+13° / +3°C WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 2019 No 7 (169) www.astanatimes.com President makes first foreign visit to Early presidential election Moscow, reaffirms priority of relations set for June 9; President Tokayev pledges fair and transparent vote mony, firmly move forward, keep By George D. Gleboff on solving the tasks of social and economic development, there is a NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan need to remove any uncertainty,” will hold an early presidential he said. election June 9, Kazakh Presi- “Besides, the situation in the dent Kassym-Jomart Tokayev an- world is changing quickly and nounced April 9. not in the best possible way for Tokayev called for the early us. We must reconfirm the con- election after assuming the office tinuity, predictability and stabil- per Kazakhstan’s Constitution ity of our domestic and foreign March 20 following the surprise policy. We need to continue to resignation of Kazakhstan’s first work on the effective and suc- and only President Nursultan cessful realisation of the social Nazarbayev March 19. programmes and the strategy of Tokayev said he called for the Elbasy,” Tokayev said, referring early election because it was to former President Nazarbayev “absolutely necessary” to ensure who carries the title of the First “continuity, predictability and President of Kazakhstan and El- stability” at the time of political basy (Leader of the Nation in transition and “to remove any un- Kazakh). “This can only be done certainty.” through the direct expression of In a televised address broadcast the will of the people through an on all national television chan- election.” nels on April 9, Tokayev said: “Kazakhstan is a democratic “Kazakhstan took a worthy place state. And the President will be in the international community… elected according to the will of We are living through an histori- the people. As the current head of cal transition… Following my state, I guarantee that the election trips around the country… my will be held in a fair and trans- conclusion is we are moving in parent way. This is my principled the right direction.” position,” Tokayev stressed. “That is why I firmly believe Tokayev also said he consulted the early election of the head state with Nazarbayev on the decision. is absolutely necessary. In order to ensure social and political har- Continued on Page A2 Photo credit: Akorda.kz Photo credit: of the Republic of Kazakhstan Following the talks, Tokayev joint document adopted by the two By Elya Altynsarina – Elbasy Nursultan Nazarbayev and Putin held a joint press brief- heads of state. Kazakhstan to double and also to continue the work on ing in which President Tokayev The two nations also signed a NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh Presi- the comprehensive and active de- briefed the media on recent po- programme of joint actions in the dent Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and velopment of Kazakh-Russian litical changes in Kazakhstan and industrial sector to increase the Russian President Vladimir Putin cooperation,” Tokayev told Putin underlined his intention to develop production of tractors, buses, cars domestic vehicle production, noted the positive state of bilateral at the start of their meeting in the existing ties with Russia. and other vehicles, as well as cre- relations April 3 in Moscow and Kremlin. “The joint statement reflects a ate jobs in Kazakhstan. agreed to simplify cross-border Putin said Tokayev’s visit dem- mutual desire to strengthen the Russia is Kazakhstan’s number build three plants trade during Tokayev’s first for- onstrates a desire to deepen coop- comprehensive Russian-Kazakh- one foreign trading partner with a eign visit as the head of state. eration and ensure the continued stan strategic partnership, and sets 19 percent share of Kazakhstan’s to 60,000 units. The markets of “I intend to ensure the continuity friendship between the peoples of serious tasks for its further devel- commodity turnover. By Yerbolat Uatkhanov the Eurasian Economic Union of the policy of the First President both nations. opment,” said Putin referring to a Continued on Page A3 are very important for us. This NUR-SULTAN – Kazakhstan year, we will begin construction plans to double domestic pro- of a Hyundai passenger car as- duction of automobiles to meet sembling plant, a joint venture demand within the Eurasian Eco- will be established with KAMAZ, nomic Union, according to the and cooperation with the Kirovets Ministry of Industry and Infra- plant will be launched to transfer Kazakh, Chinese foreign ministries sign structure Development. technologies for the production The country will open three new of agricultural machinery compo- vehicle assembling plants jointly nents,” said Minister of Industry cooperation agreement through 2022 with Hyundai, KAMAZ and Ki- and Infrastructure Development rovets. Roman Sklyar at a recent govern- the First President of Kazakhstan, “We plan to increase the pro- ment meeting. By Elya Altynsarina Nursultan Nazarbayev to China. duction of vehicles from 32,000 Continued on Page A7 Later on, the Kazakh minister NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh Min- met with Chinese business lead- ister of Foreign Affairs Beibut ers representing companies such Atamkulov discussed political, as CITIC Constriction, CMC, economic and humanitarian co- China Construction Bank, Grand operation with People’s Republic Farm, Huajin Group that are re- of China Minister of Foreign Af- alising joint projects in Kazakh- Central Asia has fairs and State Council Member stan. Wang Yi during a March 28-29 On March 29, the Chinese visit to China. companies working in Kazakh- The ministers also discussed stan including Shengyuan Tech- potential to attract humanitarian cooperation, inter- nology Co., Longyuan Tech- national issues and signed a co- mfa.kz. Photo credit: nology, Yichang KELISON operation agreement between the comprehensive strategic partner- and economic cooperation with Industrial, Sheng Xi (Shanghai) two ministries for 2020-2022. ship,” Atamkulov said. Minister of Commerce of China Energy Technology, China Na- $170 billion in FDI “Relations between Kazakh- The sides also agreed to co- Zhong Shan. tional Instruments Imp. & Exp. stan and China are an example of operate on interregional and They proposed creating a road- Corp., Foshan Newmay Ceram- mutually beneficial and effective cross-border issues as well as on map for bilateral trade to expand ics, Gezhouba Cement Ltd., cooperation,” said Atamkulov. industrial investment, digitisa- the trading area, optimise trade Universal Energy, China Na- in 10 years The Kazakh Foreign Minis- tion and technology. They also structures and increase the bilat- tional Building Material Corp. to the Boston Consulting Group’s ter also assured his counterpart discussed ways to coordinate the eral trade of high-tech products. discussed their projects with the By Aidana Yergaliyeva (BCG’s) “Investing in Central Kazakhstan would continue un- Belt and Road initiative (BRI) China is one of Kazakhstan’s Kazakh delegation at the meeting Asia: One Region, Many Oppor- der its new President the coun- with the Nurly Zhol New eco- largest trading partners and trade co-chaired by Deputy Foreign NUR-SULTAN – Although the tunities” report published Dec. 23. try’s current foreign policy and nomic policy of Kazakhstan and has been on the upswing. Minister of Kazakhstan Yermek Central Asian states still rely on The improved political coop- obligations within international the programmes of the Eurasian The Chinese side commended Kosherbayev. extractive industries in attracting eration between Central Asian organisations, such as the Unit- Economic Union. first and former Kazakh President While in China, Minister Atam- their biggest bulk of investment, countries in the past few years has ed Nations, the Shanghai Co- Atamkulov also emphasised Nursultan Nazarbayev for estab- kulov also laid flowers at the the new reforms directed to diver- opened additional opportunities operation Organisation and the Kazakhstan’s desire to work with lishing the Kazakhstan-China monument of Kazakh writer and sify the economy have improved for foreign investors, said Zhuma- Conference on Interaction and China to resolve issues related to strategic partnership and deepen- philosopher Abai in the central the business environment. In the bek Sarabekov, an expert from the Confidence-Building Measures ethnic Kazakhs living in China, ing cooperation on the Belt and Beijing park and participated in next 10 years, the region has the Institute of World Economy and in Asia. including through increased con- Road initiative. a ceremony awarding Chinese potential to attract $170 billion in Politics of the Foundation of the “We reaffirm our commitment tact between foreign ministries The talks covered visa issues, sculptor Yuan Xikun with the foreign direct investment (FDI), First President, as quoted March to strengthening and deepening and their consular services. calendar of interagency consul- medal “25 years of Independence including $40-70 billion in non- 19 by kazakh-tv.kz. the relations of a new stage of the Atamkulov also discussed trade tations and a prospective visit of of Kazakhstan.” extractive industries, according Continued on Page A8 INSIDE NATION ECONOMY EDITORIAL&OPINION BUSINESS NATION&CAPITAL Health ministry to increase healthcare industry Migration centres facilitate Naming Kazakh capital after its Petropavlovsk-made socks in demand by Professionalism and dedication to work is oversight, increase access to healthcare A2 issuance of 1.5 million work permits visionary is right decision A6 domestic market