To implement the plans, it is proposed to allocate more than 3.7 trillion tenge from the national and local budgets, as well as private investments.
Why is the government focusing on the western region?
Kazakhstan shares a border of 7,591 kilometers with Russia to the west, northwest, and north. In contrast, the country's eastern border stretches 1,782 kilometers from Altai to Tian Shan, separated from the People's Republic of China by a series of pillars. In the south, it borders Turkmenistan for 426 kilometers, Uzbekistan for 2,354 kilometers, and Kyrgyzstan for 1,241 kilometers.
The nation's attention had been directed towards the northern regions.
Expert Nursultan Erbolatuly states that the government's urgent development plan for 2025-2027 specifically targeting the West Kazakhstan region is due to several important reasons.
1. These regions are the main oil and gas production centers of Kazakhstan, serving as a crucial driving force for the country's economy. However, the dominance of the oil and gas sector makes the economy unstable, necessitating the diversification of production, the establishment of new enterprises, and support for local businesses.
2. Infrastructure issues are pressing in the area, with high loads on transport networks leading to the deterioration of roads and railways. Additionally, there is a noticeable shortage of social facilities, including schools and hospitals.
3. The West Kazakhstan region plays a significant role as an important transit corridor between Central Asia, Europe, and Russia, making the improvement of transport and logistics infrastructure one of the main tasks.
4. Environmental problems in the region also raise significant concerns, including the flaring of associated gas, a shortage of drinking water, excessive industrial waste, and the drying up of the Ural River. Therefore, the government is taking measures to construct gas processing plants, implement water desalination projects, and reduce the environmental burden.
5. To enhance the quality of life for the population in these regions, measures such as housing construction, building new schools and hospitals, and supporting small and medium-sized businesses are being considered.
6. To expand investment opportunities, plans are in place for the processing of agricultural products, the establishment of equipment production for the oil and gas sector, and the opening of new enterprises. All of these measures will positively impact not only the region but also the overall economic stability of the country.
Settling the border has been a dream since the time of Abilay
The next expert, Beisenbek Ziyabekov, claims that focusing on border areas is a strategically advantageous geopolitical decision. Such decisions should be made gradually concerning border regions. This issue has been raised many times before. For instance, the Khorgos checkpoint cannot serve as a shield for Kazakhstan's border areas. It has been repeatedly stated that the efforts of active citizens and government programs alone are insufficient for the development of border areas. This issue needs to be resolved by law. Proposals regarding the legal status of border districts are scattered as separate points in existing laws and government programs. When the draft law is discussed, all of these must be taken into account.
The relocation of the regional center of Turkestan from Shymkent to Turkestan has left the remote areas of Zhetisay and Saryagash exposed at the border with Uzbekistan
A few years ago, public figure Myrzantai Kozhabaiuly Zhakyp suggested dividing Turkestan region and granting regional center status to either Saryagash or Zhetisay. According to some reports, the current center of Makhtaaral district in the Myrzashol region, which has a population exceeding 500,000, is located 250 kilometers from Myrzakent village to Shymkent. In contrast, Turkestan city is located 170 kilometers from Shymkent. The local population's access from Makhtaaral and Zhetisay districts to Turkestan city via the areas of Shardara and Otyrar districts and the city of Arys is still not adequately supported by our national and local roads.
Residents of the Myrzashol region do not have train services connecting Saryagash to Turkestan, and the conditions for passenger train operations have not been established.
— Makhtaaral district – population 131,781;
— Zhetisay district – population 172,903;
— Shardara district – population 78,621;
— Saryagash district – population 191,096;
— Keles district – population 136,000.
“Thus, the new 15th region in Myrzashol will have a population of 710,401,” says M. Zhakyp.
Currently, it is reported that Uzbekistan's nuclear power plant is being constructed near Tuzkan Lake in Jizak region, which borders Kazakhstan's Zhetisay.
Therefore, it is time to pay attention to the areas located along the 2,354 kilometers of border with Uzbekistan within the framework of the state program.