GOVERNMENT: Work of special economic zones to be improved in Kazakhstan
The Government of Kazakhstan considered the process of implementation of the instructions given by the Head of State regarding rendering of support to entrepreneurship. Minister of National Economy Yerbolat Dossayev represented a draft program on support and development of business based on the Business Road Map-2020 Program. The program is coordinated with the State Program on Industrial-Innovative Development for 2015-2019. The implementation of the program will be held in four directions: support of business initiatives; sectoral business support; reduction of currency risks and consolidation of non-financial measures on the one stop principle.
In total, the program has to ensure stable and balanced growth of regional entrepreneurship and preserving and creation of permanent jobs. Its implementation will give a new impetus for development of diversification of the structure of regional entrepreneurship and help to improve the measures of non-financial support.
At the Kazakh-Hungarian business forum in Astana, Prime Minister of Karim Massimov informed that the Government was developing measures on improvement of the special economic zones. Special rules are developed and adopted. The position of Ombudsman for investments has been created, the Ombudsman will be subordinate to the Minister of Investment and Development.
The Prime Minister also noted the interest of the world community in the Central Asian region was growing over the recent years. Friendly, constructive relations with China, Russia, European Union, USA and the countries of the Middle East have been established. In order to realize the potential of the region, the President of Kazakhstan launched the new national project called "Almaty - regional financial center", which is developed on the international principles, British, in particular.
First Deputy Minister of Investment and Development Zhenis Kassymbek also told about the attractiveness of Kazakhstan as a business partner at the business forum "Kazakhstan-Batumi". He noted that Kazakhstan has become even more attractive partner since establishment of the Eurasian Economic Union with its total number of customers making about 170 million people, and the total GDP exceeding two trillion US dollars. The GDP is expected to grow by 600 billion dollars by 2030.
Besides, the Ministry of Healthcare and Social Development of Kazakhstan and pharmaceutical associations signed a memorandum on regulation of prices for 200 medicines and medical products. The document was signed in order to support socially vulnerable layers of population. The prices for medicines as of March 1, 2015, will remain the same. In case the rule of prices regulation is broken all those found guilty will be brought to responsibility.
Minister of Agriculture Assylzhan Mamytbekov informed that Kazakhstan produced now even more meat than it needed, it is exported to the neighboring countries. There is also some import of the meat which is used for production of sausages and canned goods. As it was earlier informed, 620 thousand heads of cattle are involved in the program on increase of the export potential of beef. In future, the livestock population in Kazakhstan is planned to be doubled.
Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Berdybek Saparbayev also informed on Friday that Almaty had 60% of the sports facilities ready for the Olympic Games of 2022. The rest can be built by 2022. The decision about the host of the games will be announced this July.
At the CCS media briefing, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Saparkhan Omarov told Kazakhstan planned to harvest not less than 17.2 million tons of grain in 2015. The cultivated area for all agricultural crops will be 21.5 million hectares. The area for the spring sowing campaign is expected to be at the level of 18.5 million hectares.