+28° / +16°C WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017 No 16 (130) www.astanatimes.com A milestone Swiss President meets with Economy grows 4.2 percent, in non- Kazakh counterpart, attends other indicators positive Nurly Zhol programme, noting that proliferation By Aigerim Seisembayeva this year 356 billion tenge ($1.1 billion) has been allocated for road Editorial national day at EXPO 2017 ASTANA – The Kazakh economy construction and 600 km of roads grew 4.2 percent, the unemployment have been built. By the end of this he long-awaited launch rate was 4.9 percent and investment year, 469 km of roads will become of the Low Enriched in fixed assets increased 3.7 percent toll roads, including the Astana- Uranium Bank on Aug. over the first seven months of this Temirtau route. The first operating 29 is a bright spot in year, according to a report presented toll road in Kazakhstan, he said, Twhat has been a gloomy period of August 7 by Kazakh Prime Minister generates up to 1.5 billion tenge increasing international tension. Bakytzhan Sagintayev to President (US$4.5 million) per year, covering It is a practical solution to help Nursultan Nazarbayev. the cost of construction. tackle two of the most serious Inflation increased 0.1 percent The Nurly Zher programme also global challenges. It is also a compared to June last year, food built in the first six months of this model of what can be achieved prices declined 0.5 percent and the year 5.5 million of 10.2 million through vision, persistence and level of oil production exceeded 100 square metres it hopes to complete cooperation. percent in all regions except, Kyzy- by year’s end. The two challenges for which lorda and Mangistau, where the level “My opinion,” said President Naz- the bank can help provide answers of oil production decreased. Authori- arbayev in response to the report, “is are, of course, climate change and ties are working with those regions that the government is working hard. nuclear proliferation. Both seem to use new reserves. I call on everyone: we have to work more pressing by the day. The country’s industrial pro- hard until the end of the year in or- As extreme weather events gramme launched 31 projects in der to end up with good performance continue to grow in frequency the first quarter and plans to launch indicators. There are risks, price fluc- and severity, scientists warn that 69 projects in the second quar- tuations for our energy resources, this is just a foretaste of what ter, creating 10,000 jobs, reported raw materials, perhaps the influence uncontrollable climate change Sagintayev. of Western sanctions against Russia. will mean. Heatwaves, storms Sagintayev also reported on the This must be taken into account.” and flooding, which just a few decades ago were rare in their ferocity, are now becoming both commonplace and affecting far swissinfo.ch. Photo credit: larger areas. By Aigerim Seisembayeva Nazarbayev during the meeting at Centre, which will be located here, But tackling climate change has the Akorda. has very good development pros- Kazakhstan and to be done in a way which allows ASTANA – Swiss President He also noted the high level of pects. I also confirm that Swiss economies to continue to grow. Doris Leuthard paid her inaugu- cooperation between the nations businesses have a great interest in Without offering countries the ral visit to Kazakhstan Aug. 11 and expressed hope for its contin- deepening relations with Kazakh- chance of improving living stand- to unveil Swiss National Day at ued progress. stan,” she said. Afghanistan improve ties ards, we are not going to bring EXPO 2017 and meet with Kazakh “For Kazakhstan, Switzerland Speaking at the opening of the measures directed at improving the about the fundamental switch we President Nursultan Nazarbayev. is a very important European part- Swiss National Day at expo, Leu- By Malika Orazgaliyeva region’s transit potential and pros- need from fossil fuels. Kazakh-Swiss cooperation docu- ner. We cherish our relations and thard stressed the exhibition could pects for bilateral cooperation for Wind, solar and other green ments were also signed as part of seek to develop them further. Our become the basis for building a ASTANA ­­– Afghan Chief Ex- railway construction. Educational energy resources are going to the trip. trade turnover is growing and we sustainable future. ecutive Abdullah Abdullah trav- collaboration was also mentioned. have an increasingly larger role The discussion between the two are interested in expanding Swiss “The world is changing. The elled to Kazakhstan Aug. 19 to leaders acknowledged the 25th an- businesses’ participation in our environment, human values and Sagintayev congratulated Ab- in driving sustainable economic unveil Afghan National Day at niversary of diplomatic relations economy. To date, there are 300 stability are a big challenge in dullah on his nation’s 98th Inde- growth. So, too, will nuclear EXPO 2017 and meet with the between the countries and covered Swiss enterprises operating in Ka- the 21st century. EXPO 2017 un- pendence Day celebrated that day. power. As countries are already country’s high officials and busi- developing bilateral political and zakhstan and the number can grow. der the Future Energy theme can The latter then met with Kazakh showing, nuclear power plants ness circles. economic cooperation. I hope your visit further deepens become a fundamental pillar in officials and investors, where the can be a major part of the energy Abdullah met with Kazakh Prime “I welcome your first visit to our economic and political rela- building a sustainable future on sides agreed to expand trade and mix, helping economies grow Minister Bakytzhan Sagintayev to our new capital. On Aug. 1, Swit- tions,” he added. the planet. More important is the transit relations between the coun- without burning fossil fuels. discuss further developing trade zerland celebrated Swiss National Leuthard thanked the Kazakh interconnection and interdepend- tries, according to tolonews.com. It is why nations in many parts and economic cooperation, as well Day and I congratulate you on this leader for the meeting and congrat- ence among energy supply, healthy Addressing the audience, Abdul- of the world are either actively as implementing the agreements occasion. You also opened the na- ulated him on the expo’s success. ecology, humanitarian efforts and lah said his team will further dis- developing or considering starting concluded by presidents Nursultan tional day at the expo today. I hope “The Nur Alem pavilion is in- our duty to create social, political cuss ways to improve facilities for their own civilian nuclear pro- Nazarbayev and Ashraf Ghani in you enjoyed it. Your visit to the deed very impressive. I think that and economic stability. Afghan investors in Kazakhstan. He grammes. the Kazakh capital in Nov. 2015, Continued on Page A6 expo is very important to us,” said the Astana International Financial Continued on Page A8 also highlighted the need for wider reported primeminister.kz. financing by Kazakh investors. The parties also reviewed the Continued on Page A8 ATOM Project ambassador pleads to recognise National investment strategy nuclear threat, stand up against it all, the day of remembrance of the ficials launched the Semipalatinsk seeks 26% foreign investment By Dmitry Lee fallen as a consequence of the nu- nuclear polygon,” he said calling clear tests. the test site by its Russian moniker. ASTANA – The people of Ka- “As long as I have the strength “I think that back in those Cold zakhstan have multiple stories to and the opportunity to speak about War times every country wanted to increase in five years share on the eve of the Aug. 29 it, I will speak about it out loud,” show its militaristic superiority. I which are considered the most im- International Day against Nuclear he insisted. can’t comprehend to this day why By Yerbolat Uatkhanov portant to attract new investments. Tests, because this day is part of “I was really pleased that on fate chose Kazakhstan to be used The first group includes industries, their fate, part of their national Aug. 6 a Japanese delegation for the nuclear polygon. They said ASTANA – The Kazakh govern- such as food production industry, identity. came to my house and spoke to because it was a country with a ment approved Aug. 15 a national deep processing of oil, gas and oth- Along the thorny path the coun- me about the consequences of the small population with vast steppes, investment strategy for 2018-2022 er natural resources, and mechani- try had taken there lie countless nuclear explosions,” the artist said. the damage inflicted by explosions which seeks to increase foreign in- cal engineering. The second group stories of 1.5 million lives which “As you well know, Aug. 6 and 9, shouldn’t have a big impact. We vestments 26 percent in five years includes sectors such as IT, tourism have been affected by nuclear 1945 are the two black dates in the now, after 40 years, understand and create a more favourable invest- and finances. tests conducted by the USSR from history of Japan and entire human- the true damage to those who lived ment climate. Twenty-seven coun- The minister said the strategy 1949-1991 on the territory of the Karipbek Kuyukov kind. Those are the days when the close by the polygon,” he added. tries were identified as the most im- seeks to attract foreign investments infamous Semipalatinsk nuclear U.S. dropped two atomic bombs “I have been to Japan numerous portant for attracting investments. in non-resource industries to in- test site. on the cities of Hiroshima and Na- times and to the U.S.