Olzhas Bektenov: Comfortable schools to become gold standard for all secondary education system
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Head of the Government instructed to bring the work of Kazakhstani schools, colleges and universities to a new competitive level, primeminister.kz reports.
It was emphasized that the level of knowledge and values of the younger generation largely determines the social and economic development of the country.
It is necessary to identify in different areas the interest of children to search, research work, to maximize the development of their abilities at all levels of education. On the basis of schools, colleges, universities to create publicly available circles, centers of technical creativity, where schoolchildren under the guidance of students and teachers can implement their future engineering ideas, learn to design and manufacture various products and parts. It is necessary to set new requirements to the quality of education at all levels. For example, comfortable schools should become the "gold standard" in secondary education. Renovation of other schools is necessary for their level. In higher education the tone should be set by our national universities and branches of leading foreign universities," Olzhas Bektenov said, instructing the Ministry of Science and Education to develop requirements for branches in terms of expected results of their work.
It was noted the importance of creating an appropriate expert council and reviewing the requirements for all universities for their compliance with international standards. Universities should work closely with enterprises, and student and master's theses, in turn, should have practical value for the economy. In order to implement the set tasks, the relevant ministry has been instructed to adopt a comprehensive plan to popularize science and technology.
Attention was focused on the issue of shortage of places in dormitories, which is urgent on the threshold of the new academic year. Prime Minister emphasized that no non-resident student should not be left without housing.
Akims of regions, ministers of education and higher education - to take personal control of the issues voiced at the meeting. All educational facilities should be 100% ready for the beginning of the school year," Head of the Government summarized.
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Olzhas Bektenov discusses NPP construction in Kazakhstan with Stepnogorsk Mining and Chemical Combine personnel
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Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov during his working trip to Akmola region visited Stepnogorsk Mining and Chemical Combine, which is one of the flagships of domestic industry, where he met with the staff and discussed topical issues of energy security and development of domestic industry. Attention was paid to the implementation of the tasks set out in the President's Address to the people of Kazakhstan "Fair Kazakhstan: law and order, economic growth, social optimism", primeminister.kz reports.
During his visit to Stepnogorsk Mining and Chemical Combine Olzhas Bektenov familiarised himself with the advanced processes for processing of uranium-containing raw materials. Kazakhstan ranks first in the world in uranium mining, producing about 40% of the world's uranium. The Stepnogorsk Mining and Chemical Combine, which processes uranium, provides stable supplies for the world nuclear power industry and makes a significant contribution to the economic development of the region. Last year the Combine produced 1,650 tonnes of finished uranium products. The design capacity is 4,000 tonnes of natural uranium per year, and the processing capacity is up to 1 million tonnes of copper-molybdenum ore.
The town-forming enterprise employs over 1,000 people. During the inspection the Prime Minister was informed about plans for further modernisation of the plant aimed at increasing the processing capacity up to 6 thousand tonnes of uranium per year. From 2026, it is planned to reach full capacity with uranium-containing raw materials supplied from the Budenovskoye deposit. This will provide new jobs and stable employment for the residents of the single-industry town.
Addressing the production workers, Prime Minister emphasised the important role of the enterprise in ensuring energy security of the country. During the conversation the topical issues of industrial and nuclear industry were discussed.
Energy consumption in Kazakhstan is about 17 GW, which exceeds production volumes. In this regard, certain volumes of electricity are purchased in neighbouring countries. Kazakhstan needs to switch to other sources of energy.
It was noted that nuclear power can become a basic source of energy for Kazakhstan and contribute to the sustainable development of the energy system. The construction of nuclear power plants, in case of a favourable decision on the results of the referendum, will make it possible to fill the shortage of electricity in the market with growing demand and declining due to wear and tear of equipment generation. It will enable the stable generation of safe, clean energy.
The reliability and stability of the energy system is the Government's top priority. The growing challenges require radically new approaches and the solution of a perennial problem. Kazakhstan needs to introduce a new main generator of electricity. If there is support of the people at the referendum, which the President has scheduled for 6 October, we will go in this direction. Without it, neither industrial development nor ordinary life support is possible. All this will enable the country to develop," Olzhas Bektenov emphasised.
Peaceful atom contributes to the development of related industries, science, SMEs and the growth of the economy as a whole. A positive impact on the labour market was noted: during the construction of NPP it is planned to create at least 10 thousand jobs, at the stages of operation and maintenance of the plant up to 2 thousand permanent jobs.
Reporting on the development of alternative sources, Energy Minister Almassadam Satkaliyev said that NPPs operate almost round the clock and all year round. This ensures a high utilisation rate of installed capacity and efficient use of investments. Currently, there are about 200 NPPs operating in more than 30 developed and developing countries. Modern nuclear power plants have the highest level of safety.
In their turn, the employees of the enterprise, following the discussion, expressed their support for the President's initiatives voiced in the Address, including the development of nuclear power and unlocking the country's industrial potential.
I have been working at our production facility for 17 years, the enterprise allowed me to get higher education, which, accordingly, led to career growth. I would like to express a collective opinion on this issue. Taking into account that the industrial cycle is now rapidly developing, and outdated technologies definitely require modernisation, the general opinion (note - collective) is as follows: we need to build a nuclear power plant," Andrey Chernykh, chief engineer of the enterprise, said.
In turn, Galymzhan Perdebaev, head of the loading and unloading section of the plant, spoke in favour of the initiatives of the Head of State to support industrial enterprises and instruments of social support for citizens.
I have been working at the combine for about 30 years. Our enterprise is actively developing, there is modernisation, expansion of production, increase in output of finished products. As you know, 2025 has been declared by the President as the Year of Working Professions. In addition, the direction for the development of technical specialities has been given. We fully support this point of the Head of State's Address. It is necessary to involve young people into working professions, which we are looking forward to at our enterprise," Larisa Bulatova, Head of the Central Research Laboratory of the Works, said.
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Kazakh Government denies information about Kashagan oil field maintenance delays
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The Government of Kazakhstan has denied information about maintenance delays at the Kashagan oil field, Kazinform News Agency reports citing the Kazakh Energy Ministry's press service.
A significant reduction is planned in oil production in October during the scheduled repair period. During this period, we plan to compensate for the significant volume of overproduction accumulated since the beginning of the year, it said in a statement.
This was noted during the recent visit of OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al-Gais (August 26) and a meeting with analytical agencies organized by the OPEC Secretariat.
Kazakhstan reaffirms its commitment to the OPEC+ Agreement and understands the important role of the OPEC+ Agreement in ensuring the sustainability of the global oil market, the statement reads.
Kazakhstan is taking measures to fully fulfill its obligations and comply with the compensation plan submitted to the OPEC Secretariat.
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Olzhas Bektenov checks Akmola region's heating season preparation progress
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Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov within his working trip to Akmola region checked the implementation of the President's instructions on modernisation and sustainable reduction of wear and tear of power supply networks and heat communications, as well as the progress of preparation of communal infrastructure facilities for the heating season, primeminister.kz reports.
Prime Minister familiarised himself with the current state of Stepnogorsk CHPP, which was commissioned in 1966. The facility provides heat and electricity to the residential sector and enterprises of the city, as well as Zavodskoy settlement.
Prime Minister was reported on the preparation of municipal infrastructure of Akmola region for the heating period. Today the readiness of boilers is 99%, inspection of educational facilities, medical institutions, residential buildings has been carried out. All social infrastructure is fully prepared for the heating season. At CHPP preparation of necessary fuel reserves for the autumn-winter period goes according to the schedule.
This year, 2.7 billion tenge was allocated from the reserve of the Government to repair heating networks in Stepnogorsk. Construction and installation works on the 11.3 km section have been completed. In addition, the owner of Stepnogorsk power complex allocated 7.9 billion tenge for modernisation of infrastructure and communications facilities. Repair of 4 turbines has been completed, reconstruction of boilers continues, 1.6 km of the planned 2.6 km of heat networks have been installed.
The ongoing works will allow reducing the wear and tear of the CHPP equipment from 65.6% to 61.9% and of the main networks from the current 80.7% to 70%. However, a number of problematic issues remain, Energy Minister Almassadam Satkaliyev noted
Ongoing measures and investment in the renewal of existing energy sources is gradually reducing wear and tear. However, risks of interruptions remain, given the growing consumption. To ensure stable quality energy and heat supply, it is necessary to create alternative sources. In order to cover the needs of the population and ensure the launch of new enterprises, the development of nuclear energy will be an effective solution," Almassadam Satkaliyev reported.
Kazakhstan's existing power plants have a high level of wear and tear, reaching 70%. Electricity consumption in the country is growing by 3% annually. According to the Ministry of Energy's forecasts, by 2035, electricity consumption in Kazakhstan is expected to reach 152.4 billion kWh. At the same time, the existing power plants will be able to provide only 135 billion kWh.
The Prime Minister noted the need for significant modernisation of infrastructure.
You know, in his Address, the President instructed to develop a separate project to modernise the housing and utilities system. A very large one, which is calculated until 2029-2030. There is serious work to be done here. About 10 trillion tenge is required - both at the expense of the tariff, and the funds of natural monopolies, budgetary, borrowed funds. Complex work will be carried out. We understand the deplorable state of our housing and utilities system across the country. We need a responsible approach from everyone: from the owners, from local authorities and from the Government.
The main task of the Government is to ensure comfortable conditions for residents. Our country as a whole consumes about 17 gigawatts of electricity, while we produce only 16. That is, we are an energy-deficient country, and we have to buy electricity from our neighbours. We must not only restore worn-out networks, but also create a sustainable energy system," Olzhas Bektenov emphasised.
If the population supports the referendum on 6 October, Kazakhstan will build a nuclear power plant with the highest level of safety, which will solve the deficit problem and ensure energy security.
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Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chairs AIFC Management Council meeting
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Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chaired a meeting of the Management Council of the Astana International Financial Center (AIFC), Kazinform News Agency cites Akorda.
Prior to the event, the Head of State got acquainted with the activities the AIFC actors, that have made a significant contribution to the promotion of the Center’s ecosystem. The heads of Freedom Finance Global, Astana office of the China Construction Bank Corporation, Fix Price Group, Grata International and Binance Kazakhstan Technologies presented the results of their work, including innovative projects as well as plans for future development.
Opening the meeting, the Kazakh President noted the rapid changes in the global capital market, formation of new international trade and economic ties as well as expansion of integration processes between countries and redistribution of financial flows.
According to Tokayev, the ongoing challenges and changes open new opportunities for Kazakhstan. In this regard, the Kazakh leader highlighted the key role of the AIFC in ensuring further sustainable and gradual development of the country.
In a relatively short period of its operation, the AIFC has achieved significant results, as conditions have been created to attract investments, that are unmatched at the regional level. Investors are offered favorable tax, visa and labor regimes. The principles of individual and comprehensive support for each investor are in place. A fair and impartial judicial system has been established. Thanks to new digital solutions, now every Kazakhstani can take part in an IPO, said the Kazakh President.
Head of State Tokayev also pointed out that the AIFC is facing a task to strengthen its status as a successful regional financial hub, highlighting a number of current issues.
In particular, the President stressed the importance of further attracting investments in the economy and the need to improve the investment ecosystem of the country.
The Center has already established close cooperation with the partners from the US, Europe, GB as well as a number of Asian and Middle East countries. Work is ongoing to promote investment projects with major companies of the UAE and Saudi Arabia, helping to significantly expand the investment potential of the AIFC and the Kazakh economy. However, it’s necessary to enhance the Center’s interaction with the government and national institutions as well as to continue to improve its regulatory framework, stressed Tokayev.
The Head of State noted that one of the key indicators of a developed stock market is liquidity, that is, primarily, provided by institutional investors. Tokayev went on to add that presently the citizens are offered to transfer up to 50% of their pension savings to private investment managers. To this end, the Kazakh President suggested considering the possibility of providing access of foreign investment management companies to pension assets and financial instruments of the AIFC.
In this context, the President recommended the National Bank together with the government, the Agency for Regulation and Development of Financial Market and the AIFC to look at the possibility of tightening the criteria for companies’ localization in the Center.
According to the Head of State, another priority task is to gradually increase the securities share and volume threshold in the local stock market in case of simultaneous placement in foreign markets. Tokayev stressed the importance of stimulating Kazakhstani private companies to go public, thus confirming their transparency and efficiency.
President Tokayev also pointed out steady observance of the set game rules as the next priority.
The AIFC’s tax regime, guaranteed by the Constitutional Law, is a key element of the Center’s development strategy. It plays a key role in increasing Kazakhstan’s attractiveness for global investors. It’s our unchanged position, that we will never compromise, he said.
The Kazakh leader noted that the development of carbon market in Kazakhstan is one of the priorities of the state policy. According to him, the EU countries is preparing to introduce a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism Regulation, which could become a serious barrier to Kazakhstani exports to Europe.
In addition, the Kazakh President stressed the importance of creating efficient financial mechanisms for emergency response. According to him, different state insurance funds should become an instrument to fight consequences of natural disasters. In this regard, the Head of State instructed the government jointly with the Agency for Regulation and Development of Financial Market and the AIFC to explore in detail the issue of establishing such a fund under the jurisdiction of the Center.
Concluding the meeting, the Head of State approved the AIFC Annual Report 2023.
During the meeting, reports were made by AIFC Governor Renat Bekturov, Solidcore Resources plc CEO Vitaly Nesis, Amicorp Fund Services COO Robin Hoekjan, AIFC Court Chief Justice Ian Burnett, Chair of the Board of Directors of the AIFC Financial Services Authority Chair Angela Knight, and AIX Board of Directors Chair Timothy Bennett.
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Olzhas Bektenov discusses implementation of large infrastructure projects with EDB head Nikolay Podguzov
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Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting with the Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Development Bank Nikolai Podguzov. The issues of expansion of investment cooperation and EDB participation in the implementation of infrastructure projects were considered, primeminister.kz reports.
Olzhas Bektenov and Nikolai Podguzov noted the high investment activity of the Eurasian Development Bank in Kazakhstan. Since the beginning of this year EDB has already financed projects in various sectors of the economy for a total amount of more than $900 million. At the same time, $1 billion has been invested in Kazakhstan in 2023. By the end of this year it is expected that the volume of investments will be significantly increased and will reach $1.4-$1.6 billion.
The list of EDB priority projects implemented in Kazakhstan includes introduction of cyclic-flow technology of coal mining, construction of solar power plants, reconstruction and expansion of the main water pipeline "Astrakhan-Mangyshlak", construction and reconstruction of motorways.
Olzhas Bektenov emphasised that the Eurasian Development Bank is one of the important partners and reliable sources of investment.
The Head of State in his Address to the people of Kazakhstan outlined the tasks to solve priority infrastructure problems. Now the Government is carrying out large-scale work on modernisation and construction of engineering, transport, social and digital infrastructure. We are ready to expand cooperation with the Bank on mutually beneficial terms and are interested in joint implementation of projects important for the economy of the country," Olzhas Bektenov said.
In turn, EDB Chairman Nikolay Podguzov reported on the readiness of the Bank to strengthen co-operation in the implementation of major investment projects.
The parties also discussed the issues of the current investment portfolio of the Bank, diversification of the capital structure, improving the quality of corporate governance.
For reference: Eurasian Development Bank is an international financial organisation established in 2006. The Bank's authorised capital is $7 billion. The sectoral structure of the current investment portfolio is as follows: 21.7% energy, 18.1% transport, 27.5% mining, 9.2% financial sector, 5.8% infrastructure, 2.8% machine building, 3.3% agro-industrial complex, 7.3% chemical industry, 1.1% construction, 3.2% other sectors.
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Olzhas Bektenov, on behalf of Head of State, presents awards to oil industry veterans in 125th anniversary of industry
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Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov in honour of the 125th anniversary of the beginning of Kazakhstan's oil production congratulated veterans and workers of the oil and gas complex, noted the importance of the industry in the economic structure of the country, primeminister.kz reports.
Addressing the participants of the meeting Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the selfless dedication and hard work of industry veterans, oilmen, engineers and scientists, through whose efforts Kazakhstan became one of the leading players in the world energy market.
For his contribution to the development of the oil and gas sector Prime Minister on behalf of the Head of State presented 40 awards to distinguished workers of the oil and gas complex. The Order ‘Parasat’ was awarded to labour veteran Makhash Rakhmetov, veteran oilman Oleg Gershtansky, industry expert Makhambet Dosmukhambetov, the Order "Kurmet" and veteran oilmen Turemurat Zharmagambetov, Rakhman Isayev, Madykhat Nurmukhanov, Nagangali Uteyev, pipeline operator Marat Taganbaev, Shakimurat Shamarov, Order ‘Yenbek Daneky’ of III degree was awarded to veteran oilman Keltir Shanenov, process compressor operator Akhmed Shadinov, "Yeren Yenbegi Ushin" Medal to veteran oilman Abdrakhman Kaziev, Kadirkhan Utesinov, repair mechanic Yesimbek Berdaliyev, oil and gas production operator Kosherbay Otsebayev and others.
Olzhas Bektenov noted that Kazakhstan has significant hydrocarbon reserves. Proven recoverable oil reserves are over 4 billion tonnes, which makes Kazakhstan one of the significant players in the world market. New oil export routes are being opened, including through the Caspian Sea. The volumes of oil and gas transit through our country are increasing. Kazakhstan's oil brand KEBCO has been launched, and work is underway to increase the resource base, improve the investment attractiveness of geological exploration, increase production, and implement new projects.
The Head of State in his Address to the people of Kazakhstan outlined the tasks of further development of the oil and gas chemical industry. Our achievements are not limited only to production and transportation. Great efforts are aimed at the development of internal processing of hydrocarbons. With the opening of a polypropylene plant in Atyrau region, a full-fledged oil and gas chemical industry has been created. New projects on polyethylene and butadiene production are ahead. Such enterprises not only promote import substitution, but also create the necessary environment for the development of small and medium-sized businesses. New generation gas processing plants will be built in the coming years. The oil and gas industry remains one of the drivers of the economy, and we are determined to develop it further, introducing innovative technologies and ensuring environmental safety," Olzhas Bektenov emphasised.
The development of domestic oil and gas chemistry and the implementation of projects to produce polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate and urea will help meet domestic demand and increase exports of domestic technological products with high added value.
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