Almaty plays important role in Kazakhstan's economic development – President

The President of Kazakhstan urged the Government to provide introduction of a common budget program on the development of entrepreneurship in the regions since 2010. "I propose to name it "Business Road Map 2020". The mayors will have to work hard, find new people to create new business. The program opens new opportunities for both entrepreneurship, banks and investors aimed at financing of non-oil-and-gas projects", the Head of the State noted.

As is known, over 65% of small and medium businesses of the country is concentrated in Almaty. Therefore the implementation of new program Business Road Map 2020 will be the central one for the southern capital of Kazakhstan.

The President also paid special attention to creation of centers for economic growth. "It is necessary to develop a large metallurgical complex, nuclear, chemical and agrarian industry in the center, north, south and east of the country. The sectors based on domestic demand must be developed close to traditional industry as well as in Astana and Almaty cities which have a huge potential", N. Nazarbayev noted.

"The sectors of economy of the future must be developed in Almaty and Astana cities. I urge the Government jointly with the regional governors and mayors of Almaty and Astana cities to work over the issues of investment policy in the regions", the President stated.

Almaty is still the largest donor among the regions of the country which provides over 30% of the budget revenues. The state programs as Road Map and "100 Schools, 100 Hospitals" are successfully implemented in Almaty. As the Head of the State noted they will be implemented further.