OREANDA-NEWS. October 13, 2008. Program of the trip began with a visit to the New-Dzhambyl phosphate plant. Here, under the chairmanship of the Head of State was held the Republican meeting devoted to development of the chemical industry in the Republic of Kazakhstan, reported the Official website www.akorda.kz.

Addressing the meeting, Nursultan Nazarbayev said that Zhambyl region, where significant amounts of phosphorites and other minerals are concentrated, has always been the center of the chemical industry.

The President drew attention to the fact that in the face of world food crisis the demand for fertilizers is growing. The economy of Kazakhstan, which has all the prerequisites to become the largest producer of agricultural products and food, is also in need for mineral fertilizers.

- By developing the existing capacity in the chemical industry, we create not only new export production, but also lay a solid basis for raising agricultural productivity. That should help us to become one of the main suppliers of food in the world, - stressed the Head of State.

President Nazarbayev was informed by the Ministers of Industry and Trade, Energy and Mineral Resources, Agriculture, as well as the head of "Kazyna" Fund and Akim of the Zhambyl region of the development of chemical industry in the republic.

- I believe that the time has come to systematically address the issues of chemical industry. This sector is not new in Kazakhstan. We have the scientific and engineering personnel, resources and industry capacity. I often meet with investors and they are interested in implementation of chemical projects. Today I became acquainted with some interesting projects which require specific state action, - said the Head of State.

In particular, projects of “Evrohim” company on the production of mineral fertilizers and “Kazazot" company on the construction of ammonia and uria complex were indicated as the largest high-tech projects of chemical industry.

The President set specific targets concerning further development of chemical industry and requested the Government to develop a concrete plan of action for each of the projects discussed, which should provide a solution to all the issues related to their implementation.

Then Nursultan Nazarbayev visited "Taraz metallurgical plant", where he familiarized himself with the work of the shop manufacturing ferro-alloy products. This major investment project is implemented in the framework of the state program "30 corporate leaders of Kazakhstan".

The same day the President laid flowers at the monument to the well-known Kazakh composer-kobyzshy Yhylas Dukenuly. There he met with veterans of the area and representatives of artistic intelligentsia and also toured the reconstructed city cinema hall.

Then Nursultan Nazarbayev visited Center of Operational Management of the Department of Road Police of the Zhambyl region to examine the work of the Center and the operators hall "02".

The president also visited Grodikovo village, where he had a look at the health center "Senim". The main activity of this medical institution is to offer outpatient and inpatient care to birthgiving women.

Summing up the results of the working trip to the region, Head of State N. Nazarbayev said at a briefing for journalists:

– We carried out an important work to renew the chemical industry. The chemical cluster is as huge and important as oil and gas, mining and smelting and agricultural clusters. Today we occupy the 4th place in the world in terms of phosphorite ores reserves. Kazakhstan needs as much as 2.6 billion tons for domestic demands, whereas now we consume only 200 thousand tons. Investors are willing to invest in the chemical industry approximately 5 billion dollars. 500 million dollars will be invested in the year ahead.