7-th Asian Games | Astana Almaty 2011

General information about Astana

1832 - Date of foundation
Before 1961 - City of Akmolinsk
1961 - 1992 - City of Tselinograd
1993 - 1998 - City of Akmola
20.10.1997 After the edict by the President of RK the city of Akmola is declared Capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan
06.05.1998- Akmola is renamed by the decree of the President of RK into the city of Astana
Metropolitan Area of Astana: 710.2 sq. km.
Climate: sharply continental: moderately hot summer and long-lasting frosty winter.                               Geographic position: 51010′ of North latitude and 710 30′ of East longitude.
Local time: Astana is in Time Zone 5. Local time in relation to the zero meridian is GMT +06.00

Astana is inhabited by the representatives of more than 100 nationalities.

Population: annual average population size for 2007- 562,3 thousand inhabitants; 1 January 2008- 602,5 thousand;  1 November 2008- 633,7 thousand. 1 April 2009- 635 thousand inhabitants.

Nowadays Astana in a faster way gets the image of business center of the country. All government organizations, embassies of foreign countries, joint enterprise and foreign firms are concentrated in the new capital. Each year the city meets guests on various international industrial exhibitions, conferences and music festivals.
The climate of the region is typical of this area with long and snowy winters. Late beautiful spring begins only at the end of March. Summer is temperate warm, with lots of showers and sunny days.

The climate of region differs in the long for these district long and snow winters. Spring is late, but surprisingly beautiful, begins only at the end of March. Summer is moderately warm, with a plenty of downpours and sunny days.

Economy of the capital. The railway on Karali, constructed in 1931-1936 years influenced on economic development of city. There are following factories: “Metallist”, pump, iron, car-repair and other enterprises of mechanical engineering and metal working. Besides, there is a chemical plant, light industry enterprises (tannery, a Sewing factory) and food industry (a meat-packing plant, a butter factory, milk processing factory, mills), sawmill and brick factories, a printing house etc. There are coal mines and uranium mines near Astana.

The currency market. The currency market of city of Astana is represented by 25 branches of banks, having the right for the organization of exchange operations, 1 organization of post communication, 82 organizations which are carrying out separate kinds of bank operations. Exchange operations with cash foreign currency carry out 265 exchange offices (in 2006 -231 exchange offices).

Foreign economic activity. Trading cooperation of the city with the states of far abroad and near abroad successfully extends. Nowadays cooperation with 28 countries is carried out.

Foreign trade turnover. If to look after development of the foreign trade turnover in 2007 it was 8, 7 billion US dollars and has increased, in comparison with 2006, on 54,5 %, including turnover with countries of the CIS- 1,9 billion US dollars (in comparison with the previous year has increased in 1,5 times), with the countries out of the CIS - 6,8 billion US dollars (has increased in 1,6 times). For January, - September 2008 the foreign trade turnover has reached 8,3 billion US dollars, expansion rate to the similar period of the last year was 32,7 %.

Export deliveries for January, - September 2008 was 5 579,5 billion US dollars, and have increased in 1,6 times in comparison with the similar period of 2007.

Export of the capital has a strong expressed geographical orientation: for the countries outside of the CIS in total amount of export for January, - September 2008 it was 94,5 %, for the countries of the CIS - 5,5 %, Switzerland (58,3 %), France (16,8 %), China (5,7 %), Turkey (3,3 %), the Great Britain (2,3 %), Russia, Byelorussia (0,7 %), Netherlands (0,5 %) are concerned to number of the basic consumers.

The greatest volumes of import capital were carried out from Russia (27,8 %), Germany (13,5 %), China (7,3 %), Turkey (6,6 %), Ukraine (4,8 %), Italy (3,3 %), Byelorussia (0,7 %).

Among import deliveries prevailing are an import of machines, equipment, transportation vehicle, devices, which for the considered period were 1 526,2 million US dollars. (there was a decrease in comparison with  the previous year almost in 0,9 times).

Nowadays Astana actively conducts external trade with 90 countries of the world, including capitals with close relations: Moscow, Minsk, Kishinev, Kiev, Seoul, Riga, Warsaw, Budapest, Baku, Cairo, Bangkok, Berlin, Vilnius, Ankara, Tashkent, Peking etc.

According to estimation in 2008 the volume of the foreign trade turnover was 10,4 billion US dollars and has increased on 20 % by 2007, including export - 6,0 billion US dollars, import - 4,4 billion US dollars.

Within the cooperation with the International Assembly of capitals and large cities of the countries of the CIS, 3-4 April, 2008 in city of Moscow with support of the Government of the Russian Federation was organized The first international forum « Megacity: XXI century » where was carried out the first in the history of Commonwealth review - competition « The Best city of the CIS » in which about 100 cities and capitals of the CIS have taken part. The capital of Kazakhstan- Astana has won in nine nominations. The capital is recognized as the best in categories: stable and dynamical development, efficient control and self-management, introduction of modern technologies, development of social protection, preservation of a historical-cultural heritage, the organization of an accomplishment and gardening.

Tourism. Economic activity, inflow of investments to manufacture and to services sector, usage of transport potential, is directly connected with formation of a modern infrastructure of capital.

At the international airport of Astana the modern centers of maintenance service of air courts and business - aircraft are created, the number of the routes connecting capital with distant and near foreign countries is extended.

It will promote development of business, cognitive entrance tourism, and it is necessary to note, that today there are many unique objects which cause interest of foreign visitors in Astana, there are theatres, the exhibition and entertaining centers, a circus, an oceanarium, a number reserves and resort zones are located near Astana.

In the period from 2006 till 2007 parameters of entrance tourism in city of Astana have increased on 60 %, from 52963 up to 84789 persons, exit tourism has decreased on 16,7 %, from 31131 up to 25923 persons, internal tourism has increased on 26 % from 256204 up to 322879 persons.

The quantity of travel companies has grown on 47,3 % from 74 - in 2006 up to 121 in 2007. Also there are 12 branches and representations of travel companies from other regions.

The analysis of structure of the tourist market shows, that the basic part of tourist firms consists of travel agencies which activity is directed on exit tourism. It is explained that exit tourism is more profitable, and also does not demand essential material inputs on formation work product.

Incomes of tourist business of city have increased about 6,2 billion tenge in 2006 up to 7,8 billion tenge in 2007. This number includes incomes of services of hotels, a total cost of tourist vouchers, visa and excursion services, and also services of booking places.

Considering rates of development of tourist business, in 2008 growth of parameters of this branch were in the average on 8 %.

Culture. As of September, 1, 2008 there are 66 establishments and the enterprises of culture, including 58 - local value in the city. In comparison with 2006 the net of the organizations of culture has increased on 14 units.

There are national opera and ballet theatre named after K.Bajseitova, drama theatres, the great variety of museums.

Monuments of Astana - is a binding element between new city image and its history, respected by all nations of Kazakhstan.

Also there are four higher educational institutions, Akmolinskaya regional regional philharmonic, libraries. To cultural - educational establishments of city it is possible to attribute also the Congress - hall, the Palace of youth and the Presidential Centre of Culture.

Exposition of the open-air museum ethno-cultural complex “The map of Kazakhstan “Atameken” is extended: in 2006 the exposition was added by 77, in 2007 - with 52 new models. In 2008 « 20 wonders of the world» world models were made and presented.

The capital can speak about competitiveness of our collectives and performers representing culture of the capital on world musical arena. It is proved by number of winners and students of the international and republican competitions and festivals - 62 persons.

Creative growth of collectives is promoted by tours. From the budget of city in 2006 were appropriated 38 442 thousand tenge, in 2007 - 10 785 thousand tenge, in 2008 - 32 039 thousand tenge for tours of theatrical collectives.

In 2008 construction of the Palace of Independence, monuments « Zher Ana», monument of independence « Kazakh eli» and of some other infrastructural objects was completed due to budgetary funds.

Sports. For qualitative development of sportsmanship and education of capital sportsmen of the international class the Centre of preparation of Olympic reserve which primary activity is the organization of studying-training process of perspective young sportsmen of the city, preparation of a reserve for the national team of the country was opened in 2006. The number of such sportsmen for today is 98 persons.

The contingent of pupils of children-youthful sports schools steadily grows. In 2006 their quantity was 5804, in 2007 - 6000. During this period, 103 pupils of sports schools and clubs were given title of “Master of sports”, 25 pupils were given title of “World-class athlete”.

Capital sportsmen have taken 11 of 23 medals of Kazakhstan sportsmen, on the main continental competitions - the fifteenth Asian games of 2006.

According to the results of summer Republican Games the rhythmic gymnastics team of Astana has won first place, judo - 2 place, rowing and canoeing - 2 place among 16 regions of the country.

People notice Growth of quantity of sports constructions. If in 2006 the quantity of constructions was 421, in 2007 - 452. Football fields with an artificial covering have appeared in territories of comprehensive schools for the first time in city. The quantity of plane sports constructions is increased by 17 units. The quantity of football fields with an artificial covering has increased by 14 units. In the current year were put into operation 2 fields in territory of city park of culture and 12 fields in territories of comprehensive schools.

In 2007 the new sports hall for wrestling “Olympus” in settlement Koktal - 1 was put in commission. In addition, construction of large sports constructions, such as Olympic stadium for 30 000 seats, the Republican cycle track, skating stadium for 10 000 seats, Tennis court for 2 500, is still in progress in 2009.

Development of technologies and innovations. In 2007 applications for financing of seven developmental works and innovational projects and two innovational projects were directed from city to the joint-stock company « National Innovational Fund » which gives financial support for developmental works and innovational projects. In 2007 has received financing Open Company « Keremet IT » - the project of developmental work for creation of internet-oriented translation system from Russian into Kazakh language and from Kazakh into Russian. Other projects are on the examination.

Investment projects which were realized in the period from 2006 till 2008 have allowed organizing in the city release of the goods (building materials, foodstuff) according to innovational technologies. So, for example Open Company «Tsesna Mak», which had realized the investment project of production of  macaroni products, turns out products according to the technology of Swiss company ” Buhler ” known all over the world- the producer of the equipment for production of macaroni products. Open Company « Apple City Food » carries out production of meat products (sausage) on technology of Austrian company “Schirinhoffer» which is known in Europe. Open Company « Astana Brick » produces ceramic bricks according to the Italian technology “Bedesski”.

For the purpose of supporting  development of innovational activity, on a constant basis sessions of the commissions on scientific and technical development (creation of dialogue platforms for cooperation) with participation of Institutions of Higher Education, scientific research institutes and financial institutions of development of joint-stock company « National innovational fund », joint-stock company « Fund of a science », financing developmental works and innovational projects are carried out. In addition, organization of exhibitions and competitions of modern technologies in the field of production of building materials, mechanical engineering, and production of furniture is carried out.

The main tendencies of social and economic development of city of Astana for 2009-2011. The basic tendencies of investment are: construction of the governmental objects; trade; machine maintenance and products of domestic using; hotel and restaurant business; production of the electric power, gas and water.

Realization of the project « Water supply and water removal » proceeds at the expense of means of the external loan which was given by the government of Japan and at the expense of official transfers from the republican budget. The period of realization the project is 2004 - 2009, according to the government regulations of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

SEA «Astana - zhana kala» will get further development. According to the project of Norman Foster, finishing of the cultural - entertaining centre Khan Shatyr, which hasn’t analogues in the world, is planned. This project is a tent, supported by steel masts. In middle of a building there is a spacious flexible platform where cultural actions are concentrated and a number of entertaining and exhibition activity are carried out. The entertaining centre Khan Shatyr along with large carport, the area of 40 000 m2 of various cafeterias, bars, restaurants and cinemas, distributive trades’ shops represents various opportunities for spending a free time.

According to M.Nikoletti’s project the Universal concert hall for 3500 thousand seats is building. There will be carried out concerts of symphonic, classical and modern music, performances of ballet, the congresses, film-displays and political actions.

Among the largest objects which will be constructed in territory of SEA, it is possible to point out: - «Indoor stadium for 30 000 seats in Astana » - will be significant object in architectural city image. Modern achievements and technologies of last years are introduced in the project. Tribunes are indoor, for this purpose the sliding system of a roof was developed. In addition to the football matches it is possible to carry out competitions of Olympic kinds of sports.

- «The Republican cycle track»: total area is 46 800 m2, tribunes for 9 200 seats, there will be bicycle centre, a hotel complex, the educational centre, an improving - entertaining complex.

- «Shopping center «St. Petersburg»: total area is 17889,5 m2, shopping center-2 floors, offices, boutiques, restaurant, an auto parking for 33 places, offices in the shape of tower - 17 floors.

Construction of the Scientific - educational complex « New university» with a view of training and education of new generation of administrative and scientific and technical elite of the country, preparation of the scientific and professional staff appropriate to a level of the world standards, was begun in Astana.

In the current year construction of complex “Batigai” will begin. Complex “Batigai” is represented as city in the city, in the center there will be indoor complex of school, hospital, offices, shopping center, an entertaining complex and a cinema. The project of indoor city is directed on satisfying all possible needs of the townspeople and visitors of the capital within the complex. Domestic houses with carports, hotel, business the centre, a sports complex, cafeterias and restaurants will be connected by tunnels with the covered centre.

In 2009 construction of new, even more majestic building - « Abu Dabi Plaza Astana » - 88-storeyed multi-industry complex which will be built by the Arabian investors, will consist four hotels, several tens business centers, offices, shops. In addition the complex will include accommodations. Total area of Abu Dabi PLaza Astana - 550 thousand square meters. It is planned to lay a railway from the skyscraper up to the airport on which high-speed electric trains will started up.

Stabilization of a demographic and migratory situation in Astana. The expected population size of Astana by 2011 - 852 thousand person and it will increase in comparison with 2008 on 32,9 %. The rate was established according to the number of the working enterprises and organizations of city-forming values (city-forming group of the population which according to the design rules is 35-40 %).

Development of technologies and innovations. Now in territory of Industrial park there is a realization of some investment and innovational projects in sphere of producing of building materials, machines and the equipment, rubber and plastic products, furniture on technologies of the companies known all over the world.

Construction of projects: factory “Nokian”, with volume of release up to 4 million auto cars in a year, a factory on assembly of locomotives «General Electric Company», logistical centre «Apple city» will begin within the creating park.

Here construction of a factory with unique technology on release of polycrystalline silicon of joint-stock company « Lancaster of groups of Kazakhstans » is planned; and other innovational manufactures, transport terminals and the logistical centers will be created.

Perspective projects of institutes of development on realization of Strategy of industrial innovational development. To the perspective investment projects concern projects financed by joint-stock companies « Bank of development of Kazakhstan ».

The Project of Limited Company “Lokomotiv-leasing” for construction of the locomotive-assembly factory. Cost of the project - 125 million US dollars. Capacity of the factory will be up to 100 locomotives in a year.

The project of Limited Company «KUN Renewables» for construction of a factory producing polycrystalline silicon. Cost of the project - 350 million US dollars. Financing of the project will be carried out at the expense of extra means of joint-stock company « Bank of development of Kazakhstan » - 70 % and own means - 30 %.

The project of joint-stock company « Орdabasy-NOKIAN TYRES » for construction of a factory producing auto-tyres according to the technology of company “Nokian “. Cost of the project- 200 million US dollars. Financing of the project will be carried at the expense of extra means of joint-stock company « Bank of development of Kazakhstan » - 75 % and own means - 25 %.