Senate Speaker Maulen Ashimbayev met with representatives of the public, labor collectives, deputies of maslikhats, members of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan and talented youth of the Kyzylorda region. During the meeting, issues related to the implementation of the initiatives of the Head of State, voiced in a recent interview, as well as instructions within the framework of the course on decentralization of power and the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence being held in the country were discussed. In this context, the importance of joint work of the Senate with the maslikhats in a number of key areas was highlighted.
As the Chairman of the Senate noted at a meeting with deputies of the maslikhats and representatives of the public, the joint work of all stakeholders is essential for the qualitative implementation of the reforms initiated by the Head of State. He also focused on the tasks outlined by the Head of State in a recent interview with the newspaper Turkistan, and called for joining forces around initiatives to develop digitalization, artificial intelligence and transform Kazakhstan into a digital power.
«At the initiative of the Head of State Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev, comprehensive reforms are being implemented in the country. The main goal is the formation of a just state, an efficient economy and a responsible management system. In his interview with the newspaper Turkistan, the President of the country elaborated on the current situation and prospects for further development of the country. All the initiatives of our President are aimed at transforming our country into a fair, technological and competitive state. In this regard, for the qualitative implementation of the tasks set by the Head of State, it is important to continue the systematic interaction and joint work of senators with deputies of maslikhats», - he said, addressing the participants of the meeting.
Along with explaining the norms of the reviewed and approved laws, including the new Budget and Tax Codes developed on behalf of the Head of State, which completely revised fiscal and tax policies, the Speaker of the Senate stressed the unprecedented course of the President of the country, aimed at decentralization and strengthening the independence of the regions, as well as the inviolability of the principle «Strong regions – strong country». Such an approach, as it was noted, will increase budgetary independence for the accelerated resolution of urgent problems and responsibility for decisions made, and strengthen the role of local government institutions.
«President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined the most important task of strengthening the competence of the regions and transferring a number of powers from the center to the regions. In this regard, large-scale changes are taking place to expand the budgetary independence of local executive bodies. As a result, 25 types of taxes and payments were transferred to the local level, including districts and villages. The most vulnerable areas are given more resources to achieve a standard development. This approach makes it possible to minimize infrastructure gaps and clearly plan the development of settlements. 70 percent of regional revenues are concentrated at the district level and in cities of regional significance. This is an incentive for local mayors to develop the business environment and increase their income base. Maslikhats have a lot of responsibility in such a large-scale work. It is important to strengthen control over the high–quality implementation of the instructions of the Head of State», - Maulen Ashimbayev said.
In this context, he also focused on another key issue of political modernization, the upcoming parliamentary reform.
«In his Message to the people, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed to bring the issue of transition to a unicameral Parliament to a broad public and expert discussion. This initiative is a logical continuation of a consistent course of reforms aimed at strengthening democratic institutions and mechanisms, in which the Parliament with expanded powers will play a key role. As part of this reform, almost 40 articles of the Constitution will be amended. The final decision on this issue will be made in a referendum, taking into account the opinion of the population. Speaking about the parliamentary reform, it is important to emphasize that we are talking about strengthening the entire system of representative government in order to make it more effective, flexible and responsive to modern challenges», - emphasized Maulen Ashimbayev.
Noting the prospects and economic growth rates of the Kyzylorda region, Maulen Ashimbayev noted the importance of developing new growth points and improving the well-being of citizens. Along with this, the meeting participants discussed the main tasks of the region's investment potential, taking into account its specifics, the effectiveness of a number of ongoing projects, and issues related to infrastructure modernization, updating the road network, water and engineering systems.
At the meeting with the creative youth of the region, special attention was paid to the role of educated young people in the process of modernizing the country, the importance of instilling in them creative values, responsibility and progressive ideas, as well as their systematic support. In particular, they discussed the need for continuous development, mechanisms for improving digital literacy and mastering advanced technologies.
On the same day, the senators held a meeting with members of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan and got acquainted with the activities of a boarding school with a physics and mathematics bias, built on behalf of the Head of State with funds returned from illegally acquired assets. In an educational institution for gifted children, special attention is paid not only to the exact sciences, but also to the in-depth study of the English language.
At the same time, the senators met with students and teachers of the Inclusive Sports Center, which provides a wide range of services for children and youth with special needs, including social adaptation, correctional, developmental, and socio-psychological support.
The parliamentarians discussed topical issues of development and support of small and medium-sized businesses during a meeting with representatives of the «Tumar» industrial zone. The senators also got acquainted with the exposition of the regional Museum of Local Lore, as well as with the work of the new airport terminal.
(Press Office of the Senate, 74-72-27. Photo by: N.Baibullin)
