Weekly Review. Kazakh Government takes measures to reduce administrative barriers to business

Kazakhstani children with modern and good education is one of the major goals of the state.

Then he took part in SaryAgash Open 2010 golf tournament, which took place in Sary-Agash golf club where the best golf players of Astana, Almaty and Shymkent cities competed.

A very important event of this week was the start of the consultations on Transnistrian settlement in the 5+2 format in Astana. Moldova and Transnistria, mediators - the OSCE, Russia and Ukraine, observers - the EU and the USA took part in the consultations. Opening the meeting OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Kazakh Secretary of State - Foreign Minister Kanat Saudabayev announced that Kazakhstan stands for peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian problem with account of the interests of all sides of the dialogue. He appreciated the intent of Chisinau and Tiraspol to give impetus to the negotiation process. He stressed the necessity to begin official negotiations.

The participants highly appraised the efforts of Kazakhstan as the OSCE chairman on settlement of the conflict. U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Russia Daniel Russell noted that Kazakhstan's OSCE chairmanship played an important role in the process of settlement of the Transnistria conflict. He also said that the USA fully supported the approaches of Kazakhstan to the Transnistrian settlement. Representative of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Oleksandr Mishchenko complimented the activity of our country on the issues of settlement of protracted conflicts as well. He noted that Kazakhstan's successful chairmanship in the OSCE was one of the key factors in the issue of development of the dialogue between Chisinau and Tiraspol.

On April 26 Kazakhstan Prime Minister received a delegation of Hong Kong investors headed by CEO of the Yung's Enterprise Holdings Limited Larry Yung Chi Kin. The issues of realization of joint investment initiatives and particular projects in different sectors of the economy of Kazakhstan were discussed at the meeting. K.Massimov confirmed the readiness of the Kazakh Government to render necessary support to Hong Kong investors on a mutually beneficial basis. At the end of the meeting the sides expressed confidence in further development of bilateral cooperation between Kazakhstan and Hong Kong.

The same day President Nursultan Nazarbayev held a regular session of the Security Council of Kazakhstan. The issues of modernization of migration and demographic policy in Kazakhstan, measures on countering religious extremism were discussed. The measures on strengthening of migration control and prevention of penetration of members of criminal and extremist groups into the country were discussed as well.

On April 28 Prime Minister Karim Massimov held a session of the Committee on Preparation and Holding of the VII 2011 Winter Asian Games in Astana and Almaty. The participants discussed the progress of construction and reconstruction of the Winter Games facilities, necessary infrastructure, organization and holding the Games, ensuring public safety and law and order, broadcasting sport and official events. Upon the results of the session K.Massimov charged interested ministries and departments to provide solution of all topical problems.

This week the First International Exhibition of Arms and Military-Technical Equipment KADEX-2010 opened in Astana. Over 200 companies from more than 20 countries of the world have demonstrated their achievements in armament and military equipment, IT and communications, construction and infrastructure, logistics property and military medicine. As Minister of Defense Adilbek Dzhaksybekov noted, KADEX-2010 is a good opportunity for the republic to attract the largest foreign manufacturers of military and special products, to show the prospects of further development of domestic enterprises within establishment of modern high-technological productions.

During the exhibition the Kazakh delegation headed by A. Dzhaksybekov held a number of meetings. In particular they met with South Korea Deputy Minister of National Defense Jung, IMI President and CEO Avi Felder, Vice President of Elbit Systems Ltd. Jacob Gadot, reps of Finmeccanica SpA (Italy) and Institute of Higher National Defense Studies of France. They also held meetings with Iran's Deputy Minister of Defense, Head of the Ministry's Industries Training and Research Institute Mohammad Eslami, Chairman of the State Military and Industrial Committee of Belarus Sergei Gurulev.

On Friday Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Massimov visited the exhibition KADEX- 2010 today. A demonstrative program with participation of models of military equipment and special units of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan was performed to the Premier.

As in known, presently the Kazakh Government is taking measures on reduction of administrative barriers for small and medium businesses. The bill "On amendments to some legislative acts of Kazakhstan on the issues of improvement of the permit system" has been submitted for the Government's consideration on May 28. The bill is to revoke licenses of 21 kinds of activity, 5 types of certificates, 2 types of accreditations, 44 permits etc. Minister of Economic Development and Trade Z. Aitzhanova noted that the new bill would simplify the permitting system, reduce the number of necessary documents for issuing a permit. The draft law is planned to be introduced to the Parliament in June 2010.

One of the most topical issues at present is the Customs Union establishment. As Kazakh Prime Minister said last week in Saint Petersburg, the negotiations on establishment of the Customs Union require additional coordination. The expert groups continued discussions and today the prime ministers of the three countries will meet again. Last week Chairman of the Russian Government Vladimir Putin said: "Kazakhstan is interested in the volume of goods imported by individuals; Russia is keen on development of its auto industry. If we move from our positions now amid crisis our auto industry will face great losses. As for Belarus, it has its own important sectors which must be developed as well", V. Putin stressed.

A session of the EurAsEC Interstate Council - Supreme Body of the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan was held in Saint Petersburg. The participants discussed the topical issues of the contractual legal base formation of the Customs Union including draft international treaties.

Following the results of the 26th session of the EurAsEC Interstate Council at the level of heads of government a number of documents was signed and adopted. In particular, the Agreement on cooperation of the EurAsEC member states in the sphere of attestation and/or accreditation of educational organizations/establishments (educational programs). The Agreement on development of international leasing of agriculture, automobiles, mechanisms, equipment and transport facilities and etc were also signed. The interstate program "Innovative Biotechnologies" was approved.

Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Massimov arrived in Saint Petersburg to take part in the next sitting of the Supreme Body of the Customs Union on Friday.