The Astana Times
June 12, 2026 at 6:27 PM
The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ASTANA — The relationship between Kazakhstan and the European Union (EU) is entering a new phase, marked by growing trade volumes, closer political dialogue and expanding cooperation in digital governance, critical raw materials and transport connectivity. A series of high-level meetings held this month in Astana, Brussels and Strasbourg highlighted the breadth of the partnership, which increasingly extends beyond traditional energy ties and reflects broader European interest in Central Asia amid shifting geopolitical and economic realities. High-level meetings highlighted the growing EU–Central Asia partnership beyond traditional energy ties. Photo credit: primeminister.kz EU remains Kazakhstan’s largest economic partner The strength of economic ties was underscored during the 19th meeting of the Kazakhstan-European Union Dialogue Platform chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov in Astana on June 11…
Read full story →
The Astana Times
June 12, 2026 at 5:49 PM
The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ASTANA — Kazakhstan is expanding its international air links with the launch of new routes to Armenia and Uzbekistan, as authorities continue efforts to increase flight connectivity and strengthen regional travel and business ties. Photo credit: Shutterstock According to the Transport Ministry, Armenian carrier FlyOne Armenia entered the Kazakh market on June 12, launching direct scheduled passenger flights between Yerevan and Almaty. The airline will operate the route twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays, increasing the total number of weekly flights between Kazakhstan and Armenia from three to five. Officials said the new service is expected to support trade, investment, tourism and cultural exchanges between the two countries. The expansion comes as Kazakhstan continues to attract new international carriers and broaden its route network. On June 13, Uzbekistan’s Centrum Air is set to launch its firs…
Read full story →
The Astana Times
June 12, 2026 at 5:13 PM
The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from international media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest highlights Kazakhstan’s efforts to deepen cooperation with the European Union, growing international interest in the country’s critical minerals sector, and the continued expansion of its tourism industry. Astana. Photo credit: The Astana Times. Kazakhstan seeks a deeper EU partnership in science, education and innovation Kazakhstan is seeking to place science, higher education and innovation at the center of its growing partnership with the European Union, according to the EU Reporter article published on June 5. That was the key message from a roundtable held in Brussels under the “Shanyraq Dialogue” platform, hosted by the Embassy of Kazakhstan to Belgium and attended by Kazakhstan’s Minister of Science and Higher Education, Sayasat Nurbek. The discussion reflected K…
Read full story →
The Astana Times
June 12, 2026 at 4:36 PM
The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ASTANA —The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has highlighted Kazakhstan’s economic resilience and progress in reducing inflationary pressures, despite challenges linked to lower oil production, during a meeting between Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and newly appointed IMF Mission Chief for Kazakhstan Amina Lahreche on June 12. Bektenov emphasized the importance of Kazakhstan’s long-standing cooperation with the IMF and the role of the institution’s analytical and technical support in shaping economic policy. Photo credit: prime minister.kz According to the Prime Minister’s press service, the discussions focused on preliminary findings from an IMF mission reviewing recent economic developments, ongoing reforms and Kazakhstan’s medium-term growth prospects. According to the IMF, growth in manufacturing, services, transport and construction has helped offset declines in oil production, supporting overal…
Read full story →
The Astana Times
June 12, 2026 at 1:50 PM
The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ASTANA — Kazakhstan has attracted more than $480 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) since independence, Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Kuantyrov said during a United States (US)-Kazakhstan roundtable at Astana Mining and Metallurgy (AMM) 2026 on June 11, highlighting opportunities in critical minerals, renewable energy, logistics and technology. According to Kuantyrov, gross FDI inflows reached $20.5 billion in 2024, while investors from more than 120 countries are currently active in Kazakhstan. Photo credit: MFA The roundtable brought together government officials and business representatives from Kazakhstan and the United States, including U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan Julie Stufft and Assistant Secretary of Commerce David Vogel, to discuss trade, investment and industrial cooperation. According to Kuantyrov, gross FDI inflows reached $20.5 billion in 2024, while investors from more than 120…
Read full story →
The Astana Times
June 12, 2026 at 12:02 PM
The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Canada are seeking to expand cooperation beyond traditional trade and resource industries, harnessing opportunities presented by emerging areas such as artificial intelligence and digital innovation, officials and business leaders said at the seventh meeting of the Kazakhstan-Canada Business Council in Astana on June 10. Canadian direct investment in Kazakhstan has exceeded $6 billion. Photo credit: Kazatomprom “Kazakhstan and Canada are separated by thousands of kilometres, including the ocean, but united by shared values such as openness, the rule of law and the firm belief that business partnership is the foundation of long-term prosperity,” said Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Kuantyrov. Canadian direct investment in Kazakhstan has exceeded $6 billion, while more than 170 Canadian-linked companies operate in the country, figures cited by Kuantyrov showed. He said the n…
Read full story →
The Astana Times
June 12, 2026 at 9:59 AM
The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ASTANA – Kazakh and French experts have presented interim findings for a master plan to safeguard the Lake Balkhash ecosystem, with the final strategy expected by the end of this year. Photo credit : advantour. Click to see the map in full size. The map is designed by The Astana Times. The project will provide a scientific framework for managing water resources in one of Central Asia’s most important lake basins amid growing climate challenges. During a working group meeting, specialists reviewed research on hydrology, glacier runoff, groundwater resources, agriculture, and water allocation across the Lake Balkhash basin. Particular focus was placed on assessing the impacts of climate change and developing tools to forecast future water availability. The project, being implemented jointly by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, the French Development Agency (AFD), and the French Geo…
Read full story →
Turkmenistan News
June 11, 2026 at 6:45 PM
ALMATY, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Kazakhstan exported 12.2 million tonnes of grain and flour between September 2025 and March 2026, up 13 percent year on year, the country's Ministry of Agriculture said on Thursday. The largest increase in shipments was recorded to Central Asia and Afghanistan, with exports to Uzbekistan rising 38 percent to 5 million tonnes and supplies to Kyrgyzstan jumping 50 percent to 474,000 ton
Read full story →
Tajikistan News
June 11, 2026 at 6:45 PM
ALMATY, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Kazakhstan exported 12.2 million tonnes of grain and flour between September 2025 and March 2026, up 13 percent year on year, the country's Ministry of Agriculture said on Thursday. The largest increase in shipments was recorded to Central Asia and Afghanistan, with exports to Uzbekistan rising 38 percent to 5 million tonnes and supplies to Kyrgyzstan jumping 50 percent to 474,000 ton
Read full story →
Kyrgyzstan News
June 11, 2026 at 6:45 PM
ALMATY, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Kazakhstan exported 12.2 million tonnes of grain and flour between September 2025 and March 2026, up 13 percent year on year, the country's Ministry of Agriculture said on Thursday. The largest increase in shipments was recorded to Central Asia and Afghanistan, with exports to Uzbekistan rising 38 percent to 5 million tonnes and supplies to Kyrgyzstan jumping 50 percent to 474,000 ton
Read full story →
The Astana Times
June 11, 2026 at 3:58 PM
The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ASTANA — The 16th Astana Mining & Metallurgy (AMM) Congress and Exhibition opened on June 11 at the Hilton Astana, bringing together global industry leaders, investors, and policymakers to discuss the future of Kazakhstan’s mining and metallurgical sector. The event runs for two days, concluding on June 12. Olzhas Bektenov. Photo credit: Prime Minister’s press service The exhibition features 70 companies from 15 countries, including Canada, China, Germany, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov visited the stands of leading companies such as Qarmet, Kazzinc, Kazakhmys, KAZ Minerals, and XCMG. Participants presented projects focused on production modernization, digitalization, industrial automation, environmental and industrial safety, and the development of processing and engineering services, reported the Prime Minister’s press service. The congress has brought…
Read full story →
News - South China Morning Post
June 11, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Rocket launches in Kazakhstan are being pitched to Hong Kong travellers, as some Central Asian travel operators make their debut at the city’s flagship travel expo ahead of new direct flights to the region. Six Kazakhstan-based operators set up booths under the theme “Visit Almaty” at the 40th International Travel Expo, the annual event running from June 11 to 14 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Despite the conflict in the Middle East affecting global tourism, the 2026 edition...
Read full story →
The Astana Times
June 11, 2026 at 2:23 PM
The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ASTANA – Rising oil prices driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East have not had a significant effect on Kazakhstan’s tenge, National Bank Chair Timur Suleimenov said on the sidelines of a Mazhilis on June 10. Suleimenov said changes in oil prices typically affect the economy and currency with a lag of one to two months, meaning recent market movements have yet to be reflected in the exchange rate, reported Kazinform. He added that Kazakhstan has experienced oil prices above $90, and even $110, per barrel in recent years, and that current levels are not expected to have a major impact on the tenge. Suleimenov also said the government plans to keep its conservative oil price assumption of $60 per barrel in the draft 2026 budget, arguing that revising the benchmark upward could encourage unnecessary spending. He noted there are currently no grounds for changing the forecast. The post Kazakhstan S…
Read full story →
The Astana Times
June 11, 2026 at 1:16 PM
The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ASTANA – Kazakh Finance Minister Madi Takiyev stated that the country’s public debt remains manageable and within safe limits. As of the beginning of this year, public debt totaled 36.4 trillion tenge (US$74.7 billion), or 22.8% of the gross domestic product (GDP), significantly below the national target of 32% of GDP. Photo credit: Shutterstock The statement came amid criticism from lawmakers, who noted the budget’s growing dependence on refinancing previously accumulated liabilities, during a June 10 plenary session of the Mazhilis. More than half of the borrowings went toward refinancing Mazhilis Deputy Yerlan Stambekov noted that in 2025, government debt increased by 4.8 trillion tenge (US$9.8 billion), and more than half of the new borrowings, 51% of the total of 8.2 trillion tenge (US$16.8 billion), was used to refinance existing debt rather than finance new development projects, reported Kazinfo…
Read full story →
News - South China Morning Post
June 11, 2026 at 11:44 AM
Hong Kong’s business community has signed six agreements with Kazakhstan to support the development of the country’s new hi-tech and economic hub, as Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu positions the city as the project’s gateway to global capital and the mainland Chinese market. The memorandums of understanding (MOUs), unveiled at an investment round table on Thursday, centre on the development of Alatau City, the Central Asian country’s flagship future-city project, and focus on innovation and...
Read full story →
News - South China Morning Post
June 11, 2026 at 5:30 AM
A Kazakhstan-based commercial bank backed by China Citic Bank is seeking to collaborate with Hong Kong financial institutions and investors to develop new financing channels for the Central Asian country through the city’s thriving offshore renminbi market. Murat Baisynov, chairman of Altyn Bank, told the South China Morning Post that three clients of the Almaty-headquartered lender were currently exploring the issuance of dim sum bonds in Hong Kong, a trend he expected to continue. “Hong Kong...
Read full story →
Turkmenistan News
June 10, 2026 at 11:45 PM
ALMATY, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Kazakhstan expects to produce 98 million tonnes of oil in 2026, taking into account shutdowns at the Tengiz oil field and attacks affecting the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, Kazakh Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said Wednesday, according to the Interfax-Kazakhstan news agency. Due to the disruptions, Kazakhstan's oil production in the first four months of 2026 fell about 5 million
Read full story →
Kyrgyzstan News
June 10, 2026 at 11:45 PM
ALMATY, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Kazakhstan expects to produce 98 million tonnes of oil in 2026, taking into account shutdowns at the Tengiz oil field and attacks affecting the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, Kazakh Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said Wednesday, according to the Interfax-Kazakhstan news agency. Due to the disruptions, Kazakhstan's oil production in the first four months of 2026 fell about 5 million
Read full story →
Tajikistan News
June 10, 2026 at 11:45 PM
ALMATY, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Kazakhstan expects to produce 98 million tonnes of oil in 2026, taking into account shutdowns at the Tengiz oil field and attacks affecting the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, Kazakh Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said Wednesday, according to the Interfax-Kazakhstan news agency. Due to the disruptions, Kazakhstan's oil production in the first four months of 2026 fell about 5 million
Read full story →
The Astana Times
June 10, 2026 at 2:25 PM
The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the Netherlands agreed to move forward with joint projects worth 160 million euros ($184 million) following a business forum on June 9 during Kazakh Trade and Integration Minister Arman Shakkaliyev’s visit to the Netherlands. The Netherlands remains one of Kazakhstan’s key trade and economic partners within the European Union. Photo credit: Kazakh Ministry of Trade and Integration The forum was held as part of the GreenTech Amsterdam 2026 international exhibition, and served as the focal point of Kazakhstan’s trade and economic mission to the Netherlands, reported the ministry’s press service. “The agreements reached today reflect the strong interest of businesses in both countries in expanding cooperation. Kazakhstan is ready to increase supplies of high-quality products to European markets and provide favorable conditions for investment projects involving Dutch partners,” Sha…
Read full story →