-12°C /-17°C WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2014 No 21 (64) www.astanatimes.com In Surprise State of the Nation Kazakh, Kyrgyz Presidents Reaffirm Countries’ Address, Kazakh President Unveils Historic Roots, Growing Massive Infrastructure Investments Economic Relationship interacting in international organi- By Malika Orazgaliyeva sations, integration associations, together countering modern chal- ASTANA – Kazakh President lenges and threats, terrorism and Nursultan Nazarbayev and Kyrgyz extremism,” Nazarbayev said dur- President Almazbek Atambayev ing the meeting which took place reaffirmed their two countries’ as part of the state visit by the lead- growing economic and coopera- er of the neighbouring country. tive relationship during the Nov. 7 Nazarbayev noted that since the fourth Supreme Interstate Council previous meeting in 2012, many meeting in Astana. events have taken place in Bishkek “The council was established and that bilateral trade relations seven years ago. Through all these have shown an upward tendency. years, it has demonstrated activ- Over the past two years, the turno- ism as the supreme body helpful in ver has stably exceeded $1 billion. making important policy decisions In the first eight months of this and addressing the emerging prob- year, it saw a 5.2 percent increase lems between the two countries. despite difficulties in the region. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are Continued on Page A3 Stalled IPO Programme Relaunches with KEGOC Stock Release By Michelle Witte at a price of 505 tenge [US$2.79] per share. Shares are being made President Nursultan Nazarbayev delivers the unexpected state-of-the-nation address introducing a new economic policy emphasising massive state investment in ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s stalled available first to securities dealers, infrastructure over the next several years. People’s IPO programme has been with 14,000 set aside for individu- revived to hold a new public stock By Danna Bupezhanova urgency of preventive measures sanctions between the West and quickly examine our positions and al investors. offering, this time in the state-op- needed to help steer the economy Russia over Ukraine. adjust plans for the coming years,” The IPO will be buttressed by erated Kazakhstan Electric Grid ASTANA – President Nursultan towards sustainable growth, Naz- “I, on the basis of my experience, the President said in the address tel- Kazakhstan’s Unified National Operating Company (KEGOC). Nazarbayev unexpectedly deliv- arbayev decided to move forward feel that the next few years will evised live on several TV channels. Pension Fund (ENPF), which will Shares have been available by ap- ered his new state-of-the-nation the date of his address so that the be a time of global challenges. ... In response to challenges fac- pick up shares of KEGOC in the address in Astana on Nov. 11 at government would have time to in- Kazakhstan as a part of the global ing the nation, the President an- plication to citizens of Kazakhstan event that more shares are issued an extended session of the Politi- troduce proposed anti-crisis steps economy and a country situated nounced a new economic policy since Nov. 5 and will be until Dec. than are bought by the public. “If cal Council of the Nur Otan party, into the budget plans for the up- close to the epicentre of geopo- called “Nurly Zhol” (Bright Path). 3; they will begin to be traded pub- the number of applications is less introducing what he termed a new coming year and proceed to work litical tensions is affected by these In some respects, the new policy licly on Dec. 19 when they will than the number of emissions, economic policy heavily empha- promptly. Kazakhstan’s economy [changes in the world economy]. resembles what Kazakhstan has also be available to foreign inves- ENPF could buy KEGOC shares sising massive state investment in has grown 4 percent in the first We see decreases in prices on in- done rather successfully to alle- tors. in accordance with its contributors’ infrastructure over the next several nine months of 2014, slower than ternational markets and a general viate the pressure from the 2007- The KEGOC’s current sole interests. It will fulfill the role ac- years. expected, and is already feeling slow-down of the economy. … The 2009 global economic slowdown, shareholder, the Samruk Kazyna cording to governmental decree,” In previous years, the President’s the heat from both the 25 percent- World Bank and IMF [International as well as the New Deal policy by Sovereign Wealth Fund, is offering Director of the People’s IPO Call address has been delivered in reduction in the oil price, its key Monetary Fund] have re-evalu- U.S. President Franklin Delano 10 percent minus one share of its Centre Vladimir Kovalev told The January and February, sometimes export commodity, over the past ated their global growth forecast Roosevelt in 1930s. stock in the KEGOC, what is be- Astana Times on Nov. 14. in December. Yet, reflecting the two months and the reciprocal for 2014. That is why we need to Continued on Page A2 ing reported as 25,999,999 shares Continued on Page A4 South African Official Ilyin Breaks Record to Become Four-Time Promotes Business, Weightlifting World Champion By Dmitry Lee People-to-People Two-time Olympic weightlift- ing gold medalist Ilya Ilyin of Kazakhstan set a new world re- cord Nov. 15 in Almaty en route Connections in Astana to winning his fourth Weightlift- By Michelle Witte Addressing the business forum ing World Championship. on Nov. 5, Mfeketo noted that Ilyin snatched first place ASTANA – Deputy Minister of South Africa hoped this first fo- from Uzbek Ruslan Nurudinov, International Relations and Co- rum would become permanent, who minutes earlier had set a operation Nomaindiya Mfeketo as South Africa has not yet fully new record. Nurudinov eventu- visited Astana from Nov. 5-6 explored the opportunities of Ka- ally settled for silver with 432 to co-chair the fourth round of zakhstan in business. Total trade kilogrammes (snatch 193 kg + South Africa-Kazakhstan Bilat- between the two countries in 2013 clean and jerk 239 kg). Russian eral Consultations with Deputy was $5.41 million, but the poten- David Bejanyan took bronze Minister of Foreign Affairs of tial is far greater, she said. The two with a total of 427 kilogrammes Kazakhstan Askar Mussinov and countries have much to learn from (127+240). Ilyin totaled 432 address the first Kazakhstan- each other on their development kilogrammes overall (190+242) South Africa Business Forum paths, Mfeketo said. to win the championship. Even held under the bilateral consulta- “South Africa and Kazakhstan though his result was similar to tions. enjoy excellent bilateral relations Nurudinov’s, Ilyin still won be- Her mission also included a lec- and the strong bond of friendship cause he weighed less than his ture at the Kazakh Humanitarian between our two countries de- opponent. Law University (KAZGUU) and serves to be translated into tangi- The 26-year-old champion promotion of people-to-people ble trade and investment benefits from the Kyzylorda region, how- contacts. Mfeketo suggested stu- on both sides,” the deputy minister ever, says he would still like to dents, artists, religious leaders and said. “South Africa attaches great break even higher records. other members of both communi- importance to its relationship with “I don’t want to stop at this ties become conduits for creating Kazakhstan and regards the coun- point and I want to beat the re- deeper connections. try as an important player in the cord set by Yury Zakharevich or During the bilateral consulta- global energy sector as well as a at least get close to it. That’s my tions, the countries agreed to coop- leader within the Central Asian re- goal,” he said after the tourna- erate and exchange experience in gion.” ment. mineral mining and geology; oil, “The challenge today is to find Ilyin admitted that clean and gas and renewable energy; agricul- and link – through our networking jerking 242 kilogrammes was a ture and agro-processing; tourism; interactions – those areas of our surprising result even for him- science and technology; higher economies which are complemen- self. education and training; trade and tary and mutually beneficial… Ilya Ilyin, two-time Olympic weightlifting gold medallist won his fourth Weightlifting World Championship in Almaty on investment and innovation. Continued on Page A5 Continued on Page B7 Nov. 14. INSIDE NATION ECONOMY & BUSINESS EDITORIAL OPINIONS NATION & CAPITAL Advisory Body Addresses Freedom International Forum Examines Almaty’s Role New Poll Shows Kazakh Citizens Have ABDRAKHMANOV: From Almaty to Vienna, Geoparks Can Tell the History of Kazakhstan, of Movement in Kazakhstan, Accepts as Central Asian Financial Hub A4 Positive Outlook on the Country, And New Prospects For LLDCs A6 Attract Tourism Dollars, says Geologist B1 Fundamentals Explain Why A6 Recommendations from Civil Society A2 Kazakh-German Business Council Focuses on NAZARBAYEVA: Reforms Should Not be Second Astana Public School Joins German Infrastructure, Mining, Investment Hub A5 Campaign Fodder, Says Mazhilis Deputy University Preparation Programme B1 Chairperson A7 US$ 1 = 180.87 KZT 1 Euro = 226.18 KZT 1 Rouble = 3.82 KZT A2 NATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2014 and the rights of refugees and NATIONAL stateless persons. NEWS IN BRIEF Materials and recommendations Advisory Body Addresses Freedom by the civil society sector voiced at Gulshara Abdykhalykova was the meeting were accepted by the appointed Kazakhstan’s Secretary state bodies for further study and of State on Nov. 11, becoming the of Movement in Kazakhstan, Accepts work aimed at the development of first woman to occupy such a high democracy and civil liberties, as position in the country’s politi- well as the rule of law in Kazakh- cal system and the highest ranked stan.