President Nursultan Nazarbayev saw new opportunities in the time of crisis - Li Ziguo

Mr. Li Ziguo, what conclusions have you drawn after familiarizing with the State-of-the-Nation Address? The Address to the Nation by President Nursultan Nazarbayev "Nurly zhol - Path to the Future" demonstrates that your country has embarked on the new course in its development and chosen the path of further economic reforms. That shows wisdom and far-sightedness of your Leader. What, in your opinion, is the key goal of the Presidential Address? Kazakhstan has two economic problems. First and foremost, your economy largely depends on oil and gas prices. The good news is the Astana-based government is aware of this fact and does its best to diversify national economy. Secondly, sanctions imposed by the West on Russia have negative effect on Kazakhstan's economy, as a member of the Customs Union and the Eurasian Economic Union. In his address President Nazarbayev outlined the new anti-crisis plan aimed at overcoming the existing problems at the expense of the National Fun and carrying out structural reforms of economy to get rid of dependence on oil and gas revenues. Moreover, this time the Government will not only assume measures to surmount the crisis as it did back in 2007-2009, but will also stimulate development of transport, energy, industrial and social infrastructure and small and medium businesses. In my opinion, construction of the first dry port, development of infrastructure of special economic zones "Khorgos - Eastern Gates", "National industrial petrochemical technopark" in Atyrau and Taraz, EXPO-2017 complex in Astana and other projects and facilities are of paramount importance for attracting foreign investments and improving economic structure of Kazakhstan. What is the keynote of the new Presidential Address? President Nazarbayev mentions the word ‘infrastructure' a lot in his address. Situated in the heart of Eurasia, Kazakhstan boasts an important advantage of transcontinental transport operations. But at the same time there is this fatal flaw - it is a land-locked country. The plan proposed by Nursultan Nazarbayev focuses on the development of its transit and transport potential. In the Chinese language the word ‘crisis' has two meanings - danger and opportunity. Only wise politicians like President Nazarbayev are able see new opportunities in the times of crisis. Thank you.