Kazakhstan has enough domestic resources to overcome crisis consequences - Minister Aitzhanova
ALMATY. May 15. KAZINFORM /Aigul Turysbekova/ Kazakhstan has enough domestic resources to overcome the consequences of the global crisis. The National Fund holds about USD 52 billion for today. Kazakh Minister of Economic Development and Trade Zhanar Aitzhanova has said it at the Trans-Asian Parliamentary Forum in Almaty today.
She noted that the Government's measures on overcoming the world economic crisis yielded positive results. About USD 10 billion from the National Fund were allocated for it. More than 2500 small and medium businesses received the state support in the form of soft loans and subsidies. Over 4700 new jobs were created. The country's per capita GDP increased and makes USD 6,685 presently. About USD 108 billion of direct investments have been attracted to Kazakhstan since 2001.
"Today the Government is interested in redistribution of these investments in the manufacturing sector. The investment legislation creates equal conditions both for domestic and foreign investors so they could invest in non-extractive economy sectors. Every effort is made to remove administrative barriers to business", the Minister stressed.
According to her, the Government's key priority for the nearest future is the economy diversification. "Petrochemical industry, pharmaceutical industry, tourism and transport were determined at the priority directions of development", Z. Aitzhanova emphasized. She also noted that the Customs Union gave new opportunities to Kazakh businessmen.