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On 14 January an extended session of the Cabinet of Ministers, dedicated to comprehensive analysis of the results of social-economic development of the country in 2016 and determining the most important directions and priorities of economic and social program of the government in 2017 was held in Tashkent. The chairmen of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, state advisors of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, members of the government, heads of business associations, public organizations as well the Jokargy Kenes and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, khokims of regions, cities and districts attended the session. For the first time, senior officials at local khokimiyats, territorial departments of ministries, agencies, enterprises and entrepreneurs took part at the governmental meeting through videoconferencing, organized at the regional, city and district centres.

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev delivered a keynote speech at the session. In his speech, the President underlined that the continuity in consistent implementation of the Uzbek model of development and Program of further reforms, structural transformations and modernization of the country, developed under the leadership of First President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, ensured maintenance of stable and sustainably high rates of economic growth and macroeconomic balance, increase of the level and quality of life of the population.

During the discussion of the issues, included into the agenda of the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, it was highlighted that the gross domestic product of the country increased by 7,8% in 2016. The volume of industrial production grew by 6.6%, contractual construction works –12.5%, retail trade – 14.4% and services – 12.5%. The State Budget was executed with a surplus at 0,1% to GDP. The surplus in foreign trade turnover has been secured. The inflation rate has not exceeded forecast parameters and constituted 5,7%. Over 16,6 billion US dollars or 9,6% more than in 2015 were invested into the economy. The volume of foreign investments and loans increased by 11,3% and exceeded 3,7 billion US dollars. The realization of 164 large investment projects with a total cost of 5,2 billion US dollars were completed, including production of new T-250 car model at GM Uzbekistan JSC, enhancement of the cement plant in Djizak region, construction of two steam-gas installations with a total capacity of 900 MWt at the Talimarjan power plant and energy block of burning high-ash coal with a capacity of 150MWt at the Angren power plant.

A new Angren-Pap electrified railway line was constructed with a unique 19 km long tunnel through Qamchiq mountain pass, which connected Fergana valley regions with other regions of the country through a reliable transport link. Afrosiyob high-speed passenger trains started to travel from Tashkent to Bukhara. The program measures on modernisation and diversification of agriculture under implementation ensured the growth of agricultural output by 6,6%, including of fruits and vegetables – 11,2%, potatoes- 9,7%, melons- 10,5%. The measures on comprehensive support and protection of private property and entrepreneurship contributed to creation of around 32 thousand new small businesses in 2016, or 18% more than in 2015. The small businesses’ share in GDP of the country increased to 56,9%, and in industry to 45%.

Thanks to positive structural transformations and high rates of economic growth the real income of population increased by 11%. The salaries of workers of the budget organizations was raised by 15%, pensions and social benefits – 12,1%. Around 726 thousand people have been newly employed, including 438,5 thousand graduates of educational institutions. Within the framework of the State program “Year of healthy mother and child” a wide complex of measures on strengthening healthcare of mothers and children, formation of healthy and harmonically developed generation was implemented, for funding of which over 8 trillion soums and 212 million US dollars were directed.

The President of the country, analysing in detail and comprehensively the existing unsolved problems and partial utilisation of reserves, explicated his proposals on key strategic tasks and important priorities of economic and social program of the country for 2017. Among priority tasks, a central role is attached to development of permanent, open dialogue with population within the framework of implementing the State program “Year of dialogue with people and human interests”, continuation of active social policy, directed towards further improving the level and quality of population, their material welfare. The government, heads of ministers, agencies, business associations and local governance bodies were assigned concrete tasks on eliminating the shortcomings in the development of the spheres and territories, as well as development and realization of the complex of measures, on continuing active investment policy, strengthening protection of rights and interests of entrepreneurs, gradual decrease of the role of state in managing the economy and cardinal improvement of the work of the governmental bodies. The president underlined the most important tasks and measures on realization of newly adopted targeted programs on construction of affordable housing, development and modernization of road-transport, engineering-communications and social infrastructure, ensuring improvement of the quality of life of the population in city and rural areas.

The reports of the Prime Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, his deputies, heads of several ministries, agencies and business associations, as well as the Chairman of the Jokargy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, khokims of regions and Tashkent city have been heard during the discussion of the issues on the agenda of the session. For admitted failures and deficiencies and lack of initiative, some officials were warned of personal responsibility for quick elimination of shortcomings, as well as ensuring the effective implementation of the tasks for the further intensive development of industries and regions of the country.

 The President of the country laid the following priority tasks and requirements before the government, heads of ministries, agencies, business associations and khokimiyats: 

• first – development of complex measures on eleven priorities of economic and social program for 2017;
  
• second– ensuring critical analysis of state of affairs in the spheres of the economy, social sphere and regions of the country on a systemic basis, making amendments on this basis to main directions and priorities of deepening the economic reforms;
  
• third– increasing personal responsibility of the heads and senior officials for end results, their compliance with strict discipline and strengthening effectiveness of the management system in accordance with increased modern requirements.
  

Following the discussions, a governmental decision was adopted, which determines the practical measures on ensuring implementation of most important directions and priorities of the program of social-economic development of the country for 2017.

Source: Embassy of Uzbekistan in the United States of America e-newsletter

Mining.com, 10.01.2017

Kazakhstan, the world's top uranium producer, is cutting output of the commodity by 10% this year due to poor market conditions triggered mostly by a global oversupply of yellowcake. State-owned  uranium  company  and  global  production  leader,  Kazatomprom,  said  production  for 2017  will  be  reduced  by  2,000  tonnes,  which  is  about  3%  of  the  total  global  output,  according Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Research’s figures. “These strategic [uranium] assets are far more valuable to our shareholders and stakeholders being left  in  the  ground  for  the  time  being,  rather  than  adding  to  the  current  oversupply  situation,” Kazatomprom Chairman Askar Zhumagaliyev said in the statement. "Analysts see the move as a “game changer” that should boost the global uranium market in the very short term." He added the production would pick up pace once market conditions improve.

Cantor  Fitzgerald’s  analysts  Rob  Chang  qualified  the  move  as  a  “game  changer,”  adding  he expected  to  see  across  the  board  strength  in  the  uranium  space  very  soon.  “Kazatomprom’s relentless  increases  in  production  over  the  years  was  one  of  the  top  causes  for  uranium  price weakness,” Chang said in a note to investors. He added market observers had given up on expecting Kazakhstan to exercise production restraint as  its  mines  were  the  world’s  lowest  cost  operations  and  constant  output  hikes  appeared  to  be  a cultural focus for the country. “This news is a definite surprise and may be the inflection point for the uranium space to head higher across the board,” he said. Kazakhstan’s  uranium  is  produced  by  Kazatomprom,  its  subsidiaries  and  joint  ventures  with international  partners.  The  exact  change  in  production  levels  vary  by  mine  and  were  approved through  the  respective  management  boards.    This  includes  joint  ventures  with  Cameco’s (TSX:CCO-TSX, NYSE:CCJ) Inkai mine that was expected to produce 5.8 million pounds this year prior to today’s announcement. Kazatomprom said that even with the announced output cuts, the company will continue to be the world’s No.1 uranium producer. Kazakhstan climbed to the top position on the uranium production ranking in 2009 with almost 28% of the total world’s output, then 33% in 2010, rising to 41% in 2014, and 39% in 2015. 

Source: http://www.mining.com/worlds-top-uranium-producer-kazakhstan-to-cut-output-by-10/  

Citizens of 80 countries can enter Belarus visa-free for up to 5 days through Minsk National Airport, the press service of the President of Belarus reports on 9 January.

Visa-free entry will apply to citizens of 39 European states, including all EU countries, as well as to Brazil, Indonesia, the USA, Japan and other states (see the FULL list bellow). 

These are, first of all, countries without migration problems, strategic partners of Belarus and the states that have unilaterally lifted visas for Belarusian citizens.

The new rules also cover such categories of travelers as non-citizens of Latvia and persons without citizenship from Estonia.

To enter Belarus visa-free, foreigners need to have a valid passport or other travel document, a certain sum of money (equivalent of 2 basic amounts, or 42 Belarusian rubles, for each day of stay), a medical insurance valid in Belarus.

Citizens of Vietnam, Haiti, Gambia, Honduras, India, China, Lebanon, Namibia, Samoa must also have a valid multiple visa to any EU member state or Schengen country with a mark about the entry into their territory, as well as tickets confirming leave from Minsk National airport within 5 days from the date of entry.

Visa-free travel does not apply to persons coming to Belarus with flights from Russia and intending to fly to Russia.

The decree will come into force one month after its official publication.

Belarus has recently lowered the cost of long-term visas for European citizens.

Last year, Belarus continued steps in facilitating visa procedures for foreign tourists. In April it granted visa-free entry for citizens of the UAE; in August to Chinese tourists arriving in groups. In the end of November, visa-free trips to Belarus opened for Brazilian citizens. In October 2016, the Augustow Canal park in Hrodna region became visa-free for visits lasting up to 5 days, which has attracted tourists from over 20 countries.

The list of 80 countries in Decree No8 “On the introduction of the visa-free entry and departure for foreign citizens”

* If there is a valid document for travel abroad with a valid multiple visa of the states-members of the European Union or the states-participants of the Schengen area with a note of entry to the territory of a state-member of the European Union or a state-member of the Schengen area, as well as tickets confirming the date of departure from the Minsk National Airport.

** It is not a state.

*** Including persons with non-citizen status of the Republic of Latvia.

**** Including persons without citizenship, permanently residing in Estonia.

Kazakhstan exports more than imports in 2016

Timesca.com, 30 December 2016

Kazakhstan’s foreign trade turnover in 2016 is expected to amount to US $58 billion, Sputnik news agency reported with reference to Meirzhan Maikenov, deputy chairman of the national investment and export promotion agency KAZNEX INVEST. “As a result of 2016, Kazakhstan’s foreign trade would total $58 billion,” Maikenov told a news conference  on  December  28,  with  Kazakhstan’s  export  amounting  to  $35  billion  and  import amounting to $23 billion. “There  is  a  positive  balance:  we  are  exporting  more  than  importing,”  the  official  said.  He  also emphasized that processed products have accounted for 35 percent of the total exports, which, in his opinion, testifies to improving the country’s export basket. Last year, Kazakhstan’s foreign trade amounted to $60.7 billion, with the export at $41.2 billion and import at $19.5 billion. Kazakhstan exported its products to 117 countries. In Maikeyev’s words, Kazakhstan exports raw materials mainly to non-CIS countries and processed products are exported to CIS countries, the Caucasus, China, and Iran.   

Crude oil and metals remain the main export items of Kazakhstan, and the country’s export revenues have declined due to lower oil and commodity prices. The government of Kazakhstan has been pursuing a policy of increased domestic production and import substitution, including for food products. Deputy  Agriculture  Minister  Gulmira  Isayeva  said  earlier  this  year  that  domestic  producers  now meet 95 percent of the Kazakh population’s needs for basic food products.

 http://www.timesca.com/index.php/news/17505-kazakhstan-exports-more-than-imports-in-2016

Kazakhstan's new measure to boost tourism, investment

Presstv.ir, 3 January 2017 

Kazakhstan has lifted visa requirements for citizens of the European Union, OECD countries and a number of other states as part of efforts to boost investment and tourism. The  measure  adopted  earlier  by  neighboring  Uzbekistan  comes  as  Kazakhstan  as  Central  Asia's largest economy has been battered by low oil prices and financial distress in neighboring Russia.

According to Kazakhstan’s foreign ministry, since the beginning of 2017, citizens of EU and OECD countries, as well as Malaysia, Monaco, the United Arab Emirates and Singapore, could travel to Kazakhstan for up to 30 days without a visa. In  a  statement,  the  ministry  said  the  initiative  was  meant  to  "promote  an  even  more  favorable investment climate" and "develop the country's tourism potential." "The move will open up additional opportunities to the business community for cooperation with the outside world and facilitate international contacts in different spheres," the statement said. Kazakhstan's landscape is dotted with mountains, lakes and desert, and the glitzy capital Astana is home to futuristic architecture.

Back  in  December,  neighboring  Uzbekistan  announced  plans  to  roll  back  its  highly  restrictive tourism regime by cancelling visa requirements for 15 countries. That move followed the election of interim leader Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who succeeded the late Islam Karimov.

http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2017/01/03/504680/Kazakhstan-lifts-visa-requirements-to-boost-tourism 

As distributed by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in the United States of America in its electronic communication: DOWNLOAD PDF

Jennifer Campbell, Ottawacitizen.com, 16.11.2016

Canadians wanting to travel to Kazakhstan will have an easier time of it come January, when they can do so visa-free.

Kazakh Ambassador Konstantin Zhigalov said his government decided to lift visa requirements for all Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development member states, which includes Canada, starting Jan. 1. Beginning that day, Canadians will be able to travel to Kazakhstan visa-free for up to 30 days.

“This is an unprecedented measure aimed at making travel to our country easier for all OECD countries,” the ambassador said. “(Our) embassy had been working hard to get Canada on the list of visa-free countries because it makes it much easier for the citizens of Canada travelling to Kazakhstan for business, tourist, private and transit purposes.”

Although it hasn’t happened yet, Zhigalov said he hopes the Canadian government will reciprocate and allow Kazakh citizens to travel visa-free to Canada.

The Kazakh embassy has been busy these days — it has established a Kazakstan-Canada business council and a Canada-Kazakhstan Parliamentary Friendship Group.

From a business point of view, Kazakhstan is an important trading partner, with more than $7 billion in bilateral trade between 2012 and 2014, a volume that’s lessened in recent years because of lower commodity prices and overall market volatility. Yet even today, Kazakhstan is on Canada’s global market action plan.

The creation of the business council aims to reinvigorate trading activities, the ambassador said. It was officially launched earlier in 2016 with its inaugural meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan’s capital, attracting more than 130 participants, including 30 representatives from Canadian companies, government and non-profit organizations. Annual meetings, alternating between Canada and Kazakhstan, are planned although the 2017 meeting will again be held in Astana, because the city is hosting EXPO-2017 and will attract many of the Canadian members.

The parliamentary friendship group, meanwhile, held its inaugural meeting last month to review bilateral relations and identify new priorities. MP Robert Nault and Sen. James Cowan will co-chair the group.

“We very much appreciate the commitment of Canadian parliamentarians to strengthening (our) partnership in the wake of the 25th anniversary of our diplomatic relations,” Zhigalov said.

Finally, for the first time in its history, Kazakhstan joins the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member, beginning Jan. 1.

“It is the first time not only for Kazakhstan, but for the entire Central Asian region, to have a voice in the world’s most powerful body,” Zhigalov said.

Source: http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/diplomatica-canadians-to-travel-to-kazakhstan-visa-free-serbia-back-canadas-un-bid

On November 8-9, 2016 Ms. Tatyana Valovaya, Member of the Eurasian Economic Commission’s Board – Minister in charge of the Development of Integration and Macroeconomics, visited Montreal and Ottawa.

In Ottawa, Minister Valovaya met with Ms. Alex Bugailiskis, Assistant Deputy Minister, Europe, Middle East and Maghreb, Department of Global Affairs of Canada and discussed the current status and prospects of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) ‒ a regional economic integrational organization that unites Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia.

The meeting was also attended by H.E. Mr. Konstantin Zhigalov, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Canada, given that this year, Kazakhstan is chairing the EAEU.

Minister Valovaya briefed the Assistant Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada with the main principles of creation and development of the Eurasian Economic Union, noting that during the establishment of the EAEU it was taken into account the experience and the “lessons” of the European Union. The Eurasian Economic Commission’s Minister emphasized that the EAEU is based on economic integration only and it has no political inspirations. This principle protects the EAEU from the appearance of the internal problems, which are currently being faced by the European Union (including “Brexit”). Another important factor is the lack of plans to create a single currency within the framework of the EAEU (it’s a non-monetary union), and this is partly justified by the occurrence of the negative experience of the Eurozone’s functioning. At the same time, the EAEU is working on the harmonization of national legislations in the financial sector, in order to establish by 2025 a single market for financial services (with a supranational institution that will be located in Almaty and it will regulate the financial market).

During the meeting, both sides also discussed other issues concerning the EAEU’s functioning, as well as the prospects of possible cooperation between the EAEU and Canada.

While in Ottawa, Minister Valovaya gave a lecture titled “Eurasian Economic Union: Current Developments and Prospects” at Carleton University. 

In Montreal, Minister Valovaya as a keynote speaker participated in a seminar titled “Trading with the Eurasian Economic Union”, which was arranged with assistance of the Canada Eurasia Russia Business Association (CERBA). She presented to the Canadian business community information about the EAEU and advantages of doing business with the EAEU member countries. 

Along with Minister Valovaya, the event was attended by H.E. Mr. Armen Yeganian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Canada, H.E. Mr. Konstantin Zhigalov, Ambassador of the Republic Kazakhstan to Canada, H.E. Alexander Darchiev, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Canada and Mr. Oleg Kravchenko, Director of the Americas Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus. 

Ambassador Zhigalov informed the attendees about the priorities of Kazakhstan’s presidency at the EAEU in 2016 that was declared as the “Year of the deepening of the Union’s economic relations with third countries and key integrational associations”. Kazakhstan has proposed to deepen the EAEU contacts with the key blocks, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Free movement of goods and services within the EAEU corresponds to “The Silk Road Economic Belt” initiative suggested by the Chinese leadership.

Kazakhstan also raises the issue of the need to establish cooperation between the Eurasian Economic Union and European Union. We have proposed an initiative to arrange a joint conference between the EAEU and EU, where both trading blocs could consider the idea of ​​the Great Eurasia that will bring together in a single integration project of the 21^st century the Eurasian Economic Union, the Silk Road Economic Belt and the European Union.

Many countries have expressed their interest in creating a free trade zone with the EAEU. In 2015, the EAEU signed the first free trade agreement with Vietnam. More than 30 countries, including China, India, Israel, Egypt, Iran expressed their desire to expand trade and economic cooperation with the EAEU member countries. The intention of these and other countries has been encouraged by their willingness to use the advantages of cooperation with the Eurasian economic alliance and common market of the five states, as well as to elevate the existing partnership to a new level.

The economic potential of the Eurasian integration is very high. The combined amount of the nominal GDPs of the five members of the Eurasian Economic Union is $2.2 trillion and the common market covers more than 182 million people.

In this regard, Ambassador Zhigalov invited the Canadian companies to partner with the Alliance, including with Kazakhstan, through participation in CERBA and the Kazakhstan ‒ Canada Business Council.

Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Canada, 29 October 2016

Natural Resources Canada Official meets Kazakhstan counterparts in Astana

On October 24-28, 2016, Mr. Mark Pearson, Director General, External Relations, Science and Policy Integration, Natural Resources Canada visited Astana and participated in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Board meeting. The EITI is a global Standard to promote the open and accountable management of natural resources, and both Kazakhstan and Canada are committed to promote public awareness about how countries manage their oil, gas and mineral resources.

Moreover, Mr. Pearson met with the leadership of Kazakhstan’s Ministry Investments and Development, Committee of Geology and Subsoil Use, “KazGeology” National Company and KazEnergy Association. Both parties discussed the current status and prospects of the Kazakhstan – Canada partnership in the area of mining and geology, exchanged of views on the best practices in geological survey, resource exploration and development, as well as implementation of international standards in this area. It was agreed to further support mutually beneficial cooperation in the mining area, including with help of Kazakhstan’s delegation, which is going to participate in the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada’s (PDAC) International Convention, Trade Show & Investors Exchange in march, 2017 in Toronto.

Alberta trade mission visits Kazakhstan

A trade mission of the province of Alberta to Kazakhstan (Almaty, Taldy-Korgan, Astana) was arranged on October 24-29, 2016. The mission included five Canadian companies and three business associations (Amity Ag, Xports International, Boda Farm, Agriprocity, Stamp Seeds, Canadian Beef Breeds Council, Canadian Hereford Association, Canadian Angus Association), as well as representatives of Lakeland College. Along with visiting farms in Almaty and Akmola regions, the companies and associations from Canada took part in the KazAgro / KazFarm agricultural and animal breeding industry fairs in Astana, in which a company from the province of Saskatchewan, Bourgault Industries Ltd also took part.

While in Astana, the trade mission’s participants met with Vice-Minister of Investments and Development of Kazakhstan Yerlan Khairov, leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture, National Export and Investment Agency “Kaznex Invest”, “Astana Socio-Entrepreneurial Corporation” JSC and others. Both sides expressed their interest to further cooperate in the agricultural area, including beef cattle breeding, grain production, agricultural equipment, education. 

Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Canada, 26 October 2016

Inter-parliamentary cooperation has been a key area of Kazakhstan-Canada partnership for many years. In October 2012, a parliamentary delegation led by Mr. Nurlan Nigmatulin, the Speaker of Kazakhstan’s Majilis, lower chamber of the Parliament, visited Canada and held talks with the Governor General, Prime Minister, and the Speakers of Senate and House of Commons. In September 2014, the first ever Canadian parliamentary delegation led by Mr. Leon Benoit, then-Chair of the House Natural Resource Committee, paid a visit to Kazakhstan.

Following the parliamentary elections in Canada in 2015 and in Kazakhstan in March 2016, Kazakhstan-Canada Parliamentary Cooperation Group was relaunched with new members. On October 26, 2016, Ambassador Konstantin Zhigalov and the Parliamentary Group’s members held the Group’s inaugural meeting to reinvigorate bilateral relations and identifying new avenues of cooperation between two countries.

The Group will be led by two Co-Chairs: The Honourable Robert Nault, Chair of the House Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, and Senator James Cowan. The inaugural meeting was attended by Senator David Wells, Mr. James Maloney, Chair of the House Standing Committee on Natural Resources, The Honourable Candice Bergen, MP, The Honourable Gerry Ritz, MP, The Honourable Peter Kent, MP, Mr. Randy Hoback, Vice-Chair of the House Standing Committee on International Trade. A number of other MPs and Senators have also agreed to join the Group’s activities in the nearest future.

At the meeting, paying a special tribute to the past achievements of Kazakh-Canadian relations in political, economic, cultural spheres, and praising the current level of cooperation, including but not limited to the recent meetings of President Nursultan Nazarbayev with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Foreign Ministers Erlan Idrissov and Stephane Dion, establishment of Kazakh-Canadian Business Council, Ambassador Zhigalov emphasized the importance of  setting new goals and targets to be achieved in the years to come.

Members of Canadian Parliament expressed their commitment to strengthening Kazakhstan-Canada partnership ahead of the symbolic dates of the 25th Anniversary of Kazakhstan's Independence in 2016, 25th Anniversary of Kazakh-Canadian diplomatic relations and 150th Birthday of Canada in 2017. The members agreed to join efforts to organize exchange visits of the two countries’ parliamentary delegations in 2017.

Participation of Canadian companies in the International Exhibition EXPO-2017, which will be held from June to September 2017 in Astana, arranging high-level visits and promoting inter-parliamentary dialogue, business links and people-to-people ties between the two countries were among the issues discussed. A decision was made to establish the Group’s Secretariat to further facilitate common efforts aimed at building an even stronger Kazakhstan-Canada partnership.