GOVERNMENT: Kazakhstan is working on import substitution
President Nursultan Nazarbayev received Minister of Agriculture Asylzhan Mamytbekov. "It is necessary to regulate financial situation in the agricultural enterprises. They must demonstrate the results from allocated funds. Another priority issue is substitution of import basic food staff with own production. We should make our own production of such types of products, which are currently imported to the country including poultry meat, sausages, and apples. In general, it is necessary to increase recycling and value-added prices for agricultural products," said the President. A. Mamytbekov reported that the spring field work has already begun in the southern regions of the country, preparations are conducted in the northern regions. We have the necessary equipment for these activities, farmers are provided with fuel and lubricants and loans from the state budget in the amount of 60 billion tenge, also funding from other sources is being carrying out. Government allocates 35 billion tenge from the National Fund for the support of domestic engineering as part of the anti-crisis plan. According to the first vice-minister of National Economy Marat Kussainov, ‘by supporting domestic machine builders we will reduce the number of imported machines and maintain domestic production volumes'. The Ministry of Health and Social Development has signed 18 contracts with domestic manufacturers of drugs and medical devices. In the framework of Nurly Zhol program the National Fund allocates 45 billion tenge for finalization of loan housing program. These funds will be enough for the completion of 240.6 thousand square meters of housing. Nurly Zhol program will carry out works on modernization of housing and communal services. For these purposes in 2015-2016 the National Fund will allot 150 billion tenge, and in subsequent years, not less than 100 billion tenge annually. Government is completing the instructions given by the President to provide social support to veterans of the Great Patriotic War in connection with the 70th anniversary of the Great Victory. The national budget has allocated 5 billion 800 million tenge. Local executive bodies also provide funds to assist veterans. In addition to financial aid, all 104 veterans of the Great Patriotic War living in Kazakhstan will be provided with housing by May 9, 2015. Within January - April 82 veterans have been provided with housing.