Tengrinews.kz - Vice Minister of National Economy Arman Kassenov explained why Kazakhstan continues to hold image events, including investment forums.
"The President has repeatedly said that the budget for image events should be reduced and the money should be directed to the real sector of the economy. As of today, what events have been reduced and where has the money gone? Nevertheless, they are going to hold the Astana International Forum this year," the journalist asked at a briefing following the government meeting.
According to Vice Minister of National Economy Arman Kassenov, the share of image-building events in the total expenditure of the republican budget is only 0.01%.
"In general, image-building events, including investment forums, are undoubtedly a key tool of world practice, not only in Kazakhstan. This practice is aimed at attracting capital, investments, and promotes the country's exports. Therefore, we believe that these events are reasonably justified," the Vice Minister said, answering a journalist's question.
He also noted that foreign investment in Kazakhstan annually amounts to about 20 billion dollars.
"Many of these investments were attracted precisely thanks to such events. At such events, Kazakh companies also negotiate exports. Every day, 50 million dollars of investments come to Kazakhstan. Of course, holding events that cost 1-3 million dollars is more than justified in order to attract investments and promote export growth. This is first. Secondly, we know that, as a rule, such events are mainly funded by sponsors, and, as a rule, they do not even use funds from the republican budget," Kassenov noted.
He also recalled that, earlier, the government reduced spending on image events by about 400 billion tenge.
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