DESTINATION KAZAKHSTAN
accomplish . However , we are changing the working approach for SEZ .
First , all the legislative barriers have been removed . Second , a master plan was carried out in cooperation with the Jurong company from Singapore , which is the leader in managing SEZ .
This way , new management systems will be introduced . Business processes will be simplified and SEZ managing companies will solve problems and provide permission documents in one place . I am sure that SEZ will become the points for growth and investment attraction .
During 2001-2017 , 11 special economic zones have been created in Kazakhstan . The Astana-Technopolis SEZ was introduced last year . More than 40 manufactures started working within its territory , a quarter of which was realized with the participation of foreign persons . The main direction for Astana-Technopolis SEZ is the promotion for projects to develop high technologies .
Talking about the effectiveness of SEZ , we see that creating such platforms have brought its harvest now . Thus , members invested 2.4 tenge per 1 tenge of budget costs in infrastructure . A quarter of this invested amount is foreign . Transnational companies like Alstom , Talgo , Eurocopter , Arcelor Mittal , Transmashholding . Tenaris , Bemer , Keppel , Iso Plus , Aselsan , Paramount Group .
Since the introduction of the SEZ , 150 projects overall are launched and 115 projects in the industrial zones ( IZ ) platform , more than 19,000 work places and jobs have been developed .
As you can see , the SEZ and IZ proved its effectiveness and economic expediency .
What significant investment events of 2017 in Kazakhstan can you note ?
Our country regularly becomes the place for investment events .
In June 2017 the head of the state , Mr Nursultan Nazarbayev , held the 30th anniversary meeting for the Board of Foreign Investors in Astana . We will be celebrating 20 years of work for the Board of Foreign Investors this year . This board is a unique platform to provide a direct dialogue between the government of RK and foreign investors for effective solutions to problematic issues related to their investment activity in the country and improvement of the investment climate in RK .
The work of the board has more relevance in the light of the latest assignments by the president . The ambitious task for entering the 30 most developed countries in the world has been set before us . The board plays an important role here as advisory and illuminating body . We should understand that the state creates platforms and fields for communication between businesses of Kazakhstan and foreign countries .
EXPO 2017 provided a unique platform to advance the investment interests of Kazakhstan . During this event , 148 various events ( conferences , business forums , presentations , briefings , press-briefings , meetings , round tables , international commissions , business councils ) have been held . reception and organization of meetings for 30 business delegations from the USA , UAE , China , Greece , Monaco , Switzerland and other countries were organized .
One of the other large-scale events that happened last year was the Kazakhstan Global Investment Roundtable to present investment opportunities of the Republic of Kazakhstan with participation of official persons and representatives of big international companies . Bakytzhan Sagintayev , the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan took part in the event . The other participants were : 500 representatives from state bodies , quasi-public and big private companies in Kazakhstan , foreign participants , countries like Turkey , China , France , the USA , Japan , Russia and others .
The guests were presented a motivation package for investors in the priority fields of the economy of Kazakhstan . They were also provided the information about the possibilities of managing business in Kazakhstan , state given preferences for investors , sectoral potential for different directions in the economy .
In spite of the above , more than 20 events were held in 2017 , including 14 business forums , four of which happened abroad , business meetings with foreign representatives , etc .
Among the other significant events of the last year was the award ceremony of foreign investors , which took place on 22 December 2017 . Five companies that work in the agroindustrial complex , processing industry , logistical infrastructure , mining metallurgy complex and pharmaceutical field of the economy were awarded .
Which activities and projects to attract investments to Kazakhstan are planned by your ministry in 2018 ?
There are two main tasks to concentrate on in 2018 .
First and foremost , we will keep on working to improve the investment climate in the country and accomplish launched projects . The tight cooperation with the OECD will be continued . All the necessary conditions to strengthen
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