Nursultan Nazarbayev commented government reshuffles

Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev has commented on the recent government reshuffles and appointments of Akims (Mayors and Governors) at the meeting dedicated to summarizing results of 2012 and specifying the course of implementation of the Strategy-2050, Tengrinews.kz reports. In the beginning of the meeting the President introduced the new Cabinet members to the Government. President also mentioned appointments of new Akims of the oblasts. “Reshuffling has been made. The Cabinet has become younger. I think these are important changes that happen after a lot of thinking about ways to improve our work and bring more creativeness into our activities,” Nursultan Nazarbayev said. Earlier former Akim (Governor) of Akmola oblast Kairat Kozhamzharov was appointed secretary of Kazakhstan’s Security Council. He replaced Marat Tazhin in the position, who was appointed the Secretary of State. Besides, new Akims were appointed in Akmola, North-Kazakhstan, Mangistau and Kyzylorga oblasts. Several ministries and authorities were reorganized during the reforms. The Ministry of Regional Development was created and Bakytzhan Sagintayev was appointed its head. He was also appointed first deputy Prime-Minister of Kazakhstan. President noted that the new Ministry has big tasks to fulfill. Besides, a new deputy chairman of Nur Otan party was appointed: Bakytzhan Sagintayev was replaced by Bauyrzhan Baibek who used to work as deputy head of Kazakhstan President’s Administration. Former head of Kazakhstan Agency for Protection of Competition Gabidulla Abdrakhimov replaced Baibek in this position. By Gulnara Zhandagulova