+1° / -3°C WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2016 No 21 (111) www.astanatimes.com Kazakh President’s Visit to Japan Focuses China-Kazakhstan on Business Ties, Global Security Cooperation: Towards By Akmaral Berdalina New Horizons TOKYO – President of Kazakh- stan Nursultan Nazarbayev began By Li Keqiang an official visit to Japan Nov. 7 seeking to boost the already strong Two years ago I paid a visit to political and economic relations. Kazakhstan for the first time. This During the meeting with Emperor country impressed me with its of Japan Akihito, the sides dis- magnificent landscapes, abundant cussed bilateral relations. resources and hospitable people. Nazarbayev underlined close China and Kazakhstan have cooperation between the two maintained close cultural and hu- countries in various fields, high- manitarian ties. Deep friendship lighted regular participation of the between the peoples of our two Japanese side in the Congress of countries was established from Leaders of World and Traditional the earliest times during frequent Religions held in Astana, as well contacts via the ancient Silk Road. as noted the close partnership in Since the establishment of diplo- the field of international security, including the issues of nuclear dis- matic relations 24 years ago, our multilateral cooperation have been armament and non-proliferation. relationship has been developing achieved. Continued on Page A6 Nazarbayev underlined Japan’s steadily and considerable results in tremendous contribution in resolv- ing global conflicts and facilitating sustainable regional development. President Nursultan Nazarbayev meets Emperor of Japan Akihito in Tokyo on Nov. 7. He stressed that Kazakhstan will take measures aimed at building bership on the UN Security Coun- including political, trade, economic, independence 25 years ago. De- Charity Bazaar to a nuclear weapons-free world and cil 2017-2018. cultural and humanitarian issues. velopment of friendly partnership solving the issues of energy, food Later, Nazarbayev and Prime Min- Nazarbayev noted that Japan relations with Japan was on top of and water security in the frame- ister of Japan Shinzo Abe discussed a was one of the first countries in Kazakhstan’s agenda. work of its non-permanent mem- wide range of bilateral cooperation, the world to support Kazakhstan’s Continued on Page A3 Bring Hope and Magic to Christmas Season will be her third Christmas Char- EBRD Predicts Growth for Kazakhstan Next By Dmitry Lee ity Bazaar. Osman admits the or- ganisational part can be exhaust- ASTANA – This year’s Christ- mas Charity Bazaar in Astana is ing, but the final result more than hoped to be the largest-ever gath- makes up for the fatigue. Year in New Economic Prospects Report “Nine years ago, the spouses of “Monetary conditions in Ka- gional risks and global and domes- time, inflation is expected to de- ering to date, with 53 embassies By Zhazira Dyussembekova involved and the snazziest prizes ambassadors initiated the idea of zakhstan have improved, the ex- tic security incidents on consumer, cline to 7.5 percent. yet for raffle tickets. organising such an event to get change rate has stabilised and business and investor confidence.” Growth in the Central Asian re- ASTANA – The European Bank However, to the organisers of involved in volunteer and charity gion in 2016 is expected to end up for Reconstruction and Develop- inflation is on a downward trend, In the nearest future Kazakhstan the Dec. 4 event at the Radisson projects and look for ways to help at 2.9 percent, down from 3.6 per- ment (EBRD) has released a new albeit from a high level (infla- will continue to rely on state sup- Hotel, Ambassadors’ Spouses people in need,” she told The Asta- cent in 2015. report on regional economic pros- tion decreased from 17.7 percent port programmes, state-owned and Astana (ASA), this is more than na Times. “Growth in Central Asia slowed pects for its countries of operation year-on-year in July 2016 to 16.6 quasi-state-owned enterprises to just a party – it is a way of mak- Today, the Christmas Charity down further in the first half of 2016, with the promising title “Return to percent in September),” said the drive growth, states the report. ing the world a little brighter on reflecting the region’s strong depend- Bazaar is one of the most an- modest growth.” report. In 2017, the EBRD projects Ka- the eve of the Christmas season, ence on commodity exports and close ticipated events of the year in For Kazakhstan, the organisa- According to the EBRD, factors zakhstan’s growth to reach 2.4 per both for the givers and for those economic ties with Russia. Nonper- Astana. This year, it is being or- tion projects 0.7 percent growth in including low oil prices, subdued cent, as “the external environment who receive much-needed sup- forming loans have been rising in sev- ganised by eight committees and 2016. Last year’s growth rate was growth in Russia and economic improves, resulting in stronger ex- port from the event. eral countries while fiscal pressures 22 spouses of different foreign 1.2 percent. Average annual infla- challenges in China “continue to ports of oil, higher foreign direct For Heba Osman, president of have increased,” the EBRD found. ambassadors. tion for 2016 can be expected to depress growth, which is exagger- investment and increased invest- the ASA and wife of the Egyptian reach 14.8 percent. ated by the negative impact of re- ment domestically.” At the same Continued on Page A4 ambassador to Kazakhstan, this Continued on Page B8 Kazakhstan among Top Global Improvers Astana Pro Team’s in 2017 Doing Business Report Lutsenko Wins Tour more adherence to the rule of law,” tions for minority investors by in- tutional reforms. New measures By Dana Omirgazy said World Bank Chief Economist troducing stricter requirements for aim to reduce the time and the and Senior Vice President Paul immediate disclosure of related- number of procedures and tackle of Hainan ASTANA – Kazakhstan was Romer in a statement recently party transactions to the public, corruption. However, it is not Almaty, won in the category Best among the top 10 improvers in about the bank’s report. increasing shareholder’s rights and enough just to adopt regulations, it By Anuar Abdrakhmanov this year’s World Bank Doing “But we should also remember roles in major corporate decisions, is more challenging to ensure the Asian Rider. Business report, released Oct. 25. “I can say that without my team, that being treated with respect is clarifying ownership and control implementation of these changes,” ASTANA – Kazakh rider Alex- Kazakhstan climbed 16 positions I would not have achieved this vic- something that people value for its structures and requiring more cor- said Chair of the Board of the Al- ey Lutsenko from the Astana Pro since 2015, reaching 35th place tory. The guys worked perfectly own sake and that a government porate transparency. maty Development Centre Zhanna Team won the cycling race Tour in the ranking of the ease of doing Tulegenova in a Facebook post the whole race, always rode ahead, that fails to treat its citizens this The process of getting an elec- of Hainan, which was held in the business among 190 countries. way will lose its ability to lead,” tricity connection was simplified about the new ranking. catching up detachments, pro- namesake province of China Oct. Rounding out the 10 most-im- he added. by eliminating the need to obtain Europe and Central Asia have tected our lead, so it is a victory 22-30. proved economies were Brunei The World Bank ranks econo- an official excavation permit and made much more significant im- of our team,” Lutsenko said after Lutsenko took the lead in the Darussalam, Kenya, Belarus, In- mies on 10 parameters. Among the an inspection by the State Energy provements in business regulation the race. donesia, Serbia, Georgia, Pakistan, report’s categories, Kazakhstan Supervision Committee. Kazakh- than any other region. Kazakhstan, overall standings after the sixth Along with the victory in the the United Arab Emirates (UAE) improved its standing in indicators stan also shortened the time need- Georgia, Macedonia, Belarus, Ar- stage and was able to hold it general classification, Astana Pro and Bahrain. such as dealing with construction ed to obtain the technical condi- menia and Russia have made the through the ninth and final stage. Team won victories in two stages “This significant improvement permits (leaping from 78th to 22nd tions from the utility company and most reforms in Europe and Cen- Second in the general classifica- of the race. Thus, the cycling club has been ensured by four of 10 place), protecting minority inves- signing the supply contract. tral Asia, carrying out more than 30 tion with a delay of 17 seconds was finished the season with a good indicators; namely, by facilitating tors (rising 22 places to third) and Starting a business was made reforms each since 2004. Kazakh- Przemysław Niemiec of Lampre- victory in China. the procedures for obtaining per- getting electricity (rising 27 places simpler by abolishing the require- stan was listed among seven coun- Merida, and third was his team- Tour of Hainan has been held mits for construction, ease of reg- to 75th). Slight improvements ment to notarise company docu- tries in the region to reform across mate Slovenian Matej Mohoric. since 2006. Kazakh riders Valentin istering property, improving the were made in starting a business, ments and founders’ signatures. all Doing Business indicators. Also Lutsenko, who recently Iglinskiy won in 2010 and 2011 protection of the rights of minor- trading across borders and resolv- Trading across borders was This year, Kazakhstan is ranked won the third consecutive Tour of and Dmitriy Gruzdev won in 2012.