ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev urged to look for new points of economic growth and instructed the government to implement four large-scale infrastructure initiatives this year during the March 15 National Kurultai (Congress), reported the Akorda press service.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivers remarks at the March 15 National Kurultai (Congress) in Atyrau. Photo credit: Akorda.
Utility networks and construction of housing
Tokayev emphasized the need to repair 55 existing heat sources and modernize at least 6,500 kilometers of utility networks. According to him, this will improve the quality and reliability of public services for citizens and businesses.
The President noted that special attention should be given to housing, another key component of people’s high-quality life. He mentioned the recent launch of the Otau mortgage program this March and emphasized the need to initiate a fresh housing initiative that caters to rural and regional center residents. He underscored the importance of extending financial support to socially disadvantaged groups, advocating for loans at an interest rate capped at 7%. The President also directed the government to increase the supply of rental accommodations with an option for eventual ownership.
Photo credit: Akorda.
Tokayev added that introducing a new preferential mortgage and large-scale rental housing construction will revive the construction sector and, most importantly, make it easier for many people to buy housing.
Construction of roads
The construction and reconstruction of the country’s road network is another infrastructure initiative announced by the President.
“It is necessary to cover at least 12,000 kilometers of roads. As a result, transport accessibility of populated areas will significantly improve, business activity and social mobility of people will increase,” Tokayev said.
Gasification
The President noted that the government should significantly increase gasification in populated areas and modernize at least 1,700 kilometers of networks.
“This will provide access to blue fuel for more than 300,000 citizens. When implementing these infrastructure initiatives, it is necessary to fully utilize the capabilities of local businesses and domestic enterprises,” he stated.
In addition to the four large-scale infrastructure initiatives, the President highlighted the need to use all the nation’s competitive advantages to ensure continued economic growth. The government needs decisive steps to turn Kazakhstan into one of the key transit hubs in Eurasia, he stressed.
Transit corridors
“We recently launched a transport and logistics center in Xian. This promising Kazakh-Chinese project was implemented within the framework of the global Belt and Road Initiative. This week, the first container train arrived in Azerbaijan from Xian. The new logistics center will significantly increase cargo flow through the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route,” Tokayev said.
Photo credit: Akorda.
He urged to consistently develop transit corridors running through the country’s territory and comprehensively stimulate foreign trade turnover. To achieve this, Kazakhstan will build logistics centers and warehouses, increase the construction of railway lines, strengthen the maritime transport infrastructure, and pursue a flexible tariff policy.
“This will make it possible to extract maximum benefit from the geographical position of our country and give impetus to many sectors of the economy,” he said.
IT technology
IT technology was also high on the agenda. By the end of the year, it is planned to create a supercomputer and launch a new data center in Kazakhstan. The country also intends to build a fiber-optic communication line along the bottom of the Caspian Sea. This project will create another digital corridor between Europe and Asia.
President recalled his recent visit to the newly established Innovation Center, a collaborative effort between Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) national railway company and Chinese tech giant Huawei. This venture aims to integrate cutting-edge technologies into the railway sector, promising productivity and cost reduction enhancements. Tangible outcomes of this digital transformation include enhanced railway capacity, fuel efficiency gains, and increased company revenues.
“This is how we need to build a digital ecosystem. The government should scale up this experience in all sectors of the economy,” Tokayev added.
Budget savings and business
The President urged the government to focus on budget savings. Finances should be allocated exclusively towards implementing essential projects and addressing the most urgent issues.
Photo credit: Akorda.
He appealed to the business community to recognize their responsibility to society and significantly contribute to the country’s growth.
“I believe that people who do business and profit in Kazakhstan should prioritize not only their business but also the common good, seamlessly combining private and public interests,” Tokayev said, encouraging businesses to construct new schools, hostels, hospitals, libraries, museums, and sports complexes.
The President called on business leaders to be socially responsible, helping their compatriots whenever possible. He suggested that only in this case can a new national bourgeoisie emerge — one imbued with a spirit of innovation, capable of creating a competitive economy, and committed to serving its people honestly.
