KazTransOil starts shipping 25,000 tons of Russian oil to Uzbekistan
Images | kaztransoil.kz
JSC "KazTransOil" has started shipping 25 thousand tons of Russian oil for transit through the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Uzbekistan en route "Omsk - Pavlodar - Shymkent - oil loading rack Shagyr" (loading into railway tanks), Kazinform learned from the company's press office.
Oil transportation is carried out in accordance with the oil supply schedule approved by the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In 2023, the expected volume of Russian oil transit to the Republic of Uzbekistan through the system of main oil pipelines of KazTransOil JSC will be 250 thousand tons.
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Kazakh Government discussed reduction of prices for socially significant products
At the meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Trade and Integration Serik Zhumangarin, the price situation for social products for the week was considered. The average index of +0.1% was mainly formed due to the seasonal increase in prices for potatoes, carrots, onions. Prices for bread, horns, chicken, sugar, salt are stable, press service of the Ministry of Trade and Integration reports.
The rate of decline in the price of buckwheat remains, for a week the price of this cereal has decreased by another 1.2%, since the beginning of the year - by 23%. In addition, the trend of decreasing prices for sunflower oil continues - 0.4% (since the beginning of the year, a decrease of 5.8%), flour - 0.2% (since the beginning of the year - by 2.5%).
Also this week, there was a decrease in the price index as a whole for SSSG in the Pavlodar region by 0.3%. The share of the decrease is largely due to a decrease in prices for sunflower oil and eggs.
Vice Minister of Agriculture Yerbol Taszhurekov reported on the availability of stocks of last year's harvest in the off-season and the results of the early harvest. According to the data provided, early potato harvesting has begun in the Turkestan region, the plan for June-July is 180.4 thousand tons. In Almaty region, it is planned to harvest this vegetable in the amount of 37.8 thousand tons for June-July. Thus, the necessary level of provision of the regions in potatoes will be covered by the early harvest from the southern regions.
If there are stocks of last year's carrot harvest, the main volume of the domestic market needs in June is planned to be covered by imports. At the same time, by the end of June, early carrot harvesting will begin in the Turkestan region, according to plans - 30.3 thousand tons. 90.8 thousand tons of cabbage have already been harvested in the region. This and the future harvest of early vegetables is enough to cover the needs of the market. According to the Akimat of Turkestan region, currently the price of cabbage from the field is from 70 to 100 tg/kg.
In the Zhambyl region, it is planned to harvest early onions in the amount of 105.8 thousand tons, in the Turkestan region - 55.4 thousand tons. Taking into account that the volumes of SEC reserves have been formed for June, the regions are recommended to carry out deliveries from the southern regions in July.
As for harvesting for winter-spring 2024, contracts have already been concluded for the supply of 129 thousand tons of vegetables for the next autumn harvest: potatoes - 70.6 thousand tons, carrots - 19.7 thousand tons, onions - 22 thousand tons and cabbage - 16.5 thousand tons.
During the meeting, the Akimat of the Kyzylorda region raised issues of collateral for producers at the conclusion of forward contracts, the possibility of storing already contracted products (potatoes) in manufacturers' warehouses. As a result of consideration of the issue, Serik Zhumangarin instructed to work out the mechanism together with the Ministry of Agriculture
At the same time, rice sowing is planned to be completed in the region in early June. On the part of the Akimat of the Kyzylorda region, it was proposed to hold meetings directly with the participation of representatives of interested government agencies, regional secs, retail chains of other regions to conclude contracts for the purchase of the autumn harvest. This will make it possible to fix the prices of rice, taking into account storage, and it will also be possible to further regulate the trade premium during the year.
Serik Zhumangarin supported the proposal of the Akimat of the Kyzylorda region regarding the early contracting of rice. He also instructed to take all necessary measures to further curb the growth of prices for social food.
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Foreign investment in Kazakhstan hit a record $28bn in 2022
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Kazakh Senate Deputy Olga Perepechina has named the main factors making Kazakhstan attractive for investors, Kazinform correspondent reports.
They are the political stability, predictability, and immutability of legislation, and effective governess across the country. The State keeps all these elements which are the solid foundation of investment climate under control. There are different legislative mechanisms for stimulating the investment activity in the country", - said Perepechina.
She went on to say that there are 14 special economic and 33 industrial zones, providing infrastructure and wider investment preferences, in Kazakhstan. The country also simplified the procedures for opening and running businesses, created a solid regulatory framework. And favorable conditions for investment activity.
Kazakhstan has passed the new investment policy concept, established a visa free regime with 76 countries, the institution of investment ombudsman.
According to Senate Deputy Olga Perepechina, the gross flow of direct foreign investments in Kazakhstan reached its 10-year high of $28bn in 2022.
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More than 280 investment projects for 1.9 trillion tenge planned to be launched in Kazakhstan in 2023
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Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov held a meeting of the Investment Headquarters, which considered the rate of capital investments (CII) and foreign direct investments (FDI), primeminister.kz reports.
Minister of National Economy Alibek Kuantyrov informed that the total volume of FDI amounted to 3.8 trillion tenge in January-April of the current year, which is 18% more than during the same period of 2022. Among the industries, mining and manufacturing industry, real estate operations, transport and warehousing, and agriculture are leading by this indicator.
The nationwide target indicator for January-April was achieved. Regionally, out of 20 regions, 12 have fulfilled and exceeded their plans. Among them are Turkestan (148%), Kyzylorda (137%), Karaganda (122%), Mangystau (122%) and Akmola (116%) regions. Among central government agencies the plans were overfulfilled by the Ministries of Healthcare (167%), Education (153%), Science and Higher Education (152%), Trade and Integration (143%), Agriculture (116%), Environment and Natural Resources (108%).
Prime Minister stressed that following the results of 4 months most regions and central government agencies met the indicators of IEC, but 8 regions did not reach the targets. The outsiders are the regions of Ulytau (52%), Abay (64%) and Zhambyl region (65%).
Ulytau and Zhambyl failed to meet the annual FDI plan last year as well. At the previous meeting of the Investstab, the akims of these regions promised that they would correct the situation this year. But, as we see, your regions are in last place among all regions", - Alikhan Smailov said.
Nurlan Urankhaev, akim of Abay region, Beibit Isabaev of Zhetisu region, Nurzhan Nurzhigitov of Zhambyl region, Ermaganbet Bulekbaev of Karaganda region, and Ulantay Usenov, deputy akim of Ulytau region, made reports on measures taken.
Having heard the speakers, the head of the government has underlined that following the results of the first half-year corresponding measures will be accepted concerning the officials supervising questions of investments.
Alikhan Smailov also noted the weak work in terms of IEC by the Ministries of Culture (62%) and digitalization (61%), indicating the need to increase the number of projects in the IT-sector, as well as to strengthen work on attracting investment in the tourism industry.
The Minister of Culture and Sports Askhat Oralov and Vice-Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Askar Zhambakin made comments on these issues.
Prime Minister stressed that the government has the task to bring the level of CII this year to 18.5 trillion tenge. In this connection regions and departments have to organize proactive work on attraction of investments into fixed capital considering the backlog.
At the session we also considered the results of work on attraction of direct foreign investments for last year.
As Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Almas Aidarov reported, their inflow amounted to $28 billion, which became a record figure for the last 10 years. 199 investment projects in key sectors of the economy worth 2.3 trillion tenge were commissioned. In 2023, it is planned to launch another 281 projects worth 1.9 trillion tenge.
The Top 10 countries-investors based on last year's results include the Netherlands, the USA, Switzerland, Belgium, Russia, South Korea, China, France, the UK and Germany.
Alikhan Smailov noted that the Head of the State set a task for the government to attract $150 bn of FDI till 2029.
This year we must attract at least $24 billion of foreign capital into the national economy. The ministers and the akims should take necessary measures to implement new and high-quality investment projects with foreign capital in priority sectors of the economy", - Prime Minister said.
In addition, the participants of the meeting considered the problematic issues in the implementation of major projects with the participation of foreign investors. Following the discussion, Alikhan Smailov instructed the responsible government agencies and organizations to take comprehensive measures to address them.
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Kazakhstan companies can increase manufacturing production by another $46 billion
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The Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov continued a series of meetings with representatives of medium-sized businesses to discuss topical issues and measures of state support. The meeting on May 26 was attended by entrepreneurs from Akmola, Kostanay, Pavlodar and North Kazakhstan regions, primeminister.kz reports.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Infrastructural Development Ilyas Ospanov said that there is a possibility to increase the production in the manufacturing industry by $46 billion through domestic reserves, while Kazakhstan has the potential to additionally supply the macro-regional market with products worth almost $300 billion.
Among the main areas where there is an opportunity to develop domestic production: oil and gas engineering, production of construction materials, food and fertilizers, steel products, goods of aluminum and copper industries, processing of iron ore, cotton fiber, wool, leather, etc.
As a direct measure of state stimulus, this year it is planned to finance manufacturing projects worth over 500 billion tenge, including through the Industrial Development Fund and the Development Bank of Kazakhstan.
Yerbol Karashukeyev, Minister of Agriculture, noted that at present the agro-industrial complex of the country has a positive development dynamics. In this case the state continues to work on expanding access to finance and opening up new markets for manufactured products.
So, in part of the reform of subsidies, taking into account the proposals of the business community, a compromise version was developed, which provides for pinpoint changes aimed at reducing corruption risks, but with the preservation of the main contours of the current system.
Besides, in order to increase the availability of subsidies to agricultural producers, "waiting lists" have been launched within the implementation of the Unified Information System, which guarantee the satisfaction of submitted applications on a first-come, first-served basis. In general, at least 425 billion tenge will be allocated for subsidizing agriculture this year.
Through Agrarian Credit Corporation JSC 140 billion tenge is allocated for spring field and harvest works this year, of which 70 billion are medium-term and will be returned next year until April.
With regard to crediting, the forward purchase programme will be continued via NC Prodkorporatsiya for more than 71 billion tenge and 20 billion tenge is allocated to increase the authorised capital of JSC KazAgroFinance for the purchase of agricultural and fodder harvesting equipment. However, in all regions will start implementation of the program of crediting investment projects of agro-industrial complex by experience of North-Kazakhstan region. This year it will allocate 100 billion tenge for construction of 65 dairy farms. It is planned to give credits at 2.5 per cent up to 10 years with the maximum sum of 5 billion tenge.
In terms of expanding markets for domestic livestock products, work is underway to include Kazakhstan enterprises in foreign exporters' registers. Today 3 282 enterprises have the right to supply their products abroad.
With regard to plant products, over the past two years, 901 Kazakhstan enterprises were included in the register of the General Administration of Customs of China.
The participants of the meeting discussed the issues of preferential financing, providing stability of subsidies, modernization and automation of production, connection to engineering infrastructure, availability of land resources, development of small industrial zones, increase of localization, export support, fight against unfair competition and a number of other issues.
Speakers included heads of companies Enbek, Greenhouse Technologies of Kazakhstan, CHN, Turkey PVL, Raduga, Asyl Farms, Adal Agro, Asyl Farms, TEHNOPARK KZ, and others.
The heads of the central state and local executive bodies gave detailed comments on the topics raised. In particular, during the meeting the ways to solve several problematic issues were identified, for the rest the Prime Minister instructed the authorized agencies to carry out the appropriate study.
Alikhan Smailov stressed that the government will actively support initiatives of medium-sized businesses to create and expand new production facilities. Among main priorities here are localization, introduction of new technologies, digital transformation of enterprises, creation of competitive products of middle and upper redistribution, development of modern infrastructure.
For this purpose support is provided at all stages of the life cycle of production - from raw material base to promotion of finished products in domestic and foreign markets", - Prime Minister said.
He added that this year 170 projects worth more than 1 trillion tenge are planned for industrialization and 300 projects worth 540 billion tenge for agro-industrial complex. In parallel, the list of tax and customs preferences, including for exporters of finished products. At the local level support is provided on the allocation of land, infrastructure and other issues within the competence of the Akimats.
Alikhan Smailov pointed out that an important direction is increasing the efficiency of state support measures.
Businesses that receive state support should expand their production and ensure growth in the output of non-resource products. The priority should be given to the saturation of the domestic market. We must get the greatest economic effect from each project, which will contribute to the further diversification of the economy and the creation of permanent jobs," he said.
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Kazakhstan may increase exports of processed products to Kyrgyzstan by $100 million
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The Ministry of Trade and Integration together with QazTrade is conducting a trade mission of Kazakhstani companies in Bishkek. As Vice Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan Kairat Torebayev said today at the opening of the Kazakh-Kyrgyz business forum, our country can increase exports of processed products to Kyrgyzstan by $ 100 million, press service of the Ministry of Trade and Integration reports.
We estimate the potential for increasing exports of Kazakh processed products to Kyrgyzstan in excess of $ 100 million. These are mainly products of the food, chemical, machine-building, pharmaceutical, metallurgical industries", - the Vice Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan noted.
Kazakhstan is one of the three main trading partners of Kyrgyzstan. The trade turnover between our countries in 2022 amounted to $ 1.1 billion.
According to the Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kyrgyz Republic Rapil Zhoshybayev, the next task for business is to bring the volume of trade to $ 2 billion. In addition, he outlined the main joint projects on which active work is underway. In particular, Rapil Zhoshybayev said that our countries are at the final stage of signing an agreement on four boarding houses located in the Issyk-Kul region.
Right now, investors are being invited to participate in projects to expand infrastructure and build new facilities", - Rapil Zhoshybayev said.
In turn, Deputy Minister of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic Kanat Abdrakhmanov listed priority areas for development: these are energy, tourism, agriculture, subsoil use and light industry. In addition to the traditional sectors of the economy, according to the representative of the Government of Kyrgyzstan, a serious impetus will be given to the creative industry, which will become a promising niche for business.
The creative industry is a new sector of the economy, and we consider it one of the beneficiaries of growth in the coming years. To develop this new direction, the concept of creative economy for 2022-2026 has been approved in Kyrgyzstan", - Kanat Abdrakhmanov shared at the business forum.
Within the framework of the trade mission, negotiations were held between Kazakhstani manufacturers and potential partners, which were held in the B2B format. As a result of the meetings, Kazakh businessmen signed export contracts for the supply of domestic goods to Kyrgyzstan for $ 35.2 million. The companies agreed on the supply of metal structures, diesel generators, food (confectionery, chicken eggs and egg powder, noodles, jams, apple juice, honey), as well as the provision of consulting services.
The business forum was attended by more than 100 enterprises of the two countries, as well as representatives of national companies and government agencies.
Reference:
By the end of 2022, the volume of exports from Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan increased by 10.5% and amounted to $ 745.3 million. Kazakhstan exports to Kyrgyzstan mainly parts and accessories for cars and tractors, electricity, tobacco products, coal, mineral and carbonated waters, passenger cars, flat rolled non-alloy steel clad.
The basis of Kyrgyz imports are ores and concentrates of precious metals, other hot-rolled unalloyed steel rods, polished glass, plastic containers.
Imports to Kazakhstan from Kyrgyzstan in 2022 increased by 1.8% and amounted to 382.4 million dollars.
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KZT240bln to be spent on Balkhash town's development
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Karaganda region’s authorities plan to create a tourist cluster in the town of Balkhash, Kazinform reports.
According to Governor of Karaganda region Yermaganbet Bulekpayev, 240 billion tenge are envisaged for Balkhash town’s development.
Our goal is to create a tourist cluster in Balkhash. The draft comprehensive plan has been submitted for approval", - he added.
He noted that the region has the biggest number of single-industry towns. Following the example of Saran town, other single-industry towns including Balkhash will be developed too.
As per the President’s instruction, we are working today on building infrastructure for new enterprises. More than 3,000 permanent jobs will be created. The case of Saran town will be applied in regards to other single-industry towns, with the consideration of their peculiarities," the Governor added.
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Kazakhstan exports processed goods to 106 countries around the world
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Vice-Minister of Trade and Integration Kairat Torebayev spoke about measures to develop non-primary exports in Kazakhstan at the Central Communications Service, press service of the Ministry of Trade and Integration reports.
Last year, we reached a record level of exports of processed products at $26.5 billion. This trend has continued this year", - the Vice Minister said.
In the first quarter of 2023, the total volume of foreign trade in processed products increased by 32% compared to the previous indicator of the same period last year and amounted to $ 18.8 billion. Exports of non-primary goods for the same period amounted to 5.9 billion US dollars, showing an increase of 7.6%.
A significant increase in export deliveries was shown by a number of product names. Thus, sales of flour abroad last year increased by 70.8%, petroleum products - by 52.2%, passenger cars - by 46%, sunflower oil - by 19.9%, and fertilizer exports increased 2.8 times.
In three months of 2023, Kazakhstan sent finished export products to 106 countries of the world, while the list of importing countries expanded compared to the same period of the previous year. The new markets for Kazakhstan's exports are the Syrian Arab Republic, Senegal, North Macedonia, Somalia, Guinea, Cyprus.
The main buyers of processed products from Kazakhstan are traditionally Russia, China, Uzbekistan, Turkey, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia and Afghanistan.
According to the results of last year, there are 650 active exporters of non-primary products in the country, which have been exporting for at least three years. Of these, 463 enterprises took advantage of non-financial measures of state support. These are export acceleration programs, launching on marketplaces, participation in trade missions and reimbursement of part of the export costs.
Each measure shows the result in the form of a return on the invested budget money. So, according to the acceleration program, the refund for one budget tenge amounted to 158 tenge, for withdrawal to marketplaces - 213 tenge, for service support measures - 652 tenge", - the Vice Minister of Trade and Integration cited such data at a briefing in the CCS.
Last year, thanks to the Accelerator's support, 38 export contracts worth about 260 million US dollars were concluded. As of today, 2 contracts have already been signed for the supply of products to Uzbekistan for $19 million, 1 long-term contract for the supply of household chemicals to Russia for a total of $1.3 million (600 million a year) and 2 more contracts for the supply of copper products to the Chinese market for $5 million. Negotiations are also underway with South Korea on the supply of Kazakhstani food products.
Since the beginning of 2023, 5 trade and economic missions have been conducted through QazTrade in such countries as Vietnam (Hanoi), Azerbaijan (Baku), Iran (Tehran), China (Xi'an), Uzbekistan (Tashkent). As a result of the trade and economic missions, export contracts worth more than $300 million were signed.
5 more trade and economic missions will be organized by the end of the year. In addition, it is planned to present the national stands of the Republic of Kazakhstan at the annual Shanghai Import Exhibition in Shanghai (China), the 8th EXPO China-Eurasia XUAR and others.
Another relevant tool for promoting goods to foreign markets provides for the withdrawal of domestic exporters to an electronic trading platform Alibaba.com . In 2020-2022, 220 companies were placed on the trading platform, their total sales amounted to about 225 million US dollars. This year, 70 companies will have access to golden marketplace accounts.
As part of the recent visit of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the city of Xi'an, the National Pavilion was opened on an electronic platform "JD.com". In addition, in March, the construction of the Ozon fulfillment center in Astana was completed, at the site of which 15 thousand Kazakhstani sellers were registered, their sales volume exceeded 10 billion tenge in 2022.
One of the most popular measures of state support is the reimbursement of part of the costs to exporters. By the end of 2022, the state returned the costs in the amount of 8.8 billion tenge.
The main recipients of funds were small businesses, their share was about 48%. These are companies operating in the fields of food production and wholesale trade.
According to the Ministry of Trade and Integration, as a result of this support measure, the geography of exports expanded to three countries, Cyprus, France and Japan were added. The range of goods for which cost recovery is carried out has grown by 53 positions.
In 2023, applications for cost recovery have already been accepted since April 21 and will end on July 21. By the end of the year, QazTrade plans to approve applications in the amount of about 10 billion tenge, which will increase the number of enterprises that have used this support measure to three hundred.
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