Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov visited the Karavan-Saray complex during his working trip to Turkestan region, where he held a meeting with investors and representatives of the tourism industry in the region.

Prime Minister was presented new investment projects on construction of gas and solar power plants, coal, petrochemical and sulfuric acid plants, chemical complex for production of caustic soda, polyvinyl chloride, calcium carbide and cement, water pipeline with a cascade of HPPs on the Ugam river, greenhouse complex, fattening site, etc. 

"All projects are socially and economically important for the region. They will create permanent jobs and significantly increase the output of industrial products. The regional Akimat should take special control over their timely implementation and provide the required infrastructure," Alikhan Smailov said.

In particular, he said, the launch of new power plants will reduce energy dependency of the southern region, and new agricultural facilities will significantly contribute to the implementation of the President's instructions to ensure food security of the country.

During the meeting, investors voiced a number of problematic issues that arose during the work on projects. Alikhan Smailov instructed state agencies to consider them and provide assistance within the legislation.

Prime Minister was also reported on the pace of development of the tourism industry in the region, the key areas of which are historical and cognitive, pilgrimage, medical, eco and ethno tourism. In particular, Alikhan Smailov was presented with the Kaskasu project of tourist-recreational complex, where summer and winter rest will be available for about 4 thousand visitors a day. 

"The economic efficiency of tourism facilities providing quality services all year round is high. I think that Turkestan region has a very big potential in this direction," Alikhan Smailov said. 

In addition, he stressed that attention should be paid to quality training of qualified personnel to work with tourists.

As part of the working visit, the Prime Minister also visited the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yassaui and familiarized with the improvement of the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve Azret-Sultan.