Kazakhstan surpasses US and Turkiye in share of female business owners
Kazakhstan has moved up 15 positions in the Global Gender Gap Index compared with 2021
Kazakhstan has moved up 15 positions in the Global Gender Gap Index compared with 2021, Kazinform correspondent reports.
According to Alikhan Smailov, Head of the Kazakh government, women have equal rights in public administration, active social life, and work on business projects.
The share of women owning business stands at 45%, the data from the OECD in Kazakhstan indicates.
The figure is higher than in the US and Turkiye. Kazakhstani women have carried out almost half of the projects supported by the Damu fund. That said, a third of the projects have been granted to female entrepreneurs from rural areas," said Smailov, noting the commitment to increasing women’s participation in different spheres.
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Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Continue to Strengthen Strategic Tandem
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As part of an official visit to Tashkent the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev was received by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
During the meeting, President Mirziyoyev noted with satisfaction the positive dynamics in the development of multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, emphasizing the importance of further deepening the allied relations between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
In turn, Minister Kosherbayev conveyed warm greetings and best wishes on behalf of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and informed about the progress in implementing the agreements reached at the highest and high levels.
Today, Kazakh-Uzbek relations serve as a model of reliable and long-term cooperation in the international arena. This is primarily facilitated by regular and trust-based political dialogue at the highest level," Kosherbayev stated.
The sides also discussed current issues on the regional and international agenda.
The high level of interaction between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan within multilateral structures was underscored, along with the importance of further developing regional cooperation and joint efforts to strengthen peace and stability in Central Asia.
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Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan continue to develop allied relations and strengthen strategic dialogue
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As part of an official visit to Tashkent, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
During the meeting, the foreign ministers reviewed a wide range of issues of multifaceted Kazakh-Uzbek cooperation, as well as discussed prospects for further strengthening political, trade-economic, investment, transit-transport, water-energy, and cultural-humanitarian cooperation.
The sides expressed their commitment to deepening strategic partnership and alliance based on friendship, mutual understanding and good neighborliness.
Thanks to the political will of the heads of state in recent years, Kazakh-Uzbek relations have been brought to a qualitatively new level of interaction and demonstrate high dynamics of development at all levels," Minister Kosherbayev noted during the conversation.
In turn, Minister Saidov confirmed that the presidents of the two states have set a long-term course for the progressive expansion of cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral formats.
In this context, the foreign ministers thoroughly discussed measures for the practical implementation of the agreements reached at the highest level during the first and second meetings of the Supreme Interstate Council in 2024-2025, and expressed readiness to further promote the inter-parliamentary and intergovernmental relations.
Special attention was paid to further development of trade-economic and investment cooperation.
Significant progress has been made in recent years in deepening economic cooperation. Kazakhstan consistently ranks among Uzbekistan’s top three trading partners. In 2025, the bilateral trade increased by 16.2 percent and approached $5 billion," Minister Kosherbayev said. In the context of the implementation of the agreements reached at the highest level, the ministers confirmed their intentions to facilitate further deepening of the economic partnership, including increasing bilateral trade to $10 billion.
The interlocutors also noted progress in industrial cooperation, which currently includes 78 investment projects worth $1.8 billion.
In this context, the implementation of such projects as the construction of the International Center for Industrial Cooperation "Central Asia", hotels "Tashkent" in Astana and "Astana" in Tashkent, as well as the "Astana" district in "Yangi Tashkent" was also reviewed.
During the meeting, the sides highlighted the significant potential for cooperation in the development of transport corridors enabling both countries to access markets of the Middle East, South Asia and Europe. The sides expressed mutual readiness to promote fruitful interaction in this area.
In addition, the substantive agenda of cultural and humanitarian cooperation was emphasized as the foundation of strong and long-term relations between the two states.
The sides also underscored the importance of implementing projects in the educational field, and in particular, the activities of the branch of the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers in Almaty and the Chirchik branch of South Kazakhstan Research University named after Mukhtar Auezov.
The ministers also exchanged views on current regional and international issues, confirmed their interest in strengthening cooperation within multilateral structures and expressed readiness to continue mutual support in promoting the initiatives of both countries.
The foreign ministers emphasized the importance of developing regional cooperation and joint efforts to strengthen peace and stability in Central Asia.
Following the talks, the Cooperation Program between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2026-2027 was signed.
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Astana and Skopje held another round of political consultations
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Prospects for expanding bilateral cooperation between Kazakhstan and North Macedonia were the key topic on the agenda of the 3rd round of political consultations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Arman Issetov and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of North Macedonia Zoran Dimitrovski noted the progressive development of bilateral relations and exchanged views on the regional and international agenda. The diplomats highly appreciated the outcomes of the visits of President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timčo Mucunski to Astana in 2025.
The parties discussed priority issues of bilateral and multilateral cooperation, including further expansion of political, trade-economic, and cultural-humanitarian ties.
An important topic of the negotiations were boosting mutual trade and the diversification of its structure in such areas of cooperation as agriculture, energy, transport, tourism, education, and culture. The prospects for expanding legal framework, including the possibility of introducing a visa-free regime for holders of national passports were considered.
The leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia congratulated Kazakhstan on the successful adoption of the new Constitution in the referendum held on March 15 and expressed confidence that the reforms would contribute to the country’s further development.
Arman Issetov noted: "Kazakhstan attaches great importance to the comprehensive deepening of multifaceted relations with the Republic of North Macedonia. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries, which marked their 30th anniversary last year, positive dynamics of interaction have been maintained in priority areas".
In conclusion, the parties expressed their readiness to contribute to the further intensification of bilateral cooperation, with special attention to be paid to practical measures for implementing joint business projects and mutually attracting investments into various sectors of the two countries’ economies.
In this regard, the diplomats welcomed organizing this April trade and economic mission of Kazakhstan in Skopje, within the framework of which the establishment of a Business Council between the Сhambers of commerce and industry is planned.
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Head of State dismisses troop commander of ‘West’ Regional Command
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The Head of State, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, on Monday signed a decree removing Baurzhan Artykov from the post as Troop Commander of the ‘West’ (Zapad) Regional Command, Qazinform News Agency reports via Akorda.
Born in 1973 in Shymkent region, Artykov graduated from the Kazakh Armed Forces junior officers’ training (motorized rifle troops officer) in 1993, Alma-Ata Higher Combined Arms Command School in 1994, Kainar University in 2006, National Defense University named after the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan - Elbasy twice in 2008 and 2019.
In 1991 and 1993, Artykov completed compulsory military service.
He held posts from commander of the platoon to first deputy commander of the Airborne Forces - chief of staff.
From 2023 to 2024, he headed the organization and mobilization department of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
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Kazakhstan's Constitutional Reforms Discussed in Canada
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An expert roundtable dedicated to the adoption of the new Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the prospects for the development of Kazakhstan-Canada relations was held at the Senate of the Parliament of Canada. The event brought together representatives of Canada’s political, parliamentary, and analytical communities, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
Opening the roundtable, Senator Clement Gignac emphasized the importance of strengthening interparliamentary dialogue between Kazakhstan and Canada, reaffirming Canada’s interest in expanding comprehensive cooperation with Astana in both political and economic spheres.
Ambassador of the Kazakhstan to Canada Duletbek Kusainov briefed participants on the current state of bilateral economic cooperation, as well as on the ongoing reforms in the country.
Special attention was given to the discussion of the constitutional reform and the results of the constitutional referendum held on March 15 of this year. An expert specially invited by the Embassy - Associate Professor at Maqsut Narikbayev University and Visiting Scholar at Harvard University, Muslim Khassenov provided a detailed overview of the significance of the new Constitution and its role in the further political development of Kazakhstan.
It was emphasized that the constitutional vote once again demonstrated a high level of public engagement and participation in key political processes.
Overall, the event and the discussions held within its framework highlighted a strong interest in Kazakhstan’s domestic political reforms. Canadian participants noted the consistency of the reforms being implemented and expressed interest in further studying the country’s ongoing transformation processes.
Following the event, both sides expressed their readiness to continue such expert-level meetings and to further develop Kazakhstan-Canada dialogue.
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Kazakh Volunteers in Qatar Recognized for Their Contribution to Evacuation Efforts
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The Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the State of Qatar held a meeting with Kazakh volunteers residing in Qatar who assisted the Embassy in organizing the evacuation of Kazakh citizens amid the escalation of regional tensions, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
During the event, the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the State of Qatar Arman Issagaliyev commended the volunteers for their dedication, high sense of responsibility, and ability to act effectively and in close coordination under challenging circumstances.
In his remarks, the Ambassador quoted the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev: "To be a volunteer means to do good deeds, to spread kindness, to set an example for others, and to faithfully serve and care for the Motherland," noting that these values were clearly reflected in the volunteers’ actions.
He further emphasized that their efforts are a vivid example of genuine patriotism and civic solidarity. Despite the risks and challenges, the volunteers demonstrated courage, cohesion, and compassion, working in close coordination with the Embassy to assist Kazakh citizens, including children, women, and persons with disabilities.
Overall, Kazakh volunteers in Qatar provided significant support to the Embassy at all stages of organizing evacuation measures during the period of regional escalation.
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