Only 16% of Kazakhstanis consider themselves healthy. A unique study on the health of Kazakhstanis was conducted by the TALAP Center for Applied Research. In Almaty, people move less and sleep less, in Astana, they are more stressed and eat fast food, in Shymkent, there is a greater emphasis on fruits and vegetables, but only 7.3% of Kazakhstanis regularly visit a doctor for preventive examinations.
According to the national statistics bureau, the number of registered individual entrepreneurs (IE) in the country decreased by 2.4% in a month, while the number of entrepreneurs grew by 8.5% throughout 2023. The "Voice of the People" editorial team decided to explore how the decline in individual entrepreneurship is related to the introduction of universal income declaration. Could this mean that entrepreneurs will move to the shadow business or close their projects?
The economic community of Kazakhstan is awaiting the results of the Monetary Policy Committee meeting of the National Bank, which will take place tomorrow. During the meeting, the experts of the financial regulator will decide on the "rules of the game" that all banks must follow in the near future - they will set the base rate.
The Middle East has been in a state of hybrid wars for three months now. Analysts worldwide express serious concerns that the escalated conflict between Israel and HAMAS, against the tense situation on the border of Israel and Lebanon, as well as due to the provocations of the Houthis in Yemen and the Red Sea, could spread throughout the region. However, the world economy and geopolitics are very cynical things; while some countries are at war, others may improve their material situation.
The growth of the mortgage portfolio in 2023 has halved.
In the past year of 2023, a number of important laws were adopted in Kazakhstan. Some of them have already come into force. Thus, from today, the country has begun to conduct fingerprint registration of citizens. However, this procedure is voluntary for Kazakhstanis, while foreigners and stateless persons over the age of 16 will have to submit their fingerprints whether they want to or not.
Government agencies will not fine, but will give small businesses the opportunity to correct the violations identified. This was reported by the Ministry of National Economy. Such measures will be taken, according to officials, as part of the execution of the President's message.
In early September, the President of Kazakhstan will again address the population with an annual message. On the eve of this event, I decided to talk to well-known economists about their expectations regarding the main political statement in the country.
RAHIM OSHAKBAYEV IS NOT A MEMBER OF THE COORDINATING COUNCIL OF THE PARASAT ALLIANCE OF ENTREPRENEURS
We did not notice how we began to borrow from banks for almost everything. For a new phone, for a car and an apartment, for a wedding, for food, and even loans to cover other loans. And don't forget about payday loans, vacation loans, and loans again to close all these loans. As a result, today we owe trillions of tenge to banks. And this figure is not even growing every year, but from month to month.
Products and services are becoming more expensive in the country. But the revenues following the price increase do not keep up! Most Kazakhstanis are forced to take food and medicines on credit!
Two years ago, at a meeting on the socio-economic situation in the country, the President of Kazakhstan instructed to start drafting a law on bankruptcy of individuals. And already in March of the 23rd year, the bankruptcy law began to take effect. Despite the fact that this is a real chance to get rid of financial bondage, the percentage of approval of applications remains very low.