At the Government session chaired by Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, issues of support and promotion of domestic goods were considered.

Reports were delivered by Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliev, Minister of Industry and Construction Yersaiyn Nagaspayev, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Azat Sultanov, Chairman of the Board of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs “Atameken” Kanat Sharlapayev, and Deputy Chairman of the Union of Trade Networks of Kazakhstan Yelbegi Abdiev. Akims of North Kazakhstan, Karaganda and Zhambyl regions reported on measures to saturate the domestic market with products of domestic commodity producers, develop the manufacturing industry and expand sales markets.

Olzhas Bektenov emphasized that the Head of State has set the task of creating conditions for the sustainable growth of domestic production. Increasing the share of Kazakhstani products on the domestic market contributes to the development of enterprises, enhancing their competitiveness and strengthening the national economy. On the President’s instruction, the main instruments of state support for domestic producers have already been formed in the country. Kazakhstani enterprises have priority in the sale of goods and services within the framework of national and infrastructure projects. Tax and other measures of state support create conditions for launching new and expanding existing production facilities.

To ensure prompt access to state support measures and confirmation of the local origin of goods, the Register of Domestic Producers has been created, which provides preferential access for bona fide producers to state and quasi-state procurement. The National Catalogue of Goods introduced this year has created the basis for the formation of a unified digital system of real-time product traceability.

“All measures being taken are aimed specifically at the creation and development of competitive domestic production. This approach is applied by all developed economies of the world — from the provision of subsidies to the promotion of goods on world markets. We will also adhere to such a policy. Especially since we see obvious positive results. For example, Kazakhstan as a whole provides the domestic market with basic food products. In the first half of the year, the volume of production grew by almost 10%. The export of agricultural products is also growing steadily. This has become possible thanks to comprehensive state support for economic sectors,” Olzhas Bektenov emphasized.

At the same time, the Prime Minister focused on the need to continue work on saturating the domestic market with products of Kazakhstani production, expanding sales markets and actively promoting domestic goods on foreign markets. The national mark “Made in Kazakhstan” should be associated with high quality that consumers trust.

Following the meeting, the Prime Minister issued a series of instructions.

First. The Ministry of Trade, together with interested government agencies and the “Atameken” Chamber, must develop within one month a comprehensive program to support and promote goods under the “Made in Kazakhstan” brand.

Also within one month, it is instructed to determine priority product categories that are most in demand among the population. For each category, target indicators for increasing the share of domestic products on the domestic market are to be established.

Together with retail chains, the development of domestic trade marks and the conclusion of long-term supply contracts with Kazakhstani producers should be ensured.

“Often, domestic producers of consumer goods face limited access to retail space, including due to the high cost of rent. This constrains the expansion of the presence of Kazakhstani products on the domestic market and reduces their competitiveness. I believe that owners of retail chains should reconsider their attitude toward goods of Kazakhstani production. Giving preference to imported goods to the detriment of domestic ones is wrong not only from a moral, but also from a legal point of view,” Olzhas Bektenov emphasized.

The Ministry of Trade, together with interested government agencies and regional akimats, as well as the “Atameken” Chamber, is instructed to develop specific mechanisms for providing favorable rental conditions for retail space to domestic producers of all categories of goods, including light industry and household chemicals.

“There are facts of deliberate information campaigns to discredit popular goods of Kazakhstani production, in particular food products and confectionery. This is done with one goal — to oust a competitor and occupy the market. The Ministry of Culture and Information, together with interested government agencies, is to ensure the conduct of a unified information campaign to promote the national brand ‘Made in Kazakhstan’, popularize domestic goods and protect them from unfounded information attacks,” the Prime Minister noted.

Second. Domestic producers should not face unjustified and excessive administrative requirements when selling their products. In this regard, the Ministry of Trade, together with interested government agencies and the “Atameken” Chamber, is instructed to conduct a review of requirements and restrictions that hinder the sale and export of domestic goods and take measures to eliminate them. The Head of Government emphasized that all requirements must be clearly reflected in one document and in a publicly accessible information system.

Third. For basic food products, the domestic market is provided with domestic products. At the same time, dependence on imported raw materials and components necessary for the production of finished goods remains. The highest dependence remains in the non-food sector. The Ministries of Trade, Industry and Agriculture are instructed within one month to determine a list of critically important imported goods, raw materials, materials and components, the production of which needs to be opened in Kazakhstan. For each position — to develop specific measures to create or expand domestic production with the determination of the timelines for their implementation.

Fourth. A promising area of economic development is light industry. In July, the Comprehensive Plan for the Development of Light Industry until 2030 was adopted. Its effective and timely implementation should ensure an increase in the production of domestic products, saturation of the domestic market and the creation of new jobs. The Ministry of Industry, together with interested government agencies, akimats and the “Atameken” Chamber, should ensure the high-quality and timely implementation of the planned measures.

Fifth. It is necessary to continue the active saturation of the domestic market with domestic agro-industrial products, expand sales and more actively promote products on foreign markets. One of the priority areas should be the development of livestock breeding, especially meat livestock breeding, which has a high multiplier effect. Olzhas Bektenov noted the importance of maximizing the use of this potential and consolidating Kazakhstan’s positions on foreign markets as one of the leading exporters of meat products. The Ministry of National Economy is instructed to consider and submit a conclusion on the financial and economic justification for increasing the authorized capital of the “Baiterek” holding for lending to livestock projects and investment projects as soon as possible.

Sixth. Without reliable data, it is impossible to assess the real share of domestic products and the effectiveness of state support. The Ministry of Trade, together with interested government agencies, must complete by the end of the year the formation of a unified digital system of product traceability based on the National Catalogue of Goods. It is instructed to ensure its integration with the data of the State Revenue Committee, the Register of Domestic Commodity Producers and other information systems.

Seventh. It is necessary to expand the presence of Kazakhstani finished products on foreign markets. The Ministry of Trade, together with interested government agencies, will work out a mechanism to support domestic producers when entering the largest foreign retail chains. Priority countries, retail chains and product groups will also be determined, and a set of measures for promotion, certification, logistics and placement of Kazakhstani products on the shelves of foreign retail chains will be developed.

Control and coordination are assigned to Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin.

#Olzhas Bektenov #The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan #Agroindustrial complex #Economy #President's instruction

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