OREANDA-NEWS. May 16, 2011. At a meeting of the Kazakhmys group with entrepreneurs of the towns of Zhezkazgan region a decision was taken to establish the Association of Entrepreneurs and Industrialists of Zhezkazgan region. The primary goal of the Association is strengthening of co-operation between small and medium enterprises and the major company. Kazakhmys has made a first contribution to the amount of KZT5 m. The amount of Kazakhmys' procurement off regional enterprises made up KZT10 bn in 2010, reported the press-centre of KASE.

The association based on small and medium sized businesses of Zhezkazgan region is aimed at increasing of enterprises' industrial capacity, effective development of entrepreneurship and implementation of principles of a socially-oriented economy in the region. Amongst top priorities there are measures aimed at increasing of competitiveness of locally produced goods and services in- and outside. The region is the domain for about 6 thousand small and medium businesses providing subsistence for over 10 thousand people. Around fifty percent of the entrepreneurs deliver services in the non-industrial sector, trade and construction business.

"Kazakhmys keeps co-operating closely with entrepreneurs of Zhezkazgan and Satpaev in the course of implementation of the programme aimed at increasing of Kazakhstan-made content, support for local producers, as well as diversification of the region's economy. We are eager to beef up procurement of the Association's members and co-operate with them in direction of increasing the competitiveness of the national producer", - said Eduard Ogai, CEO of Corporation Kazakhmys.