The Minister of Economy of Kazakhstan Alibek Kuantrov at a meeting of the government proposed to introduce an additional tax on solid minerals, such as uranium, copper, iron ore, zinc, and also start the seizure of part of the margin from producers and suppliers of petroleum products. This is reported by the Edition “Italic”.
During the day before this, President Kasym-Zhomart Tokayev instructed the government to find new sources of income to the budget. Since the country receives the largest part of revenues by selling minerals, such initiatives were expected.
Kuantyrov did not specify the sum of the new tax, as well as the size of the fees. However, he stated that the tax should be tied to real world prices.
At the same time, the Minister pointed out that the government wants to minimize the oncoming movement of funds between regions and the center, that is, to transfer part of tax revenues to the local level. These proposals will be included in a package of amendments to budget legislation, which are currently being developed by central and local government agencies.
Previously, Tokayev demanded from the richest people of the country to make funds into a specially created foundation called “the people of Kazakhstan”, money from which will go to solve problems in health care, education and social support.
The reason for hasty reforms in Kazakhstan has become mass protests due to the increase in gas prices in two times the beginning on January 2. Social requirements quickly turned into calls for the resignation of government and leaving all posts of the First President of the country Nursultan Nazarbayev. Both of these conditions were fulfilled, however, the unrest turned into pogroms, because of which the leadership of the country asked for help in the organization of collective security agreement (CSTO). After entering the troops of foreign states, the situation was able to take control.