Prime Minister wrote an article about Tokayev's presidency

Tengrinews.kz - Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov wrote an article about Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's presidency, according to Primeminister.kz.

"Soon it will be six years since Kassym-Jomart Kemeluly Tokayev took charge of our country. During this time, Kazakhstan, despite numerous challenges, ranging from the coronavirus pandemic to global geopolitical tensions, was able to achieve significant results in economic development," Bektenov wrote.

According to him, by the end of 2024, the GDP amounted to $288 billion. GDP per capita exceeded $14 000, an increase of almost half. Kazakhstan has come close to the group of high-income countries.

The President set the task of diversifying the economy by developing non-oil industries. There are already results: the non-resource sector has become the engine of growth.

From 2019 to 2024, production in the manufacturing industry increased by 31.4%, in construction - by 96.3%. In 2024, 180 projects worth 1.3 trillion tenge were launched, the sector grew by 6%, a record for 10 years.

Over six years, mechanical engineering has tripled its output, car production has increased by 4.5 times, trucks - by 6 times, buses - by 7 times, special equipment - by 3 times.

"On the instructions of the President, active development of the petrochemical industry has begun. The country is systematically moving from raw material exports to deep processing - polymers, composite materials, chemical reagents are produced. These are products with high added value, in demand in various industries. One of the major projects is the KPI plant in the Atyrau region, which has already been launched and produces polypropylene. In terms of its capacity, this plant surpasses all similar production facilities in Central Asia," Bektenov noted.

A record grain harvest has confirmed the effectiveness of state support for farmers. Over six years, agriculture has received 2.5 trillion tenge in subsidies, which has increased its output by 1.8 times to 8.3 trillion tenge. Labor productivity has doubled, and food production has increased by 2.1 times.

The state is expanding purchases of Kazakh goods and increasing investments. In 2025, the Baiterek holding will invest 8 trillion tenge, and by 2027 this amount will reach 10 trillion on the instructions of the President.

"An important condition for dynamic development is attracting foreign investment, which is steadily flowing into the economy of Kazakhstan. This confirms the high level of confidence of foreign entrepreneurs in the country's economic potential and is supported by high ratings. Thus, in 2024, Kazakhstan received the highest rating in its history - Baa1 with a ‘Stable’ outlook from Moody's. International agencies S&P and Fitch also confirmed Kazakhstan's credit ratings at the investment level," the Prime Minister wrote.

Over six years, $130 billion in foreign investment has been invested in the economy of Kazakhstan, of which $72.7 billion went to the processing industry.

Kazakhstan is the second largest recipient of investment among landlocked countries. Thanks to diplomatic efforts, foreign trade increased by 1.5 times - to $141.4 billion, exports - to $81.6 billion.

The share of processed goods in exports has almost doubled, while raw materials account for a smaller share – 63.5 instead of 74.5% in 2018.

Under the leadership of the President, the country's infrastructure is being actively modernized.

Heat power engineering has long been neglected – network wear and tear reached 90%. Now the crisis has been mitigated: the level of wear and tear of heat sources has decreased from 71% to 61%.

A national project has been launched to upgrade 86 thousand kilometers of networks and increase generation by 7 GW. This will reduce accidents by 20% and reduce wear and tear by 40%. Kazakhstani enterprises will be involved in the modernization; the total output will amount to 3.5 trillion tenge.

"Since 2019, electricity consumption has increased by 14% and amounted to about 120 billion kWh. Given the population growth, as well as the ongoing policy on industrial development and digitalization, a further increase in energy consumption is predicted. In this regard, on the instructions of the President, nuclear energy is being developed. The construction area for the first nuclear power plant has been determined. Work has begun to determine the locations for the construction of two more stations," Bektenov wrote.

The construction industry is growing at a record pace. In 2024, 19 million square meters of housing were commissioned - 51.4% more than in 2018. Over six years, 97.8 million square meters have been built, which has helped thousands of families obtain housing.

Over six years, 4.4 thousand kilometers of national roads have been repaired, and in 2024 - 12 thousand kilometers. 250 new roadside service facilities have been built.

The railways are also being updated: 3 thousand kilometers of tracks have been overhauled, the construction of Dostyk-Moiynty and the Almaty bypass is nearing completion.

The implementation of these projects will increase freight turnover between Europe and China, as well as increase the export potential of our country.

Sea transportation has grown by 20% since 2019, and transit along the Trans-Caspian route has increased sixfold. The new Astana-Arkalyk-Turgay-Irgiz route will give an additional boost.

By the beginning of 2025, gasification will cover 12.4 million people (62%). In 2024, 1.7 thousand kilometers of gas networks were built.

Access to drinking water has improved: 99.4% in cities and 97.8% in villages. This year, clean water will appear in 833 more villages, including Astana.

"To solve the problem of drinking water shortage in Astana, on the instructions of the President, in 2023 the construction of pumping and filtering station №3 with a capacity of 105 thousand cubic meters per day was completed. Work is beginning on the construction of a water pipeline from the Satpayev Canal, which will allow for a long-term solution to the issue of water supply to the capital," the Prime Minister noted.

According to Bektenov, along with infrastructure modernization, gasification and road construction, it is important to protect citizens from emergency situations. A series of tragic events exposed the problems of the material and technical equipment of emergency services.

"On the instructions of the President, modern models of rescue equipment, gear and gear were purchased, allowing for prompt and effective emergency rescue operations. Over the past six years, the level of equipment has increased from 53% to 64% and will continue to grow.

These measures have contributed not only to increased preparedness for emergency situations, but also to increased public safety. New technological solutions, such as a public warning system, have begun to be applied," Bektenov added.

The Prime Minister noted that a comprehensive approach to ensuring security includes not only the development of emergency services, but also strengthening measures to combat crime and prevent offenses within the framework of the "Law and Order" principle. Since 2019, the crime rate has decreased by 52%, in public places - by 60%.

"Priority attention is paid to strengthening the protection of the rights of citizens, especially women and children. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev advocates the inadmissibility of domestic violence. As part of this policy, a law was adopted aimed at toughening the penalties for domestic violence, providing for the criminalization of beatings and intentional infliction of minor bodily harm, which was previously regulated only by administrative norms. In addition, the Head of State announced a new unified program ‘Children of Kazakhstan’ aimed at systematizing and strengthening measures to support the younger generation," the Head of Government writes in his article.

At the National Kurultai held on March 14, the President once again emphasized that our state is social. And this, according to Bektenov, is expressed in specific measures taken by the state to increase social indicators.

"Over the past six years, the minimum wage has been gradually doubled: from 42 500 tenge to 85 000 tenge. This has had a positive impact on the well-being of about 2 million citizens. The salaries of about 600 thousand teachers have been doubled, over the course of three years, the salaries of doctors have been increased annually by 30%, the salaries of mid-level medical personnel by 20%, the salaries of 38 thousand employees in the social security sector have been doubled. A benefit has been introduced for large families, paid regardless of their income, child care payments have been extended from one year to one and a half years. A special payment has been introduced for workers employed in harmful working conditions," he noted.

Since 2019, life expectancy in Kazakhstan has increased from 73 to 75 years. Overall mortality has decreased by 7.8%, maternal mortality by 26.3%, and infant mortality by 15.8%. This was facilitated by increased prevention efficiency and expanded screening coverage.

Since 2019, 955 healthcare facilities have been built across the country. Among them are such significant institutions as the National Scientific Oncology Center and the National Coordination Center for Emergency Medicine.

Thanks to the special presidential program "Ansagan Sabi", more than 9 thousand babies have been born in families that were unable to have children since 2021.

Particular attention is paid to increasing the human resources potential of the healthcare system, especially in rural areas. For example, a one-time cash payment of 8.5 million tenge has been introduced for medical workers who come to work in rural areas for at least 5 years. There are accessible tools for solving housing issues.

In the field of education, the work is aimed at eliminating the shortage of places in schools and kindergartens, improving the quality of knowledge, and raising the status of teachers. Over the past six years, 1367 kindergartens have been opened, which has reduced the waiting list by five times. 100% of children from socially vulnerable families are provided with free meals.

Since 2019, a record number of schools have been built in Kazakhstan - 1200 educational institutions, which provided about 1 million student places.

More than 3 thousand rural schools have been modernized, which made it possible to solve the problem of 32 emergency and 71 three-shift schools, as well as the shortage of places in 200 schools in Kazakhstan.

This year, the construction of about 200 schools will continue. Also, on the instructions of the Head of State, work is underway to modernize 1 thousand schools in regional centers and villages. This is an important area, since 2/3 of all secondary schools are located in rural areas.

The Year of Working Professions declared by the President has given impetus to the improvement of the technical and vocational education system. In order to prepare qualified and sought-after personnel for the new economy, the interaction of colleges and industrial enterprises is being strengthened. 410 educational institutions are covered by the patronage of 498 companies, 180 colleges have been modernized under the "Zhas Maman" project. The size of college student scholarships has been increased by 50%. 251 dormitories with 62 thousand places have been opened for university students.

According to Bektenov, support for scientific personnel is no less important, especially considering that the share of young people in science has increased sixfold over the past six years and is 46%. For this purpose, the number of educational grants for doctoral studies is increasing, and opportunities for research are expanding.

An important area is the introduction of scientific achievements into the real sector of the economy and their commercialization. This year, 2297 scientific projects and 299 scientific and technical programs are being implemented. Young scientists are actively involved in scientific activities - they are conducting 1055 projects.

As for the commercialization of scientific developments, today 208 projects have been successfully implemented, and more than 180 productions have reached the sales stage. The total contribution of commercialization projects to the country's economy amounted to 118.7 billion tenge. More than 2 thousand new jobs have been created. 25 projects have been exported, 6 projects have achieved sales of more than 1 billion tenge.

Sports infrastructure is actively developing. Over six years, 314 sports and recreation centers and 58 swimming pools have been built in the regions. The number of children's and youth sports schools has increased by 40 units - from 481 to 521. As a result, the share of citizens systematically engaged in physical education and sports has grown from 31.5%, or 5.9 million people, to 41.4%, or 8.4 million people.

The order of the Head of State to direct funds received from the return of illegally withdrawn assets to solve social problems has become an effective tool for modernizing social infrastructure.

More than 194 billion tenge have already been transferred from the Special State Fund for the implementation of about 280 projects in the fields of education, healthcare, sports, social security, as well as for the modernization of utility networks and water structures.

"The Head of State focuses on the task of total digitalization and the widespread introduction of artificial intelligence. This should become a new driving force for economic growth," Bektenov wrote.

According to him, Kazakhstan has achieved certain success in this area, increasing the export of IT services and confidently leading among the countries of Central Asia.

"This is an industry in which our country has competitive advantages. Digital solutions have been firmly integrated into various areas, ensuring their efficiency and accelerated development. The ‘Digital Family Card’, ‘Social Wallet’ and digital vouchers in kindergartens are actively used, QazaqLaw (legislative framework assistant) and the national language model LLM have been created, the ‘Digital Business Card’ and others are being developed," he added.

The volume of innovative products has more than doubled over the past five years - from 1.1 trillion tenge to 2.4 trillion tenge.

To promote the development of AI, on the instructions of the President, a venture fund of funds Qazaqstan Venture Group with a target funding volume of one billion dollars was created on the basis of the Astana International Financial Center. The fund will invest in innovative projects in Kazakhstan and Central Asia as a priority.

This year, the International Center for Artificial Intelligence Alem.ai will open, which will contribute to the accelerated digital transformation of the country.

"At the last meeting of the National Kurultai, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev especially noted the high potential for the development of digitalization and artificial intelligence, transport, energy, the agro-industrial sector, and human capital. The government will make every effort to fulfill the tasks set.

As you can see, a lot has been done over the past 6 years, but even more ambitious tasks lie ahead.

I am convinced that under the confident leadership of Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev, Kazakhstan will achieve great success and fully realize its enormous potential," the Prime Minister concluded.