NUR-SULTAN, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Kazakhstan has allocated 300 billion tenge or 700 million U.S. dollars to boost small businesses and create new jobs amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said on Monday.
Noting that Kazakhstan is feeling the impact of the pandemic, Tokayev said his government will "take all necessary measures to prevent the growth of social tension and unemployment."
Meanwhile, the country's international reserves of 90 billion dollars will help stabilize the economy and fulfill social obligations, he added.
Kazakhstan began a one-month state of emergency to curb the spread of COVID-19 on Monday. It bans travellers, except diplomats and those invited by the government, from entering or leaving Kazakhstan by all means of transport. All public events are also suspended.
