During a working visit to Pavlodar region, Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov held a meeting on integrated socio-economic development of the region.

The reports were made by regional Akim Abylkair Skakov, Minister of Industry and Infrastructure Development Kairbek Uskenbayev, Minister of Agriculture Yerbol Karashukeyev, Minister of Environment, Geology and Natural Resources Serikkali Brekeshev, Deputy Minister of National Economy Bauyrzhan Omarbekov, Deputy Minister of Education Aibat Ilyasov, and  Deputy Minister of Healthcare Vyacheslav Dudnik.

The Head of Government noted that Pavlodar region is one of the most important industrial regions of the country, which actively develops mining, metallurgical, chemical and construction industries.

About 134 billion tenge is provided for the development of the region in 2022, in addition, over 23 billion tenge have been allocated for it within the framework of specification of the republican budget.

"These funds are aimed at social needs of the region, development of engineering infrastructure, support for the agro-industrial complex and other infrastructure projects. It is necessary to ensure their targeted use and efficient development to achieve quality results," Alikhan Smailov said.

The Prime Minister also drew attention to the need to conduct systematic work to prevent shortages and unjustified growth of food prices in the region.

"This issue is regularly considered at the level of the Government. All necessary tools and mechanisms have been identified. They must be actively applied," Alikhan Smailov said.

Another urgent issue, according to the Head of Government, is the diversification of the region's economy. For this purpose, 66 projects worth approximately 44 billion tenge are planned to be completed this year by means of private investments. In addition, 48 more projects worth over 1.7 trillion tenge are at the design stage.

"These projects are implemented in such sectors as agro-industrial complex, metallurgy, energy and construction industry. Akimat of the region needs to launch them in time, as well as to ensure the quality development of new projects," Alikhan Smailov emphasized.

Summarizing the meeting, the Prime Minister instructed the Ministries of Industry and Infrastructure Development, Finance, and National Economy together with the regional akimat to consider allocating funds for the construction of a road bridge over the Irtysh River, reconstruction of Leninskiy - Irtyshsk - Russkaya Polyana and GRES-1 - Baskamys - Razumovka roads, construction of water supply and reconstruction of heating networks.

In addition, the akimat was instructed to conduct a technical audit of the Ekibastuz heat and power center and make specific proposals to ensure its efficient operation, as well as to work with KazAutoZhol company to increase the share of roads in a standard state to 97% on the national network and to 93% on the local network by the end of the year.

The Ministry of Agriculture together with the state agencies concerned and the akimat were instructed to consider allocating funds for projects of bringing the engineering and communication infrastructure to irrigated areas of the region, and the Ministry of Healthcare, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of National Economy together with the akimat were instructed to consider allocating funds for reconstruction of multifield hospital №1 in Pavlodar.

The Prime Minister also instructed the Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources to consider issues of accelerated transition of enterprises to integrated environmental solutions, and the Ministry of Education together with the akimat to take measures to solve problems of three-shift schools, a shortage of students and preschool places, and to ensure quality preparation for the new school year.

"The solution of issues of the socio-economic development of the region depends on the effective joint work of the central state bodies and the akimat of the region," Alikhan Smailov concluded.