Opening the meeting, the Head of State emphasized significant historical, cultural, spiritual, ideological and geopolitical importance of the Caspian region.
In the context of the oil and gas industry development, the country’s infrastructure and transport and logistics potential, Nursultan Nazarbayev noted the special contribution of Mangistau region to the national economy.
- Thanks to Nurly Zhol Program, the region becomes a major transport and logistics centre, which unites air, road, rail, ferry and sea transport networks, including the international airport, Zhezkazgan-Beineu, Uzen-State Border of Turkmenistan railway roads, Atyrau-Aktau highway, the modern seaport of Aktau and the ferry complex Kuryk. These projects will have a big impact on the region’s economy, the President of Kazakhstan said.
The Head of State has also dwelled on preparing and holding the Fifth Caspian Summit.
-Tomorrow the heads of five Caspian states will gather here and sign a historical document - the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, to which we have been going for 20 years, Nursultan Nazarbayev stressed.
Akim of Mangistau region Eraly Tugzhanov, speaking with the report on social and economic development of the region, noted that the results of 6 months of the current year the region’s economy maintains the dynamics of stable growth.
- Domestic regional product has increased from 99.2% to 104.4% as compared to the same period in 2017. The main industrial index was 101.2%. The share of investments in fixed assets increased by 6% and amounted to KZT 256 billion, the region’s akim reported.
E.Tugzhanov pointed out 42 projects introduced in the region since the beginning of the implementing the Industrialization Map, and KZT392 billion of direct investments were attracted. To date, there are 89 projects with an investment volume of KZT 418 billion in the process of implementation.
- The economic development of the whole region was stimulated by implementing the state programs referred to as Nurly Zhol and Nurly Zher, within which 600 km of national and local roads were built and reconstructed, 1.8 million sq. m of housing, the region’s akim informed.
Based on the results of the report, noting the stable indicators of social and economic development of the region, the President of Kazakhstan pointed to a number of issues that require further comprehensive study.
- It is necessary to achieve stable economic growth. For that it is necessary to diversify the economy and ensure the development of service and manufacturing sectors. For example, here there is Aktau Sea Port special economic zone on an area of 2 thousand hectares. The state allocated funds for the development of its infrastructure. Now we need to intensify its activities, creating alternative jobs, Nursultan Nazarbayev instructed.
Emphasizing the great tourist potential of Mangistau region, the Head of State emphasized the region’s geographical advantages and cultural peculiarities, including access to the sea, presence of a large number of historical monuments, both national and international.
In addition, Nursultan Nazarbayev got acquainted with the activities of the Friendship House of the city of Aktau, which started its work this year.
The House of Friendship will include the state institution Kogamdyk Kelisim, 20 ethno-cultural associations of the region, regional council of mothers, research expert group at the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan in Mangistau region, and the regional council of veterans.
During the visit, the Head of State was presented investment projects of the region. Among them is- a factory for producing yarn and fabrics, a gas turbine power station in Zhanaozen town, a desalination plant in the village of Kuryk, a steam-gas installation at the site of MAEK KAZATOMPROM LLP, a wind power plant in Tupkaragan area, Aktau eco-city and others.
