As a first
question we'd like to know the economic report
that could be given to our readers all worldwide,
potential investors. We are interested to
know which, in your vision, is one of the
most important economic sectors in South-Kazakhstan
oblast?
The economy of our region is represented
with industry and agriculture, manufacturing
plants, light industry, tyre factory. Tg100
bln. Of production is produced every year.
Agriculture is very developed. The value
of agricultural output is considered to
be Tg50 bln. Entrepreneurship is very developed;
about 35% of population is involved there,
more than 20% of their revenues go to the
budget. Reforms conducted by our President
have had a positive impact on the economy
of our region. Our country is very competitive
in comparison with the other CIS countries.
The number of unemployed people has substantially
declined. It is now less than 2%. The volume
of industry is growing. The payments into
our budget are also growing. We have free
medical services, free secondary education.
Our Constitution guarantees all the goods
of civilization. The main regional city
is Shymkent, 600 thousand people live there.
There are 15 towns. In Macharala region
260 thousand people live. South Kazakhstan
oblast has the highest density of population.
About 2150 thousand people live here.
What about your relationships with the
foreign investors, foreign companies working
here?
We have some foreign investors in our oblast,
but not so many of them as you would think.
The one is ShymkentCement ruled by French
company, oil refinery - by Canadian company.
We have department of foreign affairs, the
previous governor of our oblast made some
trips to Slovakia and Hungary. We have some
investors from there and from Netherlands
too. We have some projects on cheese production,
production of soap and butter, project with
Slovakia, which is planning to produce buses
here. But usually we prefer domestic investors;
the capital goes from Kazakhstan people.
We are glad that money is flowing into our
region contribute to the growth of our oblast
and create new job places. We have a law
on attracting capital, if it contributes
to development of our region, we will promote
it.
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How exactly
do you attract foreign investors into your
country?
We have an open economy. For those investments
that want to come to our country we have
laws on foreign investments, we have some
projects and bank of development in Kazakhstan.
It is created under the President of Kazakhstan.
It has plans for the future years. We have
inner investments also. We are going to
create a strong production. As I already
mentioned we have 2-3 enterprises with foreign
investments. It is good because all the
enterprises work on their own financing.
Do you have any projects to attract
foreign investors into your region?
We have more than 50 projects where investors
are going to invest money. I went to Dresden
in May, tried to find investors for building
mini hydro electro stations. I think we
are going to develop it. The ADB is also
working here. We have some projects to raise
land fertility. If you have an opportunity,
I can give you all the information on them.
Could you, please, give us information
about your professional background, future
vision of South Kazakhstan oblast?
I was a mayor of many cities before I became
Governor. I'm urban industrial man. I was
born in city. I have to see the agricultural
side. I hope that in 5 years it will be
very prospective, we will have no unemployment
in our region, since the population in our
region is very active. I remember our President's
words - do not intervene into the activities
of our people. This is our main task - to
create suitable conditions for work.
Could you tell us a little bit more about
the population of your region?
I can say only positive things. Shymkent
is a regional center. We have very kind
people here. If you can control and rule
them, you will face no problems. You have
to support them. We have south character;
we are open-minded, very hospitable.
Could you tell us about your projects
that would be interesting for our readers,
investors from Europe, USA, to know?
We have a project, which we have developed
already. It is textile production, a deeper
processing of cotton. There are some investments
we have already attracted. We are going
to build a factory. For investors- we have
many cotton here, but it's better to process
it here and to attract investments here.
What is your final message tom our readers?
Thank you for your persistence to come here,
for an interview. I hope that this meeting
will become a symbol of our friendship. I
invite you all to be our guests. |
V.I.P. INTERVIEWS 
