New business travel rules for Kazakh officials announced

Tengrinews.kz - During his address to the nation, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced new regulations for official foreign trips taken by government officials.
President Tokayev emphasized that all foreign trips by government leaders should yield tangible results and warned against excessive focus on formal presentation events.

"Government agencies should not be preoccupied with organizing formal presentation events. Investors, especially large ones willing to invest over $50 million, should receive full support under a 'one-stop-shop' principle. An effective monitoring system for project implementation must be established. All foreign trips by department heads must have practical outcomes. This means reporting their results to government leadership and, when necessary, to the President," Tokayev stated.

He pointed out that issues with implementing investment projects are especially apparent at the local level. Local governors, or akims, tend to focus on securing budget funds rather than attracting private investments. Investors often face inaction and bureaucratic delays from local authorities, leading to project delays or cancellations.

"Attracting private investments should be one of the top priorities for akims. Overall, the activities of all government bodies should be aimed at increasing investment in the economy and evaluated accordingly. This is not about bureaucratic maneuvering or creating working groups and writing concepts. It is a concrete reform aimed at changing the approach of the state apparatus. We will review the work of the Investment Headquarters and assess the performance of each minister and akim in this area at the end of the first half of the year. The scrutiny will be rigorous," Tokayev warned.

On September 2, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivered his annual Address to the Nation during a joint session of the Parliament chambers. The President's speech focused on the political and socio-economic development prospects of Kazakhstan for the upcoming period.
Read also: Kazakhstan to fully implement direct elections for akims next year
Kazakhstan to launch a new national project
Tokayev announces date for nuclear power plant referendum