ALMATY, Feb 22 (The Globe)
A delegation of 12 senior authorities, the leadership of Kazakhstani Enterprises (a joint stock company), �Prodkorporatsia�, �Pavlodar Tractor Works,� �Hurricane Kumkol,� and others is paying a working visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran. The delegation is headed by Mukhtar Ablyazov, the Minister of Energy, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Kazakhstan. While in Iran, the Minister intends to meet with the Iranian Ministers of Trade, Mines, the Metal Industry, Energy and Oil. The issues of Kazakhstan�s export of wheat and coal to Iran as well as possible deals to swap oil will be discussed.
Gulbanu ABENOBA
ALMATY, Feb 22 (The Globe)
�The best way of attracting investments to the country is to create a normal economic environment and a normal taxation system,� stated the Minister of State Revenues on Feb 22, in Almaty. �The Ministry of Revenues was created mainly for this purpose.� Zeinolla Kakimzhanov defined the main priorities of his Ministry for the current year. According to Mr. Kakimzhanov, the main activity of the Ministry in 1999 will be directed at the improvement of the system of tax collection. Mr. Kakimzhanov outlined five priorities: i) to work with major tax payers, ii) to create conditions for economic growth (especially in the sphere of small business), iii) adequate tax collection, iv) the struggle against the illegal of production, input, and selling of alcohol, and v) raising taxes for the transport, property, land and so on.
Currently, the plan envisaged in the budget for 1999 has been 70% fulfilled. As a whole, tax collection from enterprises comprises of nearly 60% of total budget revenues. �This figure is far too high, and this is why our economy is shrinking,� said Mr. Kakimzhanov.