Alikhan Smailov held a meeting of the Investment Headquarters
Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov held a regular meeting of the Investment Headquarters at Digital Investment Office of the Government, on Saturday, September 10. The meeting addressed the rates of target indicators for investment in fixed capital and attraction of foreign direct investment, as well as a number of other issues.
Minister of National Economy Alibek Kuantyrov stressed that following the results of 7 months of this year, the volume of investments in fixed assets amounted to KZT6.9 trillion. Significant growth is observed in the sectors, such as real estate operations, mining and oil production, transport and storage, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, energy and processing industries.
The Prime Minister highlighted that this year demonstrates an upward trend in investment in fixed assets at the level of 4.5%, while 12 regions have failed the set target indicators. Shymkent city, Turkestan and Ulytau regions have the lowest rates.
“Large companies are ready to invest in production and create new jobs. You just need to work with them, conclude investment contracts, for new projects - to give guarantees of the stability of tax legislation. The leadership of the regions and state agencies should intensify this work,” said Alikhan Smailov.
In turn, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Almas Aidarov reported that $6.8 billion in foreign direct investment was attracted to the country during the first quarter of 2022. The top ten investing countries during this period included the Netherlands, the USA, Switzerland, Russia, China, South Korea, Belgium, the UK, France and Turkey.
The nationwide pool of investment projects contains 797 projects worth KZT30.2 trillion in such sectors as the chemical industry, mining and metallurgical complex, energy, transport and logistics, food industry, tourism, information and communication technologies, oil and gas, agriculture, etc.
The full implementation of the pool projects will create about 130,000 jobs. In 2022, it is planned to launch 272 projects worth KZT2.98 trillion creating 24,000 jobs.
Moreover, the efforts to relocate foreign companies to Kazakhstan is currently underway. So, substantive negotiations on the localization of production in our country are underway with 51 out of 310 targeted companies. Among them are Youngsan, EMAG, Carlsberg, Fortescue and others. Canon, Kronospan, Alstom, Haier, etc. are at the stage of preliminary negotiations.
The Prime Minister noted that a positive trend in inflow of foreign direct investment by 54% was recorded following to the results of the first quarter.
“At the same time, we have before us the unique opportunities when a number of investors are willing to relocate their production facilities. Ministers and Akims should do their best to promptly resolve the issues arising in this direction,” said Alikhan Smailov.
Summing up the meeting, the Prime Minister noted that state agencies and akimats need to take comprehensive measures to launch all planned investment projects.
“We now need to lay a solid foundation for the upcoming years, so that there is good investment dynamics. This is very important in terms of creating jobs and diversifying our economy. Relevant efforts should be carried out in each region,” Alikhan Smailov concluded.