Construction of 4 water reservoirs to begin in 3 regions of Kazakhstan
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During the Government’s meeting, Kazakh Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, reported on the large-scale modernization of the country’s water management sector, Kazinform News Agency reports.
In 2024, the ministry has adopted two strategically important documents: the Concept for the Development of the Water Resources Management System for 2024-2030 and the Comprehensive Water Management Development Plan for 2024-2028. As part of the latter, the construction of 42 water reservoirs, reconstruction of 37 hydraulic structures, and 14,000 km of irrigation canals are planned," Minister Nurzhigitov stated.
He noted that the construction of new water reservoirs is set to begin in 2025.
Under the first stage, we plan to start the construction of four new water reservoirs in three regions of the country in 2025. In particular, the Akmola, Kalguta, and Karaozek reservoirs, located in the south, will help address water shortages during the growing season for newly irrigated areas of 22,500 hectares. The construction of the Big Uzen reservoir with a capacity of 28 million cubic meters in the West Kazakhstan region is aimed at retaining flood and meltwater, preventing flooding in two settlements in the Kaztal district, where approximately 5,000 people live," Nurzhigitov explained.
In addition, the first phase includes the reconstruction of existing water reservoirs.
The reconstruction of the Teris-Ashchybulak and Karakonyz water reservoirs in the Zhambyl region, as well as the Koskorgan and Koksaray counter-regulator reservoirs in the Turkistan region, is planned. Furthermore, 115 irrigation canals, totaling 3,452 kilometers, will be modernized with digitalization elements in six regions: Almaty, Zhambyl, Zhetysu, West Kazakhstan, Kyzylorda, and Turkistan. A facility to replenish the Astana water reservoir is also planned," the minister added.
According to him, the second phase will involve 25 projects.
The second stage includes the construction of 11 new water reservoirs, the reconstruction of 13 existing ones, and the modernization of over 5,000 km of canals in 10 regions: Almaty, Abai, East Kazakhstan, West Kazakhstan, Kyzylorda, Atyrau, Zhetysu, Pavlodar, Turkistan, and Zhambyl regions," concluded Nurzhigitov.
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New head of International Information Committee at Kazakh MFA named
Images | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan
Aibek Smadiyarov has been appointed as the Chairman of the Committee for International Information- the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Kazinform News Agency reports.
Aibek Smadiyarov was born on July 7, 1983, in the South Kazakhstan region. He graduated from the Kazakh Ablai Khan University of International Relations and World Languages in 2004.
He began his career in 2005 as a specialist in the administrative department of the Bank of China in Kazakhstan.
From 2006 to 2008, he worked as a specialist in the Consular Service Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan. From 2008 till 2010, he held the posts of Attaché and Third Secretary in the Ministry's European Department.
In 2010 - 2012, he served as the Third Secretary at the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Hungary. In 2012 - 2013, he worked as an expert in the press service of the President of Kazakhstan. Subsequently, from 2013 to 2014, he was the First Secretary of the Committee for Foreign Policy Analysis and Forecasting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
From 2014 to 2018, he served as the Second and then First Secretary at the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Vietnam.
Between 2018 and 2019, he helmed the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From 2019 to 2023, he was the Deputy Chairman of the Committee for International Information and the Press Secretary of the Ministry.
Before the appointment as the Chairman of the Committee for International Information, he served as the Director of the Communications Department and Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan from June 2023.
He holds the diplomatic rank of Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Envoy of II Class.
He is fluent in Kazakh, Russian, English, and Turkish.
As reported earlier, a new Vice Minister of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan was appointed.
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Tokayev instructs to boost standard of living for residents of Turkistan region
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President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a meeting on Tuesday with governor of Turkistan region Nuralkhan Kusherov, Kazinform News Agency cites the Akorda press service.
The Kazakh President was briefed about the outcomes of the social and economic development of the region for the past year as well as the plans for the upcoming period.
Tokayev was informed that the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) approved funding of 24 projects worth 135.5 billion tenge to restore irrigation facilities in the region. Construction of Baidibek ata reservoir is underway to ensure sustainable supply of water in Turkistan and six surrounding areas as well as the project of Boraldai reservoir is under development.
According to Kusherov, a focus is placed on cotton, corn and meat clusters, as five projects worth 197 billion tenge are slated for realization in the cotton-textile sector. The region has begun constructing a starch and molasses plant as well as implements the best practices to promote livestock farming.
Six projects with a capacity of 2.4GW are slated for realization to address a shortage of electricity in the region.
As Kusherov informed, this year, the region plans to construction 32 schools, carry out major repairs at 41 schools, commission 32 primary health care facilities as well as supply natural gas to 45 settlements.
Following the meeting, President Tokayev instructed the governor to maintain close interaction with the government to ensure quality implementation of the tasks set by the recently signed law granting a special status to Turkistan region.
Tokayev also set a number of tasks aimed at improving the standard of living of citizens, promoting tourism, agriculture, small-sized business and providing settlements with drinking water.
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Prime Minister instructs to strengthen investor support and to involve banks in economic development
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The Government session chaired by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov considered the issues of financing the real sector of the economy, primeminister.kz reports.
At the beginning of the meeting, the new Minister of Industry and Construction Yerssaiyn Nagaspayev took the oath of office. Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin presented the main approaches to financing, and line ministers reported on measures in key sectors: transport, industry, agriculture, energy and water supply. Representatives of the financial block also made speeches.
Dynamic development of the economy is impossible without active financing of the real sector. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov noted that this today is hindered by a number of problems such as insufficient efficiency of government agencies in the development of investment projects, lack of long-term loans for business and competition between state financial institutions and second-tier banks. State development institutions mainly finance projects themselves, which reduces the interest of banks in lending to the real sector.
Second-tier banks should play a key role in financing the real sector of the economy. This is what the Head of State spoke about at the enlarged meeting of the Government. This year the Government will take all necessary measures to ensure conditions for timely financing of projects in the real sector of the economy," Olzhas Bektenov emphasised.
In order to address these issues it is planned to:
- to expand the use of the state guarantee;
- to create a Guarantee Fund for small and medium-sized businesses;
- additional capitalisation of Baiterek Holding;
- ensure a balance between state development institutions and second-tier banks.
The Prime Minister urged the government agencies and the banking sector to coordinated and efficient work. In this regard, Olzhas Bektenov instructed state bodies to provide full support to investors and control over the implementation of investment projects. Akimats should accelerate the introduction of necessary infrastructure for the implementation of investment projects and more actively involve the funds of local budgets. The Ministry of Finance should also ensure timely financing of priority projects.
Second-tier banks should be more actively involved in financing the real sector, working with industrial and infrastructure projects, not only in trade and consumer lending. In turn, the state will provide subsidising, guaranteeing and refinancing instruments. It is necessary to ensure a balance between state institutions and banks. State financial structures should not replace second-tier banks, but create conditions for their participation in financing. The work should also be aimed at the development of private investment instruments, including the issuance of corporate bonds and public-private partnership mechanisms. Ministries, akimats, quasi-public sector and banks need to mobilise all resources for qualitative and dynamic growth of the national economy.
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Foreign leaders congratulate President Tokayev on the beginning of holy month of Ramadan
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Foreign leaders and heads of international organizations are sending letters of congratulations to Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the occasion of beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, Kazinform News Agency learned from the Akorda press service.
Those sending the letters were President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, King Abdullah II of Jordan, Emir of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman, President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, King Mohammed VI of Morocco, King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, President of Israel Isaac Herzog, Secretary General of the OIC Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary General of OPEC Haitham Al Ghais and others.
Earlier, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated Kazakhstanis on the beginning of Ramadan.
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Kazakhstan set to increase oil refining capacity to 18.5mln tons
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Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin chaired a meeting of the economic growth staff focusing on prospects of the oil and gas sector for this year and the investment and economic development of Mangistau region, Kazinform News Agency reports.
According to the press service of the country’s government, Kazakhstan bets on timely realization of investment projects in its real economic sector, as the country set a GDP growth target for 2025 of at least 7%, an increase from its real GDP growth of 4.8% in 2024.
During the meeting, Deputy Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said, 'Kazakhstan’s oil refining stood at 1.53 million tons in January or equivalent to 104% of the same month of last year, exceeding the plan by 0.6%'.
In general, oil refining accounts for under 1% of Kazakhstan’s GDP (0.6% in 9 months of 2024).
The country seeks to increase its oil refining capacity to 18.5 million tons, as CaspiBitum is set to complete its expansion project by the end of May this year, rising its capacity from 1 million to 1.5 million tons.
During the meeting, the need was highlighted to look at Mangistau region’s underperforming agriculture and fishery industries (87.5% against 101% planned) and trade (102% against 105.4% planned), as the country targets a 7% GDP growth in 2025.
The next meeting of the economic growth staff is set to focus on trade as well as transport and storage.
As earlier reported, Kazakhstan plans to produce 96.2 million tons of crude oil, primarily driven by the Tengiz oilfield expansion project, in 2025.
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Kazakhstan appoints new Minister of Industry and Construction
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By a decree of the Head of State, Yersaiyn Nagaspayev has been appointed the Minister of Industry and Construction of Kazakhstan, Kazinform News Agency learned from the Akorda press service.
Yersaiyn Nagaspayev is a graduate of the Karaganda State University and holds a diploma in "International Economic Relations."
In different years, he worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Aktau International Port. He was an advisor to the vice prime minister of Kazakhstan, deputy governor of Kazybek Bi district in Karaganda region, mayor of Shakhtinsk, deputy mayor of Astana. He also helmed the Astana Social-Entrepreneurial Corporation and was a Managing Director at the JSC NC Kazakhstan Temir Zholy.
Earlier, it was reported that Asset Irgaliyev was appointed the Chairman of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms
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