The independent Kazakhstan is highly inefficient electricity production, transmission and distribution infrastructure, while electricity prices both for industry and residential consumers is significantly lower that world average level due to abundance of oil, gas and coal resources. As a result of resource usage inefficiency, the country loss of 3-5% of national growth domestic product and competitiveness on international economic arena. The aim of this study is to determine the possibilities of ensuring economic growth in Kazakhstan by improving the energy efficiency of the economy. The paper proposes to identify the relationship between economic growth and energy efficiency in Kazakhstan by applying the correlation-regression and comparative analysis of the dynamics of the national gross product and its specific energy intensity, which will determine and substantiate the priority direction of increasing energy efficiency and sustainable development in Kazakhstan. The result of correlation-regression analysis reveals that an increase in the price of electricity supply for industry by 2.5 KZT tenge per 1 kW leads to an improvement in the energy intensity of GDP by 0.012 kg per 47,000 KZT (or 100 USD), and an increase in the price of electricity supply for the population by 2.5 KZT per 1 kW leads to an improvement in energy intensity GDP by 0.005 kg per 47,000 KZT. In discussion, the article argues that country is mostly focuses on development of renewable energy sector, while considering the situation that Kazakhstan is geographically large country with high energy losses during the transmission and distribution electricity system, the application of the Smart Grid technologies seems as a prerequisite for improvement of energy efficiency and economic growth in Kazakhstan.

This article provides an overview of the energy potential of Central Asian economies and in particular, the power sector of Tajikistan, with a special emphasis on the potential usage of coal since water availability for hydropower in the region depends on seasons and is already affected by climate change. With these restrictions, coal arises as to the economic alternative and coal-fired plants are considered in the country as a tool for development and new coal-fired plants are under construction and development of new coalmines is also proposed. The objective of this article is to achieve profitable capital investment in a 250 MW coal-fired thermal power plant situated in east part of Tajikistan. In this context, the article applies a mathematical model to estimate the quantitative advantages of coal alternatives. The cost analysis of the plant was carried out on the basis of total capital investment, operating cost (i.e. coal feedstock, maintenance and labour, and cost of pumping power) and revenue. Furthermore, the article discusses the main concerns of the government of Tajikistan in sustaining its economic development, and finally, describes the future role that hydro-coal power will play in this development.

ABSTRACT This article discusses the issue of effective financial management in agriculture. The article considers the indicators of budget spending efficiency that are used by countries with extensive experience in effective budgeting. Such indicators are recommended for adaptation in countries with transitional economy. When assessing the effectiveness of financial management of agriculture in Kazakhstan, it is necessary to take into account examples of effective audit in other countries. The article presents experience of other countries and demonstrates the inconsistency of existing policies in the agricultural sector of Kazakhstan.