The research of the development of the business sphere of Ekibastuz city showed that despite the existing positive tendencies, it is developing against the background of multidimensional problems that require complex decisions at the regional and institutional levels.

The article proves that transition to a sustainable development of the rural regions assumes introduction of the mechanism of management by a sustainable development of the region, improvement of business processes and institutes of the civil society, particularly, the models of local self-government.

The state of transport infrastructure depends on the economic, social stability and communicability of any connections within the country, so as with other countries. The state program for the development of the territories sets the indicators of direct and final results for the purposeful development of the transport infrastructure. The state of the transport infrastructure is assessed based on an analysis of the achievement of these indicators. The article considers approaches to the analysis of indicators of direct and final results of transport infrastructure under the program of territory development of Pavlodar region.

The paper analyzes dynamics of emergency situations in rural zone of Ekibastuz city. The main causes of emergencies of natural and anthropogenic nature are presented. The analysis was based on five-year experience of the Department of Emergency Situations in Ekibastuz city. The material damage from emergency incidents is in the order of several millions. Measures of a preventive and recommendatory nature aimed at preventing and eliminating emergencies are proposed.

The article is focused on the competency-based approach to the training of akims of rural districts on the basis of the best practice of Pavlodar center for retraining and advanced training of civil servants.

In this article, social-and-economic position of Sherbakty district of the Pavlodar region is considered. Dominant industry of economy of district is agriculture. Data are presented on the amount of operating private business entities. Complex description of socio-economic results of development of region is reflected in SWOTanalysis, strengths and weaknesses of development of district, threat and possibility are considered. The assessment of tourist cluster is highlighted for development of district and a necessity is certain for development of the strategic program of development rural territories.

In this article, quality of life as priority and one of directions of social-and-economic development of the state are considered. The quality of life of rural population and his social security, state of economy of agroindustrial complex and development of rural territories are distinguished in article. The issues of rural territories are considered, as exemplified by rural district. In the Republic of Kazakhstan there are all terms that is needed for development of agriculture. For the height of quality of life of rural population are needed substantial adjustments of public agrarian policy and also increase of social responsibility of the state and business.

The article deals with topical issues of youth employment as an important economic aspect of the state. The analysis of youth employment in modern working conditions in connection with the development of market relations in the Republic of Kazakhstan was carried out.

This paper analyzes the state support for the development of small and medium-sized businesses in the Uspensky district at the present stage. The volume of lending to small and medium-sized businesses in the region in the framework of state programs for the development of productive employment and mass entrepreneurship in rural areas is considered

This paper analyzes the development of small and medium-sized businesses in Ekibastuz district at the present stage. The volume of lending to small and medium-sized businesses in the district within the framework of state programs BRM 2020, as well as grant funding for the development of productive employment and mass entrepreneurship in rural areas of the study area. The mechanism of service support for SMEs to provide non financial support is given

The article analyzes the state and problems of cluster development in the real sector of the region based on the materials of the Pavlodar region. The main problem of innovative development of the Pavlodar region, as well as in all regions of Kazakhstan, in general, is the lack of innovative activity of enterprises, which is reflected in the volume, frequency and efficiency of their innovations. At the same time, most of the enterprises belonging to the real sector of the economy have sufficient resources for the development of innovative activity. However, the prospects for their interaction with enterprises in other sectors and sectors of the economy for the purpose of technology transfer are insignificant, which, in general, doesn’t meet the principles of balanced spatial development of the territory formulated by the program for the development of territories of the Republic of Kazakhstan until 2020. One of the ways to solve this problem is formation and development of a cluster approach and interaction of business entities. The article assesses the efficiency of the cluster’s functioning as an institution of regional development. On the example of the metallurgical cluster of Pavlodar region, the main ways and methods of forming cluster initiatives in the regional economy are considered, a SWOT analysis of the development of the metallurgical cluster of the region is given, and its main problems are identified; identifies priority directions of clusters’ development (metallurgical cluster, including the production of final products, the cluster of railway engineering, agri-food cluster), the realization of which in the region could create the conditions for the emergence and full development of a number of new highly specialized sectors such as cluster chemistry, cluster of road and construction machinery, transport logistics cluster, cluster of modern production technologies and engineering, cluster of manufacturing components for machinery and equipment and cluster of industrial electrical engineering and equipment for power engineering. The authors also noted that the realization of regional development strategies of cluster initiatives can potentially lay the foundations for clusters “future days”, such as: cluster of resource efficiency and environmentally processing, the cluster of new energy, the cluster of innovative medicine, tourism and recreational cluster.

Main problem: Issues of evaluating regional competitiveness, search for competitive territories’ advantages, especially by improving human resources’ quality, remain insufficiently studied. In this regard, in article it is presented existing models for evaluating regional competitiveness in Kazakhstan economy. In addition, in article authors carried out regional classification according to analysis of main socio-economic indicators of Kazakhstan regions, originating in Concept of regional policy. Authors calculated main indicators of Kazakhstan regions’ competitiveness with aim of determining level of region’s competitiveness in comparative perspective. Purpose: Purpose of the research is comparative analysis and evaluation of the competitiveness of Kazakhstan’s regions in modern conditions. Methods: The article uses rating model for evaluating competitiveness of Kazakhstan’s regions based on indices, developed by Agency for research on investment profitability, operating at National chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan (rating of competitiveness of Kazakhstan’s regions). Results and their value: Value of the paper considered in that classification of regions is carried out according to analysis of main socio-economic indicators of Kazakhstan regions, which originates in Concept of regional policy. The authors also calculated main indicators of competitiveness index of Kazakhstan regions according to National chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan in order to determine the specifics of regions and identify directions for developing regional strategies. Based on results of the study, analysis was carried out that allowed to reveal strengths and weaknesses of regions of Kazakhstan. It is emphasized that a high level of regional competitiveness cannot be achieved without development of human resources and their rational use. In general, directions of regional policy are determined by chosen development scenario. The approach proposed by authors to methodology for evaluating regional competitiveness has a number of advantages - it reflects the specifics of regions, allows seeing the nearest competitors and determining directions of the region’s development strategy.

This article discusses the shortcomings in the management system that hinder the sustainable development of rural areas. The main problems of rural development are identified. The directions of development of the Aksu district are determined on the basis of ensuring sustainable growth of the district's economy, as well as diversification, modernization of economic sectors and creating conditions for the production of competitive products. Promising directions of social and economic development of the Aksu district, which will allow the most dynamic development in the current conditions, are proposed.

Main problem: Currently, there are various socio-economic and environmental problems in the development of rural regions, among the key ones: access to basic services, lack of transport connectivity, inadequate social, housing infrastructure, and others. Achieving sustainable development of the territory is one of the important priorities, which is of great importance for any state. Sustainable development is understood as harmonious development from the perspective of the economy, social sphere and ecology. At the same time, the sustainable development of socio-economic and natural systems is not possible if many factors and conditions are not taken into account that can directly affect the current state and long-term sustainability of their functioning and interference is not created on these processes within the framework of the implementation of various policies by the state. Purpose: In this regard, the purpose of this study is to identify and study the key factors that determine and contribute to the balanced development of rural regions of the country in the context of sustainable development goals and objectives. Methods: Empirical methods of economic cognition, methods of induction and deduction, synthesis, as well as logical methods were used in the framework of scientific research. Results and their significance: When classifying significant factors that influence the formation of sustainable rural development, it is necessary to take into account an essential feature of sustainable development – a harmonious combination of economic, social and environmental components of social development. Taking into account the logic of this study, based on the variety of factors contributing to the sustainable development of rural a reas, their systematization has been carried out.

Main problem: achievement of socio-economic sustainability in each locality depends on coordinated actions of executive and representative authorities, which should be focused on creating appropriate conditions for ensuring social standards and improving quality of life of rural population, as well as the development of main economic basis – agricultural production. In this context, in today’s reality, the urgent problem of sustainable development of rural settlements is provision of appropriate industrial and social infrastructure, because systemic development of rural regions depends on this rural infrastructure, which acts as an element of territorial socio-economic subsystem. Purpose: identification and studying of key factors that determines and contributes to balanced development of industrial and social infrastructure of rural regions of country in context of sustainable development goals and objectives. According to the results of the study, the main distinctive features of sustainable development of rural areas are determined due to the provision of industrial and social infrastructure of rural regions, which has a correlation with the level and quality of life of the rural population, as well as the final results of agricultural production. Methods: general methodological principles, systematic approach and empirical methods of economic cognition act as methodological basis for implementation of this study: economic and statistical models, forecasting and modeling, methods of induction and deduction, synthesis, and also logical methods. Results and their significance: results of research can be used as a practical basis in activity of local executive bodies and local self-government bodies. Their use is possible for scientific substantiation of development and implementation of comprehensive plans for development of industrial and social infrastructure of rural areas of region within framework of Regional Development Plan, focused on qualitative improvement of economic basis of villages and the well-being of all segments of rural population.