Review

The Big Calculations

In the financial sphere Kazakhstan's meta narrative these days is its evolution into a financial hub, a conduit as it were for broader national endeavor and a door to EMs.

Column

Anuar Ushbayev, CIO, Tengri Capital

TBY talks to Anuar Ushbayev, CIO, Tengri Capital, on the sector.

Interview

Gordon Haskin, CEO, Al Hilal Bank Kazakhstan

TBY talks to Gordon Haskins, CEO of Al Hilal Bank Kazakhstan, on Islamic finance awareness in Kazakhstan, expanding products and services, and moving into new segments.

Forum

Retail Banking

Banks will continue to focus on new and unique offerings to make it easier for customers and to attract new clients in a small market.

Interview

Timur Turlov, CEO, Freedom Finance

TBY talks to Timur Turlov, CEO of Freedom Finance, on seizing ripe opportunities, providing freedom of choice of investment across Central Asia, and consolidating its international group.

B2B

Islamic Finance

As the government moves to encourage more Islamic financing and appetite for Islamic finance products grows organically outside of Almaty and Astana, huge opportunities are underway in the years to come.

Focus: Islamic Finance

Ambitions of an Almighty Astana

After years of work to develop its Islamic finance sector, Kazakhstan is launching its first local sukuk in 2018, with plenty more developments in store.

B2B

Insurance Kazakhstan

Financial insurance is currently attractive for businesses and insurance remains in high demand.

Review

Diplomacy 2.0

Feted in Washington and Beijing for steering Central Asia's most advanced economy, Nazarbayev nimbly boosted his country's commercial and diplomatic ties with the world's two largest economies.

Inside Perspective

Nursultan Nazarbayev, President, Kazakhstan

Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kazakhstan, on areas of growth, the need for a sustainable future, and the 20th anniversary of Astana as the capital.

Focus: Peace Negotiations

Peace in Our Town

Astana is quickly gaining a reputation as a place for effective peace talks, as proven by Kazakhstan's track record throughout the Syrian conflict.

Guest Speaker

Donald Trump, President, United States

Donald Trump, President of the United States, discusses the country's historical ties with Kazakhstan and opportunities for further cooperation moving forward.

G2G

Ministers of Energy

Governments worldwide praised Expo 2017 for its highly relevant theme and the opportunity to expand discussions and partnerships in sustainable energy.

Year In Review

What a Year Kazakhstan

A top-down shift toward a free market is a key part of Kazakhstan's growth narrative as it aims to transform into a diversified and digitalized economy.

Review

Golden Sun

Though investment in conventional energy sources continues to increase, Kazakhstan is installing more solar and wind power plants with the help of international development institutions.

Interview

Taylan Karamanli, CEO, KB Enterprises

TBY talks to Taylan Karamanli, CEO of KB Enterprises, on solar's potential in Kazakhstan and leading innovation in renewable energies.

B2B

Lighting

With initiatives underway to implement smart city projects across the country, lighting will play a core role in smart city solutions.

Interview

Nurlan Kapenov, General Director, Samruk-Kazyna-United Green LLP

TBY talks to Nurlan Kapenov, General Director of Samruk-Kazyna-United Green LLP, on international collaboration, financing renewable energy projects, and heralding the start of a new solar project.

Review

Out of the Ground

Kazakhstan is significantly increasing oil production in order to meet economic needs and generate revenue.

Column

Maxat Bekov, Chairman, Chemie and Technology (CHT)

TBY talks to Maxat Bekov, Chairman, Chemie and Technology (CHT), on the sector.

Interview

Kanat Bozumbayev, Minister , Energy

TBY talks to Kanat Bozumbayev, Minister of Energy, on proving Kazakhstan's mettle on the world stage, making huge strides for Kazakhstani science, and implementing renewables projects that will change the face of energy.

Interview

Luca Vignati, Executive Vice President, Central Asia Region at Eni

TBY talks to Luca Vignati, Executive Vice President, Central Asia Region at Eni, on the firm's journey in Kazakhstan, its key achievements over the last year, and support from the authorities.

Interview

Olivier Lazare, Vice President and Country Chair, Shell Kazakhstan

TBY talks to Olivier Lazare, Vice President and Country Chair of Shell Kazakhstan, on 25 years of partnership with Kazakhstan, the Kashagan and Karachaganak fields, and expectations for the future.

Column

Renato Maroli , General Director, KPO

TBY talks to Renato Maroli , General Director, KPO, on the sector.

Focus: ATYRAU

City on a Field

Behind the attention set on the city centers of Astana and Almaty, a third city is quietly powering Kazakhstan's oil and gas sector while creating knock-on effects in several other industries.

B2B

Oil & Gas Supplies

The oil and gas supply chain has concentrated on quality during a period of depressed oil prices and is betting on strong future growth in the country.

Interview

Abdurassul Zharmenov, General Director, National Center on Complex Processing of Mineral Raw Materials of the Republic of Kazakhstan

TBY talks to Abdurassul Zharmenov, General Director of the National Center on Complex Processing of Mineral Raw Materials of the Republic of Kazakhstan, on demand for scientific developments in the industrial sector, the importance of scientific research, and local technology.

Forum

Machinery

With oil prices steadily increasing and investments picking up again, new opportunities abound for equipment providers.

Review

New Connection

Mobile penetration rates are high, but the government's Digital Kazakhstan plan calls for heavy investment in fiber-optic infrastructure to bring high-speed internet to rural areas.

Interview

Dauren Abayev, Minister , Information and Communications

TBY talks to Dauren Abayev, Minister of Information and Communications, on the impetus behind the establishment of the ministry, its achievements thus far, and upcoming initiatives for 2018.

Interview

Arti Ots, CEO, Kcell

TBY talks to Arti Ots, CEO of Kcell, on digital customer services, multi-stakeholder dialogs, and contributions toward the national digitization program.

Interview

Dmitry Shuster, General Director, Cisco Kazakhstan

TBY talks to Dmitry Shuster, General Director of Cisco Kazakhstan, on leveraging Expo 2017, launching a remote government services project, and helping firms improve their decisionmaking.

Review

Caution, State Shrinking

The Rukhani Janghyru modernization program, President Nazarbayev insists, will position Kazakhstan among the world's top-30 developed countries by 2050.

Column

Talgat Kukenov, CEO, The Abraaj Group Kazakhstan

TBY talks to Talgat Kukenov, CEO, The Abraaj Group Kazakhstan, on the sector.

Interview

Timur Suleimenov, Minister , National Economy

TBY talks to Timur Suleimenov, Minister of National Economy, on sectors contributing to growth, privatization and decentralization, and a new PPP framework.

Focus: Astana International Finance Centre

Common to an Uncommon Degree

Many eyes were set on Astana for Expo 2017, and Kazakhstan is hoping to carry this momentum forward into 2018 with a new financial hub.

Interview

Zhenis Kassymbek, Minister , Investments and Development

TBY talks to Zhenis Kassymbek, Minister of Investments and Development, on industries with existing potential, promising sectors, and creating a more favorable investment environment.

Interview

Agris Preimanis, Head of Kazakhstan, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)

TBY talks to Agris Preimanis, Head of Kazakhstan at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), on increasing growth, investing smartly, and building a more inclusive economy.

Interview

Doris Bradbury, Executive Director, American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham)

TBY talks to Doris Bradbury, Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), on participation in Expo 2017, high-potential sectors, and forums for increasing public-private cooperation.

Interview

Baurzhan K. Ospanov, Chairman, Investment Industrial Corporation (ZHERSU)

TBY talks to Baurzhan K. Ospanov, Chairman of the Investment Industrial Corporation (ZHERSU), on national capacity, the agriculture sector, and opportunities for international partnerships.

Interview

Erlan Ospanov, CEO, Verny Capital

TBY talks to Erlan Ospanov, CEO of Verny Capital, on project progress, potential areas for growth, and embracing technology.

Interview

Ömer Öğün, General Director, Efes Kazakhstan

TBY talks to Ömer Öğün, General Director of Efes Kazakhstan, on operational challenges as a result of devaluation, the introduction of new products, and expectations for the future.

Review

Down the Home Stretch

Kazakhstan's housing sector saw improved performance toward the end of 2017, and an ambitious affordable housing plan should add needed supply.

Column

Selim Karakulah, Country Manager, Entegre Satek Elektronik

TBY talks to Selim Karakulah, Country Manager, Entegre Satek Elektronik, on the sector.

Interview

Rinat Kassymov, CEO, Mercury Properties

TBY talks to Rinat Kassymov, CEO of Mercury Properties, on nearly tripling its assets under management, ensuring the concept is as powerful as the outcome, and maintaining strong internal rates of return.

Focus: Smart City

Astana: The Next 20 Years

Physical construction defined the last two decades for Astana; the future will be defined by making it smart.

Column

Olzhas Sartayev, Chairman, Astana Innovations

TBY talks to Olzhas Sartayev, Chairman, Astana Innovations, on the sector.

Vox Populi

Property Management

Even in difficult economic periods, by focusing on doing their best and being innovative, developers are able to build up a successful business.

Interview

Khuram Muradov, President, Prime Group Holding Company

TBY talks to Khuram Muradov, President of Prime Group Holding Company, on the company's decision to consolidate operations, branching out overseas, and opportunities within the new Silk Road project.

Review

A Vision for New Visitors

Kazakhstan has plans to grow its tourism industry to 8% of GDP by 2025 by increasing its presence in the Chinese market and improving hospitality infrastructure

Photo Essay: Almaty

City and Beyond

Soviet Russia and Mother Nature's influences abound in the former capital of Kazakhstan.

B2B

Retail

With all signs pointing to the economy picking up again, retailers are confident that they will be able to grow their presence and increase their market share in the coming years.

Review

Make Ends Meet

Agricultural productivity remains low, but Kazakhstan is developing the sector by increasing grain output and signing new export agreements.

Column

Bakhtiyar Rakhmatov, General Manager, IFT Project Development

TBY talks to Bakhtiyar Rakhmatov,General Manager,IFT Project Development, on the sector.

Interview

Temirkhan Dosmukhambetov, Chairman, Bayserke Agro

TBY talks to Temirkhan Dosmukhambetov, Chairman of Bayserke Agro, on high-potential business lines, new technologies, and the strategic growth of Kazakhstan's agriculture sector.

Interview

Nurzhan Kozhamuratov, General Director, EFKO Kazakhstan

TBY talks to Nurzhan Kozhamuratov, General Director of EFKO Kazakhstan, on venturing into the oil and fat cluster, its success in exports, and plans to develop the agricultural industry.

Review: Health

Take Care

Kazakhstan's healthcare system suffered a significant decline in the years following the fall of the Soviet Union. Economic collapse led to lack of human and capital investment as public funding fell to new lows. In the years since the turn to the 21st century, Kazakhstan's health outcomes have improved as the nation's economic fortunes have lifted.

Column

Madina Umbetova , General Manager, International SOS

TBY talks to Madina Umbetova , General Manager, International SOS, on the subject.

Interview

Ranga Welaratne, General Manager, Sanofi Central Asia and Caucasus

TBY talks to Ranga Welaratne, General Manager of Sanofi Central Asia and Caucasus, on the firm's illustrious history in the country, the importance of Kazakhstan to the company, and upcoming areas of opportunity.

Focus: Pharmaceuticals

Prescription: Localization

Kazakhstan is looking at localization of pharmaceuticals to encourage innovation, knowledge transfer, and diversification.

B2B

Pharma

As one of the faster-growing economies, with clear decision-making processes and goals from the government, Kazakhstan presents a significant opportunity for pharmaceutical market growth.

Review

Know This

Kazakhstan is focused on improving its higher education system by meeting EU standards and developing new research partnerships.

Interview

Darkhan Akhmed-Zaki, President, University of International Business (UIB)

TBY talks to Darkhan Akhmed-Zaki, President of the University of International Business (UIB), on the philosophy of the university, keeping students employable, and objectives for the year ahead.

Focus: Adopting Latin Script

Off Script

On October 26, 2017, President Nursultan Nazarbayev parted with almost 80 years of tradition by switching the Kazakh alphabet from Cyrillic to a Latin-based script.

Review

WHAT THE WORLD WANTS

Increasing access to FDI is one of Kazakhstan's top priorities as the government works to build a more diversified economy that is less reliant on petroleum exports.