Special Edition – Reshuffling of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan

The President of the RK by the Decree No. 875 dated August 6 2014 amended the structure of the Government of the RK.

The number of ministries was reduced from 17 to 12. A number of agencies were either abolished or reorganized.

Functions and authorities of the Ministry of Economy and Budget Planning, the Ministry of Regional Development, and respective Agencies on Statistics, Regulation of Natural Monopolies, Protection of Competition and Consumer Protection have been delegated to the brand new Ministry of National Economy of the RK. Erbolat Dossaev will head up the Ministry.

The newly established Ministry of Energy of the RK has been assigned with functions and authorities of the abolished Ministry of Oil and Gas, Ministry of Industry and New Technologies (in relation to energy), the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources (in relation to environmental protection), and will also be responsible for promotion of “green economy”. Vladimir Shkolnik Sergeyevich was appointed as the new Minister.

The Ministry of Finance of the RK will take up functions of the abolished Ministry of Economy and Budget Planning in relation to budget planning. Bakhyt Sultanov became the Minister of Finance.

The Ministry of Healthcare and Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare have been reorganized into the Ministry of Healthcare and Social Development of the RK. Tamara Duissenova will head up the joint Ministry.

The Ministry of Emergency has been merged with the Ministry of Interior of RK. Kalmukhanbet Kassymov will keep the position of the Interior Minister.

The newly established Ministry of Investments and Development of the RK will be responsible for matters that have been within the realm of the respective abolished Ministry of Industry and New Technologies, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Agency for Communication and Information, National Space Agency, as well as for energy efficiency and geology. Aset Issekeshev has been appointed as the new Minister of Investments and Development.

The new Ministry of Culture and Sport of the RK will take up functions and powers of the respective abolished Ministry of Culture, Agency for Religious Affairs, as well as Agency for sports and physical culture. Arystanbek Mukhamediuly will hold the position of the Minister.

The Ministry of Agriculture of the RK has been assigned with functions of the abolished Ministry of Environment and Water Resources in relation to fishery, water management, forests, and fauna.

The financial police have been abolished, and the new Agency for Civil Service Affairs and Countering against Corruption has been established. The latter will be responsible for prevention, detection, suppression and investigation of corruption offenses. Kairat Kozhamzharov will head up the new Agency.

The Decree came into force on 6 August 2014.

Information contained in this Client Update is of general nature and cannot be used as legal advice or recommendation. Please seek a lawyer for a specific advice. Please note that Kazakhstan is an emerging economy and its legislation and legal system are in constant development. Should you have any questions or would like to discuss matters addressed in this Client Update, please contact us.