WEEKLY REVIEW.Governement: Customs Union of Kazakhstan, Belarus and Russia is reality. Banks refinanced 25 800 mortgage loans. Minister of Transport and Communications visits Actobe region.

 "Establishment of the Customs Union is the priority issue in inter-state relations of our countries to date. I think this will become the first step towards integration. I am also confident that all other CIS countries will be interested in this Union ", the Kazakh Leader said. In his turn, Russian President Medvedev focused attention on rapprochement of the positions of Kazakhstan and Russia regarding the Customs Union establishment which is according to him "important and beneficial for our nations and countries".  

As it is known, the current 2009 year is notable for development of the solutions which will impact on the future financial architecture of the world on the global level. Until today the participants of this dialogue have been primarily big developed countries with large economies. But this year the format of discussion of these issues has been enlarged. Earlier the key ideas were worked out at G8 summit, while now this format was extended to G20.

 Early this week Prime Minister Karim Massimov urged the Ministry if Economy and Budget Planning to develop two scenarios of development of the world economy and its impact upon Kazakhstan. The first scenario of Kazakh government envisages oil prices USD 60 per barrel, given the current situation. The second way assumes another crisis strike as a result of oil price fall and destabilized major trade partners.«We must have two scenarios so that to be ready for any outcome», - the Prime Minister said at the Government meeting on Tuesday. He also noted positive tendencies in the economy: growth in the second quarter against the first made 3%. Next day the 15^th session of the National Budget Commission chaired by Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Massimov took place. The Commission considered budget calls submitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Civil Service Agency, Ministry of Transport and Communications and Ministry of Defense. 

Recently Kazakh economists and businessmen met in Almaty where they showed their confidence in the fact that Kazakhstan can achieve minimum economic growth at least if it does not change its economic growth even in this difficult time of crisis. It should be noted that according to Mr. Sydnev, head of Russian Business Solidarity research organization "Kazakhstan's anti-crisis plan attracts great attention of Western economists and politicians. They perceive your state as a leading country in realization of anti-recessionary program. For example, Western countries have just set to discussion of the issue of the banks' capitalization. But Kazakhstan has already done it".

As part of the anti-recessionary program as of July 17 Kazakhstan banks refinanced 25 800 mortgage loans to the amount of 98.5 bln, as Kairat Kelimbetov, Chairman of Samruk Kazyna National Welfare Fund informed Tuesday at the Cabinet's session. In whole 28 800 borrowers' claims to the amount of KZT 112.9 bln have been approved. "Thus, over 25 000 families got an opportunity to pay 30% less in average. The program aims to cover over 30 000 borrowers, the terms of the program's realization were prolonged till Oct 1", K. Kelimbetov clarified.

Another main objective of the anti-recessionary program before the Government, state bodies and national companies aimed at implementation of the employment strategy and renovation of social infrastructure within the framework of the anti-recessionary program as it was outlined in the Address to the people of Kazakhstan by President N. Nazarbayev. According to strategic objectives of the Ministry of Finance for 2008-2012 the efforts should be basically directed to financial and economic recovery, revive solvency of business entities by means of rehabilitation and external monitoring. Rehabilitation will allow not only  preserve the production, but also expand it and create new jobs which will foster the anti-crisis efforts. 40 enterprises based in different regions of Kazakhstan with over 4.5 thousand staff are undergoing rehabilitation procedure. 6 enterprises have done it with a positive result.

Among main projects are those in the agrarian sector. Representatives of "KazAgroFinans" JSC and Agrarian Crediting Corporation JSC have held session with the heads of Kostanay agricultural enterprises today on the issues of the second stage lending of the investment projects. According to Managing Director of "KazAgroFinans" Yerbol Umraliyev the terms of lending have not been changed - exemption period is up to two years. As is known the implementation of several investment projects - dairy unit, feed lot, production of broiler and meat processing unit was approved at the first stage in Kostanay region. According to him some issues of the first stage will be taken into consideration at the second stage of lending. Yertis Corporation jointly with Karlygash Company has launched second tranche of the project in Zharmin district amounted to KZT 21 mln; The first tranche amounted to KZT 15 mln from which KZT 13 mln has been already used. The enterprise purchased 44 heads of bovine cattle, 17 horses and 394 heads of small cattle. The total cost of the project amounted to KZT 41 mln 944 thousand. The implementation of the project is scheduled for 2009-2015. 95 additional jobs will be created at the expense of implementation of the projects.

Realization of two large investment projects in the energy sector is to be accomplished in the north affiliate of "KEGOC" JSC in Ekibastuz. North-South Kazakhstan electricity transmission line of 500 kilowatt will be commissioned next month. Head of the region Bakytzhan Saginateyv got acquainted with the process of realization of the project Wednesday. The construction work of the line is on schedule. The project is being realized in tight schedule with use of new constructions and equipment.The second project to the amount of KZT 1.3 bln will be accomplished in August.      

Within the framework on realization of the infrastructure projects in transport sector of the region, including the Road Amp and "West Europe - West China" project. Kazakh Minister of Transport and Communications Abelgazy Kussainov has arrived in Aktobe with a two-day visit.Upon arrival S.Kusainov surveyed air-terminal complex of Aktobe airport, got acquainted with the work of modern center of automated air traffic control. The system meeting modern international requirements on organization of the air traffic allows to use advanced technologies and increase the productivity of labor. Construction of "West Europe - West China" transit corridor is one of the main projects of the region and Kazakhstan. As Mayor of Aktobe Arkhimed Mukhambetov said, the construction of the road starts this year. The construction works and investing will be started from Aktobe region.

One of priority of the Kazakh Government is development in the Information and Technology sector. In this connection Asset Issekeshev, Minister of Industry and Trade proposed to place national companies' state orders for high-technological equipment and services in IT Park Free Economic Zone. Taking the floor at the Government's telephone conference this week the Minister also informed of considering issue together with the Agency for Informatization and Community. "Besides, we would like the IT Park to cooperate with the technical universities of Almaty (at present their number is 10) to provide interaction of science and innovative technologies", he highlighted. According to A. Issekeshev, the IT Park will broaden its activity, involving its cooperation with the universities, business centers with focus on the demands of the domestic clients.