Statement by Head of State Kassym-Zhomart Tokaev
Dear compatriots!
The situation in the world remains difficult. Almost 800 thousand people were infected in 177 countries. The dynamics of diseases is growing daily, apparently approaching its peak.
The virus checks the strength of all states.
Kazakhstan was one of the first to take the necessary measures. Thanks to the introduction of the state of emergency, we were able to prevent the uncontrolled spread of the virus.
Without this, the number of infected could be many times greater.
On my instructions, quarantine measures have been strengthened not only in the capital and in Almaty, but also in all regions of the country.
I thank all Kazakhstanis for their understanding, calmness and endurance.
We will not allow panic, and in this citizens should support the state. Now it is more important than ever.
Today the whole country admires the courage and stamina of Kazakhstani doctors and medical workers. They are real heroes who save lives.
I decided on additional measures to support those who are at the forefront of the fight against the pandemic.
I think today is the smallest thing we can do for our doctors.
Police officers as well as military personnel deserve special thanks.
Unfortunately, work and life in emergency mode always lead to significant economic and social costs.
Many Kazakhstanis today face great difficulties. We are well aware of this.
The government and akims have already begun to implement the first package of anti-crisis measures.
Understanding the severity of the situation, I decided on further steps to support citizens and business.
The first one. I instruct to index pensions and state benefits, including targeted social assistance, by 10% in annual terms.
This means an increase in the income of the corresponding categories of our citizens for a total of more than 200 billion tenge.
The second one. I instruct you to expand the coverage of additional social benefits in the amount of one minimum wage, which I spoke about on March 23.
I believe that this money - 42,500 tenge - should be received not only by those who previously had official work and salaries. We need to help our citizens who were and are self-employed or worked informally.
To do this, it is enough for them to formalize their status, after which for the entire state of emergency they will begin to receive a monthly social payment from the state.
There are reasonable fears that some citizens, having sufficient unofficial income, will still be issued to receive this payment.
If you remember, we have already encountered a similar situation.
But because of certain irresponsible people, we cannot endanger hundreds of thousands of really needy fellow citizens.
In general, the measures I expressed on March 23 and today will cover about 3 million of our citizens.
The third. I instruct you to extend from April 1 to July 1 the right of uninsured citizens to receive medical care in the system of compulsory social health insurance.
For this period, service to citizens in medical institutions should be carried out in full, regardless of the status of a participant in the compulsory health insurance system.
Fourth. It is necessary to expand the list of categories of citizens who should be provided with free grocery sets.
Such a package of assistance should be additionally provided to disabled people of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd groups, disabled children and officially registered unemployed.
This measure will cover more than 800 thousand people.
Moreover, it is necessary to approve the minimum size of such sets in kind.
It is important to engage local small and medium-sized businesses for production and delivery.
The government needs to attract domestic IT companies to develop a platform that will provide an effective mechanism for monitoring the targeted spending of social support funds.
In the future, you need to gradually move from natural kits to the transfer of funds for independent selection and purchase.
Fifth. It is extremely important to conduct spring field work in a timely manner.
70 billion tenge will be allocated from the budget and communicated to farmers through the Agrarian Credit Corporation JSC. The rate for end borrowers will not exceed 5%.
I instruct you to invest an additional 100 billion for these purposes within the framework of the program “Economics of Simple Things”. The final rate under this program has been unified across all sectors and amounts to 6%.
First of all, it is necessary to support small and medium-sized peasant farms.
In addition, I set the Government to reduce the price of diesel fuel for agricultural producers up to 165 tenge per liter or 15% of the market price.
For this, about 390 thousand tons of diesel fuel will be allocated at a reduced price.
I emphasize that cheaper fuel should reach the final recipients - farmers.
Work so-called The “operators” through which the supply goes must be completely transparent.
The government and the General Prosecutor's Office should provide appropriate supervision and control in the regions.
There are a number of problems that are complicated under quarantine conditions - registration of collateral property in public service centers, notarization, purchase of spare parts, etc.
Therefore, issues of spring field work should be under special control of the Government and akimats.
In terms of food security, every day is critical.
Sixth. Due to quarantine measures introduced around the capital, the cities of Almaty and Shymkent, there is an excess of the able-bodied population, primarily young people.
Within the framework of the “Employment Roadmap”, the government and akims should immediately begin specific projects in these regions.
People must have a source of income so that they do not sit at closed barriers without a livelihood.
Citizens who are ready to go to work under the “Employment Roadmap” will be provided with “lifting” in the amount of 2 minimum wage or 85,000 tenge immediately after arrival at the place of work.
Not in return, but in addition to regular wages.
Mobile recruitment centers will be deployed, within the framework of which the akimats will carry out explanatory work, rapid testing for coronavirus, and the collection and transportation of workers to the place of new work.
And of course, employers are required to provide all those employed on the Business Road Map with decent working conditions and protective equipment.
Seventh. Earlier, I already announced measures aimed at supporting SMEs. These are tax preferences, and deferred payments on loans, and much more.
As for the proposals of representatives of small and medium-sized businesses.
A large number of them are supported and are already being implemented by state bodies. This applies to the expansion of activities recognized as priority for state support, reduction and unification of the loan rate, increase in government guarantees.
The Financial Regulatory Agency is working with banks and other financial institutions to defer and restructure payments on loans to SMEs.
I want to dwell separately on this issue.
Many entrepreneurs ask banks not to charge interest on loans for the period of emergency.
It should be understood that for banks this is a lost profit, loss. Banks are also an integral part of our economy.
Therefore, I again turn to second-tier banks to show constructivism, civic responsibility and solidarity.
In difficult times for banks, the state provided them with significant assistance. Now you need support from the population and domestic business.
At the same time, if necessary, the state may take additional policy measures.
In general, should the situation worsen further, the Government and financial regulators will take measures to resolve this issue.
Further. Our entrepreneurs need additional support in terms of reducing the tax burden. This is especially important in terms of maintaining employment and paying salaries.
Therefore, for SMEs in the most affected sectors of the economy, the accrual and payment of taxes and other payments from the wage fund is canceled for 6 months (from April 1 to October 1 of this year).
These sectors include: catering, selected trade sectors, transportation services, consulting services, IT sector, hotel business, tourism, etc.
The state commission on state of emergency will approve the final list and will update it as necessary.
In the appeal of entrepreneurs, I also noted a request for non-assessment of any taxes for the period of crisis.
On this issue I would like to note the following.
An operational decision was made; on my instructions, the Government suspended the payment of all taxes for SMEs for three months.
That is, at the moment the design is such that taxes in this period do not need to be paid, but will have to be paid later.
At the same time, we are carefully studying the situation in the economy. Depending on what it will be, we will make the final decision.
Further. The government is working with partners in the Eurasian Economic Union in terms of zeroing import duties for the most important import for us.
The decision on personal protective equipment, raw materials for their production, vaccines, diagnostic kits has already been made.
Work continues to reduce import duties on a number of food products, for which we are not self-sufficient.
The government should ensure that requests from domestic businesses are taken into account and expedite this work.
It is also important to harness the potential of local small and medium-sized businesses.
Akimats and the Government (through the "State Food Corporation") should establish a mechanism for guaranteed purchase of products from domestic agricultural and processing enterprises at least 6 months in advance, i.e. introduce the so-called "forward purchase" or "purchase for the crop."
It is necessary to determine a clear mechanism for the integration of enterprises throughout the chain - from the field to the counter and provide them with soft loans.
Business, in turn, must assume counter obligations to ensure production volume, maintain prices, maintain employment, etc.
The eighth. To implement this package of measures, I instruct the Government and the National Bank to use all necessary sources of funds, including the State Social Insurance Fund, resources and instruments of the National Bank.
The funds of the National Fund created by our First President - Elbasy should be spent rationally.
In order to quickly and accurately bring funds to the real economy, one should not exclude the possibility of direct financing through state development institutions: Baiterek, Agrarian Credit Corporation and others.
This mechanism, along with other preferences, should be aimed at helping medium-sized fast-growing companies with an export focus. These companies can act as our “locomotives” in the post-crisis period.
Further. Given the amount of financial resources, the scale of anti-crisis measures, issues of ensuring targeted and efficient spending of allocated funds, adherence to the principles of openness and transparency in providing support to citizens and businesses are of particular importance.
Эта задача возлагается на Счетный комитет. Нужно подключить также к данной работе региональные ревизионные комиссии, общественные советы.
При этом следует учитывать особые условия чрезвычайного положения.
Dear people of Kazakhstan!
I understand that life has put each of us in difficult conditions.
But the coronavirus epidemic is a temporary phenomenon, and we will definitely defeat it.
The unity and cohesion of our society gives us strength and confidence that together we will overcome all difficulties!
Separate words of support are addressed to patients with coronavirus. Do not despair! With all the danger, this disease is not absolutely fatal, it can be cured. We, the state and society, will do our best to help you.