NEWS FROM THE GOVERNMENT IN BRIEF 

Astana, June 7: Peugeot cars to start production in Kazakhstan

A three-way agreement between Peugeot Citroen, AgromashHolding and the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of Kazakhstan means that Peugeot cars will start production in Kostanay, in northern Kazakhstan, as early as July this year. Initially, the Peugeot 301, the Peugeot 3008, the Peugeot 508 and the Peugeot Partner will be produced, at a rate of 4,000 cars per year. This can be expected to increase to 10,000 per year.

    The project will create 150 new jobs at the AgromashHolding plant. The first finished cars will come off the production line and be available through dealers in September. They will go on sale simultaneously in Astana, Almaty, Karaganda and Kostanay. Prices for the 301 will start from USD 16,000. Andrey Lavrentiev, a member of the Board of Directors of AgromashHolding, said that the vehicles will compete on the market with Korean cars. (primeminister.kz)

Large growth in chemical exports; more specialists needed

    Exports of goods produced by the chemical industry in Kazakhstan in 2012 rose by 12% on the previous year, to the value of almost USD 4 billion, the Minister for Industry and New Technologies, Asset Issekeshev, announced this week. This represents a rise of 67.7% between 2009 and 2012.

But this encouraging news was tempered by a warning from the Minister. As things stand, it looks as if there will be a shortfall of 15,000 qualified workers in the chemical industry by the year 2020. “There’s a shortage of qualified workers now,” said Mr Issekeshev. “And to carry out the specific projects in the chemical industry which have already been laid out

we need a further 15,000 workers with a variety of qualifications. That’s over 3,000 with a degree; more than 2,000 with trained technical skills; and the rest, qualified workers with a professional education.” (primeminister.kz)

Subsoil law under scrutiny

    Over 100 amendments have been made to the draft subsoil law, the Deputy Minister for Industry and New Technologies, Albert Rau, told a news conference this week, which was called to mark Mining Day in Kazakhstan. If, as expected, the  amendments are implemented, it will simplify the procedure of both the reconnaissance and the exploitation of the subsoil. (primeminister.kz)

Kazakhstan faces water shortage

    Kazakhstan could experience a water shortage of up to 14bn cubic meters of water by 2030 unless serious conservation measures are taken, the Minister for the Environment, Nurlan Kapparov, warned this week. The seriousness of the situation, Mr Kapparov emphasized, can be illustrated by the fact that at present Kazakhstan uses 20bn cubic meters of water per annum.

It is essential, therefore, that the country adopts water-saving measures. These include more efficient systems for irrigation and transport of water; more careful use of water in industry; and better management of leaks in apartment blocks and on highways. At the state level there has to be increased dialogue with Kazakhstan’s neighbors about the use of water from rivers which cross national boundaries. All of this is included in the transition to the “green economy” in Kazakhstan, enshrined in the Decree signed by President Nazarbayev on June 1 2013. (primeminister.kz)

Kazakhstan needs new history books

    The Ministry of Education and Science is drawing up a plan to produce two new basic but high quality textbooks on the history of Kazakhstan, one on the country’s ancient history and a second one on the recent history of independent Kazakhstan. In the Ministry’s opinion, too many of the textbooks currently available are either too politicized or simply full of dates, facts and figures which can have the effect of turning students away from the subject. Also much that has been written about the modern period is too superficial.

    History books should include illustrations, including maps and diagrams, and modern methods of learning should be employed, such as audio courses, television and internet versions, and even electronic versions with mobile applications.

    The new textbooks could then be adapted for different age categories, such as slightly simplified and illustrated versions for schoolchildren and more detailed ones for students. (primeminister.kz)