+4° / -1°C WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2017 No 6 (120) www.astanatimes.com New Uzbek President’s state visit Nazarbayev, to Kazakhstan sees relations soar UAE PM discuss cooperation in Dubai The Kazakh President high- By Aigerim Seisembayeva lighted the importance of exchanging financial asset ASTANA – Kazakh President management experience and Nursultan Nazarbayev and Vice- establishing close ties between President and Prime Minister of the DIFC and the Astana In- the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ternational Financial Centre and Emir of Dubai Sheikh Mo- (AIFC). hammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum The Emir of Dubai confirmed discussed bilateral cooperation, his readiness for such cooperation. particularly trade, finance and in- The Kazakh President thanked vestment, during a March 27 meet- Sheikh Al Maktoum for helping ing in Dubai. develop and implement Islamic Sheikh Al Maktoum welcomed financing. the Kazakh President and reaffirmed Nazarbayev also noted the the countries’ deep friendship. preparations for the EXPO 2017 Nazarbayev said he was pleased international specialised exhibi- to visit the UAE and also noted the tion were in their final stage and close bilateral ties. He also praised that the AIFC would use the expo the rapid growth of the Dubai facilities after the event. He also International Financial Center invited the Sheikh to participate in (DIFC), the city of Dubai and oth- the EXPO 2017 opening ceremony er UAE achievements. in Astana. neurs and result in 75 contracts to- neighbour and fraternal nation of agreement between defence min- By Malika Orazgaliyeva taling $1 billion. Uzbekistan. We look forward to istries on military cooperation ASTANA – Uzbek President Mirziyoyev stressed Kazakh- fruitful relations within the frame- were also signed. Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Kazakh stan’s election to a non-permanent work of bilateral contacts,” said Following the official part at the seat on the UN Security Council Nazarbayev. Akorda, Nazarbayev and Mirzi- Nauryz celebrated President Nursultan Nazarbayev has added international signifi- The parties signed documents, yoyev visited Astana Opera House discussed bilateral relations during cance to bilateral relations. including a joint declaration to and Nazarbayev University, where Mirziyoyev’s March 22-23 first “I would like to assure you that deepen the strategic partnership they were briefed on the universi- state visit to Kazakhstan. His visit, Uzbekistan will support all your and strengthen good-neighbour- ty’s master plan, laboratory of in- throughout accorded the highest status, cor- activities. Much attention is now liness, agreement between the dustry automation, local research responded with the Nauryz spring being paid to the regional coopera- governments on interregional projects and laboratory of physics holiday. tion. I hope that today’s meetings cooperation and joint economic and math. Mirziyoyev left a note in During their meeting at the capital, nation will serve as a basis for further ef- cooperation for 2017-2019. The the Honourary Guests Book. Akorda presidential residence on Centre. Visitors were able to wit- fective cooperation between our parties also signed protocols on Later in the day, the presidents Staff Report March 23, Nazarbayev noted a countries,” he said, also wishing making amendments to the agree- took part in the opening ceremony ness ethno aul with yurts, Ka- sharp increase in trade turnover Kazakhstan success in achiev- ment between Kazakh and Uz- of the MEGA Silk Way shopping zakh games, food and the work of ASTANA – Numerous celebra- craftsmen. between the countries and that ing its Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy bek governments on prevention centre and visited the EXPO 2017 tions have been held around Asta- Uzbekistan has expanded the type goals. of double taxation of income and construction site. There were 19 yurts, shopping na for the Nauryz holiday. tents, as well as a bazaar. During of products it exports to Kazakh- Nazarbayev expressed a simi- property and another on inter- Prior to the visit, Mirziyoyev On March 16-17, the programme stan. The Kazakh leader also noted lar sentiment, saying he hopes the national automobile travel dated also gave a wide-ranging interview the days of celebration, traditional started with the festival for people Kazakh folk rites were performed Kazakhstan plans to hold its first countries’ friendly bilateral rela- March 20, 2006. In addition, the to the Kazinform international in- with limited abilities “A creation Kazakh-Uzbek business forum on tions continue. programme of cooperation be- formation agency. by the artists of the theatres of without borders.” Astana, as well as representatives the same day, which was expected “Kazakhstan wishes prosperity tween the two countries’ foreign On the days of Nauryz, March to attract more than 500 entrepre- and wealth to our strategic partner, ministries for 2017-2018 and an Continued on Page A3 of ethno-cultural associations. At 21-22, folk festivals with fairs, an Oriental-style bazaar, an exhi- concerts, sports and entertainment bition-sale was organised, where events were held in different parts visitors saw different types of arts. of the capital, including the area Craftsmen shared their secrets of of Kazakh Eli square, the Students the manufacture of decorative art. Turkestan becomes Cultural Capital of Turkic Park and the territory near the Traditionally, there was a free dis- Zhastar theatre. tribution of baursaks and Nauryz At the Kazakh Eli Square, tra- kozhe. Everyone was also able to ditional Kazakh rites such as Bata take part in national games, such World, welcomes thousands of guests beru, Tusau keser, Aitys, Betashar as kazakhsha kures (Kazakh wres- and others were shown to the tling), arkan tartys (tug of war) and come guests. Six of them are VIP- Hotels have affordable pric- Nauryz celebrations and a grand By Kamila Zhumabayeva public. A show programme with others. Also, visitors witnessed located near the square. We have a es for everyone – 15,000 tenge concert featuring more than 230 concerts took place as well. Also, dog races. guest list. About 50 guests and as (US$47.50) per day for a senior performance groups from different ASTANA – The ancient historic, people were able to buy and taste Also, the Saryarka velodrome many artists will arrive here,” said suite and 3,000 tenge (US$9.50) countries. Performances were held architectural and religious town of traditional food and drinks. hosted perhaps the largest and deputy akim (mayor) Gani Rysbekov, for economy class, according to on the town’s numerous concert Turkestan welcomed thousands of This year, the residential areas the most elaborate special event reported otyrar.kz before the event. the website. Beds, textiles, elec- platforms. guests March 21, including an offi- of Kuygenzhar, Michurino, Indus- March 21 attended by dignitaries Turkestan residents held their tronics and essential hygiene prod- The activities included aitys (an cial delegation from 22 Turkic and trialny, Internationalny, Zhelezno- including the head of state. last preparations during these fes- ucts are all new. ancient art of improvisation), ani- other countries, as it received the dorozhny, Prigorodny, Urker, Kok- The Astana Opera also show- tive days. The staff celebrated a The “Turkestan – a Cultural mated feature film festivals, tradi- status as the 2017 Cultural Capital tal-1, Ondiris also hosted events. cased on March 22 the Kyz Zhibek housewarming party along with Capital of the Turkic World” tional arts, dance, a circus, opera, of the Turkic World. But the main and the biggest opera. Numerous art performances “We have 20 hotels ready to wel- guests. project started with nationwide Turkic nations theatre, craftsmen’s fair and the Uly Dala Sazy interna- event was located in the area near were also available at theatres in tional festival. the Khan Shatyr Entertainment the capital. A media forum, forums of women from Turkic states, jour- nalists and historians, a congress of literary magazine editors, book exhibitions, a meeting with writ- ers, poets and press tours for me- dia, bloggers and tour operators also took place. Forty events were scheduled, in- cluding 21 organised by the South Kazakhstan region akimat (admin- istration), 14 by TURKSOY, the International Organisation of Tur- kic Culture, and five by the Minis- try of Culture and Sports. Founded more than two millen- nia ago, the ancient city of Yassy (Turkestan) was one of the impor- tant commercial centres on the Silk Road and the trade route between Europe and China. From the 16th- 18th centuries, it was the capital of the Kazakh khanate. Turkestan is now the historic centre of Kazakh culture, where one can discover the ruins of Otrar and admire its architectural herit- age. The famous Khodja Ahmed Photo credit: remotelands.com Photo credit: Yassaui Mausoleum attracts Khodja Ahmed Yassaui Mausoleum. hordes of tourists every year. Photo: voxpopuli.kz INSIDE NATION ECONOMY&BUSINESS EDITORIAL&OPINION OPINIONS NATION&CAPITAL Kazakh President says both economic Kazakhstan to develop regional doing business Renewal of Nauryz and new Uzbek President’s NAZAROV: Our relations are based on mutual Golovkin beats Jacobs in tough fight at development, political reforms progressing A2 rating A4 visit to Astana A6 respect, says Uzbek ambassador in Kazakhstan A7 Madison Square Garden B1 Kazakh experts improve safety at research Baiterek Holding finances construction Microtargeting is new information reality, MALGAZHYULY: Stability and strong New international tourism route through reactor A2 of hydroelectric power plant A5 head of Kazakh journalist body says A6 ethnic, religious relations key to unity, Kazakh Kazakhstan to launch in April B6 supreme mufti says A7 US$ 1 = 315.43 KZT € 1 = 342.75 KZT 1 = 5.55 KZT A2 NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2017 Criticism of the mandatory teaching of English in school was NATIONAL NEWS IN BRIEF mentioned, in particular that it will Kazakh President says both economic undercut efforts to teach the Ka- zakh language. Nobody is against More than 10 billion tenge the Kazakh language, Nazarbayev (US$31.68 million at current ex- pointed out.