President Tokayev highlights role of middle powers in global agenda in Singapore
Images | Akorda
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivered his lecture ‘Kazakhstan and the role of middle powers: promoting security, stability and sustainable development’ in Singapore, Kazinform News Agency cites Akorda.
As part of his state visit, Head of State Tokayev addressed the 46th Singapore lecture, offering his vision of the role of middle powers in ensuring global security, stability and sustainable development.
Singapore lectures conducted by the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute since 1980 serve as a unique opportunity for academic circles, politicians, diplomats and young scholars to hear firsthand views of heads of states and prominent world politicians.
Welcoming those present in the event, Tokayev noted that Singapore left a special mark in his biography.
I worked here as a young diplomat many decades ago and I’m glad to come back to see firsthand how your country continues to achieve great success. Indeed, the remarkable economic changes of Singapore undertaken under visionary leadership of its founding father Lee Kuan Yew is a prime example of successful state building and economic growth. Your country inspires Kazakhstan to choose its own path toward progress and prosperity. It’s clear that the invaluable experience I gained during may stay in Singapore influenced my vision of the future of Kazakhstan in this rapidly changing world, said the Kazakh leader.
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Head of State Tokayev briefed on measures against corruption
Images | Akorda
Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev had a meeting with Chairman of the Anti-corruption Agency Askhat Zhumagali, Kazinform News Agency cites Akorda.
Zhumagali briefed the Kazakh President about the measures taken to combat corruption.
It was reported that since the beginning of the year, 947 corruption-related crimes have been reported, with 660 persons having been convicted, of whom 104 are managers of different levels. 193.5 billion tenge has been reimbursed within the criminal cases settled.
In general, property assets and funds to the tune of 1.03 trillion tenge have been returned to the state and quasi-sector entities since 2022.
This year, 113 reports following analysis and monitoring in education, science, sport, procurement of pharmaceuticals, construction and land allocation have been prepared. The government bodies have issued over one thousand recommendations and proposals aimed at eliminating corruption risks.
As part of preventive measures, including via monitoring of the Single procurement window portal, irrational use of budget funds worth over 31 billion tenge has been prevented.
Under the Bizneske zhil project, the rights of around 7.5 thousand entrepreneurs have been protected, 67 problematic cases have been settled.
Zhumagali also informed about the implementation of the instruction to eliminate corruption practices in the road sector. The pilot project on ‘money coloring’ is set to be carried out in socially significant spheres, including road construction.
The Anti-corruption Agency Chairman said that since the beginning of the year four memoranda of cooperation have been signed with anti-corruption authorities of Qatar, Hong Kong, Azerbaijan and Russia. The documents are aimed at strengthening partnerships in providing legal assistance, returning assets, searching for persons, monitoring intended use of budget funds and procurements.
Following the meeting, the Head of State gave a number of instructions.
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Kazakh President tasks to step up work with investors to implement Alatau City project
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Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received governor of Almaty region Marat Sultangaziyev. The Kazakh President was briefed about the key indicators of social and economic development of the region for January-May 2024, Kazinform News Agency cites Akorda.
Almaty region ranks fifth in the country in terms of gross regional product, which hit five trillion tenge. The region’s short-term economic indicator stood at 107.9% in January-April this year. Manufacturing takes a whopping 88.5% in the region’s total industrial output.
As Sultangaziyev said, significant growth is observed in sectors such as agriculture, communication services, construction and trade.
Tokayev was informed about the formation of seven industrial zones within the region, whose investment portfolio includes 207 projects worth 3.7 trillion tenge until 2030. 58 projects for 446.7 billion tenge with creation of 5.3 thousand jobs are to be carried out in the region this year.
According to Almaty region’s governor, as of the beginning of this year, 136.7 thousand SMEs operated in the region, a 6.3% year-over-year rise. In addition, 53 agricultural cooperatives, 46 of which received financial assistance, have been established as part of the Auyl amanaty program.
Last year, 13 schools for 13.8 thousand places were built in the region. 53 schools are slated for construction in 2024-25 as part of the Comfortable school program.
The governor informed that as part of the Taza Kazakhstan environmental campaign 19,506 tons of waste were collected and over 6,600 ha of territory were cleaned.
The Head of State called the initiative Taza Kazakhstan as an important step towards formation of environmental culture and instruction the regional administration to carry on with the work on a constant basis.
During the meeting, prospects for development of regional center Konayev, new Alatau city and the entire metropolitan area were discussed. The Head of State was presented with the preliminary results of the design of urban planning documentation
Following the meeting, Tokayev instructed to continue the work on the strategic plans to develop the region as well as step up the efforts to engage with potential investors to implement the flagship project Alatau City.
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Kazakhstan to introduce penalties for sexual harrassment
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Kazakhstan plans to introduce penalties for sexual harassment. The corresponding bill is being drafted by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, Kazinform News Agency quotes Renat Zulkhairov, Deputy Chairman of the MIA Administrative Police Committee, as saying.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection is currently working to introduce liability for harassment. Legislative amendments and the initiative itself are being discussed by the government agencies. I believe this issue will be considered in the nearest time. The law is being drafted by the Ministry of Labor," Zulkhairov said at a press briefing of the Central Communications Service.
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Head of State Tokayev chairs meeting on tourism promotion
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President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chaired a meeting on promotion of tourism in the country, Kazinform News Agency cites the Akorda press service.
Attending the event were Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, head of the Presidential Administration Aibek Dadebai, Prosecutor General Berik Assylov, Chairman of the National Security Committee Yermek Sagimbayev, government members, mayors of Astana and republican significance cities and regional governors, heads of national companies and the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs Atameken, business representatives.
Opening the meeting, the Head of State stressed that tourism acts as a driver of dynamic development of global economy. The sector is among the most attractive ones for investors, he added.
Today, the share of tourism in the global gross product exceeds 9%. Thus, it can be said that the figure is recovering to the pre-pandemic level. Tourism is responsible for around 10% of the total jobs worldwide, generating each fourth new job. Tourist services account for 30% of the global export, 7% of investments and 5% of tax revenues. Kazakhstan has everything needed to promote all types of tourism: from eco- to business tourism, said the Kazakh President.
Tokayev pointed to a failure in unraveling the tourist potential taking into account the country’s geographic location, diverse nature, rich and unique historic and cultural heritage.
Head of State Tokayev slammed the government and regional authorities as the share of tourism in the country’s economy has fallen from 3.7% to 3.2% in the past four years.
This figure is lower than the global average by almost three times. Moreover, the country falls behind its neighbors with the same climate and culture, said Tokayev, calling for prompt systemic measures for a quality leap in promoting tourism.
The Kazakh President outlined a number of priority areas requiring special attention. According to him, it is necessary to increase the tourism sector’s investment attractiveness in the first place.
For example, out of 17 breakthrough investment projects, there were only two major tourist projects, that need considerable budget infusions. It seems like the government’s work with investors ready to carry out projects at their own expense lacks efficiency. They only need support in terms of infrastructure. It is necessary to create transparent and stable conditions to attract investors in the tourist sector, said the Kazakh President.
Tokayev believes that it is important to attach great attention to attracting in Kazakhstan leading foreign IT specialists - digital nomads from around the globe. The government was tasked to launch the special programs Digital Nomad Visa and Digital Nomad Residency this October.
According to the Head of State, one of the serious problems facing domestic tourism is poor transport infrastructure, affecting the influx of guests from abroad as well.
Almost 90% of foreign tourists arrive in Kazakhstan from the neighboring CIS countries. There are few tourists coming from far abroad. The international studies show that over 70% of travelers prefer visiting vacation destinations within four hours of flight. That is, Kazakhstan could be very attractive for tourists from China, India, countries of East Asia and the Middle East... Basically, it is possible to double or even triple the number of tourists in the next five years. It is important to develop air transport. It is necessary to expand the presence of low-cost carriers on the popular flights in the first place, accounting for a mere 21% of the airline industry of Kazakhstan, said the Kazakh President.
Head of State Tokayev criticized the government’s plans to develop 20 tourist zones in all regions of the country at once, stating that such an approach is inefficient and will lead to splitting over-allocated resources. According to him, it is important to develop the most perspective facilities set to become Kazakhstan’s visiting cards at the global level as soon as possible.
The best destinations are the mountain cluster of Almaty region, beach tourism of Mangistau and Shchuchinsk-Burabay resort zone. Almaty is the major tourism center in Kazakhstan. The city accounts for a fourth of the total tourist flow, including half of the foreign travelers. However, the city’s tourist infrastructure cannot deal with the growing demand. At Shymbulak, the flow of visitors exceeds its capacity by 2.5 times on weekends. Therefore, it is necessary to develop the ski cluster, including through construction of an all-season mountain resort in the Turgen gorge in Almaty region, said the Head of State.
Tokayev noted that the unique natural, historic and cultural sites of the Shchuchinsk-Burabay resort zone are the country’s unique heritage.
Burabay’s close location to Astana ensures it has a constant flow of residents and guests of the capital. The number of tourists grows every year. However, the construction of infrastructure moves very slow. As a result, the environmental situation in the places of mass recreation remains difficult, while the authorities delaying the realization of major infrastructure projects, said the Kazakh President.
Concluding his speech, the President touched upon environmental concerns, stressing that it is important not to harm nature under the pretense of tourist development.
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Government ready to start practical implementation of Kazakhstan-Korea agreements reached
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In Astana in the framework of the state visit of the President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk-Yeol met with the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, primeminister.kz reports.
The issues of further implementation of the agreements reached during the talks between the Head of State Kasym-Jomart Tokayev and the President of Korea Yoon Suk- Yeol were discussed. Attention is paid to the expansion of trade and economic cooperation, strengthening cooperation in industrial, energy, aviation and other sectors.
Kazakhstan sees great prospects in the development of trade and economic partnership. In order to ensure the dynamic development of bilateral cooperation, the Government is ready to immediately begin practical implementation of all agreements reached at the highest level," Olzhas Bektenov stressed.
Kazakhstan is interested in the implementation of joint projects in such promising areas as energy, development and processing of rare earth metals, infrastructure, production of cars and their components, efficient use of water resources, finance and others.
The development of the manufacturing sector is one of the priority areas of work of the Government of Kazakhstan in fulfilment of the Head of State's instruction to diversify the economy. To date, a high rate of investment by Korean companies in the development of Kazakhstan's machine-building industry has been achieved. Automotive clusters are being formed in Kazakhstan, and it is planned to set up the production of components. For example, in Almaty there is a small-scale assembly of Hyundai cars, in Kostanay region there is a production of KIA brand cars, in Semey city there is a joint production of Daewoo Bus Global buses. In the near future, Korean companies will start producing car seats and multimedia for cars in Kazakhstan.
Taking into account the agreements signed the day before, new prospects for further expansion of Korean presence and localisation of production of large corporations are opening up. Kazakhstan's interest in the production of batteries for electric cars using South Korean technologies was emphasised. Olzhas Bektenov emphasised the interest in further strengthening cooperation in the automotive industry and assistance of the Korean side in the training of Kazakhstani personnel for the automotive industry of the country.
In addition, Kazakhstan and Korea will intensify the exchange of technologies and joint implementation of projects in priority sectors. In the field of sorting, processing and elimination of waste is a promising project to build a waste treatment plant. In the metallurgical sector establishment of ferroalloys production. In the sphere of geology there is cooperation in the field of joint mining and processing of rare-earth metals and production of high value-added products in Kazakhstan with subsequent delivery to Korea on mutually beneficial terms.
Hydrogen energy may also become one of the promising areas for co-operation. Localisation of lift equipment production, in turn, will improve the safety of construction projects. In aviation, to strengthen cultural and humanitarian ties and business contacts, the issue of launching new passenger air routes will be worked out. The necessity is caused by a two-fold increase in the number of Korean tourists in Kazakhstan over the past year.
For reference: Kazakhstan has a specially created Working Group on cooperation with the Republic of Korea. A number of promising projects are under consideration, such as construction of a new Lotte confectionery factory in Almaty region, production of Samsung household appliances in Karaganda region, Hi Air Korea oil and gas equipment in Almaty and others.
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