Kazakhstan looking forward hosting PM Modi at SCO Summit in Astana next year, says envoy Zhalgasbayev

New Delhi [India], October 25 : On the occasion of Kazakhstan Republic Day, the country's ambassador to India, Nurlan Zhalgasbayev, addressed a Round Table in New Delhi saying that his country was looking forward to hosting Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the SCO Summit in Astana next year.
The envoy added that Kazakhstan will strive to raise the level of the strategic partnership between India and Kazakhstan.
"Kazakhstan will continue to strive to make the most of every opportunity to raise the strategic partnership (with India) to an even higher level and give a new meaning to the bilateral ties for the sake of friendship and prosperity of our people," Zhalgasbayev said at the conference.
Invoking two 'big events' -- the SCO Summit and the Voice of Global South -- this year, the envoy added, "Regarding our bilaterals, this year we had two big events - SCO Summit in July and the Voice of Global South in January. Of course, we expect my President (Qasym-Jomart Toqayev) to come here. This is our goal, main goal, because the last visit of the first President was in 2009."
The Round Table dedicated to Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's State of the Nation address -- 'Economic Course of a Just Kazakhstan'.
In his State of the Nation address on September 1, the Kazakh President laid out the country's ambitious push for economic reforms and a fresh economic trajectory for the nation.
In his address, President Tokayev highlighted various aspects of the national agenda, stressing the key economic tasks faced by the government.
"In such an important period, we have every opportunity for a powerful economic breakthrough. To do this, we must decisively move to a new economic model, which is led not by abstract achievements, but by a real improvement in the lives of citizens," President Tokayev was quoted as saying an official statement.
He called on the citizens of Kazakhstan, especially the youth, to embody the best qualities as they form the foundational values of society.
Calling on fellow countrymen to aspire towards becoming 'Adal Azamat' (responsible citizen), the President said, "If everyone is patriotic, educated, hardworking, disciplined, responsible, fair, thrifty and sympathetic, then there will be no unattainable heights for us."
He emphasised that the ideas of Just Kazakhstan and "Adal Azamat" should always be considered as fundamental values that stand side by side.
He further acknowledged several significant achievements made by Kazakhstan in the last few years, including the doubling of teachers' salaries since 2020, significant salary increases for doctors, and the implementation of initiatives such as the 'National Fund for Children' and the construction of more than 300 healthcare facilities in rural areas.
Shifting focus to current economic objectives, President Tokayev added, "The most important task is the formation of a solid industrial framework of the country, ensuring economic self-sufficiency. The main emphasis should be placed on the accelerated development of the manufacturing sector."
He added that special focus will be given to sectors such as heavy engineering, uranium enrichment, and automotive components.
"President Tokayev proposed that in order to support the manufacturing industry, foreign and domestic investors should be exempted from paying taxes and other mandatory payments for the first three years," the statement read.
He also called for a coordination of financial and monetary policies, with the aim of achieving stable economic growth of 6-7 per cent while stressing the need to attract foreign banks to strengthen competition and solve the issue of insufficient corporate lending.
"The principal task is to ensure the annual growth of lending to the real sector at the level of 20% or more," the President said, adding, "The main goal is to radically increase the transparency and efficiency of asset management. I direct the Government to start privatizing all non-core assets and holding people's IPOs of Samruk-Kazyna Fund companies from 2024."
Also underlining Kazakhstan's commitment to sustainability and environmental protection, the President said, "In the long run, a global transition to clean energy is inevitable."
Further, according to the official statement, the President also put forward an ambitious vision for Kazakhstan to become an IT-focused country.
"We are among the world leaders in the e-government and fintech development index," Tokayev said.
He also directed the government to increase the export of IT services to one billion dollars by 2026. This will be facilitated by partnerships with major foreign IT companies, he said.
He also highlighted the area of transportation while outlining plans to establish Kazakhstan as a major transit hub, with a focus on key routes like the Trans-Caspian. In the realm of transportation, President Tokayev outlined plans to establish Kazakhstan as a major transit hub in Eurasia, focusing on key routes like the Trans-Caspian and the international North-South Corridor.
"It is necessary to build a new dry port at the Bakhty crossing, accelerate the construction of a container hub in Aktau, and expand port facilities on the Black Sea along the Middle Corridor," he said.
The President announced that Kazakhstan will hold elections for Akims (governors or mayors) of districts and cities of regional significance after the citizens elected Akims of villages, towns and rural districts in the past two years, the statement added.
Concluding his address, the President stated that the government will be held accountable for the implementation of this robust economic and social policy.
"It should have all the levers of independent management of the economy without red tape and bureaucracy, and without coordination with the Presidential Administration," he added.