Kazakhstan completes talks with S. Korea’s KHNP over possible nuclear technology supply
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On Wednesday, a meeting took place with the South Korean company KHNP (Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power), as part of competitive dialogue to pick a potential supplier of nuclear technology for Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant, Kazinform News Agency reports.
According to the country’s Nuclear Energy Agency, the parties discussed prospects for cooperation in nuclear energy, personnel training, localization and implementation of joint projects.
Noting KHNP’s experience in projecting, constructing and operating modern reactors, the Agency’s Chairman Almassadam Satkaliyev highlighted the importance of open and competitive dialogue with international partners.
In turn, KHNP CEO Whang Joo-ho expressed the interest in expanding cooperation and offered South Korea’s experience to carry out projects in Kazakhstan.
The meeting marked the final stage of the country's negotiations with the potential suppliers of nuclear technology for construction of a nuclear power plant.
A decision is yet to be made by the government commission, said the Agency’s press service.
Earlier it was reported that Kazakhstan had established a Nuclear Energy Agency.
Kazakhstan held a nationwide referendum on the NPP project on October 6 last year. The majority of voters, totaling 71.12% (5,561,937 people), supported the construction, while 26.13% (2,045,271 people) opposed it. Voter turnout reached 63.66%, with a total of 7,820,204 participants.
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Over 2.5 bln tenge allocated for rural water supply in Turkistan region
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Over 2.5 billion tenge was allotted from the special state fund for the reconstruction of a water main in Saryagash district in Turkistan region, Kazinform News Agency cites the Government’s press service.
It will provide 66 villages with a population of over 260,000 with access to water supply. The total cost of the project is nearly 6.5 billion tenge. 20.8 km out of 34.3 km of networks were already built.
As of now, 99.4% in urban settlements of Kazakhstan have access to water services, and 97.8% in rural settlements.
Notably, the special state fund allocated funds for the development of projects in healthcare, education, sports, and renovation of utilities and waterworks.
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Kazakhstan to build 3 ferroalloy plants, seeks to become world’s 2nd largest producer
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President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Tuesday received governor of Pavlodar region Asain Baikhanov to discuss the results in 2024 and plans for the upcoming period, Kazinform News Agency cites Akorda.
During the meeting, it was highlighted that Pavlodar region has been observing growth in the key sectors of economy, as the region’s GDP grew 5.8% and investments totaled 1.1 trillion tenge, a 38% on-year increase, last year.
Two major projects to process gold-bearing concentrate and produce ferroalloys are under implementation in the region. Three ferroalloys plants with a capacity of 460,000 tons are slated for construction in Ekibastuz, making Kazakhstan the second largest ferroalloys producer in the world.
According to Baikhanov, the region has created up to 30,000, opened 40 and modernized 83 more social facilities, built three additional education centers, comfortable schools for 1,800 sits, replaced three emergency schools as well as upgraded 26 more schools.
It was also said that the rate of obsolescence of heat networks was down 1.3% for the first time in 20 years; 230 buses were added to the public transport fleet in an 80% renewal; 25 tram cars are set to arrive in September.
In conclusion, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev set a number of instructions.
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Tourism as new growth point of Kazakhstan's economy: Government considers support measures
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At the Government session chaired by Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov considered issues of development and digitalisation of the tourism industry, primeminister.kz reports.
On the current performance and results in the industry reported the Minister of Tourism and Sports Yerbol Myrzabasynov, with reports also made Akims of several regions, head of the family resort Pioneer Murat Karatay, producer of the company Astana Concert Malik Hassenov.
According to the results of 2024, the number of domestic tourists totalled 10.5 million people, which is 900 thousand more compared to 2023. In general, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Kazakhstan was visited by more than 15 million foreign guests.
The Prime Minister emphasised that the tourism industry has significant potential and should become a new point of growth of Kazakhstan's economy.
On the instructions of the Head of State, large investment projects are being implemented. The mountain cluster in Almaty and Almaty region has received a new impulse of development. There is a potential for the development of ski and nature tourism in the East of Kazakhstan. In the Shchuchinsko-Borovsky resort zone it is planned to carry out large-scale modernisation, which will allow to create year-round tourist facilities, develop ecological and sports tourism. Near Aktau, projects to build a five-star hotel and a theme park have been implemented on the territory of Warm Beach. The Kenderli resort zone will get a new impetus for development in the region, and an airport will be built there. Work is underway to give farmers the right to engage in agro-tourism. The Government is ready to provide all necessary support to investors and solve the arising issues," Olzhas Bektenov emphasised.
Today the Government is taking a set of measures to develop tourism infrastructure. Thus, in 2024 in Kazakhstan launched tourist train Zhibek Zholy, running along the route of the Silk Road. Large-scale reconstruction of 125 railway stations has begun. New airport terminals were built in Almaty, Shymkent and Kyzylorda. At the same time, work is under way to simplify migration procedures. At border crossings, a pilot project is being implemented to allow organised tour groups to pass without queuing: this measure has reduced the time of passport control almost 5 times.
In order to further develop the tourism industry Prime Minister gave a number of instructions:
- The Ministry of Tourism and Sports together with regional akimats within two months to approve a unified calendar of all cultural, event, sports activities. The necessity to integrate historical monuments, picturesque natural landscapes and other attractions into tours, taking into account the observance of environmental requirements and ensuring the preservation of natural and cultural monuments was noted;
- to take necessary measures to train and improve the qualifications of tourist guides, including organising regular courses to improve the quality of tourist services in each region;
- Akims of regions to intensify work on providing tourist facilities with the necessary infrastructure;
- ministries of transport, trade, national economy, tourism and sports, akimats - to continue work on improving roadside services.
Cafes, petrol stations and service stations along the roads should all meet the accepted standards. I also instruct to work out the issues of incentives for entrepreneurs working in this business," Olzhas Bektenov said.
Special attention should be paid to measures aimed at improving the safety of tourists;
Ministries of Tourism and Sports, Culture, Health, Internal Affairs, special state bodies should provide assistance in holding large-scale cultural, sports and tourist events to strengthen the image of the country, increase attractiveness for investors and tourists.
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Kazakhstan to receive 3.7 bln cu m of water via River Syrdariya
Kazakhstan will receive 3.7 billion cubic meters of water via the River Syrdariya, Kazinform News Agency cites the Water Resources and Irrigation Ministry.
This decision was taken at the 89th sitting of the Central Asian interstate coordination water management commission in Samarkand.
Kazakhstan will get 909 million cubic meters of water during the irrigation season via the Dostyq interstate channel. 975 million cubic meters will be sent to the North Aral Sea.
According to Kazakh Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, water sent to Kazakhstan via Syrdariya will be collected in the Shardara water reservoir and be used for the agrarian needs of southern regions. Last year, thanks to efficient water management, adoption of water-saving technologies, and timely talks with the neighboring countries, Kazakhstan managed to meet the needs of the farms in irrigation water.
Since last October up to April 1 this year, Uzbekistan sent 12.6 billion cubic meters of water to Kazakhstan, that is 1.7 billion cubic meters more than planned.
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