2024: Toqayev Sums Up Last Year

Ana Tili published an extensive interview with Kazakhstan's President Qasym-Jomart Toqayev on January 3, originally in Kazakh and later translated to Russian on the Aqorda website, Orda reports.

Here are the main highlights:

Achievements

Toqayev highlighted the year's successes despite overall challenges. He pointed to a 27 million grain harvest and several infrastructure developments.

18 million square meters of housing have been put into operation. 7,000 kilometers of roads have been built and repaired. New passenger terminals have been launched at airports in Almaty, Qyzylorda and Shymkent, the President recalled.

Regarding social support, he emphasized the country's commitments:

Kazakhstan is a social state, so last year payments under the 'National Fund for Children' program began, pensions, benefits, scholarships, and salaries of civil servants increased. Hundreds of new schools, nurseries, and sports and health centers have been built across the country, said Qasym-Jomart Toqayev.

Spring Floods Relief 

The President addressed last spring's unprecedented flooding, praising the coordinated response while acknowledging preventable failures:

The flood was indeed very destructive: houses, roads, bridges, social and commercial facilities were damaged, and some livestock died. It must be admitted that such severe consequences could have been avoided if due attention had been paid to the construction of protective dams and other hydraulic structures in recent decades, the President said.

He outlined future preventive measures:

These documents provide for the construction of more than 40 new and reconstruction of 37 existing reservoirs by 2030, as well as the modernization of over 14 thousand kilometers of irrigation canals, Toqayev said.

Speaking of civil servants, he noted:

Civil servants are often subject to unfounded criticism, but everything is learned in comparison, especially with other countries. From the coronavirus pandemic to the present day, we have successfully handled all crisises.

Aqtau Plane Crash:

Regarding the December 25 incident, Toqayev praised the emergency response:

In such situations, every second counts. Our rescuers, doctors, and police officers acted promptly, in a coordinated manner, and demonstrated professionalism and civic responsibility. The employees of the Mangystau Regional Electric Grid Company, who were near the scene of the tragedy, immediately came to the aid of the victims. Local residents did not stand by either. Thanks to such dedication of our citizens, the maximum possible number of lives were saved. I express my sincere gratitude to everyone who took part in the rescue work, the President said.

The "Taza Kazakhstan" initiative:

We need to decisively get rid of the stereotype of a nation that is indifferent to the richness of nature and the arrangement of its life. Cleanliness and careful attitude to the environment should become part of our national mentality. This is how the entire civilized world lives, Toqayev explained.

Time Zone Debate

While the government maintains its position on implementing a single time zone for Kazakhstan, Toqayev acknowledged growing public concerns about the change.

In my opinion, issues that cause disagreement in society require thorough discussions. Therefore, public hearings were held in parliament with the participation of scientists, experts, and regional representatives. We agreed to conduct a comprehensive study of the impact of time zone changes on the lives of citizens and the country's economy by March 1. After which specific proposals will be formulated, the President said.

Toqayev expressed confidence that parliament and government officials would reach a well-considered decision on the matter.

Economic Concerns

Addressing the tenge's depreciation beyond 500 to the dollar, Toqayev emphasized Kazakhstan's position in the global economy. He pointed out that the tenge is particularly susceptible to dollar strength as a developing nation's currency, noting that other countries' currencies had weakened even earlier.

We have long since abandoned the practice of artificially holding back the exchange rate; we have a free exchange rate regime based on market factors. I believe it is inappropriate to deplete gold and foreign exchange reserves for the sake of a strong tenge. Some market participants have suggested moving to a more manageable exchange rate. The National Bank and the government are carefully studying all options. After analyzing this issue, it will become clear whether it is necessary to change approaches in this area,  the President said.

Toqayev was critical of economic leadership:

I'll be frank: I rate the current work of the economist leaders as mediocre. Too much rhetoric from the lexicon of international financial institutions, not enough concrete action.

Shortly before the New Year, Toqayev dismissed the Minister of National Economy, Nurlan Baibazarov.

Original Author: Igor Ulitin