WEEKLY REVIEW: Kazakhstan starts to prepare for EXPO-2017 and XXVIII Winter World University Games

ASTANA. December 7. KAZINFORM The Government starts the preparations for the EXPO-2017 International Exhibition in Astana and the XXVIII Winter World University Games in Almaty.
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Kazakhstan comes forward with initiatives in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The new Housing Program, developed by the Government takes into account people's income level and provides affordable housing for average Kazakhstan's families.

On Tuesday, December 4, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Serik Akhmetov instructed sports and educational authorities of the country, and region's governors to begin the preparations for the XXVIII Winter World University Games, scheduled on 2017 in Kazakhstan.

As the Kazakh Prime Minister stressed, this issues are important for all regions. 

"I assign the Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan, the Agency of Sports and Physical Education together with the governors of the regions, and mayors of the cities of Astana and Almaty to take all necessary steps to prepare and train sports reserve of the country," S. Akhmetov said.

According to the Minister of Education Bakytzhan Zhumagulov, such sports as figure skating, short track speed skating, alpine skiing, snowboarding, biathlon, cross country skiing, ice hockey and curling will be presented at the Winter World University Games.

The same day Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov had a meeting with Head of the Kyrgyz Government Zhantoro Satybaldiyev within the framework of his working visit to the Kyrgyz Republic.

A wide range of issues regarding bilateral trade, economic and investment cooperation were addressed at the meeting.

"Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have an opportunity to increase the trade turnover to 1 billion U.S. dollars. For this purpose we should more actively fulfill the agreements reached between our countries ," S.Akhmetov said during the meeting.

Z.Satybaldiyev, in his turn, emphasized the importance of cooperation with Kazakhstan. "We recognize Kazakhstan as our strategic partner. We enjoy long-standing historic and economic relations," the Kyrgyz Prime Minister noted.

The sides discussed the activities of the joint Kazakh-Kyrgyz investment fund. Over a short period of time the fund has financed a number of promising projects promoting the development of bilateral economic relations. S.Akhmetov emphasized the necessity to intensify the fund's activities.  

On Wednesday, December 5, Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov took part in the session of the Prime Ministers' Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Heads of the official delegations of Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan discussed prospects and practical measures on further strengthening of the cooperation between the SCO member states in trade, economic and humanitarian spheres as well as the issues of collaboration within the framework of international organizations. 

"Our main goal is to reduce the risks, find new forms of development of our partnership and cooperation, strengthening the economic contacts within the SCO. The next goal is to transfer the SCO into a powerful engine of the regional economic development. It is crucial to reorient the activities of the organization to the achievement of practical results," S.Akhmetov said.  

According to the Prime Minister, "it is important to speed up the coordination of principles of formation and functioning of the mechanisms of financial support of economic projects - special account of the SCO and the SCO Development Bank". "The earlier we launch these mechanisms, the earlier we will improve the efficiency of economic cooperation," S.Akhmetov believes.

In addition, on December 5, Serik Akhmetov met with President of the Kyrgyz Republic Almazbek Atambayev.

The interlocutors discussed the current state and prospects for development of trade, economic and investment cooperation. Serik Akhmetov expressed confidence that dynamic and progressive development of the cooperation was necessary.

Besides, the same day Defense Minister of Kazakhstan Adilbek Dzhaksybekov  met with Chinese Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Fan Changlong.

F. Changlong noted military relations between the countries reached high level since establishment of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and China 20 years ago. In turn, A. Dzhaksybekov stressed 'strategic partnership has a positive impact on both countries and for stability in the region.

On December 6, Head of State Nursultan Nazarbayev emphasized the question of funding of EXPO-2017 event at the meeting in Akorda. The Head of State stressed that the Expo 2017 international exhibition will affect Kazakhstan's economy, and reminded the heads of all central government agencies of timely and accurate implementation of all activities in preparation for the Expo 2017 in Astana.

In addition, the Agency of Kazakhstan for Competition Protection presented the results of an analysis and assessment of the competitive environment in the pharmaceutical and medical markets. Results of the analysis showed some problems in pharmaceutical and medical industries, impacting the competition development.

"The work on establishment of house building plants is conducted in the country in order to reduce the cost of the housing," Deputy Prime Minister Krymbek Kusherbayev said.

On Friday, December 7, Krymbek Kusherbayev announced housing costs will be reduced thanks to the Affordable Housing - 2020 Program.

The average cost of one square meter of housing makes about 110 thousand tenge in the regions and about 180 thousand tenge in Astana, Almaty, Atyrau, and Aktau cities. Thus, an apartment with the floor area totaling 70 sq m costs over 51 thousand U.S. dollars in the regions and 84 thousand dollars in the cities of Astana, Almaty, Atyrau and Aktau. Presently, only one fourth of employed population of the country can deal with the housing issues themselves.

Besides, he emphasized that the level of provision with dormitories makes about 70%. Over 6 thousand students will be provided with places in new dormitories by the end of 2013. Construction of 80 more dormitories for 50 thousand places will be started in 2014.  

 

 

 

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