Erkanat ABENI
ASTANA, Oct 27
(THE GLOBE)
�The main objective of the Ministry is to pay social security debts,� the Minister of Labour and Social Security announced on Wednesday in Astana.
According to Nikolai Rodostovets, this should be done even if they will have to delay government salaries. Rodostovets said the debt came to about 22 billion tenge (US$150 million) including overdue pensions of some 15 billion tenge. Pensions are 57 days delinquent.
The ex-chairman of the Antimonopoly Agency said the Ministry would focus on assisting poor citizens. To do this, first of all it is necessary to determine the minimum income. If a person earns less, he will receive financial aid.
�Social payments have been transferred to local authorities. Akims use this to guarantee requirements of their administrations,� Natalya Korzhova�s successor said. In southern Kazakhstan only 13% and in Kostanai region 27% of the projected amount has been paid to the population.
Mr. Rodostovets said he was going to discuss bills �On labour�, �On employment� and �On living wage� at the Parliament.
Gulbanu ABENOVA
ASTANA, Oct 28
(THE GLOBE)
�Proton� with a Russian satellite �Express-A1� fell in the Karagandy region. This was announced by the Kazakhstan informational agencies referring the Agency on Extraordinary Situations.
According to the latter, Proton fell 25 km north-eastwards from the village Atasu (Zhanaarka district) on Wednesday at 11.20 p.m. The accident happened at 220 second of the flight due to technical defects. In the result the rocket fell down, a representative of the Russian Space Agency states.
This was the second explode of Proton over Kazakhstan in this year. On July 5, 1999 at 8.33 p.m. a series of air explosions took place near Karbyshevka (Koktas) in Kargalin district (Karagandy region). At 9 p.m. a section of rocket fell in the yard of a house. The wreckage of Proton found in the steppe and near an open water reservoir.
After that explode Kazakhstan prohibited from launching of Russian rockets from Baikonur space-vehicle launching site until reasons for Proton explode were clarified.
Toktar Aubakirov, the first Kazakhstani spaceman, a member of the Kazakhstan-Russian intergovernmental commission announced that the accident proved the Russian space heads ignored both Kazakhstan and its government. (THE GLOBE #56(374), 16.07.99). On July 5 the catastrophe territory was over 100 km in length and 30 km in width. The rocket had 42 tons of fuel and a lot of nitric acid.
Russia announced it would compensate the damage incurred by the population and promised to pay the due rent amount.
The value of damage caused by the Proton explode in July has not determined yet. According to Mr. Daukeva, the Ministry of Ecology this amount is US$ 1.5 million. But the Russia paid only US$ 1,000 to the woman, in whose yard the wreck fell.
This time there were no victims as well. A governmental commission was established to investigate the new accident.
�Russia should compensate the damage if any launch from Baikonur fails,� Yuryi Koptev, the general director of the Russian Space Agency stated. (THE GLOBE #55, 13.07.99).
Engels Gabbatov believes after each explosion of the rocket all population in the territory of accident should be paid compensation. He thinks it is unnecessary to abandon disallow launches, as this may complicate relation with Russia. The Kazakhstan population should be informed about next launch 10 days before, as flights cause atmosphere disorders, mixing cyclones and anticyclones, which leads to unfavourable natural events and influence the people�s life.
In his opinion, Kazakhstan has neither proper means nor equipment to determine the incurred damage.
A representative of the government�s press service said to THE GLOBE, that possibly, launches would not be prohibited, but Kazakhstan might demand more compensation. Of course, if there is any damage. The same Kazakhstan-Russian commission investigation Proton�s accident in July will work now. The commission was headed by the vice president Alexander Pavlov. After the commission considers consequences of the explode, Mr. Pavlov will hold a press conference.
ALMATY, Oct 28
(THE GLOBE based on Iteca materials)
In the middle of the next week on November 3 to 7, the second Central Asian International exhibition InterFood�99 �Products, drinks, and packing. Equipment for food industry and agriculture� will be held in Almaty. Traditionally, the exhibition will be held in the exhibition centre �Atakent�.
First time InterFood was held in Moscow in 1995 and became among popular in CIS countries. In 1997 the exhibition was conducted in Sanct Petersburg. At present InterFood is held in Kiev and Baku.
Due to a strong interest of companies producing food, InterFood was organised in Almaty in November 1998. Over 60 companies from 15 countries of the world participated in the event. According to researches, in the last year 75% of participants considered Kazakhstan as the most interesting and promising market.
Today the difficult condition of most companies is caused by the economic crisis. The problem of Kazakhstani food market�s dependence on import is well-known. But the Russian August crisis sharpened it strongly. The growing demand for food along with the narrowed production proved once again that any prohibition on import from neighbouring countries is ungrounded.
These measures impeded co-operation with Russian and Uzbek companies. Recent changes to the legislation assisted Russian companies wishing to work in the Kazakhstan market to come to the exhibition. InterFood will also present the national stand of Prebaltic states, whose government donated exporters to participate in the exhibition.
More than 100 companies from 15 countries will participate in the exhibition. Over 10,000 visitors are expected. The Agency on Standardisation, Metrology and Certification, the Investment Agency �KazInvest�, the Ministry of Agriculture will hold workshops devoted to different problems of the world�s food market.
These events are intended for maximum contacts between producers, suppliers and customers. According to the last year results, 69% of participating companies established business contacts. 78% of visitors were heads and managers of enterprises.
The detailed information about the exhibition, the list of participants, and conditions will be available in Internet: www.interfood.iteca.kz.
All Over the Globe is published by IPA House.
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