Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov presented the new heads of the Ministry of Culture and Information, Trade and Integration, Transport, Labor and Social Protection of the Population, Tourism and Sports.

Introducing the Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva, the Prime Minister noted that in his Address to the Nation the Head of State had set a number of tasks for the large-scale development of the creative industry.

"The Ministry needs to make specific proposals on measures to support participants of the creative industry together with local executive bodies, take measures to create centers of creative industry in each region," Alikhan Smailov said.

In addition, the Ministry has tasks to further develop the spheres of culture, religion and inter-ethnic relations, youth and family policy, civil society, information, cinematography, as well as protection of historical and cultural heritage and state symbols, development of archival business, etc. 

During the presentation of the new Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev, the Head of Government emphasized that the agency faces important tasks in the development of domestic trade, promotion of exports of goods and services, integration with trade partners of the republic.

"In general, it is necessary to continue work on improving trade infrastructure, development of exchange and electronic trade, protection of consumer rights. The head of state emphasized in his Address that we need new and bold approaches in trade policy," Alikhan Smailov said.

Presenting Marat Karabayev to the staff of the Ministry of Transport, the Prime Minister outlined the strategic importance of further development of the transport and logistics industry of the republic.

"That is why a new ministry was created. It is necessary to quickly reorganize and fulfill the tasks set for the creation of large infrastructure projects in the sphere of railroads and roads, air communication, maritime transport. This is a very big job," he said.

As the Head of Government noted, the transport sector will make a great contribution to the development of the economy and will increase the role of Kazakhstan as a major transit hub on the Eurasian continent.

"A real breakthrough in the development of the transport and transit sphere is expected from the newly created ministry. You know that recently the problems that have been accumulating for a long time and have not found an effective solution have come to light. This is the lack of transport for passenger transportation and freight cars, difficulties in the development of logistics, the quality of road construction. They need to be urgently and qualitatively solved," Prime Minister pointed out.

According to him, special attention should be paid to the construction of highways. This concerns the implementation of capital repair of more than 4 thousand km of roads by 2029, strengthening of control and adoption of new regulatory documents.

Presenting the staff of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population to the new Head Svetlana Zhakupova, Head of the Government noted that the agency faces big challenges, on the effectiveness of which depends the level of well-being of citizens of the republic. In particular, it concerns employment, resolution of labor disputes, assignment of pensions, benefits, etc.

"In his Address, the President emphasized the issues of increasing the minimum wage, employment and labor safety. Therefore, in order to fulfill this task, the Ministry of Labor together with state bodies should take measures to increase the minimum wage to 85 thousand tenge from January 1, 2024," Alikhan Smailov said.

He added that it is also required to accelerate the adoption of the Comprehensive Labor Development Plan until 2030 with regulation of the sphere of platform employment and the Concept of Safe Labor until 2030 to prevent and eliminate occupational risks at workplaces.

As part of the presentation of Yermek Marzhikpayev to the staff of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Prime Minister outlined the importance of timely implementation of the tasks set by the Head of State.

"At least 15 major breakthrough projects should be realized in tourism. Both foreign investors and domestic business should be actively involved in their realization. The image of the country is largely formed by the level of development of tourism and the quality of services. Therefore, a breakthrough is needed in this industry," Alikhan Smailov noted. 

Head of the Government stressed that in the field of sports in the short and medium term it is necessary to adequately represent Kazakhstan at the Asian Summer Games, to hold the V World Nomad Games in Astana at a high level, as well as to make every effort and win licenses to participate in the Olympic Games in 2024.

"In addition to participation in world-class sports competitions, there is a task to develop mass sports. Its popularization among the population is the main key in the formation of a healthy nation. Particular attention should be paid to the infrastructure of sports facilities and fitness centers to make them accessible to every Kazakhstani," Alikhan Smailov emphasized.

He added that in general, all the tasks set out in the Concept of Development of Physical Culture and Sports for 2023-2029 years should be fulfilled in a qualitative and timely manner.

The Prime Minister expressed his best wishes to all newly appointed Ministers and teams of relevant departments for productive work.

#Alikhan Smailov #The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan #Appointments