-13°C / -16°C Wednesday, february 26, 2014 No 4 (47) www.astanatimes.com Expanded Government Meeting Reviews Astana Urges Nuclear Progress on Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy, Test Ban Treaty Entry Efforts to Sustain High Economic Growth into Force at Int’l volatility in world markets, Ka- zakhstan’s economy grew by 6 Conference percent in 2013. This year, howev- By Anuar Fazylov so far. Addendum II to the treaty er, will be challenging, he said, and lists more than 40 countries with concerted action will be needed to NAYARIT, MEXICO – Kazakh- nuclear weapons or nuclear en- meet those challenges. stan’s delegation at a major inter- ergy capabilities on whose sig- “In October 2013, I gave 33 or- national conference in Mexico on natures and ratifications the entry ders, only 11 of which were fully Feb. 13-14 urged that the Compre- into force of the treaty depends. executed,” Nazarbayev said. “The hensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Vassilenko said Kazakhstan government and the National Bank (CTBT) enter into force as soon as was not only promoting the have not proposed steps to at- possible, calling such a ban an im- CTBT entry into force, but also tract resources from development portant step toward global nuclear working to support this process institutions, pension funds and disarmament. by highlighting the plight of nu- financial organisations for public- “We believe that one of the most clear weapons testing survivors private partnership projects. Prac- important steps toward that goal in Kazakhstan and elsewhere. tically nothing has been done to [of global nuclear disarmament] Furthering this goal is Presi- reduce the shadow economy; there would be the entry into force of dent Nursultan Nazarbayev’s is no clear vision in replenishing of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test initiative, the ATOM Project, local government revenue sources; Ban Treaty,” Roman Vassilenko, an education and online petition agriculture and many more ar- ambassador-at-large at Kazakh- campaign. It seeks to galvanise eas were not attended to, without stan’s Ministry of Foreign Af- global public opinion toward which there is no proper fulfilment fairs, told representatives of 140 action against nuclear weapons of instructions given in my state- countries and dozens of interna- testing and ultimately nuclear of-the-nation address.” tional organisations at the second weapons themselves. The correction of the tenge ex- International Conference on the The first International Confer- change rate announced by the Na- Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear ence on the Humanitarian Impact tional Bank three days prior will Weapons, held in Nuevo Vallarta, of Nuclear Weapons, with the ensure 6 percent economic growth, Nayarit, Mexico. “And we would participation of 130 countries and the main indicator in the achieve- like to urge, yet again, the eight numerous international bodies, ment of all major goals and tasks, countries on whose signature and was organised and hosted by Nor- the President said, and, given the ratification its entry into force de- way in Oslo in March 2013. The trends in the global economy and pends to do so promptly.” conferences focus on highlighting the domestic situation, preventive China, Egypt, Iran, India, Is- the humanitarian consequences measures are very important for rael, the Democratic People’s of nuclear weapons use, either in maintaining macroeconomic and Republic of Korea (DPRK), war or in testing, and seek to cre- social stability. Pakistan and the United States ate global momentum toward nu- The economy and the people have yet to sign and/or ratify the clear disarmament through such a must be supported, Nazarbayev treaty, which has been signed by focus. said. The government should en- 183 countries and ratified by 161 Continued on Page A8 sure stable prices for basic essen- tials, fuel and medicines, and pre- vent shortages of products and the President NursultanNazarbayev held several meetings recently instructing the government and regional akims to keep a unfair growth of monopolists’ tar- close watch over the economic situation and do what is necessary to mitigate the consequences of the tenge devaluation for iffs. He instructed the government Brazilian Ambassador the population. to raise public employees’ monthly By Julia Mager needs to be done to implement the socioeconomic development plans in wages by 10 percent from April and Rysty Alibekova 1, primarily for those working in Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy at the Feb. light of the Feb. 11 readjustment of education, science, health care, Upbeat About Ties ASTANA – President Nursul- 14 government meeting as ministers the tenge exchange rate. culture, sports and social welfare. tan Nazarbayev reviewed what still reviewed the economic situation and The President stressed that amid Continued on Page A4 with Kazakhstan By Jan Furst Carvalho, who also serves as his country’s top envoy to Kyrgyzstan ASTANA – Thousands of kilom- and Turkmenistan, has had a long National Bank Denies Small Banks’ Insolvency Rumours, eters, eight time zones and tens of diplomatic career that has taken him degrees Celsius on a thermometer to New York, Moscow, Bonn, Mex- Prosecutors Say Perpetrators Found separate Brazil and Kazakhstan, ico and, most recently, London and By Merey Kabiden at the briefing to mitigate concerns According to Kelimbetov, all tion, the deposits of individuals in but the newly appointed ambassa- Paris. And he has been able to master that had been swirling as a result Kazakhstan-based banks have suf- any currency are guaranteed by the dor of Brazil in Astana in a recent the languages of most of the places he ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Na- of mobile text messages about the ficient funds both in national and state. interview noted numerous similari- has served, including English, Span- tional Bank held a briefing on Feb. financial conditions of the banks. foreign currencies. And if neces- Following the wave of text mes- ties between the two countries and ish and French. He is now brushing 18 to deny rumours of the alleged “The National Bank confirms sary, the National Bank will pro- sages that spread the misleading a good number of reasons to be up on his Russian and is already able imminent bankruptcy of three sec- that this information is false, spec- vide appropriate liquidity support information indicating the immi- optimistic about the future of rela- to handle basic conversations. His ond-tier banks. ulative and misleading and is tar- to banks. nent bankruptcy all three banks is- tions in areas ranging from trade next language is going to be Kazakh, Bank Chairman Kairat Kelim- geted at destabilising the country’s Kelimbetov also noted that in ac- sued a joint statement. and economy to cultural exchanges. he told The Astana Times. betov issued an official statement banking system,” Kelimbetov said. cordance with the country’s legisla- Continued on Page A2 Ambassador Demétrio Bueno Continued on Page A3 Rare Earths: A Rare Opportunity for Kazakhstan By Pavel Pribylovsky and that gives us a competitive particularly coming out of East advantage.” Asia. The global market for rare earth It is not only Kazakh industry Economic growth “is not com- elements used in the production of experts, however, who are opti- ing from mature economies cell phones, flat screens, electric mistic. Jack Lifton, a founding where everyone has a cellphone cars and other technology is val- principal of Technology Met- and a car,” said Lifton. “Econom- ued at $3-5 billion and demand is als Research LLC, Senior Editor ic growth is driven by consumer expected to double by 2020. And at InvestorIntel and one of the demand in East Asia. China, In- some say Kazakhstan is in a prime world’s leading authorities on dia, Korea, the Indonesian archi- position to capitalise on this rising rare earth elements agreed that pelago – that’s two billion people global market. Kazakhstan could be in a strong without a cell phone.” Rare earth elements (REEs), or position to capture significant Lifton notes that there is no sin- rare earths for short, are divided market share. gle market for rare earths. Rather, into two subgroups – Heavy Rare “Kazakhstan already produces there are multiple specialty mar- Earths (HREEs) and Light Rare uranium. A lot of it. They should kets that are highly susceptible Earths (LREEs). Both are com- to advances in technology and monly produced from uranium be able to recover heavy earth from uranium residue,” said Lift- shifts in consumer demand. Even tailings, byproducts of uranium though they often come from the mining. And Kazakhstan happens on. “After all, it is not about the pounds in the ground but about same ore concentrate and some- to be the world’s largest uranium times have overlapping end us- producer. our access to these pounds in the ground. If you can extract ers, the markets for rare earths are “According to our estimates,” very distinct.The two billion con- and separate elements economi- said Vladimir Shkolnik, chair- sumers in East Asia whose even- cally, it’s practical. Otherwise, man of the board of Kazakhstan’s tual economic status will allow it’s not.” state-owned company Kazatom- them to acquire a smartphone are If Kazakhstan can produce large prom, one of the most significant the end-users of rare earths. Given volumes of rare earth elements, producers of nonfuel mineral that fact, it is not a surprise that commodities in the country, “Ka- says Lifton, who consults, writes global demand for REEs is fore- zakhstan’s resource base is rich in and lectures on the market funda- Vladimir Shkolnik, chairman of the board of Kazatomprom (r), and Toru Furihata, representative director and senior casted to double by the year 2020. managing executive officer of Sumitomo Corporation (l), cut the ribbon to symbolically open a new SARECO plant in heavy earths. The global demand mentals of REEs, then they will be Stepnogorsk in November 2012. The plant is set to produce up to 1,500 tonnes of rare earths oxides in 2014, for heavy earths will remain high well positioned to meet demand, Continued on Page A5 with a potential increase to 3,000 tonnes in 2015, and to 5,000-6,000 tonnes in 2016-2017.

Inside

Nation Economy & Business editorial opinions NATION & CAPITAL Government Strives to Guarantee Gender European Investment Bank Extends Nation Should Stay Focused on Progress in KurishbaYev: Kazakhstan Poised to Idea of Dropping ‘Stan’ from Kazakhstan Equality A2 First Loans to Kazakh Banks A4 Global Business Rankings A6 Become Global Agro Player A6 Generates Domestic, Int’l Discussion B1 Life Expectancy Grows to 70 Years Though Agriculture Expanding Oshakbayev: Eurasian Economic Government, UNDP Work to Modernise Key Problems in Healthсare Remain A2 in Atyrau A5 Integration Must Go through A7 Housing and Utilities Services B1

US$ 1 = 184.51 KZT 1 Euro = 253.96 KZT 1 Rouble = 5.21 KZT A2 NATION

Wednesday, february 26, 2014

NATIONAL Government Strives to Guarantee Gender Equality news in brief By Merey Kabden live. According to members of par- Until recently, Gulshara Abdykha- the third and fourth periodic reports liament, the current legislation is likova headed the National Com- on Kazakhstan’s implementation of “The Ministry of Justice was ASTANA – Kazakhstan has been not effective in preventing domestic mission before her appointment to provisions of the Convention on the selected as a developer to formu- working vigorously to promote gen- violence and is often paid for by the Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakh- Elimination of All Forms of Dis- late a draft entrepreneurial code,” der equality and the country’s efforts family. Because of this, parliamen- stan in November 2013. crimination against Women. Minister of Justice Berik Imashev have ranked it 32nd out of 136, ac- tarians have proposed administra- Today, Kazakhstan is the only Makhabbat Bekbosynova, Chair announced on Feb. 20 at an ex- cording to the 2013 Global Gender tive arrest as a solution. country in the CIS with a family of the National Commission on panded meeting of the ministry Gap Report published by the World According to Poltorabatko, these and women’s affairs apparatus of Women and Family and Demo- board. The government’s legisla- Economic Forum. two laws mandate that safety and se- its class that has received positive graphic Policy under the President tive work in 2013 totalled 39 bills, The country’s success, the high- curity arrangements be made for the evaluations from the international led Kazakhstan’s delegation and which in comparison to 2012 is a est in the Commonwealth of Inde- victim in case the threat of physical community. presented the report. 15 percent increase. Most impor- pendent States (CIS), in this sphere or mental harm is present. Thanks Under the Gender Equality Strat- She told members of the UN can be attributed to the state’s im- to the adoption of these documents, egy, the National Commission has committee of major developments tantly, there is more content to the plementation of carefully planned the Ministry of Internal Affairs is- attained positive results in ensur- and changes in social-economic most recent set of bills,” Imashev gender policy aimed at equalizing sued over 55,000 protection orders ing gender equality in all spheres and political spheres in Kazakh- said. According to him, four draft Deputy Prime Minister codes – criminal, criminal proce- the status of women and men in Gulshara Abdykhalikova in 2013 alone. At the request of law of social and political life in the stan. Bekbosynova said President society. enforcement, the courts set 4,915 republic. Nazarbayev’s recent state-of-the- dure, penal (criminal-executive) Since independence, Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev signed the special requirements and 46 people To date, every fourth member nation address aims at enhancing and the code on administrative has made aggressive steps in inte- law “On Amendments and Addi- were put under administrative re- of the lower house of Parliament life standards and life expectancy, offenses – were submitted to the grating gender policy. The country’s tions to Some Legislative Acts of sponsibility for violation of the con- and local representative bodies is a demographic growth, and achieving legislative floors. “The 2013 plan gender projects are unique compared Kazakhstan on Combating Domes- ditions of a protective order. woman. The number of female man- world standards in education and was fully implemented. This was to other nations and are generally tic Violence” on Feb. 18. “In 2013, these measures reduced agers in the executive branch is also healthcare, as well as easing access made possible thanks to good initiated by the state, which takes Introducing the bill, Senator Ly- domestic violence related crime. growing. Now, every tenth political to housing and civil protection from governmental and parliamentary preventive and proactive measures udmila Poltorabatko said the legisla- Over the past seven years, the num- civil servant and every seventh civil crime. cooperation and coordination,” to address gender issues. tion carries amendments to the Code ber of such crimes has fallen by servant of the newly created mana- Nicole Emelina, an independent he underlined. At the meeting, it The main tools used in advanc- of Administrative Offences aimed at half,” Poltorabatko noted. gerial elite is a woman. expert from France who chaired the ing gender equality have been the improving the effectiveness of anti- In 1995, with the aim of improv- A programme supporting wom- meeting, underlined that Kazakh- was noted that on Dec. 31, 2013, elaboration and implementation of domestic violence laws. ing policies for women, children and en’s entrepreneurship is also in stan’s delegation gave careful con- the government approved a bill the Gender Equality Strategy in Ka- “The main purpose of the bill is to the sanctity of the family, President place. Over the last 10 years, the ra- sideration to fulfillment of commit- schedule for 2014; it includes 45 zakhstan for 2006-2016, as well as amend existing legislation on state Nazarbayev established the Coun- tio of women in SMEs has increased tee’s recommendations. Committee bills. The Ministry of Justice was the adoption of two laws – “On Do- and social control, social services cil for Women, Family and Demo- to 52 percent. About 40 percent of members Ayse Acar and Patricia named the developer of five bills. mestic Violence” in 2009 and “On and the prevention of domestic vio- graphic Policy under the President Kazakhstan’s gross domestic prod- Schultz noted that Kazakhstan’s re- Imashev announced at the meet- the Prevention of Offences” in 2010. lence,” Poltorabatko noted. of Kazakhstan. In 1998, it was trans- uct is women-generated. cent achievements provided a solid ing that the Ministry of Justice is In order to improve the legal The bill raises the stakes for of- formed into the National Commis- In related news, the 57th Session basis to conclude that the country a key state body providing about framework for anti-domestic vio- fenders, who can now be banned sion for Women and Family Affairs of the UN Committee on Elimi- implemented the set tasks and ful- 42 percent of public services. “In lence legislation and to assist do- from living with the victim if the and given more powers and auton- nation of Discrimination Against filled its international obligations in the past year, more than 11 million mestic violence victims, President perpetrator has somewhere else to omy. Women in Geneva on Feb. 18 heard the area of gender equality. services were rendered, which is 28 percent more than in 2012. Over 78 percent of them, or more Healthcare has also introduced the than 8 million services, were pro- accreditation of medical institu- vided electronically. Automation tions. “But world practice shows has significantly reduced the time Life Expectancy Grows to 70 Years Though that accreditation bodies should it takes to render public services carry out their work independent and has eliminated paper work,” of state control. Our accredita- Imashev said. tion, however, is quite formal and Key Problems in Healthсare Remain directly involves the ministry,” the The Akimat (city administra- By Akerke Khassanova the number of new TB cases was “Of these, only four are imple- say, many innovations are imple- committee chair said. reduced by 16 percent, from 86.6 mented,” she lamented. “Indicators mented without a proper analysis The fourth problem Nazarbaye- tion) of Astana and Gustave ASTANA – Life expectancy in cases per 100,000 people in 2010 of the Ministry of Healthcare re- of their effects and risks, without va listed relates to the quality of Roussy French Institute of On- Kazakhstan has increased to more to 73.5 cases per 100,000 people in ports did improve, while problems testing, without feedback to health medicine. cology signed a memorandum than 70 years on average as the 2013. TB mortality decreased by do remain.” facilities providing services direct- “The introduction of a unified on Feb. 13 on the development government continues efforts to 24.3 percent during the same pe- According to her, “the most ly to citizens.” distribution of drugs through SK- of oncology services in Astana improve the healthcare system, the riod, from 7.2 deaths to 5.6 deaths burning question is geographical The third problem relates to the Pharmacy has not yet been de- by introducing international country’s Minister of Healthcare per 100,000 people. accessibility of hospitals and clin- certification and accreditation of cided and will not solve the prob- standards of diagnosis and treat- Salidat Kairbekova told a Mazhi- An important issue is providing ics for the population.” healthcare professionals. lems of the uninterrupted supply ment and the further training of of our hospitals,” she said. SK- lis hearing on Feb. 17. Chair of the population with quality drugs, “Under the 100 Schools, 100 To upgrade the skills of work- specialists on modern methods Pharmacy reduced purchase drugs the Mazhilis Committee on So- the minister said, and explained Hospitals Programme, 71 health- ing professionals, the ministry has of prevention, diagnosis and cio-Cultural Development Dariga in Kazakhstan by 3 billion tenge that under the state programme care facilities were built,” Naz- introduced two types of certifica- treatment of cancer pathologies. Nazarbayeva levelled criticism in about 139 billion tenge (US$751.5 [US$16.2 million] and mangled arbayeva said. “Of these, only 25 tion: mandatory certification every Kazakhstan and France agreed to response, however, highlighting million) was allocated in 2013 for domestic producers' trials. Terms were built in villages. The remain- five years through electronic test- exchange experience in the field remaining problems such as the providing a guaranteed volume of of purchase of medicines change lack of quality healthcare in remote free medical aid. The list of drugs four times a year, creating favour- of innovative methods for the di- areas of the country and the qual- is optimised for free drug provi- able conditions for corruption and agnosis and treatment of diseases ity of available drugs.Kairbekova sion, taking into account the con- theft.” and hold joint seminars, work- reported on the implementation of tinuity of inpatient and outpatient She also listed problems with shops and consultations with the state health development pro- care. doctors prescribing drugs not suit- joint participation in scientific gramme, Salamatty Kazakhstan, In 2013, the state paid to raise able for patients and with the great conferences and telemedicine. for 2011-2015 and said basic health qualifications for more than 34,800 distances some patients have to The document will help Astana and demographic indicators had qualified practitioners. A compre- travel to buy drugs. Among other oncologists introduce innovative seen improvement in recent years. hensive action plan for developing problems mentioned were man- technologies in chemotherapy Life expectancy increased from healthcare manpower resources agement inefficiencies and -cor treatment in accordance with in- 69 years in 2011 to 70.3 years in has been approved for 2013-2016. ruption. ternational practice, improve the In related news, Gulmira Ig- 2013. The overall mortality rate in Thanks to measures taken in 2013, organisation of early stage can- 2013 was 8.1 percent, 4.6 percent the number of employed specialists eleuova, head of the Centre for cer screening programmes, de- lower than in 2012. In 2013, more has grown to 2,721 people includ- Social and Political Research Strat- than 838.2 billion tenge (US$4.5 ing 2,262 clinical specialities. egy, announced that a recent poll velop new treatments, improve billion) was spent on healthcare, The Ministry of Healthcare also showed that 47.7 percent of those the quality of life of cancer pa- 14 percent more than in 2012 and began exploring the introduction of Dariga Nazarbayeva Salidat Kairbekova polled believe the Salamatty Ka- tients and implement training reaching 2.4 percent of the gross compulsory health insurance, fol- zakhstan programme was “well programmes for oncologists on domestic product (GDP). lowing international health insur- ing facilities are expected to be ing and voluntary certification in designed but is poorly implement- new diagnostic and treatment As part of efforts to improve ance practices, and a health analy- completed in 2016, and work has order to reach a higher category ed on location.” According to Ig- methods. cancer treatment in Kazakhstan for sis of the country's current system not even begun on 13 of those.” and be promoted. “Volunteers need eleuova, the people identified five 2012-2016, 2013 saw a phased ex- along with interested state bodies She called the second problem, to have an electronic test and in- specific problem areas: corruption, At the end of 2013, the aver- “the itch of innovation of the Min- terview with a panel of 30 people. pansion of screening for oesopha- and public associations. a lack of medical professionals, a age life expectancy in Kazakhstan istry of Healthcare.” Why not combine the obligatory geal, stomach, liver and prostate In her remarks at the hearing, lack of trust in the national health- stood at 70.3 years, the Ministry “The ministry is constantly intro- and voluntary certification in one cancer, the minister said. Nazarbayeva welcomed the report care system, a lack of control over of Healthcare reported on Feb. 18. The tuberculosis epidemiologi- but said that last year the Mazhilis ducing different innovations in the electronic test without any inter- the programme’s execution and a These figures exceed the goals set cal situation was stabilised through sent a list of 21 recommendations delivery of health services to the views?” Nazarbayeva asked. lack of interest among the people Salamatty Kazakhstan. During the to the government on ways to im- population,” the committee chair To improve service quality and themselves in maintaining their by Salamatty Kazakhstan State first phase of the state programme, prove healthcare. said. “However, as practitioners patient safety, the Ministry of own health.” Healthcare Development Pro- gramme of achieving a 70-year life expectancy by 2015 and a 72-year life expectancy by 2020. National Bank Denies Small Contributing to the increase are a reduction in maternal mortality by 1.4 times and a reduction in infant Banks’ Insolvency Rumours, mortality by 1.3 times over the past three years. Levels of death Prosecutors Say Perpetrators caused by circulatory disease and some types of cancer have also fallen. Overall mortality fell by Found 4.6 percent, according to Kazakh- Continued from Page A1 deposits worth under $50,000. stan’s National Statistics Agency. The police have already started Alliance, Center Credit and searching for the initiator of the A ceremony for the signing of Kaspi sought to dissuade people text messages. Kaspi bank has a memorandum on the establish- from withdrawing money from even announced a 100 million ment of a geological research their accounts. Withdraw money tenge (roughly US$540,000) re- centre in Kazakhstan was held they did; however, not in amounts ward for any relevant informa- at Nazarbayev University on anywhere near close enough to tion about the perpetrators of the Feb. 20. The memorandum was destabilise the banks or affect hostile rumour. signed by Kazgeology National their positions. Within days, the Office of the Company and the Nazarbayev Kelimbetov said the National Prosecutor General announced University Research and Inno- Bank has already appealed to the that the authors of these ru- vation System. Assistant to the appropriate law enforcement au- mours have been identified and President of Kazakhstan Yerbol thorities to prevent and stop such detained, adding only that some Orynbayev, Deputy Prime Minis- provocative actions. of these people worked at a law ter and Minister of Industry and He also urged Kazakh citizens firm and at a bank. The prosecu- New Technologies Asset Isseke- not to surrender to panic and tors have not divulged any further shev, Minister of Education and to remain calm since all three information. Science Aslan Sarinzhipov and banks are members of the State The fate of the 100-million President of Nazarbayev Univer- Deposit Insurance Fund, which tenge award so far also remains sity Shigeo Katsu took part in the fully covers by state guarantee up in the air. event. A3 eurasia&world

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external news in brief FM Idrissov, UN Representative Jenča Discuss Chairman of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of Kazakhstan Nurlan Nigmatulin visited Azerbaijan on Regional Security, Cooperation on Afghanistan Feb. 19-21 to promote parliamen- By Merey Kabiden tary ties and cooperation between the two countries generally. He met ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Min- with Azerbaijani President Ilham ister of Foreign Affairs Erlan Id- Aliyev on Feb. 20, who praised rissov met with Special Repre- bilateral relations and said the two sentative of the United Nations Turkic-speaking countries were Secretary-General and Head of the actively cooperating both in the bi- Ashgabat-based United Nations lateral format and in international Regional Centre for Preventive Di- organisations. Nigmatulin also plomacy for Central Asia Miroslav met Parliamentary Speaker Ogtay Jenča on Feb. 10. Asadov and discussed promoting The diplomats discussed prob- Kazakhstan-Azerbaijan interparlia- lems of regional security, the ra- mentary ties. “The friendship rela- tional use of water and energy tions between our countries have resources, as well as the coopera- an ancient history. The legislative tion of the UN Centre for Preven- bodies also make a significant con- tive Diplomacy with Central Asian tribution to the development of bi- states. lateral relations,” Nirgmatulin said Idrissov noted that Kazakhstan ahead of his visit. Both countries are Caspian littoral states and have strongly supports the Joint Plan of a common maritime border. About Action for the Implementation of 130,000 ethnic Azerbaijanis live in the UN Global Counter-terrorism Kazakhstan now. More than 90 bi- Strategy in Central Asia. He also lateral agreements are in place now. emphasised that cooperation with More than 700 enterprises with Central Asian states is a foreign Azerbaijani capital work in Ka- policy priority of Kazakhstan. zakhstan, while 35 Kazakh-owned During the meeting, the coun- companies work in Azerbaijan. terparts also discussed reconcili- ation in and the rehabilitation of A delegation from Kazakhstan Afghanistan. headed by Executive Secretary of “Kazakhstan makes vast con- the Ministry of Education and Sci- tributions to international efforts ence Aliya Galimova visited Cuba aimed at stabilising Afghanistan on Feb. 10-14. The Kazakhstan- and provides humanitarian assis- Cuba talks resulted in the signing tance on an annual basis, including of a memorandum between the food and fuel. Training for young Ministry of Education and Sci- Afghans in Kazakhstan’s univer- ence of Kazakhstan and the Min- sities is also provided,” Idrissov istry of Higher Education of the said. Republic of Cuba on cooperation According to the country’s For- in education. Cuba has become the eign Ministry, Kazakhstan, as an first country in Latin America to active regional player, is making conclude such an agreement with its own contribution to the devel- Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Educa- opment of Afghanistan, internally tion. During the stay in Havana, and outside of its borders. Ka- Photo provided by Erlan Karin the Kazakhstan delegation also The situation in Afghanistan remains volatile as the international forces proceed with their gradual withdrawal and the presidential election on April is approaching. zakhstan also provides substantial Internal political reconciliation and coordinated assistance by the international community will be critical for preventing further deterioration and helping maintain participated in the ninth Interna- economic and humanitarian assis- a tentative, and still uncertain, course towards peace. tional Congress on Higher Edu- tance. cation, “University 2014.” More Besides food and fuel supplies, Istanbul process. As an active par- development in the region, includ- food aid, as well as promote effec- the railroad that will connect Af- than 2,900 people from 56 coun- as well as an educational pro- ticipant in this process, Kazakh- ing humanitarian and economic as- tive technical assistance planning. ghanistan to other countries in the tries participated in the congress. gramme for 1,000 young Afghans, stan hosted its third Ministerial sistance to Afghanistan. Broadening regional economic region. The Kazakh government Galimova addressed the plenary the Kazakh government has been Meeting in Almaty in April 2013, Kazakhstan has also been work- cooperation and increasing Afghan hopes that Turkmen and Afghan session and held bilateral meet- implementing other initiatives at which six plans for confidence- ing on setting up transit facilities involvement in transportation, lo- partners will promptly complete ings with First Deputy Chairman aimed at Afghanistan’s recovery. building measures were adopted. to store humanitarian aid destined gistics and other projects in Cen- their segments of the route. of the Council of State of Cuba Taking into account the impor- With the aim of supporting the for Afghanistan. The Almaty ad- tral Asia are important to Afghani- Kazakhstan has also been con- Miguel Diaz-Canel and with the tance of regional cooperation in international community’s joint ef- ministration has already allocated stan’s reconstruction. tributing to the “Western Europe heads of delegations taking part Afghan stabilisation, Kazakhstan forts in resolving Afghan issues, required buildings and territories. In this context, Kazakhstan sup- – Western China” international in the congress, including the Eu- Kazakhstan has already offered According to officials, this will ports regional and international transit corridor that is expected to ropean Commissioner for Educa- advocates constructive and re- significantly increase trade turno- tion, Culture, Multilingualism and sponsible partnership in the global initiatives such as the creation of help provide targeted assistance to initiatives to expand the region’s Youth Androulla Vassiliou; Depu- efforts to rehabilitate that country, a regional UN office in Almaty. It Afghanistan and its vital needs and transportation infrastructure. Ka- ver between Europe, China and ty Director General of UNESCO including those prescribed by the will focus on sustainable economic will encourage a constant supply of zakhstan has completed its part of Central Asia. for Education Qian Tang; Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Sci- ence and Technology of the Do- minican Republic Rafael Gonzalez and others. Rectors of some of Ka- Brazilian Ambassador Upbeat about Ties with Kazakhstan zakhstan’s universities who were part of the delegation also met Continued from Page A1 ment towards a nuclear-weapons- gions. “That is why Kazakhstan has leased several Embraer E190s with the leadership of the Univer- free world, Carvalho said, noting has all the credentials to become a from the Brazilian air plane manu- sity of Havana and other leading Kazakh-Brazilian relations were his country’s strong support for non-permanent member of the UN facturer since 2011 that have re- universities in Cuba. As a result, given an important boost during the objectives of the ATOM Pro- Security Council,” Carvalho said. placed propeller-driven Fokker the Aktobe State University and an October 2013 landmark visit to ject, an online petition campaign According to the ambassador, 50s and is now flying them on do- the Higher Polytechnic Institute of Brazil by Foreign Minister Erlan launched by President Nazarbayev “both Kazakhstan and Brazil are mestic flights from Astana and to Cuba signed a protocol of intent to Idrissov. That visit built on a trip in August 2012 in Astana during developing countries, and we have neighbouring countries. establish mutually beneficial coop- to the South American country by an international nuclear disarma- the common challenge to eradicate “Our economies complement eration, in particular in the study President Nursultan Nazarbayev in ment conference. poverty and improve the living each other largely. During the visit and teaching of Kazakh, Russian 2007 and a visit to Astana by Presi- “Brazil has long ago self-im- conditions of our peoples. Brazil of Minister Idrissov, a Kazakh- and Spanish languages through the dent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in posed at the constitutional level has some important experiences in Brazilian business seminar of great exchange of teachers and students. 2009. a prohibition to build or possess this respect and is ready to share importance was held in Sao Paulo As a result of the foreign minis- nuclear weapons,” the ambassador them with Kazakhstan to aid in under his chairmanship, and now Commissioner for Human Rights ter’s visit, an embassy of Kazakh- said. “We are siding with what the any possible way, and there are (Ombudsman) Askar Shakirov and stan was opened in Brasilia and ATOM Project is aiming at, we many things Brazil could learn we start harvesting the results of Representative of the UN Chil- the two countries agreed to a visa- support fully its objectives and I from Kazakhstan as well. Brazil this initiative and will have good Demétrio Bueno Carvalho dren’s Fund (UNICEF) in Kazakh- free travel regime for all citizens, think there are a lot of opportuni- is also a plural and multicultural news coming soon,” the Brazilian stan Jun Kukita signed a memoran- especially relevant in light of the were to conceive a new capital, the ties for both countries to consider country,” he said. ambassador said. “Both our coun- dum of understanding in the field upcoming World Cup and plans new centre of power, and admin- especially on the threshold of the “Brazilians were very impressed tries take part in economic inte- of protecting and promoting chil- by football fans from Kazakhstan istration around that power to en- nuclear summit in The Hague [in by Kazakhstan during the London gration processes in our regions. dren’s rights in Kazakhstan on Feb. to travel there in the summer. Ac- large our horizons to increase our March] this year.” Olympics in 2012. People were We can envisage for the future an 18 in Astana. According to the om- cording to Kazakhstan diplomats, development geographically.” He further stated that both coun- saying, ‘Look at Kazakhstan, we interaction between the Eurasian budsman’s press service, the parties Astana completed its domestic According to the ambassador, tries should work together increas- didn’t manage to get so many Customs Union and the MERCO- summed up the fruitful cooperation procedures for the visa-free agree- Brasilia, despite having some in- ingly on many issues of interna- medals!’ This was a common com- SUL by means of a specific trade that has developed in recent years ment to enter into force, and now dustrial sectors, is mostly a service tional agenda. We both are among ment I remembered about Kazakh- agreement. In addition to that, we between the Commissioner for Hu- needs to be ratified by the Brazil- centre in its region focusing on the world’s largest countries by stan even before coming here, so fully support the candidacy of Ka- man Rights and UNICEF. On a sys- ian Parliament. trade and hotels. land with Brazil being the fifth and we have something to learn from zakhstan to become a member of tematic basis, with the involvement Among a few commonalities be- “At the same time, the region Kazakhstan the ninth. Kazakhstan in the field of sport as the WTO. So, my assessment is of international experts, research on tween the two countries, Ambas- [around Brasilia] is starting to de- “This is a responsibility for us as we prepare for the next Olympic that our new relations are getting violence against children in resi- sador Carvalho noted the fact that we possess vast natural resources. Games in 2016 in Rio de Janei- velop now with a well-established traction and accelerating rapidly.” dential institutions and secondary both countries’ capitals were built We have a special responsibility in ro,” the diplomat noted, sipping a agricultural centre and the region “The EXPO 2017 may also schools was conducted, a manual from scratch. Brasilia was estab- managing those resources, and we strong coffee. is quickly becoming a leading provide an excellent opportunity for monitoring children’s institu- lished as the new Brazilian capital are also, which is important, large “It is always important to know agro-business centre in Brazil,” he to Brazil to show its advances in tions was elaborated and train- in 1960 and has grown into a city providers of commodities to the each other better culturally, be- the field of green energy. We have ings and seminars were held. The of 2.4 million today. underscored. world markets. So we have a keen cause we are obviously different extremely important experience in memorandum for 2014-2015 was “The architecture may be dif- “Kazakhstan should be proud to and common interest that those cultures, but that is what makes using hydro power and the use of concluded in order to implement ferent but the spirit is the same,” have Astana – a comfortable, safe markets function in a balanced and it more interesting to each other. international human rights treaties Carvalho noted as he spoke to this and well-organised city,” the am- efficient way. This is something There is a growing curiosity among biofuels,” Carvalho added. and the state-of-the-nation address. reporter in the ambassador’s of- bassador said, adding that he has that brings us closer and makes us Brazilians about the natural beau- “The EXPO 2017 and the FIFA According to the signed document, fice in the Kaskad Business Centre felt very comfortable during his natural partners in the construction ties of Kazakhstan and the interest World Cup this year offer an op- the sides will continue cooperat- with a great view of Astana City four months in Astana. “It is not of global regimes such as in the is growing about the opportunities portunity in learning from each ing in such areas as improving the Circus and the Triumph of Astana just a project on paper, but a reality field of sustainable development,” of eco-tourism in this country and other about our difficulties and child-friendly system of justice, residential complex. “The experi- that came true in a very short time, the ambassador said. in Central Asia at large. Brazilians achievements in organising such improving the access of vulnerable ence is similar to Brasilia. Both it is impressive, and congratula- Another similarity he mentioned really enjoy this kind of tourism,” big events,” the ambassador said. groups of children and young peo- were built from scratch, Astana tions for what the country and the was that both countries have long the ambassador said. “But we are not favourites for ple to human rights mechanisms in the steppe, Brasilia in the sa- government have achieved.” borders with many countries and Economically, the two countries the World Cup,” he was quick to and the independent monitoring of vannah. They are different but the Another common vision the two play a pivotal role for peace and have established a solid partner- add, smiling, “because favourites children’s institutions. projects were unique, the projects countries share is a strong commit- stability in their respective re- ship in the air industry. Air Astana never win it.” A4 economy

Wednesday, february 26, 2014

economy European Investment Bank Extends news in brief The government of Kazakh- stan has set fixed prices on bread First Loans to Kazakh Lenders wheat, the country’s Prime Min- By Merey Kabiden on climate change mitigation and ister Serik Akhmetov said on adaptation are also targeted by the Feb.17 in Astana at a meeting ad- ASTANA – The Ministry of loan programme. In keeping with dressing recent orders given by Foreign Affairs hosted a signing these objectives, half of all loans President Nursultan Nazarbayev ceremony Feb. 18 to celebrate the will be dedicated to financing cli- at an expanded government meet- first loan agreements between the mate change management and ing on Feb.14. Ways of preventing European Investment Bank (EIB) climate adaptation projects found a bread price hike were discussed and the Development Bank of eligible for funding under the EIB at a state commission meeting Kazakhstan (DBK) and between Climate Change Mandate. last week, according to the prime EIB and a Kazakhstan subsidi- Participants of the signing cer- minister. “The decision to pro- ary of Russia’s Sberbank. In total, emony also included acting chair- vide the regions’ flour mills with 120 million euros are to be given man of DBK Askar Dostiyarov food grain using state resources by EIB to DBK and another 100 and Deputy Chairman of the sub- at fixed prices was made. We million euros to Sberbank in Ka- sidiary bank of Russia’s Sberbank have set the price of food grain zakhstan. Eldar Tenizbayev. at 30,000 tenge (US$162) per The Brussels-based EIB is the Minister of Economy and Budget tonne,” the prime minister said. European Union’s long-term lend- Planning Yerbolat Dossayev met It was earlier reported that on ing institution and is owned by with Wilhelm Molterer on the same its member states. It makes long- Feb. 11 the National Bank of Ka- day, telling him Kazakhstan views zakhstan stated that the tenge had term financing available for in- its cooperation with the EIB as an devalued by around 19 percent. vestments that help fulfil EU pol- important element of the compre- Nazarbayev issued an order at the icy goals. The two EIB loans are hensive development of ties with the aimed at Kazakhstan’s small- and European Union, the country’s larg- Feb. 14 government meeting en- medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) est trade and economic partner. Dos- acting measures to prevent staple as well as the country’s midcap sayev added that cooperation will foods from rising in price. Dur- companies. Most of these compa- stimulate foreign investment and ing the meeting, Akhmetov also nies are involved in environmental business activities in Kazakhstan. emphasised the need to assure the EIB Vice-President for Kazakhstan lending operations Wilhelm Molterer (l) exchanges documents with acting chairman of stability of staple food and basic protection and countering climate DBK Askar Dostiyarov (r) on Feb. 18 as Kazakh and European officials look on. The current loan agreements change. come on top of the Framework good prices such as lubricants and Following the signing ceremony, Ministry makes every effort to ful- that increase the diversity of the contribute to increasing the share Agreement between Kazakhstan pharmaceuticals. He also stressed Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ka- fill the President’s orders to attract Kazakh economy. of GDP generated by small and and EIB that was signed in Brus- the need to prevent product short- zakhstan Erlan Idrissov noted that foreign investment,” the Kazakh “At the same time, EIB funds medium-sized enterprises, which is sels in April 2010 and entered into ages and the unjustified growth cooperation with the EIB is new to currently 18 percent. In Kazakhstan, force in April 2011, and a memo- minister said. will facilitate the Kazakhstan 2050 of tariffs from major monopolies. Kazakhstan’s investment policies SMEs employ some 2.5 million peo- randum of understanding between EIB Vice President for Kazakh- Strategy, which aims to develop a Additionally, tariffs on communal and to the State Programme for ple or 28 percent of the workforce. the Samruk Kazyna National Wel- services will be frozen until May stan lending operations Wilhelm sustainable and efficient economic Accelerated Industrial and Innova- These loans help fulfil the objec- fare Fund and the Development 1 across Kazakhstan. “Concrete Molterer said the EIB will foster model capable of propelling Ka- tive Development (SPAIID). tives of the EIB External Lending Bank of Kazakhstan on the one measures have already been for- private sector development by im- zakhstan into the 30 most devel- “We attach great importance to Mandate, which is focused on the hand and the EIB on the other, mulated and now it is time to im- proving SME and midcap compa- oped countries in the world,” Mol- the development of mutually ben- development of the local private providing for EIB to invest up to plement them and establish tight ny access to long-term financing. terer noted. eficial cooperation and fruitful dia- sector, as well as social and eco- 300 million euros in projects in control over their application,” logue with the EIB. The Foreign These loans will assist projects Funds provided by the EIB will nomic institutions. Entities focused Kazakhstan. the prime minister added.

End-use borrowers of Develop- ment Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK) funds under the State Programme Expanded Government Meeting Reviews Progress on Kazakhstan of Industrial and Innovative De- velopment (SPAIID) will likely not face the risks that borrowed money generally carries as long 2050 Strategy, Efforts to Sustain High Economic Growth as DBK loans to commercial Continued from Page A1 commodities in the consumer mar- banks for financing industrial pro- ket. These effects will be short- jects are not tied to the exchange Given the additional increase, by lived, he said. rate, the DBK press service re- July 1, 2015, their wages will have It is inflation, not the exchange ported on Feb. 20. DBK granted grown from between 36 to 52 per- rate, that affects peoples’ welfare, five local commercial banks (Ka- cent. Pension payments are to be Kelimbetov said. He proposed zKom, Bank CenterCredit, Sber- raised by 14 percent, social ben- tightening controls over monetary bank, Alfa Bank and Tsesnabank) efits by up to 12 percent, targeted and non-monetary factors in pric- loans totalling 45 billion tenge social assistance by 12 percent and ing, and said Kazakhstan needed (US$243 million) for lending ac- student scholarships by 10 percent. to avoid an oversupply of money tivities. “The bank grants loans The government was also ordered in the economy. to commercial banks in tenge. to review and, if necessary, correct Economy and Budget Planning Accordingly, it was decided that the budget. Minister Yerbolat Dossayev said our partner banks would extend The National Bank and the gov- that in the wake of the exchange credit to end-use borrowers under ernment were tasked with averting rate adjustment, GDP was still the same conditions. End-use bor- a surge of inflation. To reduce infla- projected to grow by 6 percent. rowers are of special importance tion to 3-4 percent in the medium Nominal GDP is set to grow by 6.5 to DBK. They should not bear term, the National Bank and the percent to reach 41.1 trillion tenge currency risks,” acting Chairman government will work out steps for (US$222.7 billion). of the Board of DBK Askar Dosti- the transition to an inflation target- According to Dossayev, the ex- yarov said. ing regime by March 15 and define isting risks prompted the follow- a policy for regulated prices and ing priorities in 2014: sustaining On Feb. 18, President Nursultan tariffs by the end of this year. economic growth at 6 percent; fis- Nazarbayev signed the law “On “We also lack drastic measures to cal policy and planning, including ratification of the agreement be- revive the stock market. The Peo- a package of amendments to the tween the Government of the Re- ple’s IPO has no follow-up. The Budget Code; further improve- public of Kazakhstan and the Gov- creation of a single pension fund is ment of the state planning system; ernment of the Socialist Republic long overdue,” Nazarbayev said. increasing the efficacy of public of Vietnam on encouragement The government needs to radi- administration; strengthening the and mutual protection of invest- cally revise the permit system The government and the akimats are tasked with making sure there are no price hikes for main food staples and other financial autonomy of local gov- goods in light of the 19-percent correction of the tenge versus dollar exchange rate on Feb. 11. ments,” reported the press service and simplify administrative pro- ernments and increasing local of the President. That agreement cedures, he said. Non-performing “Measures to reduce the shadow cern about insufficient investment development of infrastructure and authorities’ responsibility for end was signed on Sept. 15, 2009 in banking loans must be addressed, economy are to be worked out in geo-exploration and pointed to energy, the development of enter- results. Astana. Its purpose is to improve and the government and the Na- by March 15. Investment climate the need to significantly intensify prise, balanced regional develop- Regarding labour and social pro- the investment climate in relation tional Bank have been ordered to needs improvement too. Investors technological policy in the oil and ment, social modernisation and tection, state support will focus on to mutual investments by provid- the integrated development of vil- work out ways by March 1 to re- are interested in stability of con- gas sector. In Kazakhstan, the oil employment, state management ing guarantees to investors in ad- purchase bad loans from banks. lages with high potential and the tracts and of the legislation, social recovery index is about 30-35 per- and the development of interna- dition to those provided by the The share of non-performing loans creation of new jobs there. stability, good infrastructure, en- cent, while it is 50 percent else- tional integration and economic applicable legislation. The agree- in second-tier banks must fall to 15 According to Minister of La- ergy, transport, labour resources, where in the world. Kazakhstan cooperation. ment is not applied to taxation, percent by Jan. 1, 2015, and to 10 easy visa regime. We have all that, should reach 50 percent by 2020, The main objectives of the gov- bour and Social Protection Tamara public procurement, subsidies percent by Jan. 1, 2016. The Presi- but it does not work properly, and he said, and develop concepts for ernment in trade policies are com- Duissenova, in 2015, 80 percent or grants issued by the contract- dent asked to allocate 1 trillion if it does, it is not in favour of the developing gas, fuel and other en- pleting the process of accession of budget funds allocated to the ing party, and services provided tenge (US$5.4 billion) from the investors,” the President opined. ergy sectors. More research must to the World Trade Organisation regions will be distributed to the for implementation of state func- National Fund in 2014 and 2015 The government was tasked also be done on using renewable (WTO) and preparing the Treaty population and 20 percent accord- to provide the economy with credit with ensuring the stability of in- water, land and biological resourc- on the Eurasian Economic Union. ing to the results of the given re- tions by the body or agency of the resources. vestment agreements and contracts es, the head of state said. National Bank Chairman Kairat gion’s progress. Forming a new contracting party. According to Stability and openness must be and building the transport-logistics Finally, investment must be Kelimbetov reviewed monetary generation of professionals is the document, each contracting another area of focus, Nazarbayev sector of the international level drawn to agribusiness. The gov- policy in the wake of the exchange among the priorities for the coun- party shall encourage and create said, and state involvement in the and pool national logistics assets ernment will develop and adopt a rate adjustment. The measure, he try. New professional standards favourable conditions in its terri- economy must be reduced. All to forge alliances with partners by-the-region specialisation map said, will promote growth, primar- are being created and the qualifi- tory for investments of investors companies partially owned by the through the Kazakhstan Temir for the optimal use of agricultural ily for Kazakhstan’s exporters, cation system updated. The pen- of the other contracting party and state will be reviewed and a list Zholy national railway company. lands. such as those in the petroleum and sion system is also being upgraded admit such investments in accord- drawn up of those to be transferred The third focus is developing Reporting on the socioeconomic mining and metallurgical busi- and will be finished in September ance with the national law of the to the private sector. A clear list of competitive advantages through development of the country, Prime nesses. It will also stimulate other 2014. country. Minister of Economy terms and procedures will be made economic diversification in the Minister Serik Akhmetov said that sectors of the economy, which in The President instructed region- and Budget Planning Yerbolat for a possible state share in private medium and long term. “The aim the volatile economic situation in turn will accelerate GDP growth al authorities to help villagers start Dossayev noted when submitting companies. All in all, by 2020, of industrialisation is not to collect the world led to a drop of 4.6 per- and bring more revenues to the their own businesses and to pro- the document to Parliament, “The the state share in the economy disparate projects, but to develop cent in Kazakhstan’s exports. Un- state budget. The improved trade vide microloans for them. agreement also contains provi- should be brought to the level of a strong manufacturing industry. employment held at 5.2 percent, balance through the increase of Akims (governors) of the Man- sions which regulate in detail the the OECD nations – 15 percent of The government should get down however, and investment in fixed exports and decrease of imports gistau region Alik Aidarbayev, procedure for the formation of an gross domestic product. to work with leading companies assets rose by 6.5 percent, he said. will then positively impact GDP East Kazakhstan region Berdybek international tribunal established Improving the investment cli- producing oil and gas and mining The government’s priority is growth. Saparbayev, North Kazakhstan for resolving disputes between mate is also crucial, the President and agricultural machinery to seek laying the groundwork for meet- No sharp surge of inflation is ex- region Samat Yeskendirov, and the parties.” Dossayev reported said. The government was in- out investors willing to open plants ing the long-term objectives of the pected, Kelimbetov vowed, but the Almaty region Ansar Mussakh- that investment cooperation in the structed to cut down administra- in our country and support them in Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy. The bank does not rule out the forma- anov also reported on the current oil and gas sector between Kaz- tive procedures in foreign trade every way,” Nazarbayev said. seven priority areas are the mod- tion of inflation expectations due socioeconomic situations in their MunayGas and PetroVietnam is and customs in particular. The President expressed con- ernisation of the economy, the to excessive demand for certain regions. especially promising. A5 Business

Wednesday, february 26, 2014

Business News in Brief Industry Figures Indicate Growth in Domestic French IVECO BUS compa- ny and Kazakhstan Astana LRT signed an agreement in February Auto Manufacturing on the delivery of 350 natural gas By Alla Dementieva Ministry of Industry and New of a full cycle plant has started. powered IVECO buses to Kazakh- Technologies. These programmes Investments in the first phase of stan’s capital Astana. Currently, Kazakhstan-made cars now con- will give Kazakhstan’s automobile production (60,000 cars per year) about 700,000 people travel by bus stitute 21 percent of all new car industry a better footing in both are estimated at $233 million. Cur- in Astana every day, but the exist- sales in the country, according to the Customs Union (CU) and in its rently, at Saryarka Auto Prom, ing municipal bus fleet needs about the Kazakhstan Auto Business As- accession to the World Trade Or- the Allur Group produces IVECO 400 more busses to meet the city’s sociation. ganisation (WTO),” said Associa- Power Daily commercial vehicles. demand. “The factory is located In 2013, about 38,000 cars and tion President Andrey Lavrentiev. The association has indicated in France; Astana has bought 350 2,290 trucks were assembled in Thanks to state support, in 2013, that it supports recent changes buses for the city,” Talgat Ardan, Kazakhstan. the auto industry began a number to tax legislation on the trade-in chairman of the board of Astana “Significant results in the de- of strategic projects, in particu- system (exchange of old cars for LRT said. These cutting edge ve- velopment of the auto industry lar, production of the Ssang Yong new ones), which allows VAT to hicles have been adapted for Asta- were achieved with state support, Nomad and Peugeot, as well as be charged only on the difference na’s harsh winter conditions and especially through programmes special vehicles from Hyundai. In between purchase price and sales come with a full set of service ap- Ust-Kamenogorsk, construction price. plications. The 350 vehicles pro- developed and introduced by the cured by the contract include 270 12-metre buses and 80 18-metre buses. Both of these models are high-capacity vehicles. “We will provide the most advanced natural Rare Earths: Agriculture Expanding in Atyrau gas fuel busses,” Pierre Lahutte, By Rinat Kulmagambetov president of IVECO BUS compa- ny said. Passengers will enjoy first- ATYRAU REGION – State sup- class comfort, quality and safety. A Rare Opportunity port for agriculture is showing re- There will be an entrance ramp, sults in the AtyrauAgroOnіmderi places for handicapped people and farming partnership, which is de- an information system. “The same veloping successfully in many di- buses are used in France,” Lahutte for Kazakhstan rections, from viticulture and horti- added. Two hundred buses will be culture to bee-keeping and breeding delivered by August and 150 more sturgeon. by October. This will allow signifi- One of the projects recently cant improvements to passenger launched by Vladimir Rozmetov, head of the AtyrauAgroOnіmderi transportation and help improve partnership, is a farm for breeding the ecological situation in the city. goats. The 150 animals brought from the Netherlands have already In Almaty region, 30 invest- adapted to local conditions and be- Gulbarshin Tokova and her husband Zhangeldy Tokov are betting their farm ment projects totalling 26.5 billion gun to produce offspring. will bring benefits both to them and to the local community. tenge (US$143.1 million) will be “Goat’s milk is valued for its problem: kindergartens and schools and know that the opening of such implemented this year. According health-giving properties: it helps are eager to buy dairy products and a modern farm is possible due to to the Akim (governor) of the Al- disabled children and the sick. And the partnership also has a network of the state programme supporting ru- maty region Ansar Musakhanov, cheese made from goat’s milk is rich stores. ral areas and agro-producers. The gross agricultural output reached in calcium and vitamin D, which are Projects like the AtyrauAgro­ partnership gives us everything we 381.5 billion tenge (US$2.06 bil- also very useful for children,” said Onіmderi partnership not only satu- need: a good salary, vegetables and lion). The planted acreage for ag- Zhangeldy Tokov, managing direc- rate the market with high-quality fruits that we grow and get for free. ricultural crops totaled 910,900 Continued from Page A1 tablished outside of China.” And, tor of the farm. local products at affordable prices, We’re also provided with housing,” thousand hectares. Thanks to new Lifton continued, “for political and The 600-animal farm is located but also positively affect the social said Tokov. technologies, the volume of pro- “Increased use of HREEs in historical reasons, they would pre- near a processing plant where milk- well-being of people employed in Today there are more than 300 duction of many agricultural crops growing green and high-tech ap- fer it not to be in Japan. Kazakh- ing machines and processing units manufacturing by providing stable workers on the AtyrauAgroOnіmderі increased. Figures show that 1.15 plications and the consuming high- stan, given its geographical prox- are being installed. The dairy plant sources of income. farm. They grow vegetables, grapes million tonnes of grain crops have tech appetite of the expanding imity to China and rich resource will process 1,000 litres of milk Tokov, for example, moved and apples; farm fish; breed sheep, been produced, including 389,500 global middle class (set to double base, is in a great position to build daily, Rozmetov said. Initially, it to the Makhambet district from goats and cows and do other work. will produce 10 products with dif- tonnes of corn and 57,500 tonnes over the next 25 years) will put up- this vertical supply chain. It would Kyzylkogin in search of work. His In the near future, more farmers ferent fat contents, including goat’s of rice. The number of all types ward pressure on HREE demand raise its economic and political wife, Gulbarshin Tokova, a former will appear in the region. Among and prices”, says David Abraham, a profile in the region. They should milk, whey, cheese, cottage cheese, librarian, followed with their son. their plans is the launch of a dairy of livestock and poultry also in- butter and cream. In the future, this New York–based metals consultant. not do it in isolation, however.” “The main thing is that we are to- complex, a poultry farm for the pro- creased. Statistics read that 312,300 range will be expanded to 40 types Dudley Kingsnorth, a professor Kazakhstan most certainly has gether and are busy,” she said. duction of broiler and goose meat tonnes of meat has been produced, of products. “Our work makes us happy, be- and the opening of a sturgeon-breed- at the Centre for Research in En- as well as 670,000 tonnes of milk not done so in isolation. In No- Sales are not expected to be a cause we are confident in the future ing farm. and 8,000 tonnes of wool. A total of ergy and Minerals Economics at vember 2012, Kazatomprom and 115 farms for 5,600 thousand heads Curtin University in Perth, Aus- Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation of cattle have been built under the tralia and an analyst at Industrial opened a facility in Stepnogorsk, Sabyga Programme, feed yards for Minerals Company of Australia an industrial city 170 kilometres 4,600 heads of cattle have also been (IMCOA), a rare earths consult- north of Astana, to produce rare built as part of this programme; ing company, expects the average earth oxides with a projected ca- also 3,300 heads of foreign cattle market price for REEs in the long- pacity of 1,500 tonnes a year. have been purchased. A total of 30 term to increase to $50-70 per kilo- Kazatomprom is planning to investment projects totalling 26.5 gramme from the current averages establish a REEs-based vertically- billion tenge (US$143.1 million) of $30-40 per kilogramme, driven integrated production chain at this are being implemented around by a strong demand for heavy state-of-the-art facility designed Almaty under the Food Belt Pro- earths. Lifton agrees that HRREs by Kazakh, Japanese and Europe- gramme. Nine of them totalling 7.8 like dysprosium and neodymium, an engineers. billion (US$47 million) tenge were which are used in the production “Our plan is to build a produc- launched in 2013. of permanent magnets and wind tion plant for separating rare earth turbines will “maintain strong de- oxides and metals from ore con- The National Chamber of Entre- mand and associated pricing.” centrate by 2016 and start pro- preneurs of Kazakhstan launched Part of that increased demand ducing REE permanent magnets a unique online project called the and another reason Kazakhstan by 2018. That would represent a Register of Problems for Entrepre- may be in a strong position to move from raw materials produc- neurial Support on Feb. 19. The capitalise on the rare earths mar- tion to processing in line with the updated website of the National ket is that China’s share in rare principles of Kazakhstan’s state Chamber www.palata.kz was also earths’ global supply and demand programme of industrial-innova- presented. This project is also to be has been steadily declining. China tive development,” said Shkolnik. launched on the chamber website. is still very much in control of the In his recent state-of-the-nation Deputy Chairman of the Board of market, accounting for 85 percent address, Kazakh President Nur- the National Chamber of Entrepre- of global production and 65 per- sultan Nazarbayev emphasised the neurs Gulnar Kurbanbayeva and cent of global demand, according importance of bringing new tech- developer of the project, director of to IMCOA. But China announced nologies to the country and coop- the chamber IT department Nurlan in 2010 that it would curtail its pro- erating with the world’s leading Omarov took part in the presenta- duction of rare earths and cut ex- companies operating in mining fa- tion. The register is an online plat- port quotas by as much as a third. cilities. “Kazakhstan needs to fully form where businessmen can leave As a result, global prices skyrock- use the potential of foreign direct messages about barriers faced at eted and 90 percent of small mines investment and bring foreign ex- work. All submitted problems will went out of business. pertise to develop its mining sec- be reviewed and entrepreneurs will Prices leveled slowly in 2012. tor,” said the President. receive chamber assistance. China’s export cuts, however, pre- Both France and Germany have sented challenges for importers of signed long-term strategic partner- KazAgro financed 346 projects rare earths like Japan (the world’s ship agreements with Kazakhstan amounting to 237.5 billion tenge largest importer of REEs), but also securing a source of rare earths for (US$1.28 billion), Chairman created opportunities for other mar- the countries’ industrial needs. The of the Board of KazAgro Dulat kets. As a result, output from the rest agreements cover not just pros- Aitzhanov said at a Feb. 18 Central of the world will increase tenfold by pecting and mining, but also in- Communications Service (CCS) the year 2016, projects IMCOA. clude plans for geological survey- briefing summarizing KazAgro’s The increase in output outside of ing and exploration. 2013 operations. “In total in 2013, China will come from mineral-rich There is no doubt that Kazakh- 346 projects amounting to 237.5 countries like Kazakhstan. stan is well positioned to become a billion tenge (US$1.28 billion) “The Chinese are running out of global player in REEs. The recent were financed by the investment heavy earths, and they really want agreements with Japan, France and programme. Of these, 290 projects the rest of the world to develop Germany will likely unlock other have already been completed and their rare earth sources,” said investment opportunities in the 68 projects were launched this Lifton.“The problem is the lack of country, particularly if Kazakhstan year,” he said. Aitzhanov noted supply chain components outside proves to be a reliable supplier of that 42 applications totalling 29 of China. In fact, at the present materials and eventually finished billion tenge (US$156.6 million) moment, China is the only coun- products to outside markets. In- were currently being considered. try with a toll supply chain from creasingly, customers around the He stated that there are plans to the mine to the product assembly world will be turning to technol- implement another 75 develop- line. The Chinese are very open to ogy that includes a little bit of Ka- ment projects this year. the idea of a toll supply chain es- zakhstan. A6 EDITORIAL&opinionS

Wednesday, february 26, 2014

the need to develop the national agricultural research system and Nation Should Stay agribusiness through agro-inno- Kazakhstan Poised to Become vation clusters. In agricultural research, we Focused on Progress in have fallen far behind leading Global Agro Player world powers and lost many valu- able professionals and entire re- Global Business Rankings By Akhylbek Kurishbayev In France alone, gene selection search areas. We need to create has led to an increase in annual in Kazakhstan a new, modern, aving inherited moribund monitored and replaced; the capacity of The agro-industrial complex is milk yields from four tonnes to scientific school. But we cannot economy and outdated pro- the government to effectively formulate one of the most promising sectors duction capacities from the and implement sound policies; and the six tonnes per cow over the past solve this problem by ourselves. of Kazakhstan’s economy. Few Soviet Union and being gen- respect of citizens and the state for the twenty years. For this, it is necessary to devel- states have comparable potential Herously endowed with natural resources, institutions that govern economic and The Netherlands is another ex- op partnerships with leading re- for agricultural development, and Kazakhstan faced a developmental social interactions among them. In the ample of successful agricultural in- search centres and attract famous it is already clear that with the conundrum: how to exploit the natural government effectiveness indicator, Ka- novation. The country one-fifth the foreign scientists to work with growth of the world population, resources and at the same time avoid the zakhstan improved from 17th to almost size of our Almaty region exports talented youth, as the Nazarbayev detriments of the “Dutch disease”? 40th place in the global ranking since only countries capable of export- agricultural products at almost $50 ing food will be able to be major University does. This will allow During the more than 20 years of in- 2002 (with the higher number indicat- billion a year and is the world’s us to quickly create our own com- dependence, Kazakhstan has set a path ing the higher rank). In other indicators, players on the world market. second-largest exporter in this in- petence for solving urgent prob- of a dynamically developing country including regulatory quality, rule of law Kazakhstan’s government is dicator after the United States. lems in the industry. with solid ambitions to firmly occupy its and control of corruption, Kazakhstan paying attention to agriculture, Economic and technological Global experience shows that own place in the highly competitive and has also made a notable shift forward. including through funding in- policy in the agrarian sector of the today, the optimal form of organi- ever changing global environment. The creases and the development of Netherlands is formed mainly by Indicator Year Percentile rank sation of agricultural science and country has set a course of development (from 0 to 100) new programmes and instruments qualitative leap in technological the Wageningen University and higher education is the research for the manufacturing, automobile and Government 2002 17.07 of state support. Statistics show modernisation: effective innova- Research Centre. All key decisions petrochemical industries. National pro- effectiveness university. Only research univer- 2007 32.52 that gross output is growing, as tions for agriculture, best agricul- are prepared by scientists based on grammes have been developed aiming 2012 39.71 are investments in the industry, tural technologies, high-yielding expertise and specific problems sities can synchronise research at attracting new technologies to various Regulatory 2002 23.53 and new agricultural facilities are varieties and hybrids, high-yield- of practice. The Wageningen Uni- processes with training and intro- spheres of the economy. Among other quality being commissioned. Imports of ing animals and high-perfor- versity is a model of a successful duce results in practice. Research prerequisites to sustainable development 2007 40.29 2012 37.80 agro-products are also growing universities provide an opportu- are financial sector development, small- mance machines and equipment. national agro-innovation cluster. Rule of Law 2002 13.88 and food prices are rising – yet For example, in Australia, It is called the Food Valley of the nity to prepare specialists able and medium–sized enterprises support 2007 21.53 to apply the latest innovations in and administrative reforms. 2012 30.81 the structure of export has not where environmental conditions Netherlands, echoing the famous Control of 2002 10.24 changed. Why? are harsher than in Kazakhstan, Silicon Valley in the United States. practice. Reforms in these sectors provide a ba- Corruption We believe that the research sis for the competitive advantage of the The fact is that the lion’s share the wheat yield is nearly double Combining in one complex an ed- 2007 18.45 agricultural university should be- domestic firms, developing internal mar- 2012 20.57 of domestic agricultural products ours. The secret is that Australia ucational centre, research institute kets and attracting foreign capital and Earlier this year, the Heritage Founda- are not competitive on the world has formed one of the world’s and technology park, the university come the nucleus of a new agro- know-how. How well has Kazakhstan tion released its 20th annual Index of market, mainly because of the best research systems in agricul- generates the Dutch agro-miracle. innovation cluster in Kazakhstan. done in creating favourable conditions Economic Freedom, which evaluated outdated technology used in their ture. As evidenced by numerous On the President’s instructions for internal and external stakeholders? countries in four broad areas of economic production. The solution, there- Australian scientists are con- studies, investment in agricultural given at the meeting of the For- Recent rankings provide a nuanced freedom with ten specific categories: fore, is not to increase subsidies tinuously improving biotech- science is many times more effec- eign Investors’ Council in May picture of Kazakhstan’s successes and rule of law (property rights, freedom to agriculture, but to restore the nologies, allowing them to create tive than direct investment in the 2013, we have already begun areas for further development. The latest from corruption); limited government scientific aspects of the indus- exceptional crop characteristics. industry. Even in 1992, Canadian the transformation of the Kazakh Doing Business 2013 ranking of the (fiscal freedom, government spending); try. We should bear in mind that Scientific achievements in the scientists found that every dollar Saken Seifullin Agro Technical World Bank recognised Kazakhstan as regulatory efficiency (business freedom, after Kazakhstan’s accession to field of genomics have consid- invested in agricultural research University and we believe that having the most improved ease of doing labor freedom, monetary freedom); open the World Trade Organisation erably reduced the cost of crop brought a performance gain of $40. only the strategic development business across several areas of regula- markets (trade freedom, investment free- (WTO), the government will have breeding. A common feature of the of the intellectual potential there tion, such as starting a business, dealing dom, financial freedom). In this study, to reduce state support to agri- Another problem is livestock strongest agricultural powers in will allow Kazakhstan to create with construction permits, getting elec- the Washington, DC-based think tank business that falls into the WTO’s improvement. Countries like the world, then, is the dominant its own fertile Food Valley. rated Kazakhstan as firmly improving its tricity, registering property, getting credit, “yellow box” or limited category, the U.S., France and Canada are position of agricultural science, protecting investors, paying taxes, trad- economic freedom ranking: the coun- while public investments in sci- improving their livestock not by which supports not only agricul- The author is rector of the ing across borders, enforcing contracts try’s economic freedom score was 63.7, and resolving insolvency. Across these making its economy the 67th freest in the ence fall into the “green box” cat- importing breeding cattle from tural production, but also public Kazakh Saken Seifullin Agro indicators, Kazakhstan has entered the 2014 index. Kazakhstan’s score was 0.7 egory and are not subject to such abroad, but by systematically im- policy in general. That is why, in Technical University and a for- top 50 countries with the most favour- point higher than last year, with notable restrictions. proving their breeds through gene his recent state-of-the-nation ad- mer Minister of Agriculture of able business conditions. The research improvements in investment freedom, That’s why today we need a selection. dress, the head of state stressed Kazakhstan. recorded the procedures, time and cost business freedom and monetary freedom. for a business in the construction industry It is worth noting that overall Kazakh- to obtain all the necessary approvals to stan ranks 11th out of 42 countries in the modern transport system with build a warehouse in Almaty, the coun- Asia–Pacific region, and its overall score long-term storage technology. try’s largest business city, connect it to is above the world and regional averages To further penetrate foreign basic utilities and register the property. in this index. Agricultural Reform Requires markets, Kazakhstan needs a According to the report, Kazakhstan Over the 17 years that Kazakhstan has strategy of creating an interna- achieved particular progress in registering been graded in the index, its economic tional presence through the de- property and obtaining construction per- freedom has advanced by 22 points, one velopment of terminal-service mits. In registering property, Kazakhstan of the 20 best improvements recorded by Spectrum of Changes infrastructure, not only inside the improved by nine points rising from 27th any country. This progress has been sup- By Bauyrzhan Yereshev concrete owner of the farmland. country, but also abroad, mainly to 18th in rank. In obtaining construc- ported by improvements in regulatory In addition, inter-branch, indus- on the trade routes between Asia, tion limits, although good progress was efficiency and market openness. Scores To become a major regional trial and packaging production for seven of the ten economic freedoms, Indochina and Europe. Priori- achieved, this indicator still stands as a exporter of agricultural prod- should be united up to minimum weak point among the indicators. Among including monetary freedom, trade free- ties should be developing a sales ucts, Kazakhstan must provide business components which cor- network of transport and logis- other indicators dragging the country to dom, financial freedom, fiscal freedom domestic farmers with direct ac- low-performers are trade with related and business freedom have increased respond to the latest international tics services, building or leasing cess to long-term financing and indicators such as trading across bor- by double digits. Once considered a “re- trading standards, including the terminal facilities at sea and at ders, time and cost to import and export. pressed” economy, Kazakhstan has risen markets. This should be sup- Customs Union. The state must “dry” ports on the Caspian, Bal- Kazakhstan does relatively good in the to “moderately free” since 2008. ported by an effective system of also directly participate in the tic and Black Seas and terminals taxation area. The ranking estimates the As a recommendation, Heritage loan guarantees and insurance. commercial regulation of access in China, India, Russia, the EU administrative burden of complying with Foundation suggests deeper structural The government was instructed to all foreign markets, including and the Persian Gulf. Kazakhstan’s taxes and the volume of reforms for overcoming challenges to adjust its agricultural devel- such non-traditional regions (for It is also clear that all these taxes paid. According to the ranking, on associated with the need to reduce opment planning in the Agri- Kazakhstan) as Africa, Southeast recommendations can be intro- average, firms make seven tax payments dependence on the energy sector and business 2020 programme. The Asia and India, which are not duced with the help of science. a year, spend 188 hours a year filing, achieve more diversified growth. focus in this document is on the WTO members. Initially, it will be good to create preparing and paying taxes and pay total Besides, better improvement is ex- development of industries that It also seems appropriate to the rules of the game, i.e., creat- taxes amounting to 28.6 percent of profit. pected in the area of property rights and can be potential players in the is high. In this context, the Presi- unite in the market environment ing an institutional environment Overall Kazakhstan stands at 18 in the freedom from corruption to maintain domestic market of agricultural dent’s instructions to adjust the all institutes of development (in- and managerial levers. This will ranking of 189 economies on the ease of sustainable growth in the ranking. commodities. programme are relevant as never cluding their structures and hu- be possible through public-pri- paying taxes. The figure below visualises Overall, few rankings avoid criti- Nevertheless, the programme before. man and material resources) and vate and scientific partnerships. cisms from various stakeholders. Some the progress of Kazakhstan in tax admin- does not identify parameters for We believe that the desired fu- second-tier banks and determine Today, our state has a substan- istration reforms. As the figure shows, criticise the rankings for a biased ap- increased quality of life among ture of the agricultural industry a scientific regulator. This step proach and conflicts of interest, such as tial margin of institutional, eco- Kazakhstan is far ahead of the regional the rural population and key in- is inextricably linked with the will oblige banks to lend to agri- (Europe and Central Asia) average. financial credit rankings. Other rankings, nomic and financial reserves of centives for the lower layers of appearance in AIC production business at 1 percent and expand The Doing Business ranking analysis including those discussed in this article, growth. For example, state budget rural society. of new, powerful players from of the construction industry reflects a are criticised by some for erroneous leasing opportunities to update reserves alone are estimated at wider state of governance in Kazakh- methodology approach. Despite the Today, the industry’s realities the urbanised population, as well the basic agrarian funds. In turn, 10-15 percent of current expendi- stan. According to the World Bank’s criticism, the rankings are worth paying are as follows: against the back- as the involvement of local me- second-tier banks will be respon- tures. Global governance ranking, governance attention to for they provide consumers ground of steady growth in gross dium- and small-scale farmers to sible before the state for return of The new AIC strategy must consists of the traditions and institu- with information with certain data and domestic product (by more than be heard locally. these funds to the national budg- include measures aimed at the tions by which authority in a country dynamics. A critical analysis may shed 16 times since 1999), the share The Kazakhstan 2050 strategy et. Thereby, they will be moti- formation in the public con- is exercised. This includes the process light on how to proceed with further of agro-indsutrial complex (AIC) sets the task for the industry to vated to finance real projects that sciousness of a new attitude to- by which governments are selected, development. in the structure of the national become a global player in the generate a steady income. ward agriculture as the sphere of economy decreased by seven field of clean production. Clear- Here, they can use their fi- successful people. This process times. In particular, from 1991, ly, the well-being of any com- nancing resources of the Islamic should actively involve the full its share fell from 29.5 percent to pany depends not only on strong world, where more than $1.5 potential of culture: media, cin- reach 4.3 percent in 2012. In two relationships with government trillion has been accumulated. ema, the Internet and even show decades, Kazakhstan joined the agencies, but also on consumers’ Taking into account the global business. I think that Agribusi- group of countries with devel- preferences, because under WTO crisis, we can buy new and exist- ness 2020 also must contain in- oped urban economies, despite conditions, the state cannot help ing agricultural technologies and centives for internal reserves and the fact that approximately 45.1 manufacturers. equipment on favourable terms. increased market awareness in percent of the country’s popula- All market participants should For complete resource support farmers. tion lives in rural areas. have a clear understanding that of agribusiness by the state, ad- Meanwhile, conclusions made the owner of agricultural land equate logistics for storing and The author is Professor of by Ernst & Young in the study of today has been defined. Taking delivering agriculture products the Department of Economic Russia’s accession to the WTO into account this determining to the final consumer are neces- Management of the Academy indicate a depressive contrac- factor, it is necessary to build sary. Commercial packaging, of Public Administration un- tion of high-tech sectors of the a bridge between science, ag- advertising and the infrastruc- der the President of Kazakh- Russian agro industrial complex ribusiness and the state in the ture for transporting goods to stan, Academician of National under WTO conditions. For Ka- form of project management, commodity markets play a no Academy of Natural Sciences source: http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/~/media/giawb/doing%20 zakhstan’s less diversified agrar- which will create a competition less important role. All this con- of the Republic of Kazakh- business/documents/profiles/country/KAZ.pdf?ver=2 ian industry, the likelihood of this of applied projects oriented to ditions the necessity of a new stan.

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Wednesday, february 26, 2014 Eurasian Economic Integration Must Go through Thorough Consideration By Alina Usmanova cluded or not included in tariffs of tees should not be considered as an Competition and industry are natural monopolies. institution that fully takes into ac- given. Let’s take competition. The The closer the date of signing So I think that almost immedi- count the interests of the business EEC wants to have supranational of the Eurasian Economic Union ately after the entry into force of of the three countries. control. It will be a supranational (EEU) treaty determined by the this treaty there will be a need to The second tool is public dis- body of control to protect com- three presidents of EEU member finalise some of its provisions, cussion of technical regulations. petition in cross-border markets. countries, the higher the degree and possibly entire sections. Thus, The technical regulations shall Penalties that will be imposed on of discussions in society, both taking into account, firstly, tight be posted on the EEC website 60 entrepreneurs who will violate the about the need to create such deadlines, and secondly, the fact days prior to adoption. As a re- norms prescribed in the annex sec- a union and the principles of that by the time of ratification (by sult, the practice is as follows: a tion “Competitive policy on cross- its creation, as well as what the the time of creation of this union) version of technical regulations is border markets” are calculated in union treaty should represent. some provisions will either lose posted and offered for public dis- roubles. They are disproportionate- Deputy Chairman of the National relevance or will not properly cussion, however, this version is ly high, and they were also set by Chamber of Entrepreneurs Ra- match the economic realities, a also being finalised. The EEC de- the EEC. In terms of transport, if khim Oshakbayev discussed the paradoxical situation will occur. partment coordinates it and holds you are a major consignor, in order state of negotiations and the draft We see this in the functioning of other procedures, and after some to get a reduction factor in some di- document. the basic agreements. If they con- time the regulation takes a com- rection you should turn to the EEC. tradict the economic interests of pletely different look. But publicly That means the Commission is What is the status of the ne- the parties, they are not enforced the old version is discussed and is working in strict accordance with gotiations process regarding the despite the fact that they have still online. All proposals received the known Parkinson’s laws. agreement on the formation of the status of treaties. I have two are summarised, not taken into ac- Within the CU and the SES, two the EEU, and what are the prob- examples to this. One is a basic count and just informatively re- spheres were unequivocally passed lematic issues of the current stage agreement on transport, which in- ported as just being received. to the Commission: the customs of integration? volves application of the so-called Rakhim Oshakbayev The third tool, which is usu- and tariff regulation and technical This year marks 20 years since unified tariffs by all parties since ally used by the Commission, is regulation. For both areas we can President Nursultan Nazarbayev 2013. These unified tariffs are not amendments shall be adopted by industrial experts without regard to an advisory council for coopera- unequivocally state that we received gave a speech at Moscow State applied so far, which is a direct three, and eventually five parlia- political terms will be involved. tion with business dialogue, with much worse quality of regulation University where he introduced violation of the achieved agree- ments. Each time, when the treaty the business community of the than we had in Kazakhstan. And no the concept of Eurasian integra- ments. This is disadvantageous for will be reviewed on a particular Who proposed the idea of a three countries in which Atameken major improvements are happen- tion. Now this idea finds its real, the parties. The second example is issue, there will be attempts to in- codified law in such a way? EEC? in the current form is presented. ing. If we are talking about customs practical implementation. We a basic agreement on agriculture troduce additional norms in other I don’t know the authorship of Within two years of its existence, regulations, we have repeatedly have passed three stages of inte- under which the parties committed parts of it and protocols. Thus, any the idea. It is legitimated by the de- only two committee meetings were cited an example that Kazakhstan gration: first, the Customs Union themselves to limit the volume of change to this treaty will become cision of the heads of three states held. During the first organisation- from year to year in the ranking of (CU), then the Single Economic support for agricultural producers. a banal bargaining. It will be diffi- on the need for codification. But al board meeting, we came to an Doing Business on the component Space (SES), now we stand on Nevertheless, there is no proper cult to introduce any changes to it, we are quite sure that the presi- agreement, asked the commission ‘international trade’ impairs its the threshold of the EEU – a very control over the implementation not only because of the ratification dents, when they made their deci- in the first place to develop the as- positions. We are now three slots high degree of economic integra- of these commitments and we see procedure complexity, but also due sion, had in mind the codification sessment mechanism of the regula- from the bottom in the world, from tion. To be rightly understood, I that subsidies and unfair competi- to the blocking of these changes by for the creation of a sustainable tory impact on the drafts of legal among 189 countries, we are 186th. want to explain our position. We, tion continue to occur. separate parties as a way to lobby economic integration for the pur- acts. Since then, this mechanism The President clearly stated that the as a business, are interested in their own interests. pose of attracting investments and has not been developed. Thus, unrestrained expansion of suprana- economic integration, access to Correct me if I am wrong, but entrepreneurial activity. we have a very big gap. We have tional technical regulation is con- markets of Russia and Belarus, today there are two approaches to Can you discuss the lobbying in Now, I will discuss another dis- relatively efficient filters on the na- trary to the objectives of improving and this is why we really need the draft treaty: the first is to spec- detail? What is it about? Can you turbing moment that we have. Ka- tional legislation, but they do not the business climate in Kazakhstan. to make this integration associa- ify in detail all the agreements explain the problem with a simple zakhstan over its independence exist on the supranational level. Summing up, we gave two tion sustainable and competitive concluded, ratified, and even not example? created a system that allows for a spheres to the supranational level on the quality of its regulation. yet concluded and not yet rati- It’s about details. For example, checking of proposed legislative Are there other problems in the and got a very poor quality regula- However, we are concerned about fied. And the second approach is the three of us decided to intro- provisions with the interests of the interaction with the EEC? what happens in the stage of the tion and no prospect of improve- to make it a framework, i.e. to de- duce some changes to the annex business community and the inter- First of all, it is a matter of tim- legal framework of the EEU. First ment. So we need to hold back fine some general principles. Will of the treaty on technical regula- ests of society as a whole through ing with the draft documents. As of all, it concerns the structure and within integration, to be very con- other aspects be identified within tion. But since we have a compre- various mechanisms: scientific ex- the practice shows, the EEC does servative, to give to a supranational quality of the developed, codified the agreement? hensive treaty, the Russian side pertise, legal monitoring, exami- not fulfil even its own decisions. jurisdiction only those areas that are treaty which, in fact, constitutes a Yes, now there are two ap- may say, “We also have propos- nation of legal acts concerning the For example, Paragraph 10 of the objectively necessary and that will threat to the stability of this inte- proaches. The first approach is als on a ‘single sky,’ let us also interests of entrepreneurship. If we EEC regulations specifies the tim- ensure implementation of four free- gration association. quite simple: they take all treaties include them.” And Belarusians, take the applied tools altogether, in ing needed to draft documents to doms of movement: goods, servic- and try to merge them into a single for example, will comment on the my opinion, the more practical one the participating parties for their es, assets and labour force. All other What are the problems? document. As a result, it will be oil products market. And that’s it, is still the examination of projects consideration and approval. We areas should be left to the national First of all, currently in a very large and cumbersome, will be rat- we leave for two to three years through accredited associations. short period of time, we are try- did the analysis in our chamber jurisdiction because our national ified, and asI said, will not change. with an unknown outcome. Any The National Chamber Atameken ing to develop and agree on a draft since the beginning of its opera- legislature and the government are The essence of the second ap- amendment can be blocked, not and our other colleagues and oth- treaty on the EEU, which should tion, in October, November, De- much more flexible and much more proach is the following: we are just because it does not suit any er business associations over the codify some 60 international cember, and January. The analysis progressive than the Eurasian. convinced that we must, as Presi- side, but because one side has an- years have provided their sugges- agreements concluded within CU was conducted on the time of the dent Nazarbayev says, follow the other interest that it also wants to tions. There is a mechanism of ex- and SES. It includes a variety of receipt of documents that come Much has been said about new principle of economic pragmatism, insert in the treaty. pert tips, in which standard regula- topics relating to competition pol- to the National Chamber from the members joining the EEC. Re- i.e. if now it is clear that some pro- We need to bring this simple tions of their work are prescribed icy, natural monopolies, transport, Ministry of Economy, from the cently, in addition to Armenia and visions of the basic agreements of idea: that in order for integration to in each state agency and local industry and others. In fact, it af- Prime Minister’s Office, through Kyrgyzstan, they started talking the CU are outdated and do not be competitive and stable, a regu- authority. As a result, there is a fects all sectors of economy, the correspond to economic interests which the draft decisions of the about Turkey. How can the EEU latory framework must be properly mechanism where we create a reg- entire GDP. Taking into account, or are irrational in their content, EEC and other regulatory acts be made really attractive? constructed, it must be flexible. If ulatory framework, laws, codes, firstly, deadlines, and secondly, they should be changed. Not just are forwarded. As a result, the If we take the European Un- it does not happen and the treaty is government decrees, and they, at that it will be a single document rewritten, but changed. If we de- average term of execution of the ion, why do the countries strive not adopted in such a comprehen- least publicly, undergo examina- that will go to the ratification by cided that we do not need unified document, i.e. from the receipt to become its members? Because sive edition, it will very quickly tion and a formal conclusion is three, and in the future, when Ar- tariffs, then we should reject them to the time when we need to give there they get access to better in- become obsolete, will not meet the formed about them. If it is the law, menia and Kyrgyzstan will join the and need to change the basic agree- the consolidated position of the stitutions and better regulation, as economic interests and will not be the conclusion of an accredited as- union, by five parliaments, it will ment and consider this at the time business community – minus two well as rule of law and low level applied. sociation is a compulsory part of be almost impossible to change of codification. At the same time days to the Prime Minister’s of- of corruption. Therefore, the only We already see the practice the package, which is submitted to this regulatory framework. in the negotiation process, in the fice, four days to the Ministry of reliable way to make Eurasian in- the parliament. Thus, these filters Eurasian Economic Commission when national authorities adopt Economy. This is the average time tegration attractive, is to dramati- allowed us to get the legislation Why do you think so? (EEC), the Russian side says it is their regulatory acts that are con- in calendar days, not work days. cally and fundamentally improve This is evidenced by our experi- a deviation from the basic agree- trary to a supranational regula- more or less corresponding to the The conclusion is that our govern- the quality of supranational regu- ence. The Supranational Customs ment, from common understand- tory framework, but in general economic realities. Certainly, there ment is under heavy pressure from lation, make it very comfortable Code can be taken as an example, ings, “you are overreacting,” etc. all agreed that this is normal. We are many reasons for criticism, but the EEC. We accepted their rules for business, investment and entre- which I think was adopted in No- This position reflects a misunder- can give examples of decisions of the EEC does not have even that. of the game, the system of accel- preneurial activity, and really take vember 2009. Actually, after its standing of the process of codifica- Russia’s Federal Customs Service, When we talk about it with col- erated review of draft documents. into account the national economic agreement before its entry into tion. What our Russian colleagues which are also contrary to the ba- leagues in the Commission, they When the public and the business interests of the parties in decision force in July 2010, it changed in are referring to is called “incorpo- sic principles, the Supranational state the Commission usually ap- community ask for the opportunity making. 166 articles. Therefore, when the ration” – mechanical incorporation Customs Code. And the practice of peals to the three institutions that to participate in the discussion, its code was under ratification, the of agreements into a single docu- such “exceptions” will expand. In they have currently. meaning is emasculated by unreal- Is the problem in unskilled per- protocol on introducing changes ment. Codification means not just such circumstances, we are com- The first is advisory committees istic deadlines. sonnel working in the EEC or in to it was also ratified. After that, the transfer of existing norms, but pelled to urge the development of that were created in almost every I would like to emphasise that the wrong representation of the for four years no amendments their processing and, if necessary, this practice in Kazakhstan if the department. Accordingly, the com- there is a very important and fun- participating countries in it? have been introduced. On the con- cancellation of obsolete provisions rules do not correspond to any eco- mittees have own regulatory acts. damental point; based on the codi- The basic problem is the speed trary, our tax code in the first four and filling gaps. nomic interests. There is nothing We are included somewhere, or fied treaty in a compact version, it of integration. If I said before that years after its entry into force was This means if we extremely sim- personal, I repeat, as the President not included. is needed to immediately prescribe the speed of integration exceeds changed on average four to five plify the situation, the following said, economic pragmatism only. where the boundaries of our inte- the adaptive capacity of integra- times a year, and in 2012 it was will happen. The first option is not What will we get as a result? The How many committees exist gration are. This is conceptually tion entities to these rules of the amended nine times. to implement the agreements that supranational database of the in- now? a very serious aspect. That means game, now I am convinced that the Today, the formation of the do not meet the changing econom- tegration association will increas- About 17 committees were cre- we have to responsibly declare and speed of integration exceeds the treaty on the EEU is extremely ic situation. And the second option ingly become contrived, will exist ated. The National Chamber par- prescribe that integration does not cognitive abilities of an average fast. To analyse 800 pages of vari- means that there are real conditions only on paper. ticipates in three or four. Moreo- go into the sphere of fiscal policy, person. In the terms that they set, ous legal norms, 35 applications of life, and the regulatory frame- To summarise, I will say that ap- ver, subcommittees are created in monetary policy, security, educa- it is impossible to read, understand and assess their impact on the work needs to be adjusted for them proach we agitate is that the codi- these committees. When the sub- tion, science, etc. and track changes being made. conditions of doing business with to make it executable and observe fication of all agreements by the committee on agriculture is held, We are all in the process of some all the amendments to the treaty mutual agreements. About sixty basic provisions of the treaties, the I, as a member of the committee, As far as I understand, it was strange race. The race goes from in the codification process is not existing agreements, each one basic principles such as the condi- am not invited, and I don’t receive specified and this has been re- day to day. possible. Often the annex to the ratified by the parliaments of three tions and the scope of provision the materials because this is a sub- peatedly mentioned, including by Terms shall not be converted treaty, which is an integral part of countries, will be included in the of the national treatment, most fa- committee and I am a member the heads of states? into a fetish. I want to reiterate that it, contains absolutely excessive EEU treaty. Almost all sectors of voured nation treatment, common of the full committee, so I’m not That’s right. But in practice, we the business community in Ka- details, which do not correspond the economy: competition, natural approaches to implementation, supposed to be there. State agen- see constant attempts by the EEC zakhstan is interested in economic to the level of the document to be monopolies, technical regulation, shall be specified in the treaty. That cies’ representatives prevail in the to expand its sphere. In general, integration, in an economic union. adopted. For example, the parlia- industrial, macroeconomic policy, is, to make them “inviolable” and committees, the status of the com- we see a completely unambigu- It’s enough to just look at a map. ments under the agreement will services, which constitute more pass ratification. And the rest – all mittee’s decisions is not clear and ous tendency for us that the EEC, Russia is the largest country in the be asked to ratify even the meth- than a half of Kazakhstan’s GDP, industrial and functional annexes business is represented sporadical- on the understandable rules of world, an enormous open area, a odology of the interstate transmis- will be regulated by the treaty. governing the functioning in detail, ly, not representatively. In general, bureaucracy, strives to expand its big market. We are very interested sion of electric energy (power) In the national legislation, such shall be transferred to another level it is good that business community area of influence. Through regula- in it. And we are really lucky to be among member countries, which problems are solved by amending where decisions are made faster, representatives have a platform for tions of regulatory acts of various involved in this area and have an contains a very specific formula certain legislative acts, however, in facing fewer conflicts, and where discussion of industry issues with levels, the commission is trying to opportunity to have our own sov- for determining components in- case of adoption of the treaty, these for the qualitative study of issues the EEC, but advisory commit- take credit for additional powers. ereign national regulation. A8 eurasia&world

Wednesday, february 26, 2014 Astana Urges Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Entry into Force at International Conference Continued from Page A1 all have of breaking the vicious cy- Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), “The Chair warmly welcomes cles of war, conflict and mistrust and the Office for the Coordination of the Austrian offer to host the Third The world’s five officially recog- reaching the ultimate goal of build- Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA), Conference on the Humanitarian nised nuclear weapon states – Brit- ing a safer world, a world without the as well as leaders from Mayors Impact of Nuclear Weapons,” it ain, China, France, Russia and the threat of nuclear annihilation.” for Peace and research and non- continued. “This offer has been re- U.S. – have so far chosen not to send governmental organisations from ceived with great support from par- representatives to the conferences, a the U.K., Norway, Switzerland ticipants as a follow-up to Oslo and point stressed by numerous speakers Conference brings and other countries. International Nayarit, to deepen the momentum, as preventing more productive and Committee of the Red Cross Vice anchor these conclusions and take meaningful discussions. together governments President Christine Beerlie and them forward. As it was expressed “We strongly hope there will be Mexican Foreign Minister Jose by many delegations, the Confer- even more countries participat- and civil society, calls Antonio Meade Kuribreña opened ence reiterates the invitation to nu- the conference. clear weapon States and States non- ing in the next conference, at least Roman Vassilenko (c) is flanked by representatives of Kenya and Jordan as he for actions to achieve five more countries,” Vassilenko prepares to deliver his statement at the conference. During the event, participants parties to the NPT to participate in said, welcoming the announcement a nuclear weapons free reviewed such issues as the chal- the Third Conference, in Austria.” made one day earlier by Austria’s the severity of the problems left be- countries have already signed its on- lenges of a nuclear weapon detona- “In doing so, we need to take into Minister of Foreign Affairs Sebas- hind by decades of Soviet nuclear line petition to the governments of world tion to national, regional and global account that, in the past, weapons tian Kurtz that it would host the weapons testing in Semipalatinsk,” the world urging the entry into force The conference reflected the economic growth and sustainable have been eliminated after they have third such conference already in the Vassilenko continued. “Already, of the CTBT. evolving cooperation between gov- development; the impact of such been outlawed. We believe this is the autumn of this year. beginning in 1997, the UN General “But we can and must achieve ernments and civil society, as many a detonation on global health; and path to achieve a world without nu- Such statements were echoed Assembly has accepted six resolu- greater results, as we believe the think tanks and nongovernmental the risk of nuclear blasts and other clear weapons,” the Mexican chair by many others, including Angela tions on international cooperation voices of people throughout the organisations were not only pre- effects of the detonation of nuclear said in the summary. “In our view, Kane, UN High Representative and the coordination of activities in world must be heard more clearly sent but were given equal time to weapons. A summary of the con- this is consistent with our obliga- for Disarmament Affairs, who said rehabilitating the people, the envi- and more loudly,” he added. “And speak at the event. Organisers have ference, presented by its Mexican tions under international law, includ- “stigmatising nuclear weapon states ronment and the economic develop- we will continue with this quest, sought to achieve this balance from chair, outlined reasons for banning ing those derived from the NPT as in their absence will not achieve the ment in the Semipalatinsk region. In working together and in full under- the beginning. nuclear weapons completely and well as from Common Article 1 to disarmament goals; we need a mean- view of ongoing state programmes standing with like-minded global “It is important to deepen our specific approaches to further ad- the Geneva Conventions.” ingful dialogue.” India and Pakistan, and international assistance coor- initiatives such as the Internation- understanding of the effects of nu- vancing the process of nuclear dis- “The broad-based and compre- two nuclear weapon states, sent dinated by the UN Development al Campaign to Abolish Nuclear clear weapons by approaching the armament in the world. hensive discussions on the humani- representatives to both Norway and Programme, we can say there is al- Weapons (ICAN), International global and long-term consequences “The wide range of damage and tarian impact of nuclear weapons Mexico. On the other hand, Israel, ways a need for a more coordinated Physicians for the Prevention of of a nuclear detonation, accidental negative impact in the likelihood of should lead to the commitment of which is believed to have nuclear approach and more active participa- Nuclear War (IPPNW), Parliamen- or deliberate, from the perspec- a nuclear explosion, as well as the States and civil society to reach new weapons but has neither acknowl- tion by the international community tarians for Non-Proliferation and tive and variables of 21st century vast resources allocated to maintain international standards and norms, edged nor disavowed statements to in this process.” Nuclear Disarmament (PNND) and society,” the Mexican Ministry of and modernise nuclear arsenals, through a legally binding instru- this effect, has not sent representa- “We strongly support all the many others.” Foreign Affairs said in a statement make the mere existence of these ment,” the summary continued. “It is tives to the conferences. statements made at this confer- Conference participants were prior to the event. “Governments, weapons absurd, question the argu- the view of the Chair that the Nayarit In Mexico, Vassilenko and his ence calling on nuclear weapon shown a brief documentary pre- international organisations and civ- ments in their defense and ultimate- Conference has shown that time has colleagues also reported on Ka- states to engage in more vigorous pared by ICAN with the support il society are invited to participate ly are contrary to human dignity,” come to initiate a diplomatic process zakhstan’s efforts to rehabilitate ar- activities toward fulfilling the goal of the ATOM Project dedicated to with multisectorial delegations, at the summary said. conducive to this goal. Our belief is eas affected by nuclear tests. Roman of nuclear disarmament, including the tragic consequences of the use the expert level, with specialists in “Actions such as the entry into that this process should comprise a Vakulchuk, a Kazakh national and as prescribed by the Nuclear Non- and testing of nuclear weapons and areas such as public health, human- force of the Compehensive Nuclear specific timeframe, the definition currently a researcher with the Nor- Proliferation Treaty,” the Kazakh the need for a total ban on nuclear itarian assistance, environmen- Test-Ban Treaty as a core element of the most appropriate fora, and a wegian Institute of International Re- diplomat said. “As a country that re- weapons in the world. tal issues and civilian protection, of the nuclear disarmament and nu- clear and substantive framework, lations (NUPI), also presented a joint nounced one of the world’s largest As Vassilenko noted: “We believe among others, as well as diplomats clear non-proliferation regime and making the humanitarian impact of report by NUPI and two research nuclear arsenals, which we inherited the more nations adhere to such prin- and military experts.” the achievement of a comprehen- nuclear weapons the essence of dis- institutions from eastern Kazakhstan from the former Soviet Union, we ciples of human relations as dialogue, Along with representatives from sive outcome in the 2015 Nuclear armament efforts.” on the lingering long-term health and will continue to work with all our mutual trust and mutually beneficial nations, the conference was attend- Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) The summary concluded, “It is environmental effects of the 40 years partners in urging more progress to- cooperation and follow the exam- ed by experts from the UN and UN Review Conference, together with time to take action. The 70th anni- of Soviet nuclear weapons testing on ward global nuclear disarmament.” ples of countries that have already organisations such as the World the discussions on the humanitarian versary of the Hiroshima and Naga- the region and its people. Regarding the ATOM Project, renounced nuclear weapons, the Health Organisation (WHO), the impact of nuclear weapons, are mu- saki attacks is the appropriate mile- “We are grateful to the interna- Vassilenko added that close to overwhelming majority of countries International Organisation for Mi- tually reinforcing processes,” the stone to achieve our goal. Nayarit is tional community for recognising 80,000 people from more than 100 in fact, the greater chance we will gration (IOM), the UN Institute for document said. a point of no return.”

Kazakhstan also joins other establishment of nuclear-weapons countries in campaigning for the free zones, including the establish- development of a convention pro- ment of such a zone in the Middle Nation Marks 20 Years of Accession to NPT, hibiting nuclear weapons. East. It further believes that the “An important step to achieve United Nations should play the key this goal should be a Universal role in resolving global problems Declaration of a Nuclear Weapons and meeting the challenges of the Calls for Treaty’s Universality Free World, initiated by Kazakh- 21st century. By George D. Gleboff icy,” the ministry said. “The threat testing, which has already received and nuclear security in the world,” stan at the United Nations, to ex- “If entrusted by UN member states of nuclear proliferation, as well as tremendous support from the world the ministry said. press the commitment of all states and elected a nonpermanent member ASTANA – Kazakhstan calls on of materials and technologies re- community,” it added. Kazakhstan also stands for the be- to move successively toward the of the UN Security Council for 2017- all countries to work to strengthen quired to create it, especially in the Kazakhstan is also preparing to ginning of negotiations and the early ideal of a world without nuclear 2018, Kazakhstan is ready to take re- the global nuclear nonproliferation face of the rising terrorist threat, is host the IAEA International Bank development of the Fissile Material weapons,” the ministry said and sponsibility and to promote nuclear and disarmament regime and to reaf- one of the most serious threats to of low-enriched uranium and is cur- Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) which would urged international support for the disarmament and nonproliferation at firm their commitments to key trea- international security.” rently finalising talks with this UN be an important step towards nuclear adoption of the declaration. the UN Security Council,” the min- ties in this area, and says it is ready Calling the NPT “a time-tested agency on a host nation agreement. disarmament and nonproliferation. Kazakhstan also supports the istry said. to work with partners on developing most important international instru- “We believe the development of a convention prohibiting nuclear ment providing global and regional multilateral approaches to nuclear weapons, the country’s Foreign Min- stability,” the ministry said, “it is fuel, including the creation of guar- istry said in a statement on Feb. 17. important to achieve an effective and anteed nuclear fuel reserves, will The statement was issued to mark balanced implementation of the trea- promote the peaceful uses of nuclear the 20th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s ty in line with its three components: energy,” the Foreign Ministry noted. accession to the Treaty on the Non- nuclear disarmament, nonprolifera- In 2013, Almaty hosted two rounds proliferation of Nuclear Weapons tion and cooperation in the peaceful of talks between the six nations – the (NPT) as a non-nuclear weapons use of atomic energy.” five permanent members of the UN state. It was at the White House on Kazakhstan is actively involved Security Council plus Germany – Feb. 14, 1994, that President Nursul- in international efforts to build a and Iran over its nuclear programme, tan Nazarbayev presented the coun- world free of nuclear weapons and during which the foundation was laid try’s NPT ratification document to ensure nuclear safety. “During the for further progress in these talks. U.S. President Bill Clinton, one of 20 years of participation in the NPT, Kazakhstan has actively partici- the depositaries of the treaty. our country through practical actions pated in the two nuclear security The NPT entered into force in 1970 has made a significant contribution summits held in Washington, DC, and is considered the cornerstone of to achieving the objectives of the in 2010 and in Seoul in 2012, and is the nuclear nonproliferation regime. treaty,” the ministry noted. planning to participate in the upcom- Yet not all of the commitments of the It listed concrete steps such as the ing summit in The Hague in March treaty, which was extended indefi- closing of the Semipalatinsk nuclear 2014. “We consider it important to nitely in 1995, have been fulfilled, test site in August 1991, the with- achieve a common understanding including the obligations of the five drawal of the world’s fourth largest of the threat posed by nuclear terror- recognised nuclear weapon states – nuclear weapons arsenal from its ism and to take measures to ensure Britain, China, France, Russia and territory by 1995 and the elimina- that nuclear facilities, material and the United States – to disarm their tion of its entire supporting infra- technology are invulnerable and do nuclear arsenals. Additionally, four structure, as well as the creation, not fall into the hands of terrorists,” countries critical to the nonprolifera- with four other regional countries, the ministry noted. tion regime remain outside the treaty of a zone free of nuclear weapons in Kazakhstan is a party to all inter- – India, Pakistan, North Korea and Central Asia by 2009. national instruments regarding the Israel. The first three are known to Another step has been the adop- nonproliferation of nuclear, chemical have nuclear weapons, while Israel tion by the UN General Assem- and biological weapons. The country is believed to have them, although bly, at Kazakhstan’s initiative, of a also actively participates in the activ- it has never recognised nor rejected resolution proclaiming August 29, ities of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, statements to that effect. the day of the closure of the Semi- the Code of Conduct Against Ballis- “In order to achieve a world free palatinsk test site, International Day tic Missile Proliferation (the Hague of nuclear weapons, Kazakhstan Against Nuclear Tests. Code), the Zangger Committee, the calls upon all states parties to reaf- “We believe this will contribute Proliferation Security Initiative, the firm their commitment to the NPT to the objectives of peace, banning Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear and to their commitments under the nuclear tests around the world, raise Terrorism (GICNT) and the Global Treaty, to the decisions of the NPT awareness and educate the public Partnership on Nonproliferation. Review Conference and to practi- on issues of nuclear disarmament In addition to calling for strength- cally implement the agreements, as and nonproliferation. We call on all ening the NPT, the Foreign Ministry well as to ensure the universality of countries and international organi- also called on states not party to the the Treaty,” the Foreign Ministry in sations to observe the International Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Astana said in its Feb. 17 statement. Day against Nuclear Tests,” Kazakh- Treaty (CTBT) or which have not “Strengthening international nu- stan’s Foreign Ministry stated. yet ratified the treaty to do so to en- clear disarmament and nonprolif- “Kazakhstan initiated the ATOM sure its early entry into force. “We eration and its basis – the Treaty Project (Abolish Testing. Our Mis- believe it is necessary to strengthen on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear sion.), an international petition cam- the CTBT verification mechanism as Weapons – has been one of the pri- paign designed to unite public opin- one of the most effective tools to en- orities of Kazakhstan’s foreign pol- ion around the world against nuclear sure nonproliferation, disarmament B Nation&Capital

Wednesday, february 26, 2014

People Culture Sports Watchmaking Master Has Seen the Kazakh Film “Bauyr” Wins Prize at Dignitaries Visit Kazakhstan’s Sochi Hands of Time B2 French Youth Film Festival B3 Hospitality House B7 Ten Wins Kazakhstan’s First Ever Idea of Dropping Medal in Olympic Figure Skating ‘Stan’ from By Ilyas Omarov and Jan Furst SOCHI – Kazakh figure skater Kazakhstan Denis Ten won bronze in the men’s individual competition at the Sochi Winter Olympics, Kazakhstan’s best Generates Domestic, Olympic figure skating result ever and the first medal for team Kazakh- stan at these games. Ten, 20, has en- joyed the support of his countrymen Int’l Discussion and fans around the world, especial- By Michelle Witte land of the Kazakhs” or “Kazakh ly after his silver-medal finish at the nation” in Kazakh.) world championships in Canada last ASTANA – At a meeting at a People in Kazakhstan have been year, where he came in second to lo- school in Atyrau on Feb. 6, Presi- discussing a name change for some cal favourite Patrick Chan, but won dent Nursultan Nazarbayev sug- time. In March 2013, an online peti- standing ovations from the crowd. gested what has been in the air in tion on the Onlinepetition.kz web- In Sochi, Ten was among the Kazakhstan for years now – that site suggested changing the English favourites, but facing some of the the country drop the “stan” from version of the country’s name to world’s best, including Chan and its name. the Kazakh Republic. The petition two-time Olympic gold medallist “The name of our country has explained that the ‘stan’ links Ka- Evgeni Plyushenko of Russia skat- the ending ‘stan,’ as do the other zakhstan with troubled states like ing on his home ice, was bound to states of Central Asia,” he said, as Afghanistan and said the new name be intimidating. reported by his official website, would help increase tourism and Ten, however, said he never Akorda.kz. “At the same time, bolster public pride, among other stopped believing in himself and foreigners show interest in Mon- benefits. The petition generated was eager to get the first medal for golia, whose population is just 2 fewer than 400 responses, not all his nation of 17 million. million people, and its name lacks positive. “Right after my performance, I the suffix ‘stan.’ Perhaps, in time, Nazarbayev’s recent statement, went to a gym to exercise. There the question of changing the name however, has drawn international at- are two such gyms at the Iceberg of our country to Kazak Eli should tention. Articles in The Atlantic and rink where the figure skating be examined, but first this should the Washington Post have reported events were held. While pedalling definitely be discussed with the or taken a position on the issue. the stationary bike, I could watch people.” (“Kazak Eli” means “the Continued on Page B5 the main contenders on the screen. On one hand, the anticipation was not easy; on the other hand, I could distract myself a little,” Ten com- mented. “I didn’t follow closely what was Government, UNDP going on with other athletes and tried not to build up high hopes to avoid a disappointment,” the skater Denis Ten brought Kazakhstan the first ever Olympic bronze medal in men’s figure skating. Work to Modernise said, laughing. “This [bronze med- al] was a big gift for me.” what he had to do after falling him- and Yuzuru reacted to this news, as in in particular. It is a pity that they On Feb. 13, Russia’s top skater, self during the short programme they skated in a different group.” didn’t win medals, but I hope that Plyushenko, retired after a landing earlier. Ten was also concerned about my medal will bring luck to our Housing and Utilities that “felt like knife in the back,” he “I skated in the short programme the Kazakh Olympic team national team. Perhaps my medal said, during warmups right before after the first warm up, so whenI got throughout the games and closely won’t be the only one [for us],” the short programme. However, on the ice, Plyushenko had retired,” followed other athletes. “I watched Ten said. Services Ten was already determined to do he said. “I didn’t know how Chan Alexey Poltoranin and Denis Kuz- Continued on Page B7 By Rufiya Ospanova The project will develop and test, in a pilot territory [Prigorod- The government of Kazakhstan nyi Village in Astana’s Yessil Dis- and the United Nations Develop- trict], a model of modernisation ment Programme (UNDP) are and the subsequent efficient man- Pavlodar Artist’s Paintings working together to reduce green- agement of housing and utilities house gas emissions by creating a services (HUS), services for main- model for modernising inefficient taining safe residences; provision district heating and other systems of quality municipal and utilities Exhibited in Astana in Kazakhstan’s small cities. Al- services to the population through By Alina Usmanova exander Belyi, a UNDP manager increasing the economic viability, Aksu, in the Pavlodar region, is Nauruzova’s main themes are of the joint project, which is 80 being showcased in the Has Sanat nature, usually spring and sum- environmental friendliness and re- percent funded by the government liability of life-support systems in ASTANA – The work of painter Gallery in an exhibition that will mer scenes, and representations of Kazakhstan, spoke with The Zhanetta Nauruzova, an artist from run from Feb. 18 to March 10. of light play a large part in her housing and municipal infrastruc- Astana Times about their goals and ture, primarily heating, water sup- achievements. ply and electricity systems. … What is the goal of the project? Continued on Page B4

Things to Watch Zhanetta Nauruzova february-march work. She paints the landscapes around her hometown, often in- corporating historical images. Horses, significant in Kazakh culture, appear frequently, some- AStana Opera times captured in the midst of a race. Flowers are another favour- February 28 at 19.30 Music Contrasts ite image. of the 20th century “Nauruzova likes to paint flow- ers, peonies and roses. Her still life paintings with flowers are like an congress hall etude [a short musical performance designed to demonstrate skill] and February 28 at 19.30 Vyacheslav Butussov and are shown with big colourful spots Nautilius pompilius band concert without unnecessary specification. March 2 at 19.00 Swan lake and Dream A spontaneity in creating impres- of Margarita ballet sions runs through all her work, despite the subject and genre,” Maxim Gorky state theatre Ardaq Yussupova, candidate of art history said. February 28 at 18.30 Lonely Apple Tree At the opening of the exhibition, her first inA stana, Nauruzova met guests and described the meaning Kazakh National University behind her pieces. She said she has of Arts been painting since childhood and hates to leave her workshop. Fans February 28 at 29.00 Wind-band concert of Nauruzova’s paintings from Russia bought most of her collec- Kazakhstan Central tion. Nauruzova graduated from the Concert Hall Gogol Almaty Art College. Her works are in public and private March 3 at 19.00 Stas Mikhailov concert collections in Kazakhstan, Russia, Tatarstan, Israel, the U.S. and other Equines are the preferred subject for the artist from Pavlodar. countries. B2 Nation&Capital People

Wednesday, february 26, 2014 Woman Finds Success Watchmaking Master Has in Railway Work Seen the Hands of Time By Chingiz Tashenov highest category in her profes- searches for these defects using By Natalia Dvoryaninova sion. ultrasound devices. AKMOLA REGION – Nurgul Railway work is demand- Khamzina graduated from the PAVLODAR – For nearly forty Khamzina is a rarity: a woman ing and difficult. Khamzina is College of Transport in Kokshetau years, Akhmet Toleubayev has employed in a high-tech railway been dissembling and reassem- profession. Khamzina is a ra- responsible for detecting the and is now taking a correspond- bling watches and clocks. He diographer at the rail car repair slightest cracks and defects in ence course at the Kazakh Din- came to this profession in the depot at Burabai Station. She has the automatic couplers that con- mukhamed Kunayev University of 1970s right after finishing school. worked at Burabai for five years nect freight trains, work which Railways in Astana. She has two Today, he is so skilled in his pro- and has reached the sixth and requires extreme accuracy. She daughters. fession that people say, “This man can repair almost every- thing!” Toleubayev willingly shares his experience and knowledge with others, but over the course of his career as a watchmaker, he has taught only six apprentices. He says that not everyone can be taught jewelry work. A watch- maker must have desire, ability and, most importantly, persever- ance because this work is very meticulous and painstaking. “I like my work and I can- not help doing something all the time. It’s not for me to sit idling. In this way, you don’t notice the time fly and we are practically always short of it. Time must be A watchmaker must have desire, ability and, most importantly, perseverance valued, but not wasted,” he said. because this work is very meticulous and painstaking. Repairing watches and clocks work. Watches take in the own- well as solid Swiss, American has become increasingly com- ers’ energy. Toleubayev says that and Japanese watches. He once plicated as technology has ad- some people believe mirrors are restored a French striking clock vanced. Apart from technical harmful to use because they store that was a 300-year old family complexities, they also require an negative energy and that watches heirloom. individual approach. are the same way. Therefore, they Pocket watches at one time Watches are just like people, must be taken seriously. given to veterans, regarded now says Toleubayev. They have their The watchmaker praised a So- as family heirlooms, are also own character, like their masters. viet-era Zvezda watch that was brought to him for repairs. The more troubled the master, the recently brought to him. The more difficult it is to make the owner wears it all the time, but Toleubayev himself has long watch work and the more often it it is in ideal condition. In forty worn a Polyot watch and now is breaks. Watches can also tell you years, it has never needed repair. wearing a simple Japanese watch. a lot about the owner, he adds. This was the first time. At home, he has several clocks, At times, old dilapidated and The master has had to work mostly in the kitchen. They never much worn watches are easy to with all sorts of watches, at times disturb him even when they strike fix, while brand-new ones won’t as expensive as a new SUV, as late at night. B3 Nation&Capital Culture

Wednesday, february 26, 2014 New, Massive National Folklore Collection Presented By Maksut Irzhanov lished by Astana’s Foliant pub- to the Kazakh people and the en- lishing house. tire international community our ASTANA – A 100-volume series Speaking at the presentation, spiritual treasure and rich historical of Kazakh folklore called “Babalar Minister of Culture and Informa- heritage: the 100-volume series of Sozi” (Kazakh for The Words of tion Mukhtar Kul-Mukhammed Kazakh folklore, ‘Babalar Sozi,’” Ancestors) was presented at the reminded attendees that “Babalar Kul-Mukhammed said, addressing National Academic Library of the Sozi,” “One Thousand Songs of the audience of public figures, writ- Ministry of Culture and Informa- the Kazakh people” and “One ers, poets, scholars and readers. tion of Kazakhstan on Feb. 20. Thousand Kazakh Kyuis” had all Kaskabassov expressed his The collection, by authors Seit been published under the Madeni gratitude to the Ministry of Cul- Kaskabassov, head of the Mad- Mura programme developed in ture and Information for their help eni Mura (“Cultural Heritage”) 2003 on the President’s instruc- State Programme’s folklore sec- and support and noted that Kazakh tion, and Ualikhan Kalizhanov, tion. folklore is a great spiritual wealth. director of the Mukhtar Auezov “I am sure this edition will open Many countries collect, publish Institute of Literature and Art, broad opportunities for all people and study their folklore and art. contains 20 volumes devoted to get acquainted with the rich her- According to speakers at the pres- solely to heroic epics. There are itage of the Kazakh people. For re- entation, however, no other coun- also 13 volumes of historical searchers, it is a good opportunity try has researched, collected and epics, 13 volumes of novelistic to more closely study the folklore,” published such a massive edition poems, eight volumes of love he said. The minister expressed his of folklore. In some countries of novels, seven volumes of reli- gratitude to Kaskabassov, Kalizh- the post-Soviet space, this work is gious poems and five volumes anov and Kalizhanov’s staff. just beginning. of folk tales. Smaller genres “Everyone knows the saying, Even this massive collection within the folklore tradition are ‘Time to scatter stones and time isn’t complete, Kalizhanov said. represented in sets of 1-3 vol- Mukhtar Kul-Mukhammed (l) and other officials were excited to launch the new 100-volume of collection of epic stories to gather stones.’ Now, it’s time Material exists to fill 25 more vol- umes. “Babalar Sozi” was pub- and poetry. The authors say there’s enough material for 25 more volumes. for us to gather stones: to present umes. Feltwork Master Kazakh Film “Bauyr” Wins Prize Teaches Kazakh at French Youth Film Festival By Alina Usmanova Grand Prix for best film. An hon- best feature film by a young - per picture took part in the Five Con- orary prize for the best feature film son. tinents programme of the 37th In- ASTANA – “Bauyr” (Kazakh by a young person went to “Weight The world premiere of “Bauyr” ternational Film Festival in Goth- Traditional Craft for “younger brother”), by Serik of Elephants” by Daniel Borgman took place at the Horizons compe- By Rufiya Ospanova enburg. Each must be worked a different Aprymov, won the Confederation (Denmark, New Zealand, Germa- tition of the 70th Venice Interna- way. of Art Cinemas (CICAE) award for ny, France, Sweden). tional Film Festival. Immediately ASTANA – Astana’s Shezhire “The unique art of the Kazakh best film in the international fea- Ciné Junior promotes pictures after the festival in Venice, the film The world premiere Gallery and the Women of the people was formed under the ture films competition at the 24th aimed at children and teenagers. was shown in the main competi- Steppe Public Foundation brought conditions of nomadic life and in Ciné Junior international film fes- of “Bauyr” took together Kazakhs and foreigners in many aspects was defined by the The festival awards a grand prize tion programme of the ninth Eura- tival held in Val-de-Marne, France Astana at the Ramada Plaza Hotel nature of nomadic production. The for the best film plus 8,000 euros sia International Film Festival and place at the Horizons on Feb. 10 for a lesson in making emergence of its main items was from Jan. 29 to Feb. 11. “Bauyr” for its distribution in France; a received two awards, the award for competition of felt products. conditioned by the need to deco- was produced by Kazakhfilm. CICAE prize for the best film as Best Director and the Network for Zamzegul Oralbayeva, who led rate yurts and their furniture. Thus, “On the Eve” by Karim Mous- voted for by children from 6 to 15, the Promotion of Asian Cinema the 70th Venice the class, is president of the Wom- the production of carpets, wall saoui (France, Algeria) won the as well as an honorary prize for the (NETPAC) award. In January, the International en of the Steppe and a member of decorations, wrought felt bags, Kazakhstan’s artists’ union. With chair covers and clothes was de- Film Festival. the Shezhire Gallery, she set out veloped,” Oralbayeva said. to attract public attention to the “The folk imagination attached Immediately after recovery of the dying folk art of magic meanings to ornaments and feltwork and traditional Kazakh the festival in considered certain patterns neces- methods of felting. Kazakh orna- sary for the successful develop- Venice, the film mentation and its meaning were ment of a household,” Oralbayeva also main topics of the class. was shown in the Kazakh traditional culture was said. present in every detail of the set- The most famous motif in Ka- main competition ting. Baursaks (traditional fried zakh felt carpets is the qoshqar programme of dough balls) were served with muiyz, Kazakh for sheep’s horn, tea, an integral part of the national which symbolises wealth and pros- the ninth Eurasia culture. Felt and feltworking tools perity. The horn motif has become International Film were the centrepiece of the hall. a felt-work calling card. “There are not many people in Kazakh felt carpets are pressed, Festival. Kazakhstan who know the ancient not woven. After laying the base technique of making felt clothes, and arranging the decorations, decorations, blankets and other the whole piece is sprinkled with “Bauyr” will take part in the things. Zamzegul is one of those soapy water and pressed, then Panorama of World Cinema pro- people who treasures the culture of squeezed and dried. Participants in gramme of the 42nd FEST Inter- our people and is ready to share her the class executed these processes national Film Festival, which will knowledge with you at our master and left with a handmade piece of be held from Feb. 28 to March 9 in class,” Roza Zhussupova, director felt art. Belgrade, Serbia. of the Shezhire Gallery, said when The master class was held as FEST is one of the major cul- opening the class. part of the Shezhire Gallery’s pro- tural events of southeast Europe. To start the class, Oralbayeva gramme for supporting and reviv- In its more than 40-year history, showed participants the difference ing Kazakh national traditions. the film festival has been attended The next event will be the open- in structure between spring and au- by about 4 million viewers, and tumn felt. Spring felt is light and ing of artist, architect and designer more than 4,000 films have been can be coloured, while autumn felt Bakhtybek Talkambayev’s exhibit is stiff and sticky and cannot be dedicated to Kazakh spirituality, shown. This year, 75 films from 30 coloured because of its structure. Mangilik Yel, on Feb. 19. countries will be shown. “Bauyr” will be shown on March 1 and 3 in Belgrade’s Fontana and Cultural Centre cinemas.

Feltmaking has been growing in populatiry both among local crafts people and expatriates living in Kazakhstan. Top: Serik Aprymov is delighted to receive the award at the festival in Val-de-Marne, France. Above: A scene from his movie. B4 Nation&Capital Country

Wednesday, february 26, 2014 Government, UN Development Programme Work to Modernise Housing and Utilities Services Continued from Page B1 system of automated control that proposal of the beneficiary itself, all changes. The second target of will provide the akimat (city ad- the government: the then Agency monitoring will be owners, and the There are about 60 small towns ministration) with information for Construction Affairs (now a third, specialists in the sphere of in Kazakhstan, with the total pop- about what is going on there. committee at the Ministry of Re- energy management. ulation of about 1.5 million. This We will share our experience gional Development) and the Ka- is a serious reason to work on in five regions, five smaller loca- zakhstan Centre for Modernisation Where do you plan to hold modernisation of municipal hous- tions where training seminars will and Development of Municipal training seminars? ing economy. Municipal housing be held for various target groups, Housing Economy. This village We are planning to hold semi- economy of small cities is in much mainly the owners of apartment will be used as a model. … After nars in five regions but we haven’t worse situation than in large cities buildings, akimats, heat-supplying introducing our system there, we specified which. We will send a or regional centres. This relates companies and other communal can introduce the model around letter to local authorities in the to the heritage of the past when enterprises. the country. middle of this year and in autumn proper repairs were not done. All Another reason for choosing the we will start holding seminars. In- those problems worsened. Build- What is the role of the UNDP in village is its proximity to Astana. terested regions will be chosen and ings, systems of water and gas the project? Astana is a large political, cultur- we will go there and hold semi- supply were of worse quality than Alexander Belyi, a Kazakhstan national and a UNDP manager of the joint pro- The UNDP renders support – we al and trade centre and the centre nars. We are still working with the in big cities. The issue of energy ject, is keen to make a contribution to building a better energy saving system. implement pilot demonstration fa- where decision-makers are concen- towns of Shuchinsk, Atbasar and efficiency is closely related to the in their own houses to reduce costs The third component is related cilities showing the advantages or trated. Showing them some innova- Yereimentau [all in the Akmola re- quality. If due to the poor quality and increase their comfort. to testing the decisions we made. disadvantages of ideas. This year, tions close to Astana makes it more gion]. Representatives from these of the systems the loss of heat is It started this year. Here, we will we plan to implement several pilot likely that the innovations will be cities attended our seminars, and observed the talk of energy effi- How does the project function? create a sample project for mod- initiatives in Prigorodnyi and con- introduced in the country. The third they will be interested in our ex- ciency becomes an empty talk. The project consists of four ernising the municipal housing sider the possibility of installing reason is the proximity of the vil- perience. The task of the joint project is to components. The first one is re- services in apartment buildings. … solar collectors on one of the state- lage to the future EXPO 2017 area. If more than five cities will re- show all the benefits of using en- search. Last year, we collected all The third component will also in- financed institutions (a kindergar- We believe this village will be ex- spond, we will send recommenda- ergy-saving measures, equipment the information about the village; clude decisions related to alterna- ten or school). … emplary. The fourth is proximity tions on the project and propose and materials and approaching the buildings; the systems of engi- tive energy: using solar collectors, UNDP projects get feedback: we to the international airport. Guests holding such seminars, using the management of the municipal neering, heating, water supply. We installing automated heating units always evaluate our work, iden- coming to the capital will pass this budgetary funds. housing economy from the point elaborated the scenarios through in apartment buildings, replacing tify mistakes we made and work village and see the progress. Cur- We also have a train-the-trainers of view of the quality of the energy which the municipal housing econ- windows with better heat-preserv- on them, and if we see inefficient rently, with our Dutch and German manual for advanced training in structure and the benefits of energy omy would develop in this locality. ing ones. measures, we correct them. colleagues, we are thinking about the sphere of energy efficiency saving. … Another task is to find a We already have the final reports; The fourth component will start the possibility of constructing a in the communal heat supply of point where people will participate they will soon be posted on the by the end of the year. It includes How did you choose Prigorod- solar plant in Prigorodnyi to show buildings. More than 40 trainers with local authorities and suppliers UNDP website for the project. monitoring what will be done and nyi? the progress of the country in this were trained and went to the re- of resources to find compromises The second component is almost experience sharing. … We imple- Prigorodnyi is a part of Astana, direction. In the coming month, gions to hold seminars themselves. to repair the systems. … Over the finished. In addition to the techni- mented 17 projects and we are but this village is separate from the we will make a decision regarding In this project, the most impor- past years, our 17 projects have cal measures, we are implement- monitoring them according to our city. It has its own boiler-house, its constructing this plant. tant thing is the process, how to showed that it is possible to im- ing organisational ones. They are indicators. The first is an economic own heating network; previously, Who will monitor the changes reach the result. We cannot go to prove efficiency and reduce costs. aimed at modernising the man- indicator, the second one is envi- it was a separate location. We be- after the project is complete? every city and show how to change With small investments, it is possi- agement system of the municipal ronmental and the third is a tech- lieve this is a model where we can We will try to do that. The con- the system, but we can show the ble to achieve 25-45 percent ener- housing economy. We also consid- nical indicator. Similar monitoring try all energy-saving measures. … cept of monitoring will follow process. In all our final publica- gy savings. People see the advan- ered the possibility of reforming will be implemented in Prigorod- Before choosing the territory, several target directions. The first tions, we write how we reached tages and they are ready to invest communal services. nyi. We also plan to introduce a consultations were held. It was the is the city akimat responsible for our results, step-by-step. Kazakh Students Produce Domestic Enterprises to New Cheaper, Low Be Involved in Pavlodar Pollution Water Filter Petrochemical Plant Upgrade and Bagdad Satybaldiyev, under By Yekaterina Beskorsaya the tutelage of candidate of chemi- cal sciences Bolat Uralbekov, set a PAVLODAR – Kazakh busi- nesses will make significant con- goal of eliminating heavy metals tributions to the modernisation of from drinking water using natural the Pavlodar Petrochemical Plant, minerals such as glauconitic sand- said Gavit Kurkimov, deputy gen- stone and diatomite. The two min- eral director of Rominserv SRL, erals create a dual-layer filter which the project’s general contractor. cleans water in two stages, from In July 2013, the Pavlodar Pet- pre-cleaning to final purification. rochemical Plant and Rominserv The use of local raw materials sig- signed a contract worth $1.072 nificantly reduces production costs. billion for the design, supplies The students’ research so far, and implementation of the project. using modern physicochemical Earthworks will begin at the re- methods, has shown that these finery as early as April. After the minerals are very effective for upgrade, Kazakhstan will have a purifying water with excess lead fundamentally new breed of fac- ions. The minerals are in no way tory. General director of the enter- Students of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University developed a filter that may inferior to the activated carbon prise Shukhrat Danbai said that in be presented at EXPO 2017. commonly used in water filters, addition to an increased process- By Raushan Shulembaeva ogy Park may be presented at though activated carbon is much ing capacity of up to 7 million tonnes of hydrocarbons per year, EXPO 2017 in Astana, its creators more expensive than glauconitic Businesses will modernise the Pavlodar Petrochemical Plant in line with the the entity will be able to process signed contacts. ALMATY – A filter for purify- say. The filter is one of the first limestone and diatomaceous earth. 5.5 million tonnes of domestically tial suppliers of goods and services ing drinking water using nano- such devices to be produced in According to the young inventors, and local content department produced oil (originally the plant the main algorithm of procurement listed containers, tanks, separa- structured minerals developed at Kazakhstan. their filter is capable of cleaning was designed to handle West Si- and criteria for the selection of tors, fireproof paints, metallic the Al-Farabi Kazakh National The developers, students Assylb- 100 cubic metres of drinking water berian oil). An equally important participants. structures, pales, soil, concrete, University Science and Technol- ek Aimurzayev, Nikolai Kiyashko before recharging. modernisation goal is transition- “The modernisation of Kazakh- gravel and other products as ones ing to producing all types of mo- stan’s refineries will allow them now produced in Kazakhstan that tor and diesel fuel at Euro-4 and to satisfy 100 percent of domestic were previously imported from Euro-5 standards. Today, the Pav- fuel demand and improve product the country’s CIS partners. Local lodar plant manufactures fuel that quality. Rominserv SRL has set a skilled workers will be recruited meets the requirements of Euro-2. goal to involve Kazakhstan sup- to work on upgrading the Pavlodar Customs Union Helps Local Among other things, the enterprise pliers and manufacturers in the Petrochemical Plant. seeks to increase the depth of oil modernisation project. For this “We are not going to procure a processing from 85 to 90 percent. purpose, the company created a large staff from abroad during the Recently, a meeting on local con- new department called the Kazakh main stage of the project, but it is Industry Expand tent development during the mod- Content Service to monitor and an- necessary to bear in mind that the By Svetlana Abenova A new Vostok-Boilers plant pro- double tax on VAT [value-added ernisation of the plant was held alyse the local goods and services ducing insulated pipes was opened tax], which was 30 percent of the in Pavlodar and was attended by modernisation of the petrochemi- UST-KAMENOGORSK – a year ago through the State Pro- cost of production. [After joining Kazakh producers of technological market,” Kurkimov said. cal industry is a very serious task. Vostok-Boilers in Ust-Kame- gramme of Accelerated Indus- the CU] it became much easier equipment, representatives of the Progress has already been made All equipment that will be deliv- nogorsk has been active in the trial and Innovative Development to win the markets of Russia and large industrial enterprises Kazen- in this area. In December 2013, ered here must be approved by development of the town and the (SPAIID), with a focus on creat- Belarus,” said Plant Director Serik ergocable, Petropavlovsk Heavy the company signed its first in- major licensors, so it is quite un- region. Now, with the Customs ing environmentally safe prod- Akberdin. Engineering Plant, Belkamit En- dustrial order, which was $3.18 derstandable that some specialists Union (CU) and further Eurasian ucts. With the establishment of the No less important than the eco- gineering Plant LLP, Pavlodar million with the Kazakh company will be invited from overseas. But economic integration, the compa- Customs Union, the plant has been nomic advantages, Akberdin said, Energo Stroy and others. Officials Belkamit for three columns weigh- most workers and managers will ny is expanding even more. able to expand production and is the increased awareness of re- from the Kazakhstan Ministry of ing 423 tonnes. It’s worth noting be local hires,” Kurkimov said. The first plant began produc- begin to produce pipes with gal- gional producers. Russian and Oil and Gas, Ministry of Industry that earlier, products of such com- Rominserv is a member of the ing small boilers in 2003. Today, vanised coatings. Regional Akim Belarusian consumers now come and New Technologies, KazMu- plexity in technology projects were Rompetrol Group (a 100 percent it is involved in the construction (Governor) Berdybek Saparbayev with proposals for cooperation to nayGas Processing and Marketing, imported from Russia and other subsidiary of KazMunayGas). In of internal and external water and noted that the new plant should the East Kazakhstan entrepreneurs. the Pavlodar regional administra- Commonwealth of Independent Kazakhstan, they have already sewer systems, heating pipelines, bring additional revenue to the re- “We are also working to im- tion, the National Chamber of En- States (CIS) countries. implemented a number of pro- water tanks and pumping stations, gional budget. prove the proportion of local con- trepreneurs, the Union of Service The range of products and ser- jects, including the reconstruction and not only in the regional cen- “With the creation of the Single tent. Today, the metal pipes are Companies and the Union of Engi- vices that can be purchased from and modernisation of the Atyrau tre. An increasing number of vil- Economic Space, the interaction of delivered from Pavlodar and the neering Companies of Kazakhstan local companies is quite wide. refinery and the technical supervi- lagers now have clean drinking the regions reached a qualitatively galvanised cover is supplied by also attended the meeting. The Dauren Akhmetov, KazMunayGas sion of construction of a road bi- water at home through Vostok- new level. After all, before join- Pavlodar and Karaganda oblasts,” main objective of this interactive Processing and Marketing’s gen- tumen plant at the Aktau Plastics Boilers’ systems. ing the CU, our businessmen paid said Akberdin. platform was to explain to poten- eral manager of the innovation Plant. B5 Nation&Capital Society

Wednesday, february 26, 2014 Joint UNDP, Gov’t Projects Eliminate Barriers for Vulnerable Populations By Rufiya Ospanova disabled people to spend their lei- visitors with limited mobility pur- sure time. chased by the theatre. People with ASTANA – The United Nations The centre is intended for 15 hearing disabilities will be able to Development Programme (UNDP) people, but there are plans to ex- attend the Abai Theatre in Semey is working with the national gov- pand. It is equipped with a so- and engage in the social and cul- ernment on a joint programme to called sensor room with modern tural life of the city more fully. improve the competitiveness of the equipment including a massage On the day of presentation of the East Kazakhstan region through chair, an oxygen concentrator and project, deaf and hearing-impaired the implementation of innovative a rehabilitation compression train- visitors watched a play for the first approaches to the planning and de- er, which guests at the centre will time in their lives. The project was livery of social services. be trained to use. The centre pro- allocated 1,488,571 tenge (about The programme covers pro- vides meals, access to a physiolo- US$8,050). jects intended to improve access gist and classes with an exercise Museum Without Barriers, a 1.5 to social and economic services therapy instructor. million tenge (about US$8,100) for vulnerable groups in Semey, The project will facilitate a grad- project, provided the opportunity for Kurchatov, Ust-Kamenogorsk and ual transition from hospitals to an 12,000 disabled people in the Semey the most affected areas of the East expanding network of organisa- area who had suffered as a result of Kazakhstan region, based on the tions providing social services Soviet nuclear tests to get informa- example of the Semey area. It is in daytime care institutions. The tion about exhibits at the Nevzorovs financed by Kazakhstan’s small centre is one way of addressing East Kazakhstan Regional Museum grants programme. the need for new, alternative forms of Fine Arts. The project developed As part of their joint programme, of medical and social assistance special programmes for hearing-im- several projects improving social aimed at improving quality of life. paired people to be able to listen to and economic services and creat- The centre was allocated 1.5 mil- presentations of museum exhibits. ing a barrier-free environment for lion tenge (about US$8,100) from A film, “3D museum,” was created people with disabilities and people programme funds. and will be broadcast on a special Project Manager Rauan Kaliyev shows audioguide to hearing-impaired people. with limited mobility have been A project in Semey, Theatre screen presenting paintings in sign implemented for the first time in Without Barriers, creates an acces- language. The projects productions tenge (about US$3,500) will be The project is intended to improve services. The implementation of the country. sible environment for persons with and programmes will be posted on provided to create an area for peo- access to key information, particu- these projects will also draw the One of the projects was the es- disabilities by providing for audio the Nevzorovs museum website, ple with special needs. A special larly about state services. attention of the public, nongov- tablishment of a Daytime Care and video descriptor and TV and which will be available for viewing table adapted for the disabled, “Implementing projects like ernmental organisations and me- Centre for elderly and disabled audio equipment for broadcasting at home for those who cannot visit a wheelchair and special equip- this will help test new, innovative dia to solving social problems and people. The purpose of the centre theatre events in sign language. the museum. ment, including an amplifier for mechanisms and implement inter- will achieve long-term positive is to prevent overcrowding at el- This, incidentally, will also create The Information Without Bar- the hearing-impaired, an electron- national best practices for improv- changes in society,” Project Man- derly care homes and to provide jobs in the region. To further im- riers project will be implemented ic magnifier for documents and a ing access to economic and social ager Rauan Kaliyev explained. medical and social services as well prove access, a modern roll-ramp in the Semey public service cen- magnifier with a highlighter for the services. All projects are aimed at The projects will be implemented as a pleasant place for elderly and was installed and a wheelchair for tre. Under the project, 661,245 visually impaired, were purchased. improving the delivery of social annually at state institutions. Idea of Dropping ‘Stan’ from Soyle.kz Helps Teach Kazakhstan Generates Domestic, Kazakh Language By Galym Terensay The online course soyle.kz zakhstan, Russia, China, the U.S., (Kazakh for speak) offers lessons Germany, the UK, Turkey and International Discussion The Kazakh State Language De- in the basics of grammar, reading other countries. More than 6,000 velopment Foundation launched in and writing and an understanding users have signed in and started December of last year www.soyle. of commonly used spoken lan- learning. kz, which helps website visitors guage. It contains a lot of useful learn the Kazakh language. Au- information on pronunciation and What are the plans ahead? thor and Director of the foundation the translation of new words, vo- More than five million ethnic Azat Shaueyev recently discussed cabulary cards, vocabulary notes Kazakhs are now living outside the project with The Astana Times. to the lessons, standard phrases, Kazakhstan in 43 countries, wish- situational dialogues, audio and ing to learn the language. And for What prompted the idea to video materials, exercises, tests, those who do not speak Russian, launch soyle.kz? reference materials and a lot more. for English speakers, as well as The Kazakh language is becom- The dialogues simulate real situ- for the five million future guests ing the language of education, sci- ations from everyday life for the arriving in our country for EXPO ence and the Internet in Kazakh- learners to overcome the language 2017, we are going to work out a stan. There are also a variety of barrier and develop confidence in special programme. The working textbooks and manuals on the Ka- their abilities. language will be English, while zakh language and it’s good when There are lessons for beginners the Kazakh version is to be in the there is a choice. Both online and with more advanced levels coming Latin alphabet, which is familiar to distance learning are time impera- soon. most foreigners and Kazakhs liv- tive in the age of information tech- ing abroad. nologies. [This Kazakh language Are many people interested in The portal will be regularly up- resource is now available] and studying the Kazakh language? dated with new lessons, materials saves a lot of time and resources. Sure they are, and our portal’s and a section for children, too. We statistic points to a growth of inter- recommend visitors check for up- What exactly does your website est in it. Over the two months, the dates. A mobile application will be offer? site has had 40,000 visits from Ka- added soon.

The suffix ‘stan’ and its connotations have long challenged leaders and governments in Central Asia in their efforts to distinguish themselves from other regional neighbours. Kyrgyzstan has officially changed its name to the Kyrgyz Republic in the 1990s, while Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs published a book titled “Kazakhstan: The Misunderestimated Stan” in 2010. Continued from Page B1 on Feb. 7. “Would a name change they present themselves,” he said, help Kazakhstan? Geographically, it but by what they do. “Changing the “[Kazakhstan is] wonderfully di- couldn’t hurt. Flubbings of Central wrapper doesn’t change the sweet.” verse, and there is a case to be made Asian nations’ names are common, Kazakhstan, with the biggest for a name that more fully reflects even among those who should prob- economy in the post-Soviet space, is that,” wrote the Washington Post’s ably know better.” currently one of seven Central Asian foreign affairs blogger, Max Fisher, There is also support for the ‘stans.’ Though it has received more on Feb. 7. Fisher wrote in support of change within the country. “I fully than $180 billion in foreign invest- a name change, though not necessar- support the president’s proposal to ment since independence, the coun- ily to “Kazak Eli” but to something rename our country Kazak Eli,” try still isn’t well known outside of more reflective of Kazakhstan’s di- Mukhtar Taizhan, president of the energy circles, despite having an ac- versity. When suggesting the pos- Bolatkhan Taizhan Foundation, as tive multilateral foreign policy and sible change on Feb. 6, Nazarbayev quoted by Total.kz. He said the new taking part in many regional and himself restated that he thinks Ka- name would be simpler and more international organisations. Hosting zakhstan’s ethnic diversity is one of appropriate, as it comes from a Tur- the international exhibition EXPO its great strengths. kic rather than Persian root and Ka- 2017 in the capital, Astana, is one ‘Stan’ does indeed affect Kazakh- zakh is a Turkic language. (“Stan” way the nation is working to get on stan’s image in the West, said Rus- is an ancient Persian suffix meaning the global map. The country is also sian political scientist and Direc- “place of” or “country.”) Taizhan campaigning for a non-permanent tor of International Programmes at also said anyone of any ethnic group seat on the UN Security Council for the National Strategy Institute Yuri living in the renamed country should 2017-2018. Solozobov, as quoted by Interfax. be considered fully “Kazakh.” The country’s capital city got a by. Western media and even major Simon Anholt, an independent new name in 1998, shortly after it political figures tend to refer to the policy advisor and leading brand was moved from Almaty to the Ak- five Central Asian states as a unit, strategist for regions, told the BBC mola region. The names of a number despite their differences, he said. in an interview on Feb. 7 that a name of other cities and towns have been “Nursultan Nazarbayev noticed that change would be “an incredibly ir- changed since independence, some- this … greatly hinders the inflow ritating thing to do to the planet,” times reverting from Russian names of economic investment and blurs given the changes it would neces- to older Kazakh names. Kazakhstan’s brand as a successful sitate to communications services, ‘Stan’ can have a way of stick- country in the world,” he said. postal services, visas and more. He ing, however. Kyrgyzstan became “There’s a certain stigma associ- said costs would run to billions of the Kyrgyz Republic in 1993, but is ated with the suffix ‘stan,’” wrote dollars. “People don’t judge coun- rarely referred to that way both in- Matt Ford on The Atlantic’s website tries by their names or by the way side and outside of the region. B6 Nation&Capital Tourism

Wednesday, february 26, 2014 Five Historical and Cultural Tourism Clusters to Be Developed across Country

Five regional clusters for tourism in Kazakhstan will be developed through the new Concept for the Development of Tourism to 2020. Charyn Canyon (left photo) is in the Almaty region, while the Burabai area (right) is in the Akmola region.

By Nurlan Bapanov one of the main directions of the tive World Heritage list, including syk mounds and Talgar settlement tural Reserve and the Alakol State Heritage list. This cluster will also concept, as are short breaks or mounds built by the Tasmolinsk all of which are on UNESCO’s Nature Reserve. be expanded to include the Merke ASTANA – The Tourism Indus- weekend tours. Both aim to boost culture, the tombs of the Begazy- tentative World Heritage list and The South Kazakhstan cluster Turkic sanctuary, the Barsakelmes try Committee of the Ministry of tourism to sites of historic or cul- Dandybay culture of the megalith- the Boralday Saka mounds includ- includes parts of the Kyzylorda, Nature Reserve, the Zhetyasar oa- Industry and New Technologies of tural significance, as well as to the ic period and Silk Road towns like ed on the transnational Silk Road South Kazakhstan and Zhambyl sis and the Siganak settlement. Kazakhstan has identified five re- nation’s nature reserves. the Bozok settlement. World Heritage nomination. regions. Key places of tourist in- The Western Kazakhstan cluster gional clusters for tourism in Ka- Five main natural, cultural and The Almaty cluster includes The East Kazakhstan cluster terest are the city of Turkestan, will include parts of the West Ka- zakhstan. They will be developed historical clusters are to be de- the city of Almaty and part of the consists of the northern and east- with the World Heritage-listed zakhstan and Mangystau regions, through the new Concept for the veloped first. The Astana clus- Almaty region. Key tourist des- ern part of the East Kazakhstan re- mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yas- with places of interest like the Development of Tourism to 2020. ter includes the city of Astana, tinations include the UNESCO gion. Key places of interest are the sawi; the medieval Otrar and Otrar Beket-Ata, Shopan Ata and Kar- Marat Igaliyev, chairman of the the Akmola region and parts of World Heritage-listed archaeologi- Bukhtarma Reservoir, Irtysh Riv- oasis ruins; the Karatau State Na- aman-Ata underground mosques; Tourism Industry Committee, pre- North Kazakhstan, Pavlodar and cal landscape of Tamgaly, with its er, Zhaisan Lake, Katon-Karagay ture Reserve; the Sairam-Ugamsk the mausoleums of Omar and Tur; senting the information in a report Karaganda regions. Key natural petroglyphss; Charyn Canyon; the National Park, Markakol Lake, State Park; Baikonur Cosmo- the necropolis of the Mangyshlak to the Mazhilis, said the concept places of interest are the Burabai, Kapshagay Reservoir; the ski area Kalzhir Canyon, the Ridder-Ana- drome; Kyzylorda, Saryagash and peninsula; the Bokey Horde mon- contains a set of measures for de- Kokshetau, Buiratau, Karkaraly near Almaty and the Ile-Alatau tai and Ivanovskiye mountains and Taraz cities and the Sauran ruins, uments; Sherkal Mountain; the veloping tourism and associated and Bayan-Aul national parks. Park; the Zhana Ile tourism centre; the city of Semey. There are plans Arpa-Uzen petroglyphs and Aksu Karagiye-Karakol protected areas; industries in Kazakhstan. Cultural Karaganda City is on the list, as the petroglyphs of Yeshkiolmes; to expand this cluster to include Zhabagly Nature Reserve current- Ustyurt State Nature Reserve and tourism, including guided tours, is well as sites on UNESCO’s tenta- the Altyn Yemel National Park, Is- the Berel State Historical and Cul- ly on UNESCO’s tentative World the Kenderli resort. Piano Festival Hopes to Draw Musical Tourism to Astana By Tatiana Bek in Central Asia and has the poten- tial to attract many tourists from ASTANA – Travel companies abroad. To do this, according to in Kazakhstan are developing tour festival organisers, it is neces- packages for foreign visitors wish- sary to provide standardised tour ing to attend the Astana Piano Pas- packages that include a trip to sion festival of classical music this Lake Borovoye and other places May. of interest, allowing visitors to see The festival, which began in some local colour. Tourist firms 2013 with the online broadcast- will be ready to present their pack- ing of performances by gifted ages in early March. children and piano stars, aroused The second Astana Piano Pas- a lot of interest among lovers of sion international festival will be classical music from around the held on the major modern concert world. Many spectators regretted grounds of the capital from May then that they could not come to 10-16. Guests and citizens of Asta- Astana and personally see and hear na will be able to attend concerts the performances. That’s why this and master classes with today’s year, festival organisers and the best musicians and teachers. The National Association of the Tour- festival is also an opportunity to ism Industry of Kazakhstan decid- establish international contacts, ed to prepare tours in advance and support young talent and promote invite music lovers to the capital of the music of Kazakh composers. Kazakhstan. Works by Kazakh composers are Encouraging foreign tourists included in the compulsory pro- to come to Kazakhstan is one of gramme of the young musicians’ the main tasks of developing the competition. tourism sector in the country, ac- The deadline for applying to the cording to representatives of the Astana Piano Passion competition, National Association of the Tour- organised by the Accordi di Astana ism Industry, which comprises Ka- public fund with the support of the zakhstan’s large travel companies. municipal administration and the Astana Piano Passion is the larg- Moscow Philharmonic, is March est competition of young pianists 15, 2014.

Women in Kazakh national costumes welcome the participants of the Piano Pas- sion Festival in Astana last year. B7 Nation&Capital Sports

Wednesday, february 26, 2014 Ten Wins Country’s Dignitaries Visit Kazakhstan’s First Ever Medal Sochi Hospitality House in Olympic Figure Skating

By Askar Beissenbayev ity house are tourists, foreign jour- Culture Tastanbek Yessentai and ing Astana and Almaty’s ability nalists and guests who have been President of the National Olym- to host large international events SOCHI – The Kazakhstan Hos- presented with Kazakh culture and pic Committee of Kazakhstan praised these capabilities. pitality House opened by President national cuisine. Temirkhan Dosmukhanbetov Prince of Monaco Albert II, an- Nursultan Nazarbayev during one One of the first officials to visit discussed Kazakhstan’s athletic other guest of the house, said he of his visits to the Sochi Olympics was President of the Internation- facilities, while visiting the hospi- wanted to visit Kazakhstan during venue hosts all image-building al Olympic Committee Thomas tality house. EXPO 2017 and believes President activities, EXPO 2017 outreach Bach, who supports Kazakhstan’s Head of the Department of Nursultan Nazarbayev’s ideas help efforts and Kazakhstan’s bid for bid to host the twenty fourth Win- the Russian President’s Affairs build a positive image of the coun- Almaty to host the 2022 Winter ter Games. Vladimir Kozhin also visited the try in the world and contribute to Olympic Games. Chairman of the Kazakhstan hospitality house, and after re- development of peaceful relations The main guests of the hospital- Agency for Sports and Physical viewing its information concern- between the nations. Nation’s Boxers Win Four

Continued from Page A1 celebrity. “I never considered my- self a media person, as I consider Countries-2014 Tournament The Kazakh skater said he was myself an athlete first of all,” Ten By Alina Usmanova not sure about the world cham- said. “I am fortunate that people pionship this year. “I don’t want want to socialise with me, ask me ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s na- to plan ahead of time; I have had for interviews. But first of all,I am tional boxing team won the Four problems with my health through- an athlete. Sport is my top priority Countries-2014 boxing tourna- out this tough season. I skated and I am planning to stick to it in ment, which ended here Feb. 20. here in Sochi in different skates – the near future,” he said. In the tournament’s final round, one pair was made of leather and Ten hosted a skating show with Kazakh boxers defeated the Rus- the other from a different material. figure skating stars last year and sian team with a landslide score My shoes are from two different wants to repeat such a show in of 7:3. The victories were won by pairs. I have had various injuries Kazakhstan by inviting some of Birzhan Zhakipov (49 kg), Kairat this past season. My skate broke, his figure skating counterparts Yeraliyev (56 kg), Zakir Safiullin I had to change it to another one, from all over the globe. His only (60 kg), Sagadat Rakhmankulov then I couldn’t get used to it and concern is that the show was (69 kg), Dauren Yeleusinov (81 eventually strained my left foot. named after him, and he’d like kg) and Anton Pinchuk (91 kg). There has been a tonne of these to change it to something bigger, Yerlan Tamemov (52 kg), Almas- situations. So far, I have been something like, “Kazakhstan In- bek Alibekov (64 kg) and Rustam planning to pay more attention vites Friends,” he said, “to place Svayev (75 kg) were defeated. to my own health after Sochi, as the emphasis on our country first The Russian team did not par- my feet have been a concern dur- of all.” ticipate in the over 91 kg category. ing the past season, including at But he’s not leaving the ice rink The Kazakh team also defeat- Sochi,” Ten said. yet. “Figure skating is a tough ed the Uzbek team 7:3 and the Despite massive media exposure discipline, and I am not planning team from the United Kingdom in his native Kazakhstan, Ten pre- to stop yet. Time will tell,” the 8:2 on their way to the tourna- fers to stay an athlete rather than a skater said. ment victory.

it in Sochi, would contribute a lot to our lives in Kazakhstan in a positive Sports Official Praises Ten’s and Team’s Sochi Effort, way,” Makhmetov explained. According to Makhmetov, Al- maty 2022 could happen because Upbeat About Almaty 2022 Olympic Bid “the main contenders like Davos and Munich are out, as you well By Jan Furst not in Russia. I was also surprised Korean short track skater, as Russia tions and she replied likewise, know. As for Oslo, the government by the work of volunteers. They did with Viktor Ahn, who won three only then it struck me, what if the is pro Games but the people don’t ASTANA – The Feb. 7 to Feb. were very friendly, helpful, always gold and one bronze for team Rus- judges would favour the American support the initiative, so there is 23 Olympic Games in Sochi once smiling, wishing athletes luck and sia in Sochi and has become a six- for bronze and Denis would end up only Krakow that proposes a two- again were watched by peple from to come back again. It was an eye- time Olympic medalist. fourth, and I had already texted all town Olympic games that contra- every corner of the Earth and dem- opener for me. It was not my first “I can’t exclude the possibility congratulations for the bronze. But dicts the main idea of the Games to onstrated the discipline, determina- time in Russia, but for the first time, of attracting a South Korean short good thing is Denis remained in be held in one town. Then there is tion and sportsmanship that bonds I encountered such sincere inten- track skater to Kazakhstan, but he third,” Makhmetov said. Beijing that just hosted the summer nations and continents. tions,” Makhmetov said. must be their top skater and only Ten did remain third thus bring- Olympics [in 2008]. But since the The Kazakh national Olympic “As for our athletes, they had a one, as Russia did.” ing Kazakhstan a historic medal. next Winter Olympics are going to team included approximately 50 fighting spirit. I witnessed it my- Makhmetov also knows Ten per- “Afterwards, we took Denis out to be in South Korea, I don’t think [the athletes who competed against the self. I think Roman Krech (seventh sonally and was among the first to celebrate,” Makhmetov said. Olympic committee] would grant best in the world. Spectators around in 500-metre speed skating) and predict he would do well. Makhmetov was also among the the bid to another Asian country. In the globe saw the Kazakh national Denis Kuzin (seventh in 1,000-me- “I have known Denis [Ten] for first ones to hold the medal. “It was Aidar Makhmetov this sense, I think Almaty would be flag when the country’s top figure tre speed skating) did their best, and many years and now I happen to very heavy, and it is a symbolic com- in the final with Oslo.” skater Denis Ten won bronze on their results should be considered as coordinate his progress as part of pensation for the heavy, hardy work major world event would record He went on to explain that the Feb. 14. good ones. Moreover, I spoke to the the Samruk Kazyna fund. What I and injuries Denis had to withstand Almaty and Kazakhstan into sports Winter Games in Norway in Lille- Among the Kazakh team’s main head coach of the short track team like about him is his determina- to get it. It was his second Olympic history for centuries. Undoubt- hammer in 1994 have been praised sponsors in Sochi, and London in Madygali Karsybekov, who im- tion, his professionalism and his Games in his career. I think his third edly, all [people around the globe] for over two decades. 2012, were the Samruk Kazyna Na- pressed me very much. I think the approach to work,” Makhmetov Games in South Korea will be even will discover Kazakhstan–that’s Makhmetov also assured that both tional Welfare Fund and Presidential fact that the short track team made it said. “Preparing for the Olympics, more successful.” one. Second, the whole city infra- Samruk Kazyna and the Presiden- Professional Sports Club Astana. to the finals (placing fifth in the end) he set a goal and was never side- Also in Sochi, Makhmetov met structure would change. Preparing tial Professional Club Astana will Fund Public Relations Director and … is a very high result, considering tracked. He had a chance at gold, with Thomas Bach, the Olympic for the Olympics is not just build- continue to contribute financially to Presidential Club Board Member they didn’t have much experience,” considering that both [Canadian gold medalist in fencing in Montre- ing new sports facilities, we have developing sports in Kazakhstan. Aidar Makhmetov traveled to Sochi Makhmetov said. ” This sport I silver medalist Patrick] Chan and al in 1976, and currently the ninth enough of that, but also re-shaping “We are not only doing it finan- as a sponsors representative. think has a very high potential in [eventual gold medalist Yuzuru president of the International Olym- the architecture of the city. On cially, but also administratively. We “I had never been to Sochi before, Kazakhstan, considering that there [Hanyu] fell. But due to figure pic Committee. the whole, the Games might even hope to cooperate with the Sports but I could imagine what it was like are eight medals in this event. I skating politics, we understand “He initiated the conversation change the mentality of people for Agency. I am also very glad that Ka- before. And I saw with my own eyes think we should focus on this sport. that bronze is best we can get. and started asking about Almaty. the better concerning some negative zakh citizens are getting involved in what the city has transformed into,” It’s a fast, dynamic event. If Kore- Denis skated earlier than most of The bid to host the Olympic Games traits we have.People will start ap- sports and supporting their country- Makhmetov told The Astana Times ans are good at it, why can’t we try his opponents and stayed on top in 2022 in Almaty is controversial preciating nature more, respecting men and teams. I hope the govern- in an exclusive interview. it as well?” for quite some time, then when the in Kazakhstan. Many don’t favour cleanliness and order, all these dis- ment will continue to strengthen the “I couldn’t but help thinking that Makhmetov also did not exclude last opponent was skating, I texted it. I don’t handle this question, but ciplines [people] and the infrastruc- role of sports in Kazakhstan,” he I was somewhere in Europe and the possibility of attracting a South Denis’s mother with congratula- I would like to say that hosting the ture that remains afterwards, as I see added. B8 Nation&Capital Capital

Wednesday, february 26, 2014 Astana’s Production is Growing, Service Sector Needs Development, Mayor Says

akim of Astana Imangali Tasmagambetov is confident in the city’s industrial development prospects. By Gulyaim Tulesheva ipal authorities want services to be 80 percent of GRP. ASTANA – Akim (Mayor) of “The capital is growing rapidly, Astana Imangali Tasmagambetov but the service sphere isn’t always reviewed the city’s progress and keeping up. Small and medium- discussed economic goals at a sized businesses should be diversi- public meeting in Astana on Feb. fied to meet the modern principle 19. Major achievements include of step-by-step availability and growth in industrial production expand the net of their branch ac- and support for small and medium- tivities. That’s why the state fully Tasmagambetov said. “By 2017, we the past three years, 45 percent sphere of urban infrastructure, the devaluation of the tenge. Today in sized businesses; goals include di- supports business initiatives [and] have every possibility of increasing of the city’s industrial production mayor said. The ambitious BRT the capital there are 3,999 recipi- versifying the service sector. lending to entrepreneurs,” said Tas- the number of small and medium- volume. Industrial production in project – high-speed buses, run- ents of social assistance. As one of the seven values of magambetov. In 2013 alone, more sized businesses to 60,000.” the capital has doubled since 2010, ning in specially allocated lanes, The mayor spoke positively the Mangilik Yel (Eternal Nation) than 6,000 businesses received A significant proportion of the 1 from 111 billion tenge (US$600 – is intended to relieve the public about the recent correction in the national idea expressed by the real assistance under the Business trillion tenge (US$5.4 billion) allo- million) to 263 billion tenge transport system and prepare the tenge exchange rate, saying it President in his recent state-of-the- Road Map 2020 state programme, cated on the President’s instruction (US$1.42 billion) in 2013, Tas- capital for hosting EXPO 2017. In would help curb the growth of im- nation address, the capital is taking he said. Tasmagambetov also not- from the National Fund in 2014 magambetov reported. June this year, construction of the port volumes, revive the internal a growing role in the development ed that today, small and medium and 2015 to provide the real eco- By 2017, the mayor said, the in- first BRT line will be launched. Its market, support domestic produc- of the country, Tasmagambetov businesses are helping develop the nomic sector with credit resources dustrial park’s output will be about completion is scheduled for 2016. ers and save Kazakhstan’s gold said, and last year laid a solid middle class, which the President will be also available to small and 250 billion tenge (US$1.39 billion) Regarding social issues, Tas- reserves. In addition, he said, the foundation for growth. Gross re- says is of major importance. medium-sized enterprise in the annually and over 8,000 new jobs magambetov said that the amount measure will increase the incomes gional product (GRP) amounted to “Already today, small and medi- capital, he said. are expected to be opened. Tax rev- of children’s and social benefits of exporters and the state budget, 2.7 trillion tenge (US$14.6 billion) um-sized business accounts for 67 An industrial park created to enues will quadruple and reach 70 and targeted social assistance will attract additional financial resourc- and industrial enterprises pro- percent of tax revenues to the city implement investment projects in billion tenge (US$378 million); the be increased from April 1, 2014 es to the Kazakh economy and al- duced goods and rendered services budget. The volume of their prod- the capital has produced goods and share of local content in goods and not by 12 percent, but by 16 per- low the state to reinvest money worth more than 263 billion tenge ucts over the past year made up 1.2 services worth more than 120 bil- services will approach 70 percent. cent, according to the President’s from exports into the domestic (US$1.4 billion). By 2020, munic- trillion tenge (US$6.5 billion),” lion tenge (US$649 million) over Much work is to be done in the orders on social support after the economy.

Closing the event, Demeisen- Demeisenova’s benefit even- ova revealed the meaning of the ing was the second in a number event’s name. “It’s not true that of upcoming benefit evenings. Evening of Music and Poetry Benefits some people are born to creep The benefit evenings are held as and others to fly. All of us come part of the monthly series of po- to this world with wings, but eve- etry readings that began in March ryday fuss, concerns, problems 2013. In the future, organiser Young Astana Writer and limits that we set ourselves Yelden Sarybay plans to publish By Rufiya Ospanova ing, Demeisenova performed po- throw us back on earth. Don’t let poems by contributors and also ems accompanied by guitar and anyone stop your flight. Fly, cre- have them translated into other ASTANA – A benefit evening read short stories. ate and believe in wonder.” languages. for young Astana poet Aliya De- meisenova was held in the capital’s Black Duck restaurant on Feb. 22. Poetry readings have been held every month at the Black Duck and in other venues in Astana for the better part of a year. This one, “Let Me Fly,” featured paper planes with Demeisenova’s po- ems printed on them and began with a violin performance by Ali- na Guchshina, who often accom- panied the poet as she read. “I started to make up poems be- fore I learned how to read,” De- meisenova said in her introduc- tion. “By the time I reached the second grade, my mom took me to the Shuchinsk district newspa- per editor, Stepan Avdeyuk, who became my first critic and tutor. The newspaper became the first place I could be published. My first poems were about nature. I was born in the beautiful Boro- voye area and it was impossible for me not to write. Everything Young Astana poet Aliya Demeisenova I write is closely related to my life.” The first part of the event was mostly dedicated to lyrics and vio- lin music. Demeisenova made the event interactive, giving guests pa- pers on which to write questions or wishes. They could also fly paper planes containing poems they want- ed to hear read. Some of the poets at the reading made up poems dedi- cated to Demeisenova on the spot. “The evening was held in a romantic atmosphere matching Aliya. When you hear a serious comparison of happiness with a cat, you start to think about what happiness means. It may be loneli- ness or its absence; it may be the city where one wants to live and love; it may be people whom you change and who change you,” said Liya Tarazi, another young poet from Astana. Alina Guchshina In the second part of the read-