-16° / -22°C Wednesday, february 10, 2016 No 3 (93) www.astanatimes.com Kazakh President: Central Asia Should Kazakh-Turkish Remain a Region of Cooperation Bilateral Relations that Kazakhstan will strengthen its By Aiman Turebekova strategic partnership with Russia, China, the United States, the Eu- ASTANA – During the Nur Otan ropean Union, the Commonwealth Discussed in Astana Party’s 17th congress on Jan. 29, of Independent States and its Cen- President Nursultan Nazarbayev tral Asian neighbours. placed great emphasis on the sta- Moreover, Nazarbayev high- bility of Central Asia necessary to lighted that nowadays in the age pursue peace and security. of new threats to security, the “Kazakhstan once again calls on country calls on the international its Central Asian neighbours to re- community to restore global con- sume multilateral cooperation for- fidence. mats. This will strengthen the eco- “We urge all countries to unite nomic and geopolitical potentials in order to eliminate threats of of the entire region. We will do the spread and improvement of everything possible to strengthen weapons of mass destruction and the process of Eurasian integra- international terrorism. This has tion. I would unequivocally say to be done today so that tomor- that the Nur Otan party has posi- row our children and grandchil- tioned itself as a party of Eurasian dren could live in peace,” added optimists,” said the Kazakh Presi- the President. dent. President Nursultan Nazarbayev speaks at the 17th congress of Nur Otan Party. Nazarbayev set March 20 as the Nazarbayev also noted that in date for the early parliamentary By Aiman Turebekova geopolitical tensions around Tur- the framework of the Eurasian gramme for creation of enterprises The head of state recalled the election. The previous parliamen- key has an impact on Kazakhstan. Economic Union, it is important with Chinese capital in chemical, signing by Kazakhstan of agree- tary election in January 2012 led ASTANA – The main directions “Today, it is necessary to continue to implement consistent steps to metallurgical, energy and transport ments on enhanced partnership to the three-party Mazhilis (lower of bilateral cooperation, such as the search for new ways out of the establish a common market. industries as well as mechanical and cooperation with the European house of Parliament) with the rul- strengthening political dialogue prevailing situation. Many of the “Kazakhstan will take part in engineering. Kazakhstan initiated Union (EU) and its accession to the ing Nur Otan party holding the and a cultural exchange, devel- causes of the events remain unclear. China’s Silk Road Economic Belt. a new large-scale idea to open World Trade Organisation (WTO). overwhelming majority out of opment of relations in the field The conflicts in Syria and Iraq have We have already signed a joint pro- Eurasia,” said the President. He also drew attention to the fact 107 seats. of transport, energy, tourism and shown a lack of unity among Mus- infrastructure were discussed dur- lims. We have become closer to a ing Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet time of a conflict between Sunnis Davutoğlu official visit to Kazakh- and Shiites, which was earlier pre- stan on Feb. 6, the Akorda press dicted by the West. The crisis in office reported. relations between Turkey and Rus- Kazakh Economy Improves Ranking Kazakh President Nursultan sia has become a big concern for Nazarbayev noted that this visit Kazakhstan. The two countries are shows the importance of Turkey our important allies and partners,” for Kazakhstan’s foreign policy. highlighted the Kazakh President. on Index of Economic Freedom “This year, Kazakhstan will cel- In turn, Davutoğlu maintained need for economy diversification and remains unsolved. Local content re- from corruption, fiscal freedom, ebrate the 25th anniversary of its that he always regards trips to Ka- By Julia Rutz the reduction of its dependence on ex- quirements and sectoral barriers im- control of government spending, independence. From the first days zakhstan as coming to his home. ports. Moreover, the study highlighted pede foreign investment and the num- business freedom, labour freedom, of our sovereignty, we have been He congratulated Kazakhstan on Kazakhstan climbed one place four further problem zones of the Ka- ber of non-performing loans in three monetary freedom, trade freedom, making every effort to bring closer its 25th anniversary of independ- from last year’s position in the zakh economy: the rule of law, limited largest banks remains high. investment freedom and financial our fraternal peoples. By work- ence and praised Nazarbayev for annual ranking of the Index of government, regulatory efficiency and At 68th, this year Kazakhstan freedom. Kazakhstan has partici- ing closely over the years with the his contribution to the strengthen- Economic Freedom, reported the open markets. is ranked between Thailand and pated in the ranking since 1997. leadership of your country, we have ing of bilateral relations. Washington-based Heritage Foun- Concerning the rule of law, the the State of Samoa. The country The Index of Economic Freedom restored ties between Kazakhstan “Relations between Kazakh- dation. In the global ranking, the study marks a high level of corrup- has left behind such countries as is the annual measure of economic and Turkey. I became an initiator of stan and Turkey are intensively Central Asia’s largest economy is tion at all levels of government, as France (75th), Saudi Arabia (78th), freedom around the world. It is pub- the Cooperation Council of Turkic- developing in all directions. We 68th out of 178, while in the Asia- well as throughout the judicial sys- Italy (86th), Brazil (122nd), China lished jointly by The Heritage Foun- Speaking States. There is a Turkic have implemented joint projects in Pacific region Kazakhstan is in tem. More successful government (144th), Russia (153th), Belarus dation and The Wall Street Journal. Academy in Astana, where scien- transport, energy and other fields. 12th place. is needed to improve the pubic (157th) and Ukraine (162nd). In 2014, the ranking marked its 20th tists are exploring common culture And trade relations have been The current status of Kazakhstan dept, which now composes about The ranking’s leaders remain anniversary of existence. and history of both countries. The strengthening. If Turkey is a gate- was evaluated as a country with a 15 percent of GDP. This is espe- the same as in the previous year – According to Ryan Olson, a re- value of Turkey is very large for Ka- way for Kazakhstan to Europe, moderately free economy. Among cially vital in the current situation Hong Kong, Singapore and New search assistant in the Centre for In- zakhstan, and we will never give up Kazakhstan for Turkey is the way our cooperation,” said Nazarbayev. major achievements named were when large oil revenues can’t keep Zealand. The top ten of world free ternational Trade and Economics at to Eurasia,” Davutoğlu said during He also emphasised that growing trade freedom and management of the budget balanced any longer. economies also included Australia, The Heritage Foundation, the Index his talks with Nazarbayev. public finance. According to the report, Kazakh- Switzerland, Canada, Chile, Ire- has the potential to be a vital tool According to the authors of the stan also has burdensome licensing land, Estonia and Great Britain. for a large constituency, from inves- study, the Kazakh government prom- requirements for running a business, The Index of Economic Free- tors to students to policymakers and ised large-scale privatisation reforms as well as erratic enforcement of the dom is calculated on the basis of beyond. With the help of this tool, in the coming years, however, the labour code. Despite the fact that ten factors ranked on a numeric individuals can improve their busi- EBRD Advises implementation progress of these re- Kazakhstan became the 162nd mem- scale from zero to 100. The prin- nesses, advocate good public poli- forms is not obvious yet. The coun- ber of the World Trade Organisation ciples of economic freedom in- cies and help build a society where try’s significant problems remain the in 2015, the matter of open markets clude property rights, freedom freedom and prosperity flourish. Kazakhstan to Nazarbayev Urges Intensification Focus on Preparing of Foreign Economic Activities for Better Times zakhstan’s Foreign Ministry and Akhmetzhan Yessimov and the highly appreciated the contribution ing a difficult external environment By Kamila Zhumabayeva By Aiman Turebekova its missions abroad at an extended Kazakh ambassadors in more than of the diplomats and expressed in the form of declining prices for board meeting on Feb. 3. 60 countries joined the meeting. gratitude for their work aimed at gold, lead, copper, aluminium and ASTANA – President Nursultan Foreign Minister Erlan Idriss- The head of state recalled that the strengthening the independence of ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s eco- gas; the difficult economic outlook Nazarbayev placed great empha- ov, Minister of Investment and ministry was created a quarter-cen- the state and developing the foreign nomic growth rates will remain in Russia such as continued reces- sis on strengthening the economic Development Asset Issekeshev, tury ago when the country was un- policy of the country. low and the impact of the nega- sion and a collapsing rouble that component in the work of Ka- Chairman of Astana EXPO 2017 der difficult conditions. Nazarbayev Continued on Page A3 tive environment is intensifying has lost half its value since 2014 while structural reforms are slowly and is continuing to fall as well as advancing, according to a recent challenges in China involving the analysis by the European Bank for slowdown of the country’s eco- Reconstruction and Development nomic growth and currency weak- (EBRD). The projections for the ening of a 6-percent depreciation country’s economic condition in against the dollar since the begin- 2016 were reviewed in the EBRD ning of 2016. Transition Report for 2015-2016 Significant stock market volatil- and regional economic prospects ity is also being observed, as the presentation held Jan. 26 in the Shanghai Stock Exchange index capital’s Economic Research In- lost 15 percent in January 2016 stitute (ERI). The bank’s leading following a 30-percent decline economists gather at the ERI each from June to December 2015, ac- year in late January. cording to the report. The Kazakh economy has been “All those factors are new eco- hit by collapsing oil prices – close nomic realities in which preparing to a 70-percent loss since the be- for better times needs to be the ginning of 2014 and continued main focus,” said Preimanis. weakening in 2016, said EBRD The impulse for growth may Associate Director and regional come from some external factors lead economist Dr. Agris Preima- such as increasing Chinese invest- nis in his report “Kazakhstan and ment, slow gradual recovery in the Wider Central Asia Region: commodity prices, the New Silk Heightened Risks.” Road Economic Belt and the Eura- In addition, Kazakhstan and the sian Economic Union. President Nursultan Nazarbayev (C) poses for a group photo with top Kazakh foreign ministry officials and ambassadors abroad. wider Central Asia region are fac- Continued on Page A4

Inside Nation Economy&Business EDITORIAL&OPINION OPINIONS NATION&CAPITAL Nur Otan Party Adopts New Election President Sets Course toward Oil & Gas Kazakh Privatisation Will Help Cushion the Turgankulov: More Work Ahead, Says ‘I Found My Soul in Photography,’ Says Programme A2 Independence, Urges Wealthy to Return Impact of Current Economic Slowdown A6 Central Election Commission Chairman A7 High-Flying Wedding Photographer B1 Money to Country A4 Ak Zhol Reiterates Pro-Business, Weber: Global Ban on All Nuclear Armed Akhtar: Regional Economic Integration Is Photosafari Photographers Document Wild Anti-Crisis Agenda A2 Kazkommertsbank, BTA Bank Merger Cruise Missiles Needed, Top Disarmament A6 Key to Development Success Kazakhstan, Hope to Help Visitors to Do the Named 2015’s Best M&A Deal in CIS A5 in Central Asia and the Caucasus A7 Same B6

US$ 1 = 359.89 KZT 1 Euro = 398.30 KZT 1 Rouble = 4.63 KZT A2 ELECTION 2016

Wednesday, february 10, 2016

NATIONAL Nur Otan Party Adopts New Election Programme news in brief By Yerbolat Uatkhanov gramme projects in the upcoming million square metres of housing. of the new evaluation system of At the end of its proceedings, the Kazakhstan’s Eurasia Agro and years. Nazarbayev said the whole state bodies started. An absolute congress voted to approve the list China’s COFCO plan to build export- ASTANA – The Nur Otan Par- Nazarbayev called the congress world is observing the execution goal for Kazakhstan is to achieve of 127 candidates to be included oriented tomato paste processing ty adopted a new election pro- a responsible and historic moment. of the five institutional reforms, an international AAA rating. This on its party list for the March 20 plants in East Kazakhstan, Kyzylorda gramme, “Kazakhstan-2021: Uni- He noted the party must make the which requires the state apparatus is the highest level in the language election. and West Kazakhstan regions, each of ty. Stability. Creation,” during its necessary decisions on its partici- to work technologically and effec- of global business, which means The Mazhilis consists of 107 which will create approximately 1,000 17th congress chaired by Kazakh pation in the Mazhilis (lower house tively. that all financial obligations of Ka- members, of which 98 are elected new jobs, reported Forbes. COFCO President and the party leader Nur- of Parliament) elections, adding “A new three-stage selection zakhstan will be carried out in any by the popular vote through party Executive Director Sergazy Issem- sultan Nazarbayev and held Jan. its 17-year leadership became the system in the public service has economic and financial circum- lists and nine are elected by the bayev said Eurasia Agro has been 29 at the Palace of Independence. foundation of Kazakh economic been introduced and a full transi- stances that will occur,” he said. Assembly of the People of Ka- included in the Kazakhstan-China co- The programme is based on the and societal achievements. He in- tion career model work is pro- Nazarbayev pointed out the in- zakhstan. In the previous convo- operation programme in the industri- Plan of the Nation of 100 Concrete dicated the total volume of the na- vided. The legislation excluded vestment ombudsman is working cation of the Mazhilis, dissolved alisation and investments fields, which Steps to implement the five institu- tional economy grew 23 times, 28 the possibility of [so called] team to protect the rights of foreign in- by the President on Jan. 20, Nur plans to implement 52 projects. The tional reforms. new economic sectors have been movements. New institutions of vestors and a visa-free regime for Otan held 83 seats, while Ak Zhol financial part of the project and devel- “We support our working popu- created over the last six years and the authorised state bodies on eth- citizens of 19 countries was intro- Democratic Party held eight seats opment strategy has already been ap- lation through implementation of 890 new productions started op- ics and anti-corruption monitoring duced. The Astana International the Employment Roadmap-2020 eration. Kazakh companies now were introduced for the first time,” Financial Centre will get tax ben- and Communist People’s Party of proved. The parties will start construc- Programme. There is no place for produce 400 new types of products he added efits for its members and English Kazakhstan held seven. tion of the first plant this year, which unemployment in Kazakhstan. We and the per capita GDP increased Kazakhstan is the first nation ac- law. Nur Otan’s new party list in- will have the capacity to make 4,000 have all the resources in place to 20 times in 17 years. tivating five institutional reforms “The upcoming elections of dep- cludes only 33 out of 83 former tonnes of tomato paste per day to be avoid it,” said Nazarbayev, dis- The President added the Par- based on the Organisation for Eco- uties must pass openly, honestly members of the Mazhilis, while exported to China and Europe. cussing unemployment problems liament and government reacted nomic Co-operation and Develop- and in a competitive struggle,” he the remainder is composed of top in the world. “Two hundred fifty wisely under the conditions of the ment (OECD) standards. This is said at the end of his comments. government officials, prominent A new steel factory will be con- million people are unemployed global economic crisis. He cited the key to success, noted the head The congress was attended by athletes such as Ilya Ilyin, Gen- structed in South Kazakhstan this worldwide. Some 1.7 billion peo- state economic accomplishments of the state. more than 2,000 government of- nady ‘GGG’ Golovkin and Serik year, reported the region’s Akimat ple are capable of working, but such as the 1.3-time volume in- “The fifth reform enhances pub- ficials, heads of national hold- Sapiyev, as well as popular singers (governor’s office) press service. only 1.2 billion have permanent crease in the processing indus- lic accountability. Annual public ings, social activists, professional such as Kairat Nurtas and Zhanar The factory, to be built in Ordabas- jobs.” try, share of Kazakh construction reports of executives have already athletes, scientific and cultural Dugalova. It also includes several sy district in the Kazakh-Turkish He added nearly 400,000 new products reaching 72 percent, im- been introduced. It increases the figures, representatives of NGOs business executives such as Ivan industrial zone, will have an an- jobs will be created across the plementing major infrastructure transparency of government de- and youth organisations as well as Sauer, the founder and owner of nual capacity of nearly 150,000 country under the Nurly Zhol pro- projects and commissioning 30 cision-making. Implementation foreign diplomats and news media. Rodina dairy conglomerate. tonnes of pump housings and steel sheets. The products will be sold not only in the domestic market, but also exported in the near fu- Ak Zhol Reiterates Pro-Business, Communists Nominate ture, reported trend.az. Senate Speaker Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held meetings Feb. 2 with Polish Ambassador Maciej Lang and Anti-Crisis Agenda Twenty Two Candidates Estonian Ambassador Jaan Reinhold successes were not accidental and of the population. The platform Staff Report the chairman of the party. “We have accredited in Kazakhstan, reported Staff Report that the party had a stable founda- also proposes improving the qual- a challenging task that is to conduct the Senate’s press service. Tokayev tion based on its own core of sup- ity of the academic programme in ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s capital a strong pre-election campaign. We and the diplomats discussed imple- ASTANA – The Ak Zhol port among the voters, he argued. schools and introducing an option hosted the extraordinary congress need to meet the expectations of the menting the Plan of the Nation and (Bright Path) Democratic Party The list of candidates included for graduates to pass university of the Communist People’ Party voters and to enter the highest legis- five institutional reforms. He praised of Kazakhstan approved a list all eight Ak Zhol representatives entrance exams while skipping (CPP) of Kazakhstan on Feb. 2. The lative body of the country, with new the amicable character of Kazakh- Polish and Kazakh-Estonian rela- of 35 candidates during its Feb. in the previous convocation, in- the currently mandatory Unified congress delegates announced their forces and ideas to strengthen the tions, fruitful dialogue between the 3 congress. The slate will run in cluding Peruashev, as well as National Testing. programme for the March 20 general unity of the country.” election and approved the list of the Kazakh and European parliamen- the March 20 early parliamentary fresh faces from business and ac- Additional priorities include Another candidate of the party party’s nominees, which includes 22 tarians and constructive interaction election for seats in the Mazhilis ademia. The chairman noted the increased executive transparency Tursunbek Omurzakov confirmed names. Among them are deputies within the Organisation for Security (lower house of Parliament). party would not hold a “campaign and accountability, a consoli- it looked to improve on its relative of the previous convocation of the and Co-operation in Europe Parlia- Party chairman Azat Perua- of charm” involving celebrities, dated struggle against corruption success at the latest parliamentary shev urged “pragmatism” and adding its run will be “active but and judicial and legal reforms. Mazhilis (lower house of the Kazakh mentary Assembly (OSCE PA). The election in January 2012 by surpass- Senate Speaker also called on Esto- not nurturing “exaggerated ex- decent, with no extra costs.” “Our primary duty is to direct Parliament) Zhambyl Akhmetbekov, ing the 7 percent threshold and re- nia and Poland to take part in the up- pectations” to increase the pres- “One of the reasons we did not our intellectual and political re- Aikyn Konurov and Vladislav Ko- turning to the Mazhilis. coming EXPO 2017 in Astana. Lang ence Ak Zhol won four years ago. invite any of them is [that we sources to the development and sarev, as well as secretary of Com- Earlier, Nur Otan, Auyl and Na- and Reinhold assured Tokayev they The party received 7.47 percent face] inflation and difficult con- implementation of urgent steps munist People’s Party of Kazakhstan tionwide Social Democratic Party would facilitate further deepening of the popular vote in 2012 and ditions in general, when making needed to address the impact of Turgun Syzdykov, who was an un- have announced their participation of parliamentary, commercial, eco- was subsequently allocated eight a show out of our election cam- the global crisis on the national successful candidate for the coun- in the upcoming election and lists of nomic, cultural and humanitarian mandates in the lower chamber. paign would be a mistake, an un- economy and business; protec- try’s latest presidential election in April 2015, among others. their candidates. ties with Kazakhstan. Ak Zhol also won two seats in necessary irritant, which gives tion of national interests and “Our party was one of the initiators The early election for the lower 2004 when only ten were up for the opposite effect,” he said. enterprises from [the negative of the early election to the Mazhilis house of parliament is scheduled A flash mob devoted to World grabs for party lists, with the rest The congress also approved effects of] the reduction of turno- and maslikhats, which was later sup- for March 20. On the same day, the Cancer Day titled “We can! I can!” contested by individual candi- “Time to Work,” the party’s ver; job cuts; protection of people ported by President Nursultan Naz- election to maslikhats (local consul- was held Feb. 4 in Astana, reported dates. new 10-point electoral platform. from the threat of job loss, loss of arbayev,” said Kosarev, who is also tative councils) will take place. Kazinform. The flash mob, with par- The party’s main goal this time Among the key provisions, Ak revenue and even mass poverty,” ticipation from the staff of Astana should not be chasing an “unre- Zhol promises to continue prior- according to the platform. Oncological Centre, was organised alistic” 20 or 30 mandates, but itising the interests of small and “A strong state is impossible to draw attention to cancer and en- rather consolidating its position medium business in the legisla- without development of the econ- courage its prevention, detection and in Parliament, added Peruashev. ture, as well as promoting further omy and competitive business treatment. World Cancer Day was A simple repetition of the previ- expansion of the entrepreneur- and business now is in dire need Birlik Joins Election Race founded by the Union for Interna- ous result would prove the past ship spirit among wider segments of our support,” said Peruashev. Staff Report “We stand for equal opportu- tional Cancer Control (UICC). nities for everyone. We consider ASTANA – On Feb. 5, the sec- the resources of Kazakhstan as a The Kazakh aviation industry and ond extraordinary congress of Bir- public domain,” Sultangali said, Air Defence Forces are putting the lik (Unity) announced the party’s calling it Birlik’s “fundamental finishing touches on the first multi- intention to run in the upcoming difference from other parties.” Auyl Party to Focus on election for the Mazhilis (lower functional aviation-technical centre, Birlik claims it will strive to cre- designed for assembly, repair and house of Parliament) and approved ate a “successful, just, spiritually an eight-point electoral pro- technical maintenance of aviation rich society,” based on a “socially equipment and aircraft, reported in- gramme under the slogan “Clean oriented economy” and “ethical Rural Development intentions, clean actions, clean en- form.kz. The facility measures near- principles that reflect traditions of orities are the condition of villages by applying modern innovation vironment.” ly 6,000 metres and operations are By Aiman Turebekova the people of Kazakhstan,” vlast. scheduled to start in May. The avi- and social well-being of villagers. technologies as well as develop- The list of Birlik candidates for kz reported. He noted that about 8 million peo- ing new varieties and breeds in the Mazhilis includes eight people. ation-technical centre presentation For a comprehensive solution If it makes it into the Mazhilis, ple or 45 percent of the population livestock. “According to experts, Among them are the party chair- will take place at the KADEX 2016 to most problems of villages, the Birlik wants to prioritise issues live in rural areas, so, an agricultural Kazakhstan is able to export beef man, businessman Serik Sultan- International Exhibition of Weapons Auyl Social Democratic Party gali and his deputy, former Human of environmental protection, fo- Systems and Military Equipment. sector has to be engaged in the coun- to Russia and China totaling about cusing on the goal of “passing during its 12th congress on Feb. Rights Ombudsman Bolat Baikad- The centre is aimed at creating a try’s modernisation programme. $5 billion per year,” highlighted on to future generations a clean 1 considered it was needed to amov, while other, less known can- high-technological production base Bektayev mentioned that, de- the leader of the party. Kazakhstan with [well-preserved] develop and implement the state didates come mainly from busi- to maintain and repair the Air De- flora and fauna.” programme Rural Infrastructure, spite support measures taken by In addition, Auyl intends to ness and academic backgrounds. Economically, the party empha- fence Forces equipment, including providing integrated improvement the government, there are still solve problems of youth by in- Speakers at the congress said SU-30 battle planes and C-295, AN- problems to be solved. “For in- creasing the number of houses that even if there was not much sises reforms aimed at shaping a for rural areas, such as develop- more competitive economy and 26 and AN-72 military-transport ment of social welfare services stance, most of the domestic food for young families, reviving mass time left to make a thorough aircraft. The facility will be staffed products are produced by private sports as well as providing moral preparation for the election, Birlik agriculture and a need to enhance and engineering infrastructure of the state-defined consumer basket with technical specialists who have farms, but they remain without the education. should make every effort to reach rural settlements. by increasing it. undergone special training. attention of central and local exec- “We are the party of moral op- out with their electoral platform to During the congress, the par- The Birlik party was created utive bodies. According to statis- timism, political constructivism as many voters as possible. ty decided to participate in the The party is positioning itself two years ago from the merger of The European Bank for Re- March 20 parliamentary elec- tics, these farms are producing al- and bright ideas,” Bektayev con- as a “party of social justice” that the Adilet (Justice) Democratic construction and Development tion and adopted its programme, most 72 percent of the total gross cluded. seeks to protect an individual from Party and Rukhaniyat (Spiritu- (EBRD) continues to support Ka- “Bring Traditions to Auyl” (auyl output of animal husbandry,” said The Auyl Social Democratic lawlessness by creating equal op- ality) Party. The March 20 early zakhstan’s green economy drive by means village in Kazakh). Auyl chairman. Party approved the list of 19 can- portunities for all citizens regard- parliamentary election is going to financing a new, cleaner and more According to Chairman of the The party also raises issues on didates to be included on its party less of social, ethnic and religious serve as the party’s first electoral energy-efficient electricity gener- party Ali Bektayev, today’s top pri- how to use land more efficiently list for the March 20 vote. backgrounds. test. ating plant in Atyrau, reported the bank’s press service. The EBRD is providing $6.6 million for 5 years to Sagat Energy, a Kazakh private company. The loan will NSDP Seeks Participation in Parliamentary Election finance the remaining construc- tion works and connection to the a clear majority of 127 out of 135 NSDP’s participation took place a Battalova, former Vice-premier ran in the presidential election in power transmission grid, as well Staff Report delegates of the congress, NSDP day prior. Baltash Tursymbayev and human 2005. as the commissioning and launch Chairman Zharmakhan Tuyakbai The party should use the elec- rights lawyer Yevgeni Zhovtis. Created in 2006, the NSDP twice of Atyrau’s modern gas engine- ASTANA – The Nationwide announced, according to vlast.kz. tion campaign as a platform and The list of NSDP candidates to participated in parliamentary elec- based, 11-megawatt combined Social Democratic Party (NSDP) The decision was preceded by a opportunity to reach wider audi- the Mazhilis (lower house of Par- tions, failing on both occasions to heat and power plant. Kazakhstan ruled during its congress on Jan. wide intra-party discussion, review ences with its political programme liament) approved by the congress surpass the 7-percent threshold for is currently dependent on coal for 30 in Almaty that the party should of the issue on the party’s political of change, the speakers at the features 28 names, including the parties to enter the Mazhilis (4.54 electricity production, but Atyrau seek participation in Kazakhstan’s council as part of the Nationwide congress said. Among them were party chairman. Zharmakhan percent in 2007 and 1.68 in 2012). region has domestic gas supply for early parliamentary election set for Civil Society Meeting, the party former members of the Mazhilis Tuyakbai was the chairman of Since November 2015, the party power generation, which is signifi- March 20. leaders said. The meeting of a and Senate Serikbolsyn Abdildin, the lower house of parliament in has been a full member of Social- cantly cleaner than coal in terms of The decision was approved by number of NGOs that favoured the Ualikhan Kaisarov and Zauresh 1999-2004 and unsuccessfully ist International. CO2 emissions. A3 eurasia&world

Wednesday, february 10, 2016

EXTERNAL news in brief Russian, Kazakh Leaders First Test Train Passes Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) President Askar Mamin and Tajik Railways President Komil Mirzoali signed an agreement in Astana Jan. Discuss Crisis in Turkish- the Trans-Caspian 27 pledging to continue their coop- eration and extend KTZ’s involve- ment in the modernisation of Tajik- istan’s railway network, Railways. Russian Relations International kz reports. The agreement specifies that both companies will continue Staff Report to work on the renewal of Tajik- istan’s railway fleet and the supply Transport Route President of Kazakhstan Nur- of wheelsets and turnouts. Kazakh- ate payments were transferred, the sultan Nazarbayev and President stan steel mills will also supply rails By Julia Rutz container train departed. On Jan. of Russia Vladimir Putin dis- to Tajikistan. Representatives from 31, the train reached Dostyk, the cussed bilateral ties, the situation Tajik Railways also visited the Tul- The first test container train fol- last station in Kazakhstan. in Ukraine and the deterioration of par Talgo factory and the Lokomotiv lowing the route Ukraine-Georgia- The protocol on setting competi- Russian-Turkish relations in a Feb. Kurastyru Zauyty locomotive plant Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan-China tive preferential tariffs for cargo 8 phone call. in Astana. reached the Aktau port in Kazakh- traffic was signed between Ka- Putin reiterated that the current stan on Jan. 24, reported the press zakhstan, Ukraine, Georgia and tense state of affairs is Turkey’s Chairman of the Senate Com- service of the Kazakhstan Temir Azerbaijan on Jan. 14. The next doing and it is Turkey who has to mittee for International Relations, Zholy National Company. day, the train departed from the take steps to normalise the situa- Defence and Security Ikram Adyr- The train, which consists of 20 Ukrainian port and reached its fi- bekov met with a delegation from tion, the Akorda press service re- containers, operates in the frame- nal destination in China on Feb. China’s Communist Party Central ported. work of the Trans-Caspian Interna- 2. It is planned to start a full-scale Committee on Jan. 28, Inform.kz According to a TASS report, tional Transport Route and connects exploitation of the transport route reports. Welcoming Deputy Head Nazarbayev earlier said the crisis three major ports on the Black and in March 2016. of the Development Problems Re- had become “a big problem” for Caspian seas: Ilyichevsk (Ukraine), “We will probably meet in Baku search Centre of the Chinese State Kazakhstan. The Akorda report Batumi (Georgia), Alyat (Azerbai- by the end of February to sign the Council Long Guoqiang, Adyrbek- also noted that the two leaders jan) and Aktau (Kazakhstan). final protocol to coordinate all ov, who had served as Kazakhstan’s agreed that bilateral cooperation On the Kazakh territory, the technical problems and minor un- ambassador in Beijing, emphasised between Kazakhstan and Russia train will pass the new railway certainties, so that I expect the start that building good relations with during this complex period will The phone call with the Rus- talks focused on developing trade, line Zhezkazgan-Beineu-Saksaul- of regular transportation already in China is one of the most important continue to be built based on con- sian leader came on the heels of energy and transport cooperation. foreign policy priorities for Astana. skaya-Dostyk. March this year,” said Minister of fidence, traditional friendship and an official visit to Kazakhstan by Davutoğlu said Turkey and Ka- Guoqiang discussed China’s internal The KTZ Express, a subsidi- Infrastructure of Ukraine Andrey policy and the main aspects of Chi- zakhstan were poised to be the ary of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, Pivovarsky. nese economic policy with the Ka- The phone call with the Russian leader “two central countries of Eurasia,” stopped the train at the Zhanaar- The national carrier Kazakhstan zakh counterpart. came on the heels of an official visit to the Hurriyet Daily News and other ka station. In accordance with Temir Zholy participates in the sources reported. the Law on Railway Transport, transport project in compliance The law “On ratification of the Kazakhstan by Turkish Prime Minister Relations between Russia and the shipping payments should be with the existing rules of Kazakh Protocol of amendments to the Con- Turkey have been strained since made by the shipper and forward- legislation. The Trans-Caspian vention between Kazakhstan and Ahmet Davutoğlu on Feb. 6. Turkey shot down a Russian mili- ing agent in advance, before the international transport route runs the Czech Republic on avoidance tary plane near the Syrian-Turkish departure of goods. In this regard, through China, Kazakhstan, Azer- good-neighborliness between the Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet of double taxation and prevention of border in late November, saying it the train stayed in Zhanaarka for baijan, Georgia, Turkey and then two nations. Davutoğlu on Feb. 6, during which evasion of taxes in regard to income violated Turkish airspace. two days and only after appropri- goes to Europe. and capital tax” was approved at the Senate’s plenary session, Inform.kz reports. The protocol aims to expand cooperation between the states’ tax services through the exchange of in- formation on taxation to prevent the President Nazarbayev Urges Intensification evasion of tax payment. The exist- ing convention didn’t allow the ex- change of information on tax-related issues between Kazakh and Czech of Foreign Economic Activities authorised bodies because both states had adopted laws on confiden- Continued from Page A1 monwealth of Independent States achievements, today we have to of peace. The international commu- cal, economic and social reforms tiality of information. The protocol (CIS), the Shanghai Cooperation think about the next steps,” the nity considers the Plan of the Nation inland and protection of national includes an article obliging the states “Today, our country has diplo- Organisation (SCO), the Confer- Kazakh President concluded. ‘100 Concrete Steps to implement interests abroad remain the key to exchange information regardless matic relations with 169 countries; ence on Interaction and Confi- During the meeting, Idrissov five institutional reforms’ as a seri- priorities of the Kazakh Foreign of whether there is such a law or not. there are 60 foreign embassies and dence-Building Measures in Asia noted that the foreign ministry ous political message of Kazakh- Ministry,” said Idrissov. diplomatic missions covering 94 (CICA) and the Eurasian Eco- intends to continue to make eve- stan’s commitment to evolutionary He also added that the current The Kazakh Consumers Rights countries, more than 50 diplomatic nomic Union (EAEU). In addition, ry effort to promote the foreign development and progressive in- economic situation in the world Protection Committee reported that missions of other states and inter- he recalled that Kazakhstan hosted policy and economic interests of tegration into the system of global requires, above all, improvement according to the World Health Or- national organisations operate in the Organisation for Security and the country, to further develop the relations,” maintained the foreign of the methods and tools of expan- ganisation, spreading of the Zika Kazakhstan. Many foreign policy Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) international authority of Kazakh- minister. sion of “economic diplomacy.” virus has been observed since April initiatives have been implemented summit, which was held for the stan and to strengthen bilateral co- He also emphasised that Ka- According to Idrissov, a key focus 2015 in Brazil, then in other South due to our diplomacy. Kazakhstan first time in this century, and the operation with foreign states. zakhstan has become a recognised of the foreign ministry is to at- American countries. As of Jan. 27, for the first time seeks a seat as a 38th Session of the Organisation “Nowadays, Kazakhstan has a leader in the field of nuclear dis- tract foreign investment, facilitate the infection was registered in 27 non-permanent member of the UN of Islamic Conference Council of high international prestige. Con- armament and an active moderator implementation of industrial and countries. There is no vaccine or Security Council. In this regard, Foreign Ministers. gratulations on the results of the in the dialogue of cultures, reli- innovative projects and the Nurly treatment against Zika virus. The we hope to get support from coun- “All this had a positive effect. last presidential elections [received] gions and civilisations. Zhol programme. committee warns Kazakhstan resi- tries with which we have friendly Carrying out these activities led from more than 90 heads of states “Implementation of Strategy Moreover, further measures to dents, especially pregnant women, relations,” said the President. to the sounding of the name of and governments have become a 2050, the ideology of Mangilik ensure participation of foreign to take this information into account Furthermore, Nazarbayev our country in the international clear confirmation of that. All of El, a gradual achievement of the states in EXPO 2017 were also dis- while planning for travel and give up stressed that Kazakhstan has initi- arena. At the same time, the chal- them expressed their support for stated goal of joining 30 devel- cussed at the meeting. Up to date, their trips, if possible. ated the creation of international lenges ahead are no less important. your ongoing course of political and oped countries, creation of favour- 70 countries have officially con- organisations, such as the Com- Therefore, taking into account our economic reforms as well as policy able external conditions for politi- firmed participation in the expo. Kazakhstan’s trade turnover with members of the Customs Union has increased 1.6 times since the beginning of operation of the un- ion, according to TASS. First Dep- uty Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Kazakh Goal Is to Continue Assisting Africa Bakhytzhan Sagintayev said that the able development goals (SDGs) in tional development assistance to fice Director Lebogang Motlana foreign ministers of Algeria, Be- establishment of the common eco- By Aiman Turebekova Africa. African foreign ministries African countries. and several AU Secretariat direc- nin, Botswana, Cameroon, Cape nomic space had a huge impact on and heads of international organi- Kazakhstan already boasts a tors highlighted the timeliness and Verde, Comoro Islands, Equato- Kazakhstan, allowing the country Kazakhstan’s continued insti- sations participated in the seminar. strong track record in promoting relevance of the Kazakh projects rial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gambia, to significantly develop its internal tutional development assistance In his speech, Ashikbayev told South-South knowledge exchange aimed at ensuring Africa’s well- Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Malawi, market. Exports have also grown by to African countries was greatly the guests about recent achieve- and offering expertise in coal, oil being.UNDP Special Adviser on Namibia, Niger, the Republic of appreciated during the 26th Af- 80 percent. ments in Kazakhstan and its con- and gas mining, as well as sustain- Africa Maged Abdel Aziz empha- Seychelles, Senegal, Sierra Leone, rican Union (AU) heads of state tribution to achieving the SDGs able transport management, urban sised the continent’s growing role South Sudan and Swaziland. The The 43rd session of the working and government assembly, the and South-South global coopera- sanitation, arid land irrigation and in the modern world, which opens parties discussed further coopera- group for developing the convention country’s foreign ministry said in tion programme. He referred to the growing wheat. new prospects for cooperation, and tion and ensuring mutual support on the Caspian Sea’s legal status took a Feb. 1 press release. A Kazakh similarities between Kazakhstan’s Ethiopian Foreign Minister suggested taking advantage of the for many important initiatives on place in Ashgabat Jan. 27, according delegation led by Deputy Foreign 2050 Strategy and AU’s Agenda Tedros Ghebreyesus noted the im- international forum platforms. to Kazinform. The session was held Minister Yerzhan Ashikbayev par- opportunities. 2063 in terms of SDG implemen- portance of Kazakh technical as- at the level of Caspian states’ deputy ticipated with observer status. The Kazakh delegation also During the meeting with Dlami- tation. sistance rendered to African coun- foreign ministers and included par- As AU’s supreme organ, the as- used the event to highlight the ni-Zuma, Ashikbayev stressed The participants also learned tries, including UNDP projects. ticipation by Kazakh, Russian, Ira- sembly regulates policies, forms relevance of President Nursultan the union’s important role in the about a $2 million Kazakh-UNDP He stressed the necessity to further nian and Azerbaijani delegations as priorities, ratifies the annual pro- Nazarbayev’s initiatives at the UN all-round development of the con- cost-sharing projecton “Assistance advance and strengthen relations well as the hosts, Turkmenistan. The gramme and monitors the policy General Assembly’s 70th session tinent and achievements in over- to ministries of foreign affairs in among the developing countries in session aims to continue the discus- and decision administration. The in New York, as well as the nation’s coming poverty and increasing Africa in terms of development of the bloc. sion on the convention’s provisions assembly was held Jan. 29-31 in bid to secure a seat on the UN Se- people’s welfare, preventing con- their potentials,” aimed at institu- UNDP African Regional Of- related to the Caspian Sea’s biologi- the Ethiopian capital under the curity Council for 2017-2018. flicts and providing for regional cal resources. On the first day of the theme “African year of human Preparations for the EXPO2017 security. She noted she appreciated meeting, the parties outlined their rights with particular focus on the international specialised exhibi- the country’s participation in the states’ positions concerning the issue rights of women.” tion were also discussed. summit and expressed confidence of legal status and various aspects of The summit was dedicated to Attention was also drawn to that mutually-beneficial relations cooperation and discussed a wide Kazakhstan’s proposal to create between Kazakhstan and the AU range of issues of mutual interest. the issues of sustainable develop- ment in Africa in terms of realis- the Islamic Organisation for Food will continue to grow. Security, which represents the na- Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Kazakhstan’s Senate has adopted ing of the Agenda 2063 goals. The tion’s contribution to prevent hun- Idrissov extended written invita- the law “On ratification of the Agree- participants discussed topics of ger and food security problems in tions to the African foreign min- ment between Kazakhstan and India economic and investment coopera- on extradition of sentenced per- tion, regional security provisions Africa. The programme is based isters with proposals to activate sons.” The law regulates relations and promoting the human rights on the country’s firm position on bilateral and multilateral contacts. regarding the transfer of sentenced and migration policy. the need to provide sustainable de- Ashikbayev also presented his persons between the two states in Working with the United Na- velopment, with food security as counter parts invitations on behalf order to allow sentences to be served tions Development Programme one of the main conditions. of the Kazakh President and Prime in Kazakhstan. The agreement was (UNDP), the Kazakh side organ- On the margins of the summit, Minister to attend EXPO2017 and signed in July 2015 in Astana and ised a special event dedicated to Ashikbayev met with AU Com- the Organisation of Islamic Coop- contains the conditions under which strengthening South-South coop- Deputy Foreign Minister Yerzhan Ashikbayev meets with AU Commission mission Chairperson Dr. Nko- eration (OIC) food security gen- such decisions can be taken. eration for implementing sustain- Chairperson Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma in Addis Ababa. sazana Dlamini-Zuma and the eral assembly meeting in April. A4 economy

Wednesday, february 10, 2016

economy Nazarbayev Signs Asian Infrastructure news in brief President of Kazakhstan Nur- sultan Nazarbayev signed the law “On ratification of the Loan Investment Bank Ratification into Law Agreement (Project on Stimula- According to this index, the coun- The ratification will enable nations and 20 are non-regional opment of infrastructure and other tion of Productive Innovations) By Kamila Zhumabayeva try will rank 17th among the 37 re- Kazakhstan to attract long-term countries. China, Russia and India productive sectors in Asia, includ- between Kazakhstan and the gional founders of the bank, Kazakh- credit resources for implementing are the bank’s largest shareholders. ing energy and power, transporta- International Bank for Recon- ASTANA – Kazakh President stan’s news sources have reported. infrastructure projects, Zakon.kz AIIB, which has 57 founding tion and telecommunications, ru- struction and Development,” the Nursultan Nazarbayev has passed The paid capital will amount to writes. Kazakhstan’s involvement members, officially started opera- ral infrastructure and agriculture press service of the Akorda re- the Asian Infrastructure Invest- $145.9 million and will be paid an- in the bank is expected to allow the tions on Jan. 16. development, water supply and ported. The agreement will con- ment Bank (AIIB) ratification nually by five instalments, accord- implementation of projects under According to news sources, sanitation, environmental protec- tribute to the implementation of agreement into law, the Akorda ing to Kapital.kz. the Nurly Zhol programme. AIIB’s President Jin Liqun said tion, urban development and lo- a national qualification system, press office reported Jan. 27. According to Zakon.kz, the al- According to Sputniknews.com, the bank would begin approving gistics. which is used in many developed According to the agreement location of funds necessary to pay the infrastructure bank’s $100 bil- its first loans before the end of AIIB welcomes all regional and countries. The system has eight signed June 29, 2015 in Beijing for annual membership fees was lion initial capital is divided into 2016. non-regional countries, develop- qualification levels depending where the bank’s headquarters are, approved Aug. 8 at the session of a million shares available only to The Asian Infrastructure Invest- ing and developed countries that on education level. The cost of Kazakhstan’s initial contribution the National Budget Commission AIIB members, with a nominal ment Bank is presenting itself as a seek to contribute to Asian infra- the project is $137 million, $100 to AIIB capital amounts to $729.3 on forming the national budget for value of $100,000 each. modern, knowledge-based institu- structure development and region- million of which will be provided million (0.7 percent.) 2016-2018. Out of 57 countries, 37 are Asian tion that will focus on the devel- al connectivity. by the World Bank, as the lender is more commonly known. The project’s completion date is June 30, 2020.

Minister of Finance of Kazakh- National Bank of Kazakhstan Chairman stan Bakhyt Sultanov stated that $20 billion has leaked from Ka- zakhstan in the last nine years at a government meeting in Astana Speaks on Current Issues, Activities Feb. 2, Kapital.kz reports. He of $58 million. Since the previ- the global financial crisis, the to- preliminary assessment and final tional currency from 10 percent to highlighted that the state has By Georg R. Vassilenko ous press conference those risks tal reserves of the country were data were observed. The volume 14 percent on deposits in foreign some reserves for legalisation of which we talked about became a $38.6 billion. We believe that the of bank lending to the economy currency.The rate was reduced funds placed abroad. The min- ASTANA – National Bank of reality: the oil prices went below accumulation of foreign exchange increased over the year by 4.7 per- from 3 to 2 percent since Feb. 1,” ister emphasised that legalising Kazakhstan Chairman Daniyar $30 per barrel (from the begin- reserves of the National Fund and cent,” he said. he said. Akishev held a press conference income does not mean the mon- ning of the year oil prices fell by the National Bank have reached Akishev also talked about de- Jan. 21 dedicated to the results of Akishev concluded his com- ey will automatically return to 2015, current issues of monetary 26 percent) and the weakening of 50 percent of the country’s GDP, posits. ments with remarks about the Kazakhstan, because often, the policy and the bank’s activities. the Russian ruble by more than which allow having the necessary “During 2015 the volume of de- money market. money will have already been “In 2015, the annual inflation 10 percent. At the present time, safety margin to ensure the preser- posits in banks increased by 36.6 “On Dec. 24, the National Bank invested in projects abroad. He was 13.6 percent,” he said. “Since we are witnessing the formation vation and stability of the financial percent, mainly due to the re-eval- increased the volume of transac- added that Kazakhstan needs ad- last year food prices rose by 10.9 of a course at a new level,” said system in the country under any uation of foreign currency depos- tions on the money market. The ditional conditions and tools for percent and prices for non-food Akishev. scenario with oil prices,” he said. its. As a result, the level of dollari- National Bank’s share of the mon- eligible investing. Sultanov said products by 22.6 percent, while He also talked about the re- The chairman also addressed the sation of deposits has reached 69 ey market has reached 47 percent. that money should earn money prices for paid services rose by 8.1 serves. balance of payments. percent, including accounts of in- In the banks’ balance sheets, li- and big finances are in big pro- percent,” he said. “At the end of 2015, gross inter- “Previously, we published pre- dividuals at 78.9 percent,” he said. abilities to the National Bank are jects, noting that today Kazakh- The chairman expanded on the national reserves of the National liminary figures for the first nine The chairman spoke on individ- 8 percent and in individual banks stan possesses a real, attractive exchange rate policy. Bank amounted to $28.1 billion, months of 2015. Now we have ual deposit rates. it is 20 percent. That is, the funds instrument for investing: the “This morning at today’s ses- while the international reserves of given information on the final as- “The Kazakhstan Deposit Insur- of the National Bank are beginning country’s top 65 state companies sion of the Kazakhstan Stock Ex- the country, including the National sessment of the balance of pay- ance Fund decided to establish the to play a significant role in funding are being privatised. change, the rate was 383.23 tenge Fund assets, stood at $91.6 billion. ments for nine months. No sig- maximum amount of interest rates and providing liquidity of banks,” per dollar, with the trade volume For example, in late 2007 before nificant differences between the on deposits of individuals in na- he said. Chairman of the National Bank of Kazakhstan Daniyar Aki- shev said that 43 billion tenge (US$114.7 million) has been in- vested in Kazakhstan’s economy through the country’s ongoing le- President Sets Course toward Oil & Gas Independence, galisation campaign at a govern- ment meeting Feb. 2, Zakon.kz reports. He noted that the cam- paign started on Sept. 1, 2014, and Urges Wealthy to Return Money to Country as of Jan. 26, banks had opened up. It is necessary to complete the cluded agreements on legal assis- principles of austerity and the need touched once again on agriculture, 219 accounts in the amount of By Talgat Issenov expansion of the Caspian pipeline tance literally with all countries,” to economise. calling the agricultural sector one 135 billion tenge ($360 million). consortium; expansion provides he commented implying that no “Samruk Kazyna saved 53 bil- of the key drivers of economic ASTANA – President of Ka- More than 90 percent of the us with additional volumes,” the one can feel immune or safe from lion tenge [about US$143 mil- growth. zakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev amount was in accounts opened President stressed. “The Beineu- prosecution for siphoning off mon- lion]. [Director of EXPO 2017] “Introducing new technolo- discussed the government goal of in Almaty city. Financial instru- Bozoi-Shymkent gas pipeline is ey out of the country or avoiding Akhmetzhan Yessimov reported gies into production infrastructure making Kazakhstan independent ments in the amount of 43 billion nearing completion. We now do taxes. to me that 155 billion tenge [about should lead to growth in agricul- tenge ($114.7 million) have been of oil and gas imports by 2018, not ask anyone for gas: the entire The President also again remind- US$418.4 million] at EXPO 2017 urged the entire business commu- ture by 1.5 times. We also need to purchased and 3.1 billion tenge south is provided with gas from ed the population to participate in was saved and returned to the gov- develop science and innovation,” ($8.3 million) has been paid into nity to take part in the country’s Kazakhstan. Oil production vol- property legalisation processes. ernment, despite the fact that there current privatisation process and he said. “As was recently men- the budget. The remaining total ume in the country will reach 92 “Initial privatisation, initial ac- used to be disgraceful behaviour tioned at the [World] Economic amount in the accounts reaches spoke about the need to economise million tonnes per year in 2021.” cumulating of funds have never [there]. … The preparation process Forum in Davos, the world stands nearly 40 billion tenge ($106.7 during the 17th congress of the Nazarbayev urged Kazakhstan’s been absolutely transparent. … It of the exhibition is going normal- on the threshold of the fourth in- million). According to Akishev, Nur Otan Party Jan. 29. people to get used to living with was this way throughout the world. ly,” he said. banks additionally registered 50 “In two years, Kazakhstan low oil price conditions earlier in Therefore, we forgive. … We have Kazakhstan’s current large-scale dustrial revolution. Stunning dis- should be 100 percent provided his speech. even changed the legislation; [we] privatisation is an important part coveries await the planet.” billion tenge ($133.3 million) with domestic petroleum products Nazarbayev also urged Forbes- do not even take taxes now,” Naz- of its anti-crisis programme, the According to Nazarbayev, con- from December 2015 to January and gas. I set the task to completely listed Kazakh billionaires as well arbayev urged, meaning that no President said. struction of the Western Europe- 2016 due to simplified legalisa- meet our market demand by 2018 as millionaires to return and invest taxes are levied on the monies re- “The entire system of public Western China motorway is com- tion procedures and the partial with domestic oil products such as money in the homeland. turned to the country. “If you have expenditures will be built on the ing to an end in Kazakhstan this abolition of the requirement to petrol, diesel oil, aviation kerosene “We have grown many wealthy a house abroad, get it legalised so principles of austerity. This is not year. He noted that two more keep money for a period of five and gas,” Nazarbayev said in his people. … But it’s our country – that we know about it. So that law such a complicated matter, we are promising destinations for road years and pay a 10 percent duty. speech at the congress. Kazakhstan – that allowed you to enforcement bodies will not be simply reducing surpluses,” said construction are Eurasian trans- “We expect that commercial earn all of this money. So let’s in- looking for you later …” Nazarbayev. continental and trans-Caspian Minister of Agriculture of extraction in Kashagan will start vest here … Kazakhstan has con- The President also addressed the In his speech, the President routes. Kazakhstan Assylzhan Mamyt- bekov met with Minister of Ag- riculture, Food and Forestry of Italy Maurizio Martina Jan. 28, the press service of the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan in- EBRD Advises Kazakhstan to Focus forms. The parties signed a state- ment on strengthening coopera- on Preparing for Better Times tion in agriculture. Akim (Governor) of Mangys- Continued from Page A1 ship legislation, tariff reform in reg- Preimanis announced several my comes amid anxiety inside the gether with your government, we tau region Alik Aidarbayev said ulated sectors, transformation of the projections on the country’s econ- community. invested in changing the lives in that the region is implementing The key is to ensure better posi- Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth omy as part of his presentation. With the efforts of the country’s some 10 cities across Kazakhstan 14 infrastructure and industrial tioning at the time when improve- Fund and the first steps in establish- The country’s growth outlook has National Bank, inflation can be ex- through safer water, better waste projects under the Nurly Zhol ments in external factors material- ing the Astana International Finan- been affected. As a result of the pected to return to the 6-8 percent water services and modern, acces- programme, Kursiv reports. Ac- ise, noted his report. cial Centre, according to his report. plunge in oil prices, recession in corridor after 2016 and even lower sible and clean public transport,” cording to him, the implementa- “Perhaps one of those factors Now is the time to press for- Russia and depreciation of the rou- levels in the longer term, he said. Heckman said. will be implemented in the coming ward, however, because the diffi- ble, Kazakhstan’s gross domestic According to EBRD Country Di- “Particularly exciting was the tion of projects will help Man- three or four years. Kazakhstan cult external environment should product (GDP) growth decreased rector for Kazakhstan Janet Heck- Kazakhstan launch of our Women gystau keep up the pace of its needs to get ready in order not to not deter reforms, he added. to 1.2 percent in 2015 compared to man, the bank more than doubled in Business programme in Novem- economic development. The total miss this moment and to take ad- “Kazakhstan companies are lag- 4.3 percent in 2014. its activity in the nation. ber (2015), which provides wom- cost of the projects reaches 159 vantage of the benefits that one or ging innovation leaders… in the Considering oil prices will fluc- “2014 was a record year, but en-led companies with funding billion tenge ($424 million), and the other situation will bring,” said short run, all efforts should go into tuate between $30-40 per bar- 2015 broke those records and was through local banks and also ad- nearly 4,000 new jobs will be Preimanis, according to Forbes effective implementation of the rel, growth is projected to remain an excellent year for EBRD in the visory services. This programme created under the programme. In Kazakhstan. “To do that, the President’s reforms under five are- subdued in 2016, reaching only country,” she noted during the was the first of its kind in Central 2015, the region commissioned country needs continued focus on as, 100 Concrete Steps, Nurly Zhol 1.5 percent, while inflation is pro- presentation. Asia; at least around 2,000 Kazakh 11 industrial and infrastructure structural reforms, improvement programme and other reforms,” jected to be 10 percent, indicated The bank financed more than small and medium enterprises are projects worth 50.5 billion tenge in infrastructure and innovation the report said. the report. 30 projects across all sectors of expected to benefit from it,” said ($134.7 million) and created 655 development in high-tech and low- “Innovation will help to revi- “Given heightened anxiety in the economy, including small and Heckman. new jobs. Among successful pro- tech sectors. These will help the talise Kazakhstan’s economy and the country, realisation of glob- medium businesses, energy effi- In general, EBRD’s small busi- jects, the akim named the Azer- country to regain its positions.” more innovation is needed as fa- al/regional risks can result in a ciency, climate change mitigation, ness support programme con- Sun Sofie Med Group, the Food Kazakhstan showed significant vourable external factors can come very different growth outcome in municipal and regional infrastruc- cluded 203 consulting projects for Logistics Centre and the Aktau progress with reforms such as the in sight at any time and when they 2016,” it added. Preimanis is cer- ture and agribusiness. SMEs (small and medium-sized Northern Sea Terminal. As of new investment law, new exchange do, the economy should be more tain the impact of negative exter- “Our investment was more than enterprises), with funding coming today, the new Kuryk ferry-boat rate regime, public-private partner- competitive,” noted the report. nal factors on Kazakhstan’s econo- a billion dollars last year… To- primarily from the government. complex is under construction. A5 Business

Wednesday, february 10, 2016

BUSINESS news in brief Carrefour to Enter Air Astana Reveals New Routes, Hong Kong Airlines has signed a codeshare agreement with Air Astana, the Aviation Tribune re- ports. Hong Kong Airlines custom- Kazakh Market Cost Mitigation Measures ers can now travel with Air Astana year, 11 children were transported to Almaty, Kazakhstan, while Air By Julia Rutz for treatment abroad at the expense Astana customers can book tickets of the company. The company also with both airlines to reach Hong during Q1 Air Astana presented its 2015 plans to enlarge its participation in Kong Airlines’ destinations in Chi- corporate social responsibil- charity projects,” said Foster. na, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan and ity report Jan. 27 in Astana. The The aim of the report was to pre- Vietnam under the agreement. Air document focused mainly on envi- sent the main aspects of the com- Astana operates services to Hong ronmental and safety issues, eco- pany’s activity and strategic plans, Kong twice a week using a Boe- nomic contributions, services and as well as raise public awareness ing 757. The flight time from Hong community-based initiatives, as and improve the efficiency of in- Kong to Almaty is 7 hours 15 min- well as labour relations.

Photo: azh.kz teraction between Air Astana and utes. The service was launched Air Astana President Peter Fos- Peter Foster its partners. in August 2012; since then, Air ter also highlighted the results of The airline contributes to im- Astana has carried approximate- the past year and shared the air- During the event, national carri- proving the ecological situation ly 74,000 passengers and nearly line’s plans for 2016. er representatives talked about the in Kazakhstan by reducing harm- 1,300 tonnes of cargo. Hong Kong “During 2015, the company company’s activities in the social ful emissions into the atmosphere, SAR passport holders can travel achieved a profit of $47.7 million, sphere. which is achieved by fleet renew- without visas to Kazakhstan, as which is 144 percent greater than can citizens of Kazakhstan visiting in 2014. The number of passengers Hong Kong. Photo: Forbes.kz we transported increased by 2 per- Foster: “During 2015, the company companies, financial organisations cent in comparison to the past year Air Astana, Air France and KLM By Kamila Zhumabayeva and others. and totalled 3.86 million people. achieved a profit of $47.7 million, which Royal Dutch Airlines signed a code- The council’s main tasks are to At the same time, the company’s is 144 percent greater than in 2014. The share agreement for flights between ASTANA – Carrefour, the develop recommendations and sales turnover decreased by 21 Astana and Paris on Feb. 2, the French chain of supermarkets, suggestions on improving Al- percent and made $738.1 million. number of passengers we transported Aviation Tribune reports. The flights plans to enter the Kazakh market maty’s investment climate, devise This appeared as a consequence of will be operated by Air Astana from increased by 2 percent in comparison to the early this year, Kazpravda.kz re- strategies to attract foreign invest- the current difficult market condi- March 11. The agreement allows tions,” he said. ported Jan. 22 with reference to ment to the city’s economy and past year and totalled 3.86 million people.’’ passengers from across Air France the Almaty akimat (city adminis- Air Astana was able to compen- and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines’ implement investment projects, re- tration) press service. sate for the declining profitability “We are very proud that we are al, route optimisation and waste worldwide networks to buy tickets ported Kazpravda.kz. The council with significantly-reduced costs in a position which allows us to recycling. In addition, Air Astana and travel to and from Astana. Air “Active work to attract major will also strengthen the dialogue global brands is underway... A for aviation kerosene. At the same continue our participation in chari- adheres to strict safety standards Astana operates between Astana platform between the state and in- time, the reduction of flight prices table projects in Kazakhstan. We by improving the level of safety chain of Starbucks coffee houses and Paris on Sundays, Wednesdays vestors. was not foreseen, except for short- will continue supporting the Great and services both on the ground was opened in Almaty in Decem- and Fridays, using Boeing B757- Founded in 1963, Carrefour term offerings. Patriotic War veterans, as well as and on board. The company pro- ber of 2015,” said the akimat, ac- 200 aircraft. President and CEO of owns hypermarkets, supermar- Foster added the airline plans to children who need medical care vides jobs for more than 4,600 Air Astana Peter Foster said that the cording to the newspaper. “Car- kets, discounters, convenience and open new flights this year to Ul- abroad. In 2015, we supported the employees and invests heavily in agreement adds Astana to the KLM refour retailer, the second largest wholesale stores around the world. aanbaatar, Mongolia and Tehran, carriage of 130 children. During the training of pilots and flight at- and Air France network, making it after the American Walmart stores Iran. the first three weeks of the current tendants. easier for global travellers to fly with based on market capitalisation, MAF Hypermarkets Kazakhstan, a Air Astana to and from the Kazakh plans to open its first store in Al- subdivision of Arab Majid Al Fut- airline’s home base using the Paris maty during the first quarter of taim, is the owner of the franchise hub. 2016.” responsible for opening the stores, Daniyar Berlibayev has been The store will be in the new reported Forbes Kazakhstan. The elected chairman of KazTransOil, Grand Park Almaty, a shopping company plans to open 15 more Samruk Kazyna Expects $25 the press service of the company re- outlets throughout the country ports. The KazTransOil public-private centre at the intersection of Ka- within the next five years. company held an extraordinary meet- bdolov and Altynsarin streets, “The market in our country is ing of shareholders Jan. 29, during wrote Forbes Kazakhstan. It is ex- per Barrel of Oil, 400 Tenge which serving members of the Board pected to be 12,500 square metres fairly narrow; not so many strong of Directors were terminated and new large. and stable participants are there. members were approved. According to the resolution of the extraordinary The store will be in the new Grand per Dollar Exchange Rate meeting of shareholders, Daniyar (US$1.5 billion) were accounted Berlibayev, Ardak Mukushov, Nurtas Park Almaty, a shopping centre By Georg R. Vassilenko for, but we will do an audit of pro- Shmanov, Luis Coimbra, Serik Prim- jects,” said Bakhmutova. at the intersection of Kabdolov ASTANA – The best-case sce- betov and Fernando Machinena were She noted this year will be more nario of the Samruk Kazyna Na- elected to the Board of Directors of the and Altynsarin streets, wrote Forbes difficult than 2015. company. tional Welfare Fund is the cost of “It’s in the country, including for Kazakhstan. It is expected to be oil at $35 per barrel and an ex- a group of fund companies. This is Kazkommertsbank has completed change rate in the range of 380 the sale of 608,374,602,366 ordinary 12,500 square metres large. tenge per dollar, said managing not a surprise,” she said. shares of BTA Bank, representing director for financial operations Bakhmutova added she sees no 99.4187 percent of the total number Carrefour isn’t the only multi- The Magnum chain of stores is one Elena Bakhmutova. Photo: s-k.kz risk in terms of debt servicing. of common shares of BTA Bank. The national retailer with its eye on of them,” said De Buro real estate Samruk Kazyna, which manages Elena Bakhmutova “In general, over the next three shares were purchased by Kazkom- the Kazakh market. Leroy Merlin, company partner Beimkhan Murat- assets worth about $50 billion, is years out of the total external debt mertsbank shareholders Kenes Raki- France’s largest home improve- bek in a June interview with Forbes expecting some oil price and tenge She indicated all investment pro- 23 per cent are to be repaid, of shev and Nurzhan Sukhanberdin, who ment chain, intends to open sites in Kazakhstan. “Our market is not fully weakening in 2016 and calculating grammes have been reduced and which 40 percent is expedient to each took 299,211,380,223 shares, Almaty and the Almaty region by occupied with such stores... moreo- the basic state for the companies are focusing on protecting jobs, refinance,” she said. or 49.18 percent of BTA shares sold. the end of the year. Negotiations ver it operates in a ‘cash and carry’ it manages at $25 per barrel and keeping their companies afloat and According to Reuters, the to- After the sale of BTA shares, KKB are currently underway with com- format, while Carrefour operates in 400 tenge per dollar. Bakhmutova servicing debt. tal external debt of the Samruk ceased to be a shareholder of BTA. a different format.” shared her assessments in an inter- The common shares of BTA were sold panies such as Auchan, Bombar- dier and IKEA, wrote Kazpravda. Muratbek noted Carrefour will view with Reuters. according to a proposal made to KKB “The optimistic scenario for Samruk Kazyna manages assets worth kz. It was also reported in January encounter certain peculiarities in shareholders for 0.00001 tenge per or- the development of a group of the that Walmart is interested. relation to Kazakhstan’s small about $50 billion. dinary share. fund’s companies should be con- population and vast territory. He As part of the comprehensive sidered at $35 per barrel and for the A Moody’s report rating 32 inte- plan to attract investment, Almaty believes MAF Retail took the issue stability of the exchange rate in the “The investment programme of Kazyna group of companies has grated oil, exploration and produc- Akim (Mayor) Bauyrzhan Baibek into consideration and thinks the range of 380 tenge per dollar. As a the group of the fund’s companies, decreased in the past year by $7 tion, and oilfield services companies signed an order Jan. 22 creating French chain will not fail in Ka- baseline scenario, [we calculate at] which was calculated at an oil price billion to $17.3 billion. A total of in Europe, the Middle East and Af- the eponymous council, according zakhstan like its unsuccessful ex- $25 per barrel and 400 tenge per of $40 per barrel and 300 tenge per 59 percent of the debt falls on Ka- rica rated Kazakhstan’s KazTran- to the newspaper. The body con- perience in Russia. Carrefour left dollar and the stress scenario [is dollar, amounted to 1.206 trillion zMunayGas (KMG), which suf- sOil Baa3. According to the report, sists of major Kazakh and foreign the market in 2009 shortly after calculated at] $20 per barrel and tenge (US$3.2 billion). Of these fered the most from the fall in oil KazTransOil’s rating reflects strong investors, international consulting opening its second hypermarket. 420 tenge per dollar,” she said. loans, about 573 billion tenge prices. operating activities and creditwor- thiness. Moody’s analysts consider that the high level of support from the Kazakh government reflects Ka- zTransOil’s strategically essential role and the importance of energy Kazkommertsbank, BTA Bank Merger exports to Kazakhstan’s economic growth. Moody’s characterised KazTransOil as a company with a strong market position, a lack of Named 2015’s Best M&A Deal in CIS debt, a diversified customer base and new financial institution is operat- Kazkom press statement on the In February 2014, the consor- the entire banking network. Kaz- satisfied indicators of liquidity. The By Zhazira Dyussembekova ing under the brand name and on bank’s website. tium of investors represented by kommertsbank and BTA officially report indicates that cash flow gen- the technology platform of Kaz- The merger was extremely com- Kazkom and Kenes Rakishev, announced the deconsolidation on eration at KazTransOil in 2016 will ASTANA – The merger of Ka- comfortably cover its maintenance kom. plex due to the large size of both former chairman of BTA Bank’s June 30, 2015. zakhstan’s large banks Kazkom- “After the integration was com- banks, as well as legal and techni- Board of Directors, agreed to ac- For now, Kazkom is one of the and dividend payouts in the amount mertsbank (Kazkom) and BTA of 40 percent of net profit. pleted, we have assumed an im- cal issues. The process was com- quire BTA Bank from the Samruk largest banks in Kazakhstan and Bank was assessed as “the best portant social role of fulfilling pleted in a surprisingly short period Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund. Central Asia, with subsidiaries in M&A (merger and acquisition) Hungarian investors plan to obligations to depositors of the of time, just over a year and a half, In June, the deal on the acquisition investment portfolio management, deal of 2015 in the Common- build three solar power plants in troubled bank as well as improv- without any technical failures, ac- of BTA shares was made. (Raki- insurance and brokerage. The bank wealth of Independent States,” by the South Kazakhstan region, Ka- ing banking assets. At this stage, cording to Kazkom’s website. shev, as a general partner of the has subsidiaries in other CIS coun- the Kazakh-British Chamber of zinform reports. This project was we are working with international This integration has resulted in public-private parent company of tries, including Russia and Tajik- discussed at a meeting held at the Commerce, according to a Forbes. consultants on a new business the significant increase of the cus- Kazkom, Alnair Capital Holding, istan. regional administration between kz report dated Jan. 26. strategy, which aims to ensure tomer base of the combined bank, is now a major shareholder in the The Kazakh-British Chamber of Deputy Governor of South Ka- According to Kazakh-British further effective business devel- which has grown to up to 6 mil- new bank.) Commerce is a bilateral business zakhstan Saparbek Tuyakbayev Chamber of Commerce experts, opment and growth of the bank’s lion. Bank customers have access The National Bank approved the association that aims to strengthen and representatives of the South the deal was the largest in the M&A profits. We have an ambitious to the most extensive banking in- assets exchange scheme in May and develop economic relations Kaz Solar Konzortium. The parties market in the financial history of goal, which is to make Kazkom frastructure in the country: about 2015. Upon completion of the as- between the business structures of discussed prospects for building the Commonwealth of Independ- a national champion in the bank- 25 percent of all ATMs across the set exchange in June, BTA returned Kazakhstan and the U.K. It was three solar power plants in Shym- ent States (CIS) and the first time ing market, and today we have all country, 300 offices and 40 percent its banking license to the regulator. founded with support from Ka- kent, Kentau and Turkestan. The in the former Soviet Union that the resources necessary to achieve of all point-of-sale terminals and On June 29, 2015, the provision of zakhstan’s embassy in London and total capacity of the solar plants is two major financial institutions of our goal,” said CEO of the new approximately the same market integrated services to the clients the Ministry of Industry and Trade expected to reach 170 megawatts. comparable size had merged. The institution Magzhan Auezov in a share of card payments. of both banks was initiated along of Kazakhstan. A6 EDITORIAL&opinion

Wednesday, february 10, 2016 Kazakh Privatisation Will Help Global Ban on All Nuclear Cushion the Impact of Current Armed Cruise Missiles Economic Slowdown Needed, Top Disarmament he current economic turmoil, which we see reduction of state involvement will provide a further played out daily on our TVs and in newspa- spur to Kazakhstan’s economy by boosting competi- pers and stock markets across the world, is tion and productivity. setting new challenges for every country. In an It may take longer to notice these benefits, but Expert Says interconnectedT global economy, no one is immune. if the privatisation plan is properly structured and be swirling inside the chamber, World leaders must decide how best to lead their implemented, they will be wide-ranging. Evidence By Tatiana Braun enough to wipe out entire popula- countries through the turbulence: adopt a business as across many countries shows that privatisation tions.” Were you scared? ASTANA – Andy Weber, who usual approach and hope the damage isn’t too severe, increases efficiency and profitability while improving I had received special vaccina- stepped down last summer as U.S. or confront the challenges head on. Kazakhstan, it services and cutting costs for consumers. tions and wore protective gear, so State Department Deputy Coor- seems, has chosen the second, more difficult option. Take two examples from the telecommunications I was not scared. The scale was dinator for Ebola Response, has Fundamental to the economic course chosen is a sector in Latin America. Chile’s telephone company chilling. The secret factory was more than 30 years under his belt remarkable new wave of privatisation. This is meant doubled its capacity four years after being sold, while built and certified to produce 300 of working to counter some of the to help the country through these current global dif- Mexico’s privatised telephone company significantly tonnes of anthrax biological weap- most dangerous threats to man- ficulties while also positioning Kazakhstan to achieve reduced its per-unit labour costs. ons during a mobilisation period of kind posed by weapons of mass its long-term goals of becoming a top 30 world These short and long-term benefits are why the eight months. Evil is the only word destruction. Some of his most fa- economy and a prosperous and healthy society. International Monetary Fund has already commended to describe it. mous exploits included working at The privatisation programme was unveiled last No- Kazakhstan’s plans as a significant step in reducing the the heart of Project Sapphire, a top vember when the Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth role of the state in its economy. Samruk Kazyna itself is There are also the following words secret joint Kazakh-American op- Fund announced it was to sell stakes in 60 large optimistic that the drive will improve the structure of its Andy Weber in that book: “I had never bought eration in 1994 to remove almost state-owned enterprises. It includes plans over the assets, increase the level of corporate governance while into Reagan’s “Evil Empire” thing. 600 kilogrammes of highly en- next four years to cut state ownership in major com- eliminating corrupt activity, encourage the development Kazakh partners I remember. The I was a product of liberal eastern riched uranium, enough to produce panies including KazMunayGas, Kazatomprom and of small and medium-sized businesses and support the hospitality, warmth and commit- schools, I went to Cornell, but there it two dozen nuclear bombs, from Samruk-Energo from 60–70 percent to 15 percent. development of Kazakhstan’s stock market. ment to building a great future in was. I was face to face with evil.”Evil eastern Kazakhstan to the United Privatisations will be carried out through a combina- There have, of course, been some sceptical voices a time of uncertainty inspired me called nuclear, chemical and biologi- States where it was down-blended tion of sales of strategic stakes and stock market list- about the privatisation plans, with suggestions that every day. cal threats that you confronted as the and used as fuel for power stations. ings, which will all be handled by Kazakhstan’s new the government may be reluctant to relinquish con- U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defence In an exclusive interview with Astana International Financial Centre. trol over major economic assets. They point to the Now, on to the most interest- is to this day in front of all humanity. this newspaper, Weber shared his Kazakhstan’s privatisation drive will achieve three fact that only in 2008, Samruk Kazyna took stakes in ing things. During the last two If the world sounds the alarm about views on the most pressing threats a number of privatised assets. decades, you took part in all ma- the nuclear and chemical threats, the important goals. First, it will raise revenue to help the mankind faces today and the Given the global financial crisis at the time and jor disarmament projects of Ka- voice of the planet is not so alarm- cushion the impact of the economic slowdown on lessons that can be drawn from fears of a world-wide recession, these emergency zakhstan under the Nunn-Lugar ing about the biological threat. In Kazakhstan and its citizens. The additional resources cooperation between the United measures were an economically sound decision. programme, including the de- this light, I think the international will, in the short-term, help the government continue States and Kazakhstan under the Today we confront not just more global turbulence struction of silo launchers at the community has not yet appreciated investing in essential services and infrastructure famed Nunn-Lugar Cooperative but a low oil price environment, which may stretch former Semipalatinsk polygon the “Stepnogorsk disarmament” to improvements. Threat Reduction Programme. Second, in the longer-term, privatisation will into the future. This is why privatisation is seen as a and plugging the tunnels at the the extent it deserves it. What is your critical and essential step to securing Kazakhstan’s Degelen massif there. What was view? streamline Samruk Kazyna’s operations and increase In Kazakhstan, you are known future prosperity for not just the next few years but the most difficult in your peace- I know of no other case in his- the sovereign wealth fund’s efficiency. And third, as a prominent American expert decades to come. keeping mission? How did you tory where two countries worked the injection of outside capital and expertise and the in the field of non-proliferation of manage to break the military in partnership to safely eliminate weapons of mass destruction. You lobby? have more than 30 years of expe- a massive biological weapons fac- I learned that the small bureau- rience in this field. What would tory like Stepnogorsk. Profoundly, crats can be the worst, but we al- you advise the world today? many of the same people who built ways had access to the highest First, we need to redouble our it expertly carried out its safe de- levels when needed to overcome efforts to realise the shared vi- struction. Many opposed this pro- obstacles. Since we shared the ob- sion of Presidents Barack Obama ject, but President Nazarbayev was jective of making Kazakhstan and and Nursultan Nazarbayev of a steadfast in his desire to rid Ka- the world safer, and enjoyed per- world without nuclear weapons. zakhstan of this blight on human- sonal trust developed over years of Together we have accomplished ity. For this the world is in his debt. partnership on sensitive projects, so much to make the world safer from weapons of mass destruction in the end we always succeeded. Until your retirement, you held and terrorism. Second, we need That was the magic of the Nunn- the post of Special Coordinator of to work together and with global Lugar Programme. the U.S. State Department on the partners to prevent and prepare for fight against Ebola. It is interest- the potential that terrorists will de- People in Kazakhstan remem- ing, “is the devil so black as he is velop and use biological, chemical ber you as one of the key char- painted?” or even nuclear weapons. acters in the implementation of The Ebola outbreak in West Project Sapphire, a top secret Africa showed how vulnerable What is the hierarchy of Kazakh-American operation to the world is to biological threats, threats? transport 600 kg of highly en- both natural and intentional. The The greatest danger is that nu- riched uranium (HEU) from the world was slow to react, but Ba- clear weapons will be used. We Ulba Metallurgical Plant (UMP) rack Obama and Ban Ki-Moon have avoided this for seventy to the U.S. in 1994. In the Pulitz- mobilised over seventy countries, years, but I am concerned that the er Prize-winning book by David including Kazakhstan, to support possibility is trending in the wrong Hoffman “The Dead Hand,” it the African response. Together we direction. This is why former Sec- was written that the then Director may have saved a million or more retary of Defence William J. Perry of UMP Vitaliy Mette contacted lives. Now we need to make sure and I have proposed a global ban you in order to inform about the every country has an effective sys- on all nuclear armed cruise mis- existence of almost unprotected tem to prevent, detect and respond siles. These are among the most HEU. Do you recall the chroni- to epidemics. This is why over dangerous and destabilising class cle of those days? Do you plan to fifty countries and international or- of nuclear weapons. They can be write your own book? ganizations have joined the global launched without warning from Yes, I remember those events health security agenda. And this the air, land or sea, and it is impos- like a movie in my head. Enough is why the U.S. is supporting the sible to know if one flying towards weapons grade uranium metal to construction of a world class cen- your country is nuclear or conven- make dozens and dozens of nuclear tre for disease control in Almaty. tional. After this, I am extremely weapons! What we did together to concerned about WMD terrorism eliminate this threat was historic. Following your retirement, last using biological weapons. People made it happen – Nursultan summer you came to Astana in Nazarbayev, Vladimir Shkolnik, order to take part in a seminar In this regard, how do you as- Vitaliy Mette, Sat Tokpakbayev, devoted to the lessons of coop- sess President Nursultan Naz- Bolat Nurgaliev, Vladimir Bozhko eration between Kazakhstan, the arbayev’s initiatives that he and many others. A Hollywood Russian Federation and the U.S. voiced at the jubilee session of the producer recently asked me to help Could you share your impression UN General Assembly? make a major movie about it, and of a new meeting with Kazakh- I applaud President Naz- yes, I may also write a book. stan, with our capital? arbayev’s leadership and moral au- Visiting beloved Kazakhstan I thority, and strongly support mak- In Hoffman’s book, there are am amazed by what you have ac- ing a nuclear weapons free world chapters devoted to a no less terri- complished in just twenty five the “main goal of humanity in the ble object –the anthrax factory in years. Most of your neighbours 21st Century.” It will be hard, but Stepnogorsk. Let me give the fol- have not done as well. It shows together we can and must do it. lowing paragraph: “In Building how much difference wise lead- 221, Weber climbed to the top of ership and hard working, talented In the early 1990s, you worked one of the twenty-thousand-litre people can make. at the U.S. Embassy in Kazakh- fermenters and looked down into stan. Which significant events, it with a flashlight. The cylinder This year our country will cel- facts or meetings of those years was made of specialty steel with a ebrate the 25th anniversary of do you recall? resin lining. He could see the im- independence. What would you Living and working in Almaty pellers attached to a central rod like to say to the people of Ka- for two years after Kazakhstan’s that would stir the anthrax spores. zakhstan? independence was the most re- He could not see the bottom in From my heart I am so proud to warding and exciting time in my the dark, four floors below, but salute the people of Kazakhstan life. I have so many wonderful per- he got a full sense of the incred- and congratulate you on your resil- sonal and professional memories, ible volume, the trillions of spores ience and incredible success. Ra- but most of all it is the incredible of anthrax bacteria that would khmet and good luck Kazakhstan!

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Wednesday, february 10, 2016 More Work Ahead, Says Central Election Commission Chairman process. Updating the voters’ lists the timesheet for the actual time There are three priority direc- political party and admit it to the By Lilia Syzdykova will continue even on the day of worked. tions of our activity. The first is to pre-election campaign. voting. The second significant item of work with the political parties. All The second direction is the or- Since President Nursultan Naz- Local executive bodies are re- expenditure is the cost of the pre- political parties willing to take part ganisation of the activity of the arbayev signed the decree Jan. sponsible for the accuracy of the election campaign of candidates in the election had to hold their election commissions. All local 20 to hold early election for the voters’ lists and solving this prob- for deputies of the maslikhats pre-election congresses, approve periodicals published the lists of Mazhilis, Kazakhstan’s Central lem involves all available resourc- (17.4 percent). their party lists and present them members of the precinct election Election Commission (CEC) has es. The state legislation shall guar- to us. However, there is a prereq- commissions. For some reason, been actively preparing for the However, an appeal was made to antee equal allocation of funds to uisite: participation in the congress there were vacant positions in electoral process. CEC Chairman the people of Kazakhstan to dem- candidates to come out with their by representatives of regional some of the stations and together Kuandyk Turgankulov shared his onstrate their civic engagement. programmes in the mass media. branches from all oblasts, as well with the maslikhats we filled them views about the progress to date On this occasion, we adopted and Each candidate shall be granted as from Astana and Almaty. in conformity with the law. The and plans for the near future in a published a corresponding Appeal funds for a 15-minute speech on After that, we verify each person same work was carried out by following interview. Kuandyk Turgankulov to Voters. TV and 10-minute broadcast by included on the list. This proce- the district and territorial election Starting March 4, voters can radio, as well as for publication of dure is regulated by our Constitu- commissions. Three weeks passed since the engagement of the population to come to the polling station and two articles in the press in a vol- tion and the election legislation. In addition we announced elec- head of state signed the decree to encourage voters to visit the polls verify their name on the voters’ toral boundaries in all regions, so hold the early election. Would you on Election Day. lists. voters can be informed of the lo- tell us about the work the CEC Turgankulov: ‘‘According to cation of their polling station in has undertaken so far? How many people will be able In light of the current economic advance. During this period of time, we to exercise their right? What is situation, financing is one of the the register, there are approximately The third direction is proce- have done a really huge amount of the number of voters in the coun- most widely-discussed issues. 9,792,000 voters in our country. ... dural guidelines. We hold cluster work. try? Could you tell us more about the workshops in all regions for the First, the commission meeting In accordance with the law on pattern of expenditure for the Starting March 4, voters can come to the members of our election com- approved the priority regulations elections, local executive bodies elections? missions. Moreover, we will hold necessary for the organisation of provide information about vot- In order to hold the elections of polling station and verify their name on a workshop for the heads of the the electoral process. ers annually by Jan. 1 and July deputies of the Mazhilis and ma- national media regarding elec- Moreover, we sent invitations to 1. Therefore, the voters’ lists are slikhats (local representative bod- the voters’ lists.’’ tion campaigns of deputies of the the heads of central election com- already available at all the territo- ies) at all levels, we will need 7 bil- Mazhilis of the Parliament. In the missions of 18 foreign countries rial election commissions and the lion 985.3 million tenge (US$22.2 ume that does not exceed 0.1 of a I would like to remind everyone course of this workshop, election and adopted documents governing CEC. According to the register, million). printed sheet. that in accordance with the Con- campaigning on the Internet and the activities of international ob- there are approximately 9,792,000 In the pattern of expenditure for In total, 70 percent of the funds stitution, a deputy of the Mazhilis social networks in accordance servers. voters in our country. the elections, 53 percent of these allocated for the elections will be may be a person who has attained with the legislation will be con- Second, we held a national Now the main task is to ensure funds will be spent to pay salaries spent only on these two items. the age of 25 and has been a citi- sidered separately. Training will seminar on the organisation and the preparation of reliable voters’ to members of the election com- The remaining expenditures are zen of the country and a perma- also be conducted on campaign- holding of the elections. We dis- lists for each polling station, so missions, whereas in accordance related to printing ballots, mak- nent resident for the last 10 years. ing for representatives of political cussed all the details of the up- that every citizen of our country with the legislation, members of ing audio and video clips and their Those people will be also subject parties participating in the elec- coming elections in depth and can exercise his or her constitu- election commissions who are not subsequent rotation on TV and ra- to verification by tax and other tions. provided all participants of the tional right. public officials will not be paid. dio, placement of billboards, vari- state authorities. In general, this is the cluster of election process with thorough In accordance with the approved However, they receive additional ous elements of outdoor advertis- On the whole, setting require- issues we will focus on. In parallel, explanations on the election leg- time schedule, voters will be able payment for work on holidays and ing and others. ments for candidates and their sub- we are working with international islation. to access the voters’ lists presented weekends. sequent verification is a generally organisations regarding electoral Third, extensive work was initi- to the election commissions by Overall, remuneration for mem- Preparations for the elections recognised international practice observation. Particular attention is ated to inform the public about the Feb. 28. At the same time, I would bers of election commissions have started. Where will the used in all democratic countries. paid to the publication of manuals upcoming elections. As part of this like to note that preparation of the shall be effectuated in line with CEC’s work focus in the coming After completing all these veri- for all participants of the electoral work, focus will be made on civic electoral register is an ongoing the Labour code according to period? fications, we register the list ofa process and so on. Regional Economic Integration Is Key to Development Success in Central Asia and the Caucasus Multilateral Development Banks, By Dr. Shamshad Akhtar as well as the recent establish- ment of China’s Silk Road Fund As the countries of Central and the Asian Infrastructure In- Asia and the Caucasus celebrate vestment Bank, offer new vehi- the 25th anniversary of their in- cles and financing conduits for dependence, structural reform the infrastructure required for has become critical. The key to closer integration and sustainable meeting many of the challenges, development and seizing the opportunities of New momentum has also been the changing global environment generated for subregional integra- is closer regional economic inte- tion – both East and South – by gration with the rest of Asia and recent regional initiatives such the Pacific. as China’s ‘Belt and Road’, the Much has already been to support market-driven trade Republic of Korea’s ‘Eurasia Ini- achieved in the post-independ- and investment-led diversifica- tiative’, as well as discussion on ence era. Market institutions tion and integration. South Asia-Central Asia transport are generally well established, A valuable window of opportu- connectivity. All of these aim to and socio-economic progress nity now exists for the subregion advance connectivity of Central has been significant, but this is to revisit its development trajec- Asia and the Caucasus to the wid- threatened in 2016 by economic tory, and to effectively implement er Asia-Pacific region and beyond. contractions, driven by steep de- the new 2030 Agenda for Sustain- To support countries in taking clines in oil, gas and commodity able Development. These oppor- advantage of this window of op- prices, as well as by ongoing cur- tunities are driven by a number of portunity, ESCAP will host an rency depreciations. emerging dynamics. unprecedented dialogue for the The deep and complex reforms necessary to build economies ca- pable of weathering these storms Rebalancing and reviving growth and have yet to be completed. As a result, according to the latest trade, with supportive diversification analyses by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and and structural transformation, will be the Pacific (ESCAP), the econo- mies of North and Central Asia, particularly critical. excluding the Russian Federa- Enhanced political cooperation leaders of North and Central Asia tion, saw GDP growth fall to 3 to address issues of peace and on May 17 in Bangkok, as a focus percent last year, down from 5.1 security, including to counter the of its annual Commission ses- percent in 2014. This is expected threats of extremism and terror- sion. to improve only slightly in 2016, ism, as well as closer collabora- By creating a platform for all to 3.4 percent. tion to eradicate extreme poverty, leaders of the subregion to set Some countries, such as Ka- will facilitate further stabilisa- a new vision and course for re- zakhstan and Uzbekistan, have tion. gional economic cooperation and long-term diversification plans, Rebalancing and reviving integration, we aim to accelerate but commodity dependence has growth and trade, with support- coherent structural reform and increased during the last dec- ive diversification and structural economic diversification, for a ade, driven by strong demand more resilient, inclusive and sus- and high prices. The difference transformation, will be particu- tainable subregion. between commodity prices and larly critical. North and Central The author is an Under-Secre- their average production costs, Asia has the lowest share of intra- tary-General of the United Na- for instance, has increased sig- regional trade in Asia and the Pa- nificantly and remained above 30 cific – just 6.6 percent. Stronger tions and Executive Secretary of percent of GDP for the subregion regional economic integration is ESCAP. She has been the UN’s over the past 25 years. therefore imperative to better link Sherpa for the G20 and previ- Job-generating growth, and these economies to world mar- ously served as Governor of the wider prosperity in Central Asia kets and global value chains. Central Bank of Pakistan and and the Caucasus, therefore call A number of key new subre- Vice President of the MENA Re- for a renewed commitment to gional agreements and integra- gion of the World Bank. She will economic diversification, as well tion deals, in both transport and be meeting with heads of state as accelerated regional economic energy, lend greater hope for the and government, as well as senior cooperation and integration – deepening of regional connectiv- ministers across Central Asia and specifically in priority areas such ity and trade facilitation, which the Caucasus in early February to as cross-border infrastructure in are together critical to revive obtain their guidance on the para- transport, energy and ICT, as well trade growth in the short term. metres and focal areas for the ES- as for additional policy reforms Enhanced capitalisation of the CAP deliberations in May. A8 eurasia&world

Wednesday, february 10, 2016 New Kazakh Transit Route Links China to Iran Impact of Lifting By Aiman Turebekova Elsewhere, questions on the ex- port of Kazakh grain and condi- A ceremony of sending of a tions for Tajik passenger trains on demonstrational container train the territory of Kazakhstan were of Sanctions on from China to Iran through Ka- raised in Astana on Jan. 27. zakhstan was held Feb. 1 in Yiwu During the meeting, President city, the Province of Zhejiang in of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy Com- East China, reported the press of- pany Askar Mamin and head of Iran Discussed fice of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy the State Unitary Enterprise Rohi National Company (KTZ). Ohani Tojikiston Kamil Mirzoali Mayor of the town Sheng Qiup- discussed bilateral cooperation in ing, heads of China Railway Con- the field of railway transport and in Astana tainer Transport Group and Ka- logistics. After negotiations, the zakhstan Temir Zholy Company as parties signed an agreement to well as the international transport supply a wide range of products of and logistics holding TransInvest railway engineering to Tajikistan Group and other officials took part in 2016. in the event. Under the agreement, the sides The new route, opened by the containers with different types of delivery of goods, which entails will cooperate in the supply of joint efforts of the railway com- cargo with 10 days transit time. the growth of regional trade on the locomotives, turnouts and their panies of China, Kazakhstan, Transportation by rail is much Eurasian continent. repair kits and rolled wheels for Turkmenistan and Iran, is the first faster than by sea. Development of container trans- freight and passenger trains. logistics option in high-speed de- The new transport and logis- port on the international transport The Tajik delegation was briefed livery of cargo from the coast of tics infrastructure of Kazakhstan route contributes to its attraction ca- on advanced technologies, long- East China to markets of Iran. is able to reduce significantly the pacity and competitiveness as well term plans for further development The train is formed by 40-foot length of the route and the time of as the country’s transit potential. of the Kazakh railway engineering.

visits by authorities from other countries seeking to revive trade By Aiman Turebekova significant role in addressing this and political ties with Tehran. important international process. Kazakhstan-Iran Business Forum “We’re here because we want to ASTANA – The opportunities Thus, we organised two rounds take advantage of opportunities for our presented by the fact that sanc- tions on Iran are being lifted of talks between the E3/EU+3 companies. During the visit, we’ve (China, France, Germany, the spoken about how we’re all open and under the Joint Comprehensive Showcases Kazakh Interest in Iran Plan of Action (JCPOA) were Russian Federation, the United interested in expanding our capacities. A delegation led by Minister for industries. Moreover, Kazakhstan discussed at a special briefing at Kingdom and the United States, By Aiman Turebekova We’re two relatively large economies with the High Representative of Investment and Development of imports some fruit and vegetables, as in which there is still much room to the Kazakh Foreign Ministry on Kazakhstan Asset Issekeshev also well as other goods from Iran. the European Union for Foreign Kazakhstan is interested in ex- develop,” emphasised Aidarov. Jan. 28. discussed “the opening of the Eu- The Kazakh entrepreneurs are Economic counsellors at the Affairs and Security Policy) and panding bilateral trade and eco- A special attention was paid to Iran in Almaty in 2013. Interna- ro-Asian market” for both, where interested in different fields, such United States’ embassy Patrick nomic relations with Iran. The cooperation in the field of export tional experts emphasise the key “Kazakhstan can be one step as chemical and petrochemical Horn and the Delegation of the issue was raised during the Ka- of Kazakh products to Iran, such role of Kazakhstan in accelerat- whereby the Iranians may enter production, construction, agricul- European Union in Kazakhstan zakhstan-Iran business forum on as steel, building materials, pellets, ing of this process,” highlighted that market and vice versa,” vice ture, textile, electronics, transport Niall Leonard took part in the Feb. 6-8 in Tehran. grains and others. Mussinov. president for Kazakhstan’s Agency as well as finance and banking. briefing hosted by Deputy For- Some 270 Kazakh businessmen As a result of the forum, a The EU and the U.S. adopted attended the forum, including 40 for Foreign Direct Investment Al- Alageum Electric, Eurasian Foods memorandum of understanding eign Minister Askar Mussinov. the necessary legal acts to lift Baiterek Holding’s partner compa- mas Aidarov told to EFE agency. Corporation, Oil Affairs, Oxy Tex- between the Baiterek Holding and Representatives of other embas- all sanctions taken in connection nies, four so-called national busi- “We will provide Iranian companies tile and other domestic companies the National Development Fund of sies, Kazakh ministries as well with the Iranian nuclear pro- ness ‘champions’ (Alageum Electric, with any permit they need to start busi- discussed expanding export deliver- Iran was signed defining the priori- as entrepreneurs interested in gramme. Authorisation of dual- Caspian Beverage Holding, Eurasian ness in Kazakhstan,” said Issekeshev ies to the Iranian market. ties of the companies’ joint work the situation concerning Iran use goods should be granted by Food Corporation and Zhigermunay- during the forum. He also added that Since the lifting of economic in the fields of industrial and inno- came to the meeting. the competent authorities of the servis) and 500 representatives of Ira- 900 Iranian companies are active in sanctions imposed on Tehran in vative development, informational The main issue of the discus- member states where the export- nian public and private firms. different fields, mostly in chemical 2005, there have been dozens of technology and other industries. sion was a list of the sanctions er is established. to be lifted. On Jan. 16, or “Im- Iranian persons who are listed plementation Day,” legislation under terrorism or human rights in the U.S. and the EU came into violations will continue to be effect, relaxing significantly subject to restrictive measures the sanctions in place against under these regimes which are Kyrgyzstan Pays off Debt For Gas Iran. This followed the issuing outside the scope of JCPOA. well as unauthorised gas pickup considered on the intergovernmen- came an absolute owner of the assets of a report by the International Asset Issekeshev, Kazakh- By Kseniya Voronina between 2004 and 2014. tal level. In 2008, KazTransGas ap- of the Kyrgyz gas operator. Atomic Energy Agency to the stan’s Minister for Investment KazTransGas was facing the pealed to the court against Kyrgyz- After that, numerous meetings and UN Security Council, confirm- and Development is planning to The press service of the national problem of delayed payments com- Gaz, but despite the final prescript negotiations were held with the partic- ing that Iran had complied with lead a delegation of about 170 company KazTransGas recently ing from the Kyrgyz side for de- of the Specialized Inter-District ipation of KazTranGas and Gazprom its commitments under JCPOA. officials and business people on announced that Kyrgyzstan has livered gas over the past ten years. Economic Court of Astana, the debt Kyrgyzstan representatives, as a result “Against the backdrop of neg- a trade mission to Teheran on paid off its debt to Kazakhstan for The Kazakh side warned the payer hadn’t been extinguished. of which both sides finally solved the ative events in the world, this Feb. 6-8 as Kazakhstan seeks to natural gas consumed after 2004. several times by sending official let- In February 2014, the Russian gas problem. For now the Gazprom Kyr- agreement is a bright spot and a explore the opportunities for co- The total amount of $41.6 million ters of demand to redeem the debt. operator Gazprom bought 100 per- gyzstan company has no more arrear- breakthrough. I would like to un- operation in light of the chang- includes the gas supply prices, as The issue has been also repeatedly cent of shares of KyrgyzGaz and be- ages to the Kazakh side. derline that Kazakhstan played a ing environment.

increasing their expenses,” the am- bassador explained. Iran has sustained, in the long- Tumbling Oil Prices, Global Economic Uncertainty term, complicated and multi-lay- ered sanctions in different fields including military activities, nu- clear activities, civil aviation, oil, Could Draw Kazakhstan and Iran Closer banking, shipping, insurance and cause of [their] negative impact on Recently, the two countries more, said the ambassador, with By Dmitry Lee their income and also in attracting agreed to establish new direct different legal, political, economic investment for new oil projects. flights in addition to the existing and even psychological impacts. ASTANA – Headlines with the From this point of view, both Iran two weekly flights by Mahan Air With sanctions lifted, Iran is word “oil” often steal clicks these and Kazakhstan are interested in to Tehran from Almaty, the ambas- looking to a new era and will seek days, especially in oil-exporting cooperation to persuade the major sador said. to expand its non-oil sectors. Kazakhstan, as commodity prices oil producers to have coordinated “Now in the post-sanctions era, “Iran’s non-oil export has shown and its national currency are di- policies in oil markets,” he said. at the first step we have the issue noticeable growth in recent years. rectly correlated with global crude Going further, Damirchiloo of revival of the stalled or pend- The composition of Iran’s non-oil oil prices. Now, another headline- touched upon some of the areas of ing projects on the agenda and in export [has shifted] from primary making word and nation has be- cooperation between Kazakhstan the second phase, trying to define and agricultural products to more come especially important for Ka- and Iran that could be improved. and implement new ones at the bi- processed goods, particularly pet- zakhstan: Iran. Tourism is one such area. lateral and multilateral levels and rochemical and other industrial Ambassador of Iran to Kazakh- “In the case of Iran and Ka- increasing trade turnover. We do products. Iran has a major com- stan Mojtaba Damirchiloo, in an zakhstan, despite having [a] wide hope to expand our cooperation in petitive advantage in all indus- exclusive for this story, shared his variety of commonalities and high tries that rely on gas, and related Mojtaba Damirchiloo the fields of mining, agriculture, thoughts on why Iran is an impor- potential, the current level of co- agribusiness, construction, en- exports are on the rise. However, tant strategic partner for the Central put any time soon. [The] major failed to reach an agreement on operation in the field of tourism is ergy, tourism, transportation and exports in the service sector (es- Asian country, what is expected Organisation of Petroleum Ex- production curbs, sending the price not satisfactory and we have to do transit.” pecially the export of engineering from bilateral cooperation between porting Countries (OPEC), which tumbling. There is political will be- a lot,” he admitted. services) are also growing.” Iran and Kazakhstan, how his coun- controls nearly 40 percent of the hind OPEC’s indecision over a pro- Iran, with attractive natural and Key sectors that have the poten- try coped with the challenges of in- world market, and non-OPEC duction ceiling in the organisation, historical sites, is rated among the Coming out of the shadow tial to contribute more to the coun- ternational sanctions and provided producers, have different reasons and certain countries’ insistence on 10 most touristic countries in the try’s economic income and export his forecast for crude prices. to continue high output. Lower overproduction is politically moti- world, Damirchiloo said, adding of sanctions performance are “gas-based indus- On the latter, Damirchiloo ad- growth, coupled with lower need vated. In this regard, the necessity that “Iran could be an attractive “Iran, during the last three tries [like] petrochemicals, cement, mitted that no oil-dependent coun- for oil, is not going to exceed sup- of cooperation and coordination destination for Kazakhs, as it was decades, has been under severe steel and the power generation try would benefit from falling oil ply for a long period of time. Thus between the exporting and con- for the more than 6 million tourists sanctions, beginning from the sector; agricultural and industrial prices. the oil price is not going to rise suming countries in order to have that visited Iran last year.” time of the triumph of the Is- food products, especially Iranian “Current oil prices harm all anytime soon.” a balanced market, in which con- “We can say the same for Ka- lamic revolution in 1979, which pistachios, fruits [and] fisheries; producers, including Iran and Ka- The ambassador explained that tinued supply and demand will be zakhstan. Kazakhstan could be resulted in the collapse of the and high-tech based industries in- zakhstan. The oil price has fallen overproduction by “some OPEC secured, is inevitable.” [an] attractive place for Iranians. authoritarian political system cluding medicine, transit, tourism by more than four times since June and non-OPEC producers” by 2.5 According to the ambassador, Tourism can play an important in Iran and the establishment and handicrafts, especially Iranian 2014, when it was $115 a barrel. It million per day has caused an ex- the current situation will draw Ka- role in Iran-Kazakhstan relations. of a democratic political sys- carpets.” Iran is also focusing on is now [around] $30. This comes cess in the oil market. zakhstan and Iran closer. Of course, it requires some pre- tem based on Islamic values,” renewable energy, which, in the after nearly five years of stability,” “Historically, OPEC would in- “[Neither Iran nor Kazakhstan], conditions, including introducing Damirchiloo said. context of the EXPO 2017 expo- he said, referring to the early Feb- tervene to strike a balance between as oil producers, [are] happy with the tourism potential, facilitating However “the experience of sition, draws another parallel be- ruary crude prices. supply and demand when there was the existing prices, which will connectivity, visa regime simpli- sanctions proves that they have not tween the two countries. “The major oil producers have excess oil in the market. At the lat- harm oil production in the long fication, et cetera. Regarding a reached their goals, because there On Feb. 11, Iran will celebrate done nothing to cut production est meetings of OPEC, Iran asked term. Both Iran and Kazakhstan, visa-free regime, Iran is ready to are numerous ways to deter them. its national day with events since October 2014, and they are members to reduce production as the main oil producers, are suf- consider it on mutual agreement,” Of course, they create problems, around the world and in the Ka- unlikely to consider cutting out- and respect the ceiling, but OPEC fering from falling oil prices be- he stressed. especially for ordinary people, by zakh capital. B Nation&Capital

Wednesday, february 10, 2016

People country Sports Story of 13-Year-Old Kazakh New Law Allows Foreign Team Kazakhstan Reaches Quarter Eagle Huntress Shown at Agricultural Businesses to Lease Final in Futsal Euro Debut Sundance Film Festival B2 Kazakh Land for 25 Years B4 B7 ‘I Found My Soul in Photography,’ Says Andrey Kim, High-Flying Wedding Photographer

By Zhazira Dyussembekova United Arab Emirates and Europe. those beautiful moments. And he bio describes him as photographer, myself video camera and I liked tography in Kazakhstan. That was “During a wedding photoshoot, has to switch quickly between the sensei, CrossFit lover and travel- it. Then photo art became trendy when people started inviting me ASTANA – A wedding day is the photographer is limited with actions,” said the extremely char- ler, which shows him as a person and cameras were more affordable more and more as a photographer. one of the most important days in the outfits, he has to work in any ismatic photographer in a recent with wide range of interests and and I bought myself my first photo I started growing professionally,” lives of most of people. Memories weather conditions, and also he interview for this story. experience. During his seven-year camera. In the beginning it was for he added. connected to that day depend on has to face difficult situations, “My goal is to create memories professional career he was a pho- fun. I remember taking pictures of “I always liked creating some- the hidden professional – a wed- such as when newlyweds quar- that will please even after 50 years. tographer at 210 weddings. almost everything. At that time I thing. Well, I cannot dance, sing or ding photographer. Andrey Kim is rel, so he has to make peace. And In my work, even the most shy and Kim was born in Karaganda and had not considered photography as draw. But I found myself and my one of the most highly-paid, recog- the main thing is that this day and closed people will appear as happy started his journey as a photog- a source of income,” he said. soul in photography,” said Kim. nised and recommended photogra- event never can be repeated again. and sincere with the real emotions rapher while studying in a local Kim and his friends used to par- During this period, he was still a phers in Kazakhstan. Locations of Every bride is glowing on that spe- that they are experiencing on this medical university. ty a lot and he started taking pic- student and his hobby supported his wedding shoots go far beyond cial day and so are parents. Eve- day,” he said, according to his “Photography came into my tures in the places where they used him financially for the last three borders of the state. They include ryone has a special magical mood. website. life back in 2007 when I was in to have a good time. “I think we years of studying. Thailand, Sri Lanka, Turkey, the The photographer has to catch all In the social networks, Kim’s the United States. First, I bought stood at the cradle of the club pho- Continued on Page B2 Astana Debate Community Face Off Against Photosafari Photographers World’s Best, Hope for More Support Document Wild and the University of Macedonia By Zhanna Shayakhmetova in Thessaloniki. There were about 400 teams and 400 judges from ASTANA – The Astana Debate Kazakhstan, Hope to Help about 100 countries at the event, Community has earned respect in including eight participants from Central Asia for its achievements Kazakhstan: two speakers from in argument, with speakers de- KIMEP University and six speak- Visitors do the Same fending the honour of Kazakhstan ers from Nazarbayev University. Karatau Mountains, sunflower fields in many global competitions over “Magzhan Sovetbek was select- By Zhanna Shayakhmetova that evoke Van Gogh on the way to the past few years. ed by the organising committee as Altai and the stunning Martian land- Representatives of the Astana an independent adjudicator due to ASTANA – Undiscovered Ka- scape of Mangistau, serve to debunk Debate Community spoke with The his successfully passing the adju- zakhstan, an exhibition created by the misconception that Kazakhstan is Astana Times about their experience dicators’ test. Nazarbayev Univer- Photosafari Group photographers, all steppe. and the need to raise the level of de- sity has become the first Kazakh was presented in South Korea in Managers of the project Kon- bate in Kazakhstan to the standards university to be represented by December with the support of the stantin Kikvidze and Katherine of the world’s top universities. two teams and an institution judge Foundation of the First President of Koshko spoke for this story about Serik Iklassov, the debate so- due to last year’s achievement in Kazakhstan. The display of 40 im- their passion for night photogra- ciety coordinator, monitors the Malaysia, in the previous world ages taken all over Kazakhstan in phy and plans for developing do- activities of local clubs and ar- mestic tourism in Kazakhstan. contest, when Inkar Aitkuzhina From left: Ruslan Kiimbayev, Inkar Aitkuzhina, Magzhan Sovetbek, Madina 2014 and 2015 highlights the coun- ranges the contest schedule. He and Madina Kabdualiyeva got to Kabdualiyeva, Azat Gabdolla, Aslan Sataibekov and Ravkat Mukhtarov. try’s most beautiful, diverse places. “The project was launched five said that Astana’s team took part the semifinal in the English as a years ago and since then we have said. “This year, our two teams got finals this year, Iklassov says the Exhibitions have also been held in in the World Universities Debat- Foreign Language category. It was Russia, Georgia, Italy, Hungary and visited almost all regions of the to the top 25 teams in this catego- results of the last two years prove ing Championship (WUDC) for the first time representatives from China, and have received significant country. Our cooperation started ry, but unfortunately, they did not with a photographers’ community the first time three years ago. This Kazakhstan and Central Asia made that the general level of debating attention and drawn large audiences. on the Internet.…The first pho- year, the 36th WUDC was held by it to the break rounds [semifinals] break into the semi-finals.” in Astana has been raised. The powerful images, revealing tography expedition took place in the Debating Society of Greece of such a huge event,” Iklassov Despite not making the semi- Continued on Page B5 among other scenes a camel caravan 2006, when we went to the Altyn in winter, the Milky Way above the Yemel National Park. steppe, the scenery around salty Lake Chairman of Georgian Ethno-Cultural Tuzkol, wild pistachio trees around the Continued on Page B6 Things to Watch & Association: Georgians Places to go radisson hotel Chose Kazakhstan as Home February 13 at 12 p.m. Int’l Educational Exhibition tau, Almaty, Atyrau, Karaganda By Dmitry Lee and Taraz, according to the As- sembly of People of Kazakhstan Astana Opera ASTANA – The fates and paths (APK). The local group keeps February 13 at 6 p.m. Evening of Piano Music of different ethnic groups living in touch with the Georgian Em- February 14 at 6 p.m. Roden, Ballet in Kazakhstan crisscrossed the bassy in the capital, the chair- steppes for numerous reasons – man stressed, which provides February 14 at 6 p.m. Aida, Opera most were deported and repressed literature in the native language under the Stalinist regime. Geor- and national costumes for con- congress hall gians, however, made the country certs for Sunday school children their home by choice rather than under the auspices of the State February 13 at 7:00 p.m. Symphony Music, Concert by necessity. Ministry on Diaspora Issues of “There have never been mass Georgia. Sary Arka Bridge migrations of Georgians, as op- Apkhazava, who moved to the posed to other ethnic groups,” city in 1983 and decided to stay February 14 at 12 p.m. Canine Winter Contest for All Dogs said Astana’s “Kolkheti” and study, established the associa- Georgian Ethno-Cultural As- tion in 2007 to become an active Alau Ice Palace sociation Chairman Yelgudja Yelgudja Apkhazava part of Kazakhstan’s multi-ethnic Apkhazava in an exclusive in- society. The country’s upcoming February 14 at 9 p.m. Love Party for Valentine’s Day zakh hospitality, one of the traits 200 people in Astana, no more,” terview for this story. Day of Gratitude is one of the ac- “Georgians migrated to Ka- that Georgians are also known he added. tivities in which the association is zakhstan individually when they for, influenced their moving deci- The association, with 16 mem- engaged. wanted to do so. Perhaps the Ka- sions. Currently, there are about bers, has similar branches in Ak- Continued on Page B2 B2 Nation&Capital people

Wednesday, february 10, 2016 Story of 13-Year-Old Kazakh Eagle Huntress New Parasat Technology Shown at Sundance Film Festival Centre Head Brings MIT Degree, Oil Industry Experience By Lyazzat Krymbekova

ASTANA – Kanysh Satpayev Kazakh National Research Tech- nical University announced Jan. 20 the appointment of Dastan Kozhabekov as Chairman of the Management Committee of the Parasat National Science and Technology Centre. Commenting on this appoint- ment, Iskander Beisembetov, rector of the university, said: “The President of Kazakhstan and the country’s legislature have created all the necessary conditions for successful com- mercialisation of scientific re- search. At the same time, it is important to re-address the Dastan Kozhabekov mechanisms of business and sci- entific institutions integration to ternships at Georgetown Univer- By Georg R. Vassilenko on her Instagram webpage. The 2014. She became popular world- cestors to the seventh generation provide better support for com- sity (Washington, USA) and Cam- premiere was held at the American wide after winning a major eagle were involved in this lifestyle. In a mercialisation projects. It is im- bridge University (UK), as well as ASTANA – A documentary film Sundance Film Festival. Photos of hunting competition a few years family of four children, only Nur- portant to ensure the funds are at Enbridge (Canada). “Berkutchi” (Eagle Huntress) was the young eagle huntress have been ago, becoming the youngest partici- gaiypkyzy showed great interest spent as intended and to build a He started his career as a de- produced about a famous Kazakh widespread in social networks. pant. That is when nearly all foreign and became the eagle huntress. platform to attract foreign inves- sign engineer, and, since 1997, girl eagle huntress from Mongolia, It is known that the 13-year-old media, including the BBC and CNN “Nurgaiypkyzy’s story im- tors, which will stimulate the de- has worked in a number of top- Tengrinews.kz reported Jan. 26. eagle huntress is an ethnic Kazakh became interested in her. pressed me so much that I wanted velopment of the local science.” level management positions at The producer of the picture is who lives in Mongolia. According The film tells the story of the girl to be a part of this movie. I think According to Beisembetov, “the KazakhOil, KazTransOil, Ka- Daisy Ridley, an actress who has to Radio Azattyk, Nurgaiypkyzy and her love for golden eagles. Ac- that the story of this girl will be principles of commercialisation zPetroMac, and KING. From become famous for her role in the lives in the Altantsug area of the cording to the film, for centuries able to inspire many people around need to be reassessed not only to 2008 to 2014, he was deputy gen- film “Star Wars: The Force Awak- Bayan-Ulgi District in Mongolia. this has been a men-only business. the world. I am proud to have tak- provide direct financial support eral director of the Astana-based ens.” She has published photos of For the first time, materials on Nur- It is known that Nurgaiypkyzy’s en part in this project,” said Ridley for innovative projects, but also Kazakh Institute of Oil and Gas the young Aisholpan Nurgaiyp- gaiypkyzy were published in several father is a well-known eagle hunt- in an interview with the publica- to guarantee the economic effect and in 2014-2015; he worked as kyzy from the Jan. 24 premiere British publications in the spring of er in Mongolia as well. His an- tion Deadline. from the investments and to fos- its general director. ter the creation of R&D-intensive The Parasat Centre was founded technologies locally that will im- by the Government of Kazakhstan prove the efficiency of the local in December 2014. It comprises industries.” the following organisations within Chairman of Georgian Ethno-Cultural Association: “I am confident that many years its three main areas of operations: of work experience in the R&D Research and Development: a) sector that Dastan Kozhabekov the International Scientific and In- Georgians Chose Kazakhstan as Home possesses together with the exper- dustrial Holding Phytochemistry, tise acquired during his studies in JSC; and b) Altay Geology and Continued from Page B1 drawings, souvenirs, handmade deep roots in Kazakhstan prevailed feel as an alien but feel the atten- Massachusetts Institute of Tech- Ecology Institute, JSC; gifts and crafts inside.” in his identity as a citizen. tion of the people, their support, nology (MIT) will allow him to Commercialisation and R&D “We are currently preparing for The chairman noted Kazakh “My children were raised here; and I am happy to be living here. fully achieve all the goals at the Support: a) Parasat Joint Stock the new celebration on March 1, business is widely represented in I am used to this country. Some- This is my favourite toast when Parasat Centre,” he said. Investment Fund for Risky Invest- the Day of Gratitude, where all Georgia. times I go to visit my relatives in we meet with friends – to this Kozhabekov, 49, graduated from ments, JSC and b) the Centre for ethno-cultural associations will “There are many financial inter- Georgia and after 10-15 days I am land, to our President Nursultan the Almaty Institute of Architec- Innovative Technologies and In- present their cultural heritage. We actions between representatives homesick. I want to go back to Ka- Nazarbayev, who manages de- ture and Construction, Industrial dustrial Engineering, JSC; will cook our national dishes, wear of Kazakhstan’s business at the zakhstan,” he said. spite the global tensions to keep and Civil Construction Depart- Commercialisation and Technol- costumes and portray Sakhi, little Batumi port, dealing mostly with Asked what draws him to return, peaceful skies over our heads. ment with a degree in construc- ogy Adoption: a) Kazakh-Belarus Georgian national houses which grain and other general products. he admitted “close friends.” The small inconveniences we are tion engineering. He received Joint Venture “Holography Ka- were constructed with the help Recently a hotel was built in the “I am treated well by people. facing today, they are temporary; his MBA degree (Innovation and zakh-Bel”, LLP; and b) the Educa- of the Astana city administration. resort town of Borjomi,” he said. I also work on the railroad and I everything will be fine soon. I am Global Leadership Programme) tion and Scientific Center for Pilot These houses will have Georgian Apkhazava added he feels his feel like I was born here. I don’t sure of it,” he said. from MIT. He also completed in- Production of Aquaculture, LLP. ‘I Found My Soul in Photography,’ Says Andrey Kim, High-Flying Wedding Photographer Continued from Page B1 highly-paid professionals in the traits and co-founder of the biggest Forum of Wedding Photographers, industry. Now his services for photo studio in the city named Stu- which has been held for years. At the age of 23, Kim started tak- a wedding cost 930,000 tenge dio 40A, which offers professional According to him, the secret ing photos at weddings. “At that (US$2,547). The price only for photoshoots, including popular of success is about working and time, the price for a wedding pho- pre-banquet shoot is 360,000 tenge nowadays family photoshoots and working and amateur becomes tographer for one day was around (US$986). And also there is the a photography school for begin- professional after 10,000 hours of 30,000 tenge (US$82.17) and they most expensive package for new- ners. work. did nothing interesting in my opin- lyweds with the price of 1.64 mil- Also, he is planning to launch “The main difference between a ion. Also, I had an ambiguous at- lion tenge (US$4,492). Food Studio, which mainly will professional and non-professional titude to wedding photography “There is no justification for present different restaurants’ ser- wedding photographer is that the mainly due to the old-fashioned such a price. All I can say is that vices using photo and video con- professional guarantees the result photos or impression that most of I guarantee that no matter what tent for the clients. despite everything,” he added. them wore awkward vests. I start- happens I will give high-quality Since 2011, Kim started his own Last year, Kim went to Nepal. ed looking at what Western profes- product. I had many different master classes for wedding pho- Being fascinated by its beauty he sionals did. And I have to say they situations at the weddings, where tographers to share his knowledge and his friends organised a Nepal did really great. A photographer a lot of specialists would give up. and experience with others, and he Appeal charity exhibition in Asta- from Germany came to our city Like situations when brides had organises master classes with for- na, Karaganda and Almaty out of and I spent my first earned mon- nervous breakdowns. But I had to eign specialists. He truly believes photos collected during their 16- ey to visit his master class,” said deal with it. And everything hap- that photography needs be devel- day trekking. All raised funds went Kim, adding that he realised that if pens very fast at weddings,” said oped within the country. He is one to help victims of the devastating he were to become a wedding pho- Kim. Also, he emphasised that of the organisers of Kazakhstan’s earthquake in Nepal in April 2015. tographer, he had to be one of the it is probably the most stressful best. “I wanted to raise the bar and event in life. to set new standards for Kazakh- Now he has a whole team work- stan, bring international standards ing with him at weddings. here.” “I can say that I make the best For a few years, photography photobooks in Kazakhstan. And I remained Kim’s part-time job. Af- am sure that I provide only the best ter graduating university, he has services. In order to stay the best worked as an emergency trauma now we shoot only 2-3 weddings surgeon at the National Research per month, because we prefer to Centre for Emergency Care for two highly concentrate on the actual years. But the spirit of adventurer shooting. We meet with couples, gave him no peace. He wanted to he said. At that time, he already his wife. Since then, he has been discuss the shooting, look for the travel. Yet, the schedule and finan- has been having orders for around in and out of the country. With his best locations,” said the photogra- cial support of his job did not let 40 weddings in a year. family, they have visited around pher. him to pursue his dream. “Life of After he quit his hospital job, he 16 countries, and in every country Kim also is a founder of Busi- a photographer is freer than life of opened an office in Astana and left Kim did photo sessions. ness Photo Studio in Astana that the doctor. And I had to choose,” for three month to Thailand with Today, Kim is one of the most offers high-quality business por- B3 Nation&Capital Culture

Wednesday, february 10, 2016 Emerging Kazakh, Silk Road Musical Talents Being Discovered Internationally was asked to play drums. Arenov was comprised of 35 tracks com- Nicholson and producer/drum- By Kamila Zhumabayeva quickly perfected the instrument posed by academy students. The mer Rohan Ramanna met at the and played for a long time. album included “Tokyo Sunrise” latter’s music studio in 2014 and “A graphic designer by trade, he written by Arenov and Pakistani have since been writing and per- ASTANA – CNN.com, an began playing the drums at 14 and musician Talha Asim Wynne forming together, noted the article. American news network, pub- soon started bedroom composing,” (stage name Tollcrane), according “Their stunning debut EP ‘For lished a list Jan. 27 of the emerg- wrote Eastaugh. “In 2014, he was to Red Bull Kazakhstan. What’ was released in 2014 and ing music artists of the modern selected for Tokyo’s Red Bull Music “Almaty might not have the big- last year the duo brought their Silk Road countries. It featured Academy, where organisers hailed gest electronic music scene, but haunting vocals and electronic Azerbaijani jazz singer from Tur- key Sanam Abdolazimzadeh, Chi- him as ‘a master of spaced-out dis- we know that Arenov is definitely soundscapes to the UK, playing nese-American producer, musician co.’ Yet his Kazakh influences are one of its best and brightest,” not- live shows in London, Glasgow and DJ Jeff Liang, Mumbai-based still prominent – several of his tracks ed Eastaugh. and Brighton,” it added. singer and songwriter Sohrab Ni- feature the dombra, a traditional Ka- Abdolazimzadeh records mu- Desert Heat brothers Salim and cholson, Desert Heat, a rap band zakh string instrument.” sic in Istanbul and sings in both Abdullah Ali Dahman, who go from UAE, and Kazakh bedroom Red Bull Music Academy the Turkish and Azerbaijani lan- by the rap names Illmiyah and composer Arys Arenov. (RBMA) wrote, “Arenov makes guages. Before moving to Istan- Arableak, favour a more positive “CNN set out to find the sounds music with a distinctly Central bul to pursue her career, she per- message opposed to the typical of the modern Silk Road, from express-k.kz Photo credit: Asian twist.” formed as an underground jazz and hip-hop genre treatise on drugs, Look.tm, a fashion website, also blues singer because women were violence and swearing. Illmiyah east to west discovering the artists slow breath of camels and rush of astrophysicist, he learned to play whose talent will soon be crossing described his style. banned from singing in her native released “Stereotyped,” his first the desert wind,” she wrote. “To- drums instead. “Imagine cosmic disco scrolled Iran, according to the article. solo album, in December. borders. We asked music experts day’s Silk Road travellers may “There is a cool lyceum school across The Silk Road to name an through a tape recorder with the Now based in Beijing, Liang grew “[They use hip-hop to] give a go by plane, truck or bicycle, but for space study where I studied emerging talent from each coun- added background sound of an up in Los Angeles, where his musi- voice to the youth of the Middle try,” highlighted the article. there’s a good chance they’ve got from grade six to nine; not so long, oriental bazaar. Shifting the love cal career led him to produce for the East,” wrote Eastaugh. Journalist Sophie Eastaugh not- music to stimulate their senses not much, but it was a very ac- for progressive and psychedelic American rapper and actor known The CNN feature “The Silk ed the evolution of the new per- along the adventure.” tive and captivating period,” said rock into his music, Arenov simul- professionally as Snoop Dogg (Cal- Road: Past, Present, Future” trav- formers. Arenov hails from Almaty, Ka- Arenov in an interview early last taneously gravitates to soft tunes, vin Cordozar Broadus, Jr.) els east to west along the ancient “When plucky traders trekked zakhstan’s largest city, according year, according to Vlast.kz. which imparts a big emotionality “Liang has just released his first trade route, exploring how tradi- the silk route hundreds of years to the network. Although he spent He later transferred to linguis- to his work,” it wrote. solo album ‘Flux,’ a skittering tional culture, arts, and trade have ago, the only sounds to accompa- his entire childhood dreaming tic school and joined a vocal and RBMA’s final compilation, re- journey through soulful electroni- developed in the 21st century. This ny them were the thud of hooves, about becoming an astronaut or instrumental ensemble where he leased in Tokyo in January 2015, ca and hip hop,” wrote Eastaugh. month it visits Scandinavia.

Georgia and begin performing there in March, the website reported. Kazakh Specialists Seminars, workshops and lec- Theatrical Festival Showcases tures of foreign experts and observ- ers from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Restore Ancient Armenia and Lithuania for prac- ticing theatrical specialists will be Seven Plays from 2015 held this year as part of the festival, indeed socially responsible compa- tion of Ada Falcon’s biography – Tengrinews reported. Artefacts Dated from By Kamila Zhumabayeva nies of the lovely Almaty. Thanks “Lyubovnica” (Mistress), Raziya International, festival and tour- to this, the festival continues to Khassanova’s independent theat- ing activity, theatrical producing, ASTANA – International Per- live. We are continuing to support rical project) and more, the news art management, working with an Third Century B.C. forming Arts Festival Otkrovenie the development of contemporary agency reported. audience and all the new trends in Staff Report Specialists had to develop spe- (Revelation) showed seven vivid theatre, which is the most impor- Sultanova said the arrival of contemporary theatre were among cial chemical solutions to restore plays of the past year Feb. 1-7 in tant,” she noted, according Ten- award-winning and internationally- the topics for this year. Artefacts dating from the third the findings. They help to recover Almaty, according to a Jan. 27 grinews agency. acclaimed physical theatre Gecko According to the agency, a series century B.C. have been restored materials made from wood and news report by the Tengrinews Viewers could see the most in- on tour to Kazakhstan means a lot of performances by Kazakh artists over 16 years by specialists un- cloth. agency. teresting performances of inde- for the country’s image. in collaboration with actors dedi- der the supervision of art restorer “Organic matter is very fragile, “A theatre is a living thing, not pendent and state theatres of Ka- “The arrival of Gecko to Kazakh- cated to the artistic reflection of the Krym Altynbekov, reported Ka- delicate, exposed to rapid destruc- similar to any other type of art. zakhstan of the 2014-2015 season stan is not only a compliment for city and thought about Almaty - the zpravda.kz, citing MIR 24 TV tion because it is loved by bacteria. It amazingly incorporates all the during the festival. the country, but also a tremendous “Kal Kalai?” (How are you?) pro- channel on Jan. 25. They eat chemical inclusions that surrounding reality. ‘Revelation’ Among them are tragedies like exchange of experience for actors, gramme was also held as part of the Artefacts, including a fox fur are present in the soil. In the pres- is that fragile dialogue which oc- “Odnoklassniki” (Classmates,) directors and theatrical producers Revelation festival. coat, hat and stockings of a Saka ence of moisture and heat, the tem- curs between a viewer and an “Sobaka” (Dog) and “Romeo of Kazakhstan,” Sultanova men- “We decided to unite Kazakh art- perature begins to rise and the de- actor throughout the whole per- and Juliet” (Zhas Sahna theatre, tioned, according to Buro 24/7. ists and theatres. Artists use actors stroying chemical process starts,” formance,” said Director of the Mikhail Lermontov State Rus- According to her, the theatre’s like ‘paint’ within the project,” said said the head of restoration labora- festival and Theatrical Producer sian Academic Drama Theatre and “Institute” performance was not Director of the Arbatfest Festival tory Altynbekov. Olga Sultanova, according to the Olga Veselova, Tengrinews wrote. More than 400 small crafts and news agency. “They [artists] become a bit of jewellery were returned their lost This year’s festival was held theatre directors and use actors in appearance. Restorers will pass without government support. order to convey their thoughts and all these findings to the museums “It would be great if our society artistic statement. This translates of Kazakhstan soon. For exam- came to realise that financing cul- into a performance genre.” ple, the decorations on the sad- ture is simply necessary; it could Otkrovenie is the only festival in dle, which are mythical animals become a long term investment Kazakhstan that engages in devel- in the form of leather and wood that could transform itself into an oping contemporary theatre as well elements, now can be seen only enormous educational and enlight- as supporting independent theatres Krym Altynbekov with a magnifying glass, as only ening role,” stressed Sultanova in and theatrical projects in Almaty. small fragments of the drawings interview with Buro 24/7 internet In 2016, the festival entered the has remained. project. “If we are to invest in it, international theatrical market, rider, were found at excavations “There’s a special processing our theatrical venues will become gained plenty of innovation and ex- in different regions of Kazakhstan technique – colourful felting and far better and competitive.” Photo: Buro247.kz panded its boundaries to all kinds and were very fragile to work with. edges are embroidered. This tech- According to her, without state of performing arts, according to Scientists found some of them in nology is still used in the Kazakh support and considering the dif- DER theatrical studio,) dramas shown anywhere else except for the news agency. The main goal the mud of one of the mounds 16 villages. This culture is directly ficult economic situation, it was “Tolstaya Tetrad” (A Thick Note- London and Edinburgh and after its of the festival remained the same, years ago. They looked like clods linked to our modern culture, very difficult to make the festival book) and “Institute” (Artishok ex- premiere in Almaty organised with which is forming and upbringing of earth when they were brought to which survived only in rural ar- this year. perimental theatre, Gecko British support from British Council Ka- a younger generation of theatrical Almaty. eas,” said Altynbekov. “It helped us a lot that there are physical theatre), tango interpreta- zakhstan, Gecko will go on tour to audiences. B4 Nation&Capital country

Wednesday, february 10, 2016 Over 3,000 Saiga Horns Seized in 2015 By Dmitry Lee In three years, the total damage mitted in the specially protected was 1.1 billion tenge ($2.9 million) natural areas, as well as by a crimi- ASTANA – According to Chair- or 310 shooting cases of saiga. nal group,” Baibolov explained. man of Committee of Administra- On top of that, the Kazakh For- tive Police of the Ministry of Inter- The damage from eign Ministry, jointly with the Chi- nal Affairs of Kazakhstan Maksat nese authorities, needs to establish Baibolov, the damage from the the poachers in 2015 a communication bridge to prevent poachers in 2015 totalled 618 mil- totalled 618 million smuggling of saiga horns, Bai- lion tenge (approximately US$1.6 bolov said. million), Interfax Kazakhstan re- tenge (approximately There are three types of saiga ported. US$1.6 million). antelopes in Kazakhstan: Betpak The figure exceeded that of 2014 Dala, Ural and the least numerous twice, Baibolov noted. In total, The ministry has proposed to re- from Ustyurt. As a result of public 123 men people were indicted, view a number of laws in the Crim- accounting of the saiga in 2014, seven were imprisoned, while inal Code to help fight poaching. their number was over 300,000. the rest were fined and faced mi- “For instance, today Article 339 However, according to experts, nor charges. Meanwhile, 20 cases does not provide for such circum- more than half of that number was were closed as perpetrators were stances as repeated crime, causing reduced due to the pasteurellosis not identified. significant or major damage, com- outbreaks in the spring of 2015. New Semey Store KazISS among Top Three Accepts Payments Think Tanks in Central Asia By Aiman Turebekova nerships by engaging and mobilis- ing think tanks that have demon- ASTANA – The Kazakhstan strated their ability to produce high in the Form of Institute for Strategic Studies un- quality policy research and shape der the President of the Republic popular and elite opinion and ac- of Kazakhstan (KazISS) has been tions for public good. The pool of nominated in four categories of scholars and practitioners includes ‘Thank You’ the Global Go To Think Tank In- 6,846 of the world’s leading think there would find them very useful. dex Report 2015 conducted by the By Georg R. Vassilenko tanks in a variety of categories. We are now able to bring them to University of Pennsylvania. KazISS is among the top 100 the store, and here someone might The Think Tanks and Civil Soci- ASTANA – A new store has in terms of security, defence and come and, so to speak, buy it for a eties Programme (TTCSP) works opened in Semey where certain international affairs analysis. For ‘thank you’,” said Deputy Mayor with leading scholars and practi- customers don’t need money to the first time, the KazISS has been of Semey Nadezhda Sharova. tioners from think tanks and uni- make a purchase. ranked 57th among the best gov- In total, the city plans to open versities in a variety of collabora- ernment-affiliated think tanks. In The store called “All for three such shops. Here, at no tive efforts and programmes and the Central Asian regional rank- Thanks” allows residents of Se- charge, a variety of things will be produces the annual Global Go To ing, the KazISS retains its posi- mey to purchase items simply by accepted from citizens, ranging Think Tank Index that ranks the tion among the top three and it is lications of which are being cited Since its foundation, the mission saying the words, “thank you,” from children’s clothes to consum- world’s leading think tanks in a ranked 33rd in energy and raw ma- abroad more frequently. The lead- of the KazISS as the national re- reported Tengrinews.kz on Jan. er items. However, this does not variety of categories. terials analysis. ing think tank of Kazakhstan was search institution is to provide ana- 23. The opportunity to get things mean everything will be accepted. TTCSP’s goal is to create lasting These results illustrate the in- established on June 16, 1993, by lytical support to the President of for free is available only to cer- The organisers are going to choose institutional and state-level part- creasing role of KazISS, the pub- decree of the Kazakh President. the Republic of Kazakhstan. tain categories of people – people things that can really be useful to with low income, large families buyers. and orphans. Semey’s public or- “The items must be very clean. ganisations, enjoying the direct We will also look after hygiene support of the local akimat (city in things. We will be accepting administration), are the initiators old and new things that are out National Bank to Remain in Almaty, of the opening of this unique com- of fashion. Both children’s and mercial facility. adult clothing and shoes. Per- “We were supported by entrepre- haps, vendors will give us some neurs, the Association of Business of their merchandise from their Plans for Relocation to Astana Cancelled Women, Public Association Istok, stores for free,” shared Chairman Bank responded to a recent inquiry a decree on Dec. 25, 2015, remov- The National Bank was established Family Centre and Women of Edu- of the Association of Business Staff Report from Kapital.kz, however, that Pres- ing the requirement for the National on April 13, 1993 with the reorganisa- cation Funds. Each of us surely Women in Semey Ainur Argyn- ident Nursultan Nazarbayev signed Bank to relocate to Astana. tion of the Soviet Kazakh Republic’s owns things that we do not need, bekova. “Just ‘thank you’ is all it The Kazakh President recently bank. It is the central bank of Ka- that are just laying around with no takes to not make the people feel halted plans to relocate the coun- zakhstan and presents the first tier of humiliated.” use. At the same time, someone out try’s National Bank from Almaty the state’s banking system. All other to Astana. The government had banks present the second tier of the planned to move the bank in 2017. banking system, except for Kazakh- “In two years, we are preparing stan Development Bank, which has a to relocate the infrastructure and peculiar legal status. the head office to Astana. None- The National Bank is account- theless, Almaty remains a major able to the Kazakh President and financial centre. I think, two ma- represents the interests of the state jor cities will mutually compli- in relations with central banks, ment each other in Kazakhstan’s banks of other states, international financial development,” the then banks and other financial organisa- National Bank Chairman Kairat tions and coordinates its activity Kelimbetov said at the Astana with the Kazakhstan government. Economic Forum in June, accord- It remains the only central state ing to Tengrinews.kz. body in Kazakhstan to be located

Photo credit: imhomir.com Photo credit: The press service of the National Photo: Kapital.kz outside of Astana. New Law Allows Foreign Agricultural Businesses to Lease Kazakh Land for 25 Years Rifa Holding Group will invest recently signed an agreement velop a cluster of tomato-growing By Dmitry Lee in the construction of the East Ka- with Baiterek National Holding and tomato paste production facili- zakhstan region meat processing to implement investment projects ties in Kyzylorda, East Kazakh- ASTANA – Kazakh authorities plant. The facility will have an an- in the agricultural sector. The stan and West Kazakhstan regions. recently amended the agricultural nual capacity of 17,000 tonnes of corporation intends to finance The projects are worth more than sector legislation, allowing the lamb and beef feedlots, while si- the construction of broiler poul- $80 million in the areas of tomato country to prolong land leases, multaneously feeding 50,000 head try farm feedlots on an industrial cultivation and products. Due to facilitate tax administration and of sheep and goats and 1,000 head scale. the joint projects, there are plans provide investment preferences for of cattle. Working jointly with Total Im- to increase tomato production to foreign investors, reported LS, the In total, 80 percent of the com- pex in the North Kazakhstan re- 120,000 tonnes. local web portal. panies will be focused on export- gion, AIJIU, the Chinese industrial Oriental Patron, a financial The land lease term for foreign ing to China. The total project group, is advancing an oil and ce- group from Hong Kong, and a companies has increased from cost is estimated at 7.9 billion reals deep processing investment partner intend to invest approxi- 10 to 25 years, according to the tenge (US$21.5 million), with Rifa project worth $58 million. The mately $500 million to develop the Ministry of Agriculture. The Ag- Holding Group’s share amounting yearly capacity of the plant is Kazakh company Kazexportastyk. ribusiness 2020 programme will to 49 percent. The company also 200,000 tonnes each of flour and The funds will be used to develop subsidise investments at the rate intends to cooperate with a num- fodder and 80,000 tonnes of veg- the deep processing of agricultural of 30-80 percent in priority areas. in Kazakhstan for processing agri- The Ministry of Agriculture is ber of Kazakh companies in beef etable oil. products for further promotion in The volume of investments in the cultural products (meat, oil, grains working to attract Chinese com- production. Producing and processing Ka- the Chinese market. agricultural sector in 2015 was 167 and tomato processing plants) and panies to Kazakhstan, in particular CITIC, one of the leading in- zakh tomatoes has become a prior- The Ministry of Agriculture will billion tenge (US$457 million). establishing feedlots, with further such large multinational corpora- vestment corporations in China, ity for COFCO. The company is sign a joint action plan with the “Chinese companies are inter- promotion of the Kazakh products tions as Rifa Holding Group, CIT- is interested in investing in the seeking cooperation with Eurasia Chinese companies to implement ested in establishing joint ventures for export,” noted the ministry. IC, AIJIU and COFCO. livestock sector. The company Agro to invest in projects to de- the projects. B5 Nation&Capital SOCIETY

Wednesday, february 10, 2016 Pavlodar’s New Landmark: Disabled Citizens Should Be Giant Robots Represented in Legislative By Julia Rutz Iron giants created by a group Bodies, Say NGOs of car mechanics are now guard- ing one of Pavlodar’s auto repair By Talgat Issenov shops. The idea to creatively con- vert waste parts into robots came A number of representatives of to garage owner Andrey Sukhon- different Kazakh non-governmen- osenko, reported Tengrinews.kz. tal organisations (NGOs) for the “This happened spontaneously. rights of persons with disabilities We tried making small iron fig- recently announced their willing- ures, such as hedgehogs, dogs, ness to attain places in legislative mannequins and candle holders. bodies of the country. Our mechanics used everything The corresponding statement they could find in the garage and was made in the Press Club of Ka- what was left by previous clients – zakhstan by Chairman of the Un- suspension parts, engines, chains, ion of Organisations of Disabled valves and pistons. As we really People of Kazakhstan Ali Aman- enjoyed the process, we decided to bayev, Chairman of the Shyrak try our skills and create something Association of Women with Dis- big. This is how our robots were abilities Lyazzat Kaltayeva and born,” he said. Chairman of the Namys Public Kairat Imanaliyev (L), Lyazzat Kaltayeva (C) and Ali Amanbayev (R) at the The first creation was a two- Associations of Disabled Persons press conference metre high cyborg, which should with Higher Education Kairat remind customers of the guardian Imanaliyev. people in executive and legislative “This is the right time to im- from the movie “Stargate,” fol- The speakers emphasised that bodies all over the country. plement changes and let disabled lowed by a four-metre high robot according to the UN Convention It was also mentioned that the Kazakh citizens directly par- which weighs about two tonnes. It on the Rights of Persons with Union of Organisations of Disa- ticipate in legislation’s develop- took more than a month to create Disabilities, handicapped citizens bled People of Kazakhstan sup- ments. Many of them have higher the giant. should participate in develop- ports the earlier initiative of education diplomas; some of them “We wanted to make the robot participated in various studies look as human-like as possible, Amanbayev: “This is the right time and know how to provide special so it cost a lot of work and time, social services or to develop a but we made it. The robot is made The man was talking on the phone free time and great skills of the team to implement changes and let disabled draft law. Their active participa- from a lorry loader, combine and when he suddenly noticed a great members to create something inspi- tion in legislative activities at the mowing machine spares. Some of iron something right next to him. rational. Not all of the guys believed Kazakh citizens directly participate in regional and national levels will our clients brought us additional He jumped aside and dropped the in the venture, but when they saw create appropriate conditions for material so we could continue phone on the floor, however all the first results of the work, even legislation’s developments.’’ the quality improvement of life working, some parts we bought in ended up well. We all laughed and those who did not initially have a of people with disabilities living the market,” said Sukhonosenko. took a selfie,” said Sukhonosenko. creative spirit came up with brilliant ing programmes and policies that deputies of the lower house of in Kazakhstan. Our organisation The manufacturing process of The idea to turn spare parts into new ideas and proposals. are directly related to their rights Parliament to dissolve itself and calls all political parties to include the robot’s head appeared to be the something artistic was part of the The team is so inspired they even and needs. It was noted that the hold elections for Mazhilis (lower persons with disabilities to their most time-consuming, as it was entrepreneur’s anti-crisis plan. It want to make the robots move and convention, which was signed by house of Parliament) and mas- electoral lists for the upcoming sawed by hand with the help of was obvious that in the current chal- their eyes twinkle, said Suchon- Kazakhstan in 2015, has called to likhats (local representative bod- Mazhilis and maslikhat elections,” grinder. lenging time in the market, employ- osenko. As for now, the popular- provide membership for disabled ies). said Amanbayev. “Once, one of our clients was ees needed to find a passion at work. ity of the automotons continues to close to having a heart attack when The number of clients has dramat- grow. Not only clients of the repair he came into the garage. The robot ically dropped as a result of the cur- shop, but other locals and guests of was almost ready and stood behind rent crises, so he decided to stock the the city come to take a picture with the corner of one of the boxes. waste materials and use the available the iron giants. Housing Construction Kazakhstan Moves Up Three Bank Develops Anti-Crisis Programme ating with local government bod- for the last two years. Another Slots on Latest Corruption By Zhazira Dyussembekova ies, second-tier banks and property feature of the new programme is developers. that people are able to select a ASTANA – The Housing Con- The main advantages of the property developer and the house Perception Index struction Bank of Kazakhstan programme are full priority to de- project through an open vote. The (HCBK), which is a subsidiary of positors of HCBK, the low price programme will be financed by out in Kazakhstan was based on eight viding public services to the popu- Baiterek Holding, has developed a By Aiman Turebekova international researches; experts in lation was positively noted. per square metre, independence the bank’s equity. new anti-crisis programme, Svoi from exchange rates and the ab- At the moment, average price surveys and questionnaires answered However, corruption remains a prob- Dom (“Own House”), until 2020 sence of special conditions for the of the housing within the pro- ASTANA – Kazakhstan last year questions about their perception of the lem for Kazakhstan. According to the re- to provide depositors with afford- scored 28 points, moving from acquisition of property. Any client gramme is about 180,000 tenge level of corruption in Kazakhstan in port, to solve this concern, it is necessary able housing, reported Zakon.kz of the bank can take part in the (US$490.86) per square metre. 126th in 2014 to 123th place in the the spheres, such as economy, law and to strengthen democratic procedures in on Jan. 26. It promises to provide programme, but depositors who The annual interest rate of the loan Transparency International Cor- democratic reforms. public administration, to solve problems 350,000 square metres of afford- are not owning any property are is between 5 to 10 percent. ruption Perception Index. The main positive points raised in the field of law enforcement and level able housing in 2016 and a total in priority and receive the right According to the source, the Based on expert opinion from by experts are large-scale legisla- the risks associated with shadow econo- 1.5 million square metres by 2020. to purchase an apartment first. anti-crisis programme of the bank around the world, the CPI assesses tive initiatives taken in the field of my growth. The new programme has three There is also another state pro- will be an excellent addition to the perceived levels of public sector combating corruption and ensur- Denmark reached the top spot main directions: cooperation with gramme of regional development state programme of development corruption worldwide on a scale ing the transparency and account- for the 2nd year running, while the local authorities, public and until 2020, which was launched of regions until 2020 because de- from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 ability of public authorities. In North Korea and Somalia turned private partnerships as well as co- earlier. The difference is that Svoi positors of HCBK will get an al- (very clean). particular, the ongoing work in the out to be the worst performers, operation with commercial banks. Dom has not required registration ternative way to buy housing at The calculation of the CPI carried area of improving systems for pro- scoring just eight points each. At the moment, the bank is negoti- in the cities of Almaty and Astana affordable prices.

ing movement and the number of competitions in the English League is much smaller by com- Astana Debate Community Face Off Against parison. This problem is signifi- cant, because unless students in Astana are able to speak fluently World’s Best, Hope for More Support in English, the chances of Ka- zakhstan winning on the global level or progressing quickly are Continued from Page B1 form of training, joint games and participants, video reviews fol- Greece this year. rights, religion, economic rights quite low. refereeing. Thereby, we raise the lowed by rounds of debates [and] They noted that debating plays and working conditions of people “We need to develop debating “Our debaters are interested in level of debate both in the city and writing case studies will help [de- a great role in students’ lives. It in developing states. We gained a in English and attend more global taking international experience in other regions of the country,” baters] build up experience and takes a lot of time, but it contrib- lot of knowledge and practised so events,” Aitkuzhina and Kab- and transferring it to the commu- Iklassov said. effectively adapt to the standards utes incredibly to their academic much all these years, and now we dualiyeva said. “Our community nity,” he said. Ruslan Kiimbayev, winner of of the WUDC. Of course, knowl- and intellectual development in are glad to share our know-how also needs government support According to Iklassov, organis- the National Championship Tour- edge and erudition are essen- exchange. with other students. If we have for such things as debates, to have ing a major competition with the nament, the Astana Cup and the tial for a successful speech. You “Global tournaments give us another opportunity to go abroad the practical application of the participation of foreign judges Central Asia Cup, is currently do- should be up-to-date on different enormous experience in devel- to represent our university and knowledge we acquire during de- and debaters in Kazakhstan would ing a master’s degree at Ljubljana issues and constantly replenish oping our critical thinking, ar- country, we definitely will,” the bates. Debating in the world’s top make the country more competi- University and is still involved in your knowledge. I learned critical gumentation [and] communica- two said. universities makes up the core of tive in debates. debating. thinking and team spirit [while tion skills and getting valuable Being a good debater is not de- student extracurricular activities, “We believe that such events In his opinion, it is necessary debating], as you should carry experience from the world’s best fined only be winning, Aitkuzhina while in Astana it is a rather unu- will benefit not only the tourism to create an atmosphere of com- out an analysis of your perfor- judges. We’ve met students from and Kabdualiyeva noted. “Good sual kind of hobby. Not all univer- sphere, but also the students who petition for the development and mance, take into account judges’ the world’s leading schools, [like] debaters should constantly invest sities are capable of sending their take an active part in the organisa- motivation of debaters, and to do feedback and improve your style the University of Oxford, the their time and resources into the students to overseas tournaments, tion. Participating in international that, English-language tourna- of debate at the club’s meetings,” University of Cambridge, Yale development of debating and pub- and even if there are people who tournaments is very useful for ments should be arranged more Kiimbayev said. University, the London School lic speaking skills, as well as reg- are competitive enough, money teams. The experience gained at often. Nazarbayev University students of Economics and Political Sci- ularly widen their world outlook.” is a powerful hindrance. This such events increases the level of “Style, training and refereeing Aitkuzhina and Kabdualiyeva, be- ence and Harvard University, and The young orators said the problem is difficult to solve, but debate techniques. The represent- at the WUDC are somewhat dif- ing the most experienced English debated against them on the most number of speakers capable of it would be immensely helpful if atives of their communities will ferent from the way we used to League players in Astana, partici- important issues, such as fighting debating in English should be debaters could receive govern- transfer the experience to mem- debate in the English league in pated in this year’s competition, terrorism, ecological degradation, increased. Currently, the Rus- mental and/or nongovernmental bers within the community in the Astana. Trainings run by former the largest non-sporting event in women’s empowerment, human sian League dominates the debat- support,” they said. B6 Nation&Capital Tourism&EXPO 2017

Wednesday, february 10, 2016 Astana EXPO 2017 Chairman Almaty, Astana Flights to Briefs President Nazarbayev Balkhash and Alakol Resorts on Exhibition Preparations to Begin in Summer tunity to promote the event at the reiterated the need to ensure the By Aiman Turebekova recent World Economic Forum city’s proper infrastructure for the By Aiman Turebekova 2016 in Davos. event and its guests, as well as pre- ASTANA ­– Astana EXPO The President’s initiative to es- pare a cultural programme and en- ASTANA –­ The Kazakh Ministry 2017 national company chairman tablish an International Centre courage volunteers. for Investment and Development an- Akhmetzhan Yessimov updated nounced recently that twice-weekly for the Development of Green The exhibition will have an im- President Nursultan Nazarbayev flights will begin from Astana and Technologies and Investment Pro- pact on many areas of life in the Jan. 26 on the status of prepara- Almaty to the Balkhash and Alakol jects under the UN auspices using capital and the country at large and tions for the upcoming internation- resorts in the summer. the EXPO 2017 infrastructure is the task of the state is to ensure the al exhibition. According to the ministry, citi- becoming popular among other maximum benefit. Given the large Yessimov indicated 70 countries states, he added. zens of Russia, China, India and have already confirmed their -par influx of tourists, developing the Iran are particularly interested in Regarding construction, build- facilities to accommodate them is ticipation, while 35 other nations ing materials have been supplied visiting Kazakhstan as tourists. are considering involvement. The paramount. Therefore, local resorts are being by more than 230 Kazakh com- The number of people includ- number is expected to reach 100 panies at a cost of 77 billion tenge encouraged to improve their in- ing Kazakhstan in their vacation countries as planned in a registra- (US$203 million). Despite the cur- frastructure and encourage staff to plans has been growing each year. tion dossier. In addition, large mul- rent tough economic environment, learn foreign languages. Photo: paleokazakhstan.info tinational companies are showing According to statistics from the During nine months of 2015, he noted EXPO 2017 is one of the Lake Balkhash a high level of interest in the ex- projects that has created new jobs Ministry for Investment and De- Kazakh resorts served nearly half position. while preserving existing ones. velopment, 519,222 tourists came a million visitors. The most popu- star hotels are planned to be built and aid in recovering from injuries. The chairman also noted an ad- Development is being conducted to the country in 2012, increasing lar areas among tourists are Alakol in the Alakol area. Thalassotherapy, healing by tak- ditional 53 billion tenge (US$140 in accordance with the planned to 586,000 in 2013 and 679,018 in Lake and Borovoye. Alakol Lake is the second largest ing sea baths, has been successfully million) will be saved in terms of schedule and will be completed 2014. “The number of tourists visit- inland salty reservoir in Kazakh- used to treat various diseases of the expenditures, which including pre- this year, followed by the filling EXPO 2017 will be important in ing Kazakhstan has been increas- stan. Its waters are comparable in peripheral nervous system. vious cuts, totals 131 billion tenge pavilions with content. terms of developing the hotel sec- ing year by year. For instance, in qualities to those of the Black Sea Balkhash Lake is a large inland (US$354.2 million). By reducing Nazarbayev stressed EXPO tor, as the capital is expected to be 2012, there were 519,222 visitors; and include almost every element water body but smaller than the a number of top managers and op- 2017 has a full schedule in the inundated by visitors. To provide Kazakh hotels served 586,038 present in the periodic table. The Caspian and Aral seas. A western timising the staff by 12 percent, coming months. In particular, he for the anticipated travellers, 38 tourists in 2013, whereas 679,018 holiday season starts in May when basin that receives water from the only six of 15 top managerial posi- emphasised the need to finalise the hotels currently in the design stage foreigners came to Kazakhstan in the water of the lake is already previously abundant Ili River is tions have been left. list of exhibitors and determine the will be opened by 2017. These are 2014,” said the ministry. warm and ends in September. fresh; the eastern part of lake is Regarding EXPO 2017’s infor- informative content of the Kazakh in addition to the city’s current At the end of last year, Almaty The unique wealth of Alakol Lake salty. Ili-Balkhash basin is famous mation campaign, Yessimov noted pavilion and similar facilities of count of 146 registered hotels with region Akim (Governor) Amandyk is mud used to treat various joint dis- for its biodiversity and reproduc- the exhibition staff had the oppor- the other countries. Nazarbayev a total of 5,570 rooms. Batalov announced that two five- eases, radiculitis and skin ailments tion of valuable fish species. Photosafari Photographers Document Wild Kazakhstan, Hope to Help Visitors to Do the Same Continued from Page B1 weather conditions. They have to ural zones are in relative proximity potential for Kazakhstan…to take vast experience and understanding with camper vans. We sincerely bring all the necessary equipment to each other. In fact, Kazakhstan its place in the list of most-visited of the nuances of each region of believe that tourism will improve Then we created Photosafari. not only to shoot, but also to sur- needs to develop eco-tourism, and countries. We have developed the country. We intend to organise the national economy and play a kz, an association involved in or- vive in the field. this requires information [and] unique routes of varying complex- walking tours, ski tours, photogra- significant role in employing the ganising trips to different natural “It is not always possible to photo and video materials. Among ity and destinations based on our phy tours, bicycle tours and tours population,” they said. locations for photographers. We plan in advance, as sometimes other things, we, of course, are earned money primarily for car re- the weather and other factors may eager to satisfy our own passion pairs and equipment. We took the significantly affect the course of as travellers. We really always best pictures and we worked out the route. It is necessary to sacri- wanted to see and visit those re- brilliant travel routes and found fice sleep or food in order to get gions as part of the project and we incredible locations, coupled with the best images and, of course, to look forward to new trips because gaining precious experience dur- climb and reach the most inacces- each time we discover these places ing this period. We now are fo- sible places. It is possible to come in a new light. We remember our cused on implementing our own across rare poisonous spiders, visit to the Aktolagai Mountains, noncommercial and commercial scorpions and snakes, or you may situated at the bottom of an ancient projects,” they said. easily encounter a bear in the Altai ocean that existed for tens of mil- Kikvidze said there are only Mountains. But if these animals lions of years. Can you believe a few things that really matter in are not disturbed, you can avoid this? There are ancient deposits life: a road, a car and the sunset. danger. In addition, they are all of shells, remains of sea urchins “We are especially captivated by of interest to us for pictures and and mollusks, fossilised coral and night scenery and love shooting video, so you always need to find a other bits from the sea floor. We skies full of stars,” the photogra- balance between risk and good im- brought home a lot of underwater phers added. ages,” they explained. relics and even a fossilised shark The key to their exquisite pho- According to Kikvidze and Ko- tooth,” said the photographers. tographs is planning correctly for shko, the wonder of Kazakhstan Kazakhstan’s wild places have the road. The expedition team, is its variety of landscapes, which inspired them to new horizons this consisting of eight to 12 photog- make it unique in the world. year, they say. raphers, videographers, art critics, “No country, except perhaps “We have big plans for this year. historians and zoologists, chooses the United States, can boast such- We are currently working on a their trip equipment based on the nature and landscape wealth. We new project. The presence of sev- duration of their trip, their des- have mountains, steppes, forests, eral natural zones and unique land- tination, the time of year and the deserts and lakes, and all these nat- scapes and culture makes for huge Photo by Konstantin Kikvidze Destination – Kazakhstan. What Should I Know? part of the country you would like propriate products for vegetarians veloped a personal relationship, dwelling of Kazakhs. Some tour- been to Central Asia, the most im- By Julia Rutz to visit. Kazakhstan is the ninth or vegans, particularly in smaller friends of the same sex may pre- ists prefer to take exotic dishes or portant thing to know is that Ka- largest nation in the world and dif- cities or the countryside. Only a fer to hug. Kazakhs are known for drinks back home, such as kumis, zakh citizens are very hospitable Experienced travellers looking for ferent regions tend to experience few restaurants located mostly in their great hospitality, so you may a mildly alcoholic drink made and to treat a stranger properly is a something new and different may different weather patterns. Moreo- Almaty and Astana offer a variety be invited to someone’s house for from fermented mare’s milk; shu- priority in their culture. Moreover, find themselves exploring the oppor- ver, the country has seasonal ex- of plant-based food. dinner. It is polite to bring some- bat, fermented camel’s milk; kurt, most people are very curious about tunities Kazakhstan can offer. Visi- tremes with hot summers and cold thing for the hostess, such as pas- a cheese made from dehydrated other nations and cultures, so eve- tors can take a train and watch the winters. In general, the best time What language do people speak tries. In more rural settings, you sour cream; or baursaks, little balls ry tourist coming from abroad will endless Kazakh steppe roll by; gape to come is between May and Sep- in Kazakhstan? Can I use Eng- may sit on the floor. Hierarchy is of fried dough similar to a savoury become a small-scale celebrity and at the modern architectural marvels tember. lish for communication? respected in Kazakhstan, so some- or doughnut. will easily find new friends ready of the capital city, Astana; ski or go Kazakhstan is a bilingual coun- one very senior is never criticised, Whether it is your first trip to to show them more about the Ka- horseback riding in the mountains What do people eat in Kazakh- try: the Kazakh language has the especially in public. Most locals Kazakhstan or you have already zakh homeland. south of Almaty; or visit a jewel stan? Can I find vegetarian res- status of “state language,” while tend to speak in a roundabout fash- of the ancient Silk Road and Ka- taurants there? Russian, which is spoken by al- ion and respond more favourably zakhstan’s most impressive Islamic Unlike many foreigners coming most all citizens, is the “language to gentle probing rather than direct monument, the city of Turkestan. from the West, the local population of inter-ethnic communication.” questioning. However, as the country is still little is not generally as concerned with In big cities it is possible to get known in the travelling community, eco-friendly eating habits. Meat by with English, especially if you What are the must-have souve- most potential tourists will have to is the primary ingredient in most talk to the under-35 crowd, but this nirs from Kazakhstan? deal with a lack of information about dishes served in Kazakhstan (after language is definitely not a lin- There are many options to me- Kazakhstan and its culture. After go- all, Kazakhs like to joke that they gua franca in Kazakhstan. If you morialise your trip to Kazakhstan ing through several major travel and are second in the world in terms want to travel alone, make sure with a good buy. As handicraft tourism blogs dedicated to the big- of meat consumption after… no, you have learned some necessary work is pretty well developed in gest Central Asian state, The Astana not Argentinians… but wolves), phrases in Kazakh and/or Russian the country, you can purchase in- Times gathered a list of questions but this doesn’t mean that tourists before coming. tricate felt rugs or wall hangings, foreign visitors most frequently ask. won’t be able to find something to prized for their lively colours and accommodate a vegetarian diet, in- What should I know about Ka- detailed work. Other unique sou- What is the best season to travel cluding vegetarian menus in some zakh etiquette and customs? venirs are a Kazakh water flask to Kazakhstan? restaurants. However, you should The common greeting is the made from hand-tooled leather or

First of all, it depends on which be ready for a limited choice of ap- handshake; once you have de- a miniature yurt, the traditional Photo: in.linkedin.com B7 Nation&Capital Sports

Wednesday, february 10, 2016 Team Kazakhstan Golovkin: Match against Reaches Quarter Final Alvarez Might Take Place in Futsal Euro Debut in September The second half was a chess According to local media, Mat- match, as the Kazakh team played By Yerzat Sergazin vei Korobov, already defeated by long combinations in front of the Golovkin in an amateur encounter, opponents’ goal, waiting for them ASTANA – During a recent wants a rematch with the Kazakh to make a mistake. Higuita’s in- press conference in Astana, Gen- boxer. cursions into the other half of the nady Golovkin named Mexican “To plan and to wish for are ab- pitch increased in intensity, but Saul Alvarez as a potential oppo- solutely different things,” he said. the solid Russian defence allowed nent this year. “I think many boxers want to fight only a couple of limited chances, “I think that the fight against me. But it’s good to hear that Mat- and the game ended with an hon- Alvarez is realistic this year, vei is in good shape, and it’s good ourable 1:2 loss for Kazakhstan. around September, so let’s wait for that he wants to [fight me].” sport. At the moment, I think our Kazakhstan’s second game was September,” Golovkin said. Golovkin also noted that Ka- federation is the best in the world.” against Croatia, also experienced He also told the local media that zakhstan has the best national box- “I always said that I feel the sup- players, with a top-four finish in there are dozens of opponents he ing federation out of all the mem- port of Kazakhstan, of my fans, I

Photo: Sportsfile 2012. might face, but most of them are bers of the International Boxing am sincerely grateful,” Golovkin Dinmukhambet Suleimenov (top) celebrates after scoring against Croatia. The game started slowly, as unknown to him. Association (AIBA). replied to the joke that to watch both teams played pretty defen- “There is a lot of information on “Our boxers have a chance to his fights the whole country wakes By Anuar Abdrakhmanov The tournament started with a sively, but in the sixth minute, the Internet but it is not always relia- achieve high results because the upearly on the weekends due to the tough challenge, facing the pow- Douglas Jr. drew first blood for ble. My main goal is to unite all belts Kazakh Boxing Federation, head- time difference. ASTANA – The Kazakh nation- erful Russian team, Futsal Euro Kazakhstan. A minute later, the in the middleweight category and I ed by Timur Kulibayev, is doing “I would wake up early myself al futsal team reached the quarter- 2014 runners-up and winners of Croats took advantage of a mis- am on my way to this goal,” he said. a lot for the development of this to watch [fights],” he said. finals in its first-ever appearance the tournament in 1999. In two take by Suleimenov and Vedran at the UEFA Futsal Champion- previous meetings with them, Ka- Matosevic hit the empty net to ship (Futsal Euro), which is taking zakhstan was crushed, 0:4 and 1:5. equalise. Almost immediately, place this year Feb. 2 – 13 in Bel- “We have long waited for this to the Kazakh captain made a solo grade, Serbia. happen, so we appreciate the tour- slalom into the opposing penalty Futsal is a variant of soccer played nament’s importance for [fans in] area and restored his team’s ad- Barys 9th in Conference indoors on a smaller field. Kazakh- Kazakhstan. All our thoughts are vantage. In the 17th minute, Zha- stan’s record of success in the sport is now on the game with Russia. The mankulov made it 3-1. associated with AFC Kairat Almaty, team is motivated and we want to By the second half, Kazakhstan which won the UEFA Futsal Cup challenge the powerful rival,” was was firmly in control of the situ- with Two Games Left among professional clubs in 2013 a pre-match comment from Ka- ation. Zhamankulov was clinical By Galiaskar Seitzhan HC Sochi 2:6. A pleasant surprise The Astana club now readies and 2015. However, the national zakhstan’s captain, Dinmukham- again while Croatia managed only came in the match against Dynamo to face HC Ak Bars Kazan and team’s only tangible achievement, bet Suleimenov. one more goal, by Josip Suton. The ASTANA – The risk that the Riga, where the Kazakh team surpris- Avangard Omsk, on Feb. 16 and until this year, has been qualifying In the end, Kazakhstan managed 4:2 final result is seen as sensation- Barys hockey club will miss its ingly won 3:2. 18 at 4 p.m. Traditionally, those for the FIFA Futsal World Champi- to give the Russians a decent fight. al progress for Kazakhstan, bring- first Continental Hockey League’s This was not enough to prevent are the strongest teams in the onship in 2000, where they lost all In the early seconds of the match, ing them to the quarterfinals. (KHL) Gagarin Cup playoffs is the club from slipping away from KHL’s Eastern Conference and three matches against host Guate- Douglas Jr. put up a kick that “This is an exceptional outcome near materialising. the playoff zone as it is now ranked Barys will have to play them on mala; the sport’s most titled team, bounced off the crossbar, and the for Kazakhstan. The players ful- Since Feb. 26, the Astana team ninth, only a spot below the quali- their home ice, while its rivals for Brazil; and Portugal. Five previous sides went on to exchange danger- filled their tasks. All 14 are spirited has played four games. fication zone. HC Neftekhimik the eighth spot will have an easier attempts to reach the UEFA Futsal ous attacks. fighters, as they clearly proved in In the first one, Tractor Chelyabinsk Neftekamsk and HC Avtomobilist schedule. Championshipfailed to bring fruit In the 12th minute of the match, this game by giving everything on was defeated 5:4 in the shootouts in Yekaterinburg benefited from the If Barys misses the playoffs, it before last year, when Kazakhstan Russia’s Romulo secured a lead the floor,” Kazakhstan head coach the New Arena Astana. However, the Barys’ difficulties to overcome the will be the first time ever that the managed to beat Georgia, Romania for his team, and then scored again Ricardo Sobral (who goes by the following two games away were lost Kazakh team in the table before Kazakhs will not be able to make and perennial European favourites only 28 seconds later. Kazakhstan name of Cacau) commented fol- to HC Salavat Yulayev Ufa 4:5 and the end of KHL regular season. it to the Gagarin Cup. Portugal before eclipsing Bosnia hit the net only once in the first lowing the historic match. and Herzegovina in the playoffs to half, when goaltender Higuita The quarterfinal against current secure a place for the first time at the charged to the other half of the European title holders Italy was tournament’s final stage in the Ser- pitch to provide an assist for Serik played Feb. 9 as this issue went to bian capital. Zhamankulov’s strike. print. Kazakhstan Takes Fourth Place in World Bandy Championship Staff Report Africa, Asia, Europe and North ed Norway 11:3 on Feb. 4 and lost America: eight in Division A and in the semis to Russia 6:16 on Feb. ASTANA – The Kazakhstan na- 10 in Division B. 6. It was the first time the nation- tional bandy team lost to Sweden In the preliminary round in Di- al team didn’t get any medals at 0:4 in the bronze medal game at vision A, Kazakhstan held three bandy world championship since the 36th World Bandy Champion- matches and lost two. The first 2011. Previously the team won six ship in Ulyanovsk, Russia on Feb. match was lost to the host Russia bronze medals, four of them back 7, and settled for the fourth place. 1:9 on Feb. 1. The next day the to back from 2012 to 2016. Team Russia went on to win the team lost to Sweden 4:11 and on Tournament’s top scorer was gold by ousting Finland 6:1 and Feb. 3 managed to defeat Finland Belarusian Andrey Kabanov with took its tenth title in history. 5:4 to get its first win of the tour- 14 goals.

Photo: uefa.com A record 18 teams competed nament. The Division B games will start Kazakhstan lineup ahead of its Futsal EURO debut game against Russia. in the tournament this year from In the playoffs, the team defeat- Feb. 10.

social benefit and profit to its own- ers, such as the one proposed by Kazakh President Nursultan Naz- Kazakh Snowboarding – Young and Promising, arbayev. “Here in Almaty we are missing a ski or snowboard venue where the Almaty team could train stably Says Head of Almaty Federation and which could host national and stan, due to the presence of moun- since the federation was founded games exceeded those who viewed ngchang, South Korea. To achieve city championships or other conti- By Zhazira Dyussembekova tains and domination of steppe in 2009. A former professional men’s hockey. that, we have to work hard,” said nental contests with the participa- areas in the other territories. To snowboarder, he represented the “Snowboarding is a very popu- Valiyev. tion of athletes from Uzbekistan, ASTANA – Snowboarding, one date, the best result for the coun- national team in the world cham- lar sport among youth. From all The sport is facing some diffi- Kyrgyzstan, Russia, South Korea, of the most fascinating and breath- try’s snowboarding team was by pionships and 2007 Universiade. the winter sports, I would char- culties in its expansion, he added. Japan and China,” Valiyev noted. taking winter sports, is relatively Valeriya Tsoi, who won the license Valiyev, who won the Almaty acterise it as the most Kazakh. I “Snowboarding is a capital- “Existing resorts are not suitable, new in Kazakhstan but already to the 2014 Sochi Winter Olym- and national championships and mean, Kazakh people have never intensive sport. It requires special because they mainly were created very promising. President of the pics. It was the first, but hopefully worked as a member of the Sochi skied. But they rode horses, so in courses for training, not like regu- for tourists, for comfort riding, Almaty Federation of Freestyle not the last Olympics for Kazakh organising committee, noted the some ways it can be compared to lar slopes in tourist resorts. Those not extreme sport. That might be a and Snowboarding Askar Valiyev athletes in the sport. number of people who watched riding a horse when jumping on courses require money. Also, there very attractive investment project sees great prospects in developing Valiyev has served in his post snowboarding on TV during the the bumps,” he said, smiling. is a need for special equipment and – creation of the special facility for the extreme activity and a bright Shymbulak has a special club uniforms. Athletes should take part freestyle snowboard disciplines. future for the nation’s athletes. for children, where they can in high-level competitions in order There, people of different ages “For Kazakhstan snowboarding learn snowboarding basics. Sport to develop their professional skills. will be able to train and different is a very perspective sport, be- School No. 7 in Almaty also has a The nearest training base is locat- events and parties could take place cause the country has the tradition snowboarding division. ed in Russia, which also requires as well. During summer, it can be of winter sports. It is a young sport “Unfortunately, after me and my money to go,” he explained. used for skateboarding and sum- and I believe it has a big future. It friends used to be engaged in the “The federation understands mer sports,” he said. is very interesting and trendy for sport actively, somehow the next that not all the sports should be The Olympics have five snow- the youth as well,” he said in a re- generation was not formed. For financed by the state. Some pro- boarding categories, although only cent interview for this story. now, we have only a few bright fessional sports can be financed parallel giant slalom and snow- Advanced in the United States in athletes who can take part in the by the state, but for the younger board cross exist in Kazakhstan. the 1960s, snowboarding became championships at the international generation and children another Half-pipe, big air and slopestyle an Olympic sport in 1998. The level. But everything can change alternative source of financing require acrobatic training and spe- trend came to Kazakhstan in the in the next few years, because the should be attracted. Support from cial courses. early 2000s, when the first com- next Universiade is coming and we the local authorities is necessary as “It would be great if we had spe- mercial competitions took place at have a group of young snowboard- well,” he said. cial snowboarding and freestyle Shymbulak Resort in Almaty. ers that is actively preparing for it. Valiyev suggested the possibil- venues with the facilities to com-

Snowboarding is only being pro- voxpopuli.kz Photo credit: Also, we need to send our team to ity of initiating a public-private pete in skiing and snowboarding,” moted in East and South Kazakh- Shymbulak Off-Piste Challenge, March 15, 2015. the next Winter Olympics in Pyeo- partnership which would bring said Valiyev. B8 Nation&Capital capital

Wednesday, february 10, 2016 Astana Snowmobile Rental, a Good Way to Enjoy Nature By Dmitry Lee tack snow hills,” Issinov told The sories like the gloves, hats and Astana Times. scarves.” ASTANA – The Kazakh capi- To get the privilege of such The itinerary depends on the tal, which is widely-known for its alone time with nature costs from timing according to Issinov, who frosty winters, has plentiful en- 5,000 (US$13) to 15,000 ($40) added that “along the ride peo- tertainment during its six-month tenge, depending on the machine ple can see foxes and hares, go- winter, such as skating, skiing you like to ride. ing through the woods and open meadows.” Issinov assured that after each To get the privilege of such alone time ride the snowmobiles are thor- with nature costs from 5,000 (US$13) oughly examined to eliminate any mechanical failures, including to 15,000 ($40) tenge, depending on the “the brakes, ski tracks, steering.” Also, all customers undergo machine you like to ride. quick safety instructions before the ride, Issinov said, who started his business by buying snowmo- and even swimming in the frozen “The 0.5 litre snowmobile with biles for himself and then by rent- waters. But the owner of a snow- top speed up to 80 kilometres ing them out to people. mobile business Dauren Issinov per hour costs 15,000 tenge per “We are located 25 minutes offers another adventurous type of hour, or 8,000 tenge ($21) per away from Astana’s [right] bank, leisure around Astana. 30 minutes. The 0.125 litre ma- in the Eco Village, along the Alash “The best moments [while rid- chine, with top speed 40 kilome- Highway, in the direction of Pav- ing snowmobiles] are when you tres per hour costs 8,000 per hour lodar,” Issinov concluded. are left with nature among white, or 5,000 per 30 minutes,” Issinov For booking information one snowy trees, forget about the explained. He added: “Make sure can contact management at +7 775 city hassle and aggressively at- to have warm clothes and acces- 544 9920. Astana-Shchuchinsk Highway Accidents Decrease 10 Fold the General Prosecutor’s Office along highways that require repair 2015, 1.1 billion tenge (US$2.9 By Yerzat Sergazin Yergali Mabiyev. and where there is a high level of million) was paid from its use to Mabiyev considers that the re- ASTANA – The General Procu- road accidents. the budget. The Kazakh govern- sult was achieved due to improve- rator’s Office announced recently ment of the highway. that modernisation of state road The Astana – Shchuchinsk highway was Astana – Shchuchinsk and the The same situation applies to the Western Europe – Western China Kazakh part of the Western Europe constructed in 2009 and is 224 kilometres highway has decreased road acci- – Western China highway. The long. In 2013, the highway became the first dents and deaths. deputy chairman emphasised that “Up to 60 people [per year] died this part of the highway has shown toll road in the state. in road accidents on the Astana – a great decrease in road accidents Shchuchinsk highway before its too. The Astana – Shchuchinsk ment doesn’t aim to cover the modernisation. Now the number is The General Prosecutor’s Office highway was constructed in outlay for the construction of 10 times less,” said Deputy Chair- works on informing of regional 2009 and is 224 kilometres long. the highway, but plans to use the man of the Committee for Legal akimats (governor’s and mayor’s In 2013, the highway became funds to maintain it, according to Statistics and Special Accounts of offices) about the exact places the first toll road in the state. In iDrive.kz.

person is clumsy – their keys have a lot of scratches. Many things re- veal the nature of the owners.” Astana Key Maker Discusses Keys According to Sergey, Astana’s long winters are good for key makers. for Survival in Turbulent Times “Our best season is the winter, which is good, as it snows for six people also often use shoemaker’s As a key maker, Sergey has to imagine now how much income work, Sergey reimburses the months in Astana. People often lose By Dmitry Lee services, and the small fees for anticipate how many and what my business has lost.” money. keys in the winter; you can drop your both services allow such business- kind of keys his customers will To make a simple key dupli- After 27 years in business, Ser- ASTANA – Small businesses keys and won’t hear anything in the es to keep their income flowing, need and have those materials on cate, Sergey charges from 500 gey can tell a lot about key owners snow. … [W]inter is our best season can be hard to maintain during un- the key maker said. But the con- hand. Demand has fallen, he said. tenge (US$1.30) to 1,500 tenge just by taking a look at their keys. stable economic periods, and Asta- to work. But what I can say is that stantly growing competition and “There are expensive locks and ($4.10) on average, depending on “These things are easy to see na’s key makers are feeling the people will always lose keys at some prices for rent keep prompting the cheap ones, car keys that now have how sophisticated the lock is. Car from key chains. I can tell if it’s a same pinch as the rest. The Astana point or will need to make duplicates owner to switch his profession. mounted chips. I buy about 10–15 key duplicate prices could range woman – they usually have toys, for their relatives, children, et cetera. Times continues its conversations “There used to be times this busi- with small-business operators, this expensive key copies and about from 3,000 tenge (US$8.30) to something cute and pinkish – or a They will always fix shoes, they need ness was good. Looking at it now, I 300–400 cheap ones about once a 10,000 tenge (US$27.50). If a car man, who usually has something this type of business. For us [key time talking to key makers in the understand that the best thing to do city to try and understand how month, but I used to buy them two has a chip, Sergey can’t promise made of leather or sports accesso- makers], we just need to work hard: is open another business. But that’s the challenging times are affect- to three times a month. You can the keys will work. If keys don’t ries like a football. I can tell if a that’s our way out of turbulent times.” for the future; for now, I am OK. The ing their businesses and what they best thing is that I don’t pay a lot for need to do to stay afloat. rent, as I only need about three to “Too many things can affect our type of business,” said Sergey, 38, four square metres to work; but still, owner of a small key-making stall the rent prices are growing.” at the Evraziya Mall, who pre- Key makers could easily earn ferred not to give his last name. fortunes by turning to the dark side “Mainly the competition: there are of their business, but Sergey pre- so many key makers in our city fers to live honestly. now that it’s hard to maintain the “A few times I have been ap- levels of income.” proached by burglars who wanted Sergey, born and raised in Asta- to use my skills and knowledge na, used to make a living by mak- to make duplicates in order to rob ing keys alone; however, in recent someone’s apartment. But I re- years, he admitted, he has had to fused. Making duplicates and then make up for slowing business by robbing people is a stupid idea. adding a side-operation. People remember that they made “A few years ago I also opened duplicates so they would point to a shoe-repair in my business, to in- me right away, even after a long crease the revenue, but even then, period of time, so [there’s] no it is still hard because almost eve- sense in doing that … . I have three ryone else did the same,” Sergey daughters, I live for them and al- said with a disappointed smile. ways throw such garbage-thoughts People lose keys all the time, and out of my mind.”