On February 15, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov held the government meeting on the fulfilment of the instructions given by President Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev at the enlarged meeting. Smailov criticized the activities of the special economic zones (SEZs), noting that they do not comply with current requirements, the press office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan reported.
Alikhan Smailov stressed that, while receiving impressive government funding and support, the return of SEZs to the national economy remains extremely low. Smailov said the “malignant root” was the failure of the management companies to organize the work properly.
In particular, the Prime Minister emphasised that the problems in obtaining FEZ membership, the lack of proper infrastructure and bureaucracy that flourishes in the management companies place various obstacles in front of potential investors.
The Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers tasked the high-ranking officials to conduct an audit and work out constructive proposals by March 1. Also, he instructed that a package of legislative amendments and additions that would contribute to increasing commercial and liquefied gas production and create an enabling condition for investments in the oil and gas sector be submitted to the Government within 30 days.
