WEEKLY REVIEW: Kazakh Ministry of Regional Development to coordinate basic social programs
On Monday, January 14, Deputy Prime Minister Krymbek Kusherbayev heading the government commission on elimination of the consequences of the emergency situations visited Karatau and Zhanatas towns within his working visit to Zhambyl region.In Karatau, the Deputy Prime Minister together with Governor of the region K. Bozumbayev visited town boiler house "Igilik" where they reviewed the process of restoration and repair works.
The Deputy Prime Minister surveyed the damaged facilities of the town and inspected the beginning of repair works. He also met with a group of the residents of Karatau town.
K. Kusherbayv also held a working meeting where the issues of allocation of material and human resources for repair and restoration of critical infrastructure and especially electricity, gas and water supply networks were discussed.
In Zhanatas town, K. Kusherbayev visited "Zhanatas su-zhylu" enterprise where he was informed about the state of the facility and about the measures on emergency launch of boiler houses. The Deputy Prime Minister also held a meeting in the town akimat where the participants considered the issues of restoration of heating, electricity and water supply network in the localities of Sarysu district.
The electricity is supplied to the facilities of heating and water supply, gradually electricity and heating will be supplied to the population of the Talas district. Besides, gas supply is fully restored in Karatau town.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov held a session of the Government. Vice Prime Minister Kairat Kelimbetov was elected to chair the EXPO-2017 Organizing Committee set up by the Kazakh Government. The organizing committee will coordinate the activities of eight task groups responsible for preparation of the exhibition.
Besides, at the session, the Government of Kazakhstan adopted a draft resolution on establishment of "National Company "Astana EXPO-2017" JSC. "The company will work on the preparation for the exhibition," Minister of Economic Development and Trade Yerbolat Dossayev said at the sitting.
According to the Minister, the organizational chart of the Government's activities has already been made. The Organization committee headed by Kairat Kelimbetov will coordinate activities of 8 task groups working on the basic lines of preparation for the exhibition.
The total budget of the EXPO-2017 exhibition will be defined at the end of this year, Vice Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Kairat Kelimbetov said at the press conference.
"As you all know, we plan to receive 5 million visitors during 3 months of the EXPO. Not only Astana but the whole Kazakhstan should be ready to receive such great number of people. Certainly, it will require some budget financing and private investments. Therefore, it requires very careful evaluation," the Vice Premier added.
K.Kelimbetov also emphasized that highly qualified personnel and volunteers should be involved in the exhibition organization.
On Wednesday, January 16, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev received Minister of Environmental Protection Nurlan Kapparov.
Kapparov reported on the main approaches and proposals concerning the organizing concept of the international exhibition EXPO-2017.
The Head of State stressed the significance of developing a unified concept for the conducting and promoting the exhibition.
The Minister said that it was suggested to build all "green economy" facilities at the exhibition site - smart grids, buildings with renewable energy source, electric cars and other important elements that correspond to the theme "Energy of the Future".
The President said that the ministry should be one of the main bodies for coordination, identification and involvement of all the parties concerned in the development of concrete proposals for implementing the ideas of EXPO-2017.
"The construction of such a unique high-tech project is a good opportunity to make a great leap in the technological development of the country. The territory of the exhibition will turn into a platform of achievements of the entire Kazakhstan," Nursultan Nazarbayev said.
Following the meeting, the President instructed to continue working in this direction and to make further proposals for the concept of the exhibition in Astana.
On Thursday, January 17, a meeting of "Nur Otan" Party's Political Council Bureau was held. Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev informed that the new Ministry of Regional Development has been formed and it is intended to develop local government.
According to Nursultan Nazarbayev, this authority comprises agencies for land resources, construction and the Regional Development Committee of the Ministry of Economy and Budget Planning of Kazakhstan.
The same day, Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov chaired a session of the Government focusing on the issues regarding implementation of the President's Decree "On further improvement of the state administration system of Kazakhstan".
Opening the session, the Prime Minister introduced new members of the Cabinet - First Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Regional Development Bakytzhan Sagintayev, Minister of Culture and Information Mukhat Kul-Mukhammed and Yerbolat Dossayev who headed the Ministry of Economic and Budget Planning.
He noted that the Ministry of Regional Development will focus its efforts on creation of conditions for increasing people's welfare on the basis of efficient use of socio-economic potential of the regions and economic sectors of the country.
"With two incorporated agencies the Ministry of Regional Development will coordinate the process of implementation of the programs "Regional Development", "Affordable Housing 2020", "Business Road Map 2020", "Employment 2020", "Ak Bulak" as well as the programs on housing and utilities sector modernization and development of single-industry towns," S.Akhmetov emphasized.
The functions and powers of the Finance Ministry on budget planning as well as the functions on the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies on formulation of the state policy on investments support and creation of favorable investment climate were transferred to the Ministry of Economy and Budget Planning,.
"Besides, the Ministry of Economy and Budget Planning will formulate the state policy in the sphere of population migration. Thus, the Ministry will implement the migration policy taking into consideration strategic and economic planning," the Premier added.
The Ministry of Environment Protection was authorized for implementation and control over the policies on green economy development, protection and control over the rational use of natural resources, formulation of the state policy of water resources management and fisheries development except for the issues of melioration. The issues of utilization of household wastes, formulation of the state policy in the sphere of renewable energy sources development will be under the supervision of the Ministry of Environment Protection as well.
The Agency for Atomic Energy was incorporated into the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population will supervise the issues regarding migration of the population, its interdepartmental coordination, and development of measures on regulation and monitoring of migration processes, migration regulation.
Besides, S.Akhmetov wished success to Talgat Yermegiyayev who was appointed Chairman of the Board of "Astana EXPO-2017" National Company" JSC by the decree of the President.
"All reorganized state bodies should take necessary measures to implement the Decree of the President. We should timely resolve all the organizational issues and start our work," S.Akhmetov said.