Kazakhstan wants to develop its transportation actively

/IRBIS, Oct.16, 00/ - REUTERS informs, with the reference to the prime- minister, Kasymjomart Tokaev, that Kazakhstan intends to develop its transportation industry in the year 2001 already, first, by reconstructing automobile roads and creation of the fleet of tankers to transport oil. He said that KZT24.5 bln had been allocated for the construction and reconstruction of roads in the next year's budget. The country's major source of income is mainly oil exports and it is trying to develop its infrastructure and processing industry, is said. The Ministry of transportation and communication informs that more than 20% of the roads are in bad condition, such as Samara-Shymkent, Aktobe- Astrakhan, Dossor-Kulsary-Beineu in the west of the country. It is also said that more than 35% of the bridges require a major overhaul. KZT5.7 bln out of KZT24 bln is planned to use for the exploitation of the roads and KZT7.1 bln for the construction and reconstruction of the roads of the national importance, and the rest to be used for other road projects. Kazakhstan is said to have received already about $200 mln from international financial institutions during the last few years. He added that the government intended to create a fleet of tankers at the Caspian Sea for oil transportation. The fleet is said to be created on the basis of the lease, and then it will depend on financial capabilities of the country. Presently, Kaztransoil is said to rent some ships to transport oil, is said. He said that the country would participate in all transit projects and use its favorable geographic location, join transportation corridor North-South with the participation of Russia, as well as in international project TRASEKA.