According to Uali, sharing the main results of the head of state’s activities with readers has become a good tradition in the lead-up to the New Year.
It was noted that in 2024, Tokayev visited 11 regions of the country on working trips, where he attended more than 60 production and socio-cultural sites, as well as held meetings with local residents. In addition, the president participated in 41 events, including forums, meetings, sessions, and others. He also conducted 137 meetings with political and public figures of the country.
5Berik Uali also provided some statistics in the regulatory sphere. Over the year, the head of state reviewed and signed 3,979 documents, including 95 laws, 319 decrees, 81 orders, 28 meeting protocols, and 3,456 official documents (as of December 25, 2024).
6The international agenda was particularly busy in 2024.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev made 23 foreign visits and participated in 19 multilateral forums and summits. Within the framework of international events, 27 meetings of the president with foreign leaders were held, along with 84 meetings with heads of states, governments, and other high-ranking officials from foreign countries, as well as leaders of international and regional organizations, and representatives of the business community. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev accepted credentials from 22 ambassadors of foreign states and conducted 49 phone conversations with leaders of foreign countries.
He then elaborated on key aspects of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's activities.
This year in Kazakhstan began with positive transformations. On January 9, the president signed a decree "On changes in the administrative-territorial structure of Almaty region," transforming the village of Zhetygen into the city of Alatau. This initiative laid the foundation for Alatau City, which will be built between the cities of Almaty and Qonayev in the coming years. There is significant interest from foreign investors in the implementation of this urban project.
It is also worth noting that during his visit to Singapore, the president met with potential investors to discuss the prospects of turning the Almaty agglomeration into a free economic zone. By the way, this issue was also raised by the head of state at other meetings with foreign entrepreneurs.
The Kurultai proclaimed a new ideology for national development
The Atyrau region was chosen as the venue for the third session of the National Kurultai for a reason. This region was home to the ancient city of Sarayshyq. At the current kurultai, key values defining the image of our nation were proclaimed – independence and patriotism, unity and solidarity, justice and responsibility, law and order, diligence and professionalism, creativity and innovation.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also, as noted in a publication by "Kazakhstanskaya Pravda," called on everyone to put a reliable barrier against the spread of five social evils. To implement this directive, the law "On ensuring the rights of women and the safety of children" was adopted, which toughens criminal liability for domestic violence and strengthens the protection of children's rights.
Additionally, the law "On combating human trafficking" was signed. Legislative amendments aimed at tightening responsibility for vandalism and public order violations, reducing gambling addiction among the population, and banning vapes were also adopted. Alongside parliament deputies, active participation in developing these important documents was taken by members of the National Kurultai. Thanks to these measures, the principle of law and order is gradually taking root in society.
An example of unbreakable unity
As you know, the large-scale spring floods caused significant damage to the state and its people. A local emergency regime was introduced in ten regions. The president promptly responded to this situation and ordered the immediate evacuation of people to safe places and the provision of necessary assistance. Furthermore, Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich visited three regions affected by the disaster (Western Kazakhstan, North Kazakhstan, and Kostanay regions), where he met with local residents and listened to their needs and concerns.
No one was left unattended. The state fulfilled all its obligations. All victims received material and financial assistance.
In particular, commissions working in the flood-affected regions examined 19,359 houses and summer cottages. To provide housing for citizens, 5,767 residential houses were purchased on the real estate market. Repair work was fully completed in 9,156 homes. A total of 54.7 billion tenge was allocated to solve this problem. Additionally, 2,680 private houses were built in a short time at a cost of 64 billion tenge.
Moreover, 36,455 families received one-time social assistance of 100 MRP totaling 13.3 billion tenge. Compensation was paid to 21,876 families of up to 150 MRP totaling 9.9 billion tenge.
To compensate for the damage caused to small and medium-sized businesses, 12.1 billion tenge was allocated. Questions about providing additional funds of 2.5 billion tenge from the corporate fund "Demeu" to Atyrau, West Kazakhstan, and North Kazakhstan regions for payments to affected business entities were fully considered. With these funds, 40 requests from small and medium-sized businesses were satisfied. In total, regional commissions approved applications from 734 entrepreneurs for 14.6 billion tenge.
The amount of assistance allocated by the state to compensate for livestock losses exceeded 2.8 billion tenge.
It is gratifying that in a critical moment, our people demonstrated unity and solidarity.
Growth in trade turnover
At an expanded government meeting held on February 7, the head of state set a number of tasks to ensure freedom of entrepreneurship through the development of competition, reducing state participation in the economy, and lowering business costs. On May 10, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree "On measures to liberalize the economy."
In the September address to the people of Kazakhstan "Just Kazakhstan: law and order, economic growth, public optimism," the head of state outlined the main directions for the country’s economic development in the near future. The government has actively worked throughout the year to implement the tasks set.
Thus, following the first half of 2024, the gross inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) amounted to 9.8 billion dollars. By sector, the largest volume of FDI was recorded in the mining industry, wholesale and retail trade, and manufacturing.
7The volume of investments in fixed capital from January to November 2024 amounted to 15.8 trillion tenge. To date, 134 projects worth approximately 795.9 billion tenge have been launched, creating 10.1 thousand permanent jobs. During his working trips to the regions, the head of state visited a number of new large enterprises.
Expansion of transport and logistics connections
Undoubtedly, the outgoing year has been fruitful for the development of Kazakhstan's transport and transit potential. On February 28, the president, via telebridge, launched the opening of the Transport and Logistics Center in Xi'an (China).
8Xi'an is a key transit center in China, and the dry port is the largest in the country. Here, up to 40% of the total volume of container trains between China and the EU is formed.
The design capacity of the Kazakh terminal at the dry port of Xi'an is over 66,500 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent) per year. The terminal will provide exporters from our country access to new markets, significantly reduce cargo delivery times, and strengthen Kazakhstan's position as a reliable transit hub in Eurasia.
On July 3, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Xi Jinping participated in a telebridge ceremony for the dispatch of trucks and railway containers along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. The TMTM passes through China, Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and then to European countries. It will become an effective transport route both economically and in terms of reducing delivery times. An agreement has also been reached with Uzbekistan to expand the transport and transit capabilities of both states and to develop the Trans-Afghan route.
Additionally, 1,400 km of railway tracks have been repaired. Work is underway on the repair and construction of 12,000 km of roads across the country. Major international corridors will be launched in directions such as Taldykorgan – Ust-Kamenogorsk, Karaganda – Almaty, Aktobe – Atyrau – Astrakhan.
Uali also separately noted the implementation of the head of state’s instruction to build a bridge over the Bukhtarma Reservoir. This facility, which the residents of East Kazakhstan have been waiting for many years, has been put into operation. Importantly, the bridge will facilitate transport connectivity with the regional center for residents of the Markakol and Kurchum districts, who previously had to cross a water obstacle by ferry.
It should be noted that international development institutions are interested in financing Kazakh projects in road infrastructure. Thus, the World Bank will allocate 650