WEEKLY REVIEW. Kazakhstan to spend KZT 533 bln for housing & utilities infrastructure modernization in 10 years
ASTANA. April 29. KAZINFORM /Muratbek Makulbekov/ In a report issued by the World Bank Kazakhstan was recognized a leader in conducting reforms in business sector, President Nursultan Nazarbayev said it delivering his state-of-the-nation address Building Future Together and noted that the country would continue improving its business climate. In order to fulfill this instruction,
the Government has initiated new legislative measures for business protection. Soon the country will adopt drastic measures to lower the pressure on business from the side of law-enforcement structures.
On Monday, April 25, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a conference on attraction of foreign investments and improvement of business climate in the country. Vice Prime Minister-Minister of Industry and New Technologies Asset Issekeshev made a report on main directions of Kazakhstan's investment policy and the governmental measures aimed at ensuring the country's investment climate. "As is known, Kazakhstan faces today huge tasks connected with forced industrialization which allows making considerable breakthrough in our further development. Direct foreign investments are called to become one of the most important components of the country's forced industrial-innovative development. Despite the growing investment attractiveness of Kazakhstan, there is necessity in creation of appropriate conditions for the investors oriented on raw materials sectors, sales markets and high technologies", he said. According to Issekeshev, Kazakhstan should use all opportunities of the Customs Union, introduce appropriate amendments to the investment legislation, create innovative infrastructure etc to achieve the goals set.
On April 26 at the Government's session Minister of Economic Development and Trade Kairat Kelimbetov said that according to preliminary estimate, GDP growth in Q1 2011 had made 6.5%. Short-term economic indicator reached 7.1%. Industrial output rose by 6% while in processing industry growth made 8% and in ore-mining industry this figure made 5%. The Minister noted that Kazakhstan expects 7% GDP growth this year. Besides, K. Kelimbetov reported on national budget performance. In January-March 2011 the incomes of the population made KZT 885 bln, tax revenues made KZT 664 bln.
After the discussion the Prime Minister reminded of budgetary amendments to be adopted in autumn. Therefore, following the first quarter the state bodies must submit their propositions on exact disbursement of the budgetary funds.
Chairman of the Agency for Housing, Utilities and Construction Serik Nokin presented a Program of modernization of housing and utilities sector. The program covers two main interrelated elements of the utilities infrastructure: communal service, including gas, heat and electricity supply; apartment buildings. In accordance with the new program, KZT 166 billion will be spent on utility systems modernization, KZT 358 billion - on repair of apartment buildings. The total volume of modernized networks (electricity, gas, heating) till 2015 will be more than 31,000 kilometers. KZT 533 billion, including KZT 160 billion on a returnable basis, will be pumped into the program within 10 years, S. Nokin said.
At the same session the Cabinet members considered and approved the draft program on drinking water and water discharge service "Ak Bulak" for 2011-2020. According to the program it is planned to provide cities with 100% central water supply system and rural settlements with 80% by 2020 against current 82% and 42.5% correspondingly. As Kuandyk Bishimbayev, the Vice Minister of Economic Development and Trade, said, KZT 85 bln will be devoted this year for its realization, KZT 122 bln in 2012-2013. The program is supposed to reduce the emergencies at water facilities and provide the people with drinking water for 24 hours.
On Wednesday, April 26, the Prime Minister held a session on e-government development at which he set a task to provide 100 Mbps data transmission speed.
On Thursday, April 28, Minister Asset Issekeshev held a sitting of the Republican Council for Industrialization during which he said that the majority of the projects launched last year had already reached their design capacity.
Today the Prime Minister held a session of the organizing committee on holding the Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in Astana scheduled for May 20-21. Besides, the EBRD plans to organize a Business Forum on Supporting Markets - Asia Meets Europe.
The Prime Minister held also today a conference on discussing the measures of achieving 7% economic growth.