Bureaucracy must be left in the past, Tokayev says

Tengrinews.kz – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said Kazakhstan must continue reducing administrative pressure on businesses, stressing that bureaucratic barriers “must inevitably and irreversibly become a thing of the past.” He made the remarks at the awards ceremony for the “Altyn Sapa” and “Paryz” prizes, citing Akorda.

Tokayev noted that sustainable economic development requires ongoing reforms aimed at boosting efficiency and economic potential.

He recalled that Kazakhstan has already introduced a moratorium on creating new quasi-state entities and compiled a list of 473 assets slated for transfer to a competitive environment.

“According to expert estimates, this may allow entrepreneurs to earn around 3.5 trillion tenge in revenue. Reducing the administrative burden on businesses remains one of our key tasks. I previously instructed a comprehensive revision and modernization of legislation. For this purpose, a Center for Regulatory Intelligence is being established under the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms, and a registry of mandatory requirements will be introduced,” Tokayev said.

He added that coordination between the government and the business community must be strengthened, with a focus on digital interaction.

“Entrepreneurs should fully feel that bureaucracy is decreasing — it must inevitably, irreversibly be left in the past. This is the task I set before the government and supervisory bodies. Free market pricing, large-scale privatization and flexible regulatory policy are the foundation of a successful transformation of our economy,” he stated.

Tokayev emphasized that protecting the rights and interests of businesses remains a critical priority. He noted ongoing efforts to modernize the legal and judicial systems.

The President highlighted the establishment of the administrative justice system, which is already showing positive results: more than half of cases heard in courts are now decided in favor of citizens and businesses. Active work continues to shield entrepreneurs from unjustified inspections and unlawful criminal prosecution, including the decriminalization of economic offenses.

“All these measures contribute to strengthening the principle of ‘Law and Order.’ By the end of this year, the Committee for the Return of Illegally Acquired Assets under the Prosecutor General’s Office will be transformed into the Committee for Investor Protection. For major investors, the ‘green corridor’ system has been introduced, allowing for faster issuance of permits,” Tokayev said.