At a ceremony in Akorda, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the special role of the oil and gas complex in the national economy and congratulated industry workers and veterans on their professional holiday.
– By diligently and conscientiously doing your job, each of you makes a significant contribution to the development of the country, fully demonstrating the qualities inherent in a real person of work. It should be noted that Kazakhstan's oil and gas industry has its own deep traditions and rich history. Representatives of many labor dynasties contributed to the formation and prosperity of this industry. You are worthily continuing the glorious path of your senior mentors. Today, more than 200,000 people work in the oil and gas complex. I highly appreciate your work and express my sincere gratitude for your tireless work for the benefit of Kazakhstan," the President thanked.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev recalled that last year the country’s oil and gas industry celebrated 125 years, and this year is also marked by a number of important events.
– Atyrau oil refinery was commissioned 80 years ago. The Shymkent Oil Refinery is celebrating its 40th anniversary, and the national company QazaqGaz is celebrating its quarter-century anniversary. Undoubtedly, these significant dates clearly demonstrate the importance of the oil and gas industry for the country. As you know, oil and gas are our strategically important resources. The oil industry has played a special role in the development of the country. During the years of Independence, we fully felt the full value of black gold. And today this industry is developing at a dynamic pace. Kazakhstan holds a leading position in the global oil market, oil production in the country has increased fourfold and will soon reach 100 million tons per year, the Head of State noted.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that Kazakhstan pays special attention to the production of raw materials, as well as their deep processing.
- We are working in this direction. Three large oil refineries located in Atyrau, Pavlodar and Shymkent have been modernized. Thanks to this, we fully provide the domestic market with high-quality fuel and lubricants. As a result of systematic work, about 13 million people got access to natural gas. Now unprecedented large-scale projects are being implemented in this direction. A new gas processing plant is under construction in Kashagan. The second line of the beineu – Bozoy-Shymkent gas pipeline is under construction. We also started to produce products with high added value. We are launching a number of major projects in the field of oil and gas chemistry. All this will create about 20 thousand jobs. Among them, I would like to highlight the polyethylene plant. This is an important project that is being implemented together with foreign investors. The volume of investments is more than 7 7 billion. The development of such large Tengiz deposits as" Kalamkas-Tengiz "and" Khazar " has begun. More than six billion dollars will be invested. The construction of marine platforms is carried out by domestic ship-building enterprises. This will be a big event in the oil and gas industry of Kazakhstan. All these projects will not only strengthen our energy potential, but also contribute to the rapid development of the country's economy. All people will benefit from this, " the president said.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that in recent years the state has paid special attention to the systematic attraction of foreign investment in various sectors of the economy.
- I would like to note my recent visit to China. This trip was actually very fruitful. It gave a strong and fresh impetus to the strategic partnership between the two countries. The agenda of the bilateral negotiations was large-scale and, most importantly, directly related to the national interests of Kazakhstan, primarily in the field of economy. During the conversation with the president of the people's Republic of China Xi Jinping, special attention was paid to comprehensive cooperation in the spirit of eternal friendship and strategic partnership. As a result of the regular meeting of the Kazakh-Chinese Business Council, more than seventy commercial documents totaling доллар 15 billion were signed. Together with Chinese partners, many projects are being implemented in the oil and gas industry. New projects of a strategic nature are also planned. Among them, I would like to highlight the agreement signed with SNPC on the construction of a gas chemical complex for the production of carbamide in Aktobe region. The project cost more than доллардан 1 billion. The agreement with the Development Bank of China on financing the construction of a main pipeline for the transport of ethane and propane in Atyrau region is also of great importance. The total amount of the agreement is about 5 530 million. We always attach great importance to deepening cooperation with all international investors. Many years of cooperation in the oil and gas industry with American, Russian, European and Chinese corporations is a clear proof of this, the head of state said.
According to the president, the oil and gas industry in the world is under the close control of many states and well-known experts. The prospects of the industry are being discussed in terms of its impact on the prospects for the development of the global economy.
- I believe that hydrocarbons will continue to play a key role in the world's energy market, and, accordingly, in the energy sector of Kazakhstan. As the experience of a number of countries, including European ones, shows, an alternative power source cannot fully cover the need. In addition, it is necessary to pay special attention to the use of advanced coal disinfection technologies in industry, including in the construction of power plants. It is known that the share of coal in the energy balance of Kazakhstan is about 70%. The country is among the ten largest coal mining countries. It is better not to give up this advantage. On the contrary, it should be used effectively, " the head of state said.
The president stressed that the domestic oil and gas complex faces the task of technological modernization, in particular, the introduction of artificial intelligence. This is very relevant.
- Modern technologies should contribute to the optimization of production, transportation and processing of oil and petroleum products. The domestic oil and gas industry must meet modern trends. Therefore, it is very important to introduce clean and advanced technologies into this industry. It is necessary to strengthen geological exploration and focus on the discovery of new deposits. In addition, it is necessary to attract educated, young personnel to this area and maximize human potential. Because in order to be globally competitive, we need, first of all, qualified specialists. It is advisable to improve the educational program and develop research centers. If we fulfill these tasks efficiently, we will open the way to the formation of a just, strong, clean and advanced Kazakhstan, " Kassym – Jomart Tokayev said.
The head of State expressed his opinion on the place of the working man in society
- Hard work is one of the noblest qualities. I pay special attention to this issue in every word. People who know the value of honest work will be a progressive nation. There is a good saying in our people: "according to merit – respect". A man of Labor is a man of the country. A person of work is, first of all, a person who works hard for the bright future of his native country. Therefore, now we widely glorify and pay special respect to workers in our country. Since the beginning of the year, I have been inviting and rewarding citizens working in different sectors of the country. This should be understood as the warm attention, sincere respect and gratitude of our people to you, " the president said.
At the solemn event, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev awarded state awards to a group of citizens who have made a significant contribution to the development of the country’s oil and gas industry.
Source: Akorda.kz.