Regional authorities in Kazakhstan reprimanded for providing incorrect reports on potato stocksKazakh Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin has reprimanded deputy governors of seven regions for failing to properly monitor potato stocks, the government’s press service said in a Tuesday press release.The reprimands follow audits that uncovered significant discrepancies between reported and actual potato stocks in several regions.“As at March 12, the remaining stocks of potatoes contracted by civic-oriented entrepreneurial corporations (CECs) for the stabilization funds totaled 41,300 tonnes. However, audits in several regions revealed significant discrepancies between reported and actual potato reserves. (…) Following the identified violations, the deputy prime minister reprimanded the deputy governors of the regions that have failed to ensure proper control over the potato stocks,” the press release says.The audits revealed the following inconsistencies: only 25 tonnes was actually in stock vs. 2,500 tonnes reported by the CEC in the Mangistau region, 35 tonnes vs. 1,600 tonnes in the East Kazakhstan region, 110 tonnes vs. 394 tonnes in the Atyrau region, 183 tonnes vs. 2,200 tonnes in the Abay region, 308 tonnes vs. 2,600 tonnes in the Zhambyl region, 827 vs. 1,800 tonnes in the Ulytau region, and 1,300 tonnes vs. 2,300 tonnes in the West Kazakhstan region.To address the shortfall, Kazakhstan is actively importing potatoes from Pakistan and China at affordable prices. Over 4,000 tonnes have already been imported, with an additional 700 tonnes expected soon.The government has also taken steps to stabilize domestic prices. On January 28, Kazakhstan imposed a six-month ban on potato exports to third countries, excluding members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). This decision followed a 1.5-fold increase in potato exports in 2024, driven by high demand from the neighboring countries, particularly Uzbekistan, and rising export prices.The surge in demand has impacted the domestic market, with prices from export-oriented producers jumping sharply in late January from 170 to 270 tenge per kilogram.Civic-oriented entrepreneurial corporations (CEC) are regional institutes of development in Kazakhstan organized to develop local industries and revive the shutdown or bankrupt enterprises.Administratively, Kazakhstan is divided into 17 regions plus three administrative areas: Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan; Almaty, the largest city and former capital of the country; and Shymkent, Kazakhstan’s third largest city located in the Turkestan region. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX