The Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Alikhan Smailov, took a part in the plenary session of the jubilee X Forum of Machine-Builders of Kazakhstan which was held within the framework of the II International specialized exhibition on mechanical engineering and metal-working "Kazakhstan Machinery Fair" in Astana on Thursday, September 22.

The Prime Minister opened the forum by reading out a welcome address from the Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

"Dear participants of the Forum! I congratulate you on the beginning of the 10th jubilee Forum of Machine-Builders of Kazakhstan! This is an authoritative dialogue platform, which brings together representatives of the state and business to find new approaches to the development of the industry.

Our country has created conditions to support the manufacturing industry and machine-building. As a result, Kazakhstan companies have mastered the production of new types of products, such as freight and passenger carriages, cars, buses, electric locomotives and transformers.

The implementation of a program to develop export-oriented industries and support local producers has begun. The Law "On industrial policy" was adopted, and the main priorities and vector of the industry's development were defined. The implementation of the law will increase the availability of raw materials for our manufacturing enterprises. It's good that domestic machine builders are entering foreign markets as well the volume of exports has already reached two billion dollars.

I am sure that realization of the industry's potential will allow us to increase economic growth, technological progress of the country and contribute to social development. I wish you all success and new achievements!," was said in the greeting text of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In turn, Alikhan Smailov emphasized that the domestic mechanical engineering industry makes a significant contribution to the stable economic development of the republic. Thus, during the years of industrialization, the volume of production in mechanical engineering increased 6-fold to 2.3 trillion tenge in 2021. The growth of the industry over the last 3 years has averaged 20%.

"The Government continues the policy to support domestic manufacturers in the current realities. This is provision of affordable inputs and financing, reduction of import dependence, modernization of existing and creation of new production facilities," Prime Minister said, adding that the Government is ready for an open dialogue and joint work with the business.

Alikhan Smailov took part in a Q&A session during the plenary session, expressing his opinion on the situation with imports of engineering products and the relocation of foreign companies to Kazakhstan.

"Our imports today significantly exceed exports. This situation needs to be reversed. This issue requires systemic and comprehensive measures. The time has come to think about the development and adoption of a policy document as a Comprehensive Plan for the development of the machinery industry. Because only a long-term approach will allow us to achieve serious results in this direction," Alikhan Smailov said.

The Prime Minister also inspected the Kazakhstan Machinery Fair, where over 240 companies from 17 countries presented their products and technologies: Kazakhstan, Austria, Belarus, Germany, Denmark, Israel, Spain, Italy, Russia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, France, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden, South Korea, and Iran.

In addition, Alikhan Smailov held a meeting with Adnan Dalgakiran, chairman of the Turkish Federation of Mechanical Engineering "MAKFED", where he encouraged Turkish companies to actively invest and open their production facilities in Kazakhstan.

"Our country is interested in implementing joint projects in the field of mechanical engineering with experienced Turkish companies," the Prime Minister said.