The money of Kazakhstan's oligarchs will be directed to flood relief
More than 40 billion tenge ($90 million) seized from oligarchs who tried to launder money abroad in Kazakhstan will be spent on social programs, including relief from the consequences of floods in the north of the country, it was announced.
Kazakhstan wants to use part of the 90 million dollars seized from the oligarchs to solve the flood problems, Yeni Şafak writes.
It is noted that during the past year, Kazakhstan's illegal assets recovery commission managed to return to the country's budget more than 40 billion tenge ($90 million), which Kazakh oligarchs tried to launder money abroad in illegal ways.
According to the mass media of Kazakhstan, the government of the republic decided to spend these funds on social programs. According to him, the main part of the funds will be directed to the victims of floods in the north of Kazakhstan. The commission also approved the conclusion of investment contracts worth 7 billion tenge ($15.8 million). Thus, the authorities decided to oblige the law-abiding oligarchs to build two infrastructure facilities in Astana and Shymkent.
"The ongoing work on the return of assets is a direct example of the direction of the head of state to restore social justice. All returned funds are being spent for the benefit of the people of Kazakhstan," said Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Oljas Bektenov.
Projects in Astana and Shymkent are aimed not only at infrastructure development, but also at becoming an engine of economic growth for the republic. The government expects a double benefit from creating new jobs and increasing tax revenue: solving pressing social problems while stimulating economic growth.
On April 26, the press service of the prime minister reported that the government has paid compensation to 12,642 families affected by floods in the north and center of the country. To date, 21,658 requests for help have been received from the residents of the affected areas. Over the past two weeks, authorities have allocated more than 645 million tenge ($1.5 million) to repair 468 homes.
Civil protection services of Kazakhstan continue to eliminate the consequences of flooding in Atyrau, Aktobe, West Kazakhstan and North Kazakhstan regions. The floods will peak this week , and the water level in the region is expected to gradually decrease starting from May 1.
Earlier, the Federal Emergency Management Agency of Kazakhstan reported that more than 6,500 people remain in evacuation centers due to floods in the country , and specialists continue to work to eliminate floods and provide assistance to the population in the regions of Atyrau, Aktobe, West Kazakhstan and North Kazakhstan.
