Kazakhstan to introduce reference system of Export Guides

Kazakhstan • 15 July, 2020

Kazakhstan to introduce reference system of Export Guides

At the government session chaired by Prime Minister Askar Mamin, measures to fulfill the instructions of the President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev given at an extended government session on July 10, 2020, were considered. Minister of Agriculture Saparkhan Omarov reported on the current situation in the country's agro-industrial complex.

Egemen Qazaqstan

To prevent rising prices for socially significant food products, the Ministry of Agriculture is conducting systematic work to saturate the domestic market. A plan has been developed for the implementation of investment projects taking into account import substitution.

According to the storage infrastructure, there are now 27 million tons of storage tanks in the republic, including 189 licensed grain receiving enterprises.

However, as the minister noted, it is necessary to solve the problems of small granaries up to 10 thousand tons for small and medium-sized farmers. This experience exists in the USA and Canada, Kazakhstan also plans to introduce state support measures in this area.

However, during the off-season there is a shortage of modern vegetable storages and fruit storages. For this, preferential lending is provided and investment subsidizing of the construction of modern storage facilities is carried out.

“Regarding the implementation of the export potential of the agro-industrial complex, foreign market conditions will be investigated. Along with the current subsidization of transport costs, the introduction of compensation for the costs of certification of export products, as well as effective marketing tools to promote domestic agricultural products will be developed. It is planned to introduce a standard system of Export Guides with a detailed overview of the market of importing countries,’' Omarov said.

In order to formulate a unified policy for processing agricultural products, it is proposed to create a committee of the food and processing industry within the Ministry of Agriculture with the assignment of appropriate functions and the allocation of the necessary staffing.

Also, in the Concept of the new State Program for the Development of the Agro-Industrial Complex for the next period, a unified approach to the development of the raw materials and processing industries will be provided.

Regarding land issues, the Ministry of Agriculture, together with the Security Council analytical group of the Presidential Administration, analyzed the world experience in the use of agricultural land. A number of proposals have been developed that will be put up for wide discussion.

“A pilot project on space monitoring is being implemented in 4 regions. The first phase of the pilot project has been completed on pasture land, the second phase on arable land has begun, which will be completed before the end of the year,” the head of the department said.

At the same time, the Concept of the Draft Law on Digitalization of the Land Relations Sphere has been developed, which provides for the provision of land plots in electronic format. After the discussion is completed, the Bill will be submitted to the Majilis of the Parliament by Sep. 15, 2020.

As the minister noted, in order to ensure harvesting in the conditions of the possible preservation of certain restrictions, the Work Algorithm tested this spring will be involved. This Algorithm includes the unhindered movement of farmers, the delivery of fuel and lubricants and spare parts, as well as special permits in both electronic and paper formats.

“Work has begun on preparing the necessary equipment for the harvesting campaign, and by the beginning of mass work, the readiness will be 100%. Work is underway to prepare the material and technical base of elevators and granaries,” added Omarov.