On Friday, the Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev addressed the joint session of Parliament with the 2012 state-of-the-nation address. The Head of State set a number of important tasks to the Government concerning the further development of the country. Among the first tasks, Nursultan Nazarbayev called for the provision of new employment programmes and affordable housing. In addition, the state will send impressive resources to the development of the so-called small towns.

Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kazakhstan
«The situation in Zhanaozen has shown that one-industry towns are prone to social risks. The Government declared a state of emergency in Zhanaozen and had to take comprehensive measures to stabilize the situation in the town. At present, the situation there has returned to normal. In the Majilis election, the majority of Zhanaozen citizens voted for the Nur Otan Party. This indicates their full support for the state’s policies. Therefore, I have decided that the state of emergency in Zhanaozen will not be extended any further.»

The President emphasised that the development of e-government is an important part of improving the quality of public services. From 2013, all permits in Kazakhstan will be obtained in an electronic format. Another innovation proposed by Nursultan Nazarbayev, is to hand over vehicle registration and the issuance of driving licences to Public Service Centres (PSC). Modernization of the judiciary and law enforcement systems in Kazakhstan will continue as well. The President asked the official in charge to fully revise the order of formation of the judiciary, and before July 1st this year to conduct re-certification of all personnel of law enforcement and special agencies. Only after that will the government consider the issue of increasing their salaries. To strengthen the fight against transnational crime in the Common Economic Space, the President proposed the establishment of the Eurasian police following the example of Interpol. The country will also continue fighting against corruption.

Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kazakhstan
«It is necessary to explore and use the experience of other countries. We need to move on to a declaration both of income and expenses of public servants. It is necessary to adopt a law on this issue.»

The present-day’s education of the younger generation, as Nursultan Nazarbayev emphasized, should be done in the spirit of patriotism, tolerance, morality and ethnic harmony. The greatest achievement of the country is in its multinational and multilingual population, which should be cherished. The President’s state-of-the-nation address also clearly points out mechanisms of the health system modernization. The head of State asked the officials in charge to create the Astana Cancer Research Center, as well as to introduce a system of joint responsibility of citizens for their health. The provision of public access to sports infrastructure is an order for all territorial heads at all levels. Improving the pension system is a task on which the Government will be working together with the National Bank of Kazakhstan.

Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kazakhstan
«Dear people of Kazakhstan! Today, I would like to announce the launch of new large-scale projects in the sphere of high processing of our natural resources and the infrastructure which will provide this processing. First. I instruct the Government to ensure the start of the construction this year of the first module of the Balkhash Thermal Station with a power of 1320 MW and worth 2.3 billion USD, in order to solve the problem of energy shortages and energy dependency of the southern regions. This is very important. The thriving southern region has a shortage of electricity. We should not depend on anybody. This issue will decide a lot.»

The list of large-scale projects, which will be launched in Kazakhstan involves a plant for the production of mineral fertilizers in the Zhambyl region, the construction of a natural gas processing plant in Karachaganak, delivery of the Atyrau natural gas chemical complex to the projected capacity to supply the central region of the country with gas, finishing the Western Europe-Western China transport corridor construction and constructing the Zheskazgan-Beineu and Arkalyk-Shubarkol railways. The president noted that the implementation of these projects will begin this year and now the government needs to deal with strengthening Kazakhstan’s innovative system, local scientists’ support, the development of tourism and attracting investments. The issue of further development of agriculture is one of the most important for the country. The president asked to find alternative ways for the expansion of access for farmers to financing. The country should develop a single grain holding. Moreover, the government needs to work with the establishment of programmes on the development of sheep breeding, fodder production and livestock breeding on pastures.

Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kazakhstan
«There is a large amount of work to do, which is hard and difficult, yet interesting to all, both for ordinary people and the Government, the Parliament, and for the state as a whole. Without setting such high goals, we cannot develop. We always did what we had said we would do. We have fulfilled all of our plans. Now we have a great deal of work ahead of us. Such is the world, such is the situation. Such is the current challenge. Let us call upon all the people of Kazakhstan and mobilize ourselves in order to meet these daunting tasks, which will improve the lives of all the people of Kazakhstan!»