26.11.2024, 18:30 151476

Olzhas Bektenov instructs akims to create digital infrastructure in regions to support IT specialists

The Government session chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov considered the issues of development of the digital industry of Kazakhstan, primeminister.kz reports.

The Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Zhaslan Madiyev reported on the work being done to increase the volume of IT exports, improve the security of digital platforms and the implementation of domestic start-ups within the Astana Hub activities, as well as the heads of the IT hub ‘Terricon Valley’ Sabir Niyazov, Arlan BioTech Bolat Sultankulov, ITS Partner Ltd Marat Tastemirov.

Kazakhstan is among the 30 most digitised countries in the world and ranks 8th in terms of online services. In the first half of 2024, exports of IT services grew to $306 million. It is expected that by the end of this year the volume will exceed $600 million. In general, exports have increased 20 times in 5 years. Today, robotisation and artificial intelligence technologies are systematically developing in the country, digital transformation of many spheres continues.

The legislative framework has been formed and is constantly being improved. The Concept of Digital Transformation has been adopted, and favourable economic conditions have been created for the development of the venture capital market and startup ecosystems. More than 1.5 thousand companies are successfully operating on the Astana Hub technopark site, which has become a real innovation cluster and a key partner for many startups. Such breakthrough projects as E-commerce, BigData, GameDev, Fintech, MedTech, etc. have high export potential. Their active development should contribute to the growth of exports of IT products and services to $1 billion by 2026.

Prime Minister noted that the Government would continue to actively support the development of IT-technologies and services. It is necessary to continue the policy of developing regional accelerator programmes and global partner network in other countries.

The Head of State has set the task to bring the contribution of digital technologies to 1% of the economy by 2029 and to achieve at least 80% of the share of local content in IT services. IT hubs and venture capital funds should be the main drivers in achieving this task. Over 6 years, the volume of venture capital financing in Kazakhstan has grown more than 6 times. For further growth, we must attract leading experts in this industry. For this purpose, we need to further develop educational programmes, attract big business and build a competent digital infrastructure. Implementation of tasks on digitalisation, development of IT-industry and cyber security should contribute to the development of the economy," Olzhas Bektenov stressed.

Within the framework of the tasks set by the President on the development of artificial intelligence, active work is underway to improve legislation in this area. Next year, Astana plans to launch the Artificial Intelligence Centre, which should become a point of attraction for young talent. The Ministry of Digitalisation has been instructed to keep this issue under special control.

The priority task today is the training of highly qualified IT specialists. The necessary conditions have been created at the Astana Hub. The Ministries of Digital Development, Science and Higher Education, and Education have been instructed to form a concept for further development and training in close co-operation with Astana Hub and regional hubs. At the same time, the importance of quality rather than quantity of graduates is emphasised. It is also necessary to constantly update the approaches to increase digital knowledge and skills, taking into account the best global practices.

In addition, in order to fully ensure the digital infrastructure in the regions, due attention to these issues by akimats is necessary. The relevant ministry together with regional akimats has been instructed to take measures to develop Astana Hub, support regional hubs and create favourable conditions for the development of export-oriented areas in the IT industry, as well as to update approaches in the venture capital financing system.

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03.01.2025, 11:34 22876

President Tokayev says 2024 was ‘a defining year’ for Kazakhstan in an interview with Ana Tili newspaper

Images | Akorda

In his interview with the Ana Tili newspaper President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev praised the results Kazakhstan achieved in 2024 and highlighted the unprecedented challenges the country faced in the same period, Kazinform News Agency reports.

In the past year, according to the Head of State, there were many important events and a lot of work was done.

For example, modernization of the engineering and communal infrastructure, which had fallen into disrepair, was carried out in all regions. 18 million square meters of housing were commissioned. 7 thousand kilometers of roads were built and repaired. New passenger terminals were launched at the airports in the cities of Almaty, Kyzylorda, and Shymkent. Large-scale projects were implemented in the mining, petrochemical, and metallurgical industries. The manufacturing sector, whose share in the industrial structure almost equaled that of the mining sector, received active development. I would especially like to note the success of our farmers, who harvested a record crop of the past decade - almost 27 million tons of grain," Tokayev said.

He reminded that in his last year’s interview with the Egemen Qazaqstan newspaper he said that 2024 would be a defining year for Kazakhstan.

And so it happened. By starting systemic and even painful economic reforms, we set the stage for the country's five-year development. Many projects and initiatives have been implemented in this direction, and there will be even more," the President promised.

In his words, last year saw the increase of pensions, benefits, scholarships and salaries of civil servants. Payments under the "National Fund for Children" was another highlight of 2024.

Hundreds of new schools, kindergartens, and sports and fitness complexes were built countrywide. More than ten branches of leading foreign universities were opened. Funding for science increased, and cultural figures received significant support. Utmost attention was paid to the development of mass sports. All these are useful investments in strengthening the creative potential of citizens.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev believes that amid unprecedented geopolitical tension, Kazakhstan has strengthened its position on the international stage as a state playing a useful role in establishing dialogue for the sake of peace. This positively affects the security and sustainable economic development of our country.

He admitted that the past year was a challenging one as Kazakhstan felt the negative impact of external factors, and natural disasters also interfered with the plans. But, Kazakhstan, in his words, not only kept the situation under control, but also continued the implementation of reforms.

President Tokayev also touched upon the unprecedented floods that put Kazakhstan to a serious test last year.

... the state managed to respond promptly to the dangerous situation. The evacuation of people was organized in a timely manner, the work of temporary accommodation points was established, and material reserves were unsealed. Not only the employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, but also the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, the National Guard, and other structures participated in the emergency rescue operations - a total of about 63 thousand people. We managed to save lives and ensure their well-being," said the Head of State.

He emphasized that Kazakhstan learnt an important lesson from the destructive floods.

...we can cope with such disasters only through joint efforts. During the floods, we witnessed the powerful potential of the volunteer movement, volunteers from all over the country helped rescuers, collected humanitarian aid, and supported the victims," he stressed.

Speaking of the destructive nature of the floods, the President reminded that houses, roads, bridges, social and commercial facilities were damaged, and some livestock perished. Tokayev also admitted that such severe consequences could have been avoided if proper attention had been paid to the construction of protective dams and other hydraulic structures in recent decades.

Kazakhstan indeed has learnt its lesson as the new draft Water Code is being considered at the Kazakh Parliament. On top of that, the concept and comprehensive plan for water resource management have been approved, which provide for the construction of more than 40 new and the reconstruction of 37 existing reservoirs by 2030, as well as the modernization of over 14 thousand kilometers of irrigation canals.

A large-scale modernization of the emergency forecasting and prevention system is underway. To address the shortage of water specialists and strengthen research activities, the Kazakh National University of Water Management and Irrigation has been established," Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.

The elimination of the consequences of the spring floods, according to him, demonstrated the effectiveness of the state.

Not a single affected family was left without help and support. Houses were built and apartments were purchased, infrastructure facilities were restored, and losses were compensated for all residents and businessmen affected by the floods. Moreover, this was done in the shortest possible time. Large businesses also made a significant contribution to eliminating the consequences of the floods," President Tokayev underlined.

The Head of State is confident that in today's turbulent world, the number of man-made and natural disasters is growing, and not all states, including the developed ones, are ready for them.

We all witnessed this in 2024. Undoubtedly, we still have a lot to do, but compared to other countries, Kazakhstan looks decent in terms of responding to emergencies," he added.

Earlier it was reported that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev traditionally congratulated Kazakhstanis on New Year, sending the message of warmth and joy.

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03.01.2025, 10:40 22701

No duality of power - Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on lessons of Qantar events

Images | facebook/Sergey Alekseenok

Before the tragic events in January 2022, the justice deficit in the country had reached a critical level, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in his interview to the Ana tili newspaper, Kazinform News Agency reports.

Almost three years after the January events, much has been said in the public field. You yourself recounted those in detail, also in last year’s interview. I guess it’s not easy to respond to the same acute questions over and over, but I cannot help bring up this question. There is an opinion in the society that the mysteries of the January events are still not disclosed to the fullest. What can you say about this? What should be done to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again?

Three years after the Qantar (January events), a majority of our citizens made sure that the main reason behind the unprecedented riots was an obvious social injustice, political stalemate as well as driving ambitions of plotters, their indifference to the fate of the people and the state. Such situations, unfortunately, are common in world history, and Kazakhstan was not the first and I guess, will not be the last country that faced it.

There are still thoughts and different versions of what had happened. Especially since some politically-biased people carrying certain political calculations are juggling facts, seeking to manipulate public feelings.

Following the decisive measures to restore order and further stabilize the situation, I gave an instruction to all authorized agencies to carry out an unbiased investigation of all the circumstances surrounding the January events. The investigation was open to public, with the criminals brought to justice. The special hearings took place in the Parliament. This is an unrepresented case in the history of our country.

The first parliamentary hearings were conducted three months after the January events, and with the next ones - one year later, featuring the representatives of the government agencies as well as human rights advocates.

Different opinions were expressed explicitly; uncomfortable questions were asked. And all this was live-streamed, with wide coverage in domestic and foreign media. It was a deliberate step the authority made because of its interest that there is no question left unanswered.

When it comes to the January events, you need to have a picture of those days in your head: vehicles damaged, shops looted, government buildings occupied, soldiers beaten, weapons stolen, violence against women. We should not allow irresponsible politicians to spread misleading information, seeking to erase the real threat that loomed over our statehood back then. Fortunately, a majority of our citizens ‘separate the wheat from the chaff.’ Such sober-minded, sensible people are the core and pillar of our state.

But one thing is clear: without decisive action against the plotters behind the riots and the orchestrators of the coup, Kazakhstan would now be an entirely different state, with less autonomy and limited sovereignty.

Thanks to the unity of our nation, we were able to endure this major challenge. Of course, we learnt a lot from the Qantar. The first, the power in the country must be consolidated, no duality of power. The second, the Head of State is a state manager hired for a certain period, but not the shadow of the Most High. The third, a careful selection of candidates for high government positions, including chiefs of security agencies, loyal to their homeland, the Republic of Kazakhstan, is needed. And above all it’s necessary to embed the principles of justice, to preserve the unity of the nation based on the concept ‘Law and Order’…The rule of law is the highest degree of democracy, and the path to this goal is torturous.

Earlier, it was reported that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev gave an interview to the Ana Tili newspaper.

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20.12.2024, 10:37 154646

Olzhas Bektenov familiarises himself with metallurgical development and heating season progress in Rudnyi city

Images | primeminister.kz

During his working trip to Kostanay region, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov visited Rudnyi city, where he familiarised himself with the development of ferrous metallurgy on the basis of Sokolovsko-Sarbai Mining and Processing Production Association (SSMPA), as well as the progress of the heating period on the example of Rudnyi CHPP, primeminister.kz reports.

Prime Minister was informed about the current results of Sokolovsko-Sarbai Mining and Processing Production Association and plans of ERG company for further development. Today SSMPA JSC is an iron ore giant of mining industry of Kazakhstan. Its production capacity reaches 35 million tonnes of ore, 9 million tonnes of concentrates and 8 million tonnes of pellets per year. In addition to domestic markets, products are exported to Russia and China, where over 9 million tonnes of commercial products worth over 371 billion tenge were shipped in the first 11 months of this year.

Here also General Director of ERG in Kazakhstan Serik Shakhajanov presented to the head of the Government the project on construction of the plant aimed at production of hot briquetted iron (HBI) with the degree of metallisation over 90%. The design capacity of the plant will be 2 million tonnes of HBI per year. The volume of investments exceeds 500 billion tenge and 1.1 thousand jobs will be created. The project is planned to be realised by the end of 2028.

A full-cycle metallurgical cluster is being gradually formed in the region. Prime Minister stressed that the project to build a plant for the production of hot-briquetted iron will be an important step to strengthen the industry and competitiveness of the state. Today also approved a major infrastructure project for the construction of the main gas pipeline from the territory of Aktobe region to the city of Kostanay, which will provide the plant with the necessary volume of gas. The Ministry of Energy together with the regional Akimat have been given instructions to facilitate the construction of the plant.

Olzhas Bektenov also visited Rudnenskaya CHPP, which is part of SSMPA. Vasily Novoselov, director of the enterprise, reported on the modernisation and operation of the power plant. Thus, in preparation for the autumn-winter period the main and auxiliary equipment was repaired. The necessary stock of fuel and materials was formed in the warehouse. In order to reduce the impact on the environment the project of automated system of emission monitoring on chimneys is being implemented, which allows to respond promptly to any changes in the technological process in a round-the-clock mode.

Here also the head of the Government was reported on the progress of the heating season in the region. Deputy Akim of the region Berik Tanzharikov reported that the unified electric power system works in normal mode. In total, there are 4 CHPPs and 3 boiler houses with installed capacity of over 100 Gcal/hour in the region. Over the past 3 years, due to the repair of equipment wear and tear of heat supply networks has been reduced from 57 to 45.7%.

Olzhas Bektenov stressed the importance of timely modernisation of utility infrastructure, which ensures uninterrupted operation of strategically important industrial facilities.

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20.12.2024, 09:34 154846

Development of agro-industrial complex and production of agricultural machinery: Olzhas Bektenov checks fulfilment of Head of State's instructions in Kostanay region

Images | primeminister.kz

Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov is on a working visit to Kostanay region. The key task was to monitor the progress of implementation of instructions of the Head of State, given in the Address to the people of the country "Fair Kazakhstan: law and order, economic growth, social optimism", primeminister.kz reports.

On the example of a number of enterprises of the agro-industrial complex, the head of the Government familiarised himself with the development of agriculture in the region, deepening of processing and the results of measures to support domestic producers.

This year about 175 billion tenge has been allocated to the development of agriculture in the region, which exceeded last year's figure by 1.7 times. Deputy Akim of Kostanay region Arman Abenov reported that 96 investment projects with the creation of more than 2 thousand jobs are planned to be implemented in the agro-industrial complex until 2027. The total amount of investments will amount to 232 billion tenge. At the same time, in order to develop livestock farming, work is underway on the construction of 6 dairy farms, one of which has already been put into operation. In poultry farming it is planned to launch 2 large poultry farms at a total cost of 60 billion tenge, as a result of which it is expected to increase poultry meat production by 62.5 thousand tonnes per year.

On the territory of Aruana 2010 LLP flour production enterprise the Prime Minister was presented a project on construction of a mill complex worth 3 billion tenge, aimed at increasing the volume of supplies to domestic and foreign markets. Today the enterprise provides production output up to 90 thousand tonnes per year. Expansion of the complex will allow to increase the volume of flour production almost 2 times to 170 thousand tonnes. More than 150 new jobs will be created.

Olzhas Bektenov stressed the need to step up the pace of work to increase the output of competitive agricultural products and deepen processing in accordance with the instruction of the Head of State to bring this indicator to 70%. Today Kazakhstan is among the 10 largest wheat and flour exporters in the world. The Akimat of the region has set a task to assist the Aruana-2010 enterprise in increasing the geography of markets for finished products, as well as working out the issue of improving logistics with the expansion of export routes.

On the example of enterprises of food industry the head of the Government familiarised himself with the implementation of measures of state support of domestic producers.

Prime Minister was informed about plans to modernise one of the largest producers of confectionery products Bayan Sulu JSC. Today the factory produces up to 85 thousand tonnes of products annually. The assortment includes more than 300 items, including waffles, marshmallows, marmalade, toffee, caramel, etc. The new complex Confectionery Capital worth more than 14 billion tenge will allow to produce additional 13 thousand tonnes of products per year, 260 new jobs will be created.

Olzhas Bektenov noted the need to strengthen the promotion of domestic brands abroad, including through digital solutions. Currently, Bayan Sulu products are exported to foreign markets in the CIS and Europe.

During the visit to the dairy plant of MILH LLP Prime Minister familiarised himself with the technological features of production. The enterprise produces up to 60 thousand tonnes of finished products per year. Launch of a new cheese production shop worth 7.2 billion tenge and capacity of up to 10 thousand tonnes will allow to produce up to 20 types of products corresponding in quality to world cheese brands. 35 jobs will be created.

Olzhas Bektenov stressed that in accordance with the order of the President, the Government is implementing a set of measures to support the agricultural sector, including by financing new projects in the direction of subsidies and loans to farmers.

On the basis of the enterprise AgromashHolding KZ Prime Minister was shown the results of work on deepening of localisation in the manufacturing industry. The largest manufacturer of agricultural machinery in Kazakhstan provides production of up to 1 thousand combines, 3 thousand tractors, 300 seeders and 200 platform pickers per year. The company co-operates with leading global manufacturers such as CLAAS, Gomselmash, St. Petersburg Tractor Plant, Lovol, AMAZONE, as well as Kazakhstani machine-building plants.

Olzhas Bektenov during the tour of the enterprise paid special attention to the need to increase the localisation of agricultural machinery production in order to support domestic producers. This is necessary for the renewal of the agro-industrial park.

The Government pays special attention to deepening localisation in the manufacturing industry and stands firmly on the position of economic patriotism, the main task of which is to support the domestic commodity producer. For this purpose, the Government has made appropriate amendments to the Rules for subsidising agricultural machinery. Thus, when purchasing domestically produced machinery, the interest rate is subsidised up to 6%. At the same time, the possibility of subsidising imported analogues of machinery produced in Kazakhstan is excluded. At the same time, domestic agricultural machine-building enterprises need not only to increase production volumes, but also to continue the process of modernisation of technical equipment, improving quality in accordance with advanced developments and market needs," Olzhas Bektenov stressed.

The Government has allocated over 100 billion tenge for the preferential leasing programme, which started in 2024. During the year, agrarians purchased 22,000 units of modern equipment, which accounted for 5.5% of the renewal of the agro-industrial fleet.

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