WEEKLY REVIEW: Kazakhstan's accession to WTO will not affect state support of agriculture
On Monday, June 24, at Government's meeting, Serik Akhmetov, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, instructed Agency for Regulation of Natural Monopolies (ARNM) and other state agencies to improve tariff policy in public services and seriously deal with explanation of the tariff policy of population. Murat Ospanov, Chairman of ARNM, proposed to exclude from representation expenses tariff the cost of auditing and marketing services, bank charges, costs of financial and technical expertise.
S.Akhmetov on Monday met with Ana Maria Pastor, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communications of Spain. During the meeting the sides discussed prospects of bilateral cooperation, expand collaboration in the sphere of transport, information and communication technologies.
On Tuesday, June 25, Bektas Mukhamezhanov, Vice Minister for Environment, speaking at the National Preparatory Conference to Prague Economic and Environmental Forum, said that Kazakhstan offers neighboring states to join the partnership initiative titled "Green Bridge". He stressed that the initiatives put forward by Kazakhstan in the framework of the partnership program "Green Bridge" have received wide international support.
Prime Minister on Tuesday paid a working visit to Akmola region. There he held a meeting on implementation of development plan towards Shuchinsk-Borovsky resort. After presented reports on the work done Akhmetov noted that, on the whole, the development plan was being executed. Ministry of Industry and Trade in cooperation with the regional Akimat and other governmental agencies were tasked to work out a common plan of action taking into account the recommendations contained in system development plan of Borovoy resort. Ministry of Environment was set a task to take measures on dealing with environmental problems paying special attention to activities on rehabilitation and cleaning of water ponds.
On the same day Prime Minister held a meeting with ''Kokshetauminvody'' JSC discussing regulation of production and turnover of alcohol products. Akhmetov called for continuation of work on commissioning production capacities aiming to improve product's quality and measures to reduce illegal market volume.
On Wednesday, June 26, Adylbek Dzhaksybekov, Defense Minister of Kazakhstan, and Sergei Shoigu, Defense Minister of Russia, discussed the issues regarding bilateral military and military-technical cooperation. On the same day A.Dzhaksybekov attended conference of Defense Ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organization. In Bishkek the ministers talked about strengthening peace, stability and security, and exchanged views on development of SCO under current conditions as well as on the situation in Afghanistan after operation completion of international coalition forces' active phase. Following the meeting there was a signing of a joint communique.
On Thursday, June 27, Asset Issekeshev, Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Industry and New Technologies, visiting Temirtau city of Karaganda region, said that within 10 days of the commission's work there will be completed investigation of causes of the accident at "Arcelor Mittal Temirtau" JSC metallurgical complex. Deputy Prime Minister stressed that the situation was under control.
Asylzhan Mamytbekov, Agriculture Minister, on Thursday, speaking at a briefing at Central Service Communications supported proposal on the establishment of parliamentary Agrarian Bank in Kazakhstan. For the bank construction it is necessary to make amendments to the Law "On Banks". Furthermore, the Minister said that joining the WTO will be useful for Kazakhstan, but it will increase competition between domestic and foreign producers. With this regard the program documents have been modified and adopted by relevant sectoral program for 2020 which will not lead to decrease in state support measures.
S.Akhmetov, on Thursday met with Victor Ponta, Romanian Prime Minister. The meeting stressed the readiness of the two countries to expand cooperation in priority areas of partnership.
On Friday, June 28, Prime Minister chaired a conference of Commission for further improvement of the state language policy.
Mukhtar Kul-Muhammed, Minister of Culture and Information, reported on the implementation of the State Program's first stage. According to his words "Kaztest" system adjustment has benn completed. Minister noted the increased demand for language training and , consequently, increased motivation of Kazakhstan to learn the Kazakh language.
Bakytzhan Zhumagulov, Minister of Education and Science, announced the progress of "Trinity of languages" cultural project which is based on a polylanguage model at all levels of education.
Concluding the meeting the Prime Minister instructed the concerned state agencies to work out and submit for Government's approval the second phase of Action Plan for 2014-2016 and implementation of the State program on functioning and development of languages.
