Kazakhstan actively works on academic hub creation - President Tokayev
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Kazakhstan is actively engaged in creation of an academic hub in collaboration with the leading foreign universities, the message from the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to the participants of the Connected-2024 conference reads, Kazinform News Agency reports.
Vice Prime Minister Tamara Duissenova read out the President’s welcoming speech.
The world faces today daunting challenges caused by rapid development of new technologies and artificial intelligence, climate change and energy sources. It is important to enhance cooperation in the field of education, science and innovations for a comprehensive and sustainable development of the countries. For that very reason, Kazakhstan is actively engaged in creation of an academic hub in collaboration with the world’s prestigious higher education institutions," the message reads.
In his address, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that these steps form a solid basis for increasing Kazakhstan’s scientific and innovative potential.
The Connected-2024 conference will help achieve this goal. I believe that today’s gathering will pave the way for strengthening the international ties between scholars and experts, opening new approaches to the education sphere and human capital development," the President stressed.
The event underway in Astana is devoted to discussing the issues of education, science and innovation, digitalization and ecology. As many as 300 world-famous experts from 60 countries were invited to it.
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23 branches of foreign universities open in Kazakhstan
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23 branches of international universities opened in Kazakhstan, Vice Premier of Kazakhstan Tamara Duissenova told the Connected 2024 international conference underway in Astana, Kazinform News Agency reports.
She said Kazakhstan attracts foreign educational establishments to open their branch campuses in Kazakhstan.
The partnership pursues three key goals. The first is to train highly skilled personnel who studied in conformity with international standards. The second is to transfer advanced models of educational programs and learning technologies. The third is to develop science and innovations. I believe we will work together efficiently and achieve the set goals, Tamara Duissenova said.
As earlier reported, the international conference on science, education, innovations, digitalization and ecology kicked off in Astana. It draws the participation of 300 international experts from 60 countries.
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Olzhas Bektenov holds meeting on measures of state support for promising export-oriented industries
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Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov held a working meeting with the participation of individual ministers and regional akims, management of the Baiterek NMH, Development Bank of Kazakhstan JSC, Atameken NCE, as well as business representatives in a number of sectors, primeminister.kz reports.
The main goal is to implement the instructions of the Head of State on diversification of the economy and development of new points of growth.
New approaches of Baiterek Holding to the implementation of pilot projects in various sectors of the economy were considered. Their essence is in simplification and unification of requirements for consideration of investment projects, support of business initiatives from submission of an application to reaching the design capacity.
At the first stage, a number of projects have been considered for the production of foodstuffs, high-metallurgical products and others.
The introduction of a single and simplified procedure for consideration of applications for project financing by the holding company ‘Baiterek’ will increase transparency and efficiency of government support measures for business, as well as provide a positive growth dynamics of domestic products in the domestic market and expand export opportunities.
Prime Minister emphasised the need to reduce administrative costs for the effectiveness of support measures provided to business.
ll state bodies and development institutions need to work with business in the mode of maximum favour, proactively seek effective entrepreneurs, ready to develop export-oriented production necessary for the country," Olzhas Bektenov noted.
Head of the Government emphasised the importance of close work of large enterprises with small and medium-sized businesses. The need for timely conclusion offtake contracts for the purchase of goods, works and services of domestic producers was noted. Thus, support measures should have a positive impact not only on specific entrepreneurs, but in general on Kazakhstan's production.
The Ministry of National Economy together with the interested state bodies, regional Akimats, Baiterek Holding and the Atameken National Chamber was instructed to urgently ensure the transition to a new proactive format of work.
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Head of State recepts Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov
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Kassym-Jomart Tokayev heard a report on the indicators of socio-economic development at the end of the third quarter of this year, primeminister.kz reports.
As part of the implementation of the instructions of the Head of State, measures to diversify the economy have been strengthened. GDP growth for the reporting period as a result of the development of the non-resource sector was 4%. Agriculture (11.4%), construction (10.1%), transport (8%), communications (6.4%), trade (6.3%) and manufacturing (4.8%) showed the greatest growth. The increase in production volumes in the manufacturing industry was recorded in 14 regions.
Foreign trade turnover for January-August this year totalled $91.7 billion, with the share of exports growing by 3.3%. The positive trade balance increased by 34.8% and reached $15.4 billion.
The President was informed that the state budget received 14.9 trillion tenge. Social commitments remain a priority in the structure of expenditures.
In addition, the Head of State was provided with information on the execution of his instructions on the return of illegally acquired assets. Since the beginning of the year, the Commission has approved agreements on the return of assets worth about 450 billion tenge. As of today, assets worth 265 billion tenge have been returned to the state, including 177 billion tenge in monetary terms. All returned funds are directed to socially important purposes. The subjects of the Law "On the return of illegally acquired assets to the state" have started implementing a number of projects, including financing rehabilitation and socialisation programmes for needy people, construction of a cultural and educational centre and a sports arena.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was also briefed on the results of the Council of Heads of State session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member states in Islamabad.
The President noted the need to intensify the work of the Government to ensure sustainable growth of Kazakhstan's economy through diversification, support for small and medium-sized businesses, development of innovations in the agro-industrial complex and implementation of large industrial and infrastructure projects.
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Сooperation between Kazakhstan and China in Industrialization and Investments Discussed in Astana
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The 21st meeting of the Kazakh-Chinese Coordinating Committee for Cooperation in Industrialization and Investment was held. The meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Alibek Kuantyrov and Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Development and Reforms of the People's Republic of China Zhao Chenxin. On behalf of the Kazakh side, the meeting was also attended by the Deputy Chairman of the Investment Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Sultan Kinzhakulov, Deputy Chairman of the Board of JSC "NC "Kazakh Invest" Madiyar Sultanbek, and others, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.
During the event, the parties discussed the work done following the committee's 20th meeting and the implementation of priority projects. The meeting participants also considered proposals to change the List of priority projects, further industrialization, and increase the effectiveness of cooperation for 2025.
Speaking with a welcoming speech, A. Kuantyrov noted that Kazakh-Chinese relations have reached an unprecedented new level, as evidenced by mutual visits of heads of state, including the historic visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Kazakhstan in July this year within the framework of the SCO Summit. The level of these visits demonstrates the strategic and comprehensive nature of the interaction between the two countries.
It is worth noting that during the meeting in Astana in July of this year, the heads of our states stressed the need to expand the List of priority industrial and investment cooperation projects. Thus, the Mechanism of dialogue on industrial and investment cooperation initiated 10 years ago continues to play a special role in the new stage of the "golden 30th anniversary" of Kazakh-Chinese relations," - said the Deputy Minister.
In this regard, A. Kuantyrov stressed the importance of Kazakh-Chinese investment cooperation.
China occupies one of the leading positions in gross direct investment in the Kazakh economy. Over the past year and a half alone, several major investment events have been held between our countries, within which 117 commercial documents worth more than 42 billion US dollars have been signed. Today, we are implementing 100 joint investment projects, including 45 projects worth over 14.5 billion US dollars, which, according to the results of the 20th meeting, are included in the List of priority projects. We are witnessing a positive trend in the development of cooperation. Nevertheless, there is significant potential in expanding bilateral cooperation," - noted the Deputy Minister.
Thus, during the meeting, the parties considered creating joint projects in the fields of energy, infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing, deep processing, finance, transport, aerospace, and IT. Following the meeting, the parties agreed to continue working to improve industrial and investment cooperation and the quality of the study of investment projects included in the joint List.
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Introduction of water-saving technologies, increase of irrigated area: Government considers vegetation period results
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The Government session chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov considered the results of the growing season. The reports of the Ministers of Water Resources and Irrigation, Agriculture, as well as akims of a number of regions were heard, primeminister.kz reports.
In Kazakhstan, the growing season of the current year passed without water resources deficit. Agrarians were fully provided with irrigation water without crop losses. Southern regions were supplied with 10.9 km3 of water for regular irrigation. In total, on irrigated lands with total area of more than 1.5 million hectares this year agrarians grew cereals, oilseeds, fodder crops, melons, cotton, potatoes, rice, vegetables, sugar beet. Of these, water-saving irrigation technologies were used on 397,300 hectares.
The Head of State in his Address to the Nation emphasised the importance of using water-saving technologies in all spheres of the economy, especially in agriculture. Our country does not possess large water resources. It is very important to use water sparingly, to stimulate in this matter not only the population, but first of all business. Therefore, it is important for the regions to achieve indicators for increasing the area with the use of water-saving technologies," Prime Minister said.
At the same time, the regions, which are significantly behind the plan for the introduction of water-saving irrigation technologies, have been named. Thus, Zhambyl region, Karaganda and Atyrau regions underestimated the approved indicators, North-Kazakhstan region, East-Kazakhstan region and Zhetisu did not fulfil the plan. Akimats of these regions were instructed to revise the indicators and take appropriate measures to fulfil them. Kyzylorda oblast was cited as a positive example, where the set plan was exceeded due to improved irrigation efficiency. This practice should be used in other regions, especially in the south of Kazakhstan, emphasised Olzhas Bektenov. Maximum measures should also be taken to apply water-saving technologies and optimise areas of water-intensive crops, rational use of water resources.
Prime Minister stressed the importance of quality negotiations with neighbouring countries on water allocation during the growing season, instructing state bodies and akimats to keep this issue under special control.
The Ministries of Water Resources and Agriculture should carry out qualitative preparation for the beginning of the next growing season, with filling of reservoirs and reduction of water losses during the irrigation period.
The Ministry of Agriculture needs to differentiate its functions with the Ministry of Water Resources as soon as possible in terms of increasing the area of irrigated land, subsidising the cost of water supply services to farmers and the costs of investing in water-saving technologies.
It is also important to create new incentive mechanisms for the introduction of water-saving technologies. The relevant instructions have been given to the Ministries of Agriculture and Water Resources. The task of the state bodies is to increase the area of irrigated land using water-saving technologies up to 150 thousand hectares annually.
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