02.02.2024, 12:30 32456

Government of Kazakhstan and OECD deepen cooperation in trade and transport connectivity

Images | Ministry of Trade and Integration

OECD experts presented new reports on Trade Facilitation in Central Asia and on Realising the Potential of the Middle Corridor at a business breakfast with the participation of heads of the Ministry of Trade and Integration and ambassadors of OECD countries. The Ministry of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan, in cooperation with QazTrade, is a partner of the OECD project on trade and transport connectivity of the Central Asian countries, press service of the Ministry of Trade and Integration reports.

In its work, the OECD focused on the development of trade relations among Central Asian countries and Kazakhstan's export ecosystem. According to the OECD, countries in the region have achieved positive results in simplifying and optimizing trade procedures and automating customs operations.

Opening the event, William Tompson, Head of the OECD Eurasia Division, noted that addressing the challenges caused by geopolitical events requires the countries of the region to further integrate both at the regional and international levels, upgrade existing infrastructure, and remove barriers to trade. In that regard, trade facilitation plays a pivotal role in achieving these goals by reducing trade costs and fostering integration.

As the Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan, Arman Shakkaliyev, said at the meeting, the mutual trade turnover between Kazakhstan and the Central Asian countries is growing. The leading trading players in the region are Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Moreover, Kazakhstan accounts for over half of the volume of foreign trade operations with OECD countries.

For Kazakhstan, as one of the largest partners of Central Asian сcountries, it is important to follow OECD principles and standards in various sectors of the economy. As part of the project, we are doing a lot of work to strengthen and develop regional trade connectivity. In this context, special priority is given to strengthening Kazakhstan's competitive economy and export ecosystem", - the Minister stressed

Gregory Lecomte, Head of Central Asia Unit, presented the key points of the reports on trade and transport connectivity of Central Asian countries and provided recommendations for further improvement of trade procedures.

In general, despite the region's improvement in trade facilitation indicators, it is recommended to continue working to improve access to documentation, boost digitalization in trade-related procedures, and build up infrastructure to enhance intra-regional trade and inter-regional freight of goods.

In particular, Kazakhstan is recommended to expand the existing structures of the single window service and reduce compliance costs", - said Mr. Lecomte

During the event, participants stressed the importance of developing the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TMTM), the Middle Corridor.

Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania to Kazakhstan Egidijus Navikas noted that connecting Central Asia and Europe through the Middle Corridor is one of the main tasks in ensuring the transit of goods.

In turn, Kairat Torebayev, Vice Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, shared information about the region's dynamic development of transport logistics. In recent years, cargo deliveries to Europe have increased through the TMTM, which passes territories of the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. Thus, the volume of cargo transportation along the Middle Corridor increased by 1.8 times; only in 2023, 2.8 million tons of cargo were transported through the TMTM. The increase was 86% compared to the previous year.

The OECD report on the potential of the Middle Corridor includes infrastructure development along the route and related services. In addition to the transit functions of TMTM, the promotion of exports of goods and services is of particular importance for Kazakhstan. The Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan and QazTrade are actively working to simplify trade procedures and continue to expand trade cooperation with Central Asian countries.

According to Deputy General Director of "QazTrade" JSC Nurlan Kulbatyrov, the implementation of OECD recommendations and transition to paperless trade will lead to an increase in trade turnover by 30% in the medium term, which is a priority indicator for Kazakhstan. He also noted that Kazakhstan participates in all OECD analytical activities in trade. These include the OECD Services Trade Restrictiveness Index (STRI), the OECD Trade Facilitation Indicators and the Trade in Value-added (TiVA).

At the end of the business meeting, the participants expressed confidence in further strengthening cooperation on the current agenda and deepening collaboration in critical areas.

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13.11.2024, 16:34 69071

Olzhas Bektenov holds meeting on rare and rare-earth metals industry development in fulfilment of President's Address

Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting on the development of the industry of rare and rare earth metals in fulfilment of the instruction of the Head of State, voiced in the Address "Economic Course of Fair Kazakhstan", primeminister.kz reports.

The development of the industry will strengthen Kazakhstan's position in the world market, attract technology and capital, as well as expand participation in the supply chain in new sectors of the economy.

The Minister of Industry and Construction, Kanat Sharlapayev, reported on the current state and measures being taken, and reports were also made by the heads of NAC Kazatomprom JSC, NGK Tau-Ken Samruk JSC, and the RSE National Centre for Technological Forecasting.

Kazakhstan is home to one of the world's three full-cycle plants for the production of beryllium, scandium, one of the world's four tantalum and niobium production facilities. According to the Ministry of Industry and Construction, the country's metallurgical plants extract bismuth, antimony, selenium and telluride, and there is a technology to produce gallium from alumina and indium from polymetallic raw materials. In November this year, production of tungsten concentrate was launched at Boguty deposit in Almaty region with capacity of up to 3.3 million tonnes. The total investment in the project amounted to $350 million.

Head of the Government was also reported on the work on promising projects in the development of tungsten ores and deepening of processing of raw materials to ammonium paravolphramate, creation of a cluster for the production of magnets.

Attention was paid to the development of sectors for the production of battery materials, permanent magnets, recycling and production of heat-resistant alloys. Projects are being implemented to mine and process the necessary metals. For example, at one of the world's largest deposits Sarytogan, it is planned to produce graphite concentrate with upgrading to finished products. Since 2024, Kazakhstan has been producing manganese sulphate monohydrate, which covers 5% of the global market. Projects are also being implemented to develop lithium deposits by German company Bergbau AG, and the Korean institute KIGAM is conducting geological and geophysical studies of lithium in the East Kazakhstan region. At the same time, it is planned to set up production of heat-resistant nickel alloys, which make up to 50 per cent of the cost of jet aircraft engines, based on rhenium, tantalum, tungsten, nickel and cobalt. As of today, the country has set up processing of scrap blades of aircraft engines.

Olzhas Bektenov noted the potential of Kazakh companies to conduct geological exploration, including feasibility studies, to further attract investment. This approach will expand Kazakhstan's share in the world production of rare and rare earth metals. Prime Minister emphasised that the Government will support domestic research institutes and manufacturers.

Development of the industry of rare and rare earth metals requires the active participation of domestic financial institutions. The Ministry of Industry and Construction together with the holding company "Baiterek" has been instructed to develop a model for the creation of a cluster with a full cycle of production chain - from mining of raw materials to the production of products of deep processing. The Ministry of Industry and Construction was instructed to work out the issue of creating a laboratory with international accreditation.

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12.11.2024, 22:27 69286

Olzhas Bektenov checks implementation of President's instructions on employment and development of social infrastructure in Kyzylorda region

Images | primeminister.kz

Within the framework of his working trip to Kyzylorda region, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov checked the implementation of the instructions of the Head of State given in his Address to improve the welfare and quality of life of villagers within the framework of the programme "Auyl Amanaty", diversification of the economy through the development of agro-industrial complex, as well as modernization of social infrastructure facilities to provide residents with quality educational services, primeminister.kz reports.

In Besaryk village of Syrdarya district Prime Minister got acquainted with successful examples of implementation of "Auyl Amanaty" programme and social responsibility of business. Abai Daulet’ LLP has created a production site, where 13 business initiatives of villagers for 318.2 million tenge have been implemented. Shops for production of semi-finished products, plastic utensils, wood products, textile, confectionery products, soap, etc. have been opened. Olzhas Bektenov familiarised himself with the line of products manufactured by villagers.

For wide dissemination of positive experience the work on opening of similar business incubators in at least 3-4 villages of each district of the region is underway.

In total in Kyzylorda region in the framework of the programme ‘Auyl Amanaty’ this year implemented 575 projects in the manufacturing industry, livestock, crop production and other promising areas with the creation of 610 jobs.

On the example of the plant "Kaz Fries" the head of the Government was presented measures to unlock the potential in the field of deep processing of agricultural products. The capacity of the enterprise is up to 150 kg of fries per hour, the finished products are frozen and sold in the domestic market. Director of "Abai-Daulet" LLP Murat Sarsenbaev informed about plans to further expand the production capacity of the multi-profile company engaged in crop production, poultry farming, livestock breeding and production of construction products.

It is important to note that the partnership makes a great contribution to the development of the village. For these purposes, the company has allocated more than 1.5 billion tenge since 2018. The funds are used for landscaping, gardening, repair of social facilities: a school for 360 places, a kindergarten for 120 places and a doctor's outpatient clinic. The House of Culture for 150 people was overhauled this year due to sponsor support. The concept ‘Adal adam’ initiated by the President is being implemented here, aimed at educating young people in the spirit of patriotism, spirituality and morality. Children's art groups have been opened, and a musical creative group has been set up. In addition, a podcast studio has been set up in the cultural centre "Adal Adam", where topical issues of rural business development are discussed live, and viewers are introduced to the products made in local workshops.

Prime Minister emphasised the importance of the contribution of business in improving the quality of life in rural areas.

Development of the village, stimulation of productive employment, creation of quality social infrastructure are among the priority tasks of the Government. In this direction we fully support all initiatives of entrepreneurs. If each Kazakhstani village will have responsible support from those who build business on this land, then the quality of life of the population will improve more dynamically," Olzhas Bektenov noted and emphasised the need for further scaling of the experience of development of Besaryk village.

In Kyzylorda Prime Minister visited the production sites of agro-industrial complex of "Zhan Arai" LLP, where 200 jobs have been created for today. The enterprise is engaged in production of rice, mixed fodder, processing and storage of fruits and vegetables. Two factories are functioning: on production of mixed fodder with capacity of 80 tonnes of production per day and rice processing with capacity of 150 tonnes of groats per day. In addition, there is a vegetable storage capacity of 4 thousand tonnes, which allows to ensure price stability in the off-season for socially important products. The complex's products are sold in Kazakhstan and exported to countries near and far abroad such as Turkey, Iraq, Russia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Belarus and others.

In the regional centre Olzhas Bektenov also got acquainted with the measures taken to increase the coverage of children's additional education. The new Palace of Schoolchildren, built at the expense of private investment, was put into operation in October this year. The cost of the project was 2.4 billion tenge. The social facility with a capacity of up to 350 people is provided with new equipment that promotes all-round development of schoolchildren of different ages such as hydroponics, robotics, industrial design, TV studio and others.

The Prime Minister was also informed about the measures taken in Kyzylorda region to transform the system of vocational education and training within the framework of the Year of Working Professions announced by the President. There are 28 colleges in the region, where today more than 20 thousand students are studying, of which about 5 thousand students are trained in working specialities.

In the 2024-2025 academic year, 7 training and production centres have been opened in all districts of the region. About 300 people are covered by short-term vocational training courses. The first centre was opened in 2022 on the basis of the city lyceum school. It produced 164 specialists in such in-demand professions as cook, seamstress, graphic designer and others. The experience is planned to be scaled up.

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12.11.2024, 20:25 69506

Korkyt Ata airport terminal opened in Kyzylorda on behalf of President

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By order of the Head of State, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov took part in the opening of Korkyt Ata airport's new terminal in Kyzylorda, primeminister.kz reports.

The project, implemented within the framework of social responsibility of business, contributes to the development of trade and economic, tourism potential of the region and ensuring the availability of transport services that directly affect the quality of life of the population. The launch of the new terminal will increase the capacity of the air harbour 7 times from 300 thousand to 2 million passengers per year. The renovated Korkyt Ata terminal meets the high standards of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The Head of State in his Address to the Nation called the development of the transport and logistics sector a strategic priority. The new terminal of Korkyt Ata airport is an important infrastructure project not only for the region, but also for the whole of Kazakhstan. Its implementation will open additional air routes, including international ones, increase transit potential, passenger and cargo traffic, which will have a positive impact on the development of domestic tourism, trade and the economy as a whole. The Government will fully support socially-oriented initiatives of business to build modern, high-quality transport and logistics infrastructure - this is a contribution to the future of our country," Olzhas Bektenov said and thanked all those who took part and in a short time provided the launch of the project.

Head of the Government familiarised himself with the process of passenger service of domestic and international flights. The terminal with the area of 7 500 m2 is equipped with advanced technologies in the form of telescopic ladders, automated baggage inspection system and others. 20.9 billion tenge was invested in the project by the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation within the framework of social responsibility. Over 4.3 billion tenge was allocated from the local budget for engineering and communication infrastructure, construction of a motorway, landscaping and lighting of the airport territory.

Bayan Ajmoldayev, Chairman of the Board of Korkyt Ata Airport JSC, reported on the timeliness of the launch of the terminal taking into account the annually growing passenger traffic in the region. Thus, for 9 months of this year the airport served 265 thousand passengers, which is 20% more than in the same period last year. There are 26 domestic flights per week (17 to Astana and 9 to Almaty). In June this year, an international charter flight to Antalya (Turkey) was launched.

First Deputy Akim of Kyzylorda region Daniyar Zhanalanov reported on plans to open additional flights to Aktau and Atyrau, as well as the inclusion in the list of socially important flights such air routes as "Kyzylorda-Kokshetau", "Kyzylorda-Aktobe", "Kyzylorda-Karaganda".

Speaking on behalf of the public of the region, the chairman of the Veterans Council of Kyzylorda region Serik Duisenbayev noted the importance of improving the quality of services and comfortable conditions created in the renovated airport for all categories of passengers

On the example of Kyzylorda region we see the positive results of measures of support of regions by the state. Today the cherished dream of our residents has come true - a new airport terminal has been opened. I would like to express my gratitude to the Head of State for the special attention given to the region, which contributes to growth in all areas," Serik Duisenbayev said.

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12.11.2024, 18:22 69696

Kazakhstan intends to transform its drug procurement management system

Chairman of the Board of SK-Pharmacy LLP Yerken Zhakatayev reported at the Government session that in recent years the state has significantly increased the list of medicines guaranteed to be provided to patients, primeminister.kz reports.

In general, the volume of drugs and medical products purchased by the Single Distributor has increased 15 times in monetary terms compared to 2010. Today SK-Pharmacia provides medicines and medical products to more than 1.2 thousand inpatient centres and 700 polyclinics across the country. In the current year in the list of ‘SK-Pharmacy’ already 1588 names of pharmaceutical products for 480 billion tenge. Long-term contracts have been concluded with 35 domestic manufacturers for the supply of almost 4 thousand names of medicines and medical devices.

‘These indicators were achieved by centralisation of procurement, which led to the effect of price equalisation throughout the country, regardless of the distance of the region," Yerken Zhakataev noted

It was noted that medicines are supplied to medical organisations of the republic by six logistics providers. At the beginning of its activity in 2009, SK-Pharmacia had only one warehouse, which limited the possibility of timely deliveries throughout the country. Today, under the concluded contracts, there are 14 modern warehouses with a total area of about 300 thousand m3 strategically located throughout Kazakhstan and equipped with the latest systems for controlling temperature and storage conditions. This ensures the safety and security of all medicines and medical devices.

In the future it is planned to transform procurement management systems with a focus on key functional areas of the company. In particular, according to the announcement, full automation of procurement procedures from planning to purchasing will be implemented, and a unified information base will be created with further integration into the healthcare ecosystem.

We actively support the development of domestic pharmaceutical production, concluding long-term contracts with Kazakhstani manufacturers. We are confident that our systematic work to provide medical institutions with vital drugs and products contributes to the sustainable development of healthcare and improves the quality of medical care for all citizens of the country," Yerken Zhakatayev emphasised.

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12.11.2024, 16:19 70086

New fire safety measures: Kazakhstan creates universal units for emergency situations

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Ministry for Emergency Situations is carrying out a set of measures to ensure fire safety in the country. Minister Chingis Arinov reported on this at the Government session chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, primeminister.kz reports.

Firstly, they increase operational response to emergencies and combat readiness of the Ministry's units. In a pilot project in Akmola region created a universal unit of firefighters, medics and rescuers. This allows for prompt and comprehensive rescue and first aid to the injured.

The approach to the construction of fire units has been revised. For example, since August of this year in Astana there has been functioning a fire department built in 3.5 months from fast-erecting structures. This principle of construction will be introduced in all regions. A total of 121 fire stations are required across the country.

As part of strengthening logistical support, for the first time 2 firefighting drones designed to extinguish high-rise buildings are being purchased.

This year we are buying 728 units of special vehicles, over 18 thousand equipment and gear at the expense of the republican and local budgets, as well as in leasing. The first priority is to distribute the equipment for the needs of district units. The second is practical training of the population through drills and exercises. For example, we hold drills on conditional fires of multi-storey buildings with practical evacuation of residents. In total, more than 250 such exercises have been held in the republic," the minister said.

For the first time, we are planning drills involving helicopter equipment for residents of a high-rise apartment block in Astana. The work is gradually teaching citizens self-rescue skills in case of fires, thereby increasing the level of safety culture.

Third, it is prevention in the residential sector of the country.

I would like to note that the private residential sector is beyond the control of the Ministry, we are limited only to recommendations when conducting door-to-door rounds. At the same time, often the population refuses to be consulted, not letting them into the houses. Nevertheless, we inform citizens about fire safety measures through SMS mailings, chat rooms of houses and SIS. At the same time, we are solving the issue of authorising the Ministry to accept residential high-rise buildings and objects with mass stay of people into operation," Chingis Arinov reported.

According to statistics, the main cause of fires and deaths of citizens is the malfunction of heating systems. In particular, stove heating, which is mainly in the homes of socially vulnerable population. According to the Minister, often in this category there are children's group deaths due to leaving children without adult supervision.

Given these facts, the socially vulnerable category - families with many children, persons with disabilities, lonely elderly - are under special control of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Today there are over 100 thousand houses on the books. Together with akimats and volunteers, targeted assistance is provided to all of them - installation of fire detectors and, if possible, repair of heating systems and cleaning of chimneys. Since 2021, over 107,000 sensors have been installed, which allow early warning of the danger of carbon monoxide. 55 alarms have been registered, thus preventing the death of 248 people.

The next reason is improper use of household gas, which can lead to explosions. The population refuels gas cylinders at petrol stations in violation of the Law, while the largest part of them is subject to disposal.

According to our calculations, 348 thousand gas cylinders are to be replaced. Here the housing commissions under akitams should strengthen control over compliance with safe operation of gas-consuming systems and gas equipment of household and communal consumers. I would like to note that the heating period is under special control. Subdivisions of the Ministry are ready to respond to emergencies," Chingis Arinov summarised.

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