WEEKLY REVIEW .The 11th anniversary of Astana. Innovative projects in agrarian industry. Session of State Commission for Kazakhstan's Economy Modernization.

  "Over these 11 years we could do impossible - to build a new city amid the vast steppes. Since 1998 the country's GDP has grown from 1.5% up to 10%. The volume of the gross regional product has been increased 17 times. It means we will cope with any challenges. Together we will continue building our capital; we will make Kazakhstan more prosperous and stronger. I wish welfare to all Kazakhstanis and guests of the capital", the Head of the State noted.  

On the occasion of the Astana Day and birthday of President of  the country Nursultan Nazarbayev, heads of foreign countries, governments and parliaments, world-known politicians, religious leaders, heads of diplomatic missions, governors of the regions, representatives of foreign and Kazakh business-elite and public associations sent congratulation letters to the Head of the State.

President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev congratulated Nursultan Nazarbayev on his birthday and the Day of the Capital city of Kazakhstan. During the phone conversation the parties expressed satisfaction with the growing rates of economic cooperation. Head of the State Nursultan Nazarbayev also had telephone conversations with Presidents of Ukraine - Viktor Yushchenko, Turkey - Abdullah Gul, Kyrgyzstan  - Kurmanbek Bakiyev and ex Federal Chancellor of Austria  Dr. Franz Vranitzky. Abdullah Gul congratulated the Kazakh Leader on birthday and the Day of Astana. The presidents focused on the issues of further development of the bilateral relations and agreed to charge both countries' foreign offices with a task to set to elaboration of a strategic partnership document. Viktor Yushchenko congratulated President Nursultan Nazarbayev and all Kazakhstanis on the holiday and wished all the best. The parties highlighted the necessity of activation of the Kazakh-Ukrainian interaction.  Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev congratulated Nursultan Nazarbayev and all Kazakhstanis on the holiday on behalf of the Kyrgyz people. Issues of bilateral cooperation were discussed during the talk. Former Federal Chancellor of Austria Dr. Franz Vranitzky also congratulated Kazakhstan on Astana Day. Head of the State Nursultan Nazarbayev noted that the ideas of development of the inter-state ties initiated by the two leaders were fruitfully implemented.

This week Minister of Agriculture Akhylbek Kurishbayev reported that his Ministry was working on elaboration of the State Program on agro-industrial complex development for 2010-2014. The state intends to support and stimulate development of corn farming, first of all. In this connection one of the most important issues is a project of chemicalization of farming, which should become a key point in the 2010-2014 State program on agro-industrial complex development". According to him these measures will allow us increasing average yield from 10 up 12 centners from a hectare.  In prospect, this index can be raised to 15 centners if the technologies are used. In addition to that total USD 120 mln is to be allocated for the support of science and introduction of new technologies in the agrarian sector of Kazakhstan.  

"It is important to facilitate realization of innovative projects in the agro-industrial complex based on domestic and foreign scientific achievements with assistance of the local businessmen. KZT 675 mln is envisaged for this purpose in 2009", A. Kurishbayev noted.

According to Vice Minister of Agriculture Arman Yevniyev Kazakhstan has also  all opportunities  to increase gross yield of grain 12-20%, if  summer vegetation and harvesting are at average level at least, Kazakhstan will be able to raise gross yield of grain by 15-20% also due to increasing cultivation areas by 1.5 mln ha. For example, in the current year the main countries of Kazakhstani wheat export are the Transcaucasian, Central Asian countries, Afghanistan and Iran, Director of the Farming Department Anna Butz said at the board sitting of the Agriculture Ministry. The wheat of Russia is expected to compete with that of Kazakhstan in the Transcaucasian markets; in the markets of Iran and Afghanistan Kazakhstan wheat will be in competition with Australian, Canadian and Pakistani wheat. Thus, Anna Butz urged to improve the national wheat quality in order to make it highly competitive in the foreign markets. She believes that our advantage in the foreign markets is steadily high quality of grain, because this season high protein wheat will be leading.

Regular sitting of the State Commission for Modernization of Kazakhstan's Economy chaired by Prime Minister Karim Massimov was held in Ukimet Uyi on July 8. The issues of the current status of preparation of projects with the participation of South Korean investors within the framework of the action plan on deepening of Kazakh-Korean cooperation were considered at the meeting. K. Massimov urged the management of all interested companies in association with the correspondent state bodies to activate work with investors and speed up preparation of agreements, which are planned to be signed within the Prime Minister's forthcoming visit to South Korea.

Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Massimov has held a session on the issues of development of atomic industry as well. The proposals of the Kazakh Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources on development of the atomic industry for 2010-2010 were considered. The proposals on development of science in the atomic sphere and a package of measures on environmental protection were also discussed. The Prime Minister commissioned the interested state bodies to prepare and submit concrete proposals on the program of the atomic industry development.

Within the framework of national industrialization Astana launched a Waste Tires Recycling Plant this week. Mayor of the city Imangali Tasmagambetov participated in the opening ceremony.  "This is the first plant on recycling of waste transport ties opened on the territory of Central Asia and CIS. By the volumes of production our plant ranks fourth in the world after European countries and Malaysia. The plant's capacity is 21 thousand tons of rubber crumbs per year" Director of Kazakhstan Rubber Recycling LLP Aidar Makhambet said. The project was realized by Kazakhstan Rubber Recycling LLP with attraction of funds of Kazakhstan Development Bank JSC. The total volume of investments makes approximately USD 8 mln.  

The Head of the State signed the Law "On ratification of the Loan Agreement (Project of South-West Road Corridor ("Western Europe - Western China" International Transit Corridor) between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development". Besides, Nursultan Nazarbayev signed the Law "On ratification of the Loan Agreement (ordinary operations) for (CAREC Transport Corridor 1 [Zhambyl Oblast Section] ["Western Europe - Western China" International Transit Corridor] Investment Program - Project 1) between the Republic of Kazakhstan and Asian Development Bank".