WEEKLY REVIEW: Construction of education and healthcare facilities on the rise in Kazakhstan

ASTANA. KAZINFORM - Investments in Kazakhstan's fixed capital grow steadily. The Government of Kazakhstan adjusts the budget, raising support of socially vulnerable layers of the population. The role of trade unions in promotion of social stability is expected to grow.

On Tuesday, March 11, Minister of Economy and Budget Planning Yerbolat Dossayev announced extra 10 billion tenge were allotted for the International specialized exhibition EXPO-2017 in Kazakhstan. He also told the Government meeting that Astana and Almaty cities will get 15 billion tenge each ahead of the high-profile events - EXPO-2017 event and the 2017 Winter University Games that are expected to be held there. Moreover, the minister pointed out that export duties on crude oil will increase from 60 to 80 U.S. dollars per ton from April 1, 2014. Given that the increase in revenues is expected at 505.5 billion tenge. In addition, Minister Dossayev introduced a comprehensive plan for combating shadow economy for 2014-2015. After discussions, Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov instructed the Economy and Budget Planning Ministry to refine the plan taking into account the suggestions made. Next day Yerbolat Dossayev addressed the Majilis, lower chamber of the Kazakh Parliament, while introducing draft amendments to the republic budget. In his words, more than 121 billion tenge were earmarked this year to support vulnerable social groups of the population. On Thursday, March 13, Vice Premier Gulshara Abdykalikova chaired a session of the National Coordination Council for Healthcare Protection under the Government of Kazakhstan. Deputy Minister of Healthcare Bolat Tokezhanov informed that 71 facilities under the 100 schools, 100 hospitals project had been completed. 28 facilities will be commissioned by late 2016. The council charged regional authorities and Astana and Almaty cities administrations to ensure timely commissioning of the healthcare facilities scheduled for launch this year. On Friday, March 14, Chairman of the Kazakh Agency for Statistics Alikhan Smailov announced the total volume of investments in fixed capital of Kazakhstan made KZT 523 billion, growing by 1.1% as compared to last year. The same day, First Vice Minister of Industry and New Technologies of Kazakhstan Albert Rau said it was necessary to raise employers' interest in career development. He told the Astana-hosted conference on modernization of trade unions that people with different qualifications should be remunerated differently in order to avoid labor disputes.