot to me. I am very thankful to June 29 at 7 p.m. World Ballet, superstars gala skills. I found this way to talk about orary ambassador of The ATOM the book. her for this gesture. Many French July 3-4 at 7 p.m. 10th Turkic music festival Kazakhstan. I found a publisher in Project and anti-nuclear testing “I have no sponsors, I have no people will read this book and July 6 at 6 p.m. “Happy Birthday, Dear Capital!” France and did my research here and advocate, and many others. Some links with the French embassy discover Kazakhstan’s prominent met with the people.” interviews were anonymous. here, I am not linked with Kazakh- figures like Olzhas Suleimenov Gala Concert dedicated to the The book of 41 interviews tells a During the presentation of the stan’s embassy in France, I don’t and Toktar Aubakirov – all these Capital’s Day modern tale of a young nation: 41 book in Astana, Barcellini noted want any political support in any people are the heroes of Kazakh- people, voices and stories. that back in her native country, case, no companies or money. I stan and played a crucial role in The people she interviewed Kazakhstan is still mostly associ- was not paid, but this book was the establishment of our inde- for the book reveal the country’s ated with the 2006 feature “Borat: published by a private company pendence.” B2 NATION&CAPITAL PEOPLE

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2017 Nazarbayev opens World Kurultai of Kazakhs in Astana Eighty percent of all delegates we use Cyrillic, our compatriots Initially scheduled for 2016, By Assel Satubaldina this year are taking part in the Ku- in China use the Arabic script and Kurultai was postponed to coin- rultai for the first time. Unlike pre- our brothers in the West use Latin. cide with a major international ASTANA – Kazakhstan President vious years, this time the organis- When we speak to each other, it is event now taking place in Astana Nursultan Nazarbayev opened June ers put the focus on Kazakh youth one language, but when it comes – EXPO 2017, – as delegates ex- 23 the fifth World Kurultai of Ka- residing in foreign countries – 60 to reading, we have three different pressed their interest in attending zakhs in Astana, which takes place percent of delegates are young languages. We cannot understand the exhibition. in the capital within the framework people not older than 35, who suc- each other. We become estranged,” As part of their visit, delegates of EXPO 2017. Nearly 850 del- ceeded in various fields abroad. Nazarbayev noted, as reported by will visit pavilions at the expo, egates and guests, including 350 The delegates will focus on is- Kazinform news agency. Astana’s sights and attractions and ethnic Kazakhs from 39 countries, sues related to the funding of Ka- With the potential of the Latin Ethnic Village complex, which arrived in Astana to take part. zakh cultural centres abroad, vari- alphabet to unite Kazakhs around brings visitors closer to the Ka- “I want to address Kazakhs from ous forms of assistance to Kazakh the world, Nazarbayev believes zakh culture and traditions. They the rostrum with lines from a poem diasporas and measures to encour- the transition can occur earlier will also take part in round tables – every Kazakh is the one and only age young Kazakhs from abroad to than 2025 initially announced in and seminars organized by the for me. I send my warmest greet- study in Kazakhstan. his state-of-the-nation address in country’s ministries. ings to our compatriots living According to Nazarbayev, one 2012. “I believe it is not difficult, Approximately one million eth- abroad,” Nazarbayev said in his of the many ways to unite Kazakhs because our children learn English nic Kazakhs have returned to Ka- opening remarks. is to accelerate the introduction of since the first grade. All schools zakhstan since the country gained He noted that every Kazakh con- the Latin alphabet. “Transition of have English language classes, its independence in 1991. Last tributes to the development of Ka- the Kazakh language to Latin al- which use the Latin alphabet. The year, Kazakhstan simplified citi- zakhstan regardless of where they idea behind the creation of Kurul- culture and traditions as they can phabet is a step closer to greater in- young generation will have no zenship application procedures for live. tai, which means congregation in be subject to assimilation and let tegration in global science and ed- problem with that. We will not ethnic Kazakhs, which increased Established in 1992 and taking Kazakh, is to unite Kazakhs all Kazakhs know that they are wel- ucation system and to our spiritual have any problems either,” Naz- the number of Kazakh families re- place every five years, the general over the world, promote Kazakh come in their historical homeland. unity. On the post-Soviet space, arbayev added. turning to Kazakhstan eight times. Young man overcomes tragedy, gets Sanofi healthcare inspired to help people with disabilities products spread in Continued from Page B1 the shore. Platforms are needed other contestants and made his process up to a new level and for people on wheelchairs to get plan come to life. quality. Colossal results took place around with ease. Many board- “Not just people with disabili- “My motto is one does not need Kazakh households within this period of time, ac- ing houses for tourists are avail- ties used this platform but also to wait when someone will do it Continued from Page B1 cording to Bayalyshbayev. Fifty- able there but not one of them fits retired people. All were thank- but take matters in own hands, five attendees stood up and began people with disabilities,” Bay- ful,” the young man mentioned. solve this problem and help the “Sanofi has been growing its walking with the help of a walk- alyshbayev said. One of the biggest wins was government to contribute to so- business in this part of the world ing frame, 50 learned crawling, He had an idea at that mo- a grant contract for $82,818 at ciety! Many opportunities are [in the past 55 years] and such 60 to 70 people were able to ment to make it more accessible an international contest in 2017. available now to realise your consumer healthcare products as work with training machines on and have a specialised boarding The money went to purchasing idea. There are grants, contests No Spa (equivalent to Drotaver- their own. house. To make that happen, Bay- advanced training equipment for and so on. Only don’t sit still at ine), Essentiale Forte and Maa- Apart from improving their alyshbayev prepared a business rehabilitation from Italy, Poland, one place or take pot luck espe- lox are household items in Ka- health, many were developing plan and applied for the Startup Germany, the U.S. and China. cially at a young age but work zakhstan produced by Sanofi that their creative skills too. Bolashak contest. He landed 2nd This, according to the entrepre- on your goals!” Bayalyshbayev every Kazakh citizen knows,” said “We began arranging perfor- place after beating thousands of neur, moved the rehabilitation added. Welaratne. mances. While during trainings, The company supplies consum- Ranga Welaratne we had our own team formed and er healthcare or non-prescription we began performing on con- products to Kazakhstan, as well don’t Smile’ and when I came here certs. Turned out, our centre had as vaccines and medicine for dia- in the middle of the winter it was many talents, someone can sing betes and cardiovascular and rare very cold and I did find people well, another person composes diseases. who weren’t really smiley. But poems and some can dance. We “This is also possible due to once you get to know the people, even have our own KVN [com- Kazakhstan’s healthcare system, you realise they’re very family- edy and game show] team and as the government funds certain oriented and very warm people be- they had already placed high therapeutic areas for the popula- yond the surface,” he said. on a regional level and are at a tion, for example diabetes prod- A native of Sri Lanka, Welaratne national level now,” Bayalysh- ucts. Insulins as well as vaccines studied in Australia and graduated bayev states. are bought by the government and from an engineering and business He has been involved with distributed through proper chan- school (MBA) there. He joined Sa- swimming from early childhood. nels to patients,” he said. nofi in the country as a consultant Bayalyshbayev was travelling to Every Kazakh citizen has come and six months later was offered a full-time job. Lake Alakol every year after his in contact and is aware of these “Sanofi had the qualities I was trauma as he believes the lake widely-used products by the time looking for in a company,” he said. and its famous curative mud have they are adolescents, as each child “It’s a multi-national company health benefits; salty waters are is vaccinated by Sanofi products at with fundamentals like under- good for joints and musculoskel- birth. “The children’s vaccines are as standing and serving the patients etal system recovery and water and in an ethical way.” rich with minerals has a whole safe as they can be,” Welaratne stressed. “My children get the Kazakhstan is Welaratne’s sev- Mendeleev periodic table in it. same vaccine. These vaccines enth Sanofi assignment. He joined “Having visited the lake I no- used in Kazakhstan are the same the company in 2004 and had held ticed one can rarely meet people vaccines used in Australia, France various posts in Australia, Bel- with disabilities resting on the and Germany. No matter the loca- gium, China, France, South Korea shore and I fell to thinking ‘what tion, Sanofi products are exactly and the Netherlands. Commenting is the matter?’ The issue was the same everywhere. I want to be from experience, he noted policies that there wasn’t an access to 365info.kz Photo credit: very clear on this point – Sanofi in emerging markets can some- quality standards and compliance times be a challenge for companies undergo the strictest regulations, like Sanofi. including transportation. From “The policies tend to change the time it is manufactured to the quickly and this is not only about time it is vaccinated, the product is Kazakhstan and this can be chal- NU Career Centre assists temperature-controlled.” lenging. The funding mechanisms The company wants to establish are not defined sometimes and phar- good relations with Kazakh au- maceutical reforms are happening thorities and the population. quite often, so one needs to be able graduates in landing a job “[With this in mind] I feel like ask- to adapt the business to these chal- shops and trainings and schedule ap- tive dialogue on the challenges of ing – ‘How can we help?’ This is the lenges. There are opportunities on By Dana Omirgazy pointments with career advisors and the modern world. This year, the [meaning] of our existence. So, to- the other hand, being in an emerg- campus recruiters. They can also up- centre focused on ways to enhance day we are trying to work with the ing market you get both opportuni- ASTANA – Nazarbayev Univer- load resumes into a searchable data- graduate employability through Ministry of Healthcare and Social ties and challenges,” he said. sity (NU) held its third graduation base, which our employers can then creating employer relations. Protection and other authorities to try “In the countries like Kazakh- ceremony last month, awarding use to recruit applicants,” she added. “Certainly, employers tend to to build a partnership that will enable stan, the ecosystem in the pharma- 728 bachelor’s and master’s de- This year, the centre also started want things to be done their way us to bring our high-quality products ceutical market is not mature yet grees and for the first time present- a career advising programme with when it comes to competencies, at a very affordable price and these but developing at a fast pace for in ing nine PhDs. sessions available to students and skills and attitudes toward work are not easy things to do,” he said. the past few years. Multi-national With sheepskins in hand, what alumni. issues, while universities expect Although Welaratne has trav- companies have been here only are the students’ next steps? “We encourage the students to students to develop and exercise elled extensively, he admitted in the past 15 to 20 years, as op- According to statistics from use self-assessment tools to exam- critical judgement. Here comes an knowing little about this part of posed to such countries as the U.S. 2015-2016 provided by the NU Evgeniya Kim ine their values, personality, inter- important role of the centre to cre- the world until assuming the post or France that have had these com- Career and Advising Centre, 54.3 ing graduates’ professional skills ests and abilities, and then, based ate a ‘win-win’ situation. The days in Kazakhstan. panies for over 150 years, so the percent of alumni took jobs af- in cooperation with NU employer on the results, discuss possible where the mission of the career “I didn’t have many impressions ecosystem there is quite mature,” ter graduation and 36.4 percent partners. We work with alumni options to find the most suitable centre was ‘placement’ are gone. about [the country], to be honest, he added. continued their studies. For the and help the NU Alumni Associa- careers. Our career advisors help Likewise, universities are focus- before coming to Kazakhstan. Welaratne noted the company former, the centre is facilitating tion to develop an understanding with resume critique, job search ing more on career education to I read a couple of books before is preparing for the June 28 in- employment in the modern com- of how important it is to maintain techniques and preparation for teach students how to manage and coming. I was pleasantly surprised ternational conference on modern petitive labour market, both local interest and involve alumni in the necessary interviews, especially take responsibility for their career about Central Asia and what I ob- approaches to managing socially- and international, said Centre Di- life of the university,” she told The for fresh graduates once they enter paths. We look at our services to served since being here, in particu- significant diseases. The confer- rector Yevgeniya Kim. Astana Times. Last year, the centre the job market,” said Kim. students as providing resources, lar about the people and culture,” ence is being coordinated with the “The centre launched its ac- benefited significantly by imple- The centre intends to continue opportunities for networking and, he said. support of the Kazakh Ministry of tivities in 2012 to ensure compre- menting CAC CareerNet, a career sharing its experience during the most importantly, insight to help in Welaratne and his family arrived Healthcare, the French Embassy in hensive support for students and management system. annual Eurasian Higher Educa- determining and pursuing their ca- in Kazakhstan in January 2016. Kazakhstan and Sanofi. The organ- graduates in planning their careers. “Both students and alumni have tion Leaders’ Forum (EHELF) reer aspirations. The students feel The people, he noted, were his big- isers are expecting experts from We are providing unbiased and up- gained access to the personal web- hosted by NU, aimed at bringing safe and confident in the driver’s gest eye-opener. Russia, the International Diabetes dated information about the cur- page to look at employment and together experts in education to seat while navigating their career “Before coming to Kazakhstan, I Federation and the World Health rent labour market and develop- internship listings, register for work- create a platform for an interac- future,” said Kim. read a book called ‘Why Russians Organisation. B3 NATION&CAPITAL CULTURE

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2017 Nomad Way international festival shares nomadic culture through live music and guests. I believe they will re- Nomad Way gathers artists and By Dana Omirgazy ceive a lot of positive impressions bands from different countries of and emotions from visiting Nomad the Silk Road. DJ Nariman Isenov, ASTANA – The June 11-15 first Way,” she noted before the event. Tigrahaud, Aldaspan and Magic international Festival of Nomadic “The Nomad Way Festival is of Nomads bands, as well as duet Peoples at the recently launched one of the brands of the Spirit of of Yedil Khusainov and Satzhan Ethno Aul near the city’s hippo- Tengri project. Nomad Way was Project represented Kazakhstan. drome has helped share elements born thanks to cooperation with Argymak and Zaman bands per- of nomadic culture, tengrinews.kz the Ministry of Culture and Sport. formed at the festival site from reports. I would like to express gratitude to Bashkortostan. Namgar and Shono Kazakh bands Tigrahaud, Hapa- Minister Arystanbek Muhamedi- teams represented Russia’s Burya- nasasa and singer NAsia, as well as yuly. … The legacy of nomadic tia region. In addition, the festival the Abbos band from Uzbekistan and culture, especially the musical her- featured Nordic Namgar team. the Argymak band from Bashkorto- itage, is one of the undisclosed ter- Hungarian Tilla Torok’s Band also stan performed ethnic folk-rock to ra incognita for the whole planet. performed at the event. introduce the audience to the free- Our task is to make this richness Gulzada team took part in the dom-loving culture of nomads. of folklore creativity the property festival from Kyrgyzstan, Ab- Vice Minister of Culture and of the whole planet,” Alash Media bos band represented Uzbekistan, Sport Aktoty Raimkulova believes Group Chief Executive Officer and Avesto group came from Tajik- that Nomad Way will become a fa- the chief organiser of the event Ba- istan. Turkey was represented by vourite festival of local people. tyr Kazybayev said. Baba Zula. The Turkic peoples of “The festival brings together “These bands are very popular; Russia represented five regions most amazing bands of different they are recognisable in their coun- at once: Talgat Khasenov per- directions – ethno, rock, jazz, etc. tries. Therefore, there will be liter- formed from Tatarstan, Chyltys We are very pleased to welcome ally a burst of stunning musical art. Tannagasheva represented Gor- guests from different countries Live sound, live performance and naya Shoria, Bolot Bairyshev and of our commonwealth, from the energy. You will plunge into a rich Alexey Chichakov were from Al- Photo credit: tengrinews.kz Photo credit: (Shanghai Cooperation Organisa- world of stunning sounds, amazing tai, Ayarkhaan was from Yakutia, tion) countries, as well as from great pleasure, we will present our brightest representatives of ethnic will become a favourite holiday philosophy, which is the legacy of and Radik Tyulush and Chalama European countries. … With a national (musicians) who are the music today. I think this festival destination for Astana residents our great steppe,” Kazybayev added. performed on behalf of Tuva. Jackie Chan enjoyed his trip to Astana Akan Satayev’s film restaurateurs were so happy to see According to Karin, the only joked and laughed,” said Karin. Staff Report their idol that even for dinners we expenses incurred by the Kazakh “He liked it in our country and he did not have to pay anything. It side were souvenirs and tickets for promised to come again soon for Actor, producer and director was planned that he would stay in EXPO 2017. a longer time to work in joint pro- named Best Feature Jackie Chan did not ask for a pay- Kazakhstan for a couple of days, “Jackie is an amazing, very jects. We are looking forward to ment nor a rider for his visit to Asta- but because of the tight schedule it modest, good-natured, sincere and that.” na, said Kazakhstan broadcasting turned out to be only half a day,” cheerful person. He didn’t turn Chan visited Astana for the Film at New York station chairperson Yerlan Karin. Karin wrote in his Instagram. anyone away from a joint photo, opening of the festival of Chinese Karin said that the plans only in- cinema. At a press conference, cluded Chan’s participation in the he said that he wanted to come opening of the festival of Chinese to Kazakhstan for a longer time, Eurasian Film Festival cinema. However, Chan went on to especially after he saw pictures of its power that helped young man meet with people, held a press con- beautiful places in Kazakhstan. By Assel Satubaldina Ilyas to withstand numerous life ference and was a talk-show guest He is planning to shoot a film in challenges far from home. The over the course of half a day. Kazakhstan. He also shared his ASTANA – “Road to Mother” film captures one of the most dif- “What’s more surprising is that impressions about singer Dimash directed by Akan Satayev won ficult and tragic periods in Ka- his arrival in Astana did not cost Kudaibergenov. the Best Feature Film award at zakhstan’s history – collectivisa- us anything! He flew on a private At the festival, Chan sang a plane, with friends, no one paid song in his native language and him any fees, and he did not give was joined on stage by Kudai- us his rider. Even refused to be met bergenov. The two first met in in a luxury car but asked for an China when the Kazakh singer ordinary minivan to travel around participated in the contest “I’m a the city with friends. Local Astana Singer.” Astana Opera ballet artists stand out in international competition in New York gala concerts at prestigious world Now, Adamzhan and Na- mark the 90th anniversary of By Dana Omirgazy stages. kyspekov have started prepar- outstanding contemporary cho- Nakyspekov presented a modern ing for the challenging contest reographer, artistic director of ASTANA – Astana Opera thea- dance in his own production, which featuring 200 participants in competition Yuri Grigorovich. tre artists gained a double victory was praised by the jury members. at the June 5-10 Valentina Kozlova “I was a little nervous before the International Ballet Competition first round, but it passed as soon ADAMZHAN: ‘‘It was a very tough (VKIBC) in New York, according as I went onstage. This was not to the theatre’s press service. my first visit to New York, it is competition. There were serious competitors Principal Dancer of the Astana a city of great opportunities, but, from Korea, Japan, the U.S., Brazil, France and Opera ballet Bakhtiyar Adamzhan being there, I really missed Astana became the first winner of the and my native theatre. In addition Canada.’’ dorogakmateri.kz Photo credit: Grand Prix in the Classical Dance to the modern dance, I presented the June 16-18 fifth New York tion, famine, World War II and category in the history of the com- James’ variation from the La Syl- Moscow. The International Bal- The international competition Eurasian Film Festival. The com- post war years, which took the petition. Another soloist of Astana phide ballet, a variation from the let Competition and Contest of precedes the Year of Russian petition brought together 33 films lives of millions of young people Opera ballet Serik Nakyspekov Le Corsaire ballet and debuted Choreographers is one of the ballet and the 200th birth an- from 18 countries. and destroyed the lives of many won a bronze medal. with the variation from the Talis- most prestigious ballet shows in niversary of great ballet master “I am pleased to announce that more. Honourary chairperson of the man ballet,” Nakispekov said. the world. This major event will Marius Petipa. our film “Road to Mother” was The film’s plot is based on the authoritative jury was choreog- named best feature film at New story that Satayev once heard rapher Mikko Nissinen (Finland) York Eurasian Film Festival,” Sa- from his parents, theatre actors and chairperson of the judges was tayev wrote on his personal Insta- who toured across the country in ballet master and People’s Artist gram page. 1980s. of Russia Andris Liepa. The film’s general producer Filming started in 2015 and “It was a very tough competi- Aliya Nazarbayeva, the young- took place in Kazakhstan, Belarus tion. There were serious competi- est daughter of Kazakh President and Azerbaijan. tors from Korea, Japan, the U.S., Nursultan Nazarbayev, also re- “Road to Mother” has already Brazil, France and Canada. I pre- ceived Eurasian Women in Cin- received several international sented four classical variations ema award and Altynai Nogerbek and one modern dance. For my playing one of leading female and national awards. It won the final performance, I presented a roles won Best Actress award. grand prize at the Eurasian Bridge brilliant Diana and Actaeon vari- The New York Eurasian Film Film Festival in Yalta and Tulpar ation from the Esmeralda ballet Festival seeks to promote and prize from the National Academy by C. Pugni. I would like to ex- strengthen cultural cooperation of Motion Picture Arts at the Al- press my gratitude for the support and interaction between the U.S. maty International Film Festival. to our state, including the Minis- and the region. Every year it It received critical acclaim at the try of Culture and Sports and the brings short films, feature films Moscow International Film Fes- Foundation of the First President and documentaries from Eurasia tival. of Kazakhstan. Having the oppor- to New York. Akan Satayev is a prominent tunity to represent our art abroad, “Road to Mother” premiered Kazakh director. He directed we are implementing the tasks in non-competitive section of the several successful films. Among that the President has set for us: Moscow International Film Fes- them are the historical film to promote modern Kazakh cul- tival in June 2016 with Kazakh- “Zhauzhurek Myn Bala” (“Thou- ture in the world,” Adamzhan stan’s premiere taking place in sand Young Warriors”) and one said. Almaty in September. of the highest-grossing films in Following the competition, the The picture tells the story of a the history of the Kazakh cinema artist was invited to participate in astanaopera.kz Photo credit: mother’s unconditional love and “Reketir” (“Racketeer”). B4 NATION&CAPITAL COUNTRY

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2017 Polish delegation meets State Kazakh-built high-speed Secretary, opens exhibition electric locomotives to be exported to Belarus food products, construction mate- was agreed that Kazakh companies Staff Report rials, machine-building, metallur- will be included in the register of gical, chemical products and more fertilizer suppliers for the needs of ASTANA – The Kazakh Invest than 70 Belarusian companies took agricultural producers of Belarus. National Company announced part in the forum. Kazakhstan will also supply the plans to export 20 passenger elec- “We discussed issues of deliver- food products for the Vitalyur, the tric locomotives to Belarus at ing Kazakhstan’s passenger elec- largest Belarusian supermarket chain. the recent meeting of the Trade tric locomotives to Belarus and The KZ4AT, a high-speed elec- Mission of Kazakh Producers in we plan to export 20 KZ4AT pas- tric locomotive at a top speed of Minsk. The event was held with senger electric locomotives for the up to 200 km/h had its initial track the participation of Belarusian needs of the Belarusian Railways,” test in July 2016. The new single- Chamber of Commerce and Indus- said Deputy Director General of section multifunctional locomo- try and export contracts worth $20 Electric Locomotive Manufactur- tive was developed by Alstom, a million were signed. ing Plant Andrei Yershov. French multinational company, “We are currently working on Management of KazAzot and and has the widest range of opera- the electrification of the railways Temir-Service, Kazakhstan agro- tion in the world. The convenient in Belarus and we are interested in chemical producers also met with conditions, including climate con- Kazakhstan’s electric locomotives,” Belarusian Deputy Minister of trol, seat heating, floor heating, said Belarusian Railways Chief En- Agriculture and Food Vladimir microwave, refrigerator, toilet and Photo credit: khabar.kz Photo credit: gineer Valeriy Shubadarev. Grakun as part of the business fo- other services are provided in the political, economic, cultural and captured on the walls of the exhib- Ten domestic manufacturers of rum. Following the negotiations, it cab for the driver and assistant. By Assel Satubaldina humanitarian cooperation. it. Many Poles named enemies of Abdykalikova stressed the con- the state were deported to labour ASTANA – A delegation from tribution of the 32,000 Polish di- camps in the most remote parts Poland is on a three-day visit to aspora in developing Kazakhstan’s of the Soviet Union, including Kazakhstan to visit EXPO 2017 socio-political and economic sec- ALZHIR, where Polish women, and celebrate the June 17 Day of tors. She expressed gratitude to her mothers, sisters or wives of en- Poles. Headed by Deputy Senate colleagues for their participation emies of the state, were sentenced Marshal Maria Koc, the delegation in EXPO 2017 marking the im- to five-eight years. Thousands met with Kazakh State Secretary portance of Polish achievements were brutally killed in the Katyn Gulshara Abdykalikova June 15 in the field of alternative energy. massacre carried out by NKVD in and unveiled the exhibition dedi- Abdykalikova also congratulated 1940. cated to Polish army commander the country on its selection as a Many Polish people, including Gen. Wladyslaw Anders. non-permanent member of the officers and civilians throughout  The delegation consists of United Nations Security Council the Soviet Union, joined Anders members of the Polish parliament for 2018-2019, where it will sit Army as their only hope to escape including Secretary of State and together with Kazakhstan during death in concentration camps. The Prime Minister’s Plenipotentiary one year. army saved the lives of more than for International Dialogue Anna The same day as part of the vis- 120,000 people. Maria Anders, the daughter of the it, Anders opened the exhibition “Last year we came across the general who is regarded as hero in in the Alzhir memorial complex idea of representing a piece of modern Poland credited with sav- devoted to her father’s army and history, the history of my father’s ing more than one hundred thou- victims of political repression and army, Gen. Anders Army, that was sands of Poles during World War totalitarianism. He was a former formed in the Soviet Union and II. NKVD prisoner and commanded then came out through Siberia, “The purpose of my visit is pri- the nation’s forces during World the Middle East, Kazakhstan and marily to attend the expo. In our War II. Uzbekistan and finally ended up pavilion, we want to present Po- “We are at this exhibition to in the battle of Monte Cassino in land as a rapidly growing country speak about the history of the Pol- Italy. It is important to promote the that devotes significant attention ish people who are here. There are history of my father, but also I feel National Bank chief lays out to innovations. Economic ties are many Poles here (in Kazakhstan),” that for many years that part of his- growing, but we need to strength- she said. tory was neglected,” said Anders. en cooperation in this field,” said The exhibition marks the 75th The collection of photos and in- Koc, as quoted by khabar.kz. anniversary of Anders Army initi- formation presented in the exhibi- plans to improve banking sector “We are here to support Poland ated by the signing of the Sikor- tion is the result of the hard work owners of the bank,” said Aki- those problems and write off the at the expo. We are here also to ski-Maysky agreement in 1941 of leading Polish historical and By Zhaniya Urankayeva shev. loans that they have accumulated develop closer relations between between the Soviet Union and the archival organisations, including Akishev also voiced the scheme and recognise the losses that they Kazakhstan and Poland,” added Polish government in exile in the the Archive of New Acts, Central ASTANA – The National Bank of activity proposed by the NB, ac- may not have shown. By the end of Anders. U.K. Military Archives, Institute of Po- of Kazakhstan (NB) recently an- cording to which the bank is com- the year, it is planned to implement During the meeting, the sides The fate of Polish people who land, General Sikorski Museum nounced the conditions for the pleting the preparation of a pro- a programme, according to which discussed bilateral ties between the fell victim to Soviet and German in London, Polish Army Museum shareholders on the mandatory gramme for improving the banking banks that have identified the loss nations and prospects for further occupation beginning in 1939 is and National Digital Archives. injection of funds into the capital. sector. and provide capital, will meet all This was stated during the joint “The scheme assumes the sup- international criteria. session of the Chambers of the port of banks from the side of NB “After that we can count on im- Parliament by NB Chairman Dani- for the provision of resources but proving the ratings of banks and yar Akishev. on a mandatory basis in exchange their financial condition. This is According to Akishev, to find for the proportional participation the exact banking sector that will E-gov app offers 83 services out the real situation within the of shareholders. That is, if the state perform the task set by the NB and Continued from Page B1 Kazakhstan’s citizens have three tween service provider and service banks, it is planned to assess the gives money, shareholders com- the government,” concluded Aki- options to receive public services recipient. quality of their assets. mit themselves for a specific pe- shev. Balykbayev said Kazakhstan – the electronic government por- The country’s efforts in improv- “The problem arises in the riod of time and put a proportional On March 2, President Nursul- has the infrastructure necessary tal, Centres for Public Services ing its electronic government sys- fact that the shareholders of the amount in the form of investments tan Nazarbayev signed a decree on for e-government in the offering of and Government for Citizens State tem fostered Kazakhstan’s high bank must make significant in- in the capital. Currently, these pe- the allocation of money from the more than 700 types of services in Corporation. performance in international rank- jections into the capital, the NB riods are being discussed,” Aki- national fund for the improvement electronic format and through the With the idea of electronic gov- ings. For instance, Kazakhstan was understands that at present there shev added. of the banking sector and decided e-government portal. ernment initially announced by ranked 33th among 193 countries are not enough opportunities for According to the scheme, the to allocate a targeted transfer to All licences in Kazakhstan have President Nursultan Nazarbayev, in the United Nations E-Govern- a single infusion of significant banks will receive a significant the national budget for 2017 of 1.9 been issued only in electronic for- the electronic government portal ment Survey 2016. amounts of funds in the economy inflow of capital in the next few trillion tenge (US $5.8 billion) for mat since 2012, he said. was established in 2006 with reg- It also held 39th position among both from shareholders and other years. They will be able to solve the recovery of the banking sector. Balykbayev also said the number istered users now equalling six 139 countries in the World Eco- of public services offered through million. Among many benefits of nomic Forum’s Networked Readi- the Centres for Public Services (so electronic government, including ness Index 2016 that assesses how called TSONs) grows annually. mobility and time, it also contrib- countries use communication and The centres provided more than 26 utes to fighting corruption, as it technologies to foster competitive- million services in 2016. eliminates personal interaction be- ness of their economies. Kazakhstan continues with green energy investments Renewable Energy, summarised the use. The facilities will include 23 By Chris Stanton report as it relates to the country. wind energy plants, 17 solar pow- ASTANA TOWER Business Center “One of the main goals of this re- er stations and 13 hydroelectric ASTANA – Kazakhstan has con- port is to identify gaps in the regions. power stations, as well as several tinued investments in renewable It is very important to have data that plants producing biogas, an alter- energy sources and will to expand will form the basis of renewable en- native energy source. awarded BREEAM In-Use Excellent rating these volumes as it moves forward. ergy and energy efficiency efforts According to the numbers, spe- Astana Tower Ishletme LLP an- isting buildings and its operational within a walking distance from the So far, the investment share does in the region. Lack of investment in cial focus is currently being placed nounces that the ASTANA TOW- efficiency. The ASTANA TOWER business center. not exceed 1 percent, according to the development of renewable en- on wind power facilities, which is ER Business Center has obtained Business Center prior to receiv- Zhanar Yseneeva, General Di- an alternative energy study com- ergy is among the negative aspects. largely due to the unique natural a BREEAM In-Use certification ing the certification, introduced a rector of Astana Tower Ishletme pleted by the United Nations Eco- Subsidies for electricity persist in conditions of the country’s regions. applied to existing non-residen- comprehensive environmentally LLP said, “Creating comfortable nomic Commission for Europe and the regions. This complicates the For example, the average annual tial buildings. The first A class of- friendly policy for the building’s conditions for tenants is one of the International Energy Agency. development of renewable energy wind speed reaches nine metres fice building met high internation- operation. our priorities in building man- The study was conducted in 17 sources. Low oil prices also inhibit per second in the capital and Fort- al technical standards to achieve Tenants and visitors of the busi- agement. However, the environ- nations, where experts observed a the situation,” he said. Shevchenko, on the territory of the the highest BREEAM ratings: ness center enjoy the most favour- mental efficiency – energy sav- significant drop in investments. Renewable energy production Dzungarian Gate and Shelek Cor- “Very Good” in Asset (perfor- able working conditions: a thermal ing and technologies reducing the Authorities in the renewable en- volumes will grow three times ridor. The areas, which measure mance characteristics of the build- comfort, air quality, natural light- environmental impact – is no less ergy field consider subsidising the compared to current indicators, approximately 50,000 square kilo- ing) and “Excellent” in Building ning and high safety standards. The vital. We have introduced the ad- energy industry as one of the factors according to Kazakhstan’s Min- metres or 2 percent of the country’s Management (practices related to second floor of the building offers vanced technologies that allowed hampering the development of al- istry of Energy. In three years, total area, can produce a trillion kil- the operation of the building). a convenient multifunctional space us to meet high environmental ternative energy sources in Kazakh- more than 100 alternative energy owatt-hours per year, which signifi- BREEAM In-Use assessment for social interaction. A convenient standards and obtain certifica- stan. Arfoour Zervos, chairperson facilities will operate in the coun- cantly exceeds the nation’s energy assists the improvement of the ex- parking area and six bus stops are tion.” of the Energy Policy Network for try compared to the 50 currently in needs. B5 NATION&CAPITAL SOCIETY

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2017 Surgicorps conduct free life-changing surgeries in Kazakhstan the needs of Kazakh patients ment due to either poor medical By Assel Satubaldina including Tara Burns, Melinda conditions in a country or finan- Handler, Betty Hearne, David cial obstacles. ASTANA – Doctors from the Kim, Guy Leone, Aamir Sid- Each mission gathers 15-35 doc- U.S.-based Surgicorps Internation- diqui, James Terman and Anna tors as well as non-medical vol- al conducted 72 free reconstruc- Wooten. The group included sur- unteers, young people who plan tive surgeries during its May 19-25 geons, anesthesiologists, thera- to become doctors. They assist mission in Astana. pists, paramedics, nurses, surgi- the team in coordinating sched- American plastic surgeons to- cal assistants, physiotherapists ule, helping patients in pre- and gether with local surgeons from and pathologists. post-operation periods as well as the Maternity and Childhood Care This unique project initiated by recording the entire trip in form of National Centre treated children the Asyl Bala Foundation with the photos or blogs. Teams normally with severe congenital facial mal- help of the International Assis- change, because needs in various formations, such as cleft lip and tance Group and Surgicorps team specialties and medical equipment palate and burn scars. seeks to exchange experience and vary across destinations. Students from Nazarbayev Uni- knowledge between local surgeons The mission is supported by versity School of Medicine (NU- and U.S. colleagues as well as de- various donations, yet doctors who SOM) headed by Massimo Pig- crease the disability rate among volunteered are fully responsible natelli took part in the operations children in Kazakhstan. for their expenses. Each trip costs as volunteers. They also served as Surgicorps International is a $40,000 – $90,000, depending on interpreters between Surgicorps kz.usembassy.gov Photo credit: non-profit organisation founded the amount of equipment required team and local doctors. Sophomore medical student and assist the team in the surgery in October 2016 and March 2017, by Jack Demos in 1994. The idea for each country. “I believe that this is a unique Yekaterina Khamzina also shared room makes it a valuable experi- during which they identified sig- to establish medical missions Surgicorps surgeons have con- chance to be in a surgery room with her interest in this programme. ence. It is also a great chance to nificant demand in reconstructive came to him during his first medi- ducted more than 5,000 life- one of the best surgeons and profes- “To work with Surgicorps Inter- help and apply my knowledge in surgeries and compiled the list of cal mission trip to the Philippines. changing surgeries in 20 countries sionals and watch how their knowl- national is an excellent opportuni- practice,” she added. children scheduled for the opera- The team strives to provide free since 1994. This year they have edge, skills and passion to work ty to learn from some of the most The main mission was Sur- tions. reconstructive surgeries to people been to Bhutan, Kazakhstan and changes the lives of people,” NU- committed doctors in the U.S. An gicorps’ third trip to Kazakhstan Headed by Surgicorps founder in need in developing countries plan to visit Guatemala, Zambia SOM student Dias Argandykov said. opportunity to observe surgeries after their two introductory trips Jack Demos, 12 doctors served who are unable to access treat- and Vietnam. Kieli Kazakhstan expedition to Forum presents country’s sacred places takes off President’s model Central Kazakhstan archaeological By Chris Stanton expedition in the 1950s, according to Birmukhanova. ASTANA – The Kieli Kazakh- “Historically, these places are of national unity stan (Sacred Kazakhstan) trip to important spiritual relics of our The events took place at the the steppe country’s sacred places homeland. We want to study them Staff Report National Museum of Kazakhstan, began from Nazarbayev Universi- and provide the widest coverage in where a detailed presentation of ty June 10. University Vice Presi- the media in order to make every ASTANA – The model of pub- the Kazakhstan model of public dent Kanat Baigarin and General citizen of Kazakhstan know the lic accord and nationwide unity accord and national unity is pre- Director of the Kazakh Research history and culture of these ob- of led by President Nursultan sented for the period of the expo. Institute of Culture Andrey Khaz- jects. Many of these monuments Nazarbayev was presented at the Abdykalikova noted Kazakh- bulatov gave a parting address to are in poor condition; some have forum of the Assembly of the Peo- stan’s model has become a rec- the 25 expedition participants. e-history.kz Photo credit: no roads or infrastructure. Our ple of Kazakhstan (APK) called ognised standard of a balanced  “This is the first expedition scale of the monuments they find to The first destination of the ex- task is also to evaluate the tourist Energy of Peace and Harmony policy in the integration of a along this route, but then there compile a list of sacred places. As pedition was the historical and potential of these sites,” reported within EXPO 2017, according to multi-ethnic society. She also said will be a long lasting and in-depth a result, an atlas of holy places of archaeological complex Terekty. Qazaq Geography. the press service of Akorda presi- the energy of peace and harmony itinerary. The ministry determined Kazakhstan will be created. There, participants visited Neo- The study of the sacred places of dential residence is the cleanest, most noble energy a list of 500 major and more than Participants will travel 15 days to lithic settlements, cave paintings Kazakhstan was one of the tasks “The Constitution of our country on the planet. 1,000 minor sacred objects. Our the Caspian via Ulytau, in Central of the Bronze Age and barrows formulated by President Nursultan guarantees and protects the equality Forum participants also visited main aim is to continue regular Kazakhstan, visiting sacred places and mazars (mausoleums) of the Nazarbayev in his “Modernisation of rights of all citizens regardless of the exhibition of special editions expeditions. Then we will cre- of this region, famous for being the 18th and 19th centuries. of Kazakhstan’s Identity” pro- race, nationality, religion or social of mass media of ethno-cultural ate an electronic portal, where all burial places of the descendants “There is a legend that one wea- gramme unveiled last April. status,” said State Secretary of Ka- associations, as well as viewed the cultural and historical places are of Genghis Khan, including his ry traveller reached this place. He Scientists are conducting a large- zakhstan Gulshara Abdykalikova products of masters of folk and ap- thoroughly described with a 3D oldest son Juchi Khan. They will was thirsty and powerless from scale expedition to find out which at the event, emphasising that Ka- plied art and attended master class- survey of the places and maps of continue their journey to the Zhu- the scorching sun. God pitied him. places citizens consider sacred, in zakhstan has more than 100 ethnici- es on national Kazakh cuisine. the journey. Anyone who wishes, ban Ana mausoleum, the Terekty The stone slabs shifted, forming a order to further develop the sacred ties and 18 faiths living in peace. The Secretary of State and guests Kazakh or foreign tourist, could sanctuary, the Bolgan-Ana tomb, shadow, and a stream of light be- geography of the country. The forum gathered the Deputy of the presentation took part in the use the internet to see the map,” the Korkyt-Ata complex, the Kes- gan to beam from there. This place “The status of something sacred Chairperson and head of the APK opening ceremony of the Alley of said Khazbulatov. ken Kuyuk-Kala settlement, Kam- became an object of pilgrimage, is not given by the state. It is deter- Secretariat Darkhan Mynbai, Peace and Accord of the Assembly Scientists and historians, includ- bash Lake, Tassay Well, Akmysh, where thousands of people now mined by the people. If they consid- members of the Mazhilis (lower of Kazakhstan on the territory of ing art historians from the Sacred Sherkala, Shakpak-Ata, Kenty pray and make wishes,” said Al- er this place holy, it will be sacred, house) of the Parliament, mem- the Expo Park. Kazakhstan Scientific Centre, Baba, the Sultan-Ape valleys and tynai Birmukhanova, a researcher regardless of orders and decisions. bers of the assembly, representa- “Let everyone who passes along which organised the expedition, the Beket-Ata and Meshitbai-Aul- with the National Museum of Ka- We need to find out why the people tives of state bodies, diplomatic the Alley of Peace and Harmony and specialists from the Kazakhstan ie necropolises. zakhstan. consider a certain place sacred and corps, ethno-cultural associations, take away a piece of warmth of National Geographic Qazaq Geog- According to Khazbulatov, the Academician Alkey Margulan visit it,” explained Director of the foreign guests of expo, scientific hospitable and benevolent Ka- raphy Society are taking part in the project will undoubtedly improve was the first to record the Terek- Sacred Kazakhstan Scientific Cen- intelligentsia, masters of folk and zakhstan land,” added Abdyka- journey. They are measuring the tourist infrastructure in these regions. ty-Aulieu petroglyphs during the tre Berik Abdygaliuly. applied art. likova. EU, Central Asia ministers of education to expand cooperation “In parallel, we would love to Kazakhstan can also offer inter- ownership and aimed at fostering By Dmitry Lee help our Central Asian partners national partners experience im- peaceful, prosperous, sustainable benefit from educational coopera- plementing the Bolashak interna- and stable socio-economic devel- ASTANA – The Astana Declara- tion in any way we can. As one tional educational programme. opment of the Central Asia region tion was signed June 23 at the sec- step, we propose to establish the “Some 12,000 Kazakh students in line with the recently adopted ond meeting of European Union Central Asian Bureau of the Bo- were able to use this programme EU Global Strategy and the joint (EU) and Central Asia ministers logna Process in Kazakhstan. The to study in some of the best uni- commitment to Sustainable Devel- of education at the capital’s Rixos creation of such a bureau will pro- versities in the world. The cluster opment Goals (SDGs),” he said. President Hotel in Astana. The mote the exchange of experiences of Nazarbayev University and the “We have also witnessed over declaration intends to expand edu- between our countries and the Eu- network of intellectual schools in the last years in Europe and in cational cooperation between the ropean Union, will bring closer ed- Kazakhstan could also interest our Central Asia what damage c the EU and Central Asian countries. ucation systems of Central Asia,” international and regional part- exclusion and consecutive radical- Kazakhstan has made progress he stressed. ners,” he said. isation among the younger popula- implementing the national sys- “Central Asia has rich natural Vassilenko believes it is impor- tionan bring,” he went on saying. tem of qualifications in the self- and human resources, transit- tant to include the “concepts of “I believe we all agree that educa- certification process of the Na- transport potential and a favour- cultural tolerance and adherence tion plays a critical role in form- tional Qualifications Framework able geographical position,” Vas- to peaceful dialogue” in the edu- ing a person, his world views and and is nearing completion for Ambassador and EU Special Rep- of 0 grade, which starts this year silenko said in his welcoming cational programmes of primary in preparing him for a quality adult comparability with the Qualifica- resentative for Central Asia Peter in a limited scope, but is planned remarks. “In this regard, it is in our and secondary schools around the life as an integral part of a broader tions Framework of the European Burian. by September 2019 on a national common interest to preserve the world. society. With this in mind it can be Higher Education area. The Pro- In his keynote remarks, Sa- scale. So, it will be a 12-year politically stable, economically “We are convinced that this will surely said that investing in educa- fessional Teacher Standard was gadiyev outlined Kazakhstan’s schooling program from zero to sustainable and safe development allow us to form a generation of a tion we are investing in the secu- adopted this month, which pro- priorities for educational reform. 11.” of the Central Asian region.” new humanistic thinking, which rity and stability of our societies.” vides a framework to determine “We need to make formal- “We had 20,000 kids per year According to Vassilenko, such is critically important for the fu- He noted officials in Brussels the professional competencies of ised education available to much leaving after the ninth grade (about meetings can initiate broad inter- ture of mankind, given the aggra- and in European capitals “see Cen- educators for each skill level. greater amount of people. All the 6-7 percent) that neither went to national dialogues and improve vation of crises and conflicts in tral Asia as a major gateway be- Delegations included represent- kids from 3 to 6 year olds are to the 10th grade of school nor went the national education system and many parts of the world today,” he tween Europe and Asia represent- atives from the European Commis- go through pre-schooling. Today, to college,” he said. pave access to quality education. stressed. ing a young and growing market sion, EU and Central Asia minis- they’re 85 percent, showing an in- Sagadiyev believes Kazakhstan “In our opinion, the realisation In his turn, Burian noted that a with significant potential for in- ters of education, senior officials, crease of about 6 percent from last can become a true educational hub of the idea of creating a joint ‘in- few days ago the EU reconfirmed vestment and trade, infrastructure the European External Action Ser- year,” he said. in Central Asia. “We see academic cubator of educational products Central Asia is a significant partner and people-to-people contacts.” vice (EEAS), rectors of European He also said kids need to start mobility on an exponential rise. and services,’ could be promising. for the EU in its Council Conclu- Vassilenko added that to unleash and Central Asian higher educa- formal schooling earlier than the We see a number of parents willing It should unite talents and ideas as sions updating the EU Central Asia this potential should be the guid- tion institutions as well as Kazakh current six or seven years of age as to send their kids to study abroad well as use the potential of existing Strategy adopted 10 years ago. ing principle for future coopera- Minister of Education and Science it is today. rising dramatically. We don’t be- educational products to improve “The EU reaffirmed its commit- tion. “I believe the cooperation on Erlan Sagadiyev, Deputy Foreign “[It has to start] at the age of lieve it will stop in a globalised educational systems in our coun- ment to develop a strong and du- education is a corner-stone in this Minister Roman Vassilenko and five or six with the introduction world.” tries,” he said. rable relationship, based on joint endeavour.” B6 NATION&CAPITAL TOURISM

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2017 Daytrip from Astana: Borovoye summer highlights Photo credit: borovoe.cityshow.me Photo credit: “Tour operators have devel- Zhailau recreates the life of no- A stunning panorama of Boro- The lakeside offers a variety of Borovoye is also the one of By Yerbolat Uatkhanov oped seven tourist packages that madic peoples who lived in yurts voye and Big Chebachie Lakes, accommodations with numerous the country’s main gaming area. cover more than 30 routes in the (nomadic mobile felt houses) and Zhumbaktas Rock and Okzhetpes hotels in all price ranges, spas Cash Ville Casino is located in ASTANA – The period of Shchuchinsk-Borovoye resort raised stock. The open-air tour Mountain opens from Bolekau and rest houses. The soft moun- Borovoye’s Rixos Hotel. Cash EXPO 2017 coincides with peak zone and the Korgalzhyn nature offers one-hour horse rides far Mountain at a height of 147 me- tain climate, clean air and cura- Ville is one of the biggest and holiday season in Kazakhstan. In reserve,” said head of the Tour- from the city bustle. tres. Those who travel by car can tive mud make relaxing here not most luxurious casinos in Cen- Astana, for most of the popula- ism Department of Akmola re- Lake Borovoye is only one park their vehicles in specially only pleasant but also beneficial tral Asia, according to boora. tion, that will mean trips to Boro- gion Shynarbek Batyrkhanov. of several lakes close to the vil- designated parking lots. Climbing for one’s health, locals believe. info, promising to provide Eu- voye. Tour packages include an ex- lage, but it is considered the most Okzhetpes Mountain, with a height There are also hostels and houses ropean-level service. It has 50 Borovoye, a village built cursion to the best sites in Boro- beautiful and distinguished by its of more than 300 metres, requires and apartments for rent. One-day gaming tables, where visitors around a lake of the same name, voye, including historical sites size. Located 70 kilometres from special equipment. The highest accommodation cost starts from can play American roulette, is Astana’s closest getaway desti- like Abylai Khan meadow with the city of Kokshetau, the blue mountain in Borovoye, 947-metre 10,000 tenge (US$31), but usu- black jack, baccarat and the nation and probably its most vis- its famous granite throne. Ka- waters of the lake are extremely Kokshetau Mountain, however, is ally not higher than 35,000 tenge most popular forms of poker. ited. The area is a lovely getaway zakhstan’s strangely delicious popular among locals and foreign walkable. It takes about four to five (US$110) for two people, accord- The hotel provides discounts for both for those who like to sim- national fermented milk product, tourists. hours to go to the top and back. ing to booking.com. casino visitors. ply relax and look at great views kumis, is sold at the tour stops Burabai National Park, the zone Summer in Borovoye is not as Guides advise staying at the You can get to Borovoye by on their vacations and for peo- for 600 tenge ($2), as are other of mountains that surrounds Lake hot as in other places in the coun- Kokshetau, Zhekebatyr or Dostyk car, bus or minibus and electric ple who need to burn off energy dishes like baursaks (fried dough- Borovoye, is perhaps Borovoye’s try because of the nearby water hotels, all of which have modern train. The journey takes three or swimming, hiking or otherwise nuts), as well as souvenirs. major destination. The mountains and the mountains that provide rooms, saunas, swimming pools, four hours. Buses and route taxis actively engaged in their sur- Another historical site nearby that ring the lakes offer fun for shade and protection from the bars and cafes, cosy restaurants leave from the Saparzhai-Astana roundings. is Zhailau ethnographical village. hikers and climbers. wind. and parking facilities. bus station. Kazakh TV launches series exploring secret beautiful places no one has ever travelled. The feels obliged to tell the world and historians will talk about and discovering interesting and mys- ently endemic and endangered By Yerbolat Uatkhanov places are unknown and the crew about their existence. Scientists cameras will show hidden places, terious facts. The Ustyurt Plateau, species. Biologist Yuri Alek- Kok-kol Lake, Barsa-Kelmes Is- seyev talks about amazing wild- ASTANA – The culture, his- land, the site where a giant mete- life and the fragile, handsome tory and nature of Kazakhstan orite fell, Osakarovka village and and unexplored animal world remain a mystery for tourists other miracles will be shown. and plant kingdom. and even some of its inhabitants. For those interested in pic- The network has also an- Kazakh TV has prepared five ex- turesque and natural areas, the nounced Time Puzzle TV aimed pedition shows which visit the network will broadcast Kazakh- at historic Kazakh riddles and most beautiful, unexplained and stan’s Wildlife Sanctuaries. The mysteries, sacred places and leg- unexplored places in the nation. documentary series tells about endary personalities. The show’s Interest in tourism is growing the development of ecological founders, who studied materials – people understand what an in- tourism and the kind of work from the national archive, inter- teresting world this is and they conducted by national park staffs view eyewitnesses to the events, want to see it in every detail. to attract visitors. The philoso- historians and experts in various Outdoor Kazakhstan (Outdoor phy of ecotourism is simple – do fields to get their comments. Dur- KZ) invites them to become ac- not leave anything except tracks ing the filming, the group climbs quainted with the country’s most in the sand or snow, kill nothing high into the mountains, passes representative natural landscape except your time and take noth- through thick forests, crosses the zones. Historians, scientists, pop- ing except for photographs. snow-covered steppes and trav- ular artists and famous sportsmen The country’s flora and fauna els to distant settlements. will take part in the show, provid- are diverse and require protection One of the saddest episodes ing educational and useful infor- in the right way. Kazakhstan’s centres on “Dudarai,” the in- mation for tourists and lovers of Wildlife Sanctuaries reports credibly touching story of the open-air activities. The first epi- about environmental affairs and love of a young Kazakh man for sode is dedicated to 8,000 kilo- recommends visiting national a Russian lady told in a treasured metres of roads and hundreds of parks any time of the year. popular song. The search for the natural, historic and cultural sites The nation is one of a small author became an exciting, but in the Mangystau region. number that has preserved the difficult test for the film crew, Another show, Unknown Ka- beauty of wildlife almost un- which had to go around several zakhstan, explores the most dis- touched and Spirit of the Wild cities and even travel through a tant points of the nation where arranged photo hunting of pres- snowstorm in the Akmola steppe. Finnair launches direct Helsinki-Astana flights able to take advantage of a transfer By Yerbolat Uatkhanov at the airport in Helsinki within the same terminal. ASTANA – Finnair launched It is planned that the Astana-Hel- June 19 direct Helsinki-Astana- sinki direct flights will be replaced Helsinki flights. The flights will be by Almaty-Helsinki after Aug. 10. Mondays and Fridays on modern The Astana Airport implement- Airbus 319 airliners. ed the project of building a new The new flights initiate a part- passenger terminal. The unique- nership between the Astana airport ness of the project is in the landing and the national carrier of Finland bridges, which contain two mobile – Finnair and are the result of co- approaches for landing. When ser- operation between the countries, vicing aircraft, two gates will be Astana airport and Finnair. The used simultaneously. Thus, one flights are expected to promote bridge can serve two aircraft si- tourism flows in both directions multaneously, regardless of arrival and increase Finnish visitation to or departure. EXPO 2017. Finnair is the only Scandina- Finnair became the 22nd client vian airline, having four stars airline of the Astana airport, re- in the Skytrax rating. The air- named Nursultan Nazarbayev In- line received the World Airline ternational Airport by the Kazakh award and has been a leader for Government on June 21, offer- the last seven years as the best ing regular flights to the capital. airline in Northern Europe. Fin- The airline’s route network covers nair is a member of Oneworld Europe, Asia and North America. alliance of leading airlines of Passengers from Astana will be the world. B7 NATION&CAPITAL SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2017 FC Astana to start UEFA Champions League qualification in Latvia was favourable to you] can be “We understand these will be By Anuar Abdrakhmanov assessed only after the matches important matches for us. Of end. If we win over Spartaks, course, we will train hard and stay ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s foot- then we can say we were lucky. focused as much as possible, be- ball clubs are set to start qualifica- The Champions League has no cause we have a clear task ahead tion rounds in the UEFA Champi- easy-to-beat teams; we should of us [to progress in the tourna- ons League and the UEFA Europa never underestimate the oppo- ment]. We respect all teams and League in July. The four teams nent. We even have a good exam- will be very serious [in our ap- representing the nation last week ple. Last year we played Lithu- proach],” said Kakhaber Tskha- learned who their opponents at anian Zalgiris. Many thought dadze, FC Kairat’s coach. the initial stages of the European that we had already made it to Irtysh will play FC Dunav Ruse Cups would be. the next round, but the game was from Bulgaria. Three-time winners of Kazakh- very hard, and only a goal at the “Our opponents are not the stan’s Premier League FC Astana very last minute saved us then,” team you would try to avoid. They will start their road towards the he explained. have no celebrity players, but it is UEFA Champions League with The first leg will be played July a very strong team with a good two matches against Latvian 12 in Latvia; the return match in young coach. The confrontation is champions FK Spartaks Jurmala. Astana will take place July 18. likely to be tough. Of course, we Taking into account the capital The three other Kazakh clubs, will try our best to win. However, city club’s solid experience in FC Kairat Almaty, FC Irtysh it will be difficult, because it is a European Cups in recent years Pavlodar and FC Ordabasy Shy- good strong team,” Irtysh’s head – they have played twice at the mkent, will start their Europa coach Dimitar Dimitrov said of prestigious tournaments’ group League campaigns in the first his team’s challenger. stages – they look like strong fa- qualifying round. Ordabasy will challenge Bos- vourites in this pairing. However, Kairat will be playing Atlantas nian side Siroki Brijeg. The Bal- FC Astana head coach Stanimir Klaipeda. The Lithuanian side has kan team previously played Irtysh Stoilov has warned his players experience playing Kazakh op- in 2013 and eliminated them 4:3 against underestimating the op- ponents, as they were eliminated on aggregate, giving Shymkent a ponents. tors; they won the Latvian cham- experienced players, some of their country’s national team. As 0:3 at the hands of Karaganda’s chance to enact revenge on behalf “Spartaks are serious competi- pionship last year. They have them [now or previously] parts of I always say, [whether the draw Shakhter in 2014. of Kazakh clubs. WSB final match to take place Astana club hires new coach July 15 at Kazakhstan with NBA experience manager and the young executive eral manager of BC Astana, noted By Anuar Abdrakhmanov director. These people are eager the club is paying special attention to develop basketball and are re- to training a new generation of Arena in Astana ASTANA – Kostas Flevarakis ally working on achieving the Kazakh players. The plan is be- work, because we were united by Lionhearts, while the Domadores has been hired as the new coach of club’s goals and objectives. I ing executed by investing efforts By Anuar Abdrakhmanov one goal of developing boxing in defeated the Colombia Heroicos. BC Astana, Kazakhstan’s premier would especially like to thank the in the club’s children’s academy Kazakhstan and a worthy image of Now, the two strongest teams will basketball team. team’s former head coach Ilias to develop a stronger home-grown ASTANA – The Astana Arlans the country. We worked well with meet in the finals. He will replace Greek compa- Papatheodorou for the work he professional cadre. and Cuba Domadores, the two these organisations and I am sure WSB is a league where the triot Ilias Papatheodorou, who did, for the results and fruits the “I was very much looking for- most decorated teams in the series, that the WSB final in Astana will world’s best amateur boxers com- guided the team to the national team achieved with him. Unfor- ward to the opening of this acad- will contest July 15 for the World be held at a high level,” he said. pete in teams without headgear championship and VTB United tunately, Ilias had to return home emy and I am pleased that the Series of Boxing (WSB) cham- According to Arlans’ head coach and use the scoring system of the League playoffs in the 2016-2017 for family reasons, which is why academy now actively works and pion’s title. The final match of Nurlan Akurpekov, the team is International Amateur Boxing As- season. The Kazakh club delivered we announced the appointment is in demand among a great num- the seventh season will be hosted planning to involve boxers from sociation (AIBA). According to a decent overall performance dur- of Flevarakis,” said Astana Presi- ber of children. I am grateful to the in Kazakhstan Arena, on Astana’s the national team. The line-up will the WSB website, the appearance ing the season and dropped out of dential Professional Sports Club Astana Presidential Club for their Right Bank, during EXPO 2017 be decided later. of the league “reunited the broader the VTB League only after losing and welcome fans from throughout “We were quickly going to our boxing world and its grassroots to CSKA Moscow, one of the best the world. goal and now we are in the finals. amateur foundation by providing clubs in European basketball. The contest will also have a new The guys did a great job. They a bridge between Olympic Box- Papatheodorou is leaving his format, with bouts in all 10 weight gave it their all and met the expec- ing and a future professional pro- post for family reasons. categories to be held in one day. tations. We have an important fight gramme within the AIBA family.” Flevarakis began his career in “This summer, Astana has be- ahead. We have been waiting and AIBA wholly owns WSB. All 1995 as a coach with the Greek come a gem of cultural events and training hard for it. The Cubans are WSB boxers are registered with club PAOK, which won the Greek this fact played a role in choosing no doubt worthy opponents and AIBA and all referees and officials Cup three years later. He also led the venue for the WSB finals. The we shouldn’t underestimate them. working WSB matches are specifi- AEK, another major Greek club, brand of ‘Astana’ promotes the im- However, our athletes proved in cally certified for the competition. before becoming an assistant age of the capital and Kazakhstan regular matches that they have Franchises have a national identity coach with the NBA’s Milwaukee in the world of sports and this ex- a strong will to win and they are and are formed by national federa- Bucks during the 2001 summer plains the decision to hold the final ready to show it again in the final tions. Teams are allowed a quota league. Flevarakis later worked match of the WSB with the partici- match in Astana,” he said. of overseas boxers: a maximum of as a scout with the NBA’s Denver pation of our boxers in Astana. Of The Astana Arlans have made eight and no more than three of the Nuggets. Last season, he coached course, we should thank the WSB it to the WSB finals four times same nationality. the Rethymno Cretan Kings, a Kostas Flevarakis for entrusting us with becoming and became the absolute leader Teams compete in the 10 AIBA club competing in Greece’s top- the organisers of the final match,” of this season’s regular matches. standard weight categories. The tier basketball league. Executive Director Amanbek support and help. Last season, we said Astana Presidential Profes- In their Asia geographic group, regular season takes the form of a BC Astana’s management Kulchikov. achieved our goals; we had a suc- sional Sports Club Executive Di- the Arlans were in the so-called league phase, with the teams fac- signed a one-year contract with the “We set the bar high for the team cessful season in general and will rector Amanbek Kulchikov. “group of death,” which includes ing each other home and away in new coach. and the renewed line-up, which is start the new season with exactly “During preparation for the fi- Russia’s Patriot Boxing Team, the alternating weight categories. The “The past season was success- to win the national championship, the same ambition. Of course, we nals, we negotiated with the Ka- Uzbek Tigers and China Dragons. top teams continue to the playoff ful for us, as we won the national reach the VTB League playoffs, de- need to take into account the fact zakhstan Boxing Federation and These franchises feature some stages. Teams representing fran- championship, made it to the velop the academy and strengthen that we went through some chang- the Combat and Strength Sports of the strongest representatives chises across the globe compete in VTB League playoffs and finally the image of BC Astana,” he added. es. We have Costas Flevarakis, a Confederation and reached com- of amateur boxing and Kazakh a league format leading to playoffs opened our children’s academy. Valery Tikhonenko, a member true professional, with us now and plete mutual understanding on boxers lost only once in an away and a final. The boxers compete in The whole team did a good job. I of the USSR team that won the I am sure that together with him hosting the event. The organisa- match with the Tigers. In the semi- five three-minute rounds and five am pleased with the current man- basketball tournament at the 1988 our guys will achieve good re- tion of the WSB finals is our joint finals, the Arlans beat the British bouts per match. agement of the club, the general Seoul Olympics and is now gen- sults,” said Tikhonenko. B8 NATION&CAPITAL CAPITAL

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2017 Hermitage collection of arms to be presented in Astana nearly 70 pieces of Eastern By Assel Satubaldina and Western warfare brought from Turkey, Iran, India, Ja- ASTANA – Astana residents and pan, France, Italy, Germany and visitors will have the opportunity Spain. to explore the country’s rich his- Although these items have no tory of arms when the Hermitage practical use today, the exhibition collection of arms opens July 3 provides an opportunity to assess at the National Museum of Ka- the contribution of arms crafts- zakhstan. men in the development of arts The event is organised within and crafts and to demonstrate their the framework of EXPO 2017 and technical perfection and rich crea- will last until the end of the exhibi- tivity. tion Sept. 10. Initially based on the private col- Its goal is to demonstrate the lection of Russian Emperor Nicho- stages of development of weap- las I, the Hermitage collection of ons and arms art, showcase items arms has now more than 15,000 created by masters from the past items of Russian, Western Euro- and introduce numerous forms and pean and Oriental warfare dating types of arms. from the Middle Ages to the 20th The exhibition will familiar- century. ise visitors with unique arms and Tickets for the exhibition are weapons dating back to 15th-19th available for purchase at 1,000 centuries, which for many years tenge (US$3.2) online or at the were kept in the Hermitage in National Museum. Entrance ticket Saint Petersburg. to the museum, which costs 500

Guests will be able to explore tenge (US$1.6), is also required. kazpravda.kz. Photo credit: Astana offers audio tours How to Use Astana’s Rental Bikes the fee and pick up your card. Res- (US$120), but deposits will be re- By Zhazira Dyussembekova idents will need to present identity turned after the balance or rental cards and non-residents will have period is finished. Rental prices ASTANA – Warmer weather has to show their passports. are the same as for the card. finally returned, and bikes are once Once you have a user card, you After your payment is received, a again available for rent at stations can use any bicycle station. The message is sent to your mobile phone around the capital. Here’s how to first half hour of your rental is that will allow you to rent a bike. access them. free; from 31 minutes to one hour With the first half hour free, us- At the moment there are two the fee is 100 tenge (US$0.30), ers who take bikes from one sta- ways to rent bikes: by card and by from one hour to two hours it is tion to another in fewer than thirty SMS. 250 tenge (US$0.75), and from minutes can ride without paying To rent a bike using a card, first two to three hours it’s 500 tenge anything. visit velobike.kz and register. The (US$1.50). After three hours, eve- Smartphone applications that subscription fee for the season is ry hour is charged at 1,000 tenge show bicycle station locations 10,000 tenge (US$32). Students, (US$3). The wheels of the bike are and the number of bikes there are pensioners and people with limited blocked after 24 hours. available. abilities pay a much reduced fee of More detail and information Last year, the number of bicycle 5,000 tenge (US$16). about fines is available on velo- stations was increased to 150 with The plastic card you will need to bike.kz. more than 1,800 bicycles in use. access the bike costs 1,000 tenge To use the system via SMS, cli- Most stations are located within (US$3), and you’re required to ents should register on the web- 300-500 metres from each other. keep a minimum balance of 500 site, then enter their banking card Astana Bike is a project that was tenge (US$1.50). number and pay the chosen rate. implemented by the Samruk Ka- After registration, you’ll have The subscription fee is 500 tenge zyna Sovereign Wealth Fund with Staff Report erek monument and on the em- announcers, editors and studio to visit one of Velobike’s sales de- (US$1.50) for one day, 800 tenge the support of the Astana city ad- bankment of the Yessil River. The managers prepared the audio guid- partments, located on the second (US$2.50) for two days, 1,000 ministration. The project is part of ASTANA – Free walking tours user’s deposit is returned at the end ed walking tours. floor of the Keruen City Shopping tenge (US$3) for three days and the city’s effort to provide afford- with a help of audio guide were of the route. Another sightseeing activity pre- centre or the third floor of the 7th 1,500 tenge (US$5) for seven able and environmentally friendly recently launched at the Nurzhol “This year we integrated the au- pared for tourists is the trip on the Continent Business Centre, to pay days. The deposit is 37,500 tenge transportation. Boulevard and the embankment of dio guided walking tours with the Hop-on, Hop-off double-decker the Yessil River, according to the help of the Izi.Travel international buses. Buses are equipped with Astana administration’s press ser- vice. Audio tours about the main The route includes Duman entertainment sights of the capital are available in six languages. centre, Khan Shatyr Entertainment According to the Deputy Direc- Centre, Mangilik Yel Arch, Mega Silk Way tor of Astana Convention Bureau Askar Adambekov, two walking Shopping Mall, National Museum tours with audio guides have been of Kazakhstan and Baiterek monument. launched in Astana. The first route is at Nurzhol Boulevard, which in- network, which provides walking audio guides in six available lan- cludes 30 sites, and the second one tours for a number of states. We guages, including Kazakh, Rus- is on the embankment of the Yessil will no longer issue audio guides sian, English, Chinese, Turkish River close to the Central Park at the second stage of the project,” and German. with 15 sites. explained Adambekov. The starting and ending point Users can become acquainted The main difference of Izi. of the route is a place in front of with the main attractions using Travel is users do not need to the Duman entertainment centre audio guides in Kazakh, Russian, purchase audio guides for the de- along the Kurgaldzhin Highway. English, Chinese, German and posit. Everyone who wants to use The route includes Duman enter- Turkish languages. They can get the mobile application can visit tainment centre, Khan Shatyr En- an audio tour and a map guide for the Izi.Travel’s website and listen tertainment Centre, Mangilik Yel 500 tenge (US$1.5) as a deposit in to information about the sights of Arch, Mega Silk Way Shopping special tents near the Khan Shatyr the capital. Mall, National Museum of Ka- shopping centre, in front of Bait- Professional guides, historians, zakhstan and Baiterek monument. New street named after Tatar Queen unveiled in Astana rapprochement of our peoples. ing of fraternal relations between Staff Report We appreciate that and thank Ka- Astana and Kazan.” zakh President (Nursultan Naz- Queen Sujumbike is the nation- ASTANA – President of Rus- arbayev), Asset Issekeshev and al hero of Tatarstan. Her name is sia’s Republic of Tatarstan Rus- everyone who made the decision associated with the Sujumbike tam Minnikhanov and Astana to open the street named after Tower. She was the daughter Akim (Mayor) Asset Issekeshev Queen Sujumbike,” said the Pres- of Nogai nobleman Yosıf bak and participated in the June 12 open- ident of Tatarstan. the wife of Kazan khans, as well ing ceremony of the street named He congratulated all Kazakh as served as regent of Kazan dur- after Kazan Khanate’s Queen Su- citizens on the opening of EXPO ing the minority of her son from jumbike in Astana. 2017 and wished it success. 1549 until 1551. The new street is in cottage The soul of the Tatar people is Poet and scholar Zhanat Asker- town in Family Village and is the reflected in the image of Queen bekkyzy and Sharban Beisenova, second street named after a rep- Sujumbike and the Turkic world the winner of Alash international resentative of Tatars in the city. as well, according to Minnikh- literature prize, honoured worker There is also a street named after anov. of culture and member of the the Tatar poet, Hero of the Soviet “We are glad that she became Writers Union of Kazakhstan are Union, Mussa Jalil in the Saryar- the unifying symbol of Tatarstan the initiators of the street open- ka district. and Kazakhstan,” he said. ing. “Today we have become even Issekeshev highlighted that this Kazakh Honoured Worker closer. We are fraternal peoples. year marks the 13th anniversary Kamil Mullashev, who is also The opening of this street is a of economic and cultural collabo- People’s Artist of Tatarstan, State historical event for us. We have a ration between the capitals of the Prize Laureate of Kazakhstan beautiful street named after Nur- two states, saying, “I hope that and Tatarstan, made the Queen’s sultan Nazarbayev in our capi- today’s event will serve the fur- sculpture, which was presented at tal. In that way, each step is the ther development and strengthen- the opening ceremony. C EXPO 2017 SPECIAL

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2017 More than 300,000 people have attended EXPO in two weeks, numbers keep growing

Visitors browse at the Malaysian pavilion.

Allur Group showcases eco vehicles. with an area of 5,000 square me- (AEF) was one of the key events in tres, located on the ground floor the first week of EXPO 2017 that of the giant eight-storey sphere, attracted more 5,000 participants called Nur Alem, is considered to debate issues regarding new British volunteers pose at the presentaiton of their country’s pavilion on June 26. to be one of the most visited pa- energy and new economy June 15- vilions. Two zones of the facility 16. By Zhanna Shayakhmetova in Austria, Belarus, Czech Repub- figures are growing every day,” marketing promotion tools with a introduce guests to the history and The World Scientific and Engi- lic, China, Germany, Poland, Rus- Yessimov added. wide geography and mass cover- traditions of Kazakhstan and dem- neering Congress titled “Energy of ASTANA – More than 300,000 sia, Spain, the U.K., Ukraine and The exhibition was preceded by age. The potential global audience onstrate the achievements of Ka- the Future: Innovative Scenarios people have visited EXPO 2017 other countries. Approximately a large-scale promotion in the in- amounted to 1.5 billion people. We zakhstan scientists in the energy and Methods of Their Implemen- since its opening, said Astana 270,000 users watched the broad- ternational arena. expect to reach 2.5 billion people sector. tation” was June 19-20. EXPO 2017 National Company cast via YouTube and on the web- “Road shows and expo cara- by the end of the year,” he said. Approximately 281 cultural The 30th plenary session of the Chairperson Akhmetzhan Yessi- site of the exhibition. And these vans were used for the first time as The Kazakh national pavilion and business and 50 protocol Foreign Investors Council under mov at a June 23 media forum. events with the participation of the President of Kazakhstan took “The exhibition is of great inter- the heads of state, ministers and place at the newly built Hilton Ho- est. The number of entrances to commissioners of international tel just outside of expo site June 22. the expo facilities [including the pavilions were held in a two week The 14th Eurasian Media Fo- same visitors] exceeded two mil- period. rum (EAMF) gathered influential lion people. We will easily achieve The Congress Centre located experts in media and recognized the indicators of 2 million people near the exhibition area hosted the professionals in various fields June and 5 million visits adopted in the opening ceremony. It also became 22-24. registration dossier of the exhibi- the main venue for the Ministe- The exclusive REFLEKT show tion if a good dynamics remains,” rial Conference and the Eighth In- performed by the world-famous he said. ternational Forum on Energy for Cirque du Soleil, the Great Gatsby In a week, 3,000 articles about Sustainable Development June ballet directed by Dwight Rhoden, the expo were published, includ- 11-14. More than 1,500 delegates the most in-demand contemporary ing more than 700 stories in media took part in multilateral dialogues, dance choreographer and Bastau worldwide, he said. discussion sessions and seminars live show featuring Kazakhstan’s “The opening ceremony was devoted to implementation of the new singing star Dimash Kudai- broadcasted for free by 385 local Sustainable Development Agenda bergen became the most anticipat- and foreign TV and Internet chan- up to 2030. ed and sold out cultural events as nels. Live streaming was performed BMW i8, an eco mobile at the German pavilion. The Astana Economic Forum part of the expo. Kazakh ethno village opens doors to EXPO tourists with the rich history, art, tradi- It was another difficulty that we not only watch the presentations, immerse themselves in Kazakh try from time to time. When the By Chris Stanton tions, rituals and national cui- solved successfully,” said Kazakh but also be involved in contests. applied art during workshops painting dries, I finish it by dry sine of the Kazakh people and Deputy Minister of Culture and “The Ministry of Culture and where they can take part in creat- felting,” said decorative art mas- ASTANA – EXPO 2017 guests experience how nomads went Sports Aktoty Raimkulova. Sports plans to hold around 20 inter- ing their very own masterpieces. ter Anel Alibai. will have a unique opportunity about their day. Every day, guests can enjoy national sports competitions, includ- “I use various techniques in Once the expo ends, Ethno Vil- to explore the ancient culture of “This is the place where any visi- a rich programme of events – a ing national sports and competitions,” my work. I am using a wet felt- lage will continue its work as a nomadic civilisation, as Ethno tor of the expo can come and get an plethora of festivals of Kazakh mu- said ministry’s Sport Committee ing technique for this painting seasonal national and cultural cen- Auyl (which stands for Ethno idea about what our culture is real- sic and theatrical art, master classes chairperson Yelsiyar Kanagatov. and there is a mixed technique as tre. The brightest national events Village), an unusual cultural ly about. We certainly have tried to by artisans and equestrian sports. The 2,000-square metre Ethno well that I use. It is called nano- will take place annually and or- complex, has opened in the capi- prepare the project from all sides. It Traditional games, such as audar- Village has several sectors where felt when the wool rolls along ganisers are convinced the spot tal’s suburbs. Organisers intend included such issues, for instance, yspak, kokpar, baiga and kyzkuu, visitors can explore traditional with silk. There is a dry felting will turn into the city’s favourite for the space to acquaint visitors as communication, water and light. will be demonstrated. Tourists can hunting with birds and hounds or technique which I also tend to among locals and guests. C2 EXPO 2017 SPECIAL

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2017 GE highlights emerging trends and technologies at EXPO & Gas President and CEO Lor- ing challenges in the industrial By Yerbolat Uatkhanov enzo Simonelli. world. Together, we’re taking “This is the perfect place for concrete steps to reboot industrial ASTANA – General Electric a global discussion and we wel- productivity and help support the (GE), one of the global sponsors come the opportunity to continue region’s long-term growth,” said of the United States pavilion at collaborating with our partners in GE Vice President Ron Pollett. EXPO 2017, hosted the June 21 the region,” he added. The announcements reaffirm forum Moving Forward, Fueling The company had the opportu- GE’s long-term commitment to the Future. The session focused nity to show the interactive elec- help some of Kazakhstan’s most on emerging trends and technolo- tricity value network to more than challenging energy and transpor- gies in the energy and transpor- 20,000 visitors to the pavilion in tation projects, as well as support- tation industries, including the the past two weeks. The display ing the country as it embarks on digital revolution that is radically focuses on the growing impor- the journey of digital transforma- reshaping the industrial world. tance of renewables in the global tion laid out in a 2017 address GE also inked several agree- energy mix. by Kazakh President Nursultan ments with Kazakh Temir Zholy After the forum, the guests were Nazarbayev to harness the power (KTZ) on digital cooperation and invited to Lokomotiv Kurastyru of the Industrial Internet as an en- with Eni S.p.A. on partnering on Zauyty (LKZ), a GE joint ven- gine to accelerate growth. renewable energy. The document ture in the capital that manufac- GE is major digital industrial joining the two companies and the tures high-efficiency, heavy-haul company, transforming industry Kazakh Ministry of Energy out- Evolution-series locomotives with software-defined machines lined evaluating the possibility of customised for the CIS market. and solutions that are connected, building a 50MW wind farm and To date, the facility has produced responsive and predictive. The other projects. 300 TE33A locomotives, dozens company is organised around a “GE’s long-standing relation- tions to the CIS (Commonwealth nologies in transforming the rail cal role in ensuring Eurasian en- of which have been exported to global exchange of knowledge, ship with Kazakhstan Temir of Independent States) region,” industry. ergy security and the potential for neighbouring Azerbaijan, Kyr- where each business shares and Zholy is a testament to our com- she added. The agreement with KTZ will a new virtual pipeline and LNG gyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan accesses the same technology, mitment and innovation within More than 100 top officials, implement GE Transportation’s (Liquefied Natural Gas) technolo- and Ukraine. markets, structure and intellect. the rail space,” said GE Transpor- senior business executives and digital solutions, including Trip gy to better leverage Kazakhstan’s “GE has been contributing to Each invention further fuels inno- tation President and CEO Jamie global leaders came together for Optimiser and Smart Intermodal abundant gas resources to support infrastructure development in vation and application across our Miller. an interactive discussion on the Terminal, to lower fuel costs, en- sustainable development. Central Asia for 70 years. We’re industrial sectors. With people, “We are excited to expand our transportation industry, focusing hance power distribution and in- “Rich in resources and a key happy to be supporting Kazakh- services, technology and scale, relationship and are confident on Kazakhstan as an important crease terminal productivity. trade corridor, Kazakhstan and stan as the host of EXPO 2017 GE delivers better outcomes for in the value our digital solutions trade hub between Europe and Senior business and government the broader Central Asia region by providing a platform for open customers by speaking the lan- provide and excited to bring the Asia. The experts highlighted the leaders discussed the country’s oil are hugely important to the global dialogue with our local partners guage of industry, according to most advanced digital rail solu- critical importance of digital tech- and gas sector and noted its criti- oil and gas industry,” said GE Oil about some of the most press- the company website. American gives impressions of EXPO and personal ideas behind power of blogging and why she decided to volunteer and it is hard to believe that I have such a close knit social atmos- rience, learn about the expo, dis- working at the USA pavilion each By Chris Stanton for EXPO 2017. these great moments so quickly be- phere that we built here,” she cover the true meaning behind the day, Kazakh citizens are more than “First of all, I had the rare op- cause this is just the beginning of added. Kazakh culture and venture out to happy to give her daily inspiration ASTANA – What is this trend portunity to work for the USA pa- my journey here,” she said. Trizlova noted why she chose to see many different cities and plac- on what kind of steps she can take known as blogging? What is vilion at the expo and overall I had Trizlova spoke about her im- spend her summer far from home. es which will open up my cultural on her personal blog journey with- its main aim compared to how a general interest in Kazakhstan,” pression of blogging. “My mission statement is to get pallet even more,” she said. in the Land of the Great Steppe to corporate journalists write on a she said. “Being a blogger has a lot to do as much as I can out of this expe- Even though Trizlova has been make it the most rewarding. day-to-day base? Are they the Before coming to Kazakhstan, with expressing one’s overall writ- independent media or a little bit Trizlova knew the geographic ing about their experience that has more? location of the country but lit- happened to them or shaped their Some say bloggers are simply tle about its culture. Everything character. In turn, we can share writers who have a yearning for changed when she learned she was these events with other people uncensored self-expression of accepted into the volunteer pro- around the world. The ultimate their surroundings, as well as a gramme. possibility is that we can be the personal, unadulterated opinion on “First, coming here I didn’t facilitators that can inspire peo- any given topic that sparks their know what to expect in regards to ple with our words and which can mind. the country, in addition to the tasks reach the hearts of people,” she The Astana Times chatted with I would be doing here and how the said. blogger Izabel Trizlova, a native people would accept me as a for- “I haven’t had so many experi- of the United States and seasoned eigner. And to my pleasant surprise, ences so far, because I haven’t yet world traveler. She shared her ide- everyone here has been so cordial; got to venture out of the expo be- as about what it is to be a blogger I really felt true Kazakh hospitality cause of the sheer amount of work I have to do around our pavilion. But I can tell you that I have had the unique opportunity to talk to locals and head over to other for- eign pavilions. There have been some memorable engagements with them and I have had some really good close connections in C3 EXPO 2017 SPECIAL

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2017 Monaco pavilion “Mirroring the Future” astonishes crowds

By Dmitry Lee music and sound design will under- for wellbeing, a model for peace. is invited to explore the principal- offshore urbanisation project to be ity around issues like green energy line the rhythms of breathing, with […] I am therefore convinced that ity’s seashores and cities using 360 built by 2025 and the green lab with for our future,” it notes. ASTANA – Monaco’s 3-mil- pauses that will create greater sus- Monaco can become, in its own Oculus virtual reality goggles. The an interactive screen. The latter At the end of the pavilion, visi- lion-euro pavilion “Mirroring the pense and gradually becoming more way, a major power, combining a length of the four optional tours tells about Monaco’s initiatives and tors will have the chance to pur- Future” leaves EXPO 2017 visi- and more musical. The sound effect vision of the world that is focused depends on the buildings and sites plans in the green energy sector. chase national souvenirs and have tors in awe as it goes in sync with becomes a melodious tune, so that on progress and wellbeing with one wants to visit. There is a city The pavilion also includes a so- snacks and sweets. The 60-person Principality establishments, ma- together with the pictures a world of the implementation of measures to tour that includes the palace, Ca- lar bike assembled by high school staff is expecting to host nearly rine world icons and its theme. its own is created.” protect the environment,” it notes. sino Square, inside the casino and students at Monaco’s Technical 250,000 guests. “The central installation is com- The concept was inspired by a The pavilion mirrors the intel- Hermitage Hotel; nature tour to the and Hospitality School. The pro- The current expo theme is very posed of blades that oscillate like a quote from H.S.H. Prince Albert II lectual reflection and actions im- Princess Antoinette Park, exotic gar- ject was sponsored by Kazakh bik- important for Monaco, as the coun- wave,” according to pavilion guides. of Monaco and is imprinted on the plemented in the country in terms den, observatory cave and Japanese er and 2012 Olympic Champion try decided to use up to 40 percent “This structure, never yet realised, walls in the hall. of ecological awareness and be- garden; sea tour inside and outside Alexandre Vinokourov. of renewable energy obtained only reflects the projection of a film about “For a long time, I have dreamt haviour. The exhibit is Monaco’s the oceanographic museum, Port “Built with ecological materials from neighbouring states, accord- the very close relationship between of a country which would func- reflection on the Mediterranean Hercule and Grimaldi Forum and such as bamboo, this resort reso- ing to pavilion deputy commis- the principality and the marine envi- tion as a model in all respects. A Sea and an intellectual reflection the sky tour with Larvotto Beach, nates with the theme of ‘Mirror- sioner Alexandre Bocquillon. He ronment. Thus, the visitor can totally country which would be a source concerning the “duality between Fontvieille Marina, Fontvieille and ing the Future’ by presenting the believes the event will have a great immerse himself or herself and un- of models: a model for life, a man and nature.” the Monte Carlo Country Club. involvement and awareness of the impact on developing advanced dertake a trip full of emotions. The model for development, a model After a short film, the audience Next up are Monaco’s future young generation of the principal- technologies. Finnish President unveils national pavilion in Astana Photo credit: akorda.kz Photo credit: pavilion in the Nur Alem complex Finland in the international arena at watching the negotiation processes projects in business and during my rived in Astana to participate in By Aigerim Seisembayeva in the heart of the expo. They also all times,” he said. held in Kazakhstan. In particular, official visit a couple of years ago, the national day at the expo. Joulu- held bilateral talks at the Congress Emphasising the importance these include the Syrian talks at the I had a business delegation with me pukki (Santa’s Finnish name) came ASTANA – President of Finland Centre of the exhibition complex. of developing bilateral relations, Astana site,” he said. and some of these companies were from his home region of Lapland Sauli Niinistö visited Astana June Nazarbayev thanked Niinistö for Nazarbayev expressed interest in He also thanked Nazarbayev for able to develop their business in Ka- to experience the +30˚C heat, greet 20 for meeting Kazakh President his visit and his participation in the strengthening cooperation in areas his personal visit to the Finnish na- zakhstan,” he said. the guests of the Finnish pavilion Nursultan Nazarbayev and to joint- Finnish pavilion’s opening, and such as industry, pharmaceuticals, tional pavilion and invited him to “In the near future we are plan- and even present gifts. ly open Finland’s pavilion at EXPO highlighted the high level of rela- information technologies, education pay a visit to Finland. ning to launch an Astana-Helsinki Finland is considered the current 2017. tions between the two countries. and medicine. At a press conference following direct flight. We are also the only world champion in ecology. It is rec- The opening ceremony coincided “Our relations can be called ex- Niinistö thanked Nazarbayev for the opening ceremony, Niinistö also European country that has the same ognised as the greenest country on with the celebration of Finland’s na- emplary. We meet with you repeat- the meeting and noted Kazakhstan’s commented on the presence and de- railway standards as Kazakhstan, the planet. Approximately 50 Finn- tional day at the expo and the 100th edly at various global venues. Fin- role in resolving pressing global and velopment of Finnish businesses in and this provides additional oppor- ish companies submitted applica- anniversary of Finland’s independ- land supported us in choosing the regional issues. Kazakhstan. tunities for logistics and Finland’s tions to participate in the Future En- ence. venue for EXPO 2017, as well as “I’m always interested in your “We have a long-term relation- participation in the New Silk Road,” ergy expo in Astana. Many of them The two heads of state visited the obtaining the status of a non-per- opinion on not only bilateral rela- ship: our diplomatic relations are Niinistö concluded. are already implementing the new exhibits within the Finnish national manent member of the UN Security tions, but also on global issues. celebrating their 25th anniversary One of the best known symbols technologies in the energy sphere in pavilion and toured Kazakhstan’s Council. Kazakhstan also supports Today, virtually the whole world is this year. We have many common of Finland, Santa Claus, also ar- their home country and succeeding. Part of Chinese Terracotta Warrior Army on display at National Museum of Kazakhstan items on display, including weapons, mittee representative Kuanyshbek a bridge between the past and the By Chris Stanton household items, gold and silver Mukhangaliyev. future. Our young people learn jewellery. The Terracotta Army was built and about the ancient history of China ASTANA – Astana visitors and “This exhibition is being conduct- designed by the order of the Chinese through it. I would like that Ka- residents have the opportunity to see ed between the Ministry of Culture emperor in the third century BC. The zakh citizens have the opportunity a part of a unique historical monu- and Sports of Kazakhstan, and Chi- statues were to accompany the ruler to see such amazing historical arte- ment that originates from the Chi- nese Ministry of Culture within the in the spirit world as protectors. Each facts too,” said Exhibition Curator nese Qin dynasty. Four statues of the framework of the bilateral memoran- of the 8,000 statues is a work of art Shan Shin Shun. world-known Terracotta Army are dum. The exhibition is unique for its with its own unique features. The ar- China and Kazakhstan are also being exhibited until Sept. 10 at the authentic exhibits dating from two chaeological discovery is included in negotiating to display Kazakh rel- National Museum of Kazakhstan. hundred years before our era,” said the UNESCO World Heritage List. ics in China, including the legend- The statues are among more than 80 Ministry of Culture and Sports Com- “For us, for the Chinese, it’s like ary Golden Man. C4 EXPO 2017 SPECIAL

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2017 Human muscle power generates Astana parks offer EXPO energy in Austrian pavilion 2017 shows for visitors

Arai Park is a delightful place park is also a great place to play By Dana Omirgazy adjacent to the Yessil River. active games. Thanks to beautiful natural land- The park near the Palace of ASTANA – Parks become at- scapes and sculptures, the area has Peace and Harmony is another of tractive places in the summer become something more than just the capital’s green islands. It is the 2000-2015. We hope to represent tant event of the year in the field where people can spend an hour or a spot to relax from a bustling city. perfect spot for romantic walks, By Assel Satubaldina our country with dignity at the ex- of renewable energy, its effective two or even a whole day with fam- Visitors can find yurts of different relaxing with a picnic and watch- hibition in Astana and showcase use and best green technologies ily or friends. The capital’s green sizes, horse herds and ethnic de- ing a fascinating view of the city ASTANA – EXPO 2017 guests all of its strengths. Our participa- and environmental sustainability,” and picturesque open spaces are tails of Kazakh culture. decorated at night with colourful are welcome to test their muscle tion is aimed at the future and we stated the press service. perfect for those looking for some Zheruyik Park, another of the lights. power as a source of energy at the want to be noticed,” said Austrian One of main goals is also to turn peace and quiet in the city. city’s picturesque spots, allows This summer, park visitors will Austrian pavilion, according to the Minister for Science, Research and Austria into the European hub for The metropolitan parks will visitors to rest in the cool shade of witness entertainment programmes exhibition press service. The na- Economy Harald Mahrer, accord- a modern-day Silk Way, noted become even more beautiful and its trees and freshness of its grass. devoted to EXPO 2017. The ex- tion has prepared an amusing pro- ing to a press release. Mahrer. modern this year with the addition Located along Bauyrzhan Mo- hibition’s theme of future energy gramme where visitors can explore The pavilion was officially “Besides, the international exhi- of events devoted to EXPO 2017. myshuly Avenue at the intersec- will be reflected in the design of its path to clean energy. opened June 14 by Austrian bition is a chance for Austria to pro- Huge and centrally located, tion with Magzhan Zhumabayev the pavilions and park areas. Fans The Austrian power machine is Vice-Minister Science, Research ject itself as a strong economy and Stolichniy (Capital) Park is the best Avenue, it features a monument of robots and street dances, for ex- the soul of the pavilion, where var- and Economy Bernadette Gier- trade partner in the framework of place for family recreation. It not honouring the 28 Panfilov Guards- ample, will enjoy a show with a fu- ious technologies and mechanisms linger and Kazakh Deputy For- the Chinese project aimed at reviv- only features beautiful architecture men. Convenient driveways and turistic production featuring danc- allow guests to use their muscles to eign Minister Roman Vassilenko ing the ancient Silk Way,” said Aus- and landscape, but also quite a bit of parking lots, proximity to residen- ing artists in LED suits. A variety generate energy through all forms during a festive ceremony com- trian Federal Economic Chamber entertainment for children and adults. tial areas, magnificent nature, pic- of performances will be held every of activity. Whatever they choose plete with a live performance Vice President and national expo The park is divided into six sections: turesque views and the availability day until Sept.10. to do will supply the pavilion with of the world famous St. Florian commissioner Richard Schenz. a waterside, central alley, compo- of necessary infrastructure make The capital has 10 parks with energy – mind, soul and muscular Boys Choir. Austria is among the recognised sition of four rock shelters with a this place an attractive spot for a an area of 401,290 hectares, four power combine to make the pavil- With an area of 870 square me- world leaders in renewable energy. mosaic interior, fountain and area of variety of family leisure activities. boulevards measuring 30 hectares ion breathe. The concept is that tres, the pavilion is hard not to Nearly one in 20 workplaces is re- Olympians. Stolichniy offers plenty Far from walking paths, one can and 90 squares totalling 131,940 lated to green energy, which signif- of things to do and activities to enjoy. have a picnic under the trees. The hectares. icantly helps reduce energy, water and raw material consumption and minimise pollution and the amount of waste. Schenz also believes in Austria’s leading role in renewable energy. UN Under Secretary-General: “The expo must become a plat- form for a bright demonstration of Austrian capabilities in the future energy theme and give an opportu- EXPO invites creative thinking nity to new players to get familiar with Astana and Kazakhstan,” he added. Austrian companies also took and a search for new ideas part in the construction of expo gy needs and the 2030 Agenda for venues. The sphere, the main pa- By Dana Omirgazy Sustainable Development, along vilion for the event, was built using with dialogues on technology, poli- 380 solar panels produced by Am- ASTANA – EXPO 2017 is cy and lessons learned from differ- stetten-based solar energy equip- bringing people from all around ent countries and regions,” Akhtar ment producer Ertex Solar. Evo- the world to Astana, connecting told the paper. lute, a high tech company based in them through dialogue while fo- “One of the outcomes of the Min- Vienna, completed the calculations cusing the world’s attention on the isterial Conference on Sustainable for the geometric complex facades, enormous opportunities in moving Energy convened at the expo was while Tiroler Rohre supplied 1.5 to sustainable energy. to establish a Green Technology people will make a step closer to notice. A team of architects from kilometres of high-strength iron The international event high- and Investment Centre in Kazakh- forming a conscious attitude to- BWM Architekten divided the pipes to provide the water supply lights the reality that this is a glob- stan. The centre offers good pros- wards energy. venue into several creative and system for Expo City. al effort and countries must work pects for joint activities among “The economic sun now rises in unique zones, each represent- During the opening, Gierlinger, together to share ideas and solve member countries and international the East; this is what the numbers ing a particular renewable energy Vassilenko, Schenz and the rest of these challenges, United Nations Shamshad Akhtar organisations. ESCAP has a sub-re- show. Austria has managed to in- source. the group were able to ride byci- Under-Secretary General and Ex- novate and supporting these tech- gional office for North and Central crease exports to Asian and Central “There is no doubt that EXPO cles together to produce energy in ecutive Secretary of Economic and nologies with the right policies,” Asia located in Almaty, which is Asian regions by 200 percent from 2017 in Astana is the most impor- a common effort. Social Commission for Asia and she explained. well placed to coordinate ESCAP- Pacific (ESCAP) Dr. Shamshad The ESCAP booth at the UN Pa- Kazakhstan cooperation on areas Akhtar said in a recent interview vilion presents information on the related to sustainable energy devel- with The Astana Times. UN’s Sustainable Development opment,” she added. “For the last few years Kazakh- Goal 7 (SDG7) on sustainable ener- ESCAP is the regional develop- stan has done intensive preparato- gy and work in support of its imple- ment arm of the United Nations for ry work which has now culminated mentation being carried out across the Asia-Pacific region. ESCAP in the successful hosting of the the Asia-Pacific. Part of this booth provides a forum for its member expo,” Akhtar said. “The beautiful is an interactive presentation of the states to promote regional coop- buildings at the expo site showcase Asia Pacific Energy Portal. This is eration to achieve inclusive and incredible architecture. The spher- a web-based information platform sustainable economic and social ical Kazakhstan pavilion at the designed to increase the accessibil- development. centre of the expo is breath-taking. ity and use of ESCAP’s regional Sustainable energy is a very im- The expo space, through its archi- energy information. It supports portant component of this. ESCAP tecture, provides the perfect envi- research and analysis and informs is promoting collective action on ronment to start thinking about the decision-making and policy ac- energy access, energy efficien- energy of the future. It invites cre- tions. It is a unique analytical tool, cy, renewable energy and trans- ative thinking and a search for new which allows rapid access to the boundary energy connectivity, ideas.” three main areas: data, policy and Akhtar said. “It is encouraging to see so infrastructure, Akhtar explained. “We are also working to deep- many countries and international Akhtar arrived in Astana to par- en regional economic coopera- organisations sharing innovative ticipate in the June 11 Meeting the tion and integration by improving solutions to promoting sustainable Challenge of Sustainable Energy transport, energy and ICT [in- energy, offering a futuristic vi- Ministerial Conference and drew formation and communications sion of energy at the expo. There attention to some outcomes of the technologies] connectivity while is a strong sense of positive en- event. addressing barriers to trade and fi- ergy from the participants, be they “Following the Ministerial State- nancial cooperation. This process leaders in government, from the ment, there are number of areas can contribute enormously to the private sector or international or- where the Regional Commissions sustainable development agenda,” ganisations. The many innovative could develop joint projects. These Akhtar said, adding that ESCAP technologies and projects present- include sharing good practices on provides a very effective platform ed here on future energy remind the development of national sus- to bring countries together to work us that we can change the future tainable energy strategies and ac- collectively on the challenge of for the better by continuing to in- tion plans to align with future ener- sustainable energy.