Economy stabilizes, industrial production increases - Q1 2010 results
ASTANA. April 21. KAZINFORM /Muratbek Makulbekov/ Despite some decline caused by the global financial crisis the socio-economic development of Kazakhstan demonstrates good dynamics. Summing up the results of the first three quarters of 2010 the Government reports on 6.5% growth (compared to the same period in 2009). It is no wonder that the experts highly appreciated the anti-crisis policy launched in Kazakhstan.In particular, Director of Russia's Business Solidarity non-governmental organization Vitaly Sednev
said that intervention of the state in economic processes was quite justified. The international rating agencies like Standard&Poor's and Moody's upgraded Kazakhstan's sovereign ratings from "negative" to "stable".
Growth is observed almost in all spheres of economy: in industry it makes 11.5%, in agriculture - 2.4%, in trade - 11.5%, in transport - 5.2% and in communications - 4.5%.
As Minister of Industry and New Technologies Asset Issekeshev reported at the Government's sitting yesterday, in the first quarter of 2010 the industrial enterprises of the country manufactured the products to the amount of KZT 2.7 trln. According to him, the greatest growth was demonstrated by Kostanay oblast (142.5%), South Kazakhstan oblast (138.5%), Pavlodar oblast (137.3%) and Zhambyl oblast (123.8%).
"In general, the indicators of the sectors coordinated by the Ministry show stabilization of economy and growth of production", Issekeshev said.
The major factors which positively influenced rise in production are: favorable fluctuations on both domestic and external markets of sale of goods; the package of measures adopted by the Government for development of the sectors of economy; maintaining domestic producers within Kazakhstani content development.
Minister of Agriculture Akhylbek Kurishbayev reported on stable paces of development in agrarian sector.
Growth of gross output in agriculture made 2.4%. Stable paces of development are observed in stockbreeding too. In processing sphere this figure made 11%.
"All of these allowed us preserving stability of the domestic food market", the Minister noted.
According to the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, the investments in fixed capital comprised 7.3%. In comparison with February, in March the growth rate made 50.5%. "The sources of investments are primarily the own funds of enterprises", Minister Zhanar Aitzhanova pointed out.
The Minister also reported on rise in retail goods turnover which made 10.5% in the first quarter. Cargo turnover was raised by 2.5%; in transport sphere this figure comprised 12.1%.
"Gross international reserves of Kazakhstan including the assets of the National Fund made USD 52.5 bln as of March 2010 that is 10.3% more against the same period in 2009. The means of the National Fund in foreign currency made USD 25.4 bln, while in the national currency this figure was at KZT 750 bln", she said. The Minister also reminded that the National Fund's means had been used as the major sources of financing the anti-crisis measures in 2009.
Economic recovery positively impacted the people's welfare. By the results of January-February 2010 per capita real income of the population rose by 5% and made KZT 71, 800. The average wage made KZT 66, 400. Since January 1, 2010 the Government has raised the pensions and benefits. Since April 1 on the President's instruction the wage of the workers of state-run organizations has been increased by 25%.
This year the country continued implementation of the Road Map program. KZT 131.8 bln were allotted for repair, construction and reconstruction of the facilities in 2010 under the program. 12.1% out of them have already been utilized.
Following the session Prime Minister Karim Massimov said that "such dynamics has not been observed for two years". "These results were reached due to economic policy pursued in Kazakhstan, joint work of state bodies, national companies and business", he stressed.
In the course of the sitting the members of the Cabinet defined the major tasks for the oncoming period which includes activities within the Road Map-2010, Business Road Map-2020 and other programs. As Minister of Economic Development and Trade Z. Aitzhanova noted, "this year the country faces huge work connected with development of regulatory-legal base of the Customs Union talking into consideration the national interests". The next direction is development of mutual trade. In this view it's necessary to provide close interaction with business community in order to promote Kazakhstani goods to the external markets and attract investments to non-primary sectors of economy.