Ministry of Trade and Integration: Monitoring shows no negative impact of single time zone on people's livelihoods
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The Government session paid attention to the issue of time zone. Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev reported on the results of monitoring the practical impact of the transition to a single time zone on public health, energy consumption and labour productivity. Comprehensive monitoring was conducted with the involvement of the expert community, research institutes in the field of medicine, neuroscience, biophysics, genetics, astrophysics, physiology, deputies of maslikhats of all levels and stakeholders, primeminister.kz reports.
The results of the analysis showed that the transition to a single time zone does not have a negative impact on key indicators of the population's life activity. More than 40 metrics were studied, including the impact on health, energy consumption, labour efficiency, student performance, road traffic accidents and crime rates. The comprehensive approach included data analyses, surveys and comparisons of pre- and post-transition metrics.
Additionally, the Minister said that in a number of districts of East Kazakhstan region (Katon-Karagai, Markakol, Ulken Naryn, Zaisan, Tarbagatai, Samara, Kurchum) deputies of maslikhats supported the initiative to adjust the working schedule. Now it is from 8:00 to 17:30, which was positively assessed by the residents.
It is noted that the results of monitoring in early March this year submitted to the party faction in the Majilis.
As you know, the Head of State instructed the Government and Parliament to constructively consider this issue and jointly make a balanced decision. As noted in the report of the Minister, monitoring showed the absence of negative effects from the decision to introduce a single time zone," Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov noted and instructed to organise relevant work together with the Majilis of the Parliament.
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President highlighted new public policy points at session of Assembly of People, says Karin
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Kazakh State Counselor Erlan Karin said on Friday that the 30th anniversary session of Kazakhstan’s Assembly of the People was another milestone, as President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted new points of public policy, Kazinform News Agency reports.
The Kazakh State Counselor said: "The speech delivered by the Head of State was informative and covered a wide range of pressing issues".
Despite of multiple ongoing tasks, enhancing interethnic harmony will remain one of the key priorities of all government agencies, especially amid the heightened tensions and uncertainty on the global stage, said Karin, citing President Tokayev’s speech.
He said: "The Head of State denied rumors regarding the Assembly and commended its activities, revealing its new promising role as a strategic staff for development of public policy in interethnic relations".
The President reiterated the important role of the Kazakh language as the language of interethnic communication, said Karin, adding that the use of the state language will be expanded without haste and based on a weighted and rational approach, with any attempts to politicize the issue will be stopped.
The Kazakh State Counselor said that the Head of State once again pointed out a constructive and unbiased understanding of the history, noting the special importance of the upcoming 80th anniversary of the Great Victory.
The President’s statement was clear that Kazakhstan will act according to its national interests in its domestic and foreign policy, said Karin, adding: "Kazakhstan will pursue dialogue with all its partners based on mutually beneficial cooperation and in compliance with international law".
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Gasification of settlements and reduction of losses through digital solutions: Government reviews gas industry development
At the Government session chaired by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov considered the issue of development and digitalisation of the gas industry. Minister of Energy Yerlan Akkenzhenov made a report. On the ongoing projects in the gas sector reported the Chairman of the Board of QazaqGaz Sanzhar Zharkeshov, on the digitalisation of the industry by the First Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Kanysh Tuleushin, primeminister.kz reports.
According to the Ministry of Energy, in 2024, gas production in the country totalled 59 billion m3, 85% of the total volume came from three major fields Karachaganak, Tengiz and Kashagan. At the same time, marketable gas production in Kazakhstan reached 28.7bn m3. Yerlan Akkenzhenov reported that the plan for 2025 is set at 29.4 billion m3.
The Prime Minister emphasised the preservation of the global trend of growth in the consumption of natural gas as the most environmentally friendly type of hydrocarbon fuel. It was noted that even in the countries focused on decarbonisation, gas continues to be the basic and reserve generation, ensures the sustainability of energy systems. Olzhas Bektenov emphasised that in Kazakhstan gas is a socially important resource that affects the quality of life of citizens, ensuring the sustainability of the economy and the development of regions.
The Head of State has repeatedly stressed the importance of the gas industry development and instructed to ensure reliable gas supply to the population, modernise the infrastructure and expand exploration of new fields. Our country has a significant gas potential. The volume of confirmed natural gas reserves in Kazakhstan is about 4 trillion cubic metres. However, the development of these resources requires a systematic approach, new investments, modern infrastructure and a long-term strategy," Olzhas Bektenov said.
Attention was paid to the issue of updating the scientific base in the study of subsoil and digitisation of geological information for effective attraction of investors. As part of this work, the Ministries of Industry and Construction, Energy are creating a unified platform for subsoil use, which includes a single window for interaction between government agencies and enterprises and a digital map of deposits.
Accelerated implementation of gas processing plant construction projects is also a priority. Their commissioning will make it possible not only to increase the added value of products, but also to reduce dependence on gas imports and ensure the utilisation of related industries.
In the country as a whole, the coverage of gasification today reaches 62.4%. Olzhas Bektenov stressed that by 2030 it is planned to increase this figure to 65%. Currently, implementation of such major projects as construction of the second string of the main gas pipeline Beineu - Bozoi - Shymkent and the gas pipeline Taldykorgan-Usharal is underway.
Prime Minister gave a number of instructions:
- To the Ministry of Energy together with QazaqGaz and KazMunayGaz companies by 1 June to make proposals for the development and development of new gas fields;
- The Ministry of Industry and Construction together with the Ministry of Energy to put into operation a unified platform of subsoil use by the end of August this year;
- Samruk-Kazyna Fund to take special control over the timely completion of construction of gas processing plants at Kashagan and Zhanaozen;
- the Ministry of Energy to ensure that an investment decision is made on the Karachaganak gas processing plant in the third quarter of this year;
- regional akimats to ensure early preparation and timely completion of planned works on gasification of settlements, taking into account the accelerated pace of implementation of gas trunkline construction projects.
It is also possible to accelerate gasification through the use of modern technologies. For example, the technology of mechanical pipe jointing is widely used abroad, which allows to speed up their laying many times. However, for the development of this technology in our country it is necessary to update the national standards, as today according to them pipe connection is possible only by welding," Olzhas Bektenov noted and instructed the Ministries of Industry and Construction, Energy, Trade and Integration to ensure the relevant procedures;
- QazaqGaz Company together with the Ministry of Energy to provide digital accounting of commodity gas along the entire chain from production to consumption by 1 August 2026;
- The Ministry of Energy and regional akims should make proposals on automation of liquefied gas distribution processes within a month.
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Over 1 mln trees to be planted in Kazakh capital, mayor
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The Head of State got familiarized with the Astana landscaping and infrastructure development plans, Kazinform News Agency learnt from the Akorda press service.
Astana mayor Zhenis Kassymbek revealed over 1 million trees will be planted in the city this year.
The works will be carried out in the historical streets, the President’s Park, the River Yessil bank, the Mynzhyldyk Alley, the Triathlon Park, the Greenline Boulevard, the Syganak, Shamshi Kaldayakov, and Goethe streets, etc.
The mayor noted that the reconstruction of the Qazaqstan sports complex will start.
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President urges concrete action to address water scarcity in Mangistau
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President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev tasked the Government and Samruk Kazyna Fund to take concrete action to reduce water scarcity in Mangistau region, Kazinform News Agency cites Akorda.
Speaking at a meeting on social and economic development of Mangistau region Friday, President Tokayev said that access to drinking water is among acute challenges facing the region amid growing population pressures.
The Head of State said: "Three cities and 59 rural settlements have water supply schedules in spite of the centralized water supply. Water scarcity is 23,000 cubic meters per day".
Six desalination plants are under construction, with Kenderli project is expected to provide access to drinking water in Zhanaozen city, Tenge, Kyzylsai, Rakhat and Kenderli rural districts. President Tokayev pointed out the importance of completing all works on schedule in May.
The President also pointed to the potential use of groundwater deposit Kokzhide in Aktobe region or construction of a water pipeline from Kokzhide, Aishuakskoye and Severo-Aishuakskoye deposits to supply water to settlements in Mangistau and Atyrau regions.
A pipeline stretching nearly 1,400km could supply 170,000 cubic meters of water per day, ensuring access to quality drinking water to 1.2 million people, said Tokayev.
Aktau city’s water networks are 77% obsolete, leading to water loss rates of 16%, added the President.
President Tokayev also supported the initiative led by farmers residing in remote areas of drilling water wells, which, according to estimates, will require 100 million tenge.
Earlier it was reported that President Kassym-Jomart Tok
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Head of State calls for speedy construction of airport at Kenderli resort area
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Kassym-Jomart Tokayev urged an accelerated construction of an airport at Kenderli resort area Friday, as the President is paying a working visit to Mangistau region, Kazinform News Agency cites Akorda.
According to a report by transport minister Marat Karabayev, 24 infrastructure projects worth 1.9 trillion tenge are under way in Mangistau region.
Karabayev said that cargo transport via the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route surged 62% to 4.5 million tons in 2024.
The route handled 358 container trains and 27,000 trucks, with 3.2 million tons transported for export. By 2028, it is expected to raise this figure to up to 10 million tons, he said.
The Kazakh minister added: "A container hub is under construction in Aktau, as the city seeks to boost its throughput capacity from 140,000 to 240,000 TEU".
Upon the Head of State’s instruction, construction of a new airport with an hourly passenger flow of 150 people is under way near the Kenderli resort area. The airport is set to run regular flights from Kenderli to Almaty and Astana
Major road projects connecting the country’s center and west as well as Beineu and Saksaulskiy are slated for implementation. These projects are expected to result in route optimization, especially reducing the distance between Astana and Aktau by 800km and Khorgos and Aktau by 900km.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev urged an accelerated construction of an airport at Kenderli resort area, citing Mangistau region’s huge potential to turn Kazakhstan into a transport and logistics hub of Eurasia.
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