Nazarbayev calls to analyze anti-crisis programs

Nursultan Nazarbayev has called to analyze applicability of anti-crisis programs, Tengrinews.kz reports citing the President as saying at the meeting on implementation of the State Program of Accelerated Industrial-Innovative Development. The meeting covered the current condition of the country's industrial production, implementation of the Program and preparation for its second 5-year stage. Kazakhstan President stressed that the economic crisis in Western countries had an effect on development of Kazakhstan’s economy. “When prices of mining, metallurgic and chemical goods dropped, the budget incomes went down as well and the government has to review the budget now. Besides, we have development programs for countering future recessions and we now have to analyze their applicability in the current conditions,” the President said at the meeting. Nursultan Nazarbayev noted that 3.5 years of the industrial-innovative development program were over. “New companies have been established. More companies will be launched this year. All the target indicators of the program have to be achieved. We currently have problems with funding the industrial-innovative development that we have to resolve it. Difficulties that European and other countries are facing have affected Kazakhstan as well. We should avoid lowering of our economy growth rate or surge of unemployment in the country,” he emphasized. The President also stressed that the highest number of jobs was provided by service sector, including the developing tourism, and special attention should have been given to this direction. “Amid global recession we will probably have to lower capital investments in major construction projects planned for implementation. The issue is very serious. The government has to analyze ways to retain the economy growth and employment level. All regions and all ministries have to deal with this. We have the capacities, resources and respective authorities to resolve these issues,” Nazarbayev said. Kazakhstan President also stressed the importance of clear vision for development of the second 5-year stage of the Program. According to the President’s press-service, the meeting also included a report of Deputy Prime-Minister and Minister of Industry and New technologies Asset Issekeshev. Summing up the meeting Nursultan Nazarbayev made several instructions to the government on updating of the existing program of industrial-innovative development and defining a model for its funding using the existing resources. He also instructed to develop the Concept of the second 5-year stage of the Program. Besides, the President instructed to work out mechanisms of attraction of additional investments to Kazakhstan and greater use of local sources of funding.