-2° / -16°C WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017 No 2 (116) www.astanatimes.com Syrian Peace Talks in Astana End with Support Kazakh President, for Ceasefire, Further Talks in Geneva Special Panel Mull Major Political Reforms The head of state highlighted the By Yerbolat Uatkhanov reduction of the powers originally referred strictly to the competence ASTANA – Kazakh President of the President. took Jan. “For example, such authority 24 part in the meeting of a working as programme approval, issues group on the redistribution of pow- of personnel changes in the gov- ers between government branches. ernment, creation of new gov- He stated that the redistribution erning bodies can be transferred of powers between the branches to the competence of the gov- of government is a consistent and ernment and the Parliament,” he logical step in the development of said. the state. The Kazakh President empha- “Implementation of one of the sised the need to strengthen the five institutional reforms that I role of Parliament in the public ad- proposed, includes giving the ministration system. government additional executive “In our conditions, the govern- powers in the economic field. The ment is formed by the winning President will still be responsible party or faction. Thus, the role of for main issues in defence, foreign Parliament has to be revised in re- policy, governance, protection lation to the government on many of the Constitution and effective issues,” President Nazarbayev work between branches of govern- said. was a unique opportunity,” said de ment,” President Nazarbayev said. Continued on Page A2 By Zhazira Dyussembekova Mistura at a press conference after the talks, adding he will present ASTANA – Three guarantor the results at the UN in New York states of the recent efforts to end next week. the six-year conflict in , Rus- The consolidation of the cease- sia, Turkey and Iran, completed fire was the immediate priority of Nazarbayev Visits UAE, the two days of peace talks in Asta- the talks, stressed de Mistura, and na Jan. 24 by agreeing to create a noting a mechanism to ensure full mechanism to ensure compliance compliance with the ceasefire was with the existing ceasefire and to an achievement. Improves Business Ties, continue talks towards a more per- Syrian government representa- manent solution Feb. 8. in Geneva. tive al-Jaafari said it was ex- The Astana talks, which were tremely painful to sit in the same the first ever to include both the room with Syrian rebels, who Attends Energy Summit Syrian government and the Syrian are “working for foreign powers, consular issues; memorandum of By Malika Orazgaliyeva armed opposition, were attended some of them even committed ter- understanding between Kazakh- by delegations from , Iran rorist acts.” But he noted that the stan’s Religious Affairs and Civil ASTANA – Kazakh President and Turkey and UN Secretary- government will do “whatever it Society Ministry and UAE General Nursultan Nazarbayev paid his General’s Special Envoy for Syria takes to stop bloodshed and ter- Authority for Islamic Affairs and first official visit in 2017 to Abu- Staffan de Mistura. U.S. Ambas- ror.” Endowments. Also signed were Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates sador to Kazakhstan George Krol It was important for Russia, Tur- memorandum of understanding (UAE) Jan.15-16, reported the attended the talks as an observer. Syria to the United Nations Bashar integrity of Syria as a multi-ethnic, key and Iran during the course of and cooperation between the Asta- press office of the Akorda. According to a joint statement al-Jaafari, who represented the multi-religious, non-sectarian and negotiations to stress the dominant na EXPO 2017 national company He met with Crown Prince of from the three states following Syrian government in the talks, democratic state, as confirmed by role of the UN and the importance and Dubai Bureau of EXPO 2020, Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed the talks, the countries decided to noted that the mechanism on mon- the UN Security Council.” of UN Security Council resolu- as well as memorandum of under- Al Nahyan, co-CEO of Calatrava establish “a trilateral mechanism itoring the ceasefire will be imple- They also expressed their con- tions, including the work of the standing between akimat (Admin- Grace Corporation Micael Calatra- to observe and ensure full compli- mented step by step but the truce viction that “there is no military Special Representative of the UN istration) of the Mangistau region va and business circle representa- ance with the ceasefire, prevent does not apply to the territory of solution to the Syrian conflict and Secretary General on Syria. and DP World FZE. tives of the country. In addition, at The signed documents also in- the invitation of the Emirates gov- cluded memorandum of understand- ernment, Nazarbayev attended the ing between Kazakh Investment 10th World Future Energy Summit. and Development Ministry (MID) Nazarbayev and Al Nahyan dis- and the UAE Federal Authority for cussed trade, economic, invest- Land and Maritime Transport on ment, energy, cultural and humani- international road transport of pas- tarian bilateral cooperation as well sengers and cargo. as international issues. At the meeting with Calatrava, The two leaders also witnessed the sides negotiated long-term co- the signing of the following agree- operation agreement between the ments: Agreement between Kazakh corporation and Kazakhstan. Naz- government and UAE government arbayev was presented with a few on mutual provision of land for free proposed projects in Astana. Ca- use in Astana and Abu Dhabi for latrava Grace is a well-capitalised the needs of their embassies; pro- investor with an ability to invest tocol on amending the agreement alongside its clients, in global real between the two states on mutual any provocations and determine Wadi Barada, since terrorists (Al- that it can be only solved through Equally significant was the three estate projects, for up to $100 mil- visa-free travel for holders of dip- all modalities of the ceasefire” Nusra group) are attacking that a political process based on the countries’ stressing the importance lion per transaction. To date, the lomatic passports; memorandum and “reiterate their determination territory implementation of the UN Secu- of finding solutions involving all company has a portfolio of 340 of understanding between the two to fight jointly against ISIL/Daesh Opposite al-Jaafari, the opposi- rity Council resolution 2254 in stakeholders and that the Feb. 8 projects in 32 countries with a total countries’ foreign ministries on and Al-Nusra and to separate them tion was led by Mohammad Al- its entirety,” according to Kazakh talks in Geneva should focus on area of 1.9 million square metres. establishing a joint commission on Continued on Page A3 from armed opposition groups.” loush, leader of Jaish al-Islam. Foreign Minister Kairat Abdra- political solutions. The statement also agreed to Representatives of 15 rebel groups khmanov who read out the tri- The Astana Process, as the talks “support the willingness of the also took part in the talks, accord- country statement after the talks. have been dubbed, was preceded armed opposition groups to partic- ing to the Kazakh Ministry of For- “I want to acknowledge with by an initiative jointly expressed ipate in the next round of negotia- eign Affairs. great appreciation the delegations by the presidents of the Russian tions to be held between the gov- According to the final joint state- of the Syrian government and op- Federation and the Republic of Kazakh Teams ernment and the opposition under ment from Russia, Turkey and Iran, position. It takes political courage Turkey to make Astana the venue the UN auspices in Geneva as of the three “countries reaffirm their for them to sit in the same room of the Syrian settlement talks, said Feb. 8.” commitment to the sovereignty, after a long time and listen to their Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Permanent Representative of independence, unity and territorial demands and complaints. But that Abdrakhmanov, who said Jan. 23 Win Categories in at the opening of the talks that it is a time to “make the real break- through that the Syrian people rightfully deserve.” Dakar and Africa Eco Opening the talks, Abdra- khmanov expressed Kazakhstan’s willingness to assist all parties to the talks and by reading a greeting from Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev. “The complex situation in Syria is drawing global attention. We must admit that the bloodshed that continues to persist in Syria for ap- proximately six years has brought nothing but misery and hardship to the holy region regarded as an in- tersection of different civilisations and cultures,” Nazarbayev said in his statement. motor.kz Photo credit: Continued on Page A3 See full story on Page B7.

INSIDE NATION ECONOMY&BUSINESS EDITORIALS OPINIONS NATION&CAPITAL eGov.kz Used More Than 40 Million Eurocopter Kazakhstan Engineering In Search of Peace for Syria: World’s Eyes Are SHPEKBAYEV: Outcomes and Effects of Metro Prepares for Universiade B1 on Astana A6 National Anti-Corruption Strategies A7 Times in 2016 A2 Upbeat on Future Prospects A4 Swedish Explorer and Camel Travelling Citizens’ Registration Law Draws Shymkent-Based Plant to Produce Green Book by Bolashak Alumnus Presented at KULUSHEVA: Akmola Region Takes Steps Kazakh Wilderness B6 Controversy, Confusion A2 Algae Superfoods Spirulina, Chlorella A5 Cambridge A6 to Improve Health Services, Says Health Administration Head A7

US$ 1 = 328.49 KZT € 1 = 352.77 KZT 1 = 5.55 KZT A2 NATION

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

NATIONAL National Emergency eGov.kz Used More Than NEWS IN BRIEF The yellow terror alert level set July 5 after the attack in Aktobe was can- Response System Launches celled Jan. 16 throughout the country. 40 Million Times in 2016 Police and law enforcement agencies By Kseniya Voronina worked in emergency mode, patrol- ling streets and public places almost ASTANA – Kazakh citizens eight months. The activities of radi- used electronic government ser- cal groups and jihadism supporters in vices nearly 40 million times in Astana, Aktobe, Almaty, Atyrau and 2016, with the total number of the West Kazakhstan and services rendered at 160 million, regions were neutralised at an early according to the National Informa- stage due to the special operations tion Technologies company. conducted by security forces and The most popular services pro- government agencies. State authori- vided by eGov.kz in 2016 included ties implemented a set of measures address references, a fact sheet of aimed at improving counter-terror- registrations, creation of charges ism security and the situation regard- emergency services system into cir- on real estate and a fact sheet of ing the threat of religious extremism By Staff Report culation for the following vehicles: the absence or presence of real es- remains under full control. all types (models) belonging to the tate. EVAK, the Kazakh national category M and N, with the excep- From Jan. 1 to Dec. 25, pay- Electronic housing cooperatives emergency call system in case of tion of types (models), with the ap- ments in the amount of more than will be introduced in July, with a pi- accidents and catastrophes, began proval of a type of vehicle, issued 13 billion tenge (US$39.1 mil- lot project mode to be launched Feb- operation Jan. 1. before Jan. 1 and all individual ve- lion) were realised via the pay- ruary-April, reported Inform.kz. A The developers of the device, hicles classified as M and N. ment gateway of electronic gov- mobile app allows owners to follow from the Institute for Space Appli- The requirements apply to cars im- ernment. This index exceeds last Another important achievement open data sets posted by state bod- notifications from the house coopera- cations and Technologies, reduced ported to the single customs territory year’s payments by 32.5 percent. of the year was the launch of Open ies in a machine-readable format tives and provides access to financial the time on alert rescue services of the Customs Union by individu- As a whole, the amount of all Government website. Users cur- are available on the Open Data reports from service organisations. for accidents to 20 seconds. als for their own use, as well as those payments for the period of service rently have access to four main website. Owners will be also able to view the In late December, First Vice previously involved in road traffic in The amount of documents online application for plumbing and Minister for Investment and De- countries which are not members of The most popular services provided presented for discussion on the electrical services. “The Housing velopment Albert Rau spoke about the Customs Union, provided the Open Legal Acts website ex- Inspection Office will control how the operation’s readiness. The time from the date of manufacture is by eGov.kz in 2016 included address ceeded 7,200, meanwhile more many applications were received and problem of interfacing with Rus- more than three years. than 5,200 on Open Budget web- how many have been worked out. We sian GLONASS and the European The only exceptions are cars references, a fact sheet of registrations, site. Since the beginning of the also plan on generating the ratings of system will be resolved within a produced in handling legal enti- creation of charges on real estate and a year, some 17,000 appeals were all housing cooperatives. Residents year. Thus, in case of an accident ties and that have the approval of a delivered to heads of state bod- can thus see which housing coopera- in Kazakhstan, the Russian Feder- type of vehicle issued before Jan.1. fact sheet of the absence or presence of ies through the Open Dialogue tive is better and change them. This ation or anywhere in the European In June, the Kazakh Ministry website. will increase the competitiveness of Union (EU) zone, a signal will be for Investment and Development real estate. A number of contests on devel- the housing cooperatives,” said Asta- sent to the emergency response aerospace committee (now part of oping apps and services based on na Innovations Board Deputy Chair- service by calling #112. the Ministry of Defence and Aero- operation on the website amount- components, such as “Open Data,” information from the Open Data person Zhanat Dubirova. According to the Jan. 1 technical space Industry) reported there are ed to more than 28 billion tenge “Open Legal Acts,” “Open Budg- website have been conducted regulations of the Customs Union plans to put an analogue version of (US$84.3 million). et” and “Open Dialogue” that in- in Kazakhstan. As part of those More than 16 percent of preschool No. 018/2011 titled “On the safety the ERA-GLONASS system into The year 2016 was also the clude a blog platform of first lead- events, local programmers creat- children are overweight or obese and of wheeled vehicles,” it is mandato- operation in Kazakhstan by the eGov website’s jubilee, marking ers of state bodies. ed more than 10 mobile applica- the proportion of children aged 15 ry to equip the device or the EVAK end of 2017. 10 years since its launch. As of today, more than 2,100 tions and web-services last year. with chronic pathology is already at 20 percent, reported Khabar.kz. Bal- apan, a special programme, was de- veloped to change the situation with As for the population registra- child obesity. The system of good tion, he said: ‘The government nutrition and exercise promotion will needs to speed up the work to be implemented as a pilot project in Citizens’ Registration Law Draws create an integrated migration two schools in Astana and Almaty, control system based on modern with trainings organised for class- technologies.’ I think everyone room and sports teachers. “Our goal would be very glad to see a mod- is to present the approaches creative- Controversy and Confusion ern and synchronous population ly and attract children’s attention. We According to Sainov, one per- database. The President did not By Dana Omirgazy created animated videos and we are son can have only one temporary charge to introduce a tempo- also working with parents, teachers registration and one constant reg- rary registration. In a couple of ASTANA – Amendments to and medical school staff,” said Pre- istration. Temporary registration weeks, a government bill, which ventive Medicine Academy Presi- migration legislation on citizens’ is almost equivalent to constant said nothing about ‘integrated dent Almaz Sharman. temporary registration entered registration and is valid for getting system’, was submitted to ex- into force this month in Kazakh- public or health services and for pert examination. However, it Eight parks and 30 public gardens stan, evoking disputes among the applying for school or kindergar- featured a double compulsory are expected to open in Shymkent this population all over the country. ten placement. registration. Now I wonder who year, according to Khabar.kz. More New rules are supposed to tighten “People can apply for registra- gave birth to this wild idea? Who than 19,000 ornamental tree and shrub laws against terrorism. Accord- tion at any TsON of the city, re- is the author?” said Utebekov in seedlings will be planted in the next ing to Galina Sarsenova, deputy gardless of place of residence. This a Facebook post about new rules. two months, as there is 16,000 hec- head of the Migration Police De- greatly simplifies the process,” he He also posted a list of frequent- tares of unused land in the city. All partment, the absence of registra- added. ly asked questions about tempo- will gradually be turned into recrea- tion may result in the issuing of 24.kz Photo credit: Given a large flow of people, rary registration and answered tional areas. About 500 million tenge a penalty charge notice for both medical units were also opened them. (US$1.5 million) of private invest- owners and renters starting from an inhabitant. Penalty for hous- temporary registration can help at TsONs to provide assistance if At the government meet- ments are planned to be attracted for February. ing owners will be at least 22,690 ordinary Kazakh citizens, accord- necessary. In addition, pregnant ing, Prime Minister Bakytzhan infrastructure construction. “We will  “New amendments oblige tenge (US$68.65). ing to informburo.kz. women and people with limited Sagintayev criticized the work of use the landscape itself to minimise property owners to register peo- The new rules prompted a “The new rules oblige property abilities can receive preferential the Ministry of Internal Affairs on these costs and create 60-70 permanent ple residing in his or her housing. strong public response with large owners to register people living in service in special windows or use explaining the new changes and jobs,” said South Kazakhstan Region There are also administrative re- queues at the Public Service the flat or house. Previously, pen- in-home service by calling 1414. instructed to hold a large informa- Deputy Akim (Governor) Zhakyp Bo- sponsibilities of citizens living in Centres (known as TsONs) and alty charge was issued for a per- Heated debates on the amend- tion campaign to explain amend- kenbayev. the housing without registration. indignation in social networks. son living without registration for ments and short terms given for ments and to make the registration We believe that this approach will However, officials assured that more than three months. Now, this registration were seen on so- process more efficient at the cen- Construction of a botanical garden solve the problem of ‘rubber apart- not much has changed. The only term is shortened to one month. cial media. Well-known lawyer tres. in Astana will be completed by the ments’ and eliminate the problem change refers to shortening the People do not register and live Dzhokhar Utebekov compared Later, Kazakh Minister of In- end of 2017, according to Astana. of citizens living without registra- term for temporary registration without appropriate documents the new rules to ‘serfdom’ and formation and Communication gov.kz. The garden is expected to tion,” she said. from three to one month. Head for years. Now, homeowners are criticised the work of lawmakers Dauren Abayev announced Jan. be centre for conducting research She also clarified the mechanism of Migration Police Department obliged by the law and people pointing to serious gaps in the leg- 17 about the introduction of reg- and organising educational, train- on determining the amount of a of Kazakh Ministry of Internal rushed to the TsONs. However, islative document. istration services in the e-govern- ing, ecological and environmental penalty. For example, an individ- Affairs Serik Sainov considers citizens will not be fined for ab- “President Nazarbayev in- ment website to shorten queues at protection events. It will have food, ual will have to pay 15,883 tenge discontent in the social network sence of registration until Feb. 7,” structed the government to draft TsONs and facilitate registration industrial and medicinal exposi- (US$48) for failure to register as to be unjustified and believes that Sainov explained. a law to combat extremism. of citizens. tions and ornamental plants includ- ing trees, shrubs, vines, herbaceous plants, moss and lichens. The bo- tanical garden will be located on ​​100 hectares at the intersection of Ka- banbai Batyr Avenue and Turkestan Kazakh President, Special Panel Street and No. 24 and No. 26 streets and residents and visitors will be able to visit year round.

Mull Major Political Reforms The Shymkent-based Mega Continued from Page A1 als of state bodies that relate to the ings. There were 13 such proposals. aimed at possible clarification of authority of the President are con- Smart plant plans to produce 5,000 powers that govern the social and Third, the working group con- the status and functions of the Su- tained in the 11 codes and 80 laws. furniture sets and 74,000 mdf He also highlighted that state economic fields were mentioned, sidered approximately 40 propos- preme Court and determining the The government, together with sheets per year, reported Inform.kz. bodies will bear full responsibility including: economic governance als, which do imply amending the requirements for judges. It has the working group, developed 32 “Twenty-four investment projects for all reforms and their successful issues, finances, state property and Constitution. Deputies, scholars been proposed to adjust the rules proposals for redistribution of have been implemented in this in- implementation. the powers associated with the so- and experts took part in the dis- governing the status and powers of powers of the head of state. These dustrial zone. A plant manufactur- ing high gloss mdf boards is one The head of the working group lution of certain issues of adminis- cussions. The proposals include prosecutors. Proposals for improv- proposals involve amendments to of them. About 545 million tenge Adilbek Dzhaksybekov, who serves trative-territorial structure. the expansion of the powers of ing the mechanism of constitution- the legislation and do not require (US$1.6 million) in investments as the president’s chief of staff, re- Secondly, the Supreme Court the Parliament and its chambers, al control were offered as well. amendments to the Constitution,” were attracted and 69 permanent ported about developed proposals and the Attorney General’s Office including in the formation of the Member of the working group said Beketayev. jobs were created as part of the pro- for a distribution of powers be- presented proposals to improve government. It was also proposed and Minister of Justice Marat Chairman of Kazakhstan Union ject,” said South Kazakhstan Oblast tween branches of the government the judicial and law enforcement to strengthen the accountability of Beketayev presented analysis of Lawyers national public associ- Akim (Governor) Zhanseit Tuime- along three general lines. systems, which also do not require the government to the Parliament conducted by the government to ation Rakhmet Mukashev said that bayev. South Korean technology First, he reported about the pro- amending the Constitution. The and its chambers. determine the norms that perpetu- all subsidiaries of his association is used in the production of the 3D posed redistribution of the statu- proposals concern strengthening There have also been proposals ate to the powers of Kazakhstan are discussing the analysis. glossy boards. The company’s rep- tory powers of the head of state, judicial control, further reducing to strengthen the independence President. “We analysed 11 con- “The legal public supports the resentative offices have already which do not require amending the the participation of prosecutors in and responsibility of the govern- stitutional laws, 20 codes and 298 reforms, noting their relevance and opened in Almaty, Kyzylorda, Ko- Constitution. In general, propos- civil and administrative proceed- ment. Part of the proposals are laws. The rules that establish the timeliness,” he said. stanai and Pavlodar. A3 EURASIA&WORLD

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

“In fact, the UAE were the first EXTERNAL in the Arab world to confirm their NEWS IN BRIEF participation in EXPO 2017 and to Kazakh President Visits UAE, Improves appoint a dedicated commissioner Minister for Investment and of its national pavilion. We hope Development Zhenis Kassymbek that your pavilion will be among headed Kazakhstan’s delegation the most attractive at the EXPO at the World Economic Forum Business Ties, Attends Energy Summit this summer, as we know that the in Davos, today.kz reported. The Continued from Page A1 UAE pay much attention to the minister presented the country’s development of new energy tech- potential as an investment and Nazarbayev also met with the nologies,” he said. transportation hub. The Kazakh heads of leading, global-level UAE In the political area, Kazakhstan delegation met with leaders and companies and noted that the UAE and the UAE are also important managers of top foreign invest- is one of Kazakhstan’s main Mid- partners with the Arab country ment and companies planning to dle Eastern partners. In his words, backing a number of Nazarbayev’s implement projects in Kazakhstan, there are about 200 enterprises with foreign policy initiatives. In par- including Enerco Distribuzione, Emirates participation in Kazakh- ticular, the country has joined the Glencore, Siemens, Evonik, Air- stan. The projects are being imple- Conference on Interaction and Con- Span, Sun Group, Vedanta Re- mented in agriculture, industry and fidence Building Measures in Asia sources, CRRC, IC Ibrahim Cecen energy. Kazakhstan has budding (CICA) and the Islamic Organisa- Yatirim A.S., and Koc Holding. cooperation with the Mubadala tion for Food Security (IOFS), both The ministry noted the Kazakh Development Company, which is a headquartered in Astana. delegation took part in such ses- state-owned holding company. On Jan. 16, Nazarbayev took sions as “Attraction of foreign in- The Kazakh President also em- part in the opening ceremony of vestment for development of the phasised the importance of the the World Future Energy Sum- market’s capital” and “Effect of $1.6 billion Abu Dhabi Plaza be- mit and the awarding ceremony the Silk Way,” where the country ing built in Astana. He also noted of the Sheikh Zayed Prize for a had an opportunity to open up to that Kazakhstan pays special at- contribution to the advancement the international community as an tention to economic diversification of the future energy agenda in investment and transportation hub. and seeks to enter the top 30 most- the contemporary world, which developed countries. was held with the participation of Kazakhstan needs skilful pro- “In order to achieve our goal, we the UAE’s most senior officials, fessionals – the English-language provide comprehensive business citizens of 56 states can freely Nazarbayev also informed about company heads on Kazakhstan’s heads of states and governments broadcaster Kazakh TV reported. benefits and create favourable con- enter Kazakhstan without a visa, 10 special economic zones and 20 large-scale privatisation of state from other countries, business More and more Kazakh students ditions for attracting investment,” including UAE citizens,” Naz- industrial zones operating in Ka- companies. leaders and recognised experts in are able to receive education Nazarbayev said. arbayev informed. zakhstan. At the same time, Nazarbayev the field. abroad, according to the media “During the years of independ- He highlighted Astana’s efforts “Kazakhstan is interested in the briefed UAE business leaders on Later, Nazarbayev met with source. “At present, more than ence, the total inflow of foreign to create more favourable condi- vast experience of the UAE in de- the activities of the Astana Interna- Director-General of the Interna- 12,000 Kazakhstan citizens study direct investment into the coun- tions for business and investments. velopment of industrial zones. We tional Financial Centre (AIFC) and tional Renewable Energy Agency in China. Every year, Hong Kong try’s economy exceeded $265 “For example, an investor is ex- are ready to transfer those zones new opportunities emerging from (IRENA) Adnan Z. Amin. The educational bureau allocates hun- billion. In the World Bank’s empted from corporate income tax under the management of Emirates the Kazakh capital’s hosting of the sides discussed bilateral coopera- dreds of scholarships for interna- Doing Business ranking, Ka- and land tax for 10 years and prop- companies,” he noted. upcoming international specialised tion and expressed confidence in tional students, including those zakhstan is ranked 35th. Today, erty tax for eight years,” he said. The President also briefed the exhibition EXPO 2017. the development of relations. from Kazakhstan as part of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative.” President of the Hong Kong Poly- He added intensive preparations technic University Timothy Tong were being held in the Kazakh said in the past three years the uni- c a p i t a l . C o m p l e x m e a s u r e s w e r e Astana Enhances Cooperation with being taken, including organisa- versity has recruited more than 50 full-time students. tional and protocol issues, logistics, accommodation and security. Kazakhstan’s processed goods Lavrov noted Kazakhstan has Moscow, Says Ready for Syria Talks sought from the beginning to con- volume has reached 35 percent, tween the Republic of Kazakhstan served their ties, but also learned tions such as the Commonwealth of Khabar Agency reported. The By Aigerim Seisembayeva and tribute to the efforts to resolve the Independent States (CIS), Eurasian country’s manufacturers have sold Galiaskar Seitzhan and the Russian Federation,” he a new way to build their relations Syrian crisis. The main purpose has Economic Union (EAEU), Collec- goods worth $35 billion last year. said. based on the principles of equality been to bring representatives of the The sides discussed a wide range Over the past 10 years, Kazakh ASTANA – Kazakh Foreign and mutually-beneficial partner- tive Security Treaty Organisation Syrian Arab Republic (SAR) and of issues of bilateral and multilat- entrepreneurs expanded the range Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov ship. (CSTO), Shanghai Cooperation Or- the fragmented opposition to the eral cooperation and exchanged of exported products. Currently, paid his first visit to Moscow Jan. “The leading role in strengthen- ganisation (SCO) and Conference negotiating table, he said, adding views on topical issues of the re- the country’s business people ex- 20 at the invitation of Russian For- ing the strategic partnership be- on Interaction and Confidence- the armed opposition has not been port nearly 1,000 types of goods tween Kazakhstan and Russia is Building Measures in Asia (CICA). represented in the process until to some 117 countries. “Raw prod- attached to the regular meetings “I would like to note that the elec- now. ucts are exported to far abroad, and and talks between the heads of our tion of our country [as UNSC non- “From the very beginning of these non-primary goods are exported to states. Only last year, the presidents permanent member] is evidence of efforts, when it came to deciding on the neighbouring countries,” said of Kazakhstan and Russia held a broad international recognition where to continue the process of Deputy Chairperson of KAZNEX eleven meetings, both bilaterally of the active role Kazakhstan and establishing relations between the INVEST Meyirzhan Maikenov. and on various international and re- President Nazarbayev play in re- government and the armed opposi- “Accordingly, we built a strategy gional platforms,” he added. solving the important global issues tion, all the participants mentioned of promoting Kazakh goods and He also highlighted that Russia of peace and security,” Abdrakha- the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana, put an emphasis on our traditional, and Kazakhstan have long-term manov added. as one of the most suitable places. strategic markets on export of pro- strategic projects in all sectors of Other key topics included ensur- The government and all opposition cessed goods.” the economy. For instance, a large- ing global and regional security, the groups considered this place as the scale Kazakh-Russian business fo- talks on Syria, the situation in Af- best possible,” said Lavrov. Zhambyl region enterprises rum was conducted within the 13th ghanistan and other pressing issues Kazakhstan has previously Kairat Abdrakhmanov and Sergey Lavrov forum on interregional cooperation on the international agenda. served as a mediator in resolving are expanding export potential, eign Minister Sergey Lavrov. It was gional and international agenda. Khabar TV reported. According to held Oct. 4 in Astana with the par- Following the discussions, Ab- regional and global conflicts, noted also the newly-appointed foreign Lavrov noted Kazakhstan is Rus- ticipation of the heads of the two drakhmanov and Lavrov signed a Abdrakhmanov, evoking the coun- specialists, demand for country’s minister’s initial foreign trip on a sia’s ally, good neighbour and stra- goods is growing abroad thanks to states. Forty-seven bilateral docu- cooperation plan between the for- try’s crucial role in mending rela- bilateral basis. Following the talks, tegic partner. The interaction be- ments worth more than $3 billion eign ministries for 2017-2018, a tions between Russia and Turkey the high quality of manufactured Abdrakhmanov and Lavrov gave a tween the countries, in his words, is products. Manufacturer of high were signed during the event. “road map” of interaction between last year. joint press conference where they an important factor in ensuring the “Our two countries have estab- the countries, as Abdrakhmanov “You have witnessed the role that quality energy-saving lamps En- commented on the outcome of the progressive socio-economic devel- ergy is just one of the many lished an intense political dialogue put it. Kazakh President Nazarbayev has negotiations, as well as on the Asta- opment of Kazakhstan and Russia and built deep economic relations. Speaking at the press conference, played in the rapprochement of our companies which started exporting na talks on Syria. and sustaining stability in the Cen- its products to Russia. The plant’s All spheres of cooperation are ef- Abdrakhmanov emphasised that two partners,” he added. Abdrakhmanov opened his tral Asian region. largest operation manufactures fectively developing,” said Abdra- hosting the talks aimed at bringing The meeting on Syria is sched- speech by thanking his counterpart “In the field of bilateral relations, khmanov. peace to Syria is a great honour for uled for Jan. 23. Representatives of LED bulbs that consume four to for the invitation and the warm and five times less power compared to we praised the legal framework In the context of Kazakhstan be- Kazakhstan. the SAR and opposition groups, as friendly welcome Russia extended the incandescent lamps. The plant which consists of more than 300 ginning its tenure Jan. 1 as a non- “We consider the meeting in well as Iran, Russia, Turkey and the to the Kazakh delegation. is planning to increase capacity by contracts and agreements. Most of permanent member of the United Astana as another contribution of UN, are expected to attend, while several times in the near future. “I’m especially glad that my visit them work efficiently,” he said. Nations Security Council (UNSC), Kazakhstan to the Syrian settle- the United States is also invited. to Russia is held in the year of the Abdrakhmanov noted that dur- the two sides discussed cooperation ment process, which is taking place Kazakhstan is offering a platform The first Kazakh grain was re- 25th anniversary of the establish- ing the years of independence Ka- within the UN’s main political body, in Geneva under the auspices of the for the talks and will not be partici- cently sent in Kazakhstan Temir ment of diplomatic relations be- zakhstan and Russia not only pre- as well as within regional organisa- UN,” he said. pating in the negotiations. Zholy (KTZ) railcars from the Zhaltyr railway station to Ho Chi Minh city in Vietnam. The cargo will go through the Lianyungang Port, KTZ press service reports. A Syrian Peace Talks in Astana End with Support pilot programme was carried out by KTZ’s subsidiary KTZ Express together with the Sino-Kazakhstan international logistics company for Ceasefire, Further Talks in Geneva from Lianyungang. Vice-President Continued from Page A1 held in Astana in 2015. In order to international tensions elsewhere. tuary in neighbouring countries. to Kazakhstan for hosting the ne- of KTZ Express Yerzhan Kulakov alleviate the suffering of the Syr- From the beginning of the Syrian gotiations, and that the three guar- said the grain was sent in sacks and “Kazakhstan, as a peace-loving ian refugees, we have allocated De Mistura thanked Abdra- crisis, Kazakhstan has been urg- antor states expressed gratitude to transported in containers. Such state and a non-permanent mem- over $700,000 and have recently khmanov for hosting the meeting ing the international community Kazakhstan and President Nursul- transport compared with carload ber of the UN Security Council, provided 500 tonnes of food as and greeted participants. to seek a diplomatic solution, be- tan Nazarbayev for hospitality and shipments reduces travel time. is interested in strengthening and humanitarian assistance. I am con- “The Syrian people are des- lieving that military methods only creation of the most comfortable “Kazakhstan is one of the ten larg- promoting security and stability fident that the Astana meeting will perately in need of ending this exacerbate the situation. conditions for work. est grain exporters in the world. in the Middle East. Today’s meet- create the necessary conditions violence, and they are looking for- Kazakhstan has always been Several Kazakh experts, com- Every year the country on average ing is a clear manifestation of the for all concerned parties to find ward to relief from their own suf- ready to act as a neutral interme- menting on the results of the in- exports up to eight million tonnes international community’s efforts a suitable solution to the Syrian fering and a path out of this conflict diary for all forces involved in the ternational meeting on Syria in of wheat, so the success of the pilot directed to a peaceful settlement of crisis within the framework of the and to a real future for all of them, conflict. In May 2015, it hosted the the media immediately after the project contributes to an increase the situation in Syria. Kazakhstan Geneva process under the UN aus- men, women and children in dig- first round of talks with representa- results were announced, including in transportation volumes of grain believes that the only way to find pices and will make a worthy con- nity. I know how proud Syrians are tives of the Syrian opposition com- Chair of Foreign Affairs, in export traffic,” said Kulakov. a solution to the Syrian crisis is tribution to promoting peace and and how proud they are to be Syr- mitted to finding a political solu- Security and Defence Committee He also noted that a joint project through negotiations based on mu- stability in Syria,” Abdrakhmanov ian and of their beautiful country, a tion to the crisis. Later in October, Chair Maulen Ashimbayev, noted of a logistics terminal at the port of tual trust and understanding,” the quoted the President’s greeting. country that has made historically the parties agreed to establish cor- that the results represent a practi- Lianyungang is the largest invest- Kazakh President continued. In his own remarks, broadcast so many important contributions to ridors for safe passage of refugees cal step forward in strengthening ment project of Kazakhstan in Chi- “It is not a coincidence that our to the press centre where ap- human civilisation,” he said. during the second round of the ne- the cessation of hostilities in the na. The terminal is a joint venture country was selected as the host proximately 300 foreign and 100 Six years of war in Syria has gotiations. country agreed to in December called GC Port Lianyungang and for today’s negotiations. As you Kazakh reporters gathered, Ab- turned the country into ruins, kill- It was notable that both during 2016 and a potential turning point a subsidiary of KTZ multimodal know, two rounds of talks between drakhmanov also pointed out Ka- ing half a million people and driv- the opening of the talks and at their in international efforts to end the company, KTZ Express. several opposition groups were zakhstan’s experience in easing ing the population to seek sanc- conclusion all sides were grateful war n Syria. A4 ECONOMY

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

ECONOMY KazAgroFinance Seeks to Grow Kazakhstan’s Two NEWS IN BRIEF Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) signed Agricultural Technology, Production Largest Banks Said a memorandum of understanding useful qualities of mare’s milk for during the official visit of Presi- quite a long time. dent Nursultan Nazarbayev to the Dairy horse breeding in Kazakh- UAE, according to khabar.kz. The stan has three economically impor- to Hold Merger Talks memorandum is expected to facili- tant directions, including the pro- with Kazakh legislation,” he said. tate the exchange of experience in duction of kumys (fermented drink By Zhanna Shayakhmetova The National Bank said it would the field of financial regulation, in- made from the mare’s milk) and continue its policy of ensuring fi- cluding banking services, develop- introducing it in the perfume indus- ASTANA – Halyk Bank recently nancial stability of the banking ment and regulation of securities try for the production of creams, announced it is indeed in discus- sector and strict observance of and financial market. The agree- ointments, tonics and anti-aging sions with Qazkom and the bank’s banking legislation by banks. ment provides for the implemen- serums, which can be in a great de- largest shareholder over a possible Halyk Bank and Qazkom were tation of joint projects aimed at mand in Europe and America. The merger. The terms of the deal have discussing a merger, Reuters re- the development of both financial third option is using it as a breast not been disclosed, reported the ported Nov. 15, 2016, citing a centres. The head of AIFC Kairat milk alternative. press service of Halyk Bank. source. Banks initially denied this Kelimbetov noted that AIFC in- Over the past 25 years, Kazakh- The market reaction to a possi- information. tends to promote the growth and we inspect whether they comply stan witnessed a challenging path ble merger of the two largest banks Qazkom announced that the development of financial services of reforms in all areas of agricul- in Kazakhstan and in the region By Dana Omirgazy with them. We have requirements in Kazakhstan was immediate. The bank did not make proposals and ture. Production and food process- for a minimum amount of local shares of Halyk Bank fell by 11.4 had not received offers from Halyk in accordance with international ing industry are now progressing in standards. ASTANA – Investment in Ka- content in joint projects, which percent and shares of Qazkom in- Bank regarding a possible merger all regions of the country. zakh agriculture increased 50 should be at least 51 percent. It is creased by 6 percent, according to and no negotiations were conduct- Thus, in 2016, farmers gathered The National Bank of Kazakh- percent in 2016 totalling 228 bil- also necessary to have an adequate Khabar.kz. ed between the two banks in rela- 3.6 million tonnes of vegetables stan is keeping a key interest rate lion tenge (US$686.96 million) plan of the entire process because National Bank Deputy Chair- tion to a merger. Halyk Bank also and 2.2 million tonnes of melons, at 12 percent, khabar.kz reports. compared to 148 billion tenge all projects require a very larg e man Oleg Smolyakov said the confirmed that the bank did not which is 511,000 tonnes more than According to Daniyar Akishev, an (US$445.92 million) a year earlier. funding. For example, one poul- trend of consolidation of the receive and did not make a bid for in 2015. The 2016 harvest of rice, economic indicator, which shows According to General Man- try farm requires about 1-2 billion banking sector is characteristic a merger or other association with apples and cotton has been record trends in the development of key ager of Assets of the Inspection tenge (US$3 million-US$6 mil- for many countries, including Ka- Qazkom. breaking. Gross harvest of oilseeds industries, grew 2.7 percent in No- Department at KazAgroFinance lion) for construction. Funds are zakhstan, in terms of the ongoing “The various scenarios of the amounted to 2 million tonnes. vember. The National Bank chair Tuleugazy Seisenov, the state con- allocated from the National Fund globalisation of financial markets banking sector further development Grain exports amounted to 7.9 noted that the base rate might stantly allocates significant funds and the national budget,” he added. and strengthening integration pro- million tonnes, showing a 12 per- were considered as part of the gen- to support agriculture. The gov- change next month after having KazAgroFinance backed the cent increase over the 2015 level. cesses, reported the press service eral discussion during 2016 which, ernment subsidises projects, pro- considered the internal and exter- launch of a project for the pro- Food production grew 3.8 per- of National Bank. in our opinion, cannot be regarded vides preferential loans and offers nal economic situation over the duction of freeze-dried powder cent, exceeding 1.2 trillion tenge “The banks must obtain the con- as a negotiation. There is no cer- leasing purchase of agricultural past year. This, in turn, can affect of mare’s milk in the Karaganda (US$3.6 billion). sent of National Bank on a change tainty that this will lead to the be- machinery. the interest rates on loans. How- region. The Eurasia Invest, Ltd. In September 2016, the President of major shareholders which is ginning of negotiations between the “Today, we receive a lot of pro- ever, Akishev added that positive project worth 830 million tenge instructed the government to allo- possible only in case of protect- parties,” said in a statement. jects from all over the country. trends significantly increase the (US$2.49 million) is being imple- cate 97 billion tenge (US$292.26 ing the interests of depositors and Qazkom took first place in terms We aim at introducing modern likelihood of reducing the base mented partially on KazAgroFi- million) additional funding to the creditors and the availability of of assets at 5.21 trillion tenge rate in the coming months in the technologies in the industry. We nance loan funds. In February, agricultural sector. financial opportunities for new (US$15.7 billion), which is more check whether the implemented absence of sharp external and in- the enterprise will start exporting In addition, the country is imple- shareholders for sustainable de- than 20 percent of the total bank as- ternal fluctuations. technologies on a given project are products to Moscow. In addition, menting projects for the breeding velopment of banks prior to the sets and a loan base in the amount innovative. We have an extensive manufacturers intend to agree on and cultivation of rare species of fish, actual implementation of the trans- of 3.55 trillion tenge (US$10.7 According to ranking.kz, prop- network across the regions where deliveries with China and Europe. such as sturgeon. New dairy enter- action,” said Smolyakov. billion), which is more than 20 erty tax revenue exceeded 42 bil- farmers can apply,” said Seisenov. “We plan to deliver half a tonne prises, poultry farms and greenhouses The National Bank also ex- percent of the total loan portfolio lion tenge (US$126.58 million) in At present, the state supports per month. Gradually, we will are being constructed throughout Ka- pressed its readiness to monitor the of the banks at the beginning of 2016, of which 74 percent account- projects on the construction of ma- increase the volume,” said Ga- zakhstan. All this is expected to boost fulfilment of the obligations by fi- December 2016. Halyk Bank held ed for vehicle taxes and 22 percent jor dairy farms and food warehous- lymzhan Meirambekov, deputy exports of agricultural products. nancial institutions in terms of the second place in terms of assets at are property taxes. A significant es and the increasing of breeding director general of Eurasia Invest, According to First Vice Minister rights of minority shareholders of 4.64 trillion tenge (US$14.02 bil- increase in tax revenues from the cattle livestock in the farms. Ltd. of Agriculture Kairat Aituganov, each bank participating in the con- lion) which is more than 18 per- property of the population was ob- “KazAgroFinance is considering The project uses technologies the growth of agricultural pro- solidation process and implemen- cent of the total bank assets and served in the oil regions: the Kyzy- projects in several directions. We implemented in Germany. Freeze- duction over 11 months of 2016 tation of other related obligations a loan base of 3.05 trillion tenge lorda and Mangystau regions at 24 receive various projects on meat dried powder of mare’s milk is pro- amounted to 4.5 percent due to the in full. (US$ 9.2 billion), which is 17.3 and 25 percent, respectively, and and dairy, poultry and so on. There duced by vacuum drying at special increased crop and livestock pro- “The deal between the banks has percent of the total loan portfolio the Atyrau region with 14 percent are some technical requirements – equipment, allowing to preserve all duction. no time restrictions in accordance of the banks. of total revenue. South Kazakhstan region was among regions with the highest growth in property taxes. The Almaty agglomeration project has given a powerful impetus to the development of the area – the prop- Eurocopter Kazakhstan Engineering erty tax increased 17 percent to 3.4 billion tenge (US$10.25 million).

Savings in national currency Upbeat on Future Prospects were a key driver of the long-term “Developing a network from maining engine,” said Karazhanov. ty of the aircraft. For that, they con- deposit market in 2016, ranking.kz scratch is a challenge, but we have Ruslanbek Issetov, head of the duct pre- and post-fight inspections reports. The total volume of term already had some success. Techni- hangar, supervises the work of four and intermediate checks between and conditional deposits increased cal assistance was provided to an mechanics, three avionics, two flights. There are strict mainte- 20.3 percent over the year and by operator in Yakutsk (Siberia). Last paint engineers and one planning nance regulations a mechanic has the end of November 2016 totalled year, ECKE maintained one air- engineer. to follow,” he said. 11.47 trillion tenge (US$34.64 bil- craft from , so ECKE is “Reassembly of the helicopters The company management is lion). Thus, tenge deposits were just starting to gain momentum,” takes 20-25 days. The initial as- committed to building the capac- the main driver growing 79.2 per- he added. sembly is carried out in Germany. ity of its staff, supporting the local cent over 12 months. However, The company is also expanding The helicopters are disassembled content and ensuring technology the number of deposits in foreign its training component. In 2016, the and shipped to Kazakhstan. We transfer. ECKE now has 41 em- currency fell 2 percent. Proportion ECKE training centre conducted receive the parts and reassemble ployees. of tenge deposits increased 11.6 flight safety seminars for Kazakh the helicopters. Then, we run test “We are certified according to percentage points over the year to pilots and operators and trained flights and only then the helicop- all the international standards, but 35.4 percent. In the retail deposit engineers from . The ters are handed over to the custom- every country has its own internal portfolio, the proportion of tenge training was held in Kazakhstan for er,” he said. regulations, too. All of our local deposits increased 14.1 percentage the first time. Issetov’s team is also in charge colleagues are qualified by Airbus points to 32.1 percent. According “Our advantage is that we are not of maintaining the manufactured Helicopters standards. Moreo- to experts, the growth is described just another customer service cen- helicopters. ver, they have qualifications from by the changes in nominal interest (L-R) Ruslanbek Issetov, Madiyar Karazhnov and Andrei Pavlov tre, but we are a centre that is able “Right now, there are three heli- Mongolia and Turkmenistan and rates. The Kazakh Deposit Insur- to deliver and maintain aircrafts copters in the hangar undergoing are working to get qualified in Rus- ance Fund (KDIF) increased the By Lyazzat Shatayeva under the patronage of President and train the people in the Russian regular maintenance. If the client sia,” he added. nominal rate from 10 to 14 per- ASTANA – Eurocopter Ka- Nazarbayev,” Tilinin said. language,” said Tilinin. needs it, we can maintain the air- ECKE’s executives and staff are cent in the national currency and zakhstan Engineering (ECKE) is ECKE is designed to manu- Last year was a productive one craft throughout its service life,” he upbeat and well prepared for the decreased it from 3 to 2 percent expanding its scope of work and facture the EC145C2, but is also for his team, said training centre added. prospects of the near future. in the foreign currency in Febru- gaining momentum by targeting qualified to reassemble and main- head Madiyar Karazhanov. Andrei Pavlov, ECKE’s leading “We meet the highest Airbus ary 2016. Thus, tenge deposits of increased exports. Commercial Di- tain two other types of turbine heli- “Our main mission is to ensure mechanical engineer, has been with standards in all of our activities. I individuals are becoming not only rector and deputy CEO of the com- copters: the H130 and H125. Since safe deployment of our helicop- the company for more than three believe we can become a flagship a key source of long-term funding, pany Timur Tilinin spoke to The 2011, the facility has reassembled a ters. Last year we conducted type years. He conducts training for me- of the Kazakh aviation industry; but the driver of term and condi- Astana Times about the transfor- total of 26 EC145 helicopters, eight rating, refresh courses and flight chanics and technicians. something unique, to say the least, tional deposits. mation plan and its early successes of which have been delivered to the inspection for pilots and training “A mechanic secures the safe and and everyone in the company is and gave a tour inside the facility. Kazakh Defence Ministry and the for mechanics and technicians. We efficient operation of an aircraft committed to making the project a The Kazakh financial sector de- ECKE is a joint venture estab- remainder bought by Kazaviaspas have planned a new series of train- and ensures the safety and reliabili- success,” said Tilinin. veloped mainly due to business lished in 2011 on a 50-50 basis by emergency agency under the Min- ing courses starting in February till financing and retail loans in 2016, Kazakhstan Engineering National istry of Internal Affairs. the end of this year,” he added. khabar.kz reports. Unsecured loans Company and Airbus Helicopters, “Unfortunately, due to the (eco- The training centre is equipped keep leading in the retail lending one of the world’s largest manufac- nomic) crisis we halted the project. with an advanced multi-purpose market amounting to 235 billion turers generating the highest reve- In mid-2015, ECKE launched a flight simulator that can accom- tenge (US$711.11 million). The nues in the industry and delivering transformation plan to move from modate various cockpits, providing entire portfolio is valued at 2.3 tril- the greatest number of turbine heli- pure manufacturing to, first, be- an opportunity to train pilots to fly lion tenge (US$6.96 billion). The copters. The company has 30 sub- coming the distributor of Airbus different helicopters. The software credit card market also showed a sidiaries and 22,000 staff members helicopters in all and, can be changed depending on the dynamic development in 2016. across the world. Between China second, performing maintenance training needs. Growth in this segment amounted and Romania, however, Kazakh- of the aircrafts. We do the main- “The main purpose of the simu- to 5 billion tenge (US$15.13 mil- stan is the only hub that serves all tenance of all the helicopters we lator is teaching the pilot the neces- lion) for the first time over the past of Central Asia. have produced,” Tilinin shared. sary procedures, starting from the three years. The number of busi- “Eurocopter Kazakhstan En- Airbus Helicopter has extend- engine start to landing and engine ness loans increased 1.3 trillion gineering is the backbone of Ka- ed the distributor agreement for shutdown. The EC145 has two tur- tenge (US$3.9 billion) amounting zakhstan’s aviation engineering ECKE to the new aircraft models. bine engines. The simulator helps to 15.4 trillion tenge (US$46.6 industry. This project was launched The company is now exploring test different flight situations. Let’s billion). Meanwhile, the sector of by Presidents Sarkozy and Naz- prospects of working with Kyr- say when one of the engines shuts car loans witnessed a 15 percent arbayev. It is a very strong symbol gyzstan, and Mongolia down, we want to see how the pilot decrease lowering to 345 billion for us that the facility was launched and building export capacities. manages to safely land with the re- tenge (US$1.04 billion). A5 BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

BUSINESS NEWS IN BRIEF Shymkent-Based Plant to Produce Green More than 300 business people in Almaty received financial aid last year within the Business Road Map 2020 state programme, ac- Algae Superfoods Spirulina, Chlorella cording to Kapital.kz. The number Industrial production of micro- “We invited foreign experts to doubled compared to the previous By Zhanna Shayakhmetova algae biomass and beneficial mi- our studies. A leading specialist year. In 2016, the loan portfolio ASTANA – The global superfood croorganisms and products of their of our company is Biological Sci- amounted to 78.8 billion tenge movement attracts an army of fol- biomass is highly profitable. The ences Doctor Farkhad Omarov (US$238 million) and the volume lowers worldwide and Kazakhstan main consumers of such industries who collaborates with a team of 15 of subsidies was 15.3 billion tenge is no exception. In this sense, the Lo- are pharmaceuticals, food indus- people, including chemists, biolo- (US$46.2 million). Almaty is now tus Organics is a unique enterprise as try, perfumery and the agriculture gists and engineers. We do not see in first place based on the number this is one of two dozen companies industry. the need for a large staff since our of approved projects within the in the world that manufacture pat- “We began testing and valida- production is automated,” he said. state programme; in 2014, it was ented biotechnological production tion of the first products in June The project is entirely funded by in ninth place and in 2015 the city strains based on algae bacteria. this year. We were working with private investors. was third, according to Almaty Located in the Ontustik indus- the agro-industrial complex pro- “Today, there are about two Business and Industrial-Innovative trial zone in Shymkent, the plant is ducing premixes for the animal dozen companies in the world that Development head Almas Madi- farming group. However, the algae produce patented biotechnologi- yev. unique for the Kazakh market be- cause it is engaged in the produc- we have grown can be used for cal production strains based on medical purposes. After consult- algae bacteria and we are one of The cornerstone of the new cam- tion of organic products based on the unique properties of spirulina, ing with foreign experts, we have them. Our know-how technology el and mare milk processing plant come to the decision that it will be allows keeping the useful compo- was laid in the city of Turkestan, chlorella and a number of useful microalgae. important to produce organic prod- nents. Algae lose up to 40 percent according to the Kazakh Ministry ucts for people,” Lotus Organics of useful trace elements by dry- of Agriculture press service. The The company aims not only to contribute to the development of head Azamat Ibdullayev told the ing. And we managed to avoid project will be implemented by the Astana Times. it. Many factors, such as sunny Kazakh company Vtormetalservis the domestic biotech sector but also The company sent two products weather, altitude and water should with investments from China’s compete with European producers. – spirulina and fulvic acid for test- be taken into account when you Golden Camel Group. The design The range of raw materials ing to the Switzerland. grow the bacteria. Our factory is capacity of the new plant is about and final products of micro- Spirulina includes all the sub- located in the South Kazakhstan 33,000 tonnes per year. “Imple- algae biotechnology and ben- stances necessary for an organ- region. It is the most convenient mentation of the project will give eficial microorganisms is ex- Azamat Ibdullayev. a multiplier effect, assuming a par- tremely wide. It covers almost ism including beta-carotene, location in terms of climatic con- tial solution to the employment of all major economic sectors, chlorophyll, chromium, vitamin in the western countries. It facili- antioxidant properties, and most ditions and sophisticated agro- the rural population of the nearby including components for na- B 12 and iron, Ibdullayev said. tates the absorption of minerals, importantly, removes toxins from chemical and biochemical sys- villages. There also will be a boost notechnology. Fulvic acid has long beenpopular increases metabolism and has body. tems,” he said. for the production of medicinal products made from camel’s milk in the South Kazakhstan region,” according to the statement.

Foreign tourists staying in Almaty Food Delivery Services Gaining in Popularity during Universiade will generate pect that in 2017, the volume will last year compared to 7.1 billion food,” said Altynai Serikanova, most rapidly growing segment By Yerbolat Uatkhanov more than two billion tenge (US$6 reach 9.4 billion tenge (US$28.4 tenge (US$21.5 million) in 2015, 33, a procurement officer. of the food delivery market. De- million) for the city’s small and me- million) and could easily exceed an estimated 5.2 billion tenge ASTANA – The market seg- 10 billion tenge (US$30 million) (US$15.7 million) in 2014 and dium businesses, said Akim (Mayor) ment of Kazakh food delivery has The services are extremely popular among Bauyrzhan Baibek, reported Kapital. by 2018. 3.9 billion tenge (US$11.8 mil- grown by nearly 1.7 billion tenge The Burger King press ser- lion) in 2013, according to kapi- kz. “According to the Global Desti- (US$5.1 million) in the last two young people aged 20-35, mostly office nation Cities Index, foreign tourists vice reported the food delivery tal.kz. years. Analysts at Burger King market segment amounted to 8.4 Experts from foodpanda.kz in- workers who order food to their homes or in Almaty spend around $245 on a Kazakhstan and foodpanda.kz ex- daily basis. For example, 5,000 tour- billion tenge (US$25.4 million) dicate the number of orders in- offices. The average bill is 3,500-5,000 tenge ists will bring around two billion creased 20-30 percent per year tenge (US$6 million) of income to in 2013-2014 and 45 percent in (US$11-15). the small and medium businesses 2015. The spike in some months during a five-day stay in Almaty,” he of 2016 reached 55 percent. They “Sometimes, I really want to pending on the region, the share noted, adding participating countries feel the growth in food delivery use such services, but I stop at Burger King is as high as 8 per- will make a payment of one million service and its exceeding popu- myself. I consider that such cent, said a company representa- Euros (US$1.1 million) for accom- larity is based on its convenience food isn’t as good as food I tive. modations in the Athletes Village. and speed. cook at home and more im- Experts note food ordering In addition, eight hotels in the city “I am an active user of many portantly it isn’t as nutrient- services are seasonal. There is a recommended by the Universiade food delivery services in Astana. enriched as dishes I usually general increase in orders from directorate will be fully accommo- To be honest, I am not so good at cook. Of course it takes time, October-February and deliveries dated by sports delegations. cooking and I usually come home but I am a housewife and I have hike by an average of 12 percent at 9 p.m. and neither my husband enough time to cook myself,” in cold weather. The numbers are The Kazakh trade sector is com- nor I wish to cook because we are said 31-year-old Gulmira Ken- also higher on weekends and pub- ing out of the shadows, as indi- too exhausted and want to watch zhegazinova. lic holidays. vidual entrepreneurs are switching TV or have some fun. I would like “Food delivery service in Asta- The services are extremely pop- to a legal entities format, accord- to highlight that the services are na isn’t so expensive, but cooking ular among young people aged ing to finprom.kz. In 2016, the getting better and better. I consid- at home is much cheaper,” she 20-35, mostly office workers who number of individual enterprises er that they have to compete with added. order food to their homes or of- in the wholesale and retail trade each other, offering higher stand- QSR (quick service restaurants fices. The average bill is 3,500- sector decreased by 15,600, while kapital.kz Photo credit: ards of service and high quality or fast food restaurants) is the 5,000 tenge (US$11-15). the number of small legal entities increased by 5,900. Trade has also been integrated into the payment infrastructure, as last year the num- ber of traders accepting payment cards increased 1.5 times from Honey Production to Gain Momentum 42,000 to 65,000, states the source.

Astana Motors held a press con- ference to announce the company’s in Eastern Kazakhstan, Say Experts results for 2016, according to Ten- grinews. Total sales of passen- Staff Report ger cars and commercial vehicles reached 7,995 units compared to Experts are forecasting a honey 15,416 units in 2015. At the same production boom in eastern Ka- time, the Astana Motors’ market zakhstan in the next two-three share among official dealers sell- years amid increased exports to ing new cars in Kazakhstan rose to China. 17 percent from 16 percent in 2015. The history of beekeeping in “In 2017, we intend to increase ex- the area dates back more than two ports to the Russian market; we are centuries. The first 200 beehives currently negotiating the supply of were brought from Russia’s Oren- produced equipment to its eastern burg oblast in 1792 and a century part… With those plans, we are ex- later, the vicinity had 150,000 panding our factory,” said Astana hives spread across the region. Motors President Nurlan Smagulov A strong network of large apiar- at the event, adding next year the ies was located along the Ulba, company expects a gradual recovery Bukhtarma, Irtysh and Kurchum of the Irtysh River and forests and “Scientists have predicted that Kazakhstan is 36 kilogrammes and provide water to secure pol- in consumer demand in the market. rivers and Markakol and Zaisan the alpine zone are practically not if suddenly all bees disappeared, per person a year, while the av- lination,” said Rukavitsin. lakes. used. There are no paved roads in just four years all types of crops erage annual consumption of Eastern Kazakhstan beekeepers Gold production volumes have Every family had at least two or communication means. Ac- on planet Earth would be extinct. honey is 50 grammes. Those see China as their main market. increased in Kazakhstan, accord- dozen hives, withbees kept in the cording to our estimates, the lo- Here in the region, 400,000 hec- who eat honey should tell their Chinese visitors are purchasing ing to Khabar.kz. Two years ago, vast mountain logs from bottom cal farmers produce 5,000-6,000 tares of land are used to grow families and friends of the ben- all the honey stocks in Ust-Ka- the National Bank purchased about to top. The taste varied depending tonnes of honey, which is only 3-5 sunflowers and 800,000 bee colo- efits of the product. We should menogorsk, according to industry 30 tonnes of refined metal from lo- on the location. Local beekeepers percent of the region’s potential,” nies are needed to pollinate these introduce honey in school men- experts. Buyers look for products cal producers; in 2016, the number produced thousands of tonnes of said NUB vice president Igor Ru- areas. We only have one-third of us. If we can increase the aver- with a Made in Kazakhstan la- reached 37 tonnes. The country honey, which was cheaper than kavitsin. that amount. Therefore, instead of age consumption to two kilo- bel due to its quality and medi- mined about 75 tonnes of raw metal sugar. Apiary owners are learning to 4,000-5,000 kilogrammes of sun- grammes per person a year, that cal properties, with a lion’s share last year, while in 2015 the number The East Kazakhstan region is declare the hives to be able to re- flower seeds per hectare, we col- will be a great achievement. Our of the product already exported was about 57 tonnes. Domestic jew- trying to restore its former glory ceive a proper state registration lect 1,500,” he added. beekeepers have the capacity to through the border trade. ellery producers buy some of the as a major honey producing area. necessary for an export permit. Union head Sergey Tereshchen- keep up with such demand,” he “We have already shipped large gold, increasing the demand, noted According to the National Union “The beekeepers are declaring ko noted the factors hindering said. batches to Xi’an and Hong Kong. the source. The Tau-Ken Altyn of Beekeepers (NUB), in the peak parts of their ventures; they are development of regional honey Experts are optimistic about fu- This is only the beginning. The plant in Astana processed 12 tonnes season the number of local bee not yet willing to spend money production. Lack of lending and ture prospects. local consumer must be prepared of gold this year, all of which was colonies reaches 300,000. Their on expensive laboratory tests. The funding subsidies and low honey “Things are moving. Last sum- that the market price will rise to bought by the National Bank, ac- amount, however, needs to be in- profits from pollination are 30 consumption by locals are among mer, a few large agricultural en- $10-$15 per kilogramme. If we do cording to First Vice Minister for creased. times higher compared to income the biggest obstacles. terprises spoke to beekeepers with not build up a number of bee colo- Investment and Development Al- “The apiaries are mainly located from honey production.” said Ru- “According to statistics, an a request to put the hives in fields. nies, the locals can be left without bert Rau. in the steppe zone on the left bank kavitsin. average consumption of sugar in They were ready to guard them honey,” he added. A6 EDITORIAL&OPINION

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017 In Search of Peace for Syria: Book by Bolashak Alumnus World’s Eyes Are on Astana Presented at Cambridge t a time when there is a clear need for which Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev as though they are late somewhere. international cooperation, there has promised earlier this month would remain a prior- By Arsen Omarkulov It also applies to the traffic. There been no greater example of failure than ity during the two-year term. are no drivers who would not give ASTANA – Kanat Auyesbay is the continuing tragedy of Syria. In fight- The strong friendships that Kazakhstan has way to others, make a scene or the first Kazakh journalist trained Aing which began nearly six years ago, more than forged across the world have also enabled it, in drive at high speeds. Every day through the Bolashak programme. 300,000 people have been killed and 12 million – recent years, to play a key role in easing tensions we take our children to school by half the country’s population – have been forced to His book, “Looking West. A Ka- bus. Due to the fact that there is between its allies. Both Turkey and Russia have, zakh’s view of Great Britain,” was flee their homes. It is now the deadliest conflict of good behaviour on the street, traf- for example, paid tribute to President Nazarbayev published recently by Cambridge the 21st Century. fic jams rarely happen. Tranquil- for helping restore good relations between them International Press (United King- Given the horrific scenes of destruction and following the shooting down of a Russian aircraft. lity can be seen even in line at the dom) in the Kazakh and English store. Compliance with the famous human misery the world has witnessed, it might Kazakhstan was also the venue for crucial talks Kanat Auyesbay languages. It was presented at European “personal space” is very have been hoped that the international community between the major powers and Iran over its nuclear Cambridge University Dec. 15 strict. For example, when you stand would step in to bring all sides together to resolve programme. At one of the most challenging times and the Kazakh National Aca- mind and a warm heart.” I want in line, no one breathes on your the crisis. But where intervention has been made, in the negotiations, these talks helped keep the demic Library organised the online to say that if you have a goal and back. You should keep a distance it has either failed to make progress or led to an dialogue alive and paved the way for the eventual broadcast. The event, dedicated increase in the intensity of the fighting. work hard, your dream does not between each other. Of course, historic agreement. to the 25th anniversary of the na- have to be a pipe dream. you might think that all these are Countries within the region, and beyond, have The hope must be that the upcoming crucial tion’s independence, was attended found themselves sucked into the crisis. Whatever all little things, but street culture is talks in Astana can play the same role. There is by university faculty and students, When was the presentation of built from such little things, as one their good intentions, their support, weapons and a desperate need to find common ground which members of the Bolashak Associa- active involvement have deepened the agony of the the book? Who participated in it? should not forget. can, in time, lead to a full and permanent end to tion, representatives of the Kazakh Syrian people. I planned to present the book as a  the fighting and a better, peaceful future for the Embassy in the U.K. and members The impact has been felt far wider than Syria gift for the 25th anniversary of in- Why did you choose the U.K. for country’s citizens. If those involved seize the of the Kazakh student community dependence; that’s why I made up studying? How do you assess the and its immediate neighbours, who are struggling at Cambridge University. Kazakh- opportunity to address humanitarian concerns, it my mind to carry out the presen- British education system? to cope with millions of refugees. The crisis has stan’s presentation of the book was could prove to be, as Kazakh Foreign Minister tation on the eve of Independence “London is the capital of Great led to a troubling increase in tensions between held at the Library of the First Pres- Kairat Abdrakhmanov has said, an important step Day. Concerning the presentation, Britain.” This old sentence from countries and long-distance flows of migrants ident of Kazakhstan – the Leader in preparation for the resumption of the Geneva everything was on the highest lev- my blurry childhood may be fa- unprecedented in modern times. It has also added of the Nation. The Astana Times process scheduled for next month. el. First, I think that it is the sign miliar to anyone who was among greatly to the threat from violent extremism. asked the journalist to talk about No one should be in any doubt of the major of respect for our country from the very first of those who were It is against this profoundly worrying back- his book and views on the contri- Cambridge University. At the pres- taught to read and write in English ground that the talks taking place in Astana on the obstacles which still have to be overcome to bution of the Bolashak programme entation, those who took part were in the Soviet era. If the first famous Syrian crisis will be welcomed. They have been find a lasting solution to this crisis. But there is to the country’s development. the representatives of the Kazakh phrase remaining from these times brokered by Russia and Turkey, who are working an increasing recognition from almost all those  Kanat Auyesbay is a journal- Embassy in the U.K., scientists, is “learn, learn and learn,” then the together despite differing views on the crisis, and involved that only diplomatic efforts, not military ist, Bolashak International Schol- professors of the university, also second phrase, you might say, is the will be attended by many of the groups involved. action, can bring an end to the conflict without arship holder ( University of East the students of Kazakhstan who commonplace phrase meaning that It is no coincidence that Kazakhstan’s capital many more months of fighting, destruction and Anglia, Norwich, U.K.) and mem- study there. I would like to express London is the British capital. Be- has been chosen to host these important talks. The loss of life. Such an agreement is also urgently ber of the Association of Bolashak gratitude to the Deputy Director cause of this, during a period of six government in Astana has good relations with needed to help all parties and countries focus on International Scholarship holders of the Department of Higher and years of continuously learning Eng- Turkey and Russia as well as all the other coun- countering the threat posed by DAESH and the and Eurasian Creative Guild (U.K., Postgraduate Education and Inter- lish starting from the fifth grade, tries engaged in Syria. The proximity of Central barbaric groups associated with them. London). A host of the Kazakhstan national Cooperation in the Min- Kazakhstan is not directly involved in the national TV channel, he has writ- students, even if they have not be- Asia to the Middle East means the have istry of Education and Science of come more literate in English, with- discussions. The hosts’ role is to provide a neutral ten and produced many TV shows. a particular interest in the security and stability of the Republic of Kazakhstan Akerke out doubt remember that London is and safe venue. But Kazakhstan has made clear He is also a lecturer at Eurasian the region. Abylaikhan and Deputy Chair- the capital of Great Britain. It was Kazakhstan also, of course, has a proud record that it will, through its position on the UN Security National University named after person of Nazarbayev Intellectual L.Gumilyev, and winner of the a peculiar country PR of the U.K. of promoting peace and fostering international Council, do all it can to encourage the multiple Schools Nazipa Ayubayeva for the So when it came time to choose the cooperation. It is a record which helped secure the parties involved to make progress. Finding a last- Serper Award for youth, Kazakh support and assistance her side lent journalist’s Union Award and Nur country of study, I had no doubt – I country’s election onto the United Nations Secu- ing and peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis must in the organisation for the occasion. will go to Britain. That’s the reason. rity Council, as the first one from its region, and be a priority for the entire world. Sunkar republican contest among mass media. The famous British educator and To write the book is one thing philosopher John Locke out- and to find one’s own readers – lined the three basic conditions of First of all, we would like to another. Did your book attract in- congratulate you on the success- the formation of the personality of terest among readers and where is every Englishman, which are sport, ful presentation of the book in it possible to find it? the U.K. This is a very significant education and moral education. Winter Universiade Yes, there are cases when the This is inculcated in every English- event for our country, because it is book does not find its reader and the first time a Bolashak scholar- man from early childhood. When I I can say that I had my luck here. came here, I did not see any young ship holder has published and pre- Because there are those who wish sented a book abroad. What is the people who would be idle. But the to Showcase Almaty, to order the book on the British site most important advantage of Brit- book about? Amazon.co.uk. From that resource, ish education, I believe, is the Eng- Thank you for the recognition. I the book can be delivered to 52 compare life abroad and in Kazakh- lish language, which is of course countries of the world. Readers can learned all over the world. This is the Country stan during my education in Great order the book through that site. Britain. This book is not a blind a resource which is comparable to his has been a busy time for Kazakhstan thusiastic and knowledgeable spectators. As any financial wealth. Enormous num- on the global stage. In the last few days, visitor to Kazakhstan quickly discovers, playing, cheer of life abroad. I avoid the You are the first journalist who “tourist syndrome” of praising the bers of textbooks with literature fit- it has been Astana which, because of the watching and talking about sport is a real passion studied through the Bolashak pro- other country in contrast to reviling ting every taste are being produced Syria peace talks, has found itself in the among our people. They will turn out in large num- gramme. What role has Bolashak one’s own motherland. The book in English. Students who come Tglobal spotlight. As it prepares to welcome young bers not only to cheer on their own country’s sports played in your life? What, in your from all over the world to study athletes from across the world, it is now Almaty describes the peculiarities of every- opinion, are the benefits of study- men and women but to enjoy high-level competi- day life, life values, the importance here spend millions of dollars in which, for very different and much lighter reasons, tion on their doorstep. It will be another factor ing abroad? the U.K. According to recent data, finds itself the focus of international hopes. of English language in globalisa- Bolashak fellows not only get which will make the 2017 Universiade so special. tion, education system and mass there are more than half a million The Winter Universiade is, by any reckoning, a a modern education, but also the Importantly, Almaty’s preparations have gone media, young people’s problems, foreign students in that country. major sporting event. opportunity of foreign experience. well beyond just ensuring the games are a great etc. I provide examples of typical And where there is a large profit, Around 2,500 university students from nearly 60 success and those taking part leave with a lifetime The Western education system there is competition which enor- English novelties which were im- has long been considered the best, countries are coming to Kazakhstan’s largest city of memories. There has been plenty of thought, too, mously increases the demand for plemented in Kazakhstan. There is which is demonstrated by the eval- for a competition only surpassed in scale by the given to making sure the Universiade leaves a last- higher education. an idiom in : “The uation ratings of its world-leading Winter Olympics itself. It is the 28th occasion the ing legacy for the city and country as a whole. one who saw Moscow.” In the So- universities. Our country has pro- games have been held and seems certain to be the The Bolashak programme is The athletes’ village, for example, will be turned viet Union, it was considered pres- duced, over the past twenty years, biggest. almost the same age as Kazakh- into a new residential complex. New sporting tigious among Kazakh intellectuals a galaxy of highly educated people If the effort that has gone into its preparation stan’s independence. How do you facilities will be used to help swell mass participa- to study in the capital of the USSR. with an understanding of domestic is any guide, it should also be among the most think the programme influenced tion in sport as well as provide a platform to attract It was a kind of trend of that time. social and political processes. Bo- memorable. A huge amount of hard work has gone the formation of our young state? high-profile international competitions and events Today, the U.S. and British col- lashak fellows successfully work in into ensuring everything will be ready since the What is its contribution made to of all kindsin the future. leges are trending. Hence the book various areas for the benefit of the city – the first in the former Soviet bloc to host the its development? Global media coverage over the next fortnight is entitled “Batys korgen,” which is country. In addition, these fellows Winter Universiade – was awarded the games just Since the creation of the Bolashak will also provide a major boost to Kazakhstan’s literally translated as “The one who are ambassadors for Kazakhstan over five years ago. programme, thousands of profes- fast-growing tourism industry. While the Univer- saw the West” or “Looking West.” abroad, who not only learn well but Almaty was helped by having a rich winter sports sionals in the field of economy, pro- siade does not, of course, attract the global media also actively participate in various heritage on which to build, including the legendary For whom is this book written? duction, health and humanities, as Ice Rink where many world records have afforded to the Olympics, its competitions will be social events. They are ambitious, watched by many hundreds of millions in an esti- Once I was looking for books by well as a new generation of creative been set. Other venues were already in place for the talented people. In this way, the professionals are being discovered. mated 80 countries. Kazakh authors in the library of the successful Asian Winter Games in 2011. Western community forms a gener- Due to this scholarship, our coun- It is a tremendous opportunity to showcase what University of East Anglia in Nor- These have all been refurbished, if necessary, ally positive view of Kazakhstan. try has owned world-famous opera the city, surrounding area and country as a whole wich, but I could not find any. So ahead of the Universiade. But we have also seen I asked myself, “If there are none, I believe that this ambitious initia- singers, musicians and filmmakers has to offer. It seems certain to lead to many more investment in new facilities, including a new ath- why not write one?” I think this tive of the head of state has fully whose works are awarded interna- foreign visitors in the years ahead to sample for letes’ village to house 3,000 – the first to be built first work is a result of that ques- justified all the hopes placed on it. tional prizes and whose talent gains themselves its ski slopes, to hike in the mountains specifically for the student games – as well as new tion. So first, I have the intention of Studying abroad has changed my recognition and success in a global venues, such as the 12,000-seat Almaty Arena. in the summer and enjoy the many attractions of distributing books to U.K. univer- worldview. public. Studying abroad, fellows Almaty’s preparations have won warm praise Almaty itself. sities where young Kazakh people Certainly staying abroad is a are mostly becoming immersed in a from international delegations visiting to monitor Hosting the Games will bring many rewards for are studying. Secondly, I have set good opportunity to compare your completely new cultural reality that progress. But the city can also count on natural Kazakhstan in the years ahead. But for the moment, my heart on sending my small book own country to another country. stretches the limits of their world advantages as well as human effort to ensure the attention rightly must be centred on the young to school libraries in rural areas of Comparisons are needed to under- views and makes them rethink es- Games will live long in memory. athletes themselves. Kazakhstan. When a student from stand how your country has devel- tablished views on some ordinary Almaty’s spectacular setting, surrounded by ma- Achieving the level needed to qualify and com- a rural area reads these notes, he oped, or whether it falls short of things, attitudes towards other jestic mountains, will add hugely to the enjoyment pete will have required real sacrifice to fit in hours or she can see that studying at the global development. Sometimes, cultures and our own one. Today, of the athletes and thousands of visitors. So, too, of training alongside their university studies. We leading universities of Cambridge it even concerns the relationships scholars create communication lines will be the fact that this geography will spare them wish all competitors a successful games and hope, or Oxford is not simply an idle between people. When I arrived for between representatives of different long journeys from accommodation to competition as the 2017 Universiade slogan declares, the next dream, but an attainable one. This the first time, I noticed that people nations of our country and contrib- which are so often the hallmark of winter events. few days gives them the platform to spread their is my desire. As the great Abai said, are calm and staid. There are no ute to the formation of a positive im- They will also be thrilled to find so many en- wings in sport and, more importantly, in life. it only needs “eagerness, a clear people who run around in a hurry, age of the Kazakh citizen.

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017 Outcomes and Effects of National Anti-Corruption Strategies This year, the agency, in coop- the World Economic Forum, its agencies are not enough. Systemic duced in law enforcement this By Zhanna Shayakhmetova eration with other interested state indicators on corruption showed measures affecting the activities year,” Shpekbayev added. bodies, conducted 159 analyses significant positive movement and of all the institutions of society are Today, the country needs not ASTANA – Fighting corrup- of corruption risks identified in improved for the second year in a needed. The most effective way of only qualified and motivated pro- tion is one of the priorities of various areas of business and man- row in terms of fighting informal combating corruption is to unite the fessionals: high ethical standards Kazakhstan’s 100 Concrete Steps agement. From this work, 1,600 payments and bribes, transparency efforts of all interested parties, in- and good conduct are also neces- programme, the massive reform recommendations to address these of decisions and illegal use of pub- cluding government agencies, busi- sary. project intended to accelerate the issues were sent to the relevant lic funds. nesses, nongovernmental organisa- “The Code of Ethics developed country’s development. ministries and departments and 65 “We made a rapid leap, mov- tions and every citizen,” he said. by the agency should not be con- The Astana Times spoke with percent of them have already been ing from 81st place to 28th since These approaches are provided sidered a set of good intentions. It Civil Service Affairs and Anti- put in place. 2008,” Shpekbayev said about in the Anti-Corruption Strategy contains clear standards of behav- Corruption Agency Deputy Chair- The Public Agreement Project to Kazakhstan’s entry into the top for 2015–2025 adopted on the ini- iour and is one of the main types man Alik Shpekbayev about con- unite the efforts of state and socie- 30 countries in the E-Government tiative of of regulatory activities. Failure sistent, targeted actions against Alik Shpekbayev ty has also been put into operation. Development Index. “Today we Nursultan Nazarbayev. Preventive to comply with the Code of Eth- corruption held in the country. The project currently unites 2,600 are very close to the countries with measures to eliminate the causes ics is seen as a sign of profes- The agency plays the major aimed at eliminating the causes organisations and 54,000 citizens a very high level of e-government and conditions that give rise to cor- sional incompetence with all its role in implementing the law “On and conditions of corruption were are participating in its activities to development. There is also a posi- ruption in various spheres are the consequences. Violations of ethi- combating corruption” and devis- adopted as part of the Plan of the reduce corruption. tive trend in the measurements main priority of this strategy. The cal standards creating conditions ing anti-corruption strategies. Its Nation. The strict observance of The agency initiated the Civil of public opinion. According to emphasis is on removing causes of for corruption will be prevented. activities meet the requirements of the principle of inevitability of Control Project, through which the Global Corruption Barometer corruption rather than fighting its Twenty two people were dismissed Article 36 of the United Nations punishment for corruption crimes 600 appeals were reviewed. Adal 2016, there is a two-fold increase consequences. from the civil service following Convention against Corruption, and the improvement of the rel- Urpak (Equitable Generation), a in the proportion of citizens watch- The anti-corruption policy is the recommendations of the Coun- which requires states to ensure the evant rules of criminal liability are public youth movement designed ing the progress of anti-corruption, based on a trinity of preventive, cil on Ethics last year,” he said. existence of a body or bodies spe- in focus,” Shpekbayev said. to cultivate the principles of hon- a four-fold increase in the number educational and punitive meas- Improving the quality of public cialised in combating corruption Work on detecting and stopping esty and integrity among youth, of people who are ready to actively ures, which meets the best interna- services provided to individuals through law enforcement. corruption offenses is currently was organised in a number of re- oppose corruption and the number tional standards in this area. and legal entities is also a priority The agency works not only underway. More than 1,800 admin- gions. of people who give bribes fell by “A performance evaluation for the agency. to punish, but also to detect and istrative officials pleaded guilty Shpekbayev calls all of this evi- more than a quarter compared to system for civil servants to deter- “Consistent work on expanding prevent corruption crimes and of- in bribery cases with a total mon- dence of the beginning of the tran- the results of three years ago.” mine the size of annual [bonuses] the register of these services is un- fenses. It also administers the civil etary damage of 48.5 billion tenge sition from declarations to imple- The next step, he said, is tack- will be introduced in 2018. The derway. Today this number has in- service and evaluates and controls (US$145.5 million) in the last menting specific joint projects and ling corruption in the sphere of turnover of employees declined creased to 731. A third of these ser- the quality of public services. two years. Recovery amounts and enacting more effective coopera- purchases made in the quasi-public two times and ‘team movements’ vices is provided in an electronic “More than 60 laws, including seized property accounted for 32.6 tion mechanisms. sector of the economy. fell to a minimum in the first format. The number of complaints ‘On civil service,’ ‘On access to billion tenge (US$97.8 million). Despite a slight overall decrease “International and our own ex- two years since the implementa- received from individuals and le- information,’ ‘On public councils’ A new corruption prevention of Kazakhstan’s position in the perience demonstrate that effec- tion of the law ‘On state service.’ gal entities fell by 11 times in the and other laws with regulations institution is being implemented. Global Competitiveness Index of tive anti-corruption efforts by state These approaches will be intro- last five years,” he said. Akmola Region Takes Steps to Improve Health Services, Says Health Administration Head is formed by a person and only 10 By Aleksander Kuzennyi It is important to have a mod- been done for 15 years. And now, drugs contained in a special sub- percent accounts for medical assis- ern cancer diagnosis. Some pa- formerly unique medical services sidised list of medicine was paid The head of the Akmola Public tance. Such statistics are observed tients after learning about their have shifted to regions. The pecu- for by the state and half by the pa- Health Administration Gulnara Ku- in developed European countries, cancer diagnosis, did not entirely liarity of this minimally invasive tient. But today, the medical drugs lusheva answers questions about but we are just beginning to follow trust local experts. There were surgery is that it is performed endo- provision of dispensary patients is Gulnara Kulusheva the state of affairs in the region’s this path and learning by our per- cases when those were wrong, scopically. completely free. In 2016, 1.2 billion institutions serve the population of sonal experience that a healthy life- and the treatment was not so ef- There was a workshop session tenge (US$3.6 million) were al- healthcare system. the region. Quality Department for Health- style is good and bad habits are bad. fective. So they went to Russia, in Kokshetau City Hospital No.1, located only from the local budget Kazakhstan health care is mov- care Services recently noted an ex- Life has become longer due to Germany, Israel, and now, when where on Oct. 29, the Kokshetau for such purposes in comparison to tremely unpleasant thing. It turned contemporary medical equipment they return from there, they say team of doctors, together with the 929 million tenge (US$2.8 million) ing forward (which is also recog- out that there are so-called ‘car- as well, which provides not only “we have everything at home; we head of Gynaecological Depart- in 2012. nised by international experts), by minative’ diseases caused by sense- qualitative diagnostics but also do not know why we went there.” ment of the National Scientific It is impossible to handle with- implementing in 2015 the State less attitude of doctors towards pa- helps to identify diseases at an ear- Moreover, foreign oncologists are Centre Ardak Akhmetzhanov per- out the help of the government in Programme Salamatty Kazakhstan tients? ly stage. Achievements in this area surprised with the availability of formed endoscopic surgery in three the purchase of expensive drugs for (Healthy Kazakhstan). The country There exists a problem of mercy, are impressive. Let us consider the high-end drugs. For example, one patients with hysteromyoma. Why patients with transplanted organs. launched the implementation of an- compassion and participation in the latest know-how. Medical equip- package of pellet chemotherapy didn’t such surgeries take place be- Their cost ranges from 65 to 450 other State Programme Densaulyk fate of a patient. Believe me, one ment was purchased for hospitals costs 2,000 dollars, in Kazakh- fore? There was no equipment. thousand tenge (US$196-$1,354). (Health) for 2016-19. Its purpose is would scarcely ever want to ad- providing cardiac care for more stan, patients receive these drugs And a person must take such medi- to strengthen the nation’s health, re- than 100 million tenge, for obstet- free of charge. What can you say about the cine after the operation during their mit that, but the facts are stubborn duce mortality from socially signifi- things, and it is better to talk about rics and childhood – for 140.4 mil- Our oncologists are not in need medical drugs provision for dis- whole life. In 2011, only after a cant diseases, increase life expectan- them. By keeping silent, we hide lion tenge, for tertiary patient care almost in all positions. The regional pensary patients? I recently heard five-year period, there were 12 Ak- the medical unkindness; therefore, by a city hospital in our regional Dispensary has recently acquired that with Kulusheva’s coming to mola citizens that received them for cy and develop primary healthcare. it can give the new seedlings. It is capital Kokshetau – for 22 mil- specialised expensive equipment. the post, at last, the order was es- free and today they are 42. Our healthcare moves towards the important to return to our practice lion tenge, additionally 73.4 mil- Now, transurethral resection of a tablished. people’s needs. And how it makes it, the “procedure” when a patient can lion tenge (US$220,828) was laid urinary bladder tumour can be car- It sounds dramatic. When money The metropolitan area is be- largely depends on on-site industry be treated by a word as well. down for 2017. Annually, we up- ried out in the native walls. The is allocated by the national govern- lieved to be among the leaders in managers, all healthcare workers in date the material base of Regional workshop for local surgeons was ment, region, you can only man- terms of new health facilities con- the region. Now, we are actively pre- What measures do you take? Oncologic Dispensary, Primary held by physician-onco-urologist age them competently. There were struction. Is this information au- paring for the introduction of com- You can be sure, the severest Health Care and Regional Hospi- from the Kazakh Research Insti- complaints; now they are a rare thentic? pulsory health insurance, which will tals No. 1 and 2. ones, despite the lack of doctors, in tute of Oncology and Radiology exception. National health care has Yes. As recently as last year six bring citizens to social responsibil- Recently, we have started to at- in Almaty Magzhan Kossanov. In advanced forward in drug provi- facilities were built; now there are egregious cases we show the door. ity for their health and improve the I am consumed with another idea: tract experts not only from nation- Kazakhstan, such operations have sion as well. Before the cost of four more. Currently, 592 medical quality of medical services. mercy and compassion cannot be al-level clinics, but also from near brought up within a day, month and far abroad. In October 2016 or even a year. Whether it may be alone, we held four workshop ses- present or be lacking at all, there- sions with their participation. Thus, fore, one should ask himself/herself a Lithuanian obstetrician-gynaecol- before choosing the most humane ogist, Professor Linas Rovas, made specialty in the world: can you treat a three-day visit to the Akmola Re- by a word? For any doctor, it is the gional Perinatal Center. Every day, most important rule, what is more, he held theoretical and practical for the whole life. training in obstetrics and gynaecol- ogy and foetus cardiotocography. You mentioned shortage of There were also planned and emer- doctors… Has the problem been gency surgeries. Task number one solved? for all of us is to eliminate mater- It is in process and quite success- nal mortality. And we are solving fully. We have decreased the short- it through inviting international age of obstetricians and gynae- authorities, thus raising the respon- cologists, anaesthesiologists and sibility and professionalism of the neonatologists. The healthcare de- local doctors. partment and local executive bod- We have successfully held a two- ies are working closely. The Oblast day workshop session in paediatric Akim Sergey Kulagin instructed cardiosurgery in the regional hos- the akims of districts and cities pital. The team of leading doctors of Kokshetau and Stepnogorsk to from Almaty and Kokshetau did a send 120 school graduates a year surgery on a child’s heart. We were to study at the medical academy. At preparing three little patients for the expense of the local budget, 170 surgery during a year. In 2016, 11 students get a profession in medi- children were operated on. Since cal institutions of the country. In the 2008, from the opening of the car- current year, 341 experts arrived in diac surgery department, in total the region, among them were 64 50 children with congenital heart doctors and 277 nurses. disease were operated on. The cost of one such surgery amounts to 2.2 Life has become longer. To million tenge. Akmola citizens take whom should the credit go? such service free of charge within I think, to everybody. The popu- the guaranteed volume of free med- lation, so to speak, has become ical care. The facility for diseases more careful with its own health. has registered about 900 children Gyms are built in our region, and diagnosed with congenital heart still there is shortage of them, peo- disease, 145 of them need surgical ple go skiing, jogging, walking and aggression, and they will certainly swimming. Ninety percent of health receive such aid. A8 EURASIA&WORLD

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017 US-Kazakh Relations to Grow Despite Many Changes in 2017, Says US Ambassador Central Asia. We are also closely have worked as English teach- serve as a valuable platform for By Dmitry Lee cooperating with the animal hus- ers, some through U.S. govern- businesses, governments and other bandry sector. Over 8,000 Ameri- ment programmes like Fulbright organisations to advance global ASTANA – The United States, can cows and bulls have been or Peace Corps. American teach- cooperation on clean energy. Sev- one of the top foreign investors imported into Kazakhstan to im- ers would be able to continue to eral U.S. companies including GE, in Kazakhstan, is about to witness prove local stock,” he said. support Kazakhstan’s vision of Chevron and Fluor, have pledged Donald Trump’s inauguration on becoming a trilingual society,” to sponsor the U.S. pavilion,” he Jan. 20, as the 45th and probably Ten-Year Visas he added. added. one of its most controversial Presi- Starting Dec. 29, the U.S. and Under the new administration, dents. Will policies under the new Kazakhstan agreed on issuance of EXPO 2017 Krol noted the interests of the U.S. administration affect U.S.-Kazakh 10-year visas for their citizens, a Kazakhstan’s major event in “promoting peace, stability and relations? step in bilateral relations that will of the year, EXPO 2017 in the prosperity in the region and glob- Numerous U.S. companies have facilitate travel and boost tourism capital Astana, will carve out ally will not change, nor will our invested more than $26 billion in and business ties, said Krol. the country’s image throughout commitment to a vital partnership Kazakhstan, making the country “The ties between our peoples the three-month exposition from with Kazakhstan.” one of the top foreign investors, are some of the most important June-September. Krol, the com- “Relations between the U.S. primarily in natural resources, links between our two coun- missioner for the U.S. pavilion, and Kazakhstan will continue to manufacturing, and services, said tries and the introduction of 10- praised the ongoing construction grow and strengthen based on the Krol. Last year the trade turnover year visas will only strengthen of the site. firm foundation of mutual respect between the two nations totalled those links. The introduction of “The U.S. is moving forward and shared interests built over the $1.4 billion, with more than 400 George Krol 10-year-validity business and expeditiously with the required 25 years of Kazakhstan’s inde- U.S.-Kazakh joint ventures creat- tourism visas lets Kazakh and internal procedures to allow us to pendence,” he added. ed throughout the years. The U.S. Kazakhstan’s membership on the country’s competitive edge in nu- American citizens spend more participate in EXPO 2017. The “In 2016, the U.S. and Kazakh- also aided Kazakhstan during its Security Council is a historic op- merous sectors and spheres, such time planning their travel and State Department has chosen a stan marked the 25th anniversary accession to the World Trade Or- portunity and testament to the suc- as the food industry, petro chemis- less time worrying about visa contractor for the U.S. pavilion, of diplomatic relations between ganisation (WTO). cess of pragmatic ‘multi-vector’ try, metallurgy and agriculture. forms. We strongly believe the APCO Worldwide; architects and our two countries. This develop- Kazakhstan began Jan. 1 as a foreign policy,” he said. “Over “As an example, we are co- 10-year visas will help more planners designated by APCO ment highlights the strong part- non-permanent member of the the past quarter century, we have operating with the Ministry of Kazakhs and Americans get to will be here in January to survey nership that our two countries UN Security Council, which Krol worked together for the benefit of Agriculture and grain producers know each other better and do the pavilion and finalise the plans have forged over the last 25 years called an historic happening in the the peace, security and prosperity to increase production of nutri- business together. Thousands of necessary for them to take posses- and symbolises the United States’ life of the independent, 25-year- of our two peoples and the world tionally fortified wheat. With Kazakhs would be able to travel sion,” he said. commitment to friendship with the old country. and I am confident Kazakhstan’s U.S. investment and technology, to the U.S. to obtain education “I want to commend Kazakhstan people of Kazakhstan in the dec- “We are so pleased to begin tenure on the Security Council will crops from Kazakhstan could sig- or improve their professional on the excellent preparatory work ades to come. We look forward to working with Kazakhstan on the be a productive one.” nificantly improve the nutrition qualifications. Here, in Kazakh- it has already done at the EXPO new developments in our partner- United Nations Security Council. The ambassador highlighted the and health of people throughout stan, hundreds of Americans site and I believe EXPO 2017 will ship in 2017,” said Krol. Master Craftsmen Winners of ‘On the Silk Road Showcase Kazakh Arts Together’ Competition at Abu Dhabi Fair Revealed paintings, worth over $1,000, for a big and influential event before the 25th anniversary of our diplo- By Botagoz Baltabayeva sale, but such things were not in EXPO 2017. China and Kazakh- matic relations. The contacts be- stan have a good relationship. We tween the leaders of our countries, demand unfortunately,” she said, ASTANA – Twenty-four win- though she noted that some tra- maintain close communication the implementation of joint pro- ners of the best publications about on global and regional issues. Of jects and the coupling of a number ditional Kazakh felt crafts found China recently received awards in buyers. the ‘‘On the Silk Road Together’’ ZHANG HANHUEY: ‘‘I am confident that “Next year we will bring lesser- competition in Astana. known masters with us as we want The contest was dedicated to the the ‘On the Silk Road Together’ competition to support them and help them 25th anniversary of establishing is a big and influential event before EXPO with marketing and sales. Be- diplomatic relations between the cause they don’t have the funding two countries and was organised 2017. China and Kazakhstan have a good or enough knowledge, we want to by the Kazakhstanskaya Pravda help them using our resources and newspaper and the embassy of relationship. We maintain close communication our finances. For instance, some China in Kazakhstan. The contest on global and regional issues.’’ masters don’t have enough money was held from Aug. 25 to Nov. 30, to purchase the necessary materi- 2016. course, we are willing to continue of programmes give specific im- als and supplies, so we buy those More than 80 people regardless to maintain close cooperation with pulse to the development. Every for them,” she added. of their profession, age, or region Kazakhstan to contribute to the day, we are discovering China “Many of the craftsmen work of residence had the opportunity to maintenance of peace and stability in a new way and the works that alone, and although they are take part in the competition. The and development throughout the were sent to our office as part of skilled makers, they need help to winners received diplomas, prizes world,” Chinese Ambassador to this competition prove this fact,” develop their business skills and and a gala dinner invitation hosted Kazakhstan Zhang Hanhuey said. Kazakhstanskaya Pravda Board to sell their goods,” explained by the Chinese ambassador to Ka- “Relations between Kazakhstan Chairman Vyacheslav Pashchenko residents,” Bekmukhamedova told Stamp, who pledged to help devel- zakhstan. and China have started to develop said. By Dmitry Lee The Astana Times. op entrepreneurship and support it “I am confident that the ‘On the for a long time. This year, we are The jury was composed of pub- “The foundation was formed to wherever possible. Silk Road Together’ competition is celebrating the establishment of lic figures including Mazhilis ASTANA – Kazakh master promote Kazakh traditional crafts “There is a plan to open a shop and Deputy and former Kazakhstan’s craftsmen and women showcased and to ensure that a wider audience offices in Astana before EXPO 2017 Ambassador to China Kuanysh their country’s traditional arts and sees the high quality work,” said so that people can see the quality for Sultanov, Kogamdyk Kelisim crafts skills during the two-month Gareth Stamp, co-chair of the foun- themselves and so that the logistics Company head and former head Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival in dation. “Their two-month trip gave of gathering crafts from all over Ka- of Kazakhstanskaya Pravda Alex- Abu Dhabi. them the opportunity to share craft zakhstan can be organised for the ander Tarakov, Advisor to Chinese The trip was organised by the traditions and skills and to show- event. The foundation has recruited Embassy Political Department in Embassy of Kazakhstan in the case the best of Kazakh crafts.” nearly 80 artisans from a wide vari- Kazakhstan Liu Jianping, head of United Arab Emirates and the According to Bekmukhame- ety of material disciplines who have Chinese Embassy Public Diplo- Steppe Heritage foundation, dova, the festival was organised to pass strict quality standards to be macy in Kazakhstan Li Guang, headed by Damira Bekmukhame- for people in the suburbs and most able to join,” Stamp added. Press Attaché of Chinese Embassy dova. people couldn’t afford to purchase The visit to the UAE also ena- in Kazakhstan Cui Jian, Alem.kz “This is an annual fair where expensive work. bled craftsmen to see other coun- Chief Editor Tatyana Alipinova Kazakh craftsmen have the op- “Cheap clothing and knick- tries’ crafts and experience the tra- and Kazakhstanskaya Pravda portunity to exhibit their work knacks were in demand. We had ditions and heritage of the Middle Executive Secretary Tatyana and share their culture with UAE four painters who presented their East, according to Stamp. Bredikhina.

at Japanese universities, research Kazakh students and their teach- institutions and private compa- ers are going to depart to Tokyo Ten Kazakh Students to Visit Japan under nies. from Astana airport on Jan. 21. Science Youth Exchange Programme Staff Report tion, Culture, Sports, Science and be able to learn more about teach- crucial role in the field of science Technology and Japan Science and ing methods in Japanese schools, and technology in the future. ASTANA – Ten Kazakh school Technology Agency (JST) to intro- will accompany children. Based on this concept, SAKU- students were invited to participate duce Japanese sciences and tech- The Japanese programme RA is the programme for enhanc- in the Japan-Asia Youth Exchange nologies to foreign students. SAKURA was created to exchange ing youth exchanges between Programme in Science (SAKURA Under the programme, students experience and information be- Asia and Japan for those people Exchange Programme in Science) are going to attend daily lectures tween students of Japan and the who will be the engine of devel- Jan. 22-28 in Tokyo. of Nobel laureates and visit lead- Central Asian countries. Accord- opment of science and technology The Kazakh school students are ing universities and research in- ing to the project developers, pro- through the close collaboration of winners of various international stitutes. In addition, programme moting science and technology is a industry-academia-government competitions. The SAKURA Ex- participants will be able to visit the key engine to materialise a bright by facilitating short-term visits of change Programme in Science is best secondary schools of Tokyo future for Asia. They believe that competent Asian youths to Japan. an international academic project and meet with their Japanese peers it is important to enhance the ex- This programme is held to draw implemented and supported by to discuss studies. change of youths in Asian coun- attention of Asian youths toward the Japanese Ministry of Educa- Teachers-mentors, who will also tries and Japan who will play a trends in science and technologies B Nation&Capital

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

PEOPLE CULTURE SPORTS Street Workout Federation Astana to Host Plácido Domingo’s Kazakh Skier Wins Gold at Lake Promotes Emerging Sport Operalia Competition 2017 Placid World Cup Ahead of Winter Open to Everyone B2 B3 Universiade B7 Historic Movie Nordic Walking Draws Int’l, Social Media Attention Offers Great Health By Yerbolat Uatkhanov

ASTANA – Long before the Benefits, Says release of “Kazakh Khanate: Dia- mond Sword,” the movie attracted the attention of leading media out- Instructor lets. In particular, the BBC com- year-round sport; the main thing in pared “Kazakh Khanate” to the By Dana Omirgazy American fantasy series “Game this sport is appropriate equipment of Thrones.” Kazakh film fans not according to the season. One can ASTANA – Nordic Walking, choose a favourite place, comfort- only waited to watch the film, but started in Finland, is drawing at- also contributed to its production able walking distance and pace. An tention as a sport suitable for hour of daily walking can be very by helping to fund the project. people of all ages who enjoy be- beneficial to health. Nordic Walk- “This is a movie based on foot- ing outdoors. Three years ago, Al- ing involves approximately 90 per- age for a great historical show. At maty resident Maxim Proshchenko cent of one’s muscles, improving first, we show the movie version founded Eurasia, a Nordic Walking cardiovascular system functions, and then the TV show itself in a school certified by Nordic Walking strengthening muscles that support much more expanded version. The International (NWI) headquartered the spine and increasing rotation of movie will be a kind of innuendo. in Germany. joints,” she said. We decided to leave the intrigue in The school currently has in- Nordic Walking is a total body the movie. ‘Kazakh Khanate: Dia- structors in the Kazakh capital, version of walking that can be mond Sword’ tells almost all, even Karaganda, Temirtau, Ust-Kame- enjoyed both by non-athletes as a a little more, being a very brief, but nogorsk, Pavlodar, Aktau, Zhe- health-promoting physical activ- succinct version of the show. Later, tykara, Kokshetau, Shchuchinsk, ity and by athletes as a sport. The the audience will be able to watch as well as in Bishkek, Krasnod- motion is performed with specially everything and see a complete pic- Photo credit: vlast.kz Photo credit: ar, Barnaul and Moscow. The designed walking poles similar to ture of what was happening,” said Astana Times interviewed Lyaz- ski sticks. director Rustem Abdrashev. ters are Kerey and Zhanibek khans Zhaidarbek Kunguzhinov was re- fundraising campaign and Kazakh zat Bozgulova, of the capital lo- The poles have been proven by The film is receiving chatter on (kings) and their sons Kasym and sponsible for all the tricks. In total, film fans supported the effort by cation, about the technique and an Israeli research team to help al- social media. Burunduk. approximately 500 people were in- making donations via the film’s health benefits of this low-impact leviate chronic pain in older indi- “I watched ‘Kazakh Khanate: Abdrashev emphasised the crew volved in the production. website. Approximately 1.3 million exercise. vidual’s hips, knees and backs. Diamond Sword’ with my family. did its best to show true Kazakh The film was discussed by Min- tenge (US$4,000) has been collect- “Nordic Walking features a spe- It is a really educational and patri- history going back 550 years. ister of Culture and Sport Arys- ed from film fans and 280 million cific range of movement. It isa Continued on Page B5 otic movie! I was satisfied again The movie stars Yerkebulan tanbek Mukhamediuly for the first tenge (US$840,000) contributed by that our steppe law, which speci- Dayirov (Zhanibek), Kairat Kem- time in November 2014. Plans sponsors. fies that honour, solidarity and alov (Kerey), Ayan Otepbergenov were made to produce a 10-install- Despite the great interest and high dignity are above anything else, is (Burunduk), Meyirgat Amangeldin ment TV series and one billion opinion of fans and experts, movie extremely correct,” said blogger (Kasym), Bekbolat Tleukhan (Ka- tenge (US$3 million) was allocat- critics have found fault with the Rauan Karabai. ztugan), Doskhan Zholzhaksynov, ed from the state budget. It became film. Madi Mambetov noted the ac- Young Kazakh The movie is based on the first Madina Ismanova (Zhanibek’s clear, however, that the funding tors went out of their way to make volume of “Nomads” by Ilyas Es- wife), Shugyla Sapargalikyzy was insufficient. Even after the the movie great, but felt the budget enberlin. The action takes place in (Kerey’s wife) and Dimash Akhi- shooting script was reduced, its wasn’t enough for really spectacu- the 15th century, when key events mov. Popular actors from Russia, budget still amounted to at least lar battles. He said that 40 actors Entrepreneur Set to occurred in the formation of Ka- Mongolia and were 2.2 billion tenge (US$6.6 million). weren’t able to show such large- zakh statehood. The main charac- involved and famous stunt person In 2015, the crew announced a scale scenes, according to vlast.kz. Build Wine Culture after graduation they moved to her By Lyazzat Shatayeva hometown of Alicante (Spain). Khakimov is now a co-founder Prepares for Universiade ASTANA – A young Kazakh- and head of Winexfood (www. born entrepreneur is building a winexfood.com), a wine export- movement of trains is provided by ed. Since it began, about 42 mil- thriving wine exporting business ing company based in Spain. The a modern automated system. Cur- lion passengers have been trans- in Spain and striving to make fine self-made entrepreneur sat down rently, the level of security in the ported by the system. Spanish wine available for Kazakh with The Astana Times to share his underground is the highest as com- The metro pays special attention customers. story. pared to other types of transport to passengers with limited mobil- Shukhrat Khakimov was only carrying passengers and cargo. In ity. 21 and barely spoke any foreign the five years of operating the Al- “All the stations are fully language when he left Kazakh- Foundation maty subway, there have been no equipped for them. Also, we have stan in 2009 to study winemaking emergency situations or traumatic tactile paths for visually impaired in Angers (France). The Temirtau of Winexfood events with passengers,” said di- passengers,” she noted. native borrowed 600,000 tenge I co-founded the company in rector Nurlan Mukhanov in a state- Figures released this month indi- (US$1,800) from parents and 2012 together with Spanish inves- ment on the company website. cate Almaty Metro earned around friends and took a student loan to tors. The original idea was to ex- The Transportation Security Ser- 873 million tenge (US$2.6 mil- pay his expenses and the tuition port food and agricultural products vice of Almaty Metro was created lion) in 2016. Total earnings since necessary to earn a master’s degree from Spain, but now we mainly in 2015. Its staff conducts round its inception amount to more than in the wine business. Throughout focus on exporting organic Span- the clock surveillance at all sta- 3 billion tenge (US$9 million). his university years, he waited ta- ish wine and spirits. Initially, the tions, operating 29 security sys- Work is underway on two more bles, worked in supermarkets and company acted as a trading agent sengers to take this with under- tems in the subway. stations, with the network expand- took multiple freelance and cleri- between Spanish producers and By Zhazira Dyussembekova standing and patience. Almost all Covering the centre of Almaty, ing towards the west, said Khabi- cal jobs to make the ends meet. Russia’s and Kazakhstan’s mar- passengers and their baggage will the metro is getting more and more yeva. As part of the graduate pro- kets. Later, we changed our strate- ASTANA – Almaty Metro cel- be checked,” Metropoliten press popular among city residents. Construction of Almaty Metro gramme, he lived in Spain (Valen- gy and became a broker firm. Now, ebrated its fifth anniversary in secretary Azhar Khabiyeva told “The passenger flow increased began in 1988, but was halted cia), Italy (Piacenza), Hungary and we have grown into an exporting December. As the country’s only The Astana Times. two times. First of all, it is connected due to the collapse of the Soviet Switzerland. Khakimov met his firm that has its own trademarks. metro network, it is set to expand its The number of Department of to the launch of the new stations – Union. Funding resumed in the future wife Gabriela in France and Continued on Page B2 route and retain its status as the saf- Internal Affairs personnel will be Sairan and Moscow. Every day, early 2000s with the new govern- est transport. The subway, managed expanded at the metro stations as metro services are used by 40,000- ment initiative. The initial section by Metropoliten, a communal state- well, she added. In order to avoid 45,000 people. On weekends and opened in December 2011 with the owned enterprise, is strengthening queues, the management has also holidays this figure falls; on average, launch of the first seven stations security measures in anticipation of recommended users download the 17,000-18,000 people use the under- – Raiymbek Batyr, , Ala- the upcoming Universiade. free smartphone apps in order to ground in this period of the year. In tau, Zhibek Zholy, , Abai THINGS TO WATCH & “First, it concerns the inspec- look at the schedule and plan the 2015, we transported 10.6 million and Auezov Drama Theatre. Two tion zone; it means people will be route in advance. passengers,” said Khabiyeva. more stations were added in 2015. PLACES TO GO checked more frequently. In this “The key task of the underground About 12.4 million passengers The total route length is currently regard, we would like to ask pas- is security. The uninterrupted used the subway last year, she add- about 11.3 kilometres. ASTANA OPERA January 25 at 7 p.m. Gala Ballet Axartov Sisters Learn to Combine January 27 at 7 p.m. Carmina Burana, Symphony GORKY DRAMA THEATRE Motherhood and Entrepreneurship January 28 at 6 p.m. Master and Margarita ture. She has long been interested call to Zhanna reinforced her de- digested, nutrient-dense juices can By Lyazzat Shatayeva in health and wellness. She fol- termination, as her elder sister sup- improve health by healing and re- RADISSON HOTEL lows successful nutritionists and ported the idea at once. newing the body, mind and spirit,” ASTANA – As far as the Axar- wellness coaches on social media, A few months later, the sisters, Zhanna told The Astana Times. February 1 at 7 p.m. Modern Poetry Evening tov sisters are concerned, there’s reads health and fitness books, and an accountant and environmental- The industry newcomers cur- nothing like a clean eating regime makes sure her family eats healthy. ist, decided to pursue their dreams rently offer one-day and three-day and a juice fast to repair and renew With the arrival of her son Karim, and co-founded AxDetox (www. cleanse programmes. One detox BARYS ICE PALACE the body. her interest has grown stronger. axdetox.kz). Maya, 28, became the day includes seven types of bev- February 1 at 7:30 p.m. HC Barys vs. HC Jokerit Sisters Maya and Zhanna Ax- During one of her long sleepless chief of operations and Zhanna, erages. A client is delivered four artov believe in the practice so nights, the young mother gathered 30, took over marketing. bottles of different smoothies, two February 3 at 7:30 p.m. HC Barys vs. HC Dinamo, Minsk much, they’re building a new de- all her courage and made up her “We all want to have more ener- bottles of fresh juices and one bot- February 5 at 5 p.m. HC Barys vs. HC Dinamo, Riga tox business, all the while raising mind to start a business in the in- gy, sleep more deeply, think more tle of protein-rich almond milk in two toddler sons. dustry in which she had so much clearly and feel more vibrant. Giv- the morning after placing an order Maya, the younger of the sisters, interest, but where she had never ing the body a rest from solid food the evening before. is the mastermind behind the ven- worked before. A morning phone and nurturing it briefly with easily Continued on Page B5 B2 NATION&CAPITAL PEOPLE

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017 Young Kazakh Entrepreneur Set to Build Wine Culture Continued from Page B1 to build this type of awareness and We haven’t yet opened the markets mentality among Kazakh caterers. of Africa and the Americas, but There are 5,000 wine produc- that is to come. It’s an evolution- ers in Spain and so many more Company’s markets for ary process. winemaking countries and a export I never thought I would be great number of distributors. In addition to Kazakhstan and where I am now. I never thought I Withstanding the competition Russia, we export to Japan, Chi- would be a winemaker. But when and winning a contract with re- na, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, the opportunity arrived, I took the tailers and customers is not an the Philippines, France, Belgium, chance and that was the most im- easy task. It was hard at first. Germany, Romania and Ukraine. portant decision I’ve made. When people heard that we were agents, they weren’t impressed, mildly speaking, because the word “agent” had a bad conno- tation in the 1990’s. The agents were the connecters between buyers and sellers. What we do is different. In just about three years, we earned a good reputa- tion in the industry, returned all the initial investments and be- came a profitable business.

What the company Shukhrat Khakimov does now make high-quality, excellent in Madrid, Valencia and France to in mass deliveries for retail there. We are a small firm and everyone HoReCa (Hotel/Restaurant/ Café) run the necessary laboratory tests. I want to focus on strengthening here is multi-functional. We out- wines. We do not interrupt their Our products are entirely organic and improving the catering busi- source all the non-core activities like unique winemaking technologies and contain no additives. The team nesses. Spain has a great choice of legal, accounting and print services. that have been historically shaped of winemakers ensures this by su- high quality wines. These are not Our aim is to have fewer assets and and improved. We help them with pervising the quality of grapes and as cheap as wines for retail. They increase turnover. The turnover in branding and marketing. other ingredients. Not only do we are historically owned and made 2016 totaled over 1.5 million bot- The second type of producers is monitor the entire wine production, by families. I want to make these tles. Our philosophy is building a the wine factories that make wines we also oversee the production of exquisite wines available and af- debt- and loan-free business. We for retail. We create new prod- bottles and stickers. fordable for as many people as have never taken any loans. ucts to meet the specific needs of possible in Kazakhstan. We are a Spanish company and retailers, supermarkets, airlines, Company’s mission We also want to ensure these wines we focus on developing Spanish passenger train carriers and other The company’s mission is to make are not duplicated on the market. We products. We export naturally fer- clients. We first conduct market quality wine available to ordinary don’t want to deliver the same types mented wine, beer and distillate. research; identify local taste prefer- customers with the minimal profit of wine to several restaurants in one Our commercial catalogue has ences, like the preferred sweetness margin for us. That is why we offer city. Restaurants should be inter- more than 500 references. and mineral content in wines. The the best value for money and most ested in having a unique signature We work with two types of pro- technologist identifies the right fer- competitive prices on the market. wine, one that is not to be found on ducers. The first ones are small mentation method. Since recently, I have a special relation with the wine carts in the nearby store or family-owned businesses. They we work with several universities Kazakhstan. I am not interested restaurant in next block. We want

to participate in the Battle of the anyone regardless of age or physical Bars, but when they saw his level, condition, as it is considered to be they offered to make him a special safe with minimal risk of injury com- Street Workout Federation Promotes guest. There are three major or- pared to CrossFit or bodybuilding. ganisations in the world including The regional championship to WCO, World Street Workout and identify talents throughout the Calisthenics Federation and Denis country will be held annually. A Emerging Sport Open to Everyone Minin Street Workout Federation. championship among students and leaders in a country where the popular and about the federation’s Ministry of Culture and Sport. The The Battle of the Bars is held an- in the capital and Almaty is also By Zhanna Shayakhmetova cold weather season lasts for sev- achievements. federation has branches in Aktobe, nually, gathering the strongest scheduled. eral months. Founded in 2014, the Street Shymkent, Karaganda, Pavlodar, athletes from around the world. “Thirty specialised sports ASTANA – Street workout as a The Astana Times interviewed Workout Federation is currently in Atbasar, Aktau and Almaty. Badurgov showed the whole world grounds were constructed nation- sports and social movement is rec- Street Workout Federation Sec- the process of being recognised by “Our mission is to provide af- the level of street workout athletes wide last year. We plan to construct ognised worldwide and surprising- retary General Askar Ismailov the National Olympic Committee fordable mass sports for the popu- in Kazakhstan,” he said. facilities for people with physical ly has a large number of supporters to learn why this type of sport is and subsequently accredited by the lation. This is a sport that can be The federation initiated various challenges. We will cooperate with available in all regions of the coun- events in 2016. The opening of the the organisation that designs special try. Fitness clubs are not affordable summer season and a new sports areas and work with them to de- for a number of people and sports ground near the Kazakhstan Sports velop the sports facilities in accord- clubs are not available in remote Palace were among the major ance with their experience. Also, we regions. The great thing about events with an exhibition perfor- plan to organise events as part of the street workout training is you can mance and open training session. ‘Hundred Schools, Hundred Sports train anywhere if there are hori- The capital also hosted the Street Grounds’ programme. We are going zontal and parallel bars. We attract Lifting Championship last year. to collaborate with the Ministry of young people, especially students, Regional competitions were held Education and Science on populari- to our classes. They can show good in Aktau, Karaganda, Petropav- sation of this sports activity among results in a short time and this in- lovsk, Taraz, Aktobe and Almaty. the youth,” said Ismailov. spires others, too,” said Ismailov. “An open battle tournament among Athletes organise free public The federation has already en- the strongest athletes in the country workouts in summer which attract joyed the results of their activities. has been scheduled in early March interest among children and adults. Islam Badurgov was invited as a in the capital. We invited famous In winter, street workout classes special guest at the Battle of the athletes from Russia and the U.S. are offered at Bar Bars Gym lo- Bars as part of the LA Fit Expo in We aim to gather all young talented cated in Dzhafar Shopping Mall. Los Angeles in early January and his people and give them the opportunity Gym membership is 9,000 tenge performance attracted a great deal of to participate in the world champion- (US$27.23) for unlimited visits attention. Organised by the World ships. Our open sports grounds are and 6,000 tenge ($18.15) for 12 Calisthenics Organisation (WCO), well equipped and attract a large au- visits. General trainings are held the event is the world’s major pro- dience. Up to 50 people gather there 7 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and fessional calisthenics competition. in the summer,” he said. Friday. The address is 71 Bogenbai Askar Ismailov “Initially Badurgov was invited The activity is recommended for Batyr Avenue. B3 NATION&CAPITAL CULTURE

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017 Museum Showcasing Almaty’s Rich History Opens Almaty Akim (Mayor) Bauyrzhan cient tribes who led a nomadic or milestones in the history of the city By Zhanna Shayakhmetova Baibek at the opening ceremony. semi-nomadic life, engaged in cat- during Soviet times. “The celebration of 1,000th an- tle breeding and agriculture lived The separate expositions are ASTANA – Kazakhstan is a niversary of Almaty allowed us to in the territory of the city from the dedicated to collectivisation (policy country with rich traditions and better know the history of our city. Bronze Age. The small expositions adopted by Soviet government in cultural heritage. Now, a new This has changed the attitude of of settlements, Silk Road cara- 1929-1933) and construction of museum devoted to the history of foreigners to the city too. Young van, household items, pottery and the Turkestan-Siberian railway, the Almaty city, displaying more than people can learn the history by clothing are presented there. years of Stalinist repression and the 40,000 exhibits and works of art means of modern tools as multi- There are halls dedicated to the his- participation in the Great Patriotic opened its doors to the public in media technology and see interest- tory of the region in the period of the War, the December uprising of 1986 late December. ing installations. President Nursul- Kazakh Khanate formation. Objects and the attainment of independence. The museum exposition con- tan Nazarbayev said Almaty is a of military art of the Kazakhs and all Almaty historical museum with sists of 11 halls, including “The city of tourism. Today, tourism is kinds of weapons are available. a collection of photographs and ancient history of Almaty,” “Me- the fastest growing international The conditions for holding in- artefacts was opened in January dieval history of Almaty,” “At industry. A tourist may become an teractive sessions with schoolchil- 2001. Later, it was renamed in the the origins of Kazakh statehood,” investor in the future. New jobs are dren and students created at the history museum of Almaty and “Ethnography of ,” “The created and new restaurants open museum. was renamed into the Almaty Mu- city of Verny,” “Almaty in the in Almaty. It is the fastest-growing The unique jewelry designs, in- seum in 2016. Photo credit: inform.kz Photo credit: 20th century,” “History of culture city in the country,” said Baibek. cluding authentic jewelry Golden The museum is located in the and art,” “History of mountain- of household items from different means of communication with vis- The gradual urbanisation of the Leopard and Samruk Bird are former Verny orphanage con- eering,” “Zheltoksan” (December ages and cultures, numismatic col- itors, such as information boards city, the formation of citizens’ life available at the hall of the coun- structed by architect Pavel Gurde, 1986), “Almaty and the Leader of lections and other objects. A wide in three languages with informa- and culture, the city’s becoming a try’s material culture. one of the most significant people the Nation” and “Model of peace range of multimedia technologies, tion about every historical period, major metropolis with its victories The city of Verny hall presents in the city’s early history in 1892. and harmony.” demonstrating the information and projections of historical videos and success stories are the main rare examples of art furniture and Opening hours: Monday-Friday The museum’s diverse collection illustrative materials for all the and rare artefacts recovered in the ideas of the expositions. household items of the 19-20th from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. includes various exhibits, includ- sections are presented, according holograms with audio. The museum exhibition starts centuries. Address: Almaty, 132 Kabanbai ing works of art, the unique eth- to Inform.kz. A new museum is necessary for with the first settlements that oc- Almaty in the 20th century hall Batyr Street nographical materials, a collection It is equipped with modern the development of tourism, said curred 3,000 years ago. The an- tells about the most important Phone: +7 (727) 2912316 Astana to Host Plácido Domingo’s Young Designer Launches Operalia Competition 2017 Islamic Clothing Line for a competition at this level are will run until February, according to By Zhanna Shayakhmetova ering myself, I started looking for ni). Customers can try pieces on at present at Astana Opera. an Astana Opera press release. By Zhazira Dyussembekova interesting clothes, not something the Merali showroom in Nursaya 1 ASTANA – The Operalia, an an- “I am very delighted with the The competition will be held in usual and ordinary. There were in the capital. nual international competition for result of our trip. The new, mod- three rounds. A gala concert with ASTANA – Ulzhan Turabayeva, beautiful clothes, but usually they The debut collection is a little young opera performers, will be ern opera house is equipped with the participation of the finalists, a young mother of two, decided were pricey. After some time, I more expensive than initially ex- held July 24–29 at the Astana Op- the latest technology, including accompanied by the Astana Opera six months ago to connect her life started thinking about launching pected, said the designer, as she era House in the capital. magnificent acoustics, rehearsal Symphony Orchestra as conducted with fashion and design. She has my own clothing line. My husband used expensive Italian fabrics in  Founded in 1993 by great op- rooms, dressing rooms, an orches- by maestro Domingo is scheduled chosen an Islamic direction and really supported me; he told me production. Prices currently start era singer and conductor Plácido tra pit and a stage. The choir and on the final day. has already presented her first col- that I can do it. That was right be- at 35,000 tenge (US$104). Domingo, the 25th competition is orchestra impressed us with their The total prize fund starts from lection. The founder has named fore I went to design school,” she “I did not order fabrics from organised with the support of the high level of performance as well $180,000. Along with the first, her brand Imani and is looking to- added. abroad. I decided to buy them in Kazakh Ministry of Culture and as the positive working attitude of second and third prizes for male wards a bright future for her busi- She showed her debut collec- Astana and here they are very ex- Sport. each employee. We had a produc- and female voices, there are also ness. tion in a December runway show pensive,” she said, adding the less- “The Astana Opera troupe has tive and successful meeting with the Birgit Nilsson Prize for out- “I am a geographer, but I have where other graduates also pre- pricey versions sold out following prepared a brilliant, memorable the theatre’s management for both standing achievement in opera, the always been interested in design sented their work. the show. programme of events for EXPO parties. I hope that fruitful coop- Pepita Embil Domingo Prize of and decided to get a special edu- Turabayeva has been thinking Turabayeva is planning to lower 2017. The Operalia is among eration in the coming months will Zarzuela, a Spanish musical genre cation only in September last year. about the brand name for a long her prices for this collection and them. Domingo’s huge contribu- make this competition even more close to operetta, the Audience Fa- So I enrolled in an intensive course time. One day, she went to pray thinking about soon launching her vourite Prize and others. in a school of design. In some way, and asked Allah for it to have a own atelier. Known as King of Opera, Do- I have been looking at works of beautiful name with meaning. She She is preparing for “I Am Mus- mingo is one of the most famous our local designers. I have been considered “Iman,” which means lim,” the Islamic Festival to be tenors of all time. He has always buying their pieces of work for the “faith,” later transforming the held Jan. 14-15 in Duman Centre. taken a special interest in prom- last several years and encouraging word to Imani. The event will also feature a show ising young singers as he knows my friends to buy them. I really She recently learned of an Is- with the participation of Kazakh what difficulties they face at the like the quality and the fact it bene- lamic clothing line in Russia with designers. beginning of their careers. fits my country’s economy,” Tura- the same name. She was surprised, “There are a plenty of masters “My purpose is not only to se- bayeva told The Astana Times. as she said she had no idea such a in Kazakhstan who make Islamic lect the best voice, but also discov- The project has evolved from the brand already existed. clothes, but they are not well- er the talent of the singers whose ground up. Imani clothing can be ordered known as designers of non-Islamic personality, character and acting “After I started praying and cov- through Instagram (@imani_ima- clothes,” said Turabayeva. promise will reveal the true artist at the Operalia. They will become the stars then,” Domingo said. The Operalia is held annually in different countries at the most pres- tigious venues including La Scala, Covent Garden, the Royal Thea- Photo credit: astanaopera.kz Photo credit: tre, Teatro Filarmonico and others. Plácido Domingo World-famous opera stars such as Joyce DiDonato, Rolando Villazon, tion to the world of opera is in- successful than the previous ones,” Erwin Schrott, Sonya Yoncheva, valuable. This is a great honour for Domingo said. Nina Shtemme, José Cura, Joseph us to cooperate with such a great Soloists with all types of singing Calleja and Inva Mula started their person,” Astana Opera director voices, from bass to soprano, aged professional career at the Operalia. Galym Akhmediyarov said. 18 to 32 can take part in the event. The competition is represented Operalia Vice President Alvaro Forty talented vocalists from differ- by Rolex. Domingo and his team visited the ent parts of the world will arrive in The terms and conditions of the theatre last October. Domingo not- Astana. Pre-selection for electronic competition are available at http:// ed that all the necessary conditions applications began in December and www.operaliacompetition.org/.

important historical developments a tree and waited for somebody. of the time through one man’s She used to return home at sunset. life story. The heartfelt drama lets The villagers said she did so every ‘Road to a Mother’ Celebrated as viewers pause and reconsider their day for 30 years. She was all alone. beliefs and values. The villagers often helped her with “In the modern age, we so often food and water. I don’t know how pursue material things and forget the story ended, but it deeply af- Example of Modern Kazakh Cinema about the priceless values like fected me. A mother’s love is life’s hardships on his way home. By Lyazzat Shatayeva dedication to a homeland, fam- boundless,” he said. The key events unfold amid dev- ily, friends, and the mother. Mov- Many years later, the story grew ASTANA – “Road to a Mother” astating times in Kazakh history: ing forward is important, but we into a film script, the fruit of Sa- by Akan Satayev has become a the enforced collectivisation of must not forget the past. We must tayev and screenwriter Timur highlight of domestic cinema, re- 1928-1940, famine of 1932-1933, remember at what price we have Zhaksylykov’s four-year joint ceiving critical acclaim at the 38th Second World War and post-war gained the present. Otherwise, his- work. Aliya Nazarbayeva, Presi- Moscow Film Festival and win- years. tory may repeat itself. And in cin- dent Nursultan Nazarbayev’s ning the grand prize at the Eura- Main character Ilyas (Adil ema, we need to talk about these youngest daughter, became the sian Bridge Film Festival in Yalta Akhmetov) goes through an ar- things,” said Satayev. general producer of the picture. and Tulpar prize from the National ray of life’s adversities. Separated The filmmaker’s parents once Filming started in 2015 in Ka- Academy of Motion Picture Arts from his parents, he is raised in an told him a heart-breaking story of zakhstan, Belarus and Azerbaijan. at the Almaty International Film orphanage. When the war breaks an old woman who had lost her son The wartime episodes were filmed Festival. out, he is taken to the most heated in war. For thirty years, from dawn in Minsk. The scenes of the Battle Satayev has had a number of combat battles. After the war, he is to dusk she waited for her son who of the Dnieper involved more than successful releases. He directed suspected of treason and impris- never returned. 2,000 cast and crew members, 500 the historical epic hit “Zhauzhurek oned in a labour camp. He demon- “I was in school when I first extras, 300 combat weapons, pro- Myn Bala” (“Thousand Young strates incredible fortitude, cour- heard the story. My parents were fessional stuntmen and pyrotech-

Warriors”), popular television se- dorogakmateri.kz Photo credit: age, patriotism and unparalleled theatre actors who toured the nics. ries “Againdy” (“Brothers”) and Akan Satayev and his film crew on the set. dedication to return home and reu- country in the 1980s. During one Nazarbayev attended a private one of the highest-grossing films nite with his family – his mother of the tours, a villager told my par- screening March 1 and noted the of the Kazakh cinema in the past of the most anticipated domestic The picture is about the power (Altynai Nogerbek) and wife (Aru- ents of an old woman who left her importance of the message the decade, “Reketir” (“Racketeer”). films in 2016 and did not disap- of a mother’s gentle love which zhan Dzhazilbekova). home every morning, went to the film conveyed. The picture was re- His “Road to a Mother” was one point fans. helps the main hero to withstand The film tells about the most outskirts of the village, sat under leased Sept. 29. B4 NATION&CAPITAL COUNTRY

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017 Kazakhstan Takes Delivery of Aktobe Residents Sukhoi Su-30SM Jet Fighters Gave Away Nearly The airframe of the Su-30SM is made of titanium and high-strength aluminium alloys. The fuselage 450 Cars head houses a cockpit, radar sec- tions and avionics bay. High ma- neuverability is achieved through the integral aerodynamic form combined with thrust vectoring feature. The Su-30SM is powered by two AL-31FP by-pass turbojet reheated engines. The Su-30SM features friend-or- foe identification equipment, global positioning system and inertial nav- igation system. The open architec- ture design allows the integration of modern avionics, including a new radar system, radio and recognition system and other support systems. “To be able to successfully de- ploy the fighter, a deep knowledge of technology and continuous self- improvement are needed. Our air- crew took an 18-month training to The first car in the programme be able to pilot the fighters. The Staff Report was received in Astana in Novem- Sukhoi Su-30SM Jet Fighter. new aircraft enhance the safety and ber. Car reception points began defence capabilities of the Armed ASTANA – A pilot project on operation Nov. 21 in all regions of tance from the base. The Su-30SM a command-and-control platform Forces of Kazakhstan as a whole,” Staff Report is deployed to eliminate air, ground within a fleet of combat aircraft utilising old cars or those unfit for the country. said deputy commander of the air use was successfully realised in Shymkent resident Alimzhan and sea targets, and is equipped performing joint missions. base on educational and ideologi- The Kazakh Armed Forces re- several of the country’s regions. Ilyasov, who gave away his 1991 with a wide range of weapons and The Su-30SM is manufac- cal work Colonel Temirtas Ibraev. cently took delivery of a new Aktobe residents gave away 448 VAZ-2106 Dec. 12, won a new complex modern avionics. Its com- tured by Sukhoi Design Bureau The first Su-30SM fighter de- batch of modern multifunctional bat and performance characteristics mainly for Russia’s Air Force. It cars, receiving 150,000 tenge JAC S3. He drove his previous ve- signed for the Russian Ministry (about US$451.90) for each ve- hicle for 25 years. Su-30SM jet fighters of the 4++ are close to the aircraft of the lat- is an advanced model of the Su- of Defence performed its maiden hicle. Car collection point manager generation, the press office of the est fifth generation. The jet fighter 30MK combat aircraft series. In flight in September 2012. “A person who has an old or Eduard Miroshnichenko has al- Defence Ministry reported. is effective in counter-airstrikes, addition to Kazakhstan and Rus- Kazakhstan bought its first batch perhaps unusable vehicle should ways dreamt of collecting old cars. The fighter jets are capable of per- counter-ground and counter-sea sia, the armed forces of Algeria, of the Su-30SM in 2015 as part of come to a registration and ex- He was amazed when a legendary forming a wide range of all-weather missions. It can conduct electronic India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Ugan- agreements concluded earlier be- amination subdivision of the ad- 21st model green Volga, probably combat missions and counter hos- counter-measures and early warn- da, Venezuela and Vietnam utilise tween the defence ministers of the ministrative police department one of the first collections from tile aircraft at a considerable dis- ing tasks. The aircraft also acts as aircraft of Su-30MK series. two countries. and present documents. Based the end of the 1950s-beginning of on these documents, we issue a the 1960s, was brought for utilisa- fact sheet that says a vehicle was tion. written off. The owner then gath- “A symbol of a bygone era is ers the necessary documents and very rare and people who buy cars 75.2 Percent of Public Facilities hands them over to a special in- for restoration and are engaged stitution for utilisation,” said Ye- with rare objects, for instance, rlan Altynbayev, administrative would see the true value of this police department head of the car, I think. I agree that such a car Can Now Accommodate People Aktobe region’s Department of requires great investment, but you Internal Affairs. know that when you do it, it will be A total of 190,000 cars were reg- something to write home about,” istered in the region, 20 percent of he said. with Disabilities, Say Officials which had long served their time. Amazingly, the so-called “sym- Three-thousand-nine road signs dividual rehabilitation programme. the participation of citizens in the A programme on utilising old cars bol of a bygone era” travelled the By Dmitry Norkin and signals were installed near These services were provided for cultural and sporting life of the so- helps to free cities from vehicles roads just eight or nine years ago, the organisations assisting per- 28,000 people last year. ciety. that cause significant ecological as it displayed a sticker for passing ASTANA – Roughly 75 per- sons with disabilities and 155 pe- Technical rehabilitation aids The Coordination Council in harm. a technical check-up. cent of public facilities have been destrian crossings were equipped except prosthetic and orthopaedic the field of social protection of adapted to accommodate people with sound devices in 2016,” said products were delivered to 14,000 people with physical challenges is with disabilities under the coun- Zhakupova. people residing in rural areas as an advisory body of the govern- try’s 2012-2018 Action Plan, Personal assistant services and part of the agreement between the ment. It was founded to develop Healthcare and Social Devel- professional sign language in- Healthcare and Social Develop- proposals and recommendations opment Vice Minister Svetlana terpreters are annually provided ment Ministry and Kazpost. More Gov’t to Spend $27.1 on issues of social protection of Zhakupova announced at the re- for about 16,000 people and free than 122,000 people belonging to people with disabilities, ensure cent Coordination Council regular transportation services provided this category were placed in per- meeting at the Ministry of Health- for 35,000 people by Invataxi ser- manent jobs. interaction of central and local ex- ecutive bodies, organisations and Million for Kentau care and Social Development. vice. Shyrak Women with Disabilities Zhakupova added that much still Zhakupova also announced that Association Chairperson Lyazzat public associations on issues of needs to be done. the government has made it easier Kaltayeva presented the results of social protection and create equal “Currently 27,800 infrastruc- for citizens with disabilities to ap- the Advisory Institute on Disabil- opportunities for life and integra- Infrastructure ture facilities were registered and ply for benefits. Automated -ser ity and Public Monitoring of Dis- tion into society. The council consists of repre- cated 150 kilometres northwest from among them 17,000 objects are vices at medical and social depart- ability Rights at the Coordination By Lyubov Dobrota the regional capital of Shymkent, sentatives of national and regional in need of adaptation for persons ments allow citizens to apply for Council meeting. Vice Minister of has not organised any business sup- associations for the physically with disabilities while 11,000 fa- the establishment of a disability, Culture and Sports Aktoty Raiym- KENTAU – The government is port and development programmes. cilities have already been adapted. special benefits and receive an in- kulova spoke about measures for challenged. going to finance Kentau from the The governor emphasised that three national and regional budgets to the projects in the amount of 900 mil- amount of 9 billion tenge (US$27.1 lion tenge (US$2.7 million) were million) this year. The funds will not included in the industrial map help solve several social and eco- nomic problems, create new jobs National Railway Company to Begin and improve standards of living and Akim (Governor) well-being of its habitants. of the South Akim (Governor) of the South Kazakhstan region Zhanseit Tu- Kazakhstan region Inspecting Luggage at 16 Stations imebayev believes such large-scale Zhanseit Tuimebayev By Dmitry Lee financing of Kentau will not only contribute to the development of the believes such large- ASTANA – Inspection of pas- city, but also bring benefit for the scale financing of sengers’ luggage will be per- whole country. formed at 16 railroad stations in The funds will help solve many Kentau will not only the country, Kazakhstan Temir long-standing problems. For ex- contribute to the Zholy (KTZ) press service reports. ample, 400 million tenge (US$1.2 “This procedure will enter into million) will be used to construct development of the city, force from Feb. 1 this year to step two 5-storey apartment build- but also bring benefit up the measures of safety of pas- ings. Another 100 million tenge sengers and provision of antiter- (US$301,500) will be allocated to for the whole country. rorist protection,” the official KTZ construct dormitories where Kentau for various reasons. Tuimebayev press release reads. college students will live. concluded that the work of local ex- The procedure will be going The city administration is going ecutive bodies for the development through three stages, according to to spend 541 million tenge (US$1.6 of entrepreneurship and creation of head of Railway Stations Manage- million) for the reconstruction of the new jobs in the city is not conducted ment Department at KTZ Zhuban water supply system, which eventu- at the proper level. Korpebayev: from Feb. 1., at the ally will solve the difficulty of sup- The head of the region said that railroad stations in Almaty 1 and plying high quality drinking water. the local authorities should pay Almaty 2; from April 1 at the sta- “I think it is a good measure and rope had terrorist attacks and only The yellow level came into force The Kentau administration is going more attention to healthcare and tion in Astana and from June 1 at it can be easily explained in wake after that started taking preventive June 6 after the terrorist attacks in to finish construction of an automat- employment, sanitary cleaning and the other 13 stations. of such events as the Universiade measures and being strict on secu- Aktobe. ic gas control station designed for landscaping, maintenance of engi- The railway company has pur- and EXPO 2017 in the country,” rity. It is good to know our authori- The yellow level was enforced the supply of natural gas from the neering infrastructure and work on chased 56 sets of inspecting year said Astana resident Arman Nurk- ties are thinking ahead of time and while authorities were verifying main gas pipeline Beineu-Bozoi- revival of the mining field. Tuyme- for the new programme, according enov, who frequents the railroad are taking precautions,” Nurkenov information about any possible Shymkent. bayev said that business people can to the press service. station to either travel himself or added. act of terrorism. This is the low- Problems of the city and ways build small shops and factories in Korpebayev encourages passen- meet his relatives arriving from his On Jan. 16, the Anti-Terrorist est of three levels, the next level to solve them were discussed by the city, establishing partnership re- gers to arrive in the station earlier home town of Almaty. Centre of Kazakhstan cancelled is orange, in which information of Governor Tuimebayev at a recent lations with the city’s largest com- than usual to go through the checks “It will be inconvenient, of the yellow (moderate) level of a possible terrorist threat or act of meeting in the city. In particular, he panies, such as Kentau Transformer and not be late for the train. course, but many countries in Eu- terrorist threat across the country. terrorism has been confirmed. focused on the fact that Kentau, lo- Plant. B5 NATION&CAPITAL SOCIETY

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017 SOS Children’s Villages Kazakhstan Celebrates 20th Anniversary

‘family’ for hundreds of kids,” she opment (retardation) from foster By Yerbolat Uatkhanov A pedagogical, psychological graduate of Children’s Villages mothers, foster and deprived bio- said. houses. Our experts and moth- or medical degree, as well as the gets a higher education; the rest logical parents. Also, we opened ASTANA – SOS Children’s Vil- The first children’s village was ers need to do everything possi- positive experience in raising na- go to the secondary professional the Youth Resource Centre in the lages International has built numer- built in Almaty in 1997, followed ble to ensure that kids ‘catch up’ tive and adopted children, is wel- educational institutions. The ado- SOS Children’s Village Astana for ous houses for orphans and given by SOS villages in Astana and with their peers. Three years ago, comed. lescents older than 16 move to the young people 15-25 years old who families to thousands of children Temirtau. Each has several houses the child development centre was “The couple is allowed to have youth facilities; there are five of graduated from state residential in 135 countries throughout the where 340 children currently live. opened on the basis of SOS Chil- no more than two of their own un- them in three cities,” she added. institutions and are in a difficult world. To mark the organisation’s “Every house is occupied by a dren’s Village Astana for these derage children. Both the staff of When the teens are ready to relo- situation. Here children get legal, 20th anniversary in Kazakhstan, family consisting of five-seven purposes. Now, 246 children aged the foundation and its trustees see cate, they are supported by a semi- social and psychological help. Corporate Foundation National children and a woman caregiver, a four-ten years receive preschool independent living programme, We will continue to establish and Director Zhanargul Kusmangali- so-called SOS mother. All the chil- training and half of them have im- KUSMANGALIYEVA: including partial compensation to develop new social projects. We yeva spoke about its history and dren call her ‘mother,’ but first of proved mental and speech devel- “Our main success rent an apartment until they are 27 have big plans for the future,” she discussed plans for the future. all an SOS mother is an officer who opment,” she added. or get a personal apartment. added. “The idea of children’s villages passed serious training because she Kusmangaliyeva noted that is the well-being of SOS Children’s Villages Ka- The general partner of SOS belongs to Austrian social peda- raises every child from the moment despite the fact the SOS family zakhstan has expanded its mis- Children’s Villages Kazakhstan is gogue Hermann Gmeiner, who of receipt in the children’s village model is very close to family con- our children. Every sion not only to support children’s Samruk-Kazyna Trust Social De- was the first to build the children’s to adulthood. Our children have an ditions, most homes do not have an fifth graduate of villages, but also to prevent child velopment Foundation with other village in 1949 in Austria. Since absolutely normal life: they go to SOS father. abandonment and develop social companies providing additional that time, the network of villages regular school and are engaged in “Historically, such a model was Children’s Villages gets projects. support. grew around the world. The SOS arts and sports clubs. Every village created because the first SOS Chil- a higher education; “‘Together we build a happy “I would like to take this oppor- movement came to our country in also has pedagogues, psychologists dren’s Villages appeared right af- family’ is a project supporting tunity to thank our dear friends – 1994 by the initiative of the First and doctors to help the caregivers. ter the Second World War, when the rest go to the foster parents. This project is im- the Association of the Spouses of Lady of Kazakhstan, Sara Naz- I would also like to mention our the number of men was much secondary professional plemented under the Heart for Ambassadors in Astana. For sev- arbayeva. She is the Honorary feature: siblings are not separated less than women. Now, we have Children charitable programme, eral years, we have participated President of SOS Children’s Vil- and have an opportunity to live to- started to select married couples as educational supported by the Amway for Fu- in a Christmas Charity Bazaar or- lages Kazakhstan. The main aim gether in one family. This is very parents-caregivers. This is perhaps institutions.” ture charitable foundation and the ganised by them and get a portion of the foundation is the construc- important!” said Kusmangaliyeva. the main news of our anniversary CAF Foundation,” said Kusman- of the proceeds to buy clothes for tion and maintenance of the fam- She corrected the misnomer that year in Kazakhstan,” she said. great potential in this initiative for galiyeva. children and for medical needs. ily-type SOS villages for orphans villages are home only to healthy Couples must be married at all who wish to dedicate their lives “Our experts and invited foreign We gratefully accept any help – and children left without parental children. least five years to become parents- to children,” she said. professionals conducted a series of financial and non-monetary. Such care and the mission of the foun- “This is not true. We often ac- caregivers and spouses must have “Our main success is the well- trainings and consultations for so- assistance is always necessary for dation is to show the meaning of cept children with delays in devel- a secondary or higher education. being of our children. Every fifth cial workers, psychologists, SOS children,” said Kusmangaliyeva. Nordic Walking Offers Great Health Benefits, Says Instructor Continued from Page B1 height by 0.66. Poles can be pur- men, chest, back, hips, knees and chased at sports equipment shops legs and posture, flexibility, balance, According to the study, led by and through Nordic Walking clubs. endurance and gait parameters. In Tel Aviv Medical Centre retired “Walking poles have removable the city, Bozgulova noted the activ- nephrologist Dr. Donald Silver- rubber tips suitable for hard sur- ity is attractive mostly to women. berg and published in the Interna- faces. These poles should be ad- “They come and also bring their tional Journal of Physical Therapy justed in length to be at the level children who are sitting a lot at and Rehabilitation, Nordic Walk- of the navel or elbow. They are school or at the computer, suffer- ing holds promise in the effective pushed backwards as one walks, ing scoliosis or obesity and lack treatment of chronic back, hip and while swinging the arms like a fresh air. As for me, I have been knee pain when walking, both in pendulum. When pushed down- involved in this sport over the past degree of pain relief and distance ward, the poles thrust the athlete two years. I always liked walking, walked. It is a relatively simple upward and forward, forcing him especially with sticks. I think I am exercise that is easy to learn and or her to straighten and speed up, an active person; I love yoga, so- perform and is safe, convenient, because one uses a longer step and cial dancing and rock climbing. inexpensive and can be a pleasant a faster gait with Nordic Walking If I go somewhere I always take adjunct to therapy for these condi- than with a common gait,” said sticks, it is very comfortable. Now, tions. Bozgulova. Nordic Walking has become very Unlike ski sticks, pole length is Nordic Walking has been shown popular all over the world and now determined by a person’s height to improve muscle strength in the it is becoming trendy in Kazakh- and calculated by multiplying upper arms, shoulders, neck, abdo- stan,” she said. Axartov Sisters Learn to Combine Motherhood and Entrepreneurship Continued from Page B1 a proud mother. My 22-month old famous Russian wellness coach When asked how they combine son has already developed healthy Yekaterina Koval (@detoxickate), motherhood with business, Maya Besides these, customers are eating habits. He will choose spir- who shares her expertise with the jokingly responded, “by not sleep- recommended to drink plenty of ulina over a candy any day,” Maya novice businesswomen. Every ing at night.” water during the day, as well as the commented. AxDetox client is offered a promo Despite the challenges, the fam- home-made herbal tea that comes The variety of ingredients the code to log into Koval’s website ily business is thriving. The sisters’ as a bonus from the producers. beverages contain is really wide. (www.detoxickate.ru/axdetox) parents, who live just outside the “Whether the customer’s goal One can only imagine having such and learn much more about their capital, grow the vegetables, fruits is to boost the immune system, a diversity of nutritious ingredi- cleanse and wellness as a whole. and berries used to make the juices slim down or detox after a few ents in a day’s menu. On average, The sisters are continuously and smoothies. Maya’s husband too many cocktail parties, we can seven types of vegetables, eight learning and exploring oppor- Adlet delivers orders in the morn- create a unique juice cleanse pro- types of fruits, three varieties of tunities to improve and expand ing before going to his main job. gramme tailored to meet the cli- berries, greens, spirulina (a bio- the business. “We recommend Others are involved in tasting new ent’s specific needs. The beverages mass of blue-green algae), chia a cleanse with a juice fast at the products. do not contain any artificial sweet- seeds, Jerusalem artichoke syrup, change of every season, so now “We have recently hired our first eners, colorants or genetically cinnamon, vegetable protein and we are developing three-day juice staff member who is not part of our modified food. All the juices are chlorella are used to prepare the fasts for winter, spring, summer family. Now we can take orders in cold-pressed. The fruits and veg- beverages of just one day. The and fall,” Maya shared. four languages: Kazakh, Russian, etables are organic and fresh. They drinks are not repeated within any Other than juices and smoothies, French and English,” Zhanna said. are soaked in water for a few hours of the programmes. the company makes superfoods, The small family business has before use. That’s how we ensure One of the competitive advan- which they sell in local stores. For almost 4,000 followers on Ins- they are nitrate-free,” Maya said. tages of AxDetox is that they pro- a deeper cleanse, the entrepreneurs tagram (@ax_detox) and a few The two women stand by their vide comprehensive information are also looking into introducing a dozen regular clients. A one-day products. “We test the products about cleansing with additional 21-day menu after building a solid cleanse costs 8,500 tenge (US$26) and menus at home with our sons, guidance for wellness practices. client base and monitoring their and the price for the three-day fast family members and friends. I am The company has partnered with needs. is 23,500 tenge (US$70). Maya (L) & Zhanna (R) Axartovs B6 NATION&CAPITAL TOURISM&EXPO 2017

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017 Swedish Explorer and Camel Travelling Kazakh Wilderness By Kamila Zhumabayeva activities like canoeing, bicycling, I have done. I am on my eighth and 2009-2010 Sahara camel trek. running, camping, etc.,” he notes month [of travelling] now and it’s “When I finish this expedition, ASTANA – Swedish explorer on christianbodegren.com. winter, so it’s very tough. It has I will be talking to people about Christian Bodegren is currently in During their meeting in October, been very cold,” he said. your country and making them the middle of a 2016-2017 Mongo- Kazakh EXPO 2017 Commission- After waking in the morning, it interested in Kazakhstan. But this lia-Kazakhstan camel expedition. er Rapil Zhoshybayev invited Bo- takes about three hours for Bode- is going to be my last long expedi- His goal is to document nature and degren to visit the exhibition upon gren to prepare and load his lug- tion. It can be very stressful when life in the steppe in all seasons. his return. gage onto the camel. After walking you are all by yourself. I have done “I am doing this expedition for “I am also doing some work all day, he has to make camp again seven month and nine month [ex- many reasons, such as establish- with the EXPO exhibition because before the sun goes down so he can peditions] before. This is going to ing a connection with the Silk I think green energy is the future see what he is doing. be the longest one,” he said. Road and an interest for a nomad for the entire planet. It’s not going He can’t go in a house and Bodegren hopes to get to the life. You get in great contact with to happen very fast. Sun power, spending a long time in a very cold in time; however, that people and see the country… Ka- wind power… and slowly we are climate is a big challenge. depends on weather conditions zakhstan had a big nomadic life going to get there,” he noted. “When it is so cold, you have to and other factors. He will have to before. There is a big difference Bodegren’s journey began in think about everything and plan eve- leave his camel by the sea and take from Mongolia on mentality and Mongolia and he plans to com- rything. You have to tie things with a train or fly to the exhibition in other things,” he said in an inter- plete the trip at the Caspian Sea by ropes after you put them on a camel. Astana, where he will do interview view with The Astana Times. August. He is filming and writing When you travel with camels, it is a sessions before returning home. Born in August 1973, Bode- about his expedition. problem when ropes get frozen, so it “The weather has been very gren grew up in a small village in “Kazakhstan is a young country has been a huge challenge for me. I cold, but the warm qualities of the countryside with nature at his that has much to offer and people think my body is more suited for hot the Kazakh people who have been doorstep. need to know more about it. … weather,” said Bodegren. helping me the whole time have “From early days, I had a big in- Of course, this is a challenge for His previous trips include 2011- given me great hope that I am go- terest in nature and outdoor sports me. This is the longest expedition 2012 Amazon excursion in a kayak ing to succeed,” he said. Christian Bodergen Kazakhstan among Top 10 Affordable Countries ber of parameters, including rental (US$.35). Bus fare is 80 tenge taxi company websites, state bod- By Yerbolat Uatkhanov prices, cost of products and servic- (US$.24). ies, newspaper stories and other es and prices for public transport. According to the rating, the top surveys. ASTANA – Kazakhstan took According to the website, the 10 most expensive countries to Using the methodology, prices 119th place in the annual ranking average monthly rent for a stu- live in are Bermuda, Switzerland, for clothes such as jeans, summer of the cost of living in different dio apartment in a Kazakh city is the Bahamas, , Iceland, dresses, running shoes and leather countries of the world prepared 92,000 tenge (US$277). Experts Denmark, Singapore, Luxem- business shoes are compared among by Numbeo international informa- used information from Krisha.kz, bourg, Kuwait and Hong Kong. different countries. The experts con- tion portal. The nation moved 57 a popular online service for buying Created in April 2009, Numbeo sider the average person drinks milk positions from last year, as it was and renting real estate. was the first free database about and eats white bread, rice, eggs, ranked 62nd in 2015. The monthly price of a fitness cost of living with structured data cheese, chicken breasts and beef. The study involved 122 coun- club membership is 14,000 tenge and indices. Its experts announced Apples, bananas, oranges, onions tries. The top 10 nations with the (US$42); a movie ticket, 1,200 other cost of living reports hid the and lettuce are also included in the most affordable accommodations imoney.my Photo credit: tenge (US$3.60). A1.5-litre bottle data behind their research or it was food ration and beer, wine and ciga- are India (122th place), Moldova Algeria (115th), Azerbaijan (114th) Independent States (CIS) coun- of water costs 141 tenge (US$.40), expensive to purchase. The experts rettes are part of the product list. A (121th), Pakistan (120th), Ka- and Colombia (113th), according tries, such as Uzbekistan, Belarus, a one-litre bottle of milk is 244 rely on user inputs and manually- Volkswagen Golf, with a small zakhstan (119th), Nepal (118th), to numbeo.com. Kazakhstan ranks Armenia and Russia. tenge (US$.73) and one kilo- collected data from authoritative 1.4-litre engine or its equivalent, is Ukraine (117th), Georgia (116th), ahead of other Commonwealth of The rankings considered a num- gramme of potatoes is 115 tenge sources such as supermarket and considered to be an average new car.

In addition, the company’s part- ner Qazkommertsbank will pro- vide relevant banking services. Shymbulak Temporarily EXPO 2017 Launches One-Stop Also, registered participants will have a chance to get insurance, logistics, consulting, notary and Closes Several Ski Runs translation services, as well as air Service, Accreditation Centres tickets booking and express mail By Malika Orazgaliyeva services by means of the OSSC. Director of Operational Control for Universiade ASTANA – The Astana EXPO and Risk Management Department 2017 national company presented on Marken Akhmetov informed about Dec. 23 the One-Stop Service Cen- Accreditation Centre activities. tre (OSSC) and Accreditation Cen- “The accreditation system was tre to representatives of countries launched in December 2016. Now, planning to participate in the expo, all people wishing to enter the ter- expo2017astana.com reported. ritory and individual facilities of During the meeting, Director EXPO 2017 need to register online of Service Department Diyas Az- and pass a special examination in bergenov informed about function- the law enforcement agencies of al capacities of the OSSC. Kazakhstan. This will provide ad- “The OSSC works around the ditional safety during the prepa- clock on the principle of ‘one ration process and the event it- window.’ It was created to serve self,” Akhmetov noted. the official participants, Offices During the organisation and of Section Commissioners and kazpravda.kz Photo credit: launch of accreditation systems, their staff. The representatives of ing appropriate types of public and registration, taxation, customs the company applied international government bodies and other or- other services timely and effec- matters, proprietary rights, sani- experience, thus, ensuring com- tary and epidemiological control By Dmitry Lee the competition. And night skiing ganisations, including agencies of tively,” Azbergenov said. plete functioning of the centre. will resume only after the Univer- internal affairs, customs authority The OSSC will provide services, and use of the radio frequency EXPO 2017 will be held from ASTANA – Almaty’s ski resort siade,” the press service noted. and tax authority will be provid- such as visa support, migration spectrum in Kazakhstan. June 10 until Sept. 10 in Astana. Shymbulak closed several ski runs Because of such measures, the Jan. 9 to prepare for Winter Uni- Shymbulak administration will versiade, which starts Jan. 29. provide its customers with 30 According to the company’s of- percent discounts until the end of ficial press service, the resort has the Universiade on all day tick- shut down the following runs of ets purchased at the box office, China Reveals Secrets of Its EXPO Pavilion cable railway Combi 1: Professor, as well as an additional 30 per- be installed to show the history By Zhazira Dyussembekova Asiada, Truba, Pole Chudes, Ol- cent discount on already reduced of energy development and pro- impyskiy and Terrasa. The other prices with online payment via vide options for different futuristic ASTANA – The China Council for runs and cable railways will work the shymbulak.com or homebank. models of energy solutions, in- the Promotion of International Trade as usual, including Levyi Talgar, kz websites. cluding an “artificial sun.” (CCPIT) presented the concept for According to Wang, numerous Combi 2 and Travelator. The resort will hold Universiade China’s EXPO 2017 pavilion at a events will be organised at the Chi- The press service also notes the events in slalom, parallel slalom, Jan. 5 conference in Beijing, accord- nese Pavilion during the expo, in- railway Combi 1 will operate as giant slalom, parallel giant slalom, ing to Kazinform news agency. usual for hikers as well as for as- super-giant combination (super gi- China’s pavilion, among the cluding Kazakhstan-China coopera- cending and descending skiers. ant slalom), ski cross, snowboard largest at the upcoming exhibition, tion forums in energy and tourism, an “Along the closed routes, there cross, slopestyle and dual moguls. is preparing many surprises for its exhibition of the Terracotta Army and will be construction of sports The company’s website de- visitors. other cultural and business activities. tracks, broadcasting cables along scribes the Shymbulak Ski Resort Within the expo period, 24 re- “Being the second largest econ- kazinform.kz Photo credit: some of the slopes, the installation as a place “located in the beauti- omy in the world and the largest gions of China will hold thematic He also added that EXPO 2017 area of 1,000 square metres. Its of a chamber position, construc- ful Zailiyskiy mountains producer and consumer of energy, days. Also, 10 of China’s largest en- main theme will be “The Energy tion and installation of temporary at 2,260 metres above sea level. China views EXPO 2017 in Astana will take place in the year of the ergy companies will showcase their of the Future: Green Silk Road” structures, such as bleachers, start- It is 25 kilometres from the city as a platform for an all-round dem- 25th anniversary of Kazakhstan- achievements in alternative energy. ing and finishing lines and instal- centre of Almaty City and has onstration of China’s advanced China diplomatic relations, the and there will be three main parts The information partners of the lation of safety nets,” the press an average temperature of +25 technologies and strategy in the Year of Chinese Tourism in Ka- – past, present and future. Chinese Pavilion are the Xinhua service said. С in the summer and -7 С in the energy sector, an exchange of ex- zakhstan and as the large-scale According to Kazinform, the News Agency, the People’s Daily, According to a resort represent- winter. The average snowfall is perience with Kazakhstan and oth- One Belt, One Road economic pavilion itself will include a lobby China Daily and other mass media. ative, the sale of weekly season around 1.5 metres. It is usually er countries, as well an opportunity strategy is being implemented. and areas called Energy Corridor, China officially confirmed its tickets will also be halted during very sunny as the average number to highlight China’s image as a re- This month, China started deco- Wisdom and Practice of China, participation in EXPO 2017 in the Universiade. of sunny days a year can reach 90 sponsible state,” said CCPIT Vice rating its pavilion and launched Energy Dream Theatre, Global August 2015. In the same month, “Lockers can be rented for one percent. The ski season normally Chairman Wang Jinzhen, who is its official website, www.expochi- Mission and Cooperation, as well Kazakhstan and China signed a day due to the fact that they will be begins in December and can run also national commissioner of the na2017.org. as a reception hall. memorandum of cooperation on handed over to the athletes during until April.” Chinese pavilion at the expo. China’s pavilion will cover an Different 3D technologies will holding the exhibition. B7 NATION&CAPITAL SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017 Army Athletes to Compete at Winter Universiade Distribution to military units, as stan. Approximately 5,000 young “It is a great honour and a great By Dana Omirgazy before, was carried out according soldiers pledged to serve the coun- responsibility for all of us to rep- to the exterritorial recruiting con- try in the military units of the Land resent Kazakhstan at the Uni- ASTANA – The Kazakh Minis- cept,” noted the report. Forces, Air Defence Forces, Naval versiade. I am happy to have an try of Defence recently reported on According to the ministry, newly Forces, Military Police and the opportunity to perform at the com- the results of the Autumn 2016 Re- recruited soldiers have adapted to Central Army Sports Club,” press petitions and represent Kazakh- cruiting Campaign, which was dis- new conditions in military units. service of the defence ministry re- stan and the Armed Forces of the tinguished by a qualitative growth “Compared to the Spring 2016 ports. country,” said biathlonist Vassily in conscripts. Recruiting Campaign, the number Nine athletes from the Central Podkorytov. The young recruits underwent of conscripts has increased sig- Army Sports Club have been in- In October last year, Kazakh- examinations in several areas. In nificantly. Seventy-six percent of cluded in the national team of Ka- stan launched the Autumn 2016 particular, attention was focused young men have higher or voca- zakhstan to perform at the Winter Recruiting Campaign. Citizens on the health, mental and emotion- tional education. About 93 percent Universiade in Almaty. Soldiers of 1989-1998 year of birth were al readiness of young soldiers and of them follow a healthy lifestyle are expected to compete in the bi- conscripted to the Armed Forces level of their education. and practice sport. Readiness of athlon, cross-country skiing and and other troops and military units “Individual interviews, psycho- young men to military service was . Army athletes are very of Kazakhstan. The education of logical trainings and lessons served of Kazakhstan citizens for military ‘On Army Discharge and Military accessed good enough. In autumn excited to face competitors at the young men was also taken into ac- as a good basis to further service service was carried out in compli- Draft of Kazakh Citizens in April- last year, nearly 15,000 men were upcoming Universiade that kicks count while recruiting to the mili- for soldiers. Last year, conscription ance with the presidential decree June and October-December 2016.’ conscripted throughout Kazakh- off Jan. 29. tary units. Kazakh Skier Wins Gold at Astana Presidential Sports Club Lake Placid World Cup Ahead Opens Basketball Academy at of Winter Universiade Nazarbayev University By Anuar Abdrakhmanov By Anuar Abdrakhmanov ASTANA – The long-awaited ASTANA – Kazakh freestyle Astana Presidential Professional skier Dmitry Reiherd recently Sports Club Basketball Academy won a in moguls at the opened in mid-January to develop World Cup event in Lake Placid the sport in Kazakhstan. (USA). Reiherd had 82.20 points, “We hope that after a certain pe- Frenchman Benjamin Cave won riod of time, the children who will silver with 80.73 points and third be trained at our academy will be place went to Bradley Wilson of able to join our basketball club’s the U.S. with 78.08 points. main team. People often ask why This is not the first win in inter- there are so many foreign players national competitions for Reiherd. in Kazakh basketball clubs. Indeed, Before this triumph, Reiherd won only through providing a proper the World Junior Championships foundation, can we train athletes (2007, Switzerland, parallel mo- who will compete for top places. guls), became a four-time winner This is a first step for us, and I Photo credit: vesti.kz Photo credit: of the European Cup stages (2008, think that we will continue. There vesti.kz Photo credit: France – moguls and parallel mo- is a plan to open academies at other by BC Astana but by basketball guls, Germany – parallel moguls, the 2014 Sochi Olympics where he be noted that he was very close to entities as part of the Presidential he has been training children and cadets in Serbia. The teams he fans across Kazakhstan. I believe Switzerland – parallel moguls), placed fifth. Following the games, winning gold at the previous Uni- Sports Club,” Astana Presidential coached played in EuroLeague basketball academies on a level won bronze (moguls) and gold Reiherd said he disagreed with the versiade, which was held two years Club Executive Director Amanbek tournaments. like this are probably the future (parallel moguls) at the World Cup judges’ marks and, in fact, had all ago in Granada, Spain, but he lost Kulchikov told the media. Two young Kazakh coaches, of our basketball. Ours has all the event in Sweden (2008) and a sil- chances to climb the Olympic po- to compatriot Pavel Kolmakov, also The academy coaches are tasked Anton Kirin and Ismail Bimendin, necessary conditions for children ver at the 2012 World Cup event dium. from Ust-Kamenogorsk. Pundits with ensuring the harmonious were appointed assistant coaches. who truly love basketball and want in China. Now Reiherd readies to give a believe the main battle for gold in physical and intellectual devel- One of the reasons behind invit- to do it,” said BC Astana’s General Reiherd’s profile grew further good showing at the upcoming Win- Almaty will be contested between opment of children in the game, ing a foreign coach was to help his Manager Valery Tikhonenko, an after his successful performance at ter Universiade in Almaty. It should these two skiers. developing their leadership and teamwork skills as well as provid- Kazakh colleagues learn from his Olympic champion from 1988 and ing cultural and leisure activities. experience and develop Kazakh- European champion from 1985. Coaches were carefully selected, stan’s basketball also in terms of The Astana Basketball Academy and one of the key points was coaching. meets all international require- knowledge of the Russian lan- During the presentation of the ments, is equipped with a unique Kazakh Teams Win Categories guage. club, the coaches demonstrated a professional parquet floor with no Serbian coach Dejan Parezanin, warm-up exercise, after which the match in Kazakhstan and supplies a graduate of BC Partizan Bel- children played with professional the gear and uniform for children. grade, which has one of Europe’s players of Astana’s main team. Sixty children aged 8 to 14 cur- in Dakar and Africa Eco Race best basketball academies, was ap- “The importance of this event for rently train at the Academy. The pointed the academy’s head coach. our basketball is beyond words. It training sessions are in the morn- the French team of Stephane Pe- Throughout his coaching career, has been long waited for not only ing and evening. terhansel and co-driver Jean Paul Cottret, second place to driver Sebastien Loeb (France) and co- driver Daniel Elena (), and third place to Cyril Despres and co-driver David Castera, both Kazakh Boxer and Rio of France. All teams were driving Peugeots. In the T2 category (Cross-Coun- try Series Production Vehicles) Olympic Gold Medallist the same team of Berezovskiy and Nikizhev placed third, after Chris- tian Lavieille-Jean-Pierre Garcin Yeleussinov Turns Pro (France) and Akira Miura (Japan)- achieved all the goals in amateur Laurent Lichtleuchter (France). By Anuar Abdrakhmanov , won the , “The weather brought some won gold at the Asian and World changes. We thought there would Denis Berezovskiy at the beginning of Dakar 2017 ASTANA – 2016 Rio Olym- championships. Professional box- be a drought in Bolivia and took pic boxing champion Daniyar ing is like a next step, another level By Zhazira Dyussembekova Race, and I was shocked by the water with us. Instead we ran into Yeleussinov recently turned pro- in the career. It is an opportunity diversity and complexity of the a swamp and were fighting there ASTANA – Kazakhstan per- route. It was not easy from the fessional after signing a contract for me to make the dream come with mud and rains that triggered formed well in the in first day. It was a sophisticated with the recently established pro- true and continue to promote our landslides and blocked roads, cre- South America and won a category rocky path from ,” said motional company MJA Entertain- country. If I can become a world in the Africa Eco Race, both of Cherednikov, according to Ten- ating an emergency throughout the ment’s. Two-time bronze Olympic champion as a professional box- which ended Jan. 14. grinews. country,” said Berezovskiy in an winner Ivan Dychko is also report- er, it will be a new and important At the Africa Eco Race 2017, The Africa Eco Race is an an- interview with Khabar 24. ed to be considering turning pro. achievement for me. So, this is In the truck category, a crew led the team of Marat Abykayev and nual rally that crosses Morocco, “Daniyar Yeleussinov and Ivan newstaraz.kz Photo credit: why I’ve made this decision. I’m Andrey Chipenko finished 16th in and . In addi- by third-place winner of Dakar Dychko personally called and Daniyar Yeleussinov still thinking about it, I ask for ad- the general car ranking, but in the tion to the racing, the event tries 2012 driver Arthur Ardavichus asked for time off saying they vice from my father, who will con- T2 they managed to win in their to bring attention to security is- and including co-driver Serge were planning to join professional ing boxers in the weight category tinue to coach me, no matter which Land Cruiser. sues, sustainable development and Bruynkens of Belgium and me- boxing in the near future. We re- of up to 69 kg who can well re- category I’ll choose, professional In fact, the Kazakh crew was the eco-responsibility. The race has 12 chanic Michel Huisman of the spect their decision, supported place him. We will train them to or amateur boxing. That is why only one in its category to finish stages and covers 6,500 kilometres Netherlands racing a MAN truck them and wished good luck. They improve their skills. Everyone I’ve decided to try to make new the race. of roads. finished 26th out of 40 teams. are the boxers who have made a chooses his own future. If some- achievements, now in professional “We had a goal to win a race and Competitors in the Dakar Rally The first and second places went great contribution to the success one has set a goal, is going to boxing,” he said. we did it and we are satisfied. Eve- covered a 9,000 kilometre route to Russian teams on vehi- of Kazakhstan’s boxing, winning go for it and doing everything Yeleussinov is a world champi- rything went almost flawlessly,” across Paraguay, Bolivia and Ar- cles. Third place went to a team medals at the world’s most pres- to achieve it, we should support on (2013), Asian champion (2013 said Abykayev. gentina. of three drivers from the Nether- tigious championships. Daniyar him,” commented the head coach and 2015), participant of XXX In the car-truck category (T1) A Kazakh crew of Denis Ber- lands, Spain and Poland, driving Yeleussinov has won every pos- of Kazakhstan’s national boxing , Asian Andrey Cherednikov and co-driv- ezovskiy and co-driver Alexey an Iveco. sible award in amateur boxing, so team Myrzagali Aitzhanov. Games champion (2010, 2014), er Dmitry Tsyro were unable to Nikizhev racing a Toyota Land “We worked 100 percent. We did now he intends to show his best Yeleussinov said this is a new finalist of the World Youth Cham- complete the rally because of an Cruiser 200 took 28th place out everything we could. In the pro- skills in professional boxing and challenge for him and an opportu- pionship (2008), world champion accident they had while driving of 57 teams in the general car duction category we got closer to make Kazakhstan widely known nity to make his dream come true. among cadets (2006), silver med- their Ford. ranking. the gold Bedouin. Denis was third just like our champion Gennady “I’ve received such a proposal, allist of the 2015 World Cham- “This year the race was unique. French teams dominated the in that category. This has not hap- Golovkin. Daniyar is leaving, but and next month I will have to pionship, and champion of 2016 It’s my second time at Africa Eco category, with first place going to pened before,” said Ardavichus. we have some young and promis- sign, if I agree. Thank God I have Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. B8 NATION&CAPITAL CAPITAL

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017 Astana New Railway Station 85 Percent Completed, Will Open Before EXPO 2017 freely. A two-level parking garage feature a hotel, restaurants, cafes, lation of bearings, metal structures By Lyazzat Shatayeva will be available under the over- a food court, first-aid posts and and soundproofing screens has pass. Passengers will be able to mother and child rooms. Ticket of- also been finished. Mounting of ASTANA – Astana’s new rail- use it for public and private trans- fices will be located on the ground the top layer of the overpass is well way station and junction are 80 port. and fourth floors. underway. percent constructed, Kanat Alpys- The train station will have six The new facility will allow a Plating of the cornices, finishing bayev, head of the national railway active tracks and one emergency more efficient use of the urban works on the facades of the unheat- company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy rail line. The building will be heat- area. In particular, Mustafin Street ed parts of the station, installation reported recently. ed by underground heat exchang- will be uninterrupted with the help of ventilation systems, external Installation and commissioning ers. The station will be equipped of a transit underground pass. power supply are 90 percent com- of the elevators and escalators, with energy-efficient elevators and Construction of the station is pleted, Alpysbayev said. Finishing landscaping and finishing work escalators. carried out with the use of the lat- works inside the station’s building will be completed by May 1. A passenger service will be built est advanced technologies. More are in full swing. The new train station’s passen- on a coastal and three island plat- than a thousand people are en- Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister ger traffic capacity will be 12 mil- forms. All the additional functions gaged in the works. Askar Mamin visited the new rail- lion people a year and 35,000 pas- of the station will be implemented Concrete works, metal frame in- way station Jan. 11 to see the con- sengers per day. That is twice as inform.kz Photo credit: in a commercial building, which stallation, roofing, cladding of the struction progress and highlighted much as the actual annual traffic of times greater than the territory of building with the help of an over- will be located on the other side of facades in the heated parts of the the importance of putting these the current train station. The area the old one. pass on the third floor. This will the tracks. train station, central heating provi- facilities into operation before the the new station occupies is eleven Trains will arrive inside the allow people and trains to move The modern railway station will sion have been completed. Instal- start of EXPO 2017.

port legislation, so we are working on making changes to the law. Visually, these buses will have a yellow col- Astana to Add 45 School Buses our, flashing light and a high ground clearance,” added Yeszhanov. The adoption of the route net- work and the distribution between to City Transportation System the schools will be held in late Feb- Staff Report Yeszhanov during a public hearing schools, however, these buses are He also talked about the special ruary. The system of school trans- on the programme of action for 2017 already outdated, so the akimat (city conditions for the school buses. port development is planned until Beibut Yeszhanov ASTANA – This year, 45 new on the development of the transport administration) of Astana has con- “There are technical regulations ap- 2020. For 100 percent coverage, the to go to school. It leads to a daily buses will be launched for the pro- complex of the capital. According sidered renewal of buses. This year, proved by the Customs Union, which capital needs more than 300 buses. load increase in the road network ject of a route network of school to expert, the school transport sys- 45 buses will be put into operation require special certification. There is At the moment in Astana, there during rush hour of 13 percent traffic, said the head of the depart- tem is divided into several stages. and we will consider the expansion no clear understanding of what the are about 117,000 students, 26 per- while only 12 percent of children ment of passenger transport Beibut “Today, we already serve 10 of the school network,” he said. school transportation is in our trans- cent of which use private transport use public transport. Astana – Schuchinsk Toll Road Earns Record High $3.8 Million By Yerbolat Uatkhanov vehicles was 7,000-8,000 vehi- payment system, popularising rap- Konurov expressed displeasure to cles per day. But on weekends, id cashless forms of payment and the management of KazAvtoZhol ASTANA – In 2016, the Astana- the number reached up to 12,000 allowing clients to pay using pay- after studying a standard form con- Schuchinsk toll road earned 1.251 vehicles per day. ment terminals of QIWI, Kassa24, tract, published on the company’s billion tenge (US$3.8 million), KazAvtoZhol reported that the Kaspi Bank and Tenge companies. website. The deputy said the com- which is higher than projected. All main expenses of the company Also, KazAvtoZhol imple- pany isn’t obliged to maintain the revenues were spent on the site for for this road include: purchase of mented an advanced payment toll road to make it safe under the modernisation of the toll collec- materials, wages, spare parts, fuel, service, attracting Halyk Bank, contract. tion systems and maintenance of construction works and services, Kaspi Bank and Sberbank. The Konurov said the authorised the road, KazAvtoZhol national repair of machines and equipment. toll road users have the opportu- speed on the road reaches 140 company reports. Approximately 278.9 million nity to pay via internet banking kilometres per hour, but it is not Expected revenues for 2016 tenge (US$844,000) was spent with their bankcards. New pay- safe to drive a vehicle at that were 1,144 billion tenge on the maintenance of toll collec- ment services reduced the load speed in winter time, because (US$3.37 million). The overa- tion systems. Of that, 887 million on the bill validators, which led KazAvtoZhol doesn’t maintain it chievement of the plan’s target tenge (US$2.7 million) was spent to a reduction of congestion in and shovel snow away in a proper amounted to 107 million tenge on the maintenance and repair of payment areas. way. He said that as a result of (US$324,000). Total volume of 2016. That number is 4.3 percent in 2015 (2.581 million vehicles). the road. Earlier, Mazhilis (lower house such management, people die on vehicles was 2.697 million in higher than total traffic volume Last year, the average number of KazAvtoZhol has established a of Parliament) Deputy Aikyn the road. Tall Ferris Wheel, Large Waterpark Coming to Astana in a central circle area (under a at their service,” the message con- The capital’s Ferris wheel is to have comfortable rides any Opened to the public in 2014, By Kamila Zhumabayeva dome) of the entertainment centre. tinued. fitted with 36 cabins with a car- time of the year. the 167.6-metre-tall High Roller It will have two swimming areas. About 240,000 to 250,000 peo- rying capacity of six persons On top of that, it will have four in Las Vegas is the tallest Ferris ASTANA – Residents and guests One will have an effect of a wave ple can visit the water-park per per cabin. The cabins will be cabins with enhanced comfort in- wheel in the world. Dubai Eye of the capital city will soon be able while the other one will serve as a year. The entertainment complex equipped with panoramic illumi- stalled during construction. Visitors Ferris Wheel (currently under con- to enjoy a city view at a height of completion point of descent from will also include dressing rooms nation, air conditioners, and the can enjoy the attraction at any time, struction) will be the world’s high- 65 metres from a Ferris wheel and five different slides. and a food court. heating system allowing people as it will be open round the clock. est at 210 metres upon completion. roll down a slide at a water-park on “All slides and swimming areas Astana’s left bank area. will be geared towards different A 3D model of a Ferris Wheel age categories. A lazy river will in Astana. Photo presented by Du- be built all the way around the man Entertainment Centre. Photo park. It will have a weak but con- credit: Tengrinews.kz stant flow that will enable visitors The building of the Duman en- to move around the park territory tertainment centre is under recon- easily on special inflatables and struction to become a water-park choose a suitable attraction,” as and an observation wheel on about noted by the administration of 6.3 hectares of land. The launch is Duman entertainment centre. planned for May 2017, according “Guests will additionally have to the entertainment centre. four different kinds of baths and The water-park is being built hamams (Turkish baths) available