Astana, Feb 5 (EFE).- The government of Kazakhstan resigned en masse on Monday, a move accepted by the president of the Central Asian republic, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Tokayev had previously emphasized the need for deep reforms to liberalize the economy and increase foreign investment in what is known as Central Asia’s economic powerhouse.
In the relevant decree, the president accepted the resignation of Alikhan Smailov‘s government and appointed Roman Sklyar as acting prime minister.
“The members of the government of Kazakhstan will continue to perform their duties until the new executive is approved,” the decree added, coming into effect upon the signature of the Kazakh president.
In a recent discussion with Italian businessmen, Tokayev said, “Kazakhstan will soon undertake significant and profound reforms that will make our economy more transparent, stable, and dynamic.”
He also scheduled for Feb. 7 an expanded government session to “review the country’s economic and social development in 2023 and set the main goals for the upcoming period.”
The president added that the reforms aim to achieve economic development in line with the norms and business development mechanisms of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and thus open Kazakhstan to foreign investments.
“While the attention now is on the composition of the new cabinet, the focus over the next few days will be on the Feb. 7 extended government session with the participation of President Tokayev,” Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko noted.
“It is at this session that the President had earlier promised to present a vision of a new economic policy for Kazakhstan to make its economy more resilient, diversified, and fair, while also more attractive for foreign investment,” Vassilenko said.
Kazakh political scientist Talgat Kaliyev linked the resignation to the president’s dissatisfaction with the cabinet’s management, which he has repeatedly criticized over the last two years.
“The resignation is connected to the future economic development of Kazakhstan… The president criticized the government for its inability to propose an effective economic strategy,” he said.
According to the political scientist, “Smailov’s government has definitely exhausted its credit of trust.” EFE