Speaking before the city's core group, the Head of State stressed that Shymkent, after gaining the national status, faces new tasks demanding modern approaches and a coordinated strategy.
- Having become the third metropolitan city in the country with a population of over one million people, Shymkent needs to modify its growth model, just as Astana and Almaty have done earlier. A number of attractive projects are being actualized in the city, even more are in the schedule. Therefore, today we require discussing further ways of Shymkent’s development and determining the strategy, the President of Kazakhstan said.
Nursultan Nazarbayev paid special attention of the conference attendees to separate issues of Shymkent’s new self-presentation.
- Shymkent is set to become a powerful economic centre of Central Asia, a large and attractive metropolis with comfortable conditions for its residents and guests. The updated strategy for the city’s development is to be oriented towards the formation of a large industrial, innovative, tourist, trade and logistics centre in this region, the Head of State underlined.
The President of Kazakhstan noted the importance of supporting small and medium-sized businesses in the city, as well as the development of clusters and enterprises in the field of light industry, construction, pharmaceuticals and medical services.
In addition, Nursultan Nazarbayev pointed to the need to improve the quality of education in higher educational institutions, creation of modern innovation centres, following the example of Nazarbayev University and the Park of Innovative Technologies.
The Head of State has also dwelled on the issues of strengthening the city's international relations in the context of developing its tourist potential.
- Shymkent should become a principal magnet of tourism. Therefore, the city must develop in a consistent manner in all directions. It is also critical to build up international cooperation. Through the example of interregional forums held jointly with the Russian Federation, you need to go through the perspective and plan out a similar cooperation with Uzbekistan. The government together with the city administration should draft an action plan of international level, which will be held in Shymkent, the President of Kazakhstan said.
During the meeting, special attention was paid to the issues of conceptual development of the city using "smart technologies".
- It is challenging to prevent violations of architectural and town-planning regulations, to stop chaotic development and reduce the construction of one-storeyed houses. In addition, old dilapidated housing should be demolished and there should be effective utilization of the available area for construction of modern parks, sports grounds, multi-storey residential complexes and business centres, Nursultan Nazarbayev said.
In conclusion, the Head of State dwelt on the issue of building social infrastructure in the city, including kindergartens and schools, medical institutions and residential buildings. To this end, the President of Kazakhstan instructed to use the PPP mechanisms and conduct a broad awareness campaign on 7-20-25 Program.
